Archive of Our Own

Sebek had always done his duty, protecting the future king of Briar Valley.

He's protected the fae from poisonings, kidnappings, and many more.

But the current queen, lord Malleus' grandmother, had told him not to tell Malleus of the attempts on his life.

Sebek had understood.

If lord Malleus knew about just what Sebek protects him from… well Malleus will either fall into rage, sorrow, or panic.

And Sebek refuses to inflict that upon the prince.

Silver, the human Master Lilia took in, was also one of Malleus' guards and retainers, just like Sebek.

Except Silver didn't protect Malleus from the hidden threats so that fell to Sebek.

Master Lilia is lord Malleus' paternal figure and the one who raised the prince. The older fae was also lord Malleus' advisor.

Sebek got rid of the hidden threats and dealt with the visible threats with Silver while Lilia advised the prince,

Sebek was loud, boisterous, determined, and his only duty, his purpose, was to protect Malleus.

Silver was quiet, sleepy, determined, and he had obligations and bonds.

Lilia, despite his looks, was quite old, mischievous but also serious, and his heart had long since thawed.

Sebek knew that lord Malleus didn't want retainers or guards. Instead the prince wanted friends.

But Sebek hadn't been raised to be a friend.

He had been raised to be a guard, to be a retainer, a protector, someone who protects the prince from the shadows.

People would assume that no one would dare to try and kill lord Malleus, but they would be wrong.

Sebek had stopped more attempts than he could count.

He used to keep a journal full of them, what they were, what the plan had been, and how it was stopped.

He had stopped document them after the journal was filled and he stopped counting when he reached the hundreds.

He had been 4 the first time he stopped an assassination attempt.

He hadn't been able to understand what he did, only that he hurt someone so they wouldn't hurt his prince his friend but still something churned in his stomach and he had looked at his bloodied hands.

Iron seemed to fill his nose

Sebek had later been told that he had prevented someone from killing a sleeping lord Malleus.

"But I-… I hurt him. And he-he stopped breathing," Sebek had whispered, hugging himself.

"You did the right thing Sebek. You protected Malleus. Remember, that is your duty, what you were raised to do. Protect the future ruler of Briar Valley," His father had told him.

Sebek could only nod at the time.

Then Queen Maleficia had come to him, a stern look on her face mixed with a distant sorrow.

She told him in no uncertain terms was he to tell the prince of what happened until the fae was older.

Sebek had wanted to refuse, wanted to scream that his prince his friend should know the danger he was in.

But Sebek hadn't because he remembered the blood that coated his hands, remembered the way the assassin's body had fell to the ground.

He had remembered the way the assassin's glazed had stared at him accusingly.

So Sebek nodded, accepting it.

Only four people knew of what that happened.

Queen Maleficia.

His father.

Him.

And the assassin who was burned till not even ash was left.

No one but them knew.

Not Malleus, not Briar Valley, not Silver, not even Lilia.

Sebek had looked at his stained hands, though he knew they were clean and it was only a hallucination, and vowed to himself that he wouldn't tell anyone, no matter their age.

It was his responsibility.

It was his duty.

If he told them then they would worry, panic, and perhaps break.

He couldn't burden them about the nightmares he had.

He can't burden them with his tears.

Sebek can't burden them with himself.

But Sebek kept fighting off the attempts on his prince's life.

People would think Silver would be the one who dealt with the danger in the shadows…

But that simply wasn't the case.

Sebek was the one who dealt with them.

And Sebek hid his purpose underneath his loudness, his yelling, and his determination.

Sebek hid his strength, his exhaustion, everything, beneath his attitude.

Everything he showed was true… just… exaggerated.

Right? It was only exaggerated, it was truly him.

How long had been sense he first seen the life ebbing out of someone, sense he had felt the chill in his bones that never seemed to leave.

12 years perhaps?

It's hard to believe it's been that long.

Sebek cut his thoughts off, unwilling to go down that rabbit hole once again.

Sebek looked out his dorm window, looking up at the stars.

It had been a few months since that magic-less human had appeared.

Riddle, Leona, Azul, and Jamil had all over-blotted.

Sebek was tired.

He was only 16 yet it felt like he was eons old.

Sebek leaned against his headboard, his exhaustion went beyond his mind and skin, it was bone deep.

He was just a freshman and he was in a school.

The prince hasn't had nearly the amount of attempts on his life that Sebek used to have to deal with.

And that's not even going into the fact that now Lilia and Silver had started to notice them.

But that was his purpose, to protect the prince from unseen threats.

But Lilia and Silver were noticing them.

Then again, the one's they're noticing are incredibly obvious as compared to the ones Sebek deals with.

But still…

They're noticing them.

Does that mean Sebek will go without a purpose?

Silver was already able to guard Malleus without Sebek with no trouble.

Sebek had a duty to serve the prince and protect him from the threats hidden in the shadows.

But if that is taken away…

What is left of him?

Deep in an ocean of fire something pulses.

It is hidden in the deepest parts.

It pulse again, searching, looking.

Then it found what it wanted, what it needed, and latched onto it.

The soul was oh so lonely and so burdened by those around them.

Perhaps…

Just perhaps it could help.

A wave of ancient mage pulses and an artifact long since thought gone awakens once more.

Yes, this soul is chained by the shackles of those around them.

They would help this soul.

Deep, hidden in an ocean of fire, a small gem encrusted in a necklace of gold and Emeralds glows.

The ancient magic pulses again, latching onto the soul that took it's interest.

The magic purred, melting onto the soul.

Yes, it would keep this one.

This soul needed to be unchained and unburdened.

Sebek felt as if the world tilted.

Goosebumps traveled across his skin.

The hairs on the back of his neck rose.

Something happened.

It wasn't wrong.

It wasn't right.

It was simply off.

Silver looked at him, worry in the human's eyes.

"Sebek? Are you ok?" Silver asked.

"I'm fine Silver! Now come! We must hurry to training to be efficient knights for our liege!" Sebek said in his loud voice a lie.

Silver just shook his head amused and let himself be dragged by Sebek.

Sebek, despite everything, couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

It started small at first.

Lilia forgetting his birthday.

Lord Malleus forgetting he entered the room.

Silver forgetting that he had training with Sebek.

A few of the things he gifted to others were now thought to be given from someone else.

His name is almost forgotten when taking attendance.

But then it started escalating.

Sebek had tried convincing himself over and over that it was all a cruel prank, a test made to test him.

But it had already lasted weeks.

Surely, surely this wasn't actually happening.

Surely they weren't doings this to be cruel or malicious.

"Calm down, calm down. They aren't forgetting you. They're testing you or playing a prank on you. Calm down, a knight doesn't act like this," Sebek whispered to himself one late night where the prince, master Lilia, and Silver all forgot his name for a brief moment.

But try as he might Sebek could stop the tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

He took deep, but shaky, breathes.

His chest shuddered with each intake and exhale.

The oddness he had felt for weeks now seemed to wrap around him.

After the first week he had realized it was magic.

Wild magic, not the magic of a person but magic itself.

The magic had stuck to him, clinging to him and refusing to leave.

What was odd was that no one else could sense it.

The magic wrapped around him, seeming to purr even though he couldn't hear it.

It… oddly enough it emanated sadness but also hope.

Sebek took in a shaky breath and tried to will himself to fall asleep.

He took in another breath, curling up.

The wild magic seemed to croon, whispering words he could not understand.

Tears blurred his vision, the familiar scent of Diasomnia felt unfamiliar, distant, somehow.

His mind felt like sludge and he fell asleep.

For the next few days things had only gotten worse.

His things kept disappearing, people seemed to forget he was even there, and sometimes people seemed to not hear them.

Those were only the tip of the iceberg though.

Sebek woke up one day to find most of his things gone, people barely noticing him, and even the three he considered closest to him seemed to forget him sometimes too.

Sebek still went around as normal though, loud, energetic, passionate, and dismissive of those not in his small circle.

He ignored how much his heart squeezed each time lord Malleus, master Lilia, or Silver seemed to look over him as if he wasn't there.

He tried to ignore the way tears wanted to fall from his eyes each time one of those three seemed to forget him.

He tried to ignore the way the wild magic crooned, surrounding him further.

He ignored the way the wild magic seemed to observe the heir, the general, and the human, finding them lacking.

How long has it been since then?

3, maybe 4 weeks?

That felt like it was months ago.

Sebek sat on his bed, looking at photo albums and trying to find any photo of him, either alone or with the other three.

But he saw none, as if his very prescience was erased.

Sebek gripped the photo album tightly, his heart racing, tears blurring his vision.

Was he truly being erased, slowly but surely?

Was he truly insignificant enough that even those closest to him don't notice him as much anymore, seemingly oblivious to how any evidence of him was being erased.

The wild magic crooned and Sebek wanted to scream.

It felt both suffocating and comforting.

Sebek put the photo album down, unwilling to damage it despite how much he wanted to scream, to rage, to cry, to throw things, and curl up all at once.

He desperately wanted it all to be some kind of cruel prank.

Didn't want to believe it was real.

The ancient magic pulsed in delight.

It hadn't been able to do it immediately like it could before, and that caused the soul to be so sad.

But now it's finished! The soul it claimed as it's would finally be free and happy!

Sebek's carefully crafted illusion shattered 5 weeks after everything first started.

He woke up that day, worry, fear, and trepidation already gnawing at him.

Sebek went through his morning routine with a practiced ease as his mind was preoccupied by the way the wild magic seemed to croon and emanate happiness.

Sebek only noticed something wrong when he surveyed his room.

It was… bare, like how it had been when he first came and had nothing to put in it.

His brows furrowed and fear mixed with uncertainty began to creep into his bones.

He opened the door to the hallway, noticing how his nameplate on the door was just gone.

Sebek frowned, pushing past the panic that gripped his heart.

Students ignored him, their eyes looking over him as if they couldn't see him.

Sebek's frown deepened.

Then he saw lord Malleus and brightened.

"Waka-sama! Did you get enough sleep! If anyone woke you I shall deal with them!" Sebek shouted, hurrying over to the prince.

But lord Malleus simply tilted his head, looking past Sebek as if he couldn't see the half-fae.

Sebek frowned before he noticed Silver and master Lila walking to lord Malleus.

He opened his mouth to speak but then something odd happened.

Lilia walked through him, not past him, not around him, through him.

Sebek froze, before he turned around quickly.

He noticed something he hadn't before, their eyes were hazy, in fact, everyone's eyes looked hazy.

"Silver? Master Lilia? Waka-sama?" His voice cracked and seemed far quieter than usual.

The wild magic hummed in delight and crooned at Sebek.

But Sebek paid it no mind, not now, not when his three most important people seemed to not see him.

The three didn't react but Sebek didn't let that stop him. He quickly followed them.

"Master Lilia, do we still have training later? Silver, remember to not fall asleep in class today. Waka-sama, do you need me to escort you to class?" His voice was more hesitant than it had been in years as he asked question after question, trying to get a response.

It was quieter too.

The wild magic seemed to croon and surround Sebek as if a hug.

Sebek breathed in a shaky breath trying to convince himself that it was all a test or just a cruel prank.

But he couldn't help but remember the way Lilia phased through him as if the half-fae was a ghost or simply… didn't exist.

No!

He must not think that! He should still attend classes, just in case.

But as Sebek moved to follow his three precious people he walked past a mirror and froze.

His uniform wasn't black and bright green.

It was black and white now.

How did he not notice this before?

His breathing picked up before he squashed his panic down.

He needs to calm down now.

Sebek hurried to his first class, his body running on autopilot and his mind running a mile a minute.

He didn't notice the way Lilia frowned, his eyes losing their slightly hazy gaze when he seemed to look around for something or someone before they went back to slightly being hazy.

When Sebek sat down in his history class no one even noticed him or looked at him.

Professor Trein called out attendance but right before he called Sebek's name, which was the last one, he simply didn't.

Professor Trein looked over Sebek's seat, as if he couldn't see him and Sebek noticed that the older man's eyes were glazed, just like everyone else in the school.

Anytime a question was asked and Sebek knew the answer, he would raise his hand.

But Trein never looked at him, never even seemed to realize he existed.

Sebek went through the entire school day like that.

Everyone passed through him like he was a ghost.

He was forgotten.

No one even remembered him.

The photos that held him either disappeared or were adjusted and the photos looked as if he had never been there or had some unfamiliar person.

Everything he had given to others now had someone else giving them.

All his items and clothing had disappeared.

It was simply as if… he had never existed.

Was he so easy to get rid of?

Was he so forgettable?

When he had gotten back he saw an unfamiliar person, the same one from the photos that used to have him, with his three precious people.

He went to storm up at them and yell only to freeze.

"I'm glad to be one of you're guards Malleus," the unfamiliar fae said softly.

"I'm glad you're my brother instead of someone else. I think I would actually suffer if someone else was Malleus's other guard, especially if they were loud," Silver commented, leaning on the unfamiliar fae.

Malleus just nodded in agreement and Lilia looked at them softly.

Sebek felt as if the air had been stolen from his lungs.

Someone else took his place?

Sebek felt horrified.

Guarding the prince was his entire identity, his entire worth.

If he wasn't a guard…

Then who was he?

Sebek went back to his room not his and he found the unfamiliar person there instead.

It's as if they took his place in the world.

Everyone greeted them kindly and lord Malleus, Silver, and master Lilia greeted them with kindness and fondness.

Sebek could only stand on the side and watch everything happen.

The wild magic simply crooned and buzzed in happiness, surrounding him like an embrace.

Days went by and everything happened like it had that first day he woke up to find his prescience erased from existence itself.

This unfamiliar fae, who he learned was named Dolion, was someone he recognized.

Dolion was someone who, before people started to forget him, hated him, bullied him, mocked him, and went out of his way to torment Sebek and make him miserable.

But here he was, acting kind, soft, loyal.

Was Sebek's very prescience the reason why Dolion had been a terrible person?

Lord Malleus seemed more at ease, Silver seemed more peaceful and content, and master Lilia seemed happier.

Was Sebek the reason they were never like this?

Was he so easily replaceable?

Was…

Was it better that Sebek had been replaced?

Sebek felt bitter and resentment growing within him.

He tried to get rid of it but each time he saw his three precious people interacting happily with the very person that tormented him his resentment only grew.

He could never hate Malleus, Silver, or Lilia but…

He couldn't help but wonder if they ever truly cared for him, if they ever really wanted him around.

Would it just be better if he disappeared?

If he just stopped trying anymore?

He's tired, so tired.

He's burning himself out trying to stay around them, to try and find a way for them to see him.

Sebek had always been putting their needs above his own, and he knew it wasn't healthy buts what he was raised to do.

Sebek thought to himself for a long moment, his heart squeezing in his chest as he look at his three precious people with Dolion.

Was it truly better that he had been replaced.

Was Sebek the problem the entire time

Perhaps he could be selfish for once and leave?

But what happens if whatever is happening stops while he's away?

But again, so far that has shown no signs of happening…

Wait…

If this has happened to him…

What if it happens to someone else?

He needs to leave, needs to find out who or what is doing this and stop it.

He can't let anyone else be forgotten.

And perhaps he wanted to be selfish.

To find out who he is beyond Malleus's guard and retainer.

Beyond the image he has always presented.

Sebek clenched his fists as Silver laughed softly at one of Dolion's jokes.

He had no items anyway, just his magic pen and a few changes of clothes.

He grabbed his duffel bag full of the few things he had managed to save before everything went wrong.

The half-fae sighed, feeling tears threatening to spill.

Sebek wanted to scream as the wild magic seemed to buzz happily and with excitement.

He stepped out of Diasomnia.

He stepped away from Malleus, Lilia, and Silver.

Away from the shackles chaining him.

Away from the place where he never truly belonged.

Away from the place that never truly knew him and replaced him so easily.

Away from NRC itself and all those who had forgotten him.

Sebek was tired but he had a duty.

He would not fail.

Lilia looked up from his book.

Something was odd.

Something was wrong.

Something was missing.

Lilia frowned.

It felt like a piece of his soul, his heart even, was just gone.

Where was Sebek?

Who?

No one was missing.

Everyone was here and happy.

Dolion's birthday was March 17th wasn't it? Even if it was a few months away he should still start planning.

NO! That was Sebek's birthday!!

Who's Sebek?

You don't know Sebek.

NO!! Sebek was the boy Lilia had trained since childhood!

You trained Dolion since he was a child.

Sebek was the other retainer of Malleus, not this… IMPOSTER!!

Dolion had been Malleus's other retainer for years.

Sebek was one of the thirds of his soul, his heart!! He didn't know Dolion!! Sebek was one of his children, not this PRETENDER!!

You consider Dolion a son.

Sebek, Malleus, and Silver all belonged together, three pieces of a puzzle!!

Dolion fits in so well Malleus and Silver, don't you think?

Sebek was GONE!! A part of his soul, his heart, was gone!!

Dolion is here, eating dinner with the other two.

What was he thinking about again?

Lilia's frown left and turned into an easy smile.

The slightly glassy look in his eyes that had disappeared for a few moments was back.

Everything was all right in the world.

Sebek stood in the mirror chamber, no one seeing him or hearing him.

It was as if he had simply been erased from existence.

Students walked through him as if he was just air.

They all had that same glassy look in their eyes like Malleus, Lilia, and Silver did.

The wild magic purred and seemed to tug at Sebek's magic.

Sebek felt the pull towards the mirror.

He took a deep breath.

This would be the only way he could prevent this from happening to someone else.

One hand held his duffel bag while the other clenched into a fist.

His nails bit his palm.

The familiar scent of NRC was distant and unfamiliar now.

His once comfortable uniform felt tight and itchy.

His limbs felt heavy and it felt like he was an outside observer to his body moving.

The wild magic that had accompanied him these past weeks felt both comforting and utterly suffocating.

The half-fae pressed a hand to the mirror's surface.

It rippled like something disturbing the surface of a lake.

He felt the wild magic buzz in happiness and tug at him again.

He had no clear destination in mind.

He just wanted to get away from the very people who had forgotten him.

He stepped through.

Sebek felt wind whistling and felt the cool rush of air pressing against him.

His stomach lurched.

He was falling.

The half-fae's heart squeezed and he was about to close his eyes and brace for impact when his world suddenly just… stopped.

Wind was ruffling his affectionately, like a parent would to a child.

It's wispy fingers threaded through his hair and the wild magic purred.

The wind had stopped his fall, slowing him down and now he laid there, in the air.

His hair shifted in the wind.

It felt as if nothing was under him but at the same time it felt as if he was laying on the ground.

Then he started moving, not falling, but being lowered to the ground.

When his feet hit the ground he collapsed to his knees, his heartbeat thudding in his chest.

The wind ran it's fingers through his hair before leaving.

Sebek held a hand to his chest, trying to calm down.

He hadn't died but it was a close thing.

He looked around, noticing he wasn't anywhere he even vaguely recognized.

The half-fae stood up and turned, noticing a forest with a river running through it.

Sebek walked to the river hesitantly.

He peered into the water and nearly cried with relief.

There was his reflection.

So why…

Why were people unable to see him back at NRC.

Sebek shook himself out of his thoughts, he didn't want to go down a rabbit hole.

The half-fae straightened up, his hand unconsciously coming to rest at his side only for him to falter.

Oh…

That's right… his weapon had been transferred to Dolion along with everything else.

A weapon Dolion now uses with reckless abandon.

Sebek had felt furious but also dark amusement.

That sword had been made specifically for him and Sebek had spent years perfecting it.

Dolion, despite what everyone's memories would say, had only had that weapon for a few days, two weeks at most.

Dolion wasn't used to it at all and it took all of what Sebek had to keep from laughing.

Sebek looked down both ends of the river.

One led into the forest, and the other led into no where.

Sebek hummed to himself, falling back on old memories of camping trips with Lilia.

If there is a source of fresh water, typically there would be civilizations built around or next to one.

The forest likely had no occupants besides the old magic and creatures.

Sebek sighed, his grip on his duffel bag tightening.

He looked towards the direction the river led to that wasn't into the forest.

It's time to get walking.

If someone had told Althea that she would have a fae child in one of her infirmary beds she would've thought them gone mad.

When Althea heard about the strange fae child, for despite his looks he was only a child to those in the village, who stumbled upon them with only the clothes on his back and a duffel bag…

Well she wanted to laugh.

Because no fae would willingly let their child explore, let alone get this close to a settlement full of beastmen.

Their village was a small one, but it was close.

Word spread fast and outsiders weren't trusted much, if at all.

Their small village was one of a few tribes of beastmen that had broken off from the royal family eons ago after the great war between all the factions of the world.

Fae knew of them and despite how long it's been, they still weren't trusted.

So hearing that a fae child had actually stumbled across them with no one else with them…

It was odd.

As one of the healers of the town it was her duty to help people.

So the boy was brought to her when he had fallen unconscious outside their gates.

She observed the boy intently.

The boys green hair was startling but that wasn't what drew her attention.

What drew her attention was the wild, ancient magic, surrounding him, clinging to him.

The window was opened, a way to get fresh air in easily, and she watched as a breeze flew through and seemed to gently caress the boy and ruffle his hair.

Althea frowned.

This fae was young yet already had such a connection to the magic that ruled the world, the ones that people were only able to harness, never use or make.

Althea sighed.

She wasn't paid to be the healer in cash but if she was she would say that she wasn't paid enough for this.

When Sebek woke up it was to a warm bed and the scent of honey.

He shot awake, looking around frantically before his eyes landed on an older woman observing him.

She had curly, light grey hair with streaks of brown, and what looked to be black wings sprouting from her back.

She looked to be in her late forties, maybe early fifties.

"Who-" he cut himself off at his voice.

It was quiet, hesitant, and scratchy.

His throat felt dry.

"I should be asking you that little outsider. What's a fae child doing without a guardian?" she asked.

"Not a full fae, much less a child. Only half-fae and besides I'm 16," he hissed, indignant.

The wild magic buzzed in excitement and the woman's eyes sharpened.

"Still, why are you here little outsider?" she asked again.

Sebek looked away, before biting out, "Needed to leave."

She merely raised an eyebrow, prompting him further but Sebek didn't say more.

He knew his reasons, both said and unsaid, were weak and made no sense.

But still…

He needed to leave that place.

She sighed, "Very well. If the old magics deem you acceptable then I suppose I have to accept it. They were probably the ones who led you here."

Sebek tilted his head, confused.

The woman pinched the bridge of her nose, "That magic surrounding you is ancient and the wind seems particular to you."

Sebek froze.

She could sense it?

How could this woman sense it if even Malleus and Lilia didn't?

"Besides. My village is hidden by the ancient magics so people don't actually come across us unless the old magics themselves guided them," she continued.

"Oh…" Sebek whispered.

The woman just huffed amused.

"The village elders have been excited to see you. So very few actually come across us. The parents are weary but excited and the children are practically bouncing on their feet to see you," the women informed him.

"But… like you said, I'm an outsider, so why…" Sebek trailed off.

"Because if the old magics deem you worthy enough to stumble across us then that means you're a good person," she told him.

"I see," he said but in truth he didn't see it.

He's killed people before so why did the old magics deem him a good person.

"The magics don't judge you on your actions, they judge you on your soul," the women told him as if reading his mind.

Sebek only nodded, not being able to come up with a response.

"My-my name is…Sebek?" he told her, slightly questioning himself.

Sebek was a person who followed orders, guarded Malleus, was loud, had determination basically emanating off him, and was one of Malleus's guards and retainers.

The woman merely raised an eyebrow.

Sebek slumped, "Sebek is what I was called before. He's me but also not me. I… I don't know anymore."

His voice had been soft and broken.

Something about his words had made something soften in the old woman's gaze.

"Do you want a new name? With magic as my witness I can give you a new one. A new name, a new chance at life," the woman offered.

Sebek stared at her in confusion.

Why was she offering this?

Sebek had just met her so why was she offering this?

"You were guided here by the ancient magics. You are young and should not hold the burden of your old life if you do not wish to," she explained.

It made sense and it didn't at the same time.

Sebek thought for a long moment.

This could be a chance to start anew.

A chance to find out who he is.

A chance to escape his burden.

This was a chance to let him escape those who forgot him.

He though and thought.

But ultimately he already knew his answer.

"I-…I think I'll keep my name. It reminds me of my past, those I cared for, and it would let me discover who Sebek is without anyone giving me an image of who I should be," he said carefully.

"I see. Do not worry though. If you ever wish to gain a new name then you may just ask," the woman said smiling softly at him.

Sebek nodded.

"My name is Althea. Now, the elders are getting antsy. Come along now, we best be going," Althea told him.

Sebek scrambled to stand, and stood on slightly wobbling legs.

He followed her quickly, the wild magic purred in delight and he tried his best to ignore it.

He followed Althea out of the house and onto the roads.

The air was fresh and smelled of fruit.

The village itself was a bit rural but that was to be expected.

Villagers paid him no mind besides a casual glance.

Children ran through the streets laughing in delight.

It was amazing and it filled his heart with sorrow, remembering how much his precious three seemed so happy with Dolion.

Althea led him to a larger building near the edge of the village.

She opened the ornate doors and ushered him inside.

"This is the Elder's hall, the place they have meetings and make all the decisions. The amount of the elders there depends on how important the decision is. For you I would say most of the elders would be there," Althea explained, leading him down a hall.

She led him into a large room. It had no table but there seemed to be twelve large, and plush seats in a circle.

In each of those twelve seats sat someone who Sebek could only assume was an elder.

"I greet the esteemed elders," Althea said softly, bowing slightly.

The elders nodded to her gently though a few looked exasperated.

Sebek lowered his head to them, a sign of respect.

They looked at him with curiosity and a gentleness that Sebek hadn't seen since he was a toddler.

"Take a seat child," the oldest one among them said softly, leaning down to pat the space next to him gently.

He was an older man with rabbit features and kind grey eyes.

Sebek was hesitant but at Althea's encouraging smile and elders' kind eyes he walked to the space next to the rabbit elder's chair.

He sat down hesitantly.

The wild magic surrounded him in a mockery of a hug and rumbled in happiness.

Sebek wanted to cry and scream.

Why would the magic choose him when others did not?

But Sebek didn't and instead leaned his head against the side of the rabbit elder's plush chair.

The scent of lemons and honey filled his nose and he found himself relaxing.

He heard mumblings but he couldn't discern the words.

His eyes drooped close and Sebek let out a breath.

"The poor dear," Yami, a wolf beastman, cooed.

"He was so tired," Snow, a cat beastman, commented.

"Do you feel his soul? It's… chained?" Tora, a leopard beastman, questioned.

"His soul holds so much sorrow," Trix, a fox beastman, their ears drooped.

Sam, the rabbit beastman listened as they all discussed the young fae leaning on his chair.

They were all worried about the young fae.

His soul felt torn, chained, and faded.

"We cannot let him go back to where he used to be, we cannot send him back. He shall stay here unless he wishes to move on at any point," Sam decided, causing everyone else to quiet.

Then every elder nodded.

Usually outsiders never even got to their home but this young fae has.

That alone puts a point in his favor.

Usually meetings took much longer but with everything they've seen…

It's clear this young fae needs stability, a home.

Sam smiled to himself.

The fae would heal, maybe not all his wounds and scars, but quite a few.

Sebek woke up back in the same bed he first woke in.

"Althea?" Sebek questioned softly, looking at the women bringing in tea.

She helped him sit up and gave him a warm cup of tea.

The tea smelled like honey and apples.

"The elders made their decision," she told him bluntly.

He nearly dropped the cup.

His heart stuttered in fear.

Sebek looked at her with wide eyes.

"Really," his voice cracked.

"You're staying little newcomer," she told him softly.

"Oh… I…" Sebek felt his heartbeat return to normal. He couldn't express how grateful he was.

"It's a lot to take in, I know," she said gently.

They stayed in silence for a few moments before a thought came to his head.

"Where will I stay?" he asked quietly.

"With me of course," she responded simply.

He stared at her blankly.

"I offered so you don't need to feel guilty or that you owe me or that you're a burden. Got it?" she gave him a stern look.

Sebek couldn't help it.

He laughed.

But it wasn't loud, or boisterous, or excited.

It was broken, quiet, and tears blurred Sebek's eyes.

Could this be a home?

Could he finally who he is?

Could he finally have people who care about him?

It's been perhaps only a month since Sebek had arrived at the small village.

The children simply adored him, parents trusted him with their kids, the elderly cooed at him, the elders checked up on everyone in the village (apparently something they've always done) including him, and Althea was starting to become a parental figure.

Perhaps not a mom but maybe a grandmother?

Sebek had also discovered a hobby of his.

Collecting.

It can be anything, crystals, buttons, knowledge, books, etc.

It had only started with him picking up a few things here and there then sorting them.

Next thing he knew, he had grown his own 'hoard'.

Althea had just looked at him amused before giving him a container of buttons.

The librarian knew him well by now.

And the children had the most adorable idea of helping him collect things to add to his 'hoard'.

Sebek smiled softly when another child, this one a young boy with ram horns and fluffy hair, rushed up to him and showed him a brooch.

The brooch was fancy.

It looked like a flower and made from gold while it's petals were emeralds.

The boy rushed off after that, having snuck away from his game of hide and seek to give Sebek the brooch.

The wild magic surrounded him, and the wind ran its fingers through his hair.

Sebek felt an unseen wight on his shoulders.

He finally figured out a few things he liked.

The half-fae finally found a kinda family.

He still had so many things to figure out about himself but…

The thing that made everyone from NRC and Briar Valley forget him.

Sebek figured out that everyone who ever met him or heard of him forgot him but after that, after the magic activated, other people will remember him.

Due to him trying to learn as much as he can he finally found out what the thing that caused people to forget him was.

It was an artifact, one that's usually small.

It's abilities made everyone forget the subject it was locked onto.

As soon as it's activated anyone who has heard of them, knows them, or even seen them, forgets the subject.

Anyone who sees them, hears of them, or meets them after it's activated will remember them.

It can only be locked onto one subject and if it is ever broken or the magic is stopped then that means everyone who previously was affected by the magic remembers them.

Eventually after a few months when the magic has become 'permanent', until the magic is stopped or the artifact is destroyed, if the subject meets one of the people who forgot them then they won't remember the subject at all.

No one really knows what it was used for but there were theories that it was used for people to escape from bad lives.

Sebek had felt elated that they didn't willingly forget him.

But then he sobered up.

They still forgot him, still replaced him even if they didn't mean to.

And… and he liked this new life.

These people embraced him, took him in even when they could've kicked him out.

Sebek went back to his room at Althea's home.

He put the brooch on the stand with the other ones he had collected.

The half-fae stood there debating with himself when Althea came in.

"What's wrong little newcomer?" she asked softly.

"I-…" Sebek didn't know how to say this, how to word it properly.

"Don't worry little newcomer. I get it, you have a mission outside of this small village," she told him, hugging him gently as she threaded her fingers through her hair.

"Thank you," Sebek whispered.

Althea smiled at him and nodded.

Sebek had gotten many things when he had been in the small village.

Althea had left his room after they talked a bit more, saying she was going to let the elders know.

Sebek had laid in his bed that night, his mind racing with thoughts.

The main ones included Silver, Malleus, and Lilia.

He hadn't thought about the three in more than a passing thought for a while now.

He didn't like this.

The next morning Sebek woke to the smell of pancakes.

Sebek's mouth watered and he walked to the kitchen.

There stood Althea cooking breakfast with a small box on the counter.

She gave him breakfast and took her own.

The two talked about anything and everything.

When they were done Sebek gathered the plates and utensils.

He took them to the sink and washed them before drying them while putting them away.

"Sebek," Althea called, holding the box gently.

Sebek turned to her, tilting his head.

The wild magic buzzed in excitement.

Althea handed him the box and motioned for him to open it.

He did and his breath coat.

In the box was black choker with a merlinite centerpiece. The choker had golden flowers embroidered onto the fabric.

He could sense the magic emanating off it.

"Althea?" Sebek was a bit confused.

Althea looked at him sadly.

"I don't know when I'll see you again, but this will let you be able to transform yourself into a beastmen. It should help you on your journey," she told him softly.

Sebek stood there for a bit before he did something he had barely done with her.

He hugged her, initiating the contact.

"Thank you," he mumbled, tears pricking his eyes.

"Of course," she responded, bring her arms around him tightly.

He stepped back, clasping the choker around his neck.

With just a thought he transformed.

There was a weight on his back and he turned, seeing two large ebony wings that shimmered green.

He thought he would've been a crocodile, that's what everyone used to akin him to but then again they didn't really know him.

Althea smiled at him, her own wings pressed against her back so she didn't knock anything over.

Then Althea grinned.

"Now come on, I have to teach you to fly. I may be old but I'm still fast," she told him.

For Sebek he had to try over and over to even be able to fly at all.

Then it took multiple more attempts before he could fly smoother, as if he had been his entire life.

When he finally landed he was exhausted but content.

Althea landed smoothing, wrapping a wing around him as a sort of side hug.

She taught him how to preen his feathers too.

She taught him all about his new features and Sebek knew he would forever be indebted to her.

When he accomplished his goal Sebek didn't know if he would be able to go back to NRC.

It took another week for him to finally feel confident enough to leave.

Althea hugged him tightly and gave him a small pouch that had an expansion charm in it.

For his hobbies she had told him.

The children cried, surrounding him before eventually letting him leave.

The parents and elderly wished him luck, telling him he is always welcome back.

The elders gave him their blessings.

Sebek held his travelers bag tightly and smiled at them all.

His traveler bag also had expansion charms and was filled with food, water, a few hygiene products, and clothing.

Then he transformed into his beastman form and flew off.

His ebony wings beat against the sky and he felt the wind caress him gently, running its fingers through his hair and feathers.

The wild magic purred and tugged him towards a direction.

Sebek had nothing else to guide him so he followed.

He flew for a while before he heard a cry of panic.

Meril had only been swimming a few yards from the shore, trying to follow the beautiful flying figure in the sky, when he had gotten trapped in an old fisher's net.

He was a koi fish mer and very fast.

The net wrapped around his tail, his neck, and his limbs.

He let out a cry of panic, faintly seeing the beautiful flying figure falter.

Then the figure began to descend quickly.

When they got close enough they landed on the shore.

Meril's breath was taken away.

This person had light green hair that fell past their shoulders, and it was kept in a low ponytail.

They had the most beautiful wings, shining ebony that shimmered green in the sunlight.

They had pale skin with the most beautiful eyes Meril had ever seen, they looked like gems.

They panicked when they saw him.

Meril saw something shocking, their wings shimmered before fading away, and the deity, for they could only be a deity, rushed into the water, eventually swimming quickly towards them with the skill of a merperson.

What were they?

A fae? A beastman? A human? A merperson?

A deity?

They dove under the water and Meril felt the ropes binding them loosen before eventually falling away.

"Are you ok?" the person asked quietly, worry filling their eyes.

"You're so pretty," Meril blurted out before turning red.

The person, divine being, look astonished before shaking their head and their eyes held more worry.

"Sorry. I just-… thank you! My name is Meril. May I know yours?" he asked, hopeful for the being in front of him to view him worthy enough.

"I'm Sebek. I'm glad you're ok Meril," Sebek said.

Meril felt their face grow hot.

Sebek's voice was smooth like honey and him saying Meril's name was just so utterly intoxicating.

"Are you able to be on shore? I want to make sure your wounds are ok," Sebek asked worriedly.

Meril could only nod.

Then the current began to change and the waves gently pushed the two towards the shore.

Meril floated in shock but also reverence.

Sebek could control the waves! Could control the ancient magic that dwelled within.

The same magic that refused anyone else.

The wind blew threw and Meril saw how the magic of the wind curled around Sebek before leaving.

Ancient, wild magic, surrounded the deity.

They look beautiful.

Sebek knew the ancient magics liked him but he didn't expect the ocean, one of the most volatile and erratic ones, to help him.

When he finally got back to the shore he looked at his still dry clothes with confusion.

The mer he saved was looking at him with sparkling eyes.

Sebek didn't know how to feel about that or them complimenting him.

It was uncomfortable.

He had always been in the background, the one in the shadows.

So hearing someone call him pretty of all things…

It's odd and he's not used to being complimented.

"My names Meril, Sebek-sama!" Meril cheerfully told him.

Sebek froze.

"Sebek-sama," he let out weakly.

Meril only nodded enthusiastically.

"Yup! You're a deity! You deserve proper respect!" Meril said with enthusiasm.

Sebek's legs felt weak and his head felt too light.

A deity? Him?

Malleus was more likely to be a deity, not him.

Not Sebek.

Not the retainer.

Not the new villager of the hidden village.

So why did this mer think of him as deity.

Sebek was too weak.

He was selfish for wanting to leave NRC but at the same time he needed to figure out what was causing him to be erased from reality.

Sebek had been taught from a very young age that his purpose was to protect Malleus.

Then that purpose had been taken away so he found a new one.

He doesn't know who he is but he's found out things he never would've otherwise.

"But… I'm not a deity," he said weakly.

Meril looked unconvinced.

"But what about you have those wings which just faded away," Meril shot back.

"That was an artifact that lets me become a beastman," Sebek told the mer.

Meril seemed unconvinced but conceded.

"So what were you doing out there so far from others?" Sebek asked, gently taking Meril's arms and looking at the burns.

Meril winced and Sebek's heart squeezed.

He knew that look far too well.

The look of someone abandoned, forgotten.

Sebek brought out some balm and took a bit of it.

He gently spread it across the mer's rope burns.

"They left me, said I wasn't fit for the pod," Meril said softly but their eyes looked sad.

Sebek knew how that felt.

To not fit in.

To be abandoned.

"I can stay here with you for a bit until your wounds heal," Sebek offered.

The reasoning was weak.

In reality he just wanted to get to know this mer.

And he wanted for them to at least have someone with them.

Maybe they could be friends.

…Friends?

It's been a while since he thought of that.

The hidden village was his family and he had no previous friends.

Malleus was his prince and though Sebek might've wished it, they were never meant to be friends.

Silver was Malleus's other retainer and though they might have been close, Silver was more like an acquaintance.

Lilia was his trainer and although he was Silver's father Sebek had never really been able to open his true heart.

Could Meril be his first friend?

Meril looked delighted and eagerly nodded.

It's been two weeks sense Meril met the beautiful person named Sebek.

He had learned so much of the male.

Sebek loved collecting things, had a family but not of blood relations, and those from his past forgot him.

Sebek was a half-fae and the artifact he was given allowed him to become a beastman.

Meril hadn't believed the male wasn't a deity but eventually accepted it as the truth.

Though some small part of him still wondered if Sebek would become one.

In turn of Sebek sharing things, Meril shared things about himself.

Meril loved gazing at the stars, like cooking, was quite agile, and could throw a grown person, mer or otherwise.

Meril was a koi-mer and had no one very close to him.

The koi had been confused when Sebek had stayed even after the mer's burns were healed.

Then one day it came to a head.

Sebek handed him a potion.

"I was hoping that you could accompany me on my journey to find the thing that made people from my past forget me. This potion lets you turn human. I know this is really on the spot and you don't have to but-" Meril cut Sebek off by downing the potion.

It took a week before Meril was finally able to walk and stop looking at the world above without awe.

Sebek had laughed softly, a broken thing really, when Meril first looked at the forest in awe.

Sebek had gently taken the male's soft hand in his and led the mer into the forest.

They spent that entire day just doing whatever.

Sebek didn't want to be selfish and take the mer with him but he also didn't want Meril to become lonely again.

He didn't want his new friend to be hurt.

"Hey Sebek?" Meril called, making drawings in the sand.

"What is it Meril?" Sebek asked, sitting next to the mer.

"I'm glad we're friends," Meril said softly, gently taking Sebek's hand while the other kept drawing.

Sebek's heart warmed, the scent of the sea surrounded him.

The wild magic purred.

The wind ran it's fingers through Sebek's hair.

"Me too," Sebek whispered, and the two sat in silence just watching the sunset.

It's been five weeks since the two started adventuring.

Luckily Sebek had multiple potions for Meril that were much more long lasting than the ones the octo-trio had.

The two had gone through many different biomes.

The ocean where Sebek flew and Meril swam in his mer form.

The land where they both walked.

The desert.

The snow.

The forest.

And many more.

It's been four months since Sebek left NRC.

The first time he realized how long it's been made him freeze in shock.

Meril had asked what was wrong and Sebek had replied that it's been about four months sense he left his past.

Meril had comforted him that night and when he had learned Sebek's birthday has passed without him telling anyone...

Well… the mer had scolded him for three hours straight.

Sebek's ears still rang.

Sebek shook himself out of his memories and payed attention to the market they were in.

They were currently in the Sunshine lands and the desert surrounded them.

The air was dry and the temperature was fairly hot but both Sebek and Meril had taken potions for the heat earlier.

Meril had run off at some point and Sebek was left browsing.

Then someone barreled into him, it was Meril.

"Sebek! Look what I got!" Meril shoved it into Sebek's hands.

It was an dangling earing with a pearl.

The pearls was attached to the chain with gold.

"It's for you!" Meril cheered.

Sebek's heart melted.

Sebek was currently in his beastman form, unwilling to gain attention as a half-fae.

Sebek wrapped one wing around Meril as a hug.

"Thank you Meril," the transformed half-fae whispered.

Meril just nodded.

"Though, what magic does this earring do?" Sebek asked.

He could sense the magic around it, it was similar to the choker's magic but it felt deeper and more moving.

A bit like the sea.

"It transforms you into a mer," Meril cheerfully said.

Sebek froze.

He had two now!

But these things were expensive!

"Don't worry about the cost Sebek," Meril chirped, "I had some… help, getting it."

That did not make Sebek reassured.

It's been a week since then and Sebek is dying to try and see his mer form but he's restrained.

They're in the middle of a desert so it wouldn't be good if did currently.

Sebek's been feeling someone, perhaps two people, watching them and following them ever since the market.

It's made him on edge.

Right up until he realized Meril knew them.

"You mean to tell me that these two," Sebek motioned towards the coyote beastmen twins, "Stole this earing?"

Sebek motioned towards the earing in his left ear.

His wings were drawn to his back but loose enough that he could grab Meril and fly at any moment.

Meril just nodded cheerfully.

"Yup! They just asked if they could tail us for a few days. Though I don't know why," Meril hummed in thought.

The wild magic purred, and buzzed in happiness.

The wind ran through and caressed Sebek.

The sand curled around his ankles.

The twins just watched in enraptured.

"I'm Terra," one of the boys said but they seemed more femitive.

"And I'm Alex," the smaller of the two boys said.

"I'm Sebek and you already know Meril," Sebek told them.

"We want to adventure with you," Terra blurted out, their tail swishing.

Alex just nodded.

Sebek fought with himself.

These two looked lonely, too thin, and far too determined.

But Sebek didn't want them to get hurt.

Meril looked at him pleadingly.

Sebek sighed and nodded.

"Now quick question. Sorry if this is dumb or rude but… what are your genders?" Sebek shifted on one foot from the other.

Terra just laughed, but it was scratchy.

"I'm a male and my twin was born a female but he much prefers being a male," Alex informed them.

Sebek nodded.

"Now come on, we need to set up camp," Sebek told them.

He ushered the twins forward with his wings.

Dammit.

He was already seeing these two as part of his 'hoard' just like Meril was.

When Sebek first started hoarding he had been confused, wondering if Malleus had rubbed off on him.

He shrugged it off.

When he thought of Meril had part of his 'hoard' he shrugged it off but was a bit uncomfortable.

But now with these two…

He really needed to get a DNA test, just to check.

Alex and Terra didn't know why they had made that deal with the, obviously a mer, boy.

But they had and they don't know why they asked for their payment to be for them to be allowed to trail after him and his companion.

They were glad they did so, because the mer's companion was surrounded by the ancient magics.

The crow beastman, though they wondered if that was truly his species because his choker emanated the magic the earring did but slightly different.

Looking at Sebek, who had quickly told them he was actually a half-fae and transformed into a beastmen to gain less attention, they couldn't help but be glad they had followed.

Sebek was kind but he knew how to fight.

The half-fae was protective of those he considered friends but let them do their own things because he knew they could handle themselves and would want freedom.

They looked at Sebek and how the fire from the campfire curled closer to him, flickers of flame drifting towards him, not burning him.

The sand curled around his fingers which rested on its dune.

"I'm not a deity," Sebek said suddenly, looking straight at them.

The twins knew that, he was more likely a deity's gift or he would become one himself.

"We know that," Terra told him.

Sebek breathed a sigh a of relief, "Good because Meril somehow thought me to be one when he first say me up close."

Meril sputtered, "Why would you tell them that."

Meril swatted Sebek's arm playfully and Sebek laughed softly.

Sebek's laugh was soft, quiet, just like him.

But his laugh was also broken in a way.

This male was powerful.

He would be a good pack-leader.

It had been three weeks since the twins had accompanied him.

He had told them quickly when he realized they were intent on joining that he was looking for an artifact that made everyone from his past forget him.

The twins still didn't leave.

Currently there as a sandstorm and they were all huddled inside a cave.

Sebek's wings were wrapped around them, protecting them from the sand.

Meril was on his left side and the twins were curled together on his other.

They had all learned much about eachother.

Sebek already knew Meril well but he still paid attention.

The twins had much of the same interest and hobbies, hunting, tracking, and star gazing.

But they had differences.

Terra loved collecting antiques and fixing them up.

Alex loved making clothes and was quite skilled at it.

Sebek learned so much of what he liked over his months away from NRC.

He loved embroidery and that was something he never thought he would even like.

The twins had quickly discovered his love for collecting things and often gifted things they found, beads, stones, fabrics, even bones that Sebek would later carve.

That was another thing he liked, carving.

And he loved gifting his carvings to the others.

He and the others all had something in common.

Star gazing.

Meril poked him in the ribs, snapping Sebek out of his thoughts.

"Do you want to do that DNA test? We're going to be stuck here for a while," Meril looked at him with ruby eyes full of happiness.

The twin's grey eyes snapped to him and Sebek huffed but didn't refute.

The wild magic surrounded them all and buzzed in happiness.

The sandstorm slightly swerved around them more than it already was.

He reached into his traveler bag and pulled out a golden parchment.

He bit into his finger, letting three drops of blood drip onto it before pulling his thumb back.

The parchment paper glowed before his family tree appeared.

He already knew most of it but then he saw names he thought he wouldn't see again.

Malleus Draconia by blood.

Silver and Lilia Vanrouge by magic.

Sebek felt faint.

His limbs felt too heavy and his heart thudded in his chest.

His vision tunneled.

The other three quieted and stared at the paper in shock.

Sebek looked further up his family line and froze.

Because up at the top of the tree was Maleficent.

One of the seven had three children and one of them, a son, married into Sebek's bloodline.

That was how he was related to Malleus.

But how was he related to Silver and Lilia?

Their lines connected to Malleus.

Sebek knew Lilia magically adopted Silver but how were they related to Malleus?

Sebek searched through his memories before he stumbled across a memory.

It was of Lilia offhandedly mentioning he incubated Malleus's egg.

Sebek had barely paid attention to it at the time.

But now it made too much sense.

Due to Lilia incubating Malleus's egg magic deemed the older fae a relative of Malleus, most likely a third parent.

And Lilia magically adopted Silver.

That explains the instincts then.

Oh Seven.

Sebek was going to be sick.

His heart was beating to fast.

His stomach churned.

He was related to the ones that forgot him?!

This was fucked up!

Did they know?

If they knew then why didn't they tell him?

The golden paper crumbled slightly from how hard he was gripping it.

He forced himself to keep looking at it.

Multiple magical lines had married into Sebek's.

But Lilia, Maleficent, Malleus, and Silver were the only shocks.

The paper was gently taken from his hands and Sebek smelled the faint scent of smoke.

Tears blurred his vision.

His heart squeezed.

His chest heaved for breath.

It was both loud and quiet.

The scents of those he considered his surrounded him in a comforting embrace.

The wind threaded it's fingers through Sebek's hair.

The wild magic buzzed softly, surrounding Sebek in the mockery of a hug.

His three precious people not Malleus, Lilia, or Silver hugged him tightly.

Sebek let himself drift to sleep.

It's been another 2 weeks since the reveal.

Sebek still didn't know what to think but he accepted it somewhat.

The four of them had finally reached the ocean, Sebek let his transformation fall.

He didn't keep it up much, only doing so when going into public with the other three or crossing the border from one nation into another.

Meril shouted in happiness, diving into the water and turning into his mer form.

Terra and Alex ran into the water, splashing each other and laughing.

Sebek smiled and let himself be dragged into the water by the twins.

He went a bit deeper and focused his magic on the earring.

He knew he was being watched by the other three.

There was a blur of white, red, and black and he was tackled under the water.

"You're a Barracuda Mer!" Meril chirped in the water.

Sebek's hair floated around him.

His hair had grown to just above the middle of his back.

He had a white, tinted blue, underbelly, but dark blue, leaning on black, colored the other side of his tail.

He had side fins, a dorsal fin, and pelvic fins.

His skin went even paler, a white color with a blue tint.

Sebek's tongue felt longer and his teeth had sharpened.

It was hard to swim like this.

Meril just giggled and led him to the surface.

Sebek's head popped above the water and the twins were watching him with sparkles in their eyes.

Alex rushed over as quickly as he could in the water, "You look so pretty! I'm getting so many ideas!"

Alex rushed back to shore, using a spell to dry himself as best he could, and grabbed his sketchbook.

His sketchbook was filled with drawings of mostly clothes.

Alex looked back at Sebek everyone in a while as his pencil scribbled furiously against the pages.

Terra went closer to Sebek as well, her eyes sparkling.

She poked and prodded at him.

"Your skin is so tough," she commented.

Sebek just laughed.

Meril giggled.

Sebek's heart warmed.

These people were his family, part of his 'hoard'.

He would let them leave him if they ever wished to, knowing they were people too and had their own passions.

He would never chain them down.

He would never dictate what they should be.

He wouldn't treat him like he was.

It took three weeks before Sebek was able move in the water like he had been born there.

Currently he and Meril were swimming in a deep river while the twins ran with them on the shore.

Sebek was following where the wild magic tugged him.

He had figured out what the magic was only a few days ago.

The wild magic was the one from the artifact that made everyone forget him.

There were to many coincidences to be normal.

He had told his precious three quietly.

They didn't care though.

But then he commented that the reason the old magics probably liked him so much was because of the artifacts magic.

That got them mad.

He could still remember their scoldings that went on for 4 hours.

They had told that the old magics don't care if another magic like a person.

The old magics judged someone by there soul and they deemed him worthy.

They threatened him saying that if he ever put himself down again then they would scold him 6 hours.

Sebek could only nod, still shocked that they actually thought he deserved to be liked by the old magics.

He had been shocked that they actually thought he was good person.

He tried refuting it, stating that he killed people before but they just shook their heads.

The twins had shown him scars on their bodies stating that they got them from having to fight others.

The twins had killed people before because before they met him and Meril it was survival of the fittest.

Meril had told them that while he hadn't killed anyone, it was close thing.

The twins just looked at him before asking how.

Meril had only shrugged stating that a shark mer had started hunting him, thinking him easy prey.

Sebek saw the twins promising to never piss Meril off.

But Sebek could only look at Meril with admiration.

His heart had warmed and a smile spread on his face.

Sebek stopped his train of thoughts and focused more on swimming.

Sebek had grown much stronger, faster, and smarter.

The twins and Meril had also grown stronger, smarter, and faster.

All the swimming, running, adventuring, fighting off creatures (or people), and walking through all kinds of terrains and biomes really helped.

Then Meril tagged Sebek on the arm, "Let's race! The goal is where the river divides into two!"

Meril pointed towards where the river split which was about 20 yards (18.288 meters) away.

"Let's do it!" Terra cheered, her tail wagging.

Alex nodded.

"Go!" Sebek shouted, rushing off.

The other three laughed and ran after.

Sebek's heart warmed, the wild magic purred, the water pushed him forward, the wind ruffled his hair, and the earth rumbled gently in happiness.

It's been two and a half weeks since the race.

Sebek was in his true form, his half-fae form.

They were all walking through a forest and Sebek was nervous.

The forest was slightly in Briar Valley's borders so Sebek was worried they would encounter someone.

The other three knew this and surrounded him.

Sebek walked over roots, pulling the others back a few times so they wouldn't step on unstable ground.

They walked through the forest before Alex's ears twitched.

The coyote turn quickly and Terra followed closely.

Meril's eyes were narrow.

The shadows warped unnaturally, as if someone was there.

The a familiar figure stepped out of the shadows.

It was Malleus, looking at them curiously.

"Ah, I was hoping to look at the ruins," Malleus said softly.

"Ruins?" Meril asked, still tense.

"Yes, the ruins nearby where I heard there were a few gargoyles," Malleus elaborated.

"Then go ahead. We're moving on though," Alex bit out, barely able to keep from yelling.

The three knew that this was one of the people affected by the artifact, one of the people who forgot Sebek.

"What are your names?" Malleus tilted his head.

"You may call me Sebek," Sebek told him.

Malleus's eyes drifted to Sebek and he nodded.

Sebek saw that the slight glaze in Malleus's eyes was gone.

Oh…

It seems the magic of the artifact has become 'permanent' and can only be broken if the magic is stopped or the artifact destroyed.

Malleus didn't recognize him at all.

And that hurt far more that Sebek thought it would.

Sebek had always known he would never be able to be close to Malleus.

So why did it hurt so much.

Why did it hurt so much that Malleus looked at him like a stranger.

The other three introduced themselves quickly and then the four were on their way.

Sebek was cuddled close to the others that night, his cries soft, and their words soothing.

Terra pulled out his map, it's been a week since the encounter.

Sebek peered over his shoulder, looking at the map.

Alex and Meril looked too.

"Hey isn't this direction the way the artifact wants you to go?" Alex asked, pointing at the map.

Sebek nodded.

Meril narrowed his eyes, "The artifact is in the PYRE OCEAN!!"

Meril's fingers threaded in his auburn hair, tugging at it.

Alex froze and Terra paled.

Sebek stood stock still.

The Pyre Ocean is an ocean made of pure fire.

It acted a bit like regular water, it was magic fire after all, but it still burned like fire.

Meril turned to Sebek, "Promise me you'll be ok."

"Promise me you'll come back," Terra turned to him, determination in her eyes.

"Promise me you'll stay keep being our friend, our pack-leader," Alex had fear in his eyes.

"I promise," Sebek told him.

They all spent that night cuddling and star gazing.

Sebek stared at the ocean of fire in front of him.

Meril stood behind him worried.

The twins looked at it in apprehension.

The wild magic purred happily and kept tugging Sebek towards it.

Meril took Sebek's hands.

"I know this is your mission. Just promise us you'll be ok and come back to us, to me," Meril whispered, tears in his eyes.

Sebek looked at Meril's tearful eyes, Terra's still form looking at him pleadingly, and Alex's hopeful eyes.

"I will. I promise and remember, I don't make promises lightly," he told them.

They surrounded him in a hug.

Sebek let his form transform into his beastman form.

He used his wings to hug them tightly.

The male's wings surrounded them like a wall of shadows and pulled them closer.

Then Sebek pulled back, his wings shimmering before disappearing.

Meril kept a hold of one of his hands and put his other hand in one of the small pouches the mer had gotten.

He pulled something out and pressed it into Sebek's palm before letting go.

Meril stepped back next to the twins and looked at Sebek.

"Go ahead Sebek," Terra told him softly.

"We'll be waiting for you," Alex grinned.

Meril smiled at him gently, "Don't look at what I gave you until you find the artifact."

Sebek nodded, determination burning in him.

He stepped closer to the ocean of fire.

It licked at him, not even burning like he thought it would.

It was probably because the ancient magics like him.

He swam in further.

The ocean was pure fire and acted exactly just like regular water, only made of fire and able to burn people.

He focused his magic and transformed into his mer form.

He swam deeper and deeper, somehow the light was dimming just like a regular ocean.

His body acted as if it was swimming in water.

It was quite odd and discombobulating.

The wild magic tugged him further and he followed.

His hand was holding the thing Meril had given him.

He wanted to look at it but he remembered Meril's instructions.

Sebek felt a pulse of magic and the wild magic buzzed happily.

The wild magic was getting stronger.

Then he saw ruins.

They were the ruins of a temple.

"How odd," Sebek mused.

He swam in further, the tug of the magic almost painful.

Then he stumbled across a room.

There on a podium was an artifact.

It was a small gem encrusted in a necklace of gold with emeralds decorating it.

He swam closer, going around it.

Then he opened his palm and nearly dropped the item in it in shock.

It was a ring.

Not magic, but a ring.

It was black with gold stars detailing it.

The center piece was an emerald.

His breath was stolen, his heart beat in his chest, and his cheeks burned.

Meril loved him?

Why?

Why would Meril love him?

Sebek didn't deserve Meril at all.

So why?

Sebek…

Sebek… loved Meril.

Sebek buried his face in his webbed hands.

His face burned bright red.

His heart was thudding quickly in his chest.

The ancient magic of the ocean, both fire and water, nudged him towards the artifact.

He looked towards it, trying to cool his blush.

He swam forwards, gently grabbing the necklace.

The wild magic spiked in happiness and Sebek held back a wince.

Could he really do this?

Could he let everyone remember?

He loved his new life.

He knows so much about himself but he still has so much to learn.

He has friends, a family, a purpose.

But he had a family back then too, he had people he cared about.

Their minds were altered with magic.

He had a purpose back then.

What does he do?

His mind raced a mile a minute before he sighed.

He knows what to do.