He didn't know where he was... Dark mist ruled the place. There he was chained up. His throat felt sore, his face was wet with jets of tears.

He looked up to find the Magnifer's dead body suspended in the air with chains— blood oozing out of his stomach. He hiccuped trying hard to tear his gaze from the shivering sight.

"Win", a familiar voice startled Win. He swiftly turned towards the source of the voice, his handcuffs jingling in the process. It was Bright.

"Good Lord!" He gasped feeling tears streamed down his face, "you're alive! You're alive".

Bright spread his white wings out and flew down beside him. His lips quivered as he blasted the chains off Win. He quickly holds his face in his hand and kissed him.

Surprisingly, Win's inner dilemmas didn't surface up. He returned the kiss. It was a long and desperate one. The intensity had Win sobbing in between.

He was about to lose him. But Good God! He was saved! He felt rejuvenated finding Bright unharmed. Bright kissing him had been a massive proof of it. They let go of each other soon.

Even though Win didn't remember what happened earlier... He could feel something big and ominous had happened there earlier.

Bright shook, uncontrollably.

"I am sorry, I couldn't save the Magnifer", Win broke down sobbing.

"Don't cry, love", he breathed, holding his tears, "you're alive and that's everything!"

Win opened his eyes, gasping. Fortunately, he found himself in his room, on his desk with books spread out messily in front of him.

He was dreaming?

His throat feels tight too—he was screaming perhaps.

It was the same dream again. The one he had started seeing since the first Herb harvesting month—though this time all the emotions, kisses, and endearment words seemed more prominent and pronounced.

He brushed his thumb over his lips, finding it drier than ever.

The dream itself was scary. And it felt like the continuation of the one he had seen last year— except it was much more darker and scary.

What's scarier was the scene where the Magnifer hangs by the chain with a ripped stomach. He shivered at the thought.

"Win", the familiar muffled voice startled him again, "it's me, Bright".

"Oh", Win said, his heart thumping and recovering from the shock, "come in".

Bright entered the room with his hair messy and sticking out at odd places. "Heard you scream again, are you alright?"

Did he scream? Why didn't he remember it?

He looked at Bright, searching resemblance of the same person in his dreams. The fact that Bright in his dreams seemed too weak and vulnerable than the Bright in front of him somehow made him shiver.

"You alright?" Bright immediately ran towards him.

"I am. I am." He regained his composure as Bright kneeled in front of him.

"You're definitely not— Are you crying?" His face was distored in concern. "What happened?"

"Nothing happened... It's just", he searched for a better excuse to throw his way, but nothing came.

"You had a bad dream, haven't you?" Bright asked, rubbing his cheeks in soothing circles.

"Sort of", Win blushed at the touch.

"See even your pages are wet", Bright came much closer touching the books on the table behind Win.

Suddenly they were too close.

Win's eyes widened finding such proximity. The jar in which he had kept the fuzzy feeling and threw it off somewhere far, seemed to have returned somehow. His cheeks heat up finding his reflection in Bright's brown orbs.

Bright was himself very mesmerized by the light brown eyes. For him, Win has the most beautiful eyes, and finding his reflection in them made him feel like the luckiest person in the Universe.

"Bright..." He whispered making way for Bright's sane reasonings to wake up. He immediately repealed away from the latter blushing furiously.

"So-sorry", he muttered, scratching his nape.

"Hmm", Win hummed in response. What was that?

The words Bright said in his dreams ran up in his mind again, making his face redden further.

"There's still time till five. You should take some rest", Bright cleared his throat, standing up.

"I—" Win began.

"Don't worry. I'll be here until you sleep", he smiled, comforting him somehow.

"You'll be here?" Win asked. He couldn't understand whether this was to be a piece of comforting news or not.

"I'll be here", Bright nodded again, helping him up.

He saw Win lay on the bed and sat down on near the head board"Close your eyes, Raven-head".

"You won't sleep?" Win asked.

"I am not sleepy", he casually shrugged, "plus I have to attend Planetary geography lessons before breakfast".

Win wasn't convinced by his answer, but he chose not to push him.

"Oh", he said, letting the darkness and the serenity fall upon them.

"Is Planetary Geography hard?" Win broke the silence.

"No, not if you love it", Bright chuckled.

"Geography was never my thing. I find it confusing", Win answered.

"You don't necessarily have to love everything, Win", Bright answered after a while, quietly.
You don't have to love me either, just stay happy.

Win didn't reply instantly. He stayed watching the dark ceiling and the warmth that seeps through the fabric of the person sitting beside him.

"Thank you", Win replied.

"For what?"

"For everything. For being so understanding, kind, and compassionate towards me", Win answered.

"Believe me, it's the least I can do for you", Bright answered. I would've given you the whole universe if I could, this is nothing compared to it.

Another comfortable silence engulfed them.

"Bright?"

"Hm?"

"It's completely a hypothetical question... If I die before I can complete the quest, would you hate me?" Win asked.

Win felt him stiffen beside him. "Never in the thousand light-years, I can hate you."

"You wouldn't hate me even if I place in such a danger?" Win moved to face the Prince.

"I would never", Bright assured him.

"You're indeed kind", Win smiled, stomach flipping in glee, or was it for something else?

"I am not kind. Besides, you are afraid about facing Megatrix, aren't you?"

"Very. I am scared of facing her and of people's expectations of me. What if I disappointed them?"

"As an original family disappointment, I will only advise you to be yourself. Think about yourself while taking a decision. You don't have to be who they want you to be, because at the end it's they, who are going to break you and it's you, who will be left to stick up your broken pieces."

Bright's voice was bitter, Win could tell. He might have been broken a lot of times. Just how Joss said a Prince has to face many unnecessary explanations and troubles. And what Win was experiencing was nothing compared to what Bright has experienced. He carefully placed his hand on Bright's, patting it.

"I don't feel you're a disappointment, Bright. I think you're something that brings pride to the whole population of Numans", Win explained.

"Thank you, Raven-head. But don't go pity me now", Bright chuckled a bit, "I am not such a pathetic guy". Or maybe I am, he thought.

"I am not pitying you, idiot. It's empathy!" Win scoffed, slapping his hand.

"Ow! Alright. Alright", Bright laughed. His mellow laughter made Win chuckle. It was really addictive. Was there any time when Bright hasn't been able to uplift his mood?
This time, too, the scary dream slowly faded from his mind. The dream and reality became more pronounced. The reality was hard and crude.

"Now sleep, you'll have to face a long day tomorrow", Bright said, shifting closer to Win.

"Good... Night? Or dawn? Which one would appropriate?" Win asked.

"You're seriously not sleepy, are you?" Bright yawned lazily.

"No no, this is important", He emphasized his point.

"Stop it, Raven-head... I am sleepy", Bright yawned one last time before falling asleep.

Win stayed awake thinking everything that happened, overthinking Bright hot breath that fell on his neck and the fact will it be 'Good Night' or 'Good Dawn' right now.

As the soft daylight entered through the window, Win finally closed his eyes.

•••

"So you're saying me we'll get to see the Finishing Ceremony this year?!" Win's eyes glittered.

"Exactly!" Frey, a Finisher answered grinning.

They were currently having their free time before their lunch break when Frey, a Finisher joined them to meet Win. Many people come and join them daily to show their support and for the introduction. They were too accustomed to this process, however, sometimes Bright shoos them away.

Today, luckily Pam wasn't there with them for her extra duties given by Sir Fong to perform under his vigilance. Bright was, therefore, in light and chirpy mood.

"Frey, are they going to hold it in Aster City this time as well?" Joss asked, plopping in a mini tomato-like thing in his mouth.

"They are", she said, removing her green locks from her face, "We all were surprised when they told us about this. Plus the fact Aster City North Tower is almost destroyed by now."

"How?" Win asked.

"Megatrix's army has showered numerous attacks over it, even before you came", Carmel explained.

"But why only North Aster Tower?" Win asked.

"Because Midaster's atmosphere is thinner at that North. It'll be easier for Megatrix's army to enter", Bright explained, "during the Freezing season, the atmosphere remains easier to break. Plus, North Aster Tower contains Universe Stone. The one which  takes the Trials of the Finishers."

"Finishing Ceremony is all about the Trials", Love entered the conversation.

"What happens in Trials? Do we have to fight?" Win asked again.

"Not really. Trials are all about checking your mental strength and powers. During the Trial, you have to touch the stone and close your eyes slowly surrendering yourself to the Universe. It will in turn give you challenges to overcome. It is important for every Numan, whether from Free Wing or not, to take part in the Trials.", Frey explained.

"Wait... I couldn't understand one thing", Win began, "Why would Megatrix want to come near the Universe Stone? Wouldn't it destroy her?"

"No. It is all about powers, Win. Megatrix has opposed Universe's decisions and misused her Gift. If she can take over the Aster City, she can easily get rid of the Magnifer and then claim herself as the Magnifera. Plus, she's after power. The more she has, the more she wants", Bright answered.

"That's... Too ambitious of a goal, isn't it? Like she's trying to ignore such a mighty Universe herself?!" Win blinked, wondering what it would be like to be Megatrix for a day. Weird thoughts at weird moments.

"Maybe people with powerful Gifts have rights to be ambitious?" Frey sighed, "Anyways, it was nice to meet you all. I'll bring my friends one day to introduce to you for sure!" She smiled before walking away.

"Alright! We'll see you next week then!" Joss shouted behind her making her turn and wave at them. Probably the same hair color had Joss and Frey to start bonding.

"Joss-y has a crush?" Carmel nudged his ribs, making the big friendly green-head go red.

"Nope, I don't do crushes", Joss blushed, nodding his head in negation.

Win and Bright exchanged a look before bursting into fits of laughter. Love and Carmel joined soon after.

•••

There were now purple patches over his wing-bumps, announcing the soon-to-be-sprouting wings' arrival. The pain hasn't lessened even a little bit, but Win has been getting better at tolerating it because what is a Numan without tolerance?

The classes have been getting tougher each day, making all the second-year Pages exhaust easily. Sir Sarawat's classes have started being presided over by Sir Man and Sir Boss teaching them the lessons respectively. They were funnier and warmer than Sir Sarawat and all of them enjoyed the class thoroughly, yet Win and his friends couldn't help but wonder what has happened to Sarawat.

Win has got better in fencing, archery, freehand fighting, and Usico riding. He was in a 'better stage' as quoted by Sir Man and was perfectly fit to own a Usico at some point. Bright got even better in sword fighting and spear-fighting faster than the others. He was indeed a genius. Win might not agree but he had sometimes stared at Bright showing his smooth and clean skills in fencing, partly, mesmerized by his skills and partly wondering how can someone call him a disappointment! By the end of the week, Love has agreed that she might have got a crush on Sir Boss and got teased by her friends to the extremities.

Sometimes Bright had had mini-battles with Pam while shooing her away from gluing on Win, who has gotten used to Pam's flirtings and watched them, amused by their gestures and word. Joss has too stopped separating the siblings whenever they had gotten into fights and only sat behind with a smug smile, letting them fight over Win.

Everything happened accordingly, yet Win can say he was feeling the tension in the air— whether for sitting too close to Bright (who kept reminding him of the kiss in his dreams) or for something bigger and scarier that is yet to happen soon be doesn't know.

The ominous tension grew. It was seeking a release— a destructive one, perhaps. Because it was just before the Finishing Ceremony— during Win's table service, the cutlery fell from his hand with a loud crash as his body burned with the golden flame.

He saw a place full of dark mist. It shifted to reveal the broken-down golden brick tower and moved to give a panoramic view. The scene shifted to something that made him shiver and gasp.

He was shaken awake from his Seeing by Sir Tine whose face was paler than usual.

"Sir", Win whimpered, "it's... It's Sir Sarawat—" he hiccuped.

"Wha—what happened?" Tine jumped up from his chair, "WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?"

"He's ... he has been attacked".

_________

Cliffhanger! Hahaha

Anyways, thank you for 1K reads on this book and 3K on Amoret!

To celebrate this, let me put forward my inspiration behind Bright's personality here. It's none other than, yours truly!!

Writing Bright's point of view is tougher than Win's. And it took me so much time to finish this one.

Anyways, thoughts? ಡ ͜ ʖ ಡ