It is purely cosmetic, but it is the only work we can accomplish until I receive the necessary crystal to power the portal, because I cannot build the main component without it. So just start attaching these panels while I speak with Ephraim.” Zexich explained while showing Vezaias the blueprint for the panelling that would be the outer casing to the portal. Vezaias looked over the print then prepared to attach the panelling as the directions instructed. Zexich turned to give his attention to Ephraim who was waiting.

  “Shall we go to my office?” Zexich suggested.

  “Uh, sure.” Ephraim said meekly then followed Zexich into a portal to his office. Zexich motioned for Ephraim to sit, then took a seat himself and gave Ephraim his attention again.

  “So, you manifested a talent. Please tell me about it.” Zexich said, looking intrigued.

  “Uh, well I was just feeling very emotional and I didn't want to be excluded but at the same time I feel shy and I didn't want to be noticed so I guess that must have triggered it. Suddenly my body started to evaporate like steam and I became invisible. I couldn't control it very well, or change back, or stop it. Ava was there and he suggested that I go and find Zay, because he could shut it off if I couldn't control it. So I did but when I got close enough I just sort of absorbed into Lux's body and it was just insane and I didn't know how to stop. Zay had to turn off the talent so I could stay solid.” Ephraim explained. Zexich looked amazed.

  “That is just spectacular Ephraim. How very interesting!” Zexich looked thrilled.

  “It wasn't spectacular at the time.” Ephraim said unhappily.

  “Yes, manifesting a talent for the first time can be very frightening as well as difficult to control. I suggest that you undergo some sort of training in order to get a better grasp and understanding on how to control this talent.” Zexich said.

  “But how do I train?” Ephraim asked meekly.

  “Well in the past we had put our members through training by appointing a more experienced member in charge of their training. Of course there are not a lot of options of who we could select to be your trainer and we would also have to run this suggestion by our leader. Remington has been through a short amount of training, and Sigil was a trainer in the past and he has fully trained several members before.” Zexich paused, looking emotional over this. Ephraim was patient for him to continue.

  “I also believe that Lux should consider this as well so that he will be able to use and understand his own talent better. Although I must say he does a very impressive job being self taught.” Zexich continued trying to shake off his emotional response.

  “Thanks Zex. I will talk to Vezaias as soon as I can. Do you think that Sigil would train me?” Ephraim asked meekly.

  “Perhaps. I know he still holds a great deal of resentment towards your group. However we both want to be cooperative. I will run the idea by him to 'test the waters' as they say.” Zexich said solemnly.

  “Common you piece of shit! Gah!” Vezaias said as he drilled the screws down into the panelling one at a time. “Hand me that other panel.” Vezaias said towards Ava who was supposed to be helping but was more content to sit and watch Vezaias do all the work, which was fine because Ava was not very helpful beyond handing Vezaias what he needed.

  “Ugh, okay so I did what you wanted me to do. So when will you let me have my Louie back?” Ava said unhappily as he struggled to bring Vezaias the heavy panel. Vezaias watched him in irritation as he awkwardly dragged the panel over.

  “Ava you have fucking telekinesis.” Vezaias said flatly.

  “I hate being Skyler! Ugh, he is the worst!” Ava groaned as Vezaias snatched the panel away and easily picked it up and placed it on the steps to the portal.

  “I will give the okay but you know what will happen if you cannot keep him under control. He will just end up being nutrition for Sol.” Vezaias said seriously before he began to drill the screws into the panelling.

  “Sure, as long as I get to see him for a few hours a day you can do whatever you want. Make a meat factory out of him. I feel like if he is here permanently I will just end up getting scared and ditching him anyway.” Ava said humdrumedly. Vezaias scowled at him.

  “You would really put him into some sort of endless recreation cycle just so you don't have to permanently commit to him? You disgusting little slut.” Vezaias spat. Ava sighed now looking ashamed.

  “Ugh, monogamy is just not my thing.” Ava huffed. “The less commitment I have to make the better. On the other hand each day that goes by that he is gone I feel like I'm….” Ava paused. Vezaias paused and waited for his answer. Ava didn't offer a response.

  “Suffocating?” Vezaias finally suggested. Ava's eyes filled up with tears.

  “Is this how you felt when Remi was gone, or Lux, or Ephie?” Ava asked, desperately holding back his emotional response. Vezaias watched Ava slowly crumble. He put his tool down and slid over and hugged Ava who immediately began to cry.

  “Yes Ava. This is how I felt, but imagine it times three by the time Rem had left me.” Vezaias said softly. “It hurts. Even though they are back, just remembering when they were gone still hurts. You didn't seem to give a shit how much pain it caused me. I love them each so much. Now do you understand?” Vezaias asked delicately. Ava shook his head in agreement.

  “I've never felt like this before. I don't know how to love someone Vee. What should I do? How do I do it? How do I love my flower properly? What if I fuck it up?” Ava gushed with tears.

  “It's not easy loving someone. I love Rem differently than I love Lux and differently than I love Eph. Nobody's love is the same, and everyone needs a different kind of love. You will learn how if you pay close enough attention. See what they respond to best, and understand how to help them be who they are. I know that Eph is too shy to say how he feels, I have to let him wander around until it comes out naturally somehow, then be forgiving when it does. I am constantly reminding him to be real with me and be as understanding as possible when he is finally honest with me. I know Lux can only venture so far out of his comfort zone before he gets too overwhelmed, so I have to push him just far enough to help him widen his horizons without traumatizing him. Rem and I have the most in common because our fathers were similar. I know he has trouble with loyalty and monogamy too, so I have to give him the most freedom.” Vezaias explained. Ava brushed away his tears. “Look I don't claim to give a shit about that flower fucker, but I know that you love him, and you've never loved anyone before. So you can either be afraid and keep him at a distance and be completely hurtful and dysfunctional like always, or you can try to open up and do it right. The first option will be easy for you, but it will destroy him, the second option will be very difficult and scary for you, both will be painful, but the second one will be the most rewarding. I will be there for you either way.” Vezaias said. Ava hugged him tightly.

  “He's going to be so angry at me for everything I've done.” Ava mumbled.

  “You didn't kill his friends. I did. If he will listen, and if he really does give a shit about you then he can try to understand. None of this is your fault. You did what I expected you to do, you followed my orders. As long as he remains unthreatening he can return. I also promised Zex I would give him his friends back.” Vezaias explained. “I will let Zex know that he can recreate him.”

  They continued to walk into the dark. It was disturbing to continue while unsure of how long they had been walking while feeling as if they hadn't gone any sort of distance at all. Lux had fixated on counting to himself while focusing on squeezing Remington's hand trying desperately to stay calm. He kept his eyes shut now, since it was so dark that he felt it was pointless to keep them open.

  “The voices said we will never make it out of here.” Lux mumbled anxiously.

  “Yes we will Lux. I will get us out of here. Do you trust me?” Remington said mildly. The mission didn't bother Remington very much as long as Lux was safe.

  “I trust you. It's this fucking place that I do not trust.” Lux said, squeezing Remington's hand harder. Lux felt droplets on his skin now and stopped walking very abruptly. Remington stopped and turned to see what was wrong.

  “Lux, what is it?” Remington asked in concern. The moisture continued to fall now like a soft rain hitting him. He began to shake in fear. He opened his eyes to look.

  “Remington do you feel that?” He asked shakily. Remington looked puzzled.

  “I don't feel anything unusual Lux. What do you feel?” Remington asked, trying to keep Lux focused.

  “It's…rain……or maybe…..” He stammered. The water fell harder soaking him, he found it unbelievable that Remington couldn't feel it, nor see that he was now soaking wet as he felt the rain even on his hand that intertwined with Remington's hand.

  “Hey looney fuck!” Lux heard a very mocking voice shout from behind him. He jerked and turned to look now suddenly in a brightly lit large communal shower, and the water was from the showerhead spraying him until he backed up into the tile wall. A group of inmates approached.

  “What are you doing? Didn't I tell you no crazies in the shower while me n my guys are in here?” The guy spat.

  “It was not my choice to be here!” Lux nearly shrieked.

  “Well I think you should apologize for using my shower without my permission.” He continued looking very threatening.

  “I'm sorry!” Lux said quickly then tried to pass by them to escape. The group leader swiped his arm out blocking his path. Lux twisted then swung a fist but it was too late. Before he could do anything else he hit the floor with a pain SMACK, then he was being attacked from several directions. He tried to fight and scramble to crawl away but there was a swift kick to the face that completely stunned him. He cupped his mouth as blood gushed out.

  “I swear I'll never shower again!” He shouted through the gurgling of the blood.

  “You disgusting freak that's gross!” They began dragging him into position. “Hold him down!” He flailed and fought but there were now three guys pinning him to the ground then one arm wrapped around his neck he tried to scream but this in itself he knew to be useless. The screaming got worse as he felt himself beginning to sink into that same muddy water as before. The inmates that held him down now morphed into a creature with tentacles wrapping around him like the kraken as it took down a ship into the sea. He continued to struggle even beyond the fatigue he felt, and near bone breaking crushing squeeze that the creature had on him. He began to choke as the grip on his neck clamped his airway shut. He felt a razor sharp blade like teeth clamp down onto his forearm. The searing grip dragged him into the depths of the water further until suddenly the creature was sliced in half and he was lifted out of the abyss of dark water. He gasped and sputtered for air as Remington dragged him to safety while seeing the creature dead by decapitation below him. Remington kept them moving until they had gained some distance then pulled Lux into his arms in relief that he was alive.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  “Remington!” He coughed. “I hate it here!” He cupped his arm painfully while taking gasping breaths.

  “You're hurt!” Remington said. “We need to get out of here!” He helped Lux stand up shakily and they continued to walk.

  “We cannot leave without those crystals!” Lux pressed.

  “You are injured, the crystals can wait!” Remington said as they hurried as much as possible.

  “No! I am not leaving without those crystals! Vezaias will be disappointed if we come back without them!” Lux said firmly.

  “But Lux, he would be even more upset if I came back without you!” Remington, said in rebuttal. Lux was determined to keep going and just as they were arguing about which direction to go suddenly they both fell through a cavern and into a deep pit that was from floor to ceiling, completely covered in crystal.

  “Whoaaa…” Lux was audibly amazed.

  “I think we found what we were looking for! Common, let's fill up the sacks and get out of here!” Remington said as he got to his feet. Of course Lux didn't have to help very much as Remington could fill the bags three times faster than he could, and soon they were on their way climbing up the cavern to leave.

  “Finding the exit to the dark realm was faster than searching for what they came for. It seemed like they had walked for hours to find the crystals, now upon leaving, the exit was only a few minutes away. Lux was in a lot of pain and squeezing his arm to help slow the bleeding and the infirmary was the first place they went. Remington helped Lux to sit then quickly got him some paper towels that were nearby to press into his arm.

  “Just hang on Lux, Zex is coming!” Remington said, helping him squeeze his forearm.

  “My goodness, it must have been very hostile in the dark void today.” Zexich appeared and quickly came to inspect the situation. Remington stepped aside to let Zexich handle the injury just as Ephraim and Vezaias showed up. Ephraim was quick to come towards Remington and hug him. While Vezaias waited his turn.

  “Is Lux okay?” Ephraim asked urgently.

  “He will be.” Remington said, still pumping with adrenaline. Vezaias hugged Remington tightly.

  “I'm glad you are both back safely.” Vezaias said in relief. He turned to Lux who was very distressed.

  “Are you alright?” Vezaias asked.

  “I fucking hate it there, I'm never going back in there again. That creature bit me.” Lux huffed painfully as Zexich began to clean up the wound.

  “There is an ovular deposit in his arm. I suspect it will be emerging any minute.” Zexich said as he inspected the bite. “It will leave behind a parasite, and there will be nothing I can do to help him.” Vezaias scoffed and rolled his eyes. He gestured for Zexich to move out of the way then he took Lux's arm then with a quick swipe of his machete that appeared he severed Lux's forearm off completely then without hesitation he began to crunch on the meat like a snack. Lux clutched his arm to his chest.

  “AHHHHH CANT YOU FUCKING WARN ME BEFORE YOU DO THAT SHIT?!” Lux screamed. Remington quickly was at his side holding him tightly.

  “Lux! Stay calm! Just take some energy from me!” He insisted. Lux nodded painfully then flared up to siphon Remington's energy. His arm grew back quickly and he clenched his fist tightly trying to relieve the muscle pain.

  “Well that is one way to solve the problem.” Zexich mused.

  “It is too bright out and that deposit tasted like garbage.” Solaris said with a sour face.

  Zexich spent the two days categorizing and organizing the crystals. He had what he needed now to power the portal machine and he also needed to work on building the main portal mechanism, and installing a crystal to power the machine then testing it to make sure it was stable enough to open a portal. All of this would be a long process. He also needed to prepare another recreation for the next day. Although he was thrilled he would be able to have yet another member of his family back he was afraid for what quality of life Lucius would be given due to his hostile nature in comparison to Vezaias’s easy solution of consuming him if he would not surrender and cooperate. He could only hope for a positive outcome for Lucius. He would have the recreation ready for completion by the next morning.

  Today the group would be going to reality to work on music. They had already recorded all of the older music and Remington and Vezaias had written several new songs. Demetri had composed them and they were prepared for their debut while on the tour that was still in the works. Today they would be heading downtown to a film studio to record footage for their music videos. They would be doing several different videos from each of their three albums. Their second album now had a release date that was set to drop in eight days on Saturday. The social media was hyped with anticipation over this new album as it would be the original music that was played during their first time on stage at Pistol Whipped. Their third album would be released one week later which was the music they played at the first concert they did after Vezaias was recreated. The fourth album did not have a release date yet and was still a secret. Since there wasn't much work to be done Vezaias asked if Ephraim and Lux wanted to come to see them work on the music videos. Ephraim was thrilled to be invited and Lux was a bit apprehensive but as long as he would be able to take smoke breaks now and then he would be cool with going too since he was the most antisocial of the group. They landed at Demetri's new house and headed downstairs. Demetri, Maxwell and Zach were sitting at the table as usual and greeted them while looking interested at the unfamiliar people that had joined them. They hadn't met Lux before and were not exactly used to his unusual behavior, but they were struck by the very unique looking other person that they had never met. Demetri of course was friendly and easily brushed off how striking Ephraim looked. He could treat anyone as normal no matter how unusual they looked. Zach was also very professional and would not easily look distracted, but Maxwell made it quite obvious that he was amazed with the strange way that Ephraim looked.

  “Oh, this is Lux, and this is Eph, my second and third life partners.” Vezaias introduced them.

  “Lux was the shooter right?” Demetri looked amused. “Hey Lux. Nice to see you again.” Demetri greeted him as nonchalantly as possible. Lux looked at him suspiciously.

  “Can I smoke in here?” Lux asked bluntly.

  “Uh, no, I'd rather you go outside.” Demetri said uneasily but trying to smile and keep his friendly attitude.

  “Nice to meet you Eph.” Zach continued the greetings to alleviate the awkwardness. “My name is Zach, and this is the other band members, Demetri and Maxwell.”

  “Um, hey there.” Ephraim said shyly.

  “What happened to your color?” Maxwell blurted out. Demetri elbowed him.

  “I have considered that maybe someone has stolen it.” Lux said seriously. Ephraim blushed brightly and looked embarrassed.

  “Dude he's like a ghost.” Maxwell continued.

  “Hey! You call him a ghost again and I fucking eat you alive!” Vezaias jumped forward angrily.

  “Okay! Okay! Sorry! I just never seen someone that looks like him before!” Maxwell flinched in fear.

  “Zay it's alright! I'm not offended by it anymore!” Ephraim pulled on him to break him away from his aggression. Vezaias retracted and let Ephraim pull him away a few steps. He put his arms around Ephraim and kissed his forehead.

  “Sorry, I'm just very protective over my family.” Vezaias said calmly.

  “My fault!” Maxwell said uneasily.

  “Did you say Lux and Ephraim were your life partners?” Zach interrupted. It got quiet and awkward for a moment. “What about Remington?” Zach added. Vezaias chuckled in amusement as nobody else seemed to want to answer his question. Vezaias sat down after making sure his group all had a place to sit near him.

  “I am sort of a collector.” Vezaias said finally. Zach looked interested. Remington didn't seem to be offended that Vezaias had two other guys with him and none of them seemed unhappy with the situation. He was even more intrigued as Vezaias explained it.

  “I met Eph in my first year of high school, then I got kicked out of that school and ended up at an alternative school where I met Lux, then I got kicked out of my house and moved here where my gran lives and met Rem. I lost them each one by one. Rem came back, then Lux, then Eph returned too. I really couldn't bear to lose any of them again so I've kept them.” Vezaias explained as if it were completely normal.

  “Kept them?” Demetri asked in bewilderment.

  “Yeah, they're mine.” As if they were each a novel accessory.

  “Vezaias, they are not property.” Demetri said seriously.

  “They are in fact. They are my property.” Vezaias looked amused at Demetri's annoyance.

  “People cannot just belong to someone, and Rem, you just let him blatantly cheat on you like this?” Demetri rebuttaled.

  “Uh, well he's not cheating on me. We are very open about what we do with each other.” Remington replied in defense. “At first it wasn't so honest, and Vezaias wasn't exactly telling me what he was doing. Then I found out and the four of us had a very open discussion about our relationships and we all consented to be in a group relationship. I don't know why, but somehow it just sort of works for us.” Remington explained earnestly. Zach looked amused. Demetri looked irritated, Maxwell looked confused.

  “Wait so you're saying you are all in a relationship together?” Maxwell was trying to understand this concept.

  “Yeah.” Remington said.

  “Somehow it doesn't surprise me.” Zach chuckled.

  “Don't you get jealous or whatever?” Maxwell continued.

  “Sometimes.” Remington said truthfully. “…and we are supposed to communicate that, then we adjust so whoever feels left out or jealous will get more attention.” Remington explained. It was silent and awkward.

  “Plus there is enough of me to go around you know.” Vezaias said with conceit. His group seemed to all audibly express their amusement over this comment.

  “I think you are full of shit.” Demetri pressed. Vezaias only looked smugly back at him.

  “Pardon me for getting the conversation started but my job as your manager I need to know how to handle the gossip about your personal lives. So far the fans only know of you and Remington being romantically involved. Are either of you going to disclose your group romance? Just a reminder if either of you, Lux or Eph, are spotted in public with Vezaias or Remington, you will become fair game for paparazzi and gossip.” Zach explained. Ephraim looked bashful at this, Lux only shrugged.

  “Well I don't plan on hiding it, nor did I consider disclosing it purposely.” Vezaias said mildly.

  “I will keep that in mind.” Zach said amusingly. The tense conversation ended and it was time to work. Demetri began with new music for everyone to work on. Demetri began to play the new song with Ava (or who he knew as Alt) playing the drums. He gave Remington new piano sheet music and he would personally show Vezaias the chords to the new songs they had been working on. Vezaias seemed to learn best by watching Demetri and copying although he was fairly good at learning by reading sheet music. After teaching him the intro he switched to showing him the chorus of the song.

  “So then you switch to these chords right here like this.” Demetri jammed out the chorus for him. He watched keenly, then played the chorus himself.

  “No, you have this part wrong it goes like this…” Demetri replayed the chorus. Vezaias paused to watch but he still played it wrong.

  “Zay, aren't you looking, you have these two chords wrong, it goes…”

  “I know Dem, I just think it sounds better the way I played it.” Vezaias replied looking amused.

  “But that's not the way I wrote it.” Demetri insisted.

  “So I can't change it? Is it fucking set in stone?” Vezaias derided.

  “I'm sorry I didn't know you were going to compose all the music now!” Demetri snapped back.

  “Ugh Dem, relax, I was just suggesting.” Vezaias chuckled in amusement. “If it is that important I will play it exactly your way.” Demetri looked irritated now.

  “Do whatever you want. That's what you're best at right?” Demetri snapped.

  “Heh, I think you have a spare bit of resentment going on.” Vezaias replied in amusement.

  “No I just think you don't actually give a shit about Remington if you can talk him into letting you be so obviously unfaithful to him.” Demetri replied in anger. Vezaias took his guitar strap off and put it on its stand.

  “If you recall, Remington has a huge problem being faithful to me. You should know that from fucking experience Demetri.” Vezaias turned to look at him with disdain. Demetri was fuming now, Logically he knew he was no match for Vezaias but he couldn't help but look aggressive. Remington realized it was getting heated and quickly came to interject between them. He pushed Vezaias back.

  “Zay, relax. Do not engage this.” Remington said softly, pulling him away more. Maxwell was now on the stage pulling Demetri in the opposite direction.

  “Whatever, let's just take a break before it's time to go and film.” Demetri said as he walked away with Maxwell.