For the next two weeks Midas and Jones continued to power through their workouts. It was subtle at first but as time went by Jones quickly began to grow more and more confident in himself, though still a little unsure about confronting Slone in the near future.

But Midas reassured him he'd be there to help, as would Jules and Marigold and all their friends.

He made a promise to the blond that one day they'd take down the Imagined Order and free the island from its looped prison, and he intends to keep that promise.

It wouldn't happen today, maybe not tomorrow...

But someday...

-------------

During the night...

It was quiet all across the town with clouds rolling in, covering the moon before letting its bright light seep through. Stars glitter in the dark sky, visible enough to be seen near the bedroom window.

Unable to fall asleep, as usual, Midas can't help but stare at their beauty as he lies on his bed under the sheets, arm under his pillow. They were so mesmerising to him, yet he wasn't sure why.

"Hmm... it's strange. Stars are nothing but dead flames." He whispers to himself. "And yet, despite that fact, they're still so beautiful to look at..."

He sits up, turning to Jones who was fast asleep beside him. Hours before, Midas had offered for him to sleep in his bed with him, and it seemed as though he wouldn't be awake anytime soon. He was hugging his pillow like a child, his lips slightly apart and silently snoring.

"... they're almost as beautiful as you my dear." Midas chuckles softly. "But you're more gorgeous than any star in the galaxy."

Getting up and slipping on a dressing gown and slippers Midas steps outside onto the balcony to watch the stars a little closer for a moment. It gave him a sense of comfort watching the stars shimmer. It reminded him of something he used to do as a child...

... specifically with Oro...

"The stars look wonderful tonight...do they not?"

Midas snaps out of his dazed state and looks over his shoulder. A faint illusion of Orelia was there on his left watching the stars too.

"Indeed. It makes me feel... nostalgic for some reason."

"Hm?"

Orelia reminds him.

He briefly smiles, remembering the fond memory.

"Heh... that's... actually the reason I'm still awake..."

He nods.

"Yes, although... it's a little different..." He hums, gazing back at the stars again. "My mind was tracing back to the day Oro transferred all his power over to me, killing himself in the process..."

Orelia listens closely.

"I remember he always used to carry around some kind of sceptre or staff. And when he turned to dust it lost its golden colour and power."

"Oh, you mean this one?"

Orelia holds her boney hands out and Oro's sceptre appears in them, though still devoid of any power. Midas tries taking ahold of it, but his hands simply phase through it.

"Ah, it is nothing but an illusion here Midas." She sighs. "But I'll say this. The real thing may be closer than you think."

"You mean to tell me his sceptre is lying somewhere on the island."

"Mhm. That sceptre is yours to wield now. With its power restored by a single touch from your hands, it will be able to do the things it used to." She explains. "For one, it is the only thing that can restore something turned to gold back to its original state...that includes humans too..."

"Hmm... interesting. Perhaps I will go looking for it tomorrow."

"Do what you wish. Wherever it is, it'll be there waiting for you... Oro's chosen one."

Orelia then disappears, leaving him alone. Taking one last look at the stars he smiles, a tired look in his eyes. It fades when he hears a camera clicking and nearby rustling bushes.

"Hm?"

It goes deadly quiet again as Midas looks over the balcony. Shaking it off he heads back into his room, taking off the slippers and dressing gown and wrapping himself up under the covers. Just before he dozes off he notices Jones shivering slightly in his sleep, gripping onto the bedsheets.

He takes Jones' hand while brushing his other hand through his hair, trying to comfort him.

"Shhh... it's okay. I'm here. I'm right here beside you my dear."

Slowly but surely a small smile begins to form as he stops shivering. He keeps his hand on his, reassuring him he wasn't going anywhere.

"I won't ever leave you...my dear Jonesy..."

----------------

In the morning...

"Hey brother. You gonna come out your room anytime soon?"

"I'll be out in a moment."

Midas calls out to his sibling, putting the finishing touches to a note he was writing. Placing the pen down with a click he folds it and puts it in his pocket, gets up from his chair and leaves his room, doing up the buttons on his waistcoat.

"There you are. Jones is waiting for you outside. He's ready for another jog."

"Forgive me Jules, but I'm far too busy today for our training session."

"Why?"

"I just remembered something last night. Something extremely important. And I must attend to it immediately."

"If that's the case, go tell your boyfriend. Let's hope he won't be too upset..." Jules scoffs, folding her arms and turning away.

Her attitude towards him wasn't to his liking.

"Jules are you alright? You seem grouchy...more so than usual."

"I'm sorry Midas. It's just that..."

She pauses, rethinking her words.

"I'm sorta still not that comfortable with Jones in the house around you all the time. You remember what he did, right?"

Midas pinches the brim of his nose, sighing in annoyance.

"Are you STILL blaming him for that? That was months ago Jules, just let it go..."

"I just don't understand how you can forgive him so easily. Are you that head over heels for him that you forgot he was responsible for OUR mother's demise?!"

"For fucks sake Jules it was 6 months ago! It wasn't his fault! He was scared! If anyone's to blame it's Slone for tormenting him for years!"

"HE still sent those bounty hunters after us! He's just as guilty as her!" Jules cries. "If he hadn't fucking come here she'd still be alive! And god knows where the hell dad's been all these years. For all I know he's probably dead too!"

That last sentence struck a nerve within Midas. He practically never told Jules about what ACTUALLY happened to their father since he was afraid she'd despise him and call him a monster...or a murderer.

"Why can't you just let it go Jules?! It's in the past, we can't just go back and stop it! He's been through enough and I don't think he needs to be reminded of the atrocities committed by Slone's corrupt organisation!"

As he grips onto his head, gold begins running up Midas' arms as his temper continues to spiral out of control.

"Well I'm sorry brother but I can't let it go! He was responsible for her death and now he's blinding you with his 'innocence', making you forget everything he did-"

Unable to hold it in any longer, Midas' body turns completely gold as his temper explodes out of him.

"FOR THE LAST FUCKING TIME HE WAS JUST SCARED!! HE DID NOTHING WRONG, HE WAS JUST TRYING NOT TO DIE DOING HIS JOB! NOW SHUT IT AND STOP FOUL MOUTHING JONES THIS INSTANT."

The gold retracts and Midas stumbles in his footing, leaning against the wall and breathing heavily. He looks looks up at Jules, and her expression absolutely destroys him;

Tears were streaming down her face, her expression showing one of betrayal and jealousy.

"Picking Jones over me....why aren't I surprised at this point..." She sniffles, trying her best to hold back bursting into tears. "...go away. Go talk to your boyfriend."

"Jules, I'm-"

"Leave me alone!!"

"But-"

"I don't wanna hear it!"

She storms off into her room, slamming the door and locking it. Midas leans against it and begins tearing up as Jules' cries fill his ears.

He really fucked up this time, no doubt about that.

"Perhaps it's best I give her some space. If she's calmed down later, maybe she'll listen."

Midas makes his way to the front door, seeing Jones outside waiting with his back turned.

"Hey Jones. Are you alright with doing the jog exercise by yourself? I have something else to do this morning."

He turns around, smiling at him.

"Yeah...I can do that."

"Great. I'll be back soon. Stay safe for me and be careful."

Giving Jones a peck on the cheek he begins walking away out of Pleasant Park.

Jones gives Midas a wave, only to sit on a chair outside the house and silently begin to shed tears. He heard the whole argument between the siblings...

And his guilt for everything he did in the past was becoming so overwhelming and unbearable that the only question he could ask himself was;

"What have I done...?"

That kind of mentality and emotions were only making it easier for Fear to push him down and drown him in despair.

And it felt as though things were only gonna get worse from here...

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