There was a bell tolling at the very top of the temple. No one was ringing it, so Ari figured it must have been the wind. It was strong today. He looked at the towering building located on the outskirts of the town. It was covered in moss and thick vines. The faces embellished in the stone walls were fading, but the ones he could make out were some of the first saints of the Khaeo and the rest were grotesque faces of monsters and demons.

Ari held himself tight, making sure to check that Ra was still following them. He stayed quiet in all of this and did not bother to ask any questions which Ari thought to be strange. Given the person who had raised him, Ari was sure that was something that came with his upbringing. He tucked some of his free hair behind his ear, a habit of his Ari had grown to notice. Ra spared him a glance before looking at Cyrus. Ari could tell he was still wary of him.

Since their arrival, the town had become quiet and desolate. Still, Ari felt as though they were being watched by unseen eyes. It made his skin crawl, but Cyrus pushed him close and took him inside.

Inside was more haunting and decrepit than the outside of it. Shattered painted glass from the windows crunched under their feet. A cold wind blew in ruffling the tattered curtains lay strewn across the temple. Candle holders littered the floor along with broken candles and rotting tables. It was dank, so a smell permeated the air, causing Ari to cover his nose. Water dripped in droves from the ceiling and unknown places Ari could not see. As they walked further inside, Ari could not help but wonder why Cyrus would ever take him a place like this. It did not sit well with him.

As if sensing his apprehension, Ra tugged on a piece of his shirt. Ari stopped so that Ra could catch up to him and walk to his pace. Cyrus paid them no mind and continued on ahead much to Ari's thanks.

"Why are we here?" Ra whispered, looking warily at Cyrus' back.

Ari gave him a look before shaking his head. He hadn't the slightest idea either.

He looked at the fallen statues crumbling into dust and bits and pieces on the floor. There were statues with horns, sharp teeth, wings, and large eyes. On the opposing side were the Sanclius wielding blades. One held a stone up towards the very center of the building, causing Ari to furrow his brows at the long since forgotten memories of when he was younger. He was Saint Clius. The first of the saints who took up arms against the demons. More murals and broken figures decorated the second story of the building, surrounding them as if they were entering into a pit of demons instead of a temple meant for the gods. Ari had never once seen a temple in such great disrepair.

"He is imposing, at times, but do not be so wary of him. He means well," Ari murmured.

"Much like the other one."

Ari threw him a look, but Ra looked at him with unyielding eyes. What did it matter to him whether he was a demon or not? Ra had been raised by one and an old one at that. Ari knew he did not intimidate him in the slightest.

"Just stay close and all will be well. I will not let a thing happen to you. We are friends... after all." Ari looked at him this time watching his eyes scan down his features. He nodded after the moment and let go of his shirt.

"This way," Cyrus' said. Ari picked up his pace and followed him out the large room and into another.

Ari turned his head when he heard the sound of tin or metal. When he looked around, he noticed the wax from old candles and goblets stained with old blood were left on the ground. Swords and empty scabbards were left to rust there along with some wood and metal shields. It went without saying, something had happened here a long time ago. Cyrus turned down into a small hallway and beckoned him closer.

"Let me light this. I cannot see," Ra said, picking up a candle from the floor.

Ari had forgotten how Ra could not see in the dark. He was stumbling over the place. It would be best if he had some light to guide him. Ra pulled out a tinderbox and began to start a small flame for the candle. Once the candle was lit, he blew out the remaining fire and put the tinderbox back into his pocket.

Murals painted in the color of red and gold were found around the room. This time they told a story of lost battles and past wars. The red symbolized the demons and the blood spilled. The gold, in turn, represented the Khaeo and the goodness of the world. It did not sit well with him, the stories he was taught and the reality of things as they are now.

"Down here," Cyrus said, taking Ari's wrist this time.

They turned corner after corner until they were going down another level. Cobwebs covered the doorways and the sound of mice scattering made it to Ari's ears. The odor was getting stronger now. Bones were down there. Ari kicked a couple as they went down the stairs. Skeletons of humans with decayed flesh or just bone and worn cloth were at his feet now. It unsettled him, but Cyrus kept a firm grip on him.

Water pooled at his feet, which made Ari press closer to Cyrus. Cyrus spared him a glance and continued forward.

"It is just a little further ahead," Cyrus said.

"What is?"

"Truth."

Ari sank his nails into his own flesh, trying to muscle the fear growing in the pits of his stomach. However, this was what he wanted. He could not run away from it now. Ari quickly felt for his daggers hidden around his sides and boots. Once he felt them, Ari trudged onward.

"You." Cyrus turned around and put a hand out in front of Ra. "You stay here. This is no place for a mere human such as yourself."

Ra furrowed his brows. The candlelight flickered on his face, revealing all of the apprehension locked away in his brown eyes.

"It is okay. Wait at the upper level for me," Ari said to Ra.

"I will stay right here and wait for you."

Ari nodded, not bothering to argue with someone as stubborn as him. If he could get his way with Sai it was little use to resist him in this.

As they continued forward, Ari looked back behind him watching Ra biting his lip. He turned back around, trying to make out what was going through Cyrus' mind. Like always, he could not make out a thing. He always began to admire the green of his irises and the sheen of his long blonde hair. How soft it felt between his fingers. And his lips. He stopped his thoughts and fixated his attention on the rising water. It was at his ankles now.

"You have questions," Cyrus said through the silence that was threatening to swallow him whole. "But not every question should be asked. There are some things you should find out for yourself."

"I..."

"But everything has its price. What price are you willing to pay for this knowledge?"

Cyrus stopped and looked at him. "Will it be with your ignorance? You cannot say you did not know anymore. And the weight of that... It is suffocating."

His eyes held a sadness there. There was so much pain in those pretty green eyes. So apparent Ari thought he could feel it. Cyrus drew his head up and sighed.

"Will this give some reason to Auovin and his... motivations?" Ari asked tentatively.

"Somewhat. But I am not one to tell about a past he wishes to not speak about. As you must realize, none of the old ones do."

"Why?"

"Why?" Cyrus laughed cynically. "Because it is painful and it hurts."

Ari bowed his head not wanting to ask any more questions. He could already sense him bristling and shutting down all forms of conversation. But the hurt in his eyes was still lingering and it was hard to ignore. Ari wanted to so badly to ask what had happened to him, but he thought silence would be best for now. Still, he could not help himself. He had to say something.

"You are pretty even when you are sad."

It was very true that he liked Cyrus. He could hardly bear to lie when Cyrus asked so blatantly. Through his harsh words and treatment, Ari could tell he did care about him, though. He was not this unfeeling thing Ari had once thought of him as. It was more than he could say for Auovin. That much was very certain.

"But you are even prettier when you smile. I am sure you know this."

"Of course, I do," Cyrus said, unabashed.

"What I am trying to say is... I do not wish to see you with such an expression... " Ari said, struggling through his words with how intimidating he was. "I am sorry."

"For what?"

"Whatever it is... or was... I am sorry it leaves you with such a face."

When Ari looked at Cyrus, Cyrus' eyes were already peering into his, causing him to trip over his feet. Cyrus caught his wrist before he could hit the wall and pulled him close. It was hard not to become lost in those eyes and pretty face. Cyrus only turned Ari's head back. Soon Ari felt soft lips on his. It was as short as it was sudden, but it still made Ari's mind lose its focus and heart beat faster.

Cyrus moved away, but Ari grabbed him by his shirt and pressed him close until his lips were on his again. This time he tasted the mint on his lips and honey on his tongue. For a moment, Ari wondered how he tasted to him, but the thoughts left him as quick as Cyrus separated from him. Ari still had an arm wrapped around his neck, keeping him close. It took quite some time for Ari to finally be able to look Cyrus in the eyes. Ari was impulsive, but that impulsiveness also made him grow fearless in this instance.

"If you are going to kiss me then kiss me like this. I may be young, but I am no child. Do not treat me like one."

"Is that how you think I treat you?" Cyrus asked in an even voice.

"Kiss me as you would kiss him."

"Him?" Cyrus pulled away until he was at his full height.

"I do not care if you are with him as he is with me because it is as you said, I do like you and I like him as well. But I do care in which light you decide to see me in."

"Now is not the time for this. Do you not see where we are at?"

For a second, Ari had forgotten they were in a dank cavern smelling of rotting flesh and dirty water. Water sloshed up to his calves as he took another step forward. He did his best not to show how bothered he was by it. Cyrus did not like weakness. He liked strength something Ari did not think he had or at least the amount Cyrus was looking for. In this, he could seem strong and overcome something that had plagued him since he was small.

"... I do," Ari mumbled.

"And you do not find this matter important?"

"You are important... to me... as well and I would like an answer."

"My, you have grown so bold now." Ari heard the amusement in his voice which annoyed him. He wanted to be taken seriously and Cyrus only brushed it off as if it was some kind of bad joke.

"Should you not ask for my name, first?"

Ari looked at him with widening eyes.

"And should you not be giving me yours?" Cyrus finished. "A later time, perhaps."

The air grew colder as they went further inside. It was not until Cyrus stopped did he notice a pair of eyes peering down at them from the ceiling.

"Continue onward. It will not bother you if you do not bother it," Cyrus said, pushing him in front of him. "We are almost there."

They went inside a small entrance that gave way to a massive cave decorated with decaying corpses and lesser demons. There were bones everywhere his feet stepped. Some emerged in a form a pile and what sat atop of that pile was a chair. And that chair was a person staring at them, which made Ari instinctively back away. However, Cyrus grabbed his arm before he could turn away and made him move further inside.

There was only a sliver of moonlight shining in through a hole in the ceiling. It was enough light for Ari to make out a pair of dark ruddy eyes and long black hair that shimmered from it being wet. Its nails dragged down the side of its face until it stopped at its chin and smiled. They were jagged and sharp with blood still fresh in its teeth. Horns were at the top of his head, Ari noticed. Like the demon horns the Khaeo had spoken of in many of their tales and warnings.

"I do not want one so young. Take it back," the voice boomed. It sounded like a man, but Ari could not quite be sure.

"He is not for you. No, I did not come here for that," Cyrus said.

"No one comes down here unless they want something of me. And no one leaves unless they give me something in return."

Ari could hear its nails scraping against the chair and its other hand tapping on the chair. It was impatient and hungry. Insatiable, it seemed. Its clothes were immaculate, though, which unnerved him.

"This young one... is in need of guidance," Cyrus said.

It laughed and picked at a bone in its chair before throwing it to the floor.

"Guidance? Guidance? Am I some revered god now?"

"His markings... it tells your story as well as one other," Cyrus said.

Ari looked from Cyrus to the thing in the chair, inching closer to them now.

"Does it now...?" it said. Its voice was filled with curiosity, but with that came the sense of apprehension. Ari could smell it.

As it stepped more into the light, Ari noticed its sharp nose and cheekbones. Its eyes were like wine in the moonlight and its jagged teeth and horns were as if they were never there. It was as golden as Auovin's as well. What creature lurked in the darkness was like a beautiful beast in the light. A handsome one, which made Ari's stomach turn.

"So the old demon went and died, had he?" The demon turned to look at Cyrus before looking at Ari.

"We do not know that for certain," Cyrus said.

"His markings are on his body. He is dead. We are not so immortal. We just live longer and are a lot harder to kill. Do not be fooled."

The demon extended a long, pretty finger towards Ari which caused him to shirk away and move more towards Cyrus.

"Do not be so frightened, young one. I am much like... an uncle to you," his voice was sweet then. It made Ari's eyebrows furrow at how such a vicious looking thing could look and sound like this in a fraction of a second. "I knew your father well."

Ari did not know what to make of his words.

"You have his eyes... lips... and hair. As I should know... I knew him best."

The demon stared at him, making Ari grow warier by the second.

"What a beast you must think of me as... " the demon said as he turned away from them both and started to his chair again. "And what a beast I am. Must I hide it?" He smiled, giving off the same aura as Auovin. Centuries of time wafted off him. Ari knew he was as ancient and as old as they came.

"... You knew my father... so you must have known of my mother as well?" Ari said, unsure of whether he should be saying anything at all.

The demon slouched in his chair throwing his feet up on one side of it and cradled his neck with the armrest.

"Yes, him and I... well, we were like you and him." His finger went from Ari to Cyrus. "But let us not speak of your dead mother. She has no place here."

"The markings... on my back," Ari mumbled. "What do they mean?"

Ari saw as the demon's eyes cut to Cyrus before looking back at him.

"Had they not told you? We were once gods who ruled over man. We were once such revered gods who gave the humans what their hearts so desired and we were worshiped and praised for such efforts."

The demon looked around.

"This temple was mine. This chair was mine. The murals, the paintings, the statues and carvings, they were all mine."

"And what happened?" Ari said.

"Give me your name as I shall give you mine." His red eyes looked into Ari's, waiting for his answer.

"Is that all?" Ari said in disbelief. Demons were tricky and conniving things. He did not believe in his words.

"I shall tell you everything, my story and his." A tear rolled down his cheek, causing Ari's eyes to lower. "Lest we lay forgotten."