"Virgil!" Logan spoke as the four quickly made their way through the dark halls of the castle, "Slow down! If we're going to do this we need to be logical! And nothing about this is logical!"

"Logan," Roman said quietly, "Please stop. There is a reason none of us are talking right now." Logan raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Logan, look around. We're not supposed to be here. It is an absolute miracle we haven't gotten caught and the alarm hasn't been raised. We need to be quiet."

"But this isn't logical-"

"Neither is talking and complaining when we can literally be found and caught at any second." And with that Roman was quickly pulling Logan towards the others. Logan sighed again, he understood that Roman and Virgil were worried about their brothers. But they had had a plan, they had a good plan. They had had a very logical plan. One that had worked to satisfy everyone while also keeping them safe, and now it had been figuratively thrown out the window.

"Virgil," Logan hissed again after Virgil had used the last of the sleeping powder Remy made for him on a passing maid, "This is ridiculous! Do you even know where you're going?"

"Logan, Darling, please, shut up!" Roman repeated as Virgil simply ignored them and continued to lead them down the halls because the fact of the matter was that yes, he did know where he was going. The vision, from earlier, had given him directions, and the feeling it had brought lingered and guided him towards where he needed to go.

Eventually, they were faced with two soldiers guarding a locked wooden door, immediately the guards noticed them and pulled out their weapons, and just as quickly Logan and Roman had jumped forward, fighting the men off with magic and swords until both enemies lay unconscious on the ground. Virgil paused for a moment as a tight nervous feeling clawed it's way through him as he stared as the door in front of him. What if it was to late? What if by now Tafe and Ira and whoever had already hurt them? What if his brother was bleeding to death and no amount of magic could help him? Or if Remus had gone crazy after being stuck here so long? Or what if by now Remus and Janus had given up on being saved and had given up on him? What if he had taken to long, and now they hated him? Oh god, he didn't think he could live through any of that. He couldn't live without his brother. He couldn't live without his best friend. He wouldn't be able to live if they hated him. He wouldn't be able to-!

"Ann," Patton said, his voice cutting through the thoughts that had bombarded his head and taken his hand, "Is this it? Are they in here?"

Virgil nodded, wiping a sleeve across his face to catch the tears that had fallen. Roman placed a hand on Virgil's shoulder, "Lets save our brothers then," he said with a small smile. Logan rolled his eyes, yes he was happy that his friend and boyfriend would have their loved ones saved. He was excited to see his long lost friend again. But this was a stupid idea, and to be honest a little cliche. Like somethin out of one of Roman's silly- but unique and wonderfully Roman-like - fantasys.

Virgil took a deep breath as he unclipped the ring of keys off the belt of one of the guards and pushed it into the lock, the door swinging open almost on it's own accord. The small prison was dark, wet, and gloomy. A narrow but slightly long hallway led towards a more open area made up of a total of five or so cells that went around the circular perimeter of the room. Torches hung on the wall and a little bit of sunlight streamed in from the few small windows it had. It looked like any normal prison, and was mostly empty.

"Remus," A voice said that made Virgil's breath catch in his throat, and at the sound of his brother's name made Roman let go of Virgil and instead grip tightly to Logan's hand, "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch magic glowing orbs?"

"Oh relax snakey!" Remus's voice said, "They're not even hurting me, see? Harmless!"

"That doesn't matter," Janus's voice spoke again, "Not all magic is immediate... just... come here." Neither of the older princes had noticed the group of four yet, but now that they had moved farther into the room, the travelers had a perfect view of them.

They stared at them for a moment, they looked so different since the last time they had seen their friends, family. Even for Virgil, who had seen them the most recently, a month ago, they looked so different. Remus's dark curls were an absolute mess, far worse then normal. Janus, who prided himself in keeping a neat image, was covered in blood, sweat, and dirt. Both of them had lost weight, Remus's muscles had begun to visibly weaken and were far from their peak condition. Both princes had lost their color and looked sick, and tired, both of them had dark circles under their eyes that easily beat Virgil's. Both were hurt, and even from a distance they could tell that both were scared and on edge. It was obvious with how Janus curled in on himself, and how tense his muscles were. Or how Remus had seemed to develop nervous tics that he had never once in his life had before, and how he clung tightly to Janus.

Virgil was shaking as he tried to hold back sobs and tears, trying to keep the emotions he felt inside of him; fear, relief, sadness, anger, happiness, excitement. Patton had dropped Virgil's hand, instead placing it over his mouth in shock, Remus had been a close friend of his. They had been told he was dead. For the past two years, Patton had visited a statue erected in Remus's honor once a week and delivered gifts to him. Logan stood stalk still, when news of Remus's 'passing' had reached him, Logan had had more of a reaction then he had for his brother or father. And Roman... Roman looked absolutely terrified, he was nearly as pale as Remus was. He was shaking as hard as Virgil. And he was gripping Logan's hand hard enough to cut off the circulation. His brother was alive, his brother who he loved and looked up to was alive. His twin. His other half. His polar opposite. He was alive. Roman had spent two years grieving his death, and he was alive. And he stood absolutely horrified of what Remus was going to say or do once he laid eyes on him.

"Janus! Re-Remus!" Virgil yelled as he dropped the ring of keys and sprinted towards the cell holding his brother and best friend. The encaged princes jumped in surprise, not at all recognizing the voice of course, and swiftly turned away from the magic orbs. Virgil's hand shot out in front of him and a spell sent the door flying open. In an instant Virgil was in the cell with them, arms wrapped tightly around both older boys as he broke into sobs.

"Virgil?" Janus asked with skepticism, though he held Virgil just as tightly.

"I'm sorry-!" Virgil said hoarsly.

Janus shook his head, "Don't be sorry, why are you sorry?"

Virgil held the others tighter, they didn't complain, "-wanted to come sooner-"

"-how did you even get here-?" Remus asked

Janus, "-does he know you're here-?

Remus, "-look like shit-"

Virgil, "-cra-crossed the bor-order, me-met Roman." At this Remus's head shot away from Virgil and towards the three others who he briefly noticed before Virgil had begun hugging them. His eyes instantly locked on them, and he froze, the arms around him disappeared and he was out of the hug as his boyfriend and friend embraced and cried into each others arms.

"-Holy crap, Virgil you're talking-!"

"-disgusting, ha-hate talking-"

"-missed your voice, fuck, you sound so grown up-"

"Hate my voice. Hate voice. Don't wanna talk.-"

"-at's fine! You don't have to talk.-"

"Missed you so much," Virgil said as he finally let his voice slip away and just stood there, hugging Janus tightly.

Janus accepted the hug with a small sigh as he held his brother to him tightly, holy hell. Holy hell. He had missed Virgil, he had been so worried about him. He had been so scared for him. And here he was. And he was talking. And touching. And even if that didn't last long Janus didn't care, because he had his brother and that was all that mattered.

"Remus?" A voice said hesitantly, it sounded small. Janus opened his eyes and Virgil pulled away slightly before they watched the small crowd of people.

Remus was staring at three others who were crowded around. Two of them had once been some of his closest friends. The other was his twin brother. Janus could identify him easily. They looked very alike, not identical, but still very alike. Roman's hair was lighter and wavy, not curly, and he was slightly shorter. His body shape was different, though it was obvious both twins were very strong. Remus had his mustache. Roman had peach fuzz, barely even that. But they still looked alike. They had the same facial shape, except Roman's nose was smaller. And the same eyes, except Remus's were prettier.

Roman took several steps forward, letting go of Logan's hand and coming forward until he was a couple of steps away from his twin. His hands shook slightly, "Oh my god..." Roman whispered, "You're alive. They told us you were dead. Oh my god, you're ali-"

Remus didn't let Roman finish before he suddenly lunged forward and punched Roman in the face. Roman was not expecting that reaction and so had not been prepared and stumbled back a few feet. Roman put a hand to his cheek in surprise before looking up at Remus, "What the hell?!" He yelled as Remus shook his fist out, "What was that?!"

Remus shrugged slightly, "Sorry. Had to make sure you were real."

"You're supposed to pinch yourself you, idiot!" Roman yelled, though it was clear he wasn't actually mad, Remus only shrugged again and mumbled another apology.

Roman took a deep breath and took another step forward, Remus took one back. Roman took a step forward, Remus stepped back. Roman hesitated, took one step forward, and before Remus could step back he grabbed his twin and pulled him into a hug before falling to his knees and dragging Remus down with him. Remus stared in surprise as Roman broke into tears and began to sob into his shoulder and speak gibberish about how he much he had missed Remus, and how he was sorry, and several other things. Remus paused for a moment before slowly wrapping his arms around Roman, relaxing slightly, dropped his head on Roman's shoulder, and let himself cry and talk gibberish as well.

Patton turned to Logan with a wide smile, arms outstretched for a hug, Logan glanced at him, "No. I'm sorry, no."

Patton pouted, "Everyone else is hugging." He muttered before slowly approaching the dark realm brothers. Janus glanced at him briefly before pulling Virgil away and making him squeak slightly, "Hi there! I'm Patton. He/they pronouns, please. I'm Ann's friend."

Janus squinted at him skeptically before looking at Virgil, "You made friends?" he asked him uncertainly.

'Just cause I'm not the social expert you are doesn't mean I don't make friends'

"Remus was literally your only friend a few weeks ago." Janus said with a roll of his eyes, Virgil moved to sign again before Janus placed his hands over Virgil's "Remy doesn't count. You're a loner, embrace it."

Virgil huffed before walking around him and back to Patton, he took his hand for a moment, pulling their closer to Janus and then beginning to sign again. Janus was surprised that Patton didn't seem to hesitate or stumble at all at the hand movements, seemingly understanding it very well. Virgil suddenly turned to face him again, 'I brought you dad's sword!'

"What?" Janus asked.

'We found Dad.' Virgil signed, Patton placing a comforting hand on his shoulder as he did, 'I brought you his sword. Your sword now.'

Virgil moved to remove the sheath and hand the belt to Janus but Janus stopped him with a small smile, "You keep it."

Virgil froze and looked up at his brother, he had never expected that answer. 'What?'

"I don't even know how to use a sword, it'd be nothing but decoration for me. You've trained very hard with swords, you can have it."

'Are you sure? Because I don't need it if you want it. I can teach-'

Janus waved him off, "You're a terrible liar Virgil. Keep the sword. I don't want it. Even if I did, we'd have to change the color of the handle leather. Purple was always more your and dad's color."

Virgil bounced on his toes at that, so many emotions flooding through him at the moment it was almost overwhelming. They were positive emotions for once, Virgil hadn't felt this many positive emotions in weeks. He gave his brother a quick hug before turning to Patton again, 'My Dad's sword Patton. I got my Dad's sword! Isn't that amazing!'

"That's wonderful kiddo, Crown Prince Janus is right, you're a great swordsman, you deserve it."

Janus smiled slightly before turning to his boyfriend and the new one "Your brother is covered in blood," Janus noted to Remus. The older twin pulled away from Roman for a moment and looked down at the dried blood covering his shirt. It was from when he was carrying Virgil the other night, Patton hadn't been able to grab the bags with their clothes in it. The bags they had grabbed had only one shirt in it and because Virgil's was all rags they had let him have it and Roman had to leave the blood-stained shirt on.

"Oh! Don't worry, it's not mine. It's Virgil's." Roman dismissed with a wave of his hand. That did not seem to calm either of the two older brothers who immediately turned to Virgil for an explanation.

Virgil shot Roman a small glare, 'Don't be so overprotective Dee. I'm fine

"I'm not being overprotective, that's a lot of blood. What happened?"

"You too." Virgil said a bit brokenly, his voice coming out as another surprise to everyone despite him having already spoken just recently, "You're in blood too."

"It's different," Janus insisted lightly, "What happened? Come here, I'll heal you."

Virgil shook his head and took a small step back, taking Patton's hand in his again, "No. Healed already." Janus looked a little bothered that Virgil had backed away from him, but tried not to press the issue further, after all, if Virgil was healed then there really was no big reason to do so.

Logan, who now stood at the door to the cell by himself, cleared his throat, a bit loudly, catching the attention of the others. "I hate to ruin the moment, but we are all in infinitesimal amounts of danger. If we do not make our way out of the castle immediately, we are going to get caught."

"I see Nerdy-wolverine is still a buzz kill," Remus said with a small smile as he wiped at his eyes.

Janus didn't seem impressed, "You used that word wrong," he told the glasses-wearing noble, earning himself a bit of a questioning and surprised look from him, "Infinitesimal means very small. Not very large as you seem to think."

Logan opened his mouth to argue but was stuck. The others who knew him snorted at that, not used to Logan being the one who gets corrected. After a moment Logan hummed. Virgil had already told him that his brother was smart and well-read, just as he was, though Logan had never really thought to what extent that would be. Up until now, he had been the smartest person he'd ever met. He'd have to speak to Janus and get to know him, once they were safe that is. "Either way, we need to leave. None of us are safe here."

"We can't leave without the rest of the citizens," Remus argued immediately.

"We have to, there's no other choice. There are only six of us, Virgil is still recovering from past injuries, as are Remus and you Crown Prince Janus. We have no chance." Logan stated simply.

Neither Remus nor Janus seemed very happy to hear this at all and Roman quickly jumped in, "Don't worry though! We already sent word to mom and dad. They're on their way with an army. Everythings going to be fine Ree, but we have to get out of here first." Remus looked over to Janus, who nodded and held his hand out towards his boyfriend, helping him to his feet. "This way then," Roman said as he and Logan began to lead the way out.

The others followed, but right before they reached the exit the door to the tower swung open and slammed into the stone wall and a crowd of figures blocked the way out. Immediately Logan and Roman shifted to stand protectively in front of the others. Remus glanced at Virgil's sword and grabbed it out of its sheath, knowing that Virgil still had another mode of defense. Janus grabbed Virgil as soon as Remus had the sword and pushed the youngest behind him and into Patton, who immediately did the same thing and made it so Virgil was now the farthest back.

"I knew it!" The familiar voice of the General shouted, Virgil was quick to flinch at the sound of it and slide closer to Patton, gripping his friend's shirt tightly. "I knew as soon as I the soldiers on the floor. They're here, and causing trouble already."

"Yes, I can see that Tafe," Another voice said. Virgil froze at it, it was the same voice he'd been hearing his visions, the one that always sounded so familiar and was always so hard to place. Virgil squinted in slight confusion before peaking out of the wall of bodies in front of him. Immediately he gasped and attracted the attention of the man in front of him. He and Virgil had the same blue eyes they had shared with Virgil's father. He was tall, like both the princes, but wasn't very muscular. He had a thin face and brown eyes like both his sons. He was very obviously a native Dark Realm citizen, everything from his look to his accent said it. And despite it having been a while since they had seen each other, Virgil recognized him instantly.

The man smiled as soon as their eyes met, it seemed almost a little kind considering that Virgil had heard of this man's plans to kill him multiple times. "Ah, there he is." The man said grandly, arms outstretched as if for a hug, "My favorite grandson. I've missed you, Virgil."

a lotsome