"Screech, what am I doing wrong?" Akari complained to his watch bird that Cylix

gave him. Screech just looked down at him. "Ugh!"

"Squawk?" Screech said.

Akari sighed heavily, forcing his anger down. "I'm fine, Screech." He told the teal colored bird. "It's just..Gabriel acts like he is so much better. He doesn't have to impress Yuki!"

Screech nuzzled Akari's neck. Akari responded by scratching the top of his head. "Akari?"

Screech perched himself on Akari's shoulder. Gabriel walked over to him, River on his arm. The brown and white watch bird watched Akari and Screech with unreadable amber eyes.

"What?" Akari asked. "Cylix and Yuki want to see you." Gabriel answered. "Great." Akari muttered.

He followed Gabriel out of the training area and towards the cabin. Yuki and Cylix were talking to each other, they stopped once they noticed the two brothers.

Cylix dipped his head at them. "I think it's time. To go to the castle."

"The castle? Will we even get accepted?" Gabriel asked.

Not answering, Cylix turned around and unhooked two weapons, an axe and a crossbow. "These will help protect you."

Akari took the axe while Gabriel took the crossbow. "I have taught you everything. I think you're ready..take care." Cylix said.

Yuki dipped her head to him. "Thank you, for everything." She walked up to her boys. "Let's go.." 

Akari followed Yuki and Gabriel, carrying his huge axe around. Screech soared up in the sky, his huge wings flapped from time to time due to the breeze. River was perched onto Gabriel's shoulder, she looked up at Screech.

"You can join him if you want, River." Gabriel moved River onto his hand. River chirped and nuzzled him. She flapped her wings and she shortly joined Screech in the sky. 

Akari looked up at them. He clicked his tongue and Screech was at his shoulder in seconds. Akari scratched the top of his head.

"How are you so good at this stuff? I'm still teaching River how to come to me." Gabriel said.

"Should've listened to Cylix." Akari growled sharply in his throat.

Gabriel rolled his eyes at him. 

Akari could see the castle in the distance. Is this where we are going to live? How are we going to get accepted?

Akari stopped in his tracks when their mother collapsed on the ground. "Mom!" Gabriel was at her side in seconds. River perched herself onto Gabriel's shoulder, worry in her amber eyes.

Akari kneeled down besides Yuki.

"I lied to you. I was..fighting a sickness ever since Cylix found us. Go. Go to the castle. I want you two to be safe. The castle was the only option. I'm..sorry.."

Gabriel was bawling his eyes out already. "Mom..please don't leave me.."

Yuki wiped away his tears. "My little boy..I'm growing weaker by this second..It's almost time for me to go."

"No, please.." Gabriel held Yuki's hand tightly. Yuki smiled at him before going completely limp. "Mom? Mom!" Gabriel's voice choked on his own sadness.

"We gotta go." Akari got up. It was pathetic seeing Gabriel bawl his eyes out. "Just..a little longer. I can't leave her."

"We gotta go now!" Akari snapped.

"Don't you care? That our own mother died?!" Gabriel hissed while tears stained his cheeks.

Akari heard footsteps causing him to look over. It was a green and black shadow cat. "What are two doing out here?" He asked.

Gabriel got up and wiped away his tears. "Our mother died. She wanted us to go to the castle to be safe." He said.

He dipped his head. "Follow me." Akari looked back at Yuki and then he followed the cat, Screech perched on his shoulder.

Gabriel dragged along too, River was on his shoulder trying to cheer him up by giving him nuzzles and kisses.