It was as if no time had gone by. The lights were shining brightly overhead, the garden was thriving, and Rift was busy tending to the tender leaves and herbs and flowers. He had fallen back into his rhythm of digging out weeds, gently burning away the overgrowth, watering the healthy plants, and strengthening the sick ones. Perhaps the only thing that was different was Rift himself, so different from his past self. No more plants hanging off of his body, bar the stray leaf or two that he hadn't bothered to pluck off, and, of course, the mutations.

But Rift could see how the garden had changed. There were more younger plants then older ones now, more pathways through so that the children of the Kingdom could pass easily and safely. And, of course, the Hollow at the edge where Rift had had the idea to plant a flower for each of the Kingdom's members. Wild carrot for Mercurius, a sunflower for Enka, iliamna bakeri for Sebastian, moonflower for Oliver and, for himself, a small patch of rosemary.

For a moment he grew distracted from his job and drifted over to the Hollow. The flowers were growing strong but still, Rift worried for them. He had created this symbol and if any of the flowers died...what would that mean? He gently reached a paw forward, allowing his magic to flow into the air around the delicate petals. He could see a faintly visible change as they grew taller and stronger. Satisfied, he pulled his paw back and sat himself down at the edge of the Hollow, watching the flowers with affection, a gentle purring beginning in his throat for the first time in quite a while. He had grown used to things now. He was the Guardian of the Kingdom of Eridanus. It was one of his dreams as a child come to life, although perhaps it had not come about in the way he had intended.

Rift's purring died away when he heard the voice. Even now, cycles after it had changed, he still didn't recognize it immediately and turned to see his brother. He relaxed and his tail flicked, oddly relieved to see his brother. "Sebastian," he rumbled, standing from his spot.

It all came to him suddenly that they had never spoken properly, not since before the fire. At least, not in a collected and calm manor. He had certainly spoken to him while the fire raged but they had been nasty, hateful, and furious words. He had blamed him for the fire. Of course, Rift still had no idea how it had happened, but it was in the past now. Watching his brother die like that, seeing an empty socket where his eye once rested, it made everything else seem unimportant.

He didn't hesitate any longer. He bounded forward, avoiding the patches of flowers and plants until he was standing right in front of him. He pushed himself forward so that his head was pressing against his neck and the purring started up again, louder then it was before. He didn't care about any of the animosity he had held for Sebastian for too many cycles. He didn't care that they had been at odds. All that mattered was that he was here now, alive.

For a moment, Rift just enjoyed the company of his brother, happy to have him back and safe. But then something wet touched his own neck and he flinched, more out of surprise then anything else. He pulled back and narrowed his eyes at his brother's face. Were those tears? And his apology...Rift felt confusion starting to stir.

He could be apologizing for the fire, but that didn't seem right. The fire was a long time ago. Or maybe even for leaving his home here but that was even less likely. To be honest, Rift wasn't even sure what he was apologizing for in the first place. "Sorry? Why are you sorry?" Just as the words were leaving his mouth, though, he thought he understood. It was the same thing that Rift struggled with, that Enka did as well.

They had all failed each other.

He shook his head. "You don't need to apologize for anything, Sebastian."

Rift sighed. The destruction the had come down upon them had left them all with mental scars. He knew that Sebastian had resented himself for what had happened with the flame, although Rift had trouble believing that Sebastian had done that much damage to the forest in the first place, especially unintentionally.

He closed his eyes for a moment, recalling his oldest memories. They were only cubs, his pelt was still a warm brown color and Sebastian had both eyes and a body devoid of scars. They laughed as they ran through the forest, hunted together, played together. They had been as close as two brothers could be. They could never have that back, but Rift would be damned if he didn't try.

When he opened his eyes, it was so jarring to see the cat in front of him. Only one eye, an eye filled with regret and remorse and haunted by what he had seen. "We all feel the same way, you know," he murmured. "I spoke to Enka as well. She was torn up about not being able to do anything. And me...it was my job to protect the forest. I called myself the Guardian of Eridanus yet in an hour of greatest need, I fell. You haven't failed me, Sebastian. Don't blame yourself for what Blackberry and her wretched spawn have done to us all."

As for the fire, Rift didn't at first speak. He looked down at his paws. There were a clump of weeds between them. With careful, gentle claws, he plucked one of the thick, spiny leaves from the stem and held it out to Sebastian. Magic coursed through his paws, heating up the leaf until it shivered and then blackened into ash. Rift turned his paw and spread the ashes onto the ground. "The fire was terrible. I thought it was the end of everything I'd worked for. So much was destroyed and turned to ash, but what came after the destruction, the life that rose from those ashes are stronger and more beautiful then before." He glanced back towards the garden. "Just look at our front yard! Did it ever look so beautiful before the flames touched this place?"

Rift certainly noticed the shock on Sebastian's face when the leaf charred and turned to ash. A small, twisted smile appeared on his face. "We are all constantly changing. I can't ignore the power and usefulness of fire, especially not now." He experienced the same thin but dull grief hammering in his heart as he watched the ashes scatter. Weeds were invasive and pests but he still couldn't help mourning the loss of life. But death was as much a part of life as growing and living was.

His tail flicked and he nodded. "Especially with the Kingdom to care for it. Don't get caught up in your past mistakes. I forgive you for whatever needs forgiven. This is a new beginning, Sebastian. For both of us." Yes, the days of childhood were over. The days of quarreling were over. They both had responsibilities to the forest and to each other and especially to the Kingdom.

A sudden thought came into his head as he gazed at Sebastian. A way to make him feel better, perhaps. "Say, Sebastian. Now that I'm thinking about it...your fire magic would be extremely useful in defending us. The battle has shown that there are very few of us that are strong fighters but we'll need a good defense if we want to protect ourselves and Eridanus. But you're magic is strong, at least more offensively strong then most of us. You can be the lead Guard, if you want!" His tail tapped on the ground thoughtfully. "I'm trying to come up with roles and positions for each of our members' different skills. I think your skills could contribute to a band of warriors and spellcasters that primarily protect instead of provide."