Silence filled these caves for many long cycles; hardly a sound came from the great beast himself even. He was often seen lurking in the shadows, though hardly interacting with others. A hermit, if you will. Spending his days in solitude, he almost found the influx of new and old gembounds annoying. Knowing the cave had to live and breathe, he had to accept this and come out of his hiding sooner or later. Since the whereabouts off all he knew were unknown, Xerxes saw no reason to not start new. New gembound friends, he struggled with that word, with letting others in.

Could he do this without Cure?

He tried not to think about her too much, it hurt just to remember her name. He felt abandoned, betrayed, forgotten, and worst of all, angry. Could he ever forgive her for leaving him? It was easier not thinking about it.

Canis was a room of many memories for him, practicing his magic here was one of his favorite hobbies in the past. He'd even tried to join the Bonebound once, remembering the great bird that once led the group here in the Bone Fortress as he strode in, heavy paws leaving imprints in the sandy dirt. Everything but so little has changed. Once the room was filled with the Bonebound and signs of life where everywhere, now, not so much. Yet piles of bones still stacked high around the room. The crust on each bone gave the room a certain smell, but it wasn't a nauseating one to a carnivore such as he. If anything, it made him hungry. However, it really just made him think of home.

@Carni

The young king had retired for the day. His gemlings were growing stronger each day, larger too. Eythan stayed near them most constantly; then again, broken hips and all, the king's brother didn't have much of a choice lately. Still, Carni stayed close too. Newcomers could arrive in their cave any day and already a new face called this place home.

His mind wandered to Aeroth for a bit. Pretty thing, she'd turned out to be.

The thoughts vanished as movement caught his eye at the cave's entrance.

A familiar face. Xerxes! Carni felt himself skip a beat. He hadn't seen that particular fellow since..!

...since...

Since the last meeting his father had ever called as the Bone King.

It was with heavier than expected wings that Carni lifted from his stony perch on the walls of Canis to greet the long-lost 'brother in arms' at the door.

"Xerxes!" His voice was wet with a mixture of relief and grief and excitement all at once. He landed easily, pale coat pristine and scars almost invisible across his face. "You've... come home?" The question was tentatively hopeful. It'd be nice to have an original Bound in the Kingdom's newest chapter.

@Xerxes

He'd seen many he knew around the caves, although he'd admit that most were newer gembounds, hatching only within the last few cycles. Of those that he did know, he simply only recognized them. There was never anyone he actually knew, someone he could actually talk to.

Maybe it was better ostracizing himself and hiding away for many cycles. He needed to find himself. He needed to know who exactly he was. The first time he lost Cure, he lost weight, forgot who he was, lost all of his magick.. Well, not this time. This time, there was a different kind of fire burning inside Xerxes.

The flutter of wings atop a higher perch caught his attention before the sound of his name, a sound he hadn't heard in so long. What followed next, the familiar face of the late Bone Kings' song. Xerxes' face wrinkled into a happy face riddled with sadness.

"Carni-"

he paused, his voice hoarse after having not been used much, if not in a long time.

"-of course."

@Carni

The relief was palpable from the smaller cat, who visibly deflated at the confirmation. With a sniffle of emotion, he swept a wing back, gesturing to the cave's center.

"We're rebuilding. Eythan's home too, though he's seen better days. He'd do well with a familiar face from the old days around again." He blabbered on, suddenly alive with hopeful energy again. "I know last time we all ended up getting separated but this time I have ideas that'll make sure everyone has a purpose and something to do, so no one wants to wander away anymore."

He sounded a bit strained, despite the jovial tone- as if those hopeful plans were so fragile that a single doubt could shatter everything. "I remember you being quite the skilled fighter, Xerxes. Canis would be grateful to have your strength at its disposal again." He turned to the bigger cat and his eyes were bright with gratitude. "Thank you for coming home."

@Xerxes

Carni just seemed so happy. It made Xerxes happy too. Maybe he'd finally have a home. Maybe he wouldn't need to look back anymore.

He looked around Canis as Carni spoke, mentioning Eythan's return and the rebuilding. He spoke of ideas, of grander things that would keep gembounds here and give everyone a purpose. Xerxes needed a purpose like he needed blood in his veins and air in his lungs. It felt good to be home

There was a pause in Carnis voice and he looked back down at the smaller male when he began talking again. "I'd be happy to offer you whatever I can give you," He smiled genuinely towards the smaller feline hybrid, proud that the Prince had risen through hard times to rise as King. He even mentioned Eythan's return, although implied something had happened to the hybrid. He was worried, but he wouldn't press.

"I'm happy to be home."

@Carni