As he expected, Treyan saw the horse and rider trotting at a leisurely pace only a few lengths ahead of him and growing nearer with each step. The Borderlands stood out in the distance, and he couldn't tell if the horse was overtired or if Reylor was taking his time before reaching his unwelcome destination.

No guards needed to escort Reylor to the Borderlands. With a punishment as severe as his, riders were sent out to the watchtowers along the outskirts of the bordering tree line to relay the message as soon as the verdict was delivered- kill on sight, they would tell them, if he dared return. Reylor knew he was being watched even if no one was nearby. He knew that if he lingered and did not cross over before the suns hit high noon, his banishment would be nothing less than a death sentence.

The Borderlands were a formidable threat. Stories were told around campfires of the terrors that lived beyond, and young children were threatened to be left there if they willfully left their beds at night. Treyan knew better, of course- he had personal knowledge of what lay beyond and knew the inner workings of the Empire well enough to know that, stories though they were, some truth lay behind them.

Members of the royal family could never cross beyond the line - once one entered the Borderlands, they were...changed. The ragged outcropping of the dormant volcano had been used as a prison for centuries, and there lingered a certain dark magic that even the Council never dared speak of.

A shiver ran down Treyan's back as he slowed his horse to a slow walk. The night was growing chilly, and he needed to make haste before it was too late. The less time he spent near the Borderlands at night, the safer he would feel.

"Reylor," he shouted as he swung down from his horse, holding the reins tight in his hand.

The figure before him stopped but did not turn to face him.

Treyan considered this a small victory and continued approaching.

"We can fix this, Reylor."

His brother turned in the saddle to look at him, the growing light of dawn shining on his brother's blond hair, as if the light tried to cling to him for as long as it could before he was left to the darkness forever.

"There is nothing to fix." His voice was steady- any sign of fear had faded, or else he was exceptionally good at deceit.

"There is, and you know it." Treyan had almost caught up to him now, but he remained a safe distance away. His brother had become unpredictable, and he wasn't about to give him any reason to lash out.

Jumping down from his own horse, Reylor turned to face his brother, maintaining the distance between them. In the shadows he already looked different, as if he had indeed given up everything they once had in a moment of insanity.

"And what makes you think I want to fix anything?"

Treyan motioned to the desolate land beyond. "This is not worth it. Whatever it is, whatever can be done—anything is better than this."

"Says the one who gets everything he wants in the end."

Treyan shook his head. "Will you stop it? You know that's how this works! You've always known. Why? Why now?"

Reylor glanced over his shoulder towards the Borderlands. "To be honest, brother, I think even desolation would be better than the torture I'd receive having to spend the rest of my life with you."

Treyan's jaw dropped. Never had his brother held such contempt for him, and he was beginning to believe the Councillor may have been right during their last conversation.

"At least here..." He gave his future home one last glance before turning back to Treyan. "Here I'll at least be free from the chains that have bound me since birth. Free from feeling like I'll always be second place, and free to do and love what and who I want."

Treyan peered at his brother. "'Love?' Is that what this is all about?"

Reylor's stare didn't falter. "As if you'd know anything about it."

"More than you it would seem!"

Reylor laughed, a cynical snicker. "You are truly in too deep, Treyan. You wouldn't know love - true love - if it slapped you in your over-confident face."

Treyan couldn't believe what he was hearing from his younger twin. "So, you're ready to give up everything you have for the sake of something that will never be. You know the way things work, Reylor. You know the Empress—"

"The Empress? Her name is Alexstrayna."

"Don't say her name again." Hearing her name roll off his tongue reminded Treyan of the betrayal that was the catalyst for this encounter.

"Oh? Does it really bother you that much to hear her name?" Reylor began to walk towards him. "Or is it just because some other man dared to say it before you did?"

Treyan's grasp upon his horse's reins tightened, causing the animal to reel back slightly. Whispering calmly to the beast, he quickly returned his attention to his brother.

Perhaps because he was dressed all in black, Reylor appeared to be a formidable presence, and Treyan feared it went deeper than the clothes upon his back. As if his banishment tainted his very soul. And his eyes...

The original bright blue was fading even under the light of the rising suns. Treyan couldn't tell if it was because of the lighting, or because they were so close to the Borderlands. He had heard stories about the Borderlands altering one's physical appearance, and a part of him had never wanted to believe in the tales, but still...

Letting loose a breath, Treyan tried his best to be as diplomatic as possible.

"Reylor, this must stop. And it can stop, but only if you allow it. This is your chance to take it back, and if you could only realize the error of your ways, we could go back, together, and work through this."

"So that I can live as your faithful servant while you and your Empress procreate right in front of me? It makes me sick just thinking about it."

"There's more to it than that, and you know it."

"It doesn't matter!"

His scream echoed through the dawn, disrupting a few flying animals nesting within the overgrowth.

Treyan was beyond himself with his brother's stubbornness and soon found his own anger growing.

He tied his horse to a nearby tree and cautiously approached his twin. Being this close to the Borderlands sent an uneasy twist to his stomach and a chill down the length of his spine. Though he felt safe with his hands free, the dagger at his waist hidden underneath his cloak in the shadows.

He was hesitant to stand too close to Reylor. Was it fear that his betrayal could be contagious? Or was it disgust toward the events of the last couple of days? He took a deep breath to overcome his fears and continued his approach.

"It does matter," he assured his brother. "You know it does."

Perhaps it was the change in Treyan's tone, but Reylor stopped his tirade, his eyes intent on his twin's. Even in the dark, he could sense his skepticism.

"Prove it."

"How can I prove that which is still unknown?"

"Then I still stand by my original position and would rather avoid the unknown at all costs." Reylor turned from him as though to continue his trek towards the Borderlands.

He didn't know if it was instinct or desperation, but Treyan saw his brother turn from him, and without another thought, began chase. Grabbing him by his arm not in frustration but in a silent plea to understand, he wanted to stop him from proceeding any further. Perhaps his intention was not conveyed properly, for once he touched his twin, Reylor reflexively turned to him with violence in his eyes. Before Treyan could comprehend what was happening, he was on his back on the cold ground, surrounded by dark red energy that seemed to seep into his bones.

Treyan blinked as the stars behind his eyes began to disperse. Above him hovered the shadowed form of his brother, or at least he thought it was; as he tried to sit up, he wasn't so certain. His efforts were thwarted as a boot collided with his shoulder, and he found himself on his back again as the stars returned.

Reylor stood over him, his boot grinding harder against Treyan's flesh, the look in his eyes insinuating further violence if Treyan tried to move another inch. "Enough."

Treyan gritted his teeth. Had his twin become stronger since their last combat practice? "Reylor... please..."

"No." With a final push of his heel, Treyan screamed as Reylor released him and picked up his pack. He took a few steps before stopping with a glance over his shoulder.

"It is done. Do not follow me. Ever."

Without another glance, Treyan watched as his twin retreated into the overgrowth of the tree line between the Empire and the Borderlands, banished, alone, and never coming back.

Night had fallen as Treyan returned to the palace, defeated and downtrodden. The torches remained lit as though the inhabitants awaited his return, though he did not cross paths with a single soul as he walked through the quiet hallways. All the better, he surmised. He was in no mood for conversation or explanation. He just wanted to return to his quarters, strip and settle into bed for the evening, hoping to not wake out of anxiety in having to deal with his brother's dismissal.

He had his hand on the handle to his door when he heard the sound of a clearing throat behind him.

"Were you able to talk any sense into him this time around?" the Councillor inquired as he approached from the hallway.

Treyan closed his eyes tight and let out an aggravated sigh. The Councillor was the last person he needed to encounter.

"He denied my final request and continued to venture into the Borderlands," he updated his advisor while his attention remained on the door before him.

"Good," the Councillor responded, sounding pleased with himself. Whether it was due to the fulfillment of Reylor's sentence or the failure in Treyan's efforts, Treyan could not surmise, nor was he going to find out.

"Goodnight, Councillor," Treyan flatly said as he opened the door to his room and quickly stepped inside.

"Prince Treyan?" the Councillor called to him before he could close the door.

Treyan finally gave him the benefit of a look.

"There are doors—windows that open to those who respect them, but not to those who expect to deserve them." Nodding, the Councillor excused himself and returned down the hallway from which he came.

Watching him a little longer, Treyan retired to his own chambers for the evening, exhausted and extremely alone.