Ava pulled Ephraim all the way to the bed making him sit, then he turned to sit at the desk while taking the form of Sigil and immediately began tracking everyone's emotions.

  “Uh, what are you doing?” Ephraim asked, looking puzzled.

  “I can use this talent to survey what everyone is doing. Vezaias was very jealous that you wanted to come and hang out with me. It has nearly ruined the eagerness he felt for his fuck boy session.” Ava said amusingly. “Now his entourage will have to work twice as hard to please him.” Ephraim scowled at Ava's explanation.

  “Oh don't get all grumpy. I know how you are feeling too, you know.” Ava mused, looking keenly at Ephraim. Ephraim jolted and looked embarrassed.

  “Oh, right well um…” He stammered. “I'm just not really sure how to handle this situation.” Ephraim said unhappily.

  “Ah, hmmm, well I know you are feeling left out, that's why I volunteered to hang out with you. It's pretty shitty of my brother to round up all his fuckboys then play favoritism you know. If I were you I'd be angry at him.” Ava said, looking artificially annoyed.

  “No, I am not angry about it. I'm sure you know that. I just…..well I want to be as comfortable as Rem, or Lux are, but I just feel shy and then I clam up, and don't know how to say what I want to say.” Ephraim said looking very embarrassed. “I really like Rem and Lux. I've just never been in a group relationship before.” Ephraim said bashfully.

  “Aw, Ephie, it's okay. Neither have I. I don't do relationships really at all, you know.” Ava said with a sigh.

  “But what about that guy that lived here…” Ephraim said delicately. Ava looked emotional suddenly.

  “Hmph, Louie, he didn't want a relationship either, or at least not at first. After I died and was recreated it was different. Suddenly he wanted to be with me. I just wanted freedom. He wanted me to have freedom and enjoy it, but he also wanted commitment. It sounded fantastic until I realized there would be no easy way out of the relationship. He wanted it to be a long term thing, exactly my worst fear. If I ever wanted out I would have to break his heart. I got scared. So when Vee came back and suddenly wanted to condemn Louie to death, I was sort of relieved. It was like Vee helped me escape that situation. Now that Louie is gone……well, I didn't even get to say goodbye…….and I miss him so much…..I've been so lonely without him……now I wish he was still here…” Ava said, cringing and brushing away tears in frustration.

  “You love him.” Ephraim said factually. Ava was quiet.

  “It doesn't matter. Vee said he would figure something out, but he is procrastinating. Louie is too dangerous.” Ava said solemnly. He brushed more tears away and struggled to stay composed. “You know I've never really loved anyone. I never even really knew what love felt like outside of how much I love my brother. I've lost other people before, like when you were gone, then when Lux went to prison, when Vee was shot and killed, my mama, my father, sometimes it was a bummer, but it never really hurt the way losing Louie hurts. Is it really supposed to be this painful to lose someone?” Ava asked looking up with tears streaming down his flushed cheeks.

  “Ava, the more it hurts the more it proves how much you loved him.” Ephraim said seriously. Ava looked even more emotional as he pondered this notion. He could no longer hold in his tears and he began to cry as he shifted back to look like himself. Ephraim got up quickly to hug him. Ava cried harder into his shoulder for a while. It was a long moment before he calmed down and Ephraim pulled away.

  “You know Ephie…if you wanted to go join them you could.” Ava said softly as he wiped his tears.

  “I know…I would just be too nervous. I've always imagined being with Zay. That part is so easy for me. I never imagined being with Zay and two other people.” Ephraim said meekly. He began to fidget.

  “But you are curious.” Ava highlighted.

  “Well uh….yeah I guess so.” Ephraim said bashfully. Ava thought about this for a moment before speaking.

  “You know, I've been combing through memories whenever I have time, and believe me I have lots of time, well I found some memories from their pyro leader that are very interesting. Did you know that he killed the former leader of this base?” Ava asked to change the subject. Ephraim looked intrigued. “The former leader, they called him the superior. That pyro gained his approval and got close to him by climbing the ranks of their hierarchy, then when he was finally put into a position of authority, he killed the former leader.” Ava explained.

  “Why?” Ephraim looked more interested now.

  “Something about he would end up causing the destruction of the entire world, I don't know, that's really not important. He had a very powerful talent though.” Ava led Ephraim towards the conclusion of this conversation.

  “What was it?” Ephraim asked.

  “He could possess people…..” Ava began. “Almost like a ghost.” Ava hummed thoughtfully. Ephraim looked enchanted now. “He could jump inside them and either watch and feel everything they did….” He paused for dramatic effect. “Or he could completely control them.” Ava looked mischievous now.

  “Really? How, though?” Ephraim was hanging on this possibility.

  “Well I'm sure you will really want to be able to hide inside someone and share or have their experiences secretly!” Ava stood up and waved his hand as he shifted to look like Vezaias. The wave created a view of what the others were doing. In the communal bedroom they were very obviously in the middle of an intense threesome. “Now if only you wanted it hard enough you could sneak in like a ghost and slip inside without anyone knowing then you will know what it's like to be in that situation.” Ava suggested. “I cannot keep this window open because eventually they will notice. Just look how much fun they are having.” Ava enticed. Ephraim watched as they mashed their bodies together in different very pleasurable ways. He really wanted to be there and have this experience. It would just be so much better to try it out without anyone knowing he was there. He watched through the window. It looked so enticing. It wasn't long before Vezaias paused and looked around in irritation.

  “Ava I know you're looking! Stop that shit you dirty bitch!” Vezaias shouted. Ava quickly closed the window.

  “Oops! See, he hates it when I spy on him while he's with his fuckboys in private. So I guess if you want to see more you will have to figure out how to do it yourself.” Ava giggled. Ephraim sank down into the bed now feeling excluded and frustrated. He wanted more than anything to be there without being noticed just to get comfortable in the situation. If he really was a ghost he would be able to do this. If he had some sort of invisibility and a way to stay in control if he wanted to be. If he was a ghost he could do this. A ghost, the term that was always used to make fun of him in the past. Maybe he could be a ghost, maybe he could own this description and use it to his advantage. He gathered up the courage and concentrated as hard as he could. Invisible. Control. Possession. Force. He grew even more frustrated then suddenly the bed around him began to rumble, softly at first, then with a growing violent shutter he felt suddenly lightweight like a feather floating up with the breeze, or like steam wafting with the lift from the heat. He glanced at his hands realizing he was suddenly shifting like smoke, now translucent like cellophane, then gone completely from sight.

  “Ephie? What happened?? Where are you??” Ava looked stunned. Ephraim seemed to be able to float now as if he had no weight.

  “I don't know what is happening!” His voice echoed.

  “My gosh Ephie! You manifested a talent! You're invisible!” Ava looked overjoyed.

  “Ah! How do I make it stop! It feels weird!” Ephraim jolted in a panic.

  “Hmm, well I'm not sure? Maybe you should go and find Vee, he will know what to do!” Ava looked amused. “Do you want me to open a portal for you?” Ava was still very amazed.

  “Uh! No, I will go there! I will walk…I mean float?” Ephraim stammered nervously. He leaned and floated towards the door reaching for the handle but his hand seemed to go right through it as if he were made of invisible vapor.

  “I can't open the door! My hand goes through the doorknob!” Ephraim jolted in a panic trying to grab it repetitively.

  “Oh! You can faze through the door, Ephie!” Ava announced. Ephraim looked puzzled then slid through the door as if it wasn't there. He turned and poked his head back into the bedroom full of astonishment.

  “You're right! I floated right through the door!” Ephraim echoed.

  “Oh amazing Ephie! Hurry and go find Vee!” Ava enthused.

  “Right!” Ephraim turned and floated down the hall only a moment later realizing it would be faster just to cut diagonally through the walls. He ended up floating into the large communal bedroom right where Vezaias and the others were. He was feeling apprehensive that he might be spotted but nobody seemed to notice him as he approached. He then focused on the sight. Ephraim was immediately enticed and longing to be in Lux's position. It looked so pleasurable. He floated closer watching very closely wanting to feel what Lux could feel. He floated more and seemed to absorb into Lux like he was water soaking into a sponge. Lux jolted a bit but relaxed and seemed to lose all control of his body while Ephraim was now suddenly in control feeling everything that was happening to Lux. He was suddenly louder and soaking in the pleasure..

  “Ahh, Lux don't tense up! Ahh, relax or you will make me….” Remington panted into his ear.

  “Lux you suddenly let the slut come out. You're so damn loud!” Vezaias said pulling away then got down to kiss him to help keep him quiet. This was the last bit of pleasure that sent him over the edge and he was now finishing all over himself.

  “Geez Lux, what a short fuse you have today.” Vezaias cooed in his ear. Remington was now finishing as a reaction and then Vezaias was ready to pull Lux up from Remington then smash him over the bed and ram himself harshly and with such force that it made Ephraim nearly scream out his pleasure. Once Vezaias was finished he pulled away breathing heavily and putting his hands on his hips looking satisfied.

  “Are you alright Lux?” He asked, looking amused. Ephraim seemed to sink now, this whole possession was hard to figure out how to leave Lux's body now suddenly Lux slumped over seemingly unconscious. Both Remington and Vezaias were alarmed and quickly next to him trying to wake him. From deep inside Ephraim was hidden while he could still hear and see what was happening; it looked as if he were watching it from deep under the water of Lux's consciousness. Lux didn't seem to resurface either. His body was heavy and blank.

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  “Lux! Shit! Lux! Wake up!” Vezaias shook him and lifted him up by the shoulders.

  “Is he dead?!” Remington panicked.

  “No, he is alive! We have to take him to Zex!” Vezaias urged. They urgently pulled some clothes on then Remington was ready to lift him but then suddenly there was a shutter and a burst of wind that staggered them both backwards. Lux seemed to jolt then a scream escaped him and he sat up frantically.

  “Lux!” Remington and Vezaias shouted in unison rushing back to him.

  “Are you alright?! What happened?!” Remington gushed with tears.

  “I don't know! It's like I was suddenly gone! It felt so weird! Like someone was controlling me!” He said frantically.

  “What??” Remington was worried and baffled.

  “I seriously thought I fucked you to death!” Vezaias exclaimed looking relieved but concerned.

  “Someone was there though, someone was…. Ephraim??” Lux stammered nervously then realized Ephraim was standing behind Vezaias. Vezaias and Remington turned to look.

  “Eph! What the fuck?!” Vezaias jolted.

  “You can see me?!” Ephraim asked urgently, then feeling his body, finding that it was solid and visible again.

  “What?! Of course we can see you!” Remington replied.

  “What is going on Eph?!” Vezaias demanded.

  “Uh! I'm sorry! I don't know how it happened! I just vanished and came to find you to help me because it was insane! Then suddenly it's like I absorbed into Lux! I don't know how it happened!” Ephraim explained in a panic.

  “What?! You vanished??” Vezaias asked, looking confused but serious.

  “Yeah like my body turned into vapor and I just floated away! Shit!” Ephraim looked at his hands as suddenly they were shifting into vapor and disappearing again. “It's happening again! How do I stop it?!” Ephraim shouted in a panic.

  “What the fuck!” Vezaias quickly approached Ephraim who was in tears and nearly halfway vanished.

  “Eph, you gotta calm down! Shhh! Calm Eph, breath! Being overwhelmed will make it worse!” Vezaias tried to grab him but his hands fazed through Ephraim like he was made of smoke.

  “Ahh! Zay make it stop!” Ephraim sobbed. Vezaias looked serious for a moment then there was a shift in the air and suddenly Ephraim became solid again. He quickly put his arms around Ephraim to calm him.

  “I shut it off Eph, it's okay! Shhh, you have to calm down and it will stop on its own!” Vezaias shushed him, rubbing his back. Remington and Lux quickly cleaned up and got dressed then also gathered in concern for Ephraim. He cried harshly for a long moment but with all the concern and attention he started to calm.

  “I'm so sorry Lux!” He said, finally wiping his wet face.

  “Nah, it's fine. I'm not mad about it.” Lux said seriously.

  “Okay but I just couldn't control it.” Ephraim said meekly.

  “But Eph, why were you so emotional? Only strong emotions can manifest a new talent. What made you so upset?” Vezaias asked him mildly. Ephraim flushed and began to fidget.

  “Uh! Well I was talking to Ava. He said he knew how I was feeling because of the borrowed talents that he has. So I told him why I felt that way and it just got stronger and out of control until suddenly I just evaporated!” Ephraim put his fuchsia face into his hands to hide his embarrassment.

  “But what were you feeling and why!” Vezaias pressed.

  “Well…..” Ephraim gathered his courage. “I just feel left out. You three are all so comfortable doing things together, and I want to feel like that too but I just get shy and embarrassed. I don't want to feel like that, and I don't want to be left out!” Ephraim said as more tears gushed out.

  “Aw, Eph, all you need to do is tell us. We understand!” Remington insisted.

  “Yeah Eph, we can help you feel more comfortable. We just need to know when you are feeling like this.” Vezaias soothed him. He crawled further into the bed and pulled Ephraim to lay next to him. Remington was quick to follow and snuggle up on the other side putting Ephraim into the middle. Lux then gathered himself next to Remington but close enough to run his hand over Ephraim's shoulder. Ephraim sniffled and snuggled harder into Vezaias's chest.

  “Thanks, I guess just because I feel like this, doesn't mean I want to be left out.” Ephraim mumbled through his sniffles.

  “Don't worry Eph, we won't leave you out. I always want you around as long as you want to be here.” Vezaias said softly. The group was exhausted by now and after a little bit of chatter about the day tomorrow, they all fell asleep.

  The next day it was back to business as usual. They stuck to the schedule until they ended up in the office for the briefing.

  “Okay so I think Rem and Lux should go to farm for these crystals. Ava, Eph, and I will help Zex until you get back. Zex will give you a rundown of what to expect and look for.” Vezaias explained. Zexich was ready with all the details they needed. Remington was very familiar with the dark void however Lux was not.

  “Now in the dark void I know it has gotten much easier to get to the Mindscape, but you do not want to go there. You'll need to head into any direction that the Mindscape is not, and then that's when things will become dangerous. The inhabitants of the dark void will know what you are afraid of and what you are most vulnerable too, it will then use those things to attack you by making you hallucinate them. When you are mentally at your weakest the creatures will attack. They are dangerous, especially if bitten they will deposit an ovum inside that will then become parasitic and consume your energy and your body. It would be more than troublesome as I am not equipped to cure it. Only Ziona can do that and she is very unavailable. Now the void will also manifest to you what you desire and that will help you find the crystals that we need. So you must stay focused on what you need, these crystals. I have a list and a description of each. The more you can collect the better.” Zexich explained giving Remington the list as well as a way to store them.

  “What do these creatures look like?” Lux asked seriously.

  “At first whatever you are most afraid of, then some sort of creature that resembles a cross between a scorpion and an octopus.” Zexich said seriously. Lux looked worried now. “Might I suggest you keep a good eye on each other, especially Lux as I fear he is highly susceptible because he already hallucinates on his own, and don't trust anything you experience while in there.” Zexich said before excusing himself so he could get to work. Remington took Lux via portal to the entrance to the dark void.

  “You've been in here before?” Lux swallowed back his nerves.

  “Many times.” Remington said.

  “What's it like?” Lux asked.

  “It's huge and dark. The destination I normally go to has come closer, but beyond that it's like infinite darkness.” Remington said. Lux looked scared. Remington took Lux's hand.

  “Don't worry. Everything will be alright.” Remington said sincerely, giving Lux's hand a squeeze. He led Lux into the dark portal and they walked deep into the darkness for a long unknown amount of time. Lux stayed close to Remington but he realized right away how unnatural this place really was.

  “Remington, are we even going anywhere? I feel like I'm walking in place on a treadmill, like I haven't even moved.” Lux asked seriously.

  “There is no direction here, or time. Just relax. We need to be as calm and stay as focused as possible on what we want to find.” Remington said mildly. He was easily able to stay calm, however Lux was growing anxious quickly.

  “Then how will we find our way back?” Lux asked finally.

  “You can walk in any direction and find what you want. You need to calm down Lux.” Remington pressed. Lux tried to stay calm and he walked for a while again without a complaint, but soon his anxiety was getting the better of him.

  “Shut up. I don't need your shit right now!” Lux mumbled in irritation.

  “Lux what's your number?” Remington asked calmly.

  “Ugh, well it's been better lately but this place is fucking with my sanity. I'm all the way up to a six and climbing.” Lux said in frustration. Remington put his arm around Lux.

  “It's okay. We will get there soon. You just have to stay calm.” Remington said.

  “Pfff yeah, cause telling me to stay calm has worked so well before.” Lux scoffed. Just then Lux heard a SMACK. He jolted and turned to look.

  “What is it, Lux?” Remington asked worriedly.

  “You didn't hear that?? It was loud….” Lux looked afraid.

  “No Lux I didn't hear anything. Just look at me.” He jerked Lux to look at Remington. “Don't believe what you hear. It's not real.” Remington insisted.

  “Heh, like a lot of the things that I hear so..” CLANK. Lux jerked away from Remington and turned to see a table that was set for dinner. He was suddenly standing in a brightly lit kitchen. He was completely stunned and backed up into a wall.

  “Ahh!” He jolted, turning to see the darkness was gone. There beside the kitchen counter was a woman with frazzled red hair and pale ultramarine colored eyes. Lux froze in fear.

  “Luxelio, it's time for supper baby.” She said looking joyful. Lux couldn't move as the fear was paralyzing. She became impatient.

  “NOW LUXELIO!” She shouted, jolting him out of his immobility.

  “I'm..…I'm not hungry!” He returned.

  “Don't be silly, Luxelio. It is time to eat. Now sit down!” She insisted and somehow there was a thrust of wind sucking him into the chair at the table where suddenly he was trapped as if strapped down to the seat and unable to escape as tentacles began wrapping around him. He struggled frantically.

  “They told me you are in danger. The demon will rip you to shreds if I don't do something about it.” She said bringing a bowl of food over and sat it down. As she approached Lux realized he was small and the chair he sat in with a booster seat was much larger than him and she towered over him the size of a giant.

  “You are too late for that, and come to find out that as long as he is properly fed, demons really aren't that terrible! So there is really no need too…”

  “SHUT UP LUXELIO! EAT YOUR FOOD!” She screamed. He jolted in fear and was stifling his sobs back.

  “I DON'T WANT TO BE POISONED! REMINGTON! REMINGTON HELP ME! HELP!!” Lux panicked.

  “If you do not eat it, mama will shove the food down your throat! They told me it's the only way to save you!!!” She shouted, then picked up the bowl and began forcing the chunky thick soup into his mouth. He fought and struggled but was helpless and she pried his mouth open and began choking him by filling his mouth with food then suddenly as if she were now a gruesome creature was forcing a sticky tentacle down his throat. He couldn't scream or even breathe anymore. He began to sink down into the floor as if it were quicksand and the brightly lit kitchen around him began to dim and fade away into pitch black darkness. As he felt the panic overwhelm him his body reacted by flaring up like a firework then with an intense surge of energy he felt the creature retract its hold on him. He didn't stop and continued to draw in energy. He flailed his arms once they were free trying to find anything solid to grab onto to lift himself out of the muddy darkness. All he was able to manage to do was slosh about in the murky water. He was now struggling to hold his breath as he panicked harder. Out of sheer desperation he opened his mouth hoping for air but only sucked in liquid. He was now to the point of losing consciousness when suddenly there was a hand grabbing him and yanking him out of the water. He coughed and choked out the fluid from his lungs as he felt someone lift him up and hold him protectively.

  “Lux!” He heard Remington desperate for acknowledgement.

  “Ugh….” Lux groaned between coughing. “Remington….” He mumbled. He opened his eyes and there in the dark he could see Remington smiling in relief with tears in his eyes. Remington hugged him, nearly crushing his chest.

  “I'm so glad you are alright!” Remington sobbed into his neck.

  “Zexich was right. This place really does know what I am afraid of.” Lux panted, letting Remington strangle him with a hug.

  “What happened?” Remington asked quickly.

  “It was my mother…….she told me she had to save me from the demon. She wanted me to eat so she could poison me again.” Lux said with a shaky voice.

  “Oh my gosh Lux, I'm so sorry. I tried to help, but it's like you just vanished then suddenly I was being attacked by that creature! As soon as I found you I got you out of there!” Remington said while filled with emotion.

  “I'm fine Remington. Thank you for saving me.” Lux said as he pushed himself up to stand then they continued their mission while holding hands as they were both afraid of another attack.