Songs of the Sky

Chapter Eight

The room was filled with silence as I staredThe room was filled with silence as I stared at the emotionless face of Jazz. I could hear the swallow breathing of my brother beside me and Jazz raised his eyebrow.

"As you can see, he's not well." Jazz said and I looked at Max.

Max averted his eyes from me and lied on his bed, his hand on his face.

"I'm sorry, Ley. You shouldn't be here. You are safer when you don't get involved in this. And I should stayed dead, in your memory at least.",

My heart sunk as I stared at my brother in disbelief.

"What? Don't say something like that, brother. Haven't you glad we're together again? Don't worry, I'll find cure for you." I said as I held back tears.

I looked at Jazz but he has his usual face. He doesn't seem surprised that I just called Alto my brother. Maybe he knew already?

"Jazz, could you tell me details about what happened to my brother? What do you mean he's dying? Is he that sick? I just found him and now he'll disappear again?" I cried as tears fell from my eyes.

I just got reunited with my brother whom I thought was dead already. He always protected me as a child and looked out for me. Shouldn't I do the same? I couldn't let go of him again.

Jazz sighed. "Questions. So many questions. Why don't you take a look at his hands first?"

I frowned at Jazz but turned to my brother right away. I took hold of his hands and that's when I noticed it. He doesn't wear the ring. His instrument.

"Max, where's your ring?" I asked him but he stayed silent.

I looked at Jazz instead, waiting for an answer.

Jazz took a seat on a small chair and faced me. "He lost it."

"What?" I cried out but Jazz just sighed again.

"Do you remember what King Orpheus told you? That the ring is our instrument as Songs, and it holds our lives. Looking at Alto, it seemed that he lost the ring miles away, or that possibly it fell to the wrong hands."

"Wait, I still don't get it."

"Medley," said Jazz and I froze. It was the first time he called me by my name.

"The ring holds our lives. Once we lost it, we won't be able to cast our melodies and our lives will slowly fade away. In short, we will die."

I stared at the floor as I let it all sink in. My brother lost his instrument that holds his life and now he was dying. So the only way to bring him back to his state was to find that ring?

Jazz told me that Max's ring was lost four months ago. His body started to weaken after a month of the absence of the ring on his finger. Within this year, his life will end if the ring won't be back on his position. Max doesn't know where he lost it and was always avoiding anyone's questions. He never left his room since his condition gotten worst.

Max stayed quiet the whole time. I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. He returned the gesture and I let out a small smile.

When I asked Jazz why was he called Alto, he told me that their names were changed after they become a Song. And as Songs, they must start using their new names.

"Well, this is quite a scene."

We turned to look at the voice and there was Rhap, leaning against the door as he watched us.

"And to give you another information, milady, this life we have doesn't belong to us in the first place." Rhap said, a dark shadow befalling on his face.

"What do you mean?" I asked and I felt my brother's hold tightened.

Rhap and Jazz stared at each other that felt like an hour. It was like they were having serious conversations through their stares before Rhap went on.

"I guess ,since you're a major key now, you should know about it. We, Songs, were supposed to be dead already. But this lovely king, visited us on the verge of our death and summoned us to be a Song. By summoning us, we've been given a chance to continue living, but not as mere people anymore. We are bound to the Kingdom." Rhap explained, staring on the floor.

Songs were complicated ones. As Rhap had said, they must be summoned on the verge of their death. They will be given new names and will be bound to the Kingdom until the last of their breath. The ring, which was a Song's instrument, will appear on their fingers after they've been summoned.

It felt like the Songs were only borrowing the lives they have right now.

"It's a curse, Ley. I never wanted to be a part of this in the first place, but it gave me another chance to protect you." Max muttered and I clenched my teeth as I realized that my brother was supposed to be dead right now.

So something happened to my brother and my heart twisted in pain as I think about that. If he wasn't summoned as a Song, he'd be dead already. But when was he summoned? I clenched my fists as I thought of not having the chance of seeing my brother again.

"Oh, Ley? You gave her a nickname. How cute." Rhap said teasingly.

"And it seemed that you know each other and you're protecting her. Is she your girlfriend or something?"

I shoot him a look and he raised an eyebrow at me. "Don't tease Max." I snapped at him.

Rhap's face changed, his eyes darkening. "Max? Could that be his old name?"

I frowned. " Yes. And he's my brother,"

Rhap froze for a moment then laughed suddenly. "So you're siblings? This was rather amusing. I didn't know Alto still has family left." His expression hardened as he glared at me.

"But milady, please refrain from calling him by his old name. It's prohibited by the kingdom."

"Just shut up, Rhapsody." Max hissed then looked at me.

"Why did you become a Major Key, Ley? It wasn't safe for you. Just live your normal life, please."

I heard Rhap snorted and I glanced at him. "See, milady? That guy never listens. He always do what he wants and always put himself in trouble. He always break the Kingdom's rule." He glared at Max. "And now that he's dying, he doesn't even think about the ring and just sulk in this room. Fix that guy first."

He gave Max one last look before leaving the room. Jazz watched him leave then rested his face on his hand. "Couldn't blame that guy's attitude. He was fond of Alto, they're good friends." He muttered.

Max caressed my hand and I looked at him. A weak smile was plastered on his face.

"You can still call me Max if you want. Just don't mind that guy."

Max always think about me, but never himself. I decided that this time I will repay him to everything he'd done for me. I will save him. I won't just let my brother die like this.

"I'm sorry, but I will protect you this time. You're Max, my brother. And you'll always be who you are to me. But I will start calling you Alto if that's the rule of the Kingdom. I won't let your life be in danger anymore than you already are." I looked at Jazz with a firm face.

"I will find the ring, I will save Alto. I'll do everything I can to help brother and tune you all."

Jazz stared at me with a straight face then nodded. "Alright."

Alto looked at us in disbelief. "What? Don't be ridiculous. Don't put yourself in trouble, Ley." He hissed at me but I just shook my head.

"No brother, this is something I decide for myself. I will save you and this country no matter what."

My brother stared at me for a while then slowly his mouth curved into a soft smile. He doesn't say anything and soon he fell asleep.

Jazz and I silently left his room and headed to the main hall. Banjo was sitting on the couch, holding a document. He took a piece of paper out of it and handed it to me along with a pen.

It was a Leader Form, asking about my personal information. After I answered the questions, I returned it to Banjo and he took it without saying anything, his eyes never meeting mine.

Brio arrived and Fredrik prepared us a tea. Soon we were joined by Apollo and Reed. They showed surprised faces as I told them about Alto being my brother. Jazz was quiet for the whole time but as soon as he emptied his tea, he left, saying he'll take a nap.

"So you want to find the ring to save Alto's life?" asked Brio.

"Yes. I will do whatever I can."

Apollo put down his cup of tea and stared at me. "And you know, of course,that we've been doing it for four months now." He said quietly.

"And still, we came up empty." Reed sighed and my heart sunk.

So they were doing it for a long time nkw but still no clue about the ring's whereabout. But no matter what, I will save my brother's life. I will find it.

The door opened and Canon, the young Song emerged. He blushed as he saw us and slowly approached us. He sat on the couch across us and we all watched him as he stared on the floor.

"What's the matter, Canon?" Apollo asked and Canon looked at us, blushing.

"N-nothing. I think it it would be rude for me to not entertain the newly summoned key." He said in a trembling voice.

I blinked then smiled at this cute boy. Then suddenly I remembered what Rhap said back in Alto's room. These Songs should have been dead already. And as I stared at Canon, I suddenly felt my heart breaking to think that this little boy in front of me have nearly died when he's this young.

I ran my eyes on these guys around me and wondered what happened to them.

I returned my eyes to Canon and smiled.

"That's so sweet of you."

Canon gave me a shy smile then Fredrik came with tea and sweets for him. When he picked up the cup, it slipped from his hand and fell on the floor. Canon's suit was stained with tea and he abruptly stood up.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to.. I'm so sorry..."

Canon kept apologizing, eyes glistened with tears. We tried calming him down while Fredrik clean up the mess.

The door opened and a handsome tall guy with a long silky dark hair entered. I remembered him, his name was Harp, the Seventh Song and Dream Prince.

As his eyes landed on Canon who kept apologizing and to Fredrik who was cleaning the floor, he sighed and stepped towards us.

"Now, what have you done?" He asked Canon, his voice calm and quiet.

His eyes met mine and bowed to me. "I'm so sorry about this, miss Medley."

I was surprised at how elegant he was that I stood up and bowed also. "No, it's okay. I understand. Really it's okay," I stuttered.

"Yeah, we all know how clumsy this Canon can be." Reed chuckled and Canon flushed even more.

Harp smiled apologetically at me before turning back to Canon.

"C'mon, kid. Let me lead you back to your room."

He put his hand on Canon's arm as they headed back to the door but Harp stopped for a second and looked back at me over his shoulder.

"Would you like to stay for dinner, miss Medley?

I was taken aback with his offer but I waved my hands.

"Thank you for inviting me, but I should get back at home before night comes."

Harp raised his eyebrow in response then smiled before they disappear through the door.

I sighed and took a sip on my tea.

"You really don't want to eat dinner here? Since you're the major key now, you should get used to the castle and us. Don't you think so?" Brio said, a wide smile on his face.

"He's right, Medley." Apollo said and I glanced at him. "But if you're not really available today, you can still join us anytime. We'd really like to eat dinner with you."

My face reddened and I smiled sheepishly at him. "Thank you. I'll think about it."

"What? It's just having dinner, you don't have to think over it. But yeah, anytime you're free." Reed said and I just smiled at them.

The truth was, I still haven't gotten used going here in the Sky Castle and thinking about having dinner with these lovely Songs still makes me nervous. But since my brother was one of them, I realized that summoning me as the Major Key was the best thing happened because I want to be the one to help Alto. And I know I'm the only one who could help him. As a summoned Major Key, I was even more determined to save Cradle, and Alto.

"Oh, and please don't let Alto skip meals, okay?" I told them and Brio nodded at me.

"As you wish, young lady. We'll take care of that grumpy song." Brio answered and I yawned as tiredness suddenly hitting my body.

 at the emotionless face of Jazz. I could hear the swallow breathing of my brother beside me and Jazz raised his eyebrow.

"As you can see, he's not well." Jazz said and I looked at Max.

Max averted his eyes from me and lay on his bed, his hand on his face.

"I'm sorry, Ley. You shouldn't be here. You are safer when you don't get involved in this. And I should stayed dead, in your memory at least.",

"What, don't say something like that, brother. Haven't you glad we're together again? Don't worry, I'll find cure for you. I said as I held back tears.

I looked at Jazz but he has his usual face. He doesn't seem surprised that I just called Alto my brother. Maybe he knew already?

"Jazz, could you tell me details about what happened to my brother? What do you mean he's dying? Is he that sick? I just found him and now he'll disappear again?" I cried as tears fell from my eyes.

I just got reunited with my brother whom I thought was dead already. He always protected me as a child and looked out for me. Shouldn't I do the same? I can't let go of him again.

Jazz sighed. "Questions. So many questions. Why don't you take a look at his hands first?"

I frowned at Jazz but turned to my brother right away. I took hold of his hands and that's when I noticed it. He doesn't wear the ring. His instrument.

"Max, where's your ring?" I asked him but he stayed silent.

I looked at Jazz instead, waiting for an answer.

Jazz took a sit on a small chair and faced me. "He lost it."

"What?" I cried out but Jazz just sighed again.

"Do you remember what King Orpheus told you? That the ring is our instrument as Songs, and it holds our lives. Looking at Alto, it seemed that he lost the ring miles away, or that possibly it fell to the wrong hands."

"Wait, I still don't get it."

"Medley," said Jazz and I froze. It was the first time he called me by my name.

"The ring holds our lives. Once we lost it, we won't be able to cast our melodies and our lives will slowly fade away. In short, we will die."

I stared at the floor floor as I let it all sink in. My brother lost his instrument that holds his life and now he was dying. So the only way to bring him back to his state was to find that ring?

Jazz told me that Max's ring was lost 4 months ago. His body started to weaken after a month of the absence of the ring on his finger and within this year his life will end if the ring won't be back on his position. Max doesn't know where he lost it and was always avoiding anyone's questions. He never left his room since his condition gotten worst.

Max stayed quiet the whole time. I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. He returned the gesture and I let out a small smile.

When I asked Jazz why was he called Alto, he told me that their names were changed after they became a Song. And as Song, they must start using their new names.

"Well, this is quite a scene."

We turned to look at the voice, and there was Rhap, leaning against the door as he watch us.

"And to add an information, milady, this life we have doesn't belong to us in the first place." Rhap said, a dark shadow befalling on his face.

"What do you mean?" I asked and I felt my brother's hold tightened.

Rhap and Jazz stared at each other that felt like an hour. It was like they were having serious conversations through their stares.

"I guess ,since you're a major key now, you should know about it. We, Songs, were supposed to be dead already. But this lovely king, visited us on the verge of our death and summoned us to be a Song. By summoning us, we've been given a chance to continue living, but not as mere people anymore. We are bound to the Kingdom." Rhap explained, staring on the floor.

Songs are the complicated ones. As Rhap said, they must be summoned on the verge of their death. They will be given new names and will be bound to the Kingdom until the last of their breath. The ring, which was a Song's instrument will appear on their fingers after they've been summoned.

It felt like the Songs were only borrowing the lives they have right now.

"It's a curse, Ley. I never wanted to be a part of this in the first place, but it gave me another chance to protect you." Max muttered and I clenched my teeth as I realized that my brother was supposed to be dead right now.

So something happened to my brother and my heart twisted in pain as I think about that. If he wasn't summoned as a Song, he'd be dead already. But when was he summoned? I clenched my fists as I thought of not having the chance of seeing my brother again.

"Oh, Ley? You gave her a nickname. You've gotten close, I guess?" Rhap said teasingly.

I shoot him a look and he raised an eyebrow at me. "Don't tease Max."

Rhap's face changed, his eyes darkening. "Max? Could that be his old name?"

I frowned. " Yes. And he's my brother,"

Rhap froze for a moment then laughed suddenly. "So you're siblings? This was rather amusing. I didn't know Alto still has family left." Rhap glared at me. "But milady, please refrain from calling him by his old name. It's prohibited by the kingdom."

"Just shut up, Rhapsody." Max hissed and he looked at me.

"Why did you become a Major Key, Ley? It wasn't safe for you. Just live your normal life, please."

I heard Rhap snorted and I glanced at him. "See, milady? That guy never listens. He always do what he wants and always put himself in trouble. He always break the Kingdom's rule." He glared at Max. "And now that he's dying, he doesn't even think about the ring and just sulk in this room. Fix that guy first."

He gave Max one last look before leaving the room. Jazz watched him leave then rest his face on his hand. "Couldn't blame that guy's attitude. He was fond of Alto, they're good friends." He muttered.

Max caressed my hand and I looked at him. He has a weak smile on his face. "You can still call me Max if you want. Just don't mind that guy."

Max always think about me, but never himself. I decided that this time I will repay him to everything he'd done for me. I will save him. I won't just let my brother die like this.

"I'm sorry, but I will protect you this time. You're Max, my brother. And you'll always be who you are to me. But I will start calling you Alto if that's the rule of the Kingdom. I won't let your life be in danger anymore than you already are." I looked at Jazz with a firm face.

"I will find the ring, I will save Alto. I'll do everything I can to help brother and tune you all."

Jazz stared at me with a straight face then nodded. "Alright."

Alto looked at us in surprised. "What? Don't be ridiculous. Don't put yourself in trouble, Ley." He hissed at me and I just shook my head.

"No brother, this is something I decide for myself. I will save you and this country no matter what."

My brother stared at me for a while then smiled. He doesn't say anything and soon he fell asleep.

Jazz and I silently left his room and headed to the main hall. Banjo was sitting on the couch, holding a document. He took a piece of paper out of it and handed it to me along with a pen.

It was a Leader Form, asking about my personal information. After I answered the questions, I returned it to Banjo and he took it without saying anything, his eyes never meeting mine.

Brio arrived and Fredrik prepared us a tea. Soon we were joined by Apollo and Reed. They showed surprised faces as I told them about Alto being my brother. Jazz was quiet for the whole time but as soon as he emptied his tea, he left, saying he'll take a nap.

"So you want to find the ring to save Alto's life?" asked Brio.

"Yes. I will do whatever I can."

Apollo put down his cup of tea and stared at me. "And you know, of course,that we've been doing it for 4 months now." He said quietly.

"And still, we came up empty." Reed sighed and my heart sunk.

So they were doing it for 4 months and still no clue about the ring's whereabout. But no matter what, I will save my brother's life. I will find it.

The door opened and Canon, the young Song emerged. He blushed as he saw us and slowly approached us. He seated on the couch across us and we all watched him as he stared at the floor.

"What's the matter, Canon?" Apollo asked and Canon looked at us, blushing.

"N-nothing. I think it it would be rude for me to not entertain the newly summoned key." He said in a trembling voice.

I blinked then smiled at this cute boy. Then suddenly I remembered what Rhap said back in Alto's room. These Songs should have been dead already. And as I stared at Canon, I suddenly felt my heart breaking to think that this little boy in front of me have nearly died when he's this young.

I ran my eyes on these guys around me and wondered what happened to them.

"That's so sweet of you." I said, smiling.

Canon gave me a shy smile then Fredrik came with tea and sweets for him. When he picked up the cup, it slipped from his hand and fell on the floor. Canon's suit was stained with tea and he abruptly stood up.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to.. I'm so sorry..."

Canon kept apologizing and his face looked like he was about to cry. We tried calming him down while Fredrik clean up the mess.

The door opened and a handsome tall guy with a long silky dark hair entered. I remembered him, his name was Harp, the seventh song and dream prince.

As his eyes landed on the apologizing Canon and the cleaning Fredrik, he sighed and stepped towards us.

"Now, what have you done?" He asked Canon, his voice calm and quiet.

His eyes met mine and bowed. "I'm so sorry about this, miss Medley."

I was surprised at how elegant he looked and act that I stood up and bowed also. "No, it's okay. I understand. Really it's okay," I stuttered.

"Yeah, we all know how clumsy this Canon can be." Reed chuckled and Canon flushed even more.

Harp smiled apologetically at me before turning back to Canon.

"C'mon, kid. Let me lead you back to your room."

He put his hand on Canon's arm as they headed back to the door but Harp stopped for a second and looked back at me over his shoulder.

"Would you like to stay for dinner, miss Medley?

I was taken aback with his offer but I waved my hands.

"Thank you for inviting me, but I should get back at home before night comes."

Harp raised his eyebrow in response then smiled before they disappear through the door.

I sighed and took a sip on my tea.

"You really don't want to eat dinner here? Since you're the major key now, you should get used to the castle and us. Don't you think so?" Brio said, a wide smile on his face.

"He's right, Medley." Apollo said and I looked at him. "But if you're not really available today, how about on the other day? We'd really like to eat dinner with you."

My face reddened and I smiled sheepishly at him. "Thank you. I'll think about it."

"What? It's just having dinner, you don't have to think over it. But yeah, anytime you're free." Reed said and I just smiled at them.

The truth was, I still haven't gotten used going here in the Sky Castle and thinking about having dinner with these lovely Songs still makes me nervous. But since my brother was one of them, I realized that summoning me as the Major Key was the best thing happened because I want to be the one to help Alto. And I know I was the only one who could help him. As a summoned major key, I was even more determined to save Cradle, and Alto.

"Oh, and please don't let Alto skip meals, okay?" I told them and Brio nodded at me.

"As you wish, young lady. We'll take care of that grumpy song." Brio answered and I yawned as tiredness suddenly hitting my body.