Page 70 of Celestia, Year Four

"Resemblance? To whom?" Hunter asked. "And wow. You really do look like Orion."

"We're twins," Odion replied.

"I know."

"Identical twins."

"I also know that."

"Then it's obvious."

"Do you get all combative when you're nervous?" Hunter asked and someone else snickered in the bushes which made me sigh.

"You're ruining the surprise, shh!" I huffed at the voice.

"Surprise who’s hiding?" Hunter asked. "What surprise? For who?”

"For you," I whispered.

"Why? It's not my birthday or anything," Hunter defended, not following what was going on.

"You're gonna freak out, just a little," I warned.

"Okay?" Hunter replied, looking a bit nervous.

"Arielle explained generally how people get through to the Dark World, right?" I inquired. He nodded.

"Yes. It happens in a number of ways, but essentially, it’s when they're in a tainted area or place and if their will to live is strong enough and they survive the transition into the Dark World, they can live there until peace is restored. Some can go in and out like what Momo did, but they have to make sure their level of darkness is in intact. Arielle gave us a lot of info."

I nodded and whispered, "Aaron, you can come out now."

"Wait, what? Celestia, how do you know..." Hunter trailed off and his eyes grew wide in shock when Aaron walked out of his hiding place and smiled.

"I guess fate wouldn't let me rest until I knew my brother got a good girl in his life to marry." Aaron had a sheepish grin on his face, and I could tell he was fighting tears as he blinked rapidly.

Hunter’s eyes, on the other hand, filled with tears in seconds as he stared at Aaron in shock. His amber gaze trailed up and down and I let go of his hand so he could take slow, steady steps toward Aaron who remained in place.

"This… can't be real," Hunter whispered and Aaron gave him a sad smile.

"If I were in your shoes, I'd think the same thing. I didn't know you were going to Aslan… or I would have tried to find you somehow. When I died… you were a short, scrawny kid who loved to learn and do great things. Now you're a man and a part of something bigger than anything imaginable. If fate had planned all of this… I'd die again and again to feel the sense of pride I'm experiencing right now, Hunter."

Aaron opened his arms and whispered. "I'm real, brother. Now, stop calculating how this is possible and come to give me a hug."

Hunter took the last steps between them and practically tackled Aaron, who wrapped his arms around him.

"Brother… you're alive? You're real." Hunter began to sob, and Aaron smiled and rubbed his back, resting his head on Hunter's shoulder.

"I'm alive, Hunter, and I've never been prouder. Damn, I've missed you."

I quietly wept, and Odion's arms wrapped around my waist as he rested his head on my shoulder.

"I'm glad we met you, Celestia," Odion whispered.

"Why?" I asked.

"You're the reason why we're all a little stronger. Like the connector between all of us who somehow manages to bring happiness and hope into our lives, either through your love you have for us or the actions you take that lead to moments like this. You're the reason I'm on good terms with my brother again. Now Aaron has his younger brother back, and I know you haven't gotten to learn much about him yet, but he's really grateful," Odion admitted.

He hugged me tighter and kissed my cheek.

---