It's not in the Cards (O/O)

Aki whispered the spell, chanting it by the end. The world froze around him, light soaring around him. His hands fall to where Rene is buried, and cried out the final words.
The world went black.

Aki's spell was successful. Rene had returned fully to the mortal realm. He had aged by the two years he had been dead, now being at the age of ten. He laid beside his grave, breathing, healthy, and alive. Not much could be said about Aki. The small kitsune was curled into himself, barely breathing. He had become frail and weak.

René was still thin, small for his age, but he looked…better than he had when he died. He had curly brown hair, and skin that resembled the King's lighter skin more than it resembled Lucien's. He was peacefully asleep, laying on his back.

(So I'm thinking Aki either goes blind or deaf. Which do you think would cause more angst, as well be a reasonable price?)

(Hmm…honestly each one would be rather interesting, tbh. I'm sorry, I'm not good at making decisions like this lmao)

(lol. It's okay. We'll go with sight.)

Aki groaned softly and slowly sat up. He opened his eyes, but something was very wrong. It was just as dark as when he had his eyes closed. He panicked, feeling his face before rapidly opening and closing his eyes. He felt a choked sob leave his lips, Luciens name tumbling from his lips in fear.

(kk)

At the sound of his brother's name, René stirred, opening his eyes and looking around. His eyes fell on Aki. "Sir? W-what's going on?" the little boy stammered, sitting up and staring down at his hands.

He heard a voice and looked up. "Rene?" He asks gently. It had to be… That meant he managed to bring back the dead… "Is that you…?" He asks softly, feeling hopelessly into the air.

"Yes…what's… what's going on?" René asked. "Why are you asking for my brother? And…" He looked at the grave. "I-I…why aren't I dead?"

Aki took a deep breath. "There's a lot to explain… I brought you back through magic… Of course it cost me my sight and a few… Other things but… You're here…" He was on the verge of collapsing. "You might remember my master, Zephyr… The one trying to keep you alive through magic?" He asks softly.

René swallowed, studying Aki. "Oh…I remember him…but…isn't necromancy…illegal?" He asked, biting his lip.

"Illegal in the spirit realm… Most definitely…" He chuckled weakly. "It's so hard to do most don't attempt it… But… I felt I owed it to Lucien to try… Looks like it worked…" for a price… he kept that to himself. "You're lucky… I brought you back after a plague…" He found it hard to breathe, shaky with pain and weakness.

René hesitated. "Are you…" He shook his head. "Okay. I uhm…are you going to be okay?" He asked slowly.

"I'll be fine…" He mutters softly, shakily standing. "We should head back to the palace… I… Don't know which way that is…" He chuckled nervously.

René nodded slowly. "Hm. Okay. Do…do you want me to take you to my brother's chambers?" he asked softly. The young prince came over, putting his hand on Aki's arm.

Aki starts at the touch before nodding slowly. "Y-yes please…" He whispers softly, his eyes shutting as he tried to steady himself. "I think that would be best…"

René nodded. "I….okay…" the young prince seemed to be trying to take this in stride. He kept his hand on Aki's arm, leading him along.

Aki let the smaller guide him, still terrified and scared. He knew he'd pay a price…. But his eyesight… Aki loved being able to take in the world around him. Not right now… Right now he needed to get Rene back to the castle and to Lucien.

René was quiet, leading Aki through the castle, staring around. "Things have…changed…" he said slowly, clinging onto Aki as if afraid.

Aki nods slowly. "A lot has changed since you have been gone." He whispers. "But you are safe." He whispers, a small smile on his lips.

René bit his lip a little, leading Aki towards Lucien's rooms.

When they came to the door, Aki felt for the knob of the door before opening it slowly. "Lucien…" He calls out softly, his voice trembling slightly.

Lucien sat up, squinting in the darkness. "Aki? Where are you?" He asked, eyes landing on the shapes at the door. He couldn't see them well, though. Couldn't tell that it was René.

Aki let out a soft sigh when he heard the others voice. "Lucien… I can't see…" He mumbles softly. "Is there a light anywhere?" He asks after a moment, holding Rene close to him.

Lucien got up, walking over and lighting a light as he came. "Aki? What's wrong?" His attention was so focused on Aki, that he didn't see René.

Aki cleared his throat as the light revealed his milky white eyes. He smiled weakly before gently moving out of the way so Lucien could see his brother.

Lucien's eyes landed first on Aki's eyes, then on his brother. His eyes widened, mouth forming an 'o'. "Aki…what have you done?" he breathed.
Rene clung to Aki's sleeve, hiding his face anxiously.

Aki cleared his throat. "I… Brought Rene back…" He whispers softly. "In return I lost my eyesight…" He shrugged hopelessly. There was much more to that, but he didn't want to worry Lucien.

Lucien blinked. "Aki…" He looked at René. "Come here, bud. It's…it's okay." He breathed.
René let go of Aki, trembling a little as he was enveloped in his brothers arms.
Lucien looked at Aki. "But…your eyes…"

Aki smiled weakly before shaking his head, "It's… It's a small price to pay for bringing Rene back." He assures softly. His ears twitched a little bit as he stood there. It was a big deal for a magician to loose their sight. But he didn't complain. He knew there was a price to pay to bring someone back.

Lucien held his brother gently. He reached out to pull Aki into the hug. "But… necromancy is illegal, I…" He didn't know what to say.

(Gtg to bed now. Good night!)