"What is normal?" Ryker asked in response.

"It's what you make it out to be." he then answered.

"Eke, you can't go through all your life thinking what you CAN'T do." he then told him. "Start focusing on what you CAN." he went on.]

"Remember... you have Aly and I." he said.

"We're here for you." he said further.

"And I like to think your father would want you to push forward, no matter what." he then reasoned.

"...even if it requires a little help." he smiled, extending his hand.

"Come on, I'll help you find the exit."

"You just need to remember." Ryker replied.

"Remember me. Remember Aly." he told him.

"If you truly want to return to us... to come back to us... then your heart will show you where to go." he said.

"You'll see your light shining in this blackness." he continued.

"And I'm here. I'll help. There's no need to be scared."

"....." Ryker was silent, before narrowing his eyes.

"She's keeping you here because she wants to keep you down." he growled.

"Damn it, LEAVE HIM ALONE." he then shouted.

"He's escaped you, and he's not going back!" he continued.

"You no longer have power over him!"

Ryker looked at Eke, and nodded.

"The door, right." he said.

"Let's find this door." he told him.

He then looked around, narrowing his eyes.

"I've bonded with a damn demon." he growled at the darkness. "I've endured pain like never before to help Eke, and given into demon's wishes to keep Eke safe." he continued.

"I will NOT let you take him from me, or Aly. NO dragon alive can tear him away from those that love him." he promised.

"....I don't know." Ryker responded.

"That's something YOU know." he told Eke, as he held him close.

"Close your eyes... block out all this noise and darkness that's surrounding you... and listen to your heart." he told him further.

"Your heart knows the way." he assured him further.

'...please, Eke...' he thought.

'Please... your heart surely knows you deserve to be happy...'

Ryker was silent for a moment, before he draped an arm over Eke's shoulders.

"Listen." he said.

"I don't doubt that this is frightening for you." he told him. "And I can't imagine how you truly feel." he went on.

"However... you can't keep letting your condition weigh you down." he continued.

"If you keep worrying about it... it'll eventually just consume you... in all ways." he went on.

"Please don't regret things beyond your control, Eke." he then finished.

Ryker noticed that the floor seemed to be trying to pull Eke under, but he said nothing.

No words were needed.

He merely tightened his muscles a little, so that Eke could feel it. He was showing Eke that he could be a pillar for him if need be.

He would be there to support him.

No matter what.

"WOAH!" Ryker exclaimed as he went flying through the door... and suddenly found himself back in his own body.

"...ugh." he groaned, shaking his head.

"Ryker, what happened!? Are you okay!?" Aly asked him.

"Is Eke!?" she exclaimed further.

"I... I think so." Ryker mumbled.

"That was... an experience and a half..." he then murmured further.

Aly responded by lunging towards him, and wrapping her arms around him.

"Oh, Eke..." she said.

"You're all right, thank heavens." she said further.

Ryker was silent, and just sighed.

"You passed out." he told Eke.

"But it seems you're fine now." he added.

Aly was silent for a moment, before nodding slightly.

"Thank heavens you're okay." was all she said.

"I'll get you some head meds." Ryker told Eke.

"Extra strength ones. Should deal with that headache." he went on.

"And a bottle of water, too." he added.

He then smiled a little, and sighed lightly.

"Good to have you back, bro." he said with a thumbs-up.

'And I swear if SHE ever tries to return... it'll be the LAST thing she ever does.' he then mentally vowed, a hint of demon glinting in his eye.