Aly just smiled and placed a hand on his forehead.

"Sleep well, Eke." she whispered, before leaning in and kissing him on the cheek.

A few hours later, Eke was woken up, not by a sound, but by the delectable aroma of breakfast. Aly and Ryker had made eggs and toast, as well as breakfast sausages, and waffles.

And the house smelled wonderful.

When he reached the bottom of the steps, Aly came around the corner.

"Oh! Eke!" she exclaimed.

"I was just about to come and get you." she told him with a small smile.

"Breakfast is ready." he then informed him. "But I suspect that you knew that already." she then added with a light chuckle.

"Feeling hungry?" she asked.

"It's understandable." Ryker said from the counter, where he was putting everything together.

"Here." he went on, bringing Eke a bowl of various assorted fresh fruit.

"I'm just about done plating stuff up." he told him.

"Snack on those for a bit." he said.

"They're really fresh." Aly told him.

"Fresh, sweet, and juicy."

Just as Eke finished about half of the bowl, Ryker starting putting various plates of food on the table.

"All right." he said.

"Dig in." he told Eke.

"Whatcha want to drink, water, milk, juice, chocolate milk, what?" he then asked.

"And remember to take your pills for today, Eke." Aly reminded him,.

"Sure thing." Ryker replied.

He was then silent, and got Eke some water, but put some enhancer in it to give it some flavour, and add some vitamins and minerals to it.

"Here you go." he said, handing the glass to his brother.

"All right." Aly responded.

"I don't know what I can do to help the situation, but I CAN make sure you're maintaining your health." she reasoned with a smile.

"Huh?" Ryker asked.

"Whatcha mean?" he asked him.

"The cave?" Aly then asked.

"Uh... how long WAS it, Ryker?" she asked the older male. "Feels like forever..." she admitted.

"A few hours." Ryker responded.

"...or are you referring to something else?" he then asked Eke.

Ryker just smirked.

"Good." he said.

"I'm glad you're eating again." he told him.

"So am I." Aly replied.

"You need to get your strength up." she reasoned.

"And to be fair, your appetite HAS been crap for the past few days." Ryker added.

"Hmmm." Ryker muttered.

"Well, I can't track him until he uses his necromantic magic again." he said.

"When he does, I'll be able to locate him with ease." he went on.

"...but that does nothing for us now." he mumbled further.

"Hmph." he grumbled, sitting down and thinking about something.

"Getting past your Dad?" Ryker asked.

"Well, I can distract him, at least." he said.

"He can strike me down, but I'll get right back up." he chuckled.

"But we'll think about that later." he continued.

"For now, focus on filling your stomach." he told Eke.

"......" Aly was silent as Eke said that.

"Eke...?" she said quietly.

"Mmhmm." Ryker muttered.

"That is no fate for anyone." he said.

"He needs to be put to rest, and it needs to be done post-haste." he went on.

"Killing the necromancer might do it." he added.