The first he'd seen of his counterpart was in battle, and at the time he could only wish he had that level of confidence. It wasn't until after he overheard the other Alcryst shouting abuses at his brother, the Divine One, and the other Diamant's mention of assassination attempts that he realized the truth.

They won, and he heard his other self snap at his brother, blaming him for the loss. Pathetic, useless! The other Diamant simply handed over the Bracelet, leaving the battlefield, his brother glaring daggers after him as he followed.

It was like some bizarre nightmare, second only to the dreams where Diamant died. This other Alcryst, did he just lack the capacity to love, or were his parents the opposite of Mother and Father? Had he succumbed to childish jealousy? Even when he was younger, anytime Alcryst tried to be jealous of Diamant, he couldn't. Jealousy was when you felt the other person didn't earn their good fortune, and Diamant was well worthy of all that praise.

And this other Diamant, so worn down by what Alcryst figured was years of abuse and hatred. Or had he always been this way? Had the other Alcryst always been this way, for that matter?

Do I even want the answers to these questions?

Seized by a sudden impulse, he turned around and ran in the direction he'd seen the brothers go. His counterpart had disappeared, while the other Diamant was leaning against a brick wall. Head tilted skyward, eyes closed, hands limp at his sides.

"This is it for Brodia. Without our Bracelet...who knows how long before Elusia or Firene comes knocking at our gates?"

"Diamant...?" The other Diamant immediately fell to his knees in a pose of supplication. Like me in my own world, whenever I so much as clink my fork too loudly or use the last of the anise in my tea.

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

"It's not me! I mean-it's not that Alcryst, I'm the other one," Alcryst said quickly. "I'm the one you faced in battle, and I'm sorry I had to attack you, I truly am!" The alternate Diamant raised his eyes nervously.

"Ah..."

"I..." Alcryst licked suddenly dry lips. "Listen...I don't even know why I'm here, you'd probably rather see anyone else right now. Not just because of the other me, either..." Other Diamant lifted his head, and Alcryst offered his hand. "Here..."

Even with gloves on, the man's hand felt oddly cold. Then again, it was colder here than in his own Brodia.

"You're different from him. In fact, you remind me of me," he said. "I don't even know when I became this weak, or when my Alcryst became so cruel...after the loss of the Divine One, yes, but maybe we were always like this." He sighed. "I always knew I'd be a terrible King."

"But...you're not. If you'd let the other me keep fighting, who knows how many more of our soldiers would have died? You surrendered to prevent that," Alcryst said. "A good King does more than just win, you know? He's got to care for his people."

"Our people..." Other Diamant laughed bitterly. "So many of them dead, due to my indecision and weakness. So many weaknesses..."

It was like looking into some crazy mirror reflecting Diamant's face with Alcryst's heart and mind. Even when his Diamant worried, he used that worry to fuel his determination. I will not falter. For Brodia's sake, for Father's memory, I will keep going.

He remembered what Fogado had told him last time they talked, when Alcryst had said he could never resent Diamant for the way others put him on a pedestal and compared Alcryst unfavorably to him. You know what you are? A kind person. Maybe that's why I like you so much.

Kindness. Even when I think so little of myself, others tell me that's one of my best qualities...my strengths.

"King Diamant," he said quietly, "for what it's worth...I don't think you're weak." The other turned to him, gaze radiating vulnerability and disbelief.

"You barely know me."

"You're right, and I'll never have a chance to. You'll be withdrawing from the war, and once the Divine One finishes what she came here to do, we'll be going back to our world. But what I've seen of you is a kind person. Someone who truly wants the best for Brodia, even with the odds stacked against him. Your strength isn't the same as my Diamant's, but it's a strength nonetheless."

Other Diamant's gaze softened.

"My Alcryst never said anything like that to me."

"He doesn't know how lucky he is." Alcryst smiled a little. "Listen, I can't say. I just wanted to talk to you before we left." The barest hint of a smile tugged at Other Diamant's lips.

"Thank you. I hope your version of me knows how lucky he is to have a brother like you."

"Stay safe, and stay well." Alcryst bowed, slowly and reluctantly walking away. Even knowing deep down that this world's Brodia might not survive, he hoped with all his heart that its Diamant would.

And that perhaps the other Alcryst would remember how to be kind, make ammends with the only family he had left.