Arnin banged on the wooden doors of Master K's residence, the sound echoing through the stillness of the night. Prince Khane stood beside him, Prince Eyrin's unconscious body slung over his shoulders.
When no one answered, Arnin banged again, his frustration growing. "I doubt he'll come out," he said, placing his hands on his waist. "He probably thinks it's a demon at his door. We could have just left the prince there; it's what he deserved anyway."
Prince Khane remained silent, lost in thought. Then a sudden idea struck him. "Let's take him to the state governor's residence. His personal bodyguard and the others he came with will be there."
Arnin raised an eyebrow, perplexed by Prince Khane's change of heart. He knew it was a foolish idea to carry the unconscious prince to the governor's residence, but he didn't argue.
"Let's go," Arnin said, walking past Prince Khane, leading the way through the darkness.
************************************
As they approached the governor's residence, they noticed guards stationed at the gates. One of the guards, dressed in a distinctive uniform indicating his higher rank, spotted them.
"Who are you two, still outside during curfew?" he demanded, his voice firm. "Seize them!"
The other guards closed in, surrounding Arnin and Prince Khane. Prince Khane gently lowered Prince Eyrin's unconscious body to the ground.
"This man was attacked by demons," Prince Khane explained. "I recognize him as the First Prince, but I may be mistaken."
The head guard examined Prince Eyrin, then searched his clothing. He produced a token, and his eyes widened in recognition.
"Attend to His Royal Highness!" he shouted, and the guards swiftly lifted Prince Eyrin and carried him into the residence, closing the doors behind them.
Prince Khane turned to leave. "I must go now, Arnin. Take care of yourself."
"Don't tell me that you think about returning to the fisherman's place," Arnin warned. "They won't take you back in. How did you think the 1st prince knew which route you'd take home? If you go back, you'll be met with silence and closed doors. They want to keep their family safe."
Prince Khane nodded, understanding. "We don't know that yet, but I'll check tomorrow."
Arnin continued, "But do not fear, I arnin, have a place you can rest. It's not luxurious, but it's better than sleeping on the streets.
And sometimes, discomfort drives us to strive for more. Would you rather sleep on the streets or follow me?"
Prince Khane followed Arnin, who led him through the dark alleys. Suddenly, Arnin stopped and turned to him.
"Do you sense a demon?" Prince Khane asked, his voice laced with concern.
But instead of responding, Arnin dropped to his knees. Prince Khane was shocked, thinking Arnin had lost his mind.
Arnin placed his hands on the ground, bowed his head, and prostrated himself.
"What's wrong with you?" Prince Khane asked, worry etched on his face as he crouched to lift Arnin up.
"I, Arnin, without a last name, greet His Highness, Prince Khane, the true heir to the throne and only son of the former emperor," Arnin declared, his voice steady.
Prince Khane lifted Arnin to his feet, a hint of amusement on his face. "You don't believe that nonsense Prince Eyrin spewed, do you?"
Arnin's expression remained serious. "Khailian, it's true. You lost your memory; that's why you can't remember. You are Prince Khane, and also... Nameless."
Prince Khane chuckled. "You believe him?"
Arnin's gaze didn't waver. "I didn't believe it from Prince Eyrin's mouth. I learned the truth from an immortal's lips. I told you I went to heaven, but it wasn't truly heaven.
It was the Gates to Heaven in the mortal world, where only mortals who have reached the immortal phase can pass through while still alive."
Prince Khane's amusement faltered, replaced by curiosity.
"The immortal who took me there told me your identity and tasked me to save you," Arnin continued. "He checked my Book of Fate and said I'm destined to reach the immortal phase. That's why I was confident to fight against the 1st prince."
Prince Khane was not convinced by his explanation. He smiled and folded his hands across his chest, saying, "Someone fooled you with an illusion."
Arnin became irate at Prince Khane for not believing him. "I wasn't fooled; I know what I saw was real," he replied.
"Then where is this immortal? Let's see if he's really immortal, "Prince Khane said.
"I___"
"He's here" They heard a voice echo and looked up at the roof of the building next to them.
A man dressed in white was lying down and sipping liquor from a gourd. After finishing, the gourd faded from his hand, and he gracefully sprawled to his feet and descended to the ground.
"He's the one," Arnin said.
The immortal's gaze met Prince Khane's, his eyes gleaming with otherworldly intensity. Prince Khane's smirk faltered, and for a moment, he seemed uncertain.
Prince Khane examines the white robes worn by Immortal Elyon. "Just wearing white doesn't make you immortal. I could wear them too, if I had the coin to spare."
Immortal Elyon chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement as he shook his head. "Despite your memory loss, your attitude still remains the same. But how could you be stupid enough to write a letter to Prince Eyrin?"
Prince Khane furrowed his eyebrows, confusion etched on his face. What letter? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about how you became like this, Prince Khane. How your own actions led to your downfall."
"Arnin, Khailian," someone said, and the three looked to where the voice came from. Pherna was approaching them while dressed in black.
Upon seeing her, Immortal Elyon furrowed his brows.
She looked different from the last time he saw her, when he traveled back in time to find Khane.
She looked exactly like someone he knew, he realized. Pherna bore a striking resemblance to the image of her in his head.
The person he knows is immortal, while Pherna is mortal—that is the only distinction.
When Pherna finally got to Prince Khane and Arnin, she grinned and said, "I am glad you are still alive."