Arnin watched as Tidalia turned into a swirling cloud of black smoke and flew away, her frown lingering in the air.
"You're free," he murmured softly, continuing his walk until dawn.
Emerging from the woods, he squinted at the rising sun, using his hand to shield his eyes from the bright rays. He looked down and resumed his journey, now in a secluded part of Essed.
As he stood there, he turned his head and saw a very tall building up ahead. A smile crept onto his face. "Finally," he whispered, and kept walking.
The area was dotted with thatched houses, unlike the bustling main part of Essed. Little kids played on the street, their laughter echoing as he passed by.
Time slipped by, and he reached the tall building. Before it stood a stony staircase of 500 steps. He stared at the building, memories flooding back. Placing his foot on the first step, he paused, sensing someone's presence.
"The fish is here. Don't you like to be free?" he asked, not bothering to turn or peek over his shoulder.
"I'm not a fish! They have a shorter lifespan! I'm a mermaid!" Tidalia yelled angrily from behind him.
"What brings the mermaid here, then? Does she want to kill me because I am mortal?" Arnin asked as he turned to her, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
Tidalia crossed her arms over her chest and stared back at him defiantly. "I'm using my freedom. This time, I'm serving by choice. And drop the pretense.
I know you still have your powers, but I just can't feel them. After all, with the cultivation you did, your soul, core, and gold red fox blood mark are merged together.
More than 400 years ago, you jokingly said if you died and were reborn, you would still be powerful."
Arnin sighed, pointing at his forehead. "Do you see any mark on my forehead that says my name in demon characters?"
She scoffed, "That's because of your age, my lord. You can easily hide your powers, and no one will notice. That is something I can't do."
"You're not giving up, are you?" Arnin asked, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Tidalia placed her hands on her hips. "I never saw my lord give up, so why should I?" she retorted.
"If you have the essence from heaven and earth and also demonic energy, how are you cultivating both?" she asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Since you want an answer, then so be it. You are worrisome and stubborn, like you have always been. Though this soul and body have been alive, I wasn't conscious of myself. It wasn't long ago that I woke up," he said, his gaze distant as if recalling a memory.
"And the first person I saw when I woke up was Elyon. And I was talking to Elyon at that moment," he added with a smirk, his eyes meeting hers.
Tidalia's eyes widened with a smile. "Elyon? I miss that little one! Ever since he became an immortal, we never met again. When I see him, I'll give him a whooping!" she said jokingly.
Arnin's expression turned serious as he stared at her. "If you see him, don't go near him. He is not the same person you knew.
He is just like the rest of those pretentious heavenly immortals," he said with an angry wave of his hand, his sleeves making a sharp sound.
"This time, listen to me, would you? It's a command. Accept it," Arnin demanded, his tone firm and unwavering.
Tidalia wondered what had happened to make Arnin speak about Elyon that way, but she didn't dare ask. He looked like he wasn't ready to open that chapter; otherwise, he would have told her before warning her.
She dropped to one knee, crossing her hands and placing them on her chest as she bowed. "I will," she said solemnly.
Arnin sighed, frustration and anger clouding his eyes. "Stand," he commanded, and she did.
"You wanted an answer on how I will cultivate both. I can, but I don't know how to explain it in a way you'll understand.
However, I'll tell you this: I can summon my demonic energy whenever I want. But even though I can summon it, I'll need to go to a higher phase using the essence of heaven and earth.
I need both pure and demonic energy," Arnin explained, his voice steady but tinged with the weight of his burden.
"Let's cultivate together, then," she suggested, her eyes hopeful.
"You can't," Arnin replied firmly.
"Then let me be beside you as you cultivate," she suggested again, her determination unwavering.
"You can't. The place is sealed, and once I go in, it will be sealed again. But if the fake Bain shows himself again, I will feel it," he said.
Tidalia tried hard to think of how she could be of assistance, but nothing came to mind. Then she asked, "Then, my lord, what should I do to be of great assistance?"
"Alright, I need to go now. If you want to be of great assistance, watch over Prince Khane."
"Don't go too close to him, only watch him from afar. And if he ever thinks that you are a danger, then show him this," he said, removing his scabbard with his sheathed sword and presenting it to her.
She opened her hands and accepted his sword.
"And if you are eventually caught by him, never reveal anything about here, at least for now. If he asks strange questions about me, do not answer.
Respond with silence. Also, stay far away from Prince Eyrin," he said as he levitated and flew across the stairs and statues towards the building.
"My lord! I heard the sound of coins in that bag as we walked yesterday! Won't you give me anything? Are you stingy, my lord?!" she yelled as Arnin was already far away.
But then she saw a few gold pieces falling down like rain.
She smiled when she saw them, and as she bent to pick them up, she thought to herself, "I should not meet Khane? Hmph, I will."