As the sun began to set, Prince Khane wandered through the woods, his footsteps rustling the dead leaves beneath him. His practice sword was sheathed at his waist, and his hair was neatly tied up in a bun.
A different rustling sound caught his attention, signaling the presence of another person. He turned around but saw no one. It was then he realized he had been walking deeper into the woods without noticing.
He glanced around, searching for a way back and wondering how he had ended up there. Choosing a path, he decided to follow it. Just as he turned, someone emerged from behind him.
Quickly, he unsheathed his sword for protection and faced the intruder. It was Palov. With a firm grip on his sword, Palov struck at Prince Khane. Khane blocked the attack, but the force of Palov's blow sent him sliding backward.
He fell to the ground, and before he could stand, Palov advanced again. "If he can't kill you, I can. I'm doing this kingdom a favor," Palov declared, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he swung his sword.
Then, the unexpected happened. Just as Palov was about to reach Prince Khane, a dark, swirling smoke formed in front of him, its power sending Palov flying backward.
Prince Khane and Palov could sense the presence of a demon.
Prince Khane stood up and watched as the cloudy smoke began to take the form of a mortal. First, he saw the hair, then the dress. Soon, the smoke dissipated, leaving only a mortal figure.
Palov got back on his feet, gripping his sword firmly as he stared at the demon. "I see you have a demon helper because you are too weak," Palov sneered, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
He glared at the demon and Prince Khane behind her. "Good for me and too bad for you. Both your lives will end now," he declared, summoning all his internal force and charging towards them.
"You talk too much," the demon said, closing her black eyes momentarily before opening them again. Her eyes turned bright blue, but they were not just blue—they were watery and seemed to move like the waves of the ocean.
She grinned as she stared at Palov. His eyes widened in shock, and he stopped in his tracks. Confused, he looked around. "What's this place? How did I get here?" he repeated, moving aimlessly.
Fear filled his eyes as he looked up. Then he fell to the ground, clutching at something invisible with all his might, his veins bulging.
Prince Khane was astonished by what had happened. He wasn't sure if the demon had come to save him or was hunting for mortal prey.
Knowing he wasn't powerful enough to kill a demon, he decided to retreat slowly and carefully. Sweat began to form on his brow as he took a cautious step back.
'Creak'
Prince Khane's heart pounded as he stepped on a twig, breaking it. Panic surged through him, and he sprinted away.
The demon turned and smiled as she watched him flee. It was Tidalia Aquari.
She laughed, transforming into a swirling black smoke, and swiftly pursued him.
Prince Khane, running for his life, kept glancing back and forth. Suddenly, he collided with someone and fell to the ground.
"Why is a handsome young master like yourself running?" the person asked, extending her hand to help him up.
"I'm grateful, miss. Run away with me, a demon is here," he said, taking her hand. But then he noticed her dress—it was identical to the demon's.
He froze, his hand still in hers.
Then he raised his head to look at her face. He squinted, recognizing her familiar features.
He remembered the dream and recognized her immediately. He recalled the lady he called Tidalia and when the demon Bain referred to her as a demon.
His eyes widened as he wondered if that dream was his future or his past or someone's memory.
He wanted to call her by her name, but something blocked his throat.
Tidalia pulled him up, and they stood facing each other.
Tidalia grinned. "I thought you were scared. What, are you not going to keep running? It's fun chasing you," she laughed lightly.
Prince Khane was speechless, still stunned by her presence. His eyes widened, and his mouth slightly agape, unable to process what he was seeing.
She looked at him, puzzled by his frozen state and silence. "You haven't seen a demon in mortal form before? Or are you contemplating how to raise your sword against me?" she asked, closing the gap between them, her eyes probing his intentions.
As she moved, her dress swirled gracefully around her, and her hair, dark with small seashells, framed her face perfectly.
"Have we met before?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her, his voice barely above a whisper.
She folded her arms and paced a little, her dress rustling softly with each step. "Should I give him an answer or wait for my lord?" she mused, turning,then turned back to look at him, her eyes narrowing in thought.
"Her lord?" Prince Khane thought, recalling his dream where she referred to Bain as her lord. "Could it be a different Tidalia and a different lord? If it's truly Bain she's referring to, does that mean..." He realized with a start, his expression shifting from confusion to alarm.
"Bain is here? The seal shouldn't let anyone out. Arnin said the Bain who placed the seal is a fake. So, the fake and real Bain are here together. Oh no,this is bad" he thought, his heart racing.
"I'm off. If you're in trouble, you'll see me again. I'm always near," she said, transforming into a small cloud of smoke. Her form dissolved.
"I must confirm," he thought and called out, "What is your name?" as he watched her go, his voice tinged with desperation.
"If the lord agrees," she said, her voice echoing though she was no longer visible.
"It's just a name," she thought, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"Tidalia Aquari," she said aloud, her voice lingering in the air like a haunting melody.
"It's the same," Prince Khane murmured, unable to believe his ears. His expression was a mix of disbelief and dread. "What is happening?" he whispered to himself, feeling the weight of the revelation settle heavily on his shoulders.
"It can't be my memory,I'm not lyrien"