It was nearing dusk, and the fading light cast long shadows across the woods. Prince Khane lay slumped on a horse, wrapped in clothing and securely tied to prevent him from falling. Tidalia walked beside the horse, holding its reins with a firm grip as her eyes scanned the dimming horizon.
Arnin, meanwhile, lay stretched out on his own horse, his head resting on his hands behind him, as if reclining lazily. His legs were crossed over the horse's neck, his eyes closed. To any observer, he appeared to be sleeping, but his mind was far from rest. He was deep in thought, the events of the past days swirling in his head.
Without opening his eyes, he broke the silence. "You said the fake Bain had my old face, is it not?"
Tidalia, who had been stealing occasional glances at him, answered, "Yes, my lord. I saw it perfectly. I was too stunned, so I left him immediately, but I made sure he heard my warning about keeping the barrier sealed." Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of something behind her words—perhaps unease.
"When we are done with Khailian, I'll have to meet this fox demon," Arnin said matter-of-factly, as if settling a simple errand.
Tidalia hesitated, glancing at him again. Thoughts stirred in her mind, ones she dared not speak aloud. She tightened her grip on the reins and bit her lip.
"What is it?" Arnin asked suddenly, his voice cutting through her hesitation.
Startled, she turned her head to find his eyes already on her, sharp and unyielding. Her blood surged with the shock of his gaze before she quickly calmed herself. His stare was blank but piercing, demanding an answer.
"It's nothing," she replied, her voice attempting a casual tone.
Arnin closed his eyes again and returned his head to its resting position. "Speak," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for avoidance.
Tidalia swallowed, gathering her courage. "My lord, it's just… I wanted to know… Is your soul and core intact? What I mean is, did one of them, or both, ever split?" She spoke slowly, her words careful and calculated, uncertain of how he might react. "It's merely my curiosity, my lord, and nothing more."
She glanced at him again, waiting for his response, her mind racing with thoughts she dared not voice further.
Arnin scoffed, "Split?" He chuckled softly, the sound carrying an air of amusement.
"Because you saw someone with my old face? It's fine to be curious," he said, his tone light, almost dismissive.
"Is the sea still far?" he asked casually, as if the thought of splitting his core hadn't unsettled him in the slightest.
"We are close, my lord," Tidalia replied, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes as she glanced at him. "We won't have to sleep on the ground tonight. I have everything we need right here—in my hair," she added with a sly smile.
Arnin raised an eyebrow, the faintest smirk appearing. "Learnt a technique, I guess. You weren't idle during the past 200 years," he remarked.
"I learnt it from Lyrien. He taught me only once, and after we parted ways, I spent decades perfecting it until it was flawless," Tidalia said proudly. Her smile deepened as she added, "However, whatever new trick or power I master, yours will always remain supreme above all else."
Their conversation was interrupted by a sharp voice cutting through the air. "I knew it! You're up to no good. Ever since you came back, I've had a strange feeling about you!"
Before they could react, a spear struck the ground ahead of them with a resounding thud. It belonged to Lady Pherna.
Tidalia turned to Arnin, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "It looks like we were followed," she said.
Arnin's expression matched hers as he smiled back. "I was waiting for her to show up," he admitted. "I knew she was trailing us, but I wasn't sure what she wanted.
Perhaps it's because she's obsessed with him. It's amusing to see her like that." His amusement faded quickly as his eyes darkened, recalling something that tempered his grin.
"My lord, do I attack?" Tidalia asked, readying herself for battle, her stance poised.
Arnin raised a hand, motioning for her to hold back. "Hold your tail, Tidalia Aquari. Let's not waste our time. I know what to do," he said calmly. Opening his palm, a red essence materialized and began to swirl.
From behind, Lady Pherna's horse galloped swiftly toward them,she rode her horse like she was pursuing a thief.
Arnin and Tidalia rode slowly but she reached them because she was faster.
"Oh, it's Lady Pherna," Arnin said in a calm tone, watching her as she circled them on her horse. Her movements were tense, her gaze sharp as it darted between the group.
Lady Pherna's eyes landed on the figure wrapped in cloth, slumped unconscious on one of the horses. Her gaze lingered, her brow furrowing with suspicion.
"You... is this Prince Khane?" she demanded, her voice rising slightly as her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Lady Pherna," Arnin called her name smoothly as he shifted to sit upright on his horse. His voice cut through her mounting tension like a blade, drawing her attention instantly.
Arnin eyes had shifted to red and her gaze locked onto his, and in that instant, something in her seemed to falter. Her confident posture stiffened, and her breath caught.
A strange unease swept over her, and her grip on the reins loosened. Her body swayed unsteadily before she collapsed from her horse, hitting the ground with an audible thud.
Tidalia tilted her head, her lips curling into a faint smirk as she glanced at Arnin. "Ouch," she remarked casually, the corners of her mouth twitching with amusement. "It seems Lady Pherna had a rough landing."
Arnin leaned slightly forward, his expression still composed but tinged with intrigue. His sharp gaze lingered on Lady Pherna's unconscious form, as if calculating his next move.
But then Arnin looked away, his red eyes dimming as they returned to black. "Let's keep going," he said to Tidalia, his voice calm, yet carrying an undertone of finality.
Tidalia hesitated, glancing at Lady Pherna lying unconscious on the ground. Her expression twisted with concern. "My lord, you exposed yourself," she said, her voice filled with worry.
Arnin adjusted his posture on the horse, his gaze set ahead. "I removed some memories," he said,his tone unwavering. "Starting from the part where she had doubts about me when I returned."