The Fallen Prince

The capital was in chaos, guards were running everywhere since four days ago when the former prince's true identity was discovered. "Do we have a lead on where he is?" enraged Empress Wēi as she stormed through the palace.

"I'm trying, your majesty." defended Captain Howin trying to stay with her. "I have my men searching every inch of the city and there's no way he can escape without us knowing."

"Perhaps captain, you should search smaller considering an inch is too much room for him to move around. Or have you decided to go back to your old ways?" jeered Empress Wēi.

"My loyalty is to protect the royal family, your majesty."

"Which ones?" asked Empress Wēi as she stopped and turned around to face him. "The old or the new, captain?"

Captain Howin had no response, men that he commanded heard their conversation and were beginning to question him. He swore he'll lay down his life to protect him but he also said the same thing for the princess. "Your majesty, I will help you find him, but I will not let him be harmed as long as I am around." stated Captain Howin.

"Your majesty," said Geurimja, a guard who was part of the blackmarket. He came up to them with another person. "May I introduce Former General Sagishi."

"A general?" questioned Empress Wēi as she looked over him. "And what pleasures do you have to talk to me about?"

"Your majesty, I was originally part of the Old Empire. But after feeling their side was losing I switched, when they discovered it, they threw me in prison. I waited for my execution until you came and broke me and others out. Now I want to give back to you." said Sagishi, taking a bow.

"I take it you have something to offer?" concluded Empress Wēi.

"Your majesty, the former prince was controlled in the shadows. No one from the light can challenge him. But someone from the shadows can." stated Sagishi.

Empress Wēi smiled as this was getting interesting. "You know where to find him."

"No, but I can smoke him out. It'll take time, but when he runs out of places to hide in the shadows to breathe, he'll come out into the light and your guards will be there to take him." explained Sagishi.

"And what do you want in return?" asked Empress Wēi.

"I want to be the leader of the blackmarket. Only you can make that happen." he requested.

Captain Howin's fear has come out to see the light. "Your majesty, I'm sure Lord Tyron can lay off his plans of retirement till they appoint someone better than him," he advised.

"Lord Tyron is a criminal as well for keeping the former prince's secret from me. He too will be charged for treason at the next meeting." stated Empress Wēi ignoring the captain's advice. "Mr. Sagishi, will you be able to do that as well?"

"Consider it complete within this week." stated Sagishi. Empress Wēi nodded and continued walking. "Captain," he said as he walked by.

Captain Howin grabbed his arm and gave him a cold stare. "The empress might trust you, but I still don't. One wrong move and it'll be the end of you." he threatened.

"How fortunate she doesn't listen to you nor half of your guards." replied Sagishi. Captain Howin looked around to see half the guards unsure and the others ready if he did anything else to him. He let go and Sagishi left him, there was perhaps one person that might listen to him.

Princess Zhen sat quietly in the green house. It was warm and peaceful as birds chirped to themselves from the warmth. But she wasn't feeling warm, instead she felt cold, all that played in her head was the events from four days ago. The warehouse, the battle, and the terrorizing face of the former prince. Something fell and she drew her sword, slicing it but getting her sword stuck into the tree. Birds scatter from the tree as she sees one half of an apple at her feet. "Perhaps not everything he did was for the worst, your majesty." said Captain Howin, startling her.

"Captain," acknowledged Princess Zhen.

"I assume you heard about your mother's latest move."

"About Mr. Sagishi?"

"Yes,"

"You know him, how?"

"Let's say what he almost did to Zhōng could happen to you." explained Captain Howin, sparking the princess's interest.

"How?"

Captain Howin looked around him cautiously. "Perhaps we should discuss this outside." he suggested.

"If you're not going to tell me here, then I don't want to hear it. It could not even happen to me." pouted Princess Zhen.

"As you wish, your majesty. But if you want to hear why he lost his title as general, then come by my office wearing something to go out without being noticed." offered Captain Howin before leaving.

Princess Zhen looked down at the half cut apple before remembering her sword was still in the tree. She then remembers a time when Zhōng trained her while he guarded her. She swung her sword at an apple slicing it, she didn't notice the second fall. "Fail," said Truman.

"What? How?" enraged Princess Zhen.

"You put all your effort in the first that you didn't see the second, princess." replied Truman.

"How am I supposed to slice it when it is behind me?" complained Princess Zhen.

Truman threw up two more apples, he drew his Longus, uppercut the one in front of him. He turned one eighty degrees and used the momentum from the uppercut, to downcut the second. Suddenly a third was about to hit the ground as Truman side slashed it. All three apples were cut evenly in half. "Not every strike will be the same, not every sequence will happen in a row." began Truman putting away his Longus. "And every path we walk isn't the same as well. Sometimes there is an odd one out of nowhere that we must be ready for. It could come right in front of us or out of nowhere to hurt us."

Princess Zhen stood in front of the door of Captain Howin's office. She wasn't sure why the captain didn't trust Sagishi, but having words that her enemy once said was annoying her, she wanted peace and she knew being thrown out as a general was rare. With a knock, the door opened and Captain Howin looked prepared as she did to visit the town. "You're ready?" he asked.

The city looked unstable and scared. Ten guards per group marched everywhere, entering homes, down alleyways and questioning any if all people who stared them down. "You're sure this is safer?" asked Princess Zhen as they continued.

"Guards aren't focused on people talking as they walk, we're fine." assured Captain Howin. They went further down before he asked, "Have you ever heard of the great painter?"

"Yes," replied Princess Zhen.

"That's him."

"Him?" asked Princess Zhen, she was expecting someone who actually painted.

"During the Eight-Year War, your majesty, around the first or second year of it, Sagishi was part of a group in a losing battle. They suddenly lost their leader of his group in it, they were terrified as artillery fired where they were at. With the troops he had, he painted a picture of what's going to happen when they charge. He left no detail out and when they attacked, it was exactly as he described it and they won the battle." began Captain Howin.

"To the smallest detail?" asked Princess Zhen, astonished by it.

"The men that survived, nicknamed him the great painter. Throughout our armies, his story was told and four years into the war, he was named general. Every battle he led, he described exactly what's to happen before it did. Every battle he fought, he was victorious. He even had it done who will live and who will die." continued Captain Howin.

"So if he was that good, what did he do to have his title revoked?" asked Princess Zhen.

"When we got word your mother had taken School Town, we knew we were next." explained Captain Howin. "With only five thousand men to your mother's twenty thousand we knew it would spell the end. Sagishi was one of the top generals at this point and he came up with a brilliant plan. The emperor, Zhōng and two thousand troops will march out to intercept your mother's troops. Rumors spread that your mother slept on the outside of camp, if this is the case then Emperor Huo and his son would sneak into camp and kill you and your mother in your sleep. When the sun rises, Emperor Huo would come out of her tent with blood still on him. He'll claim that his twenty thousand troops would gladly accept their surrender even though there were two thousand." finished Captain Howin.

"So what did the emperor think?"

"He clapped, and soon others did as well. I remember looking at Zhōng, he was in a bad mood for another reason and somehow I think he knew something wasn't right. When the applause ended, Emperor Huo praised him and said if she slept in the middle, the two thousand would be his escape army as he'll try to regroup with an army just a week away and come from behind while they still liked their wounds. Sagishi confirmed it as the backup in case that was what happened. But Emperor Huo said something that had all of us asking after he said, 'what happens after we succeed?'" continued Captain Howin.

"You mean he had plans after they won?"

"Emperor Huo interrogated him, suggesting that the men he led to ambush the incoming army would have been the men who challenged him. With them, the emperor and his heir out of the way, he can claim the throne and when they returned, the army that went out wouldn't hold up well to the defense. And he knew the closest army was your mother's and he knew they wouldn't fight for the emperor." explained Captain Howin.

"What about the army that was a week away?" she asked.

"Sagishi could have written a letter saying the emperor is dead as well as his family. He could say he was named as the heir and had control of the Ninja Sword."

"Well that's an extreme theory." commented Princess Zhen.

"Zhōng and I felt that too, until Zhōng's father pulled out papers of proof. I have never seen a person's face turn so white, so quickly then Sagishi. His title was revoked and he was placed in prison for a later punishment."

"That never came," concluded Princess Zhen.

"Your mother, when she rescued you, freed all the prisoners that the old palace contained. Some were thieves, assassins from another empire and traitors. Your mother wanted to show grace, but showing it to him could spell disaster for her and for you." said Captain Howin. Suddenly a bar nearby blew up. People flew from the blast and some were crawling out from the building. This was no accident.

"Was that?" feared Princess Zhen.

"I hope not, if it is, this is a warning." said Captain Howin.

They walked through where the guards were nursing the wounded from the blast. Everywhere they walked they saw deep cuts and people barely holding on to life. "Captain, over here." called a guard recognizing Captain Howin. "He knows what happened." he stated calmly when they arrived.

"Can you tell me what happened?" asked Captain Howin in the same tone of voice.

"Yes, captain." grunted the man in pain. "I was drinking by the bar before it blew, I was minding my business, sometimes listening in on conversations. Then someone in a cloak with a cowl up came in. I couldn't see any other traits as he came to the bartenders and asked to talk in private. They agreed and all of them went into the back room. I didn't think any of it and went back to minding my business, I thought I heard something crash like they were in a fight but thought it was my imagination. Then I smell something terrifying, I've smelt it before and knew it was an explosive. I quickly told everyone to get down or out, but the blast went off before anyone could respond." said the man.

"Do you know what happened to the stranger and the bartenders?" asked Captain Howin. During the story he looked up to Princess Zhen and they had their fears confirmed. She then scanned the area around them to see if she could find him.

"No captain, I assume whoever won the fight and set off the explosive perhaps was the only one to live." said the man gasping for his final breaths.

"You've seen things people rarely see, now rest my friend. Your nightmares will leave you alone." parted Captain Howin as the man took his final breath.

Princess Zhen felt awful, she saw people die by his hands in front of her. But now knowing his true identity hurts her more. The boy she remembered before the war, was laughing and kind and wouldn't hurt anyone. Now the same boy never smiled and was always cold, he'd kill anyone who got into his way. She saw three boys peer into an alley before one signal to go in and all three disappear. "Captain, have you and your men block all exits from that alleyway." she ordered as pointed to it.

"May I ask why, your majesty?" asked Captain as his men took the dead body away.

"We found him." answered Princess Zhen. With a lunge, she was sprinting into the alley where the three boys went into.

"Your majesty," called out Captain Howin, but the princess was gone and wasn't coming back. The men looked at him confused and he knew he now must show where he stands. "Well what are you waiting for? The princess gave us an order, have every available man block all the exits." he barked and his men got to work.

Princess Zhen trailed the boys as they weaved through the alleys. They appeared to be following someone else as she followed them. They rounded another corner, and Princess Zhen crept to where they were. As she got there, she heard clangs of metal and cries of pain before being silent. Drawing her sword out, she took a couple breaths and turned the corner. What she saw were two dead bodies of the boys she followed and the third with his sword on the ground and a silver and blue blade impaled through him.

The person who held the blade was wearing a cloak with its hood up. He slid the sword out of the third and he collapsed dead. Blood sprayed as swiped his sword clean before putting it away. He turned towards her, an endless void of darkness covering his face and showing no emotion. He began walking towards her, every step he took, she trembled. He stopped for a brief moment just a couple feet from her, even that close she couldn't see anything else. He continued and as he walked by, she suddenly had the urge of throwing her sword up to block his path. "You don't want to do this," he said.

"I think I should." she stuttered at the beginning but grew more confident from what she did.

"I don't have time for this, princess." said Zhōng.

"Cause you're busy demonitioning bars."

"Every person I've killed, you think I do it for my own interest?" asked Zhōng.

"No you do it to make your uncle perhaps look better."

"He has nothing to do with me, I'm the person who created this weapon. Now I'm using it to destroy those who don't care about this empire."

"And I suppose you want thanks."

The head under the cowl moved, even though she couldn't see his eyes, she knew they were looking right at hers. "I don't want thanks, I want to continue." he growled. Princess Zhen trembles from his words and his dark face.

"Hold right there! Dual Bladed Ninja!" said Captain Howin. He and ten guards blocked the other end of the alley. The head under the cowl turned and Captain Howin saw his mouth and that was it.

"Ahn, you brought back up." mocked Zhōng. With his right hand, he grabbed Princess Zhen's sword arm and pushed it up. In one one motion, he spun to be behind her and before she could move to get away, a black blade appeared from his left hand at her throat.

"Princess!" cried Captain Howin as his men tensed up for his order to attack.

"Tell your men to stand down, captain." barked Zhōng, holding the princess tighter. Captain Howin looked at the situation, and if he ordered an attack, Zhōng could kill her. He motioned with his hands to stand down and his men comply. No one made a move for a few moments as both reassessed the problem. "Drop your sword, princess." Zhōng whispered into her ear.

"If you let her go, I and my men here will pretend we didn't see you." reasoned Captain Howin.

"She'll be safer with me for now." replied Zhōng.

"You'll be safe until we find you, then you'll face more charges than you have on you already."

"Like that's going to change the outcome." fire back Zhōng. "Drop it now, princess." he repeated with a growl. His voice sent shivers down Princess Zhen's body and she obeyed, dropping her sword. He brought her sword arm back while grabbing her other arm in the same hand. "To make sure I'm not followed, I'll be taking the princess somewhere safe," he stated. Before Captain Howin and his guards could react, Zhōng had his Ninja Sword put away during the conversation and was blasting off on his Longus with the princess. When they were airborne, he took a cloth and placed it over the princess's mouth as the world around her darken.

Princess Zhen woke up in a very dim room, there were big wooden boxes around the perimeter and a desk with candles lit to provide the only light. Staircase leading down was the only way into the room. She got up and began to run for them when she fell back down due to an ankle brace. It rope, tied and fastened to a metal chain that led to the only bare wall nearby. She analyzed the room again to find something to break it and saw a knife. However it was barely out of reach even when she crawled on the ground. "You can try all you want, princess, but you'll never get it." said Zhōng, startling her. He set down a meal for her to eat, she stared at him, clearly not trusting him. "I thought you would learn by now." groaned Zhōng as he went over to the desk.

"Where are we?" she asked, looking around again.

"In another warehouse," he stated. "By tomorrow it will hopefully be searched."

"Which means you're on the move soon." concluded Princess Zhen.

"I know you consider me your enemy, but Sagishi is worse."

"He's at least upfront unlike you and your uncle."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." said Zhōng. "You have two enemies, they both hate each other. One has been secretive but has proven their worth, the other has been more honest but has yet to show his true colors."

"You have proof of this?"

"He tried to kill my uncle a long time ago. Before that, he tried to kill me and my father. Where he stands is clear to me that all he wants is more power." said Zhōng.

"Or perhaps he just hates your family."

Zhōng set down what he was working on and turned to face her. "Do you know, you have one hundred guards that serve the blackmarket?" asked Zhōng. "Over half were joined just the past year under the Poisoner's approval."

"Which means what?" asked Princess Zhen, hearing that brought back that terrible memory.

"It means Shagishi has the troops and influence of the other guards to turn on the captain. Thus creating instability for your mother while I still run around. Your mother won't be focused on what he'll be doing." explained Zhōng.

"Are you still going off of instincts?" asked Princess Zhen.

Zhōng then grabbed a piece of paper from the desk and dropped it right by her food. He then returned to his desk as Princess Zhen read it. What it stated was an emergency planned if things didn't go like they wanted, then an order was given to assassinate the empress and princess. She read who signed it and she saw the letter was sent to the Poisoner from Sagishi. "You should get some rest, princess. I know I won't." he advised her without looking up from his work.

One or two hours passed by and Princess Zhen laid in a pile of hay. She ate half the meal given to her but she never took her eyes off Zhōng. Wrapped in a couple of blankets to keep her warm, she felt like they were traveling then hiding and her being a prisoner. He hasn't come close to her since he dropped the letter. If something did happen to her mother, at least she'll be safe for now.

Zhōng felt her hot glare on his back but it didn't faze him. He was reading something, writing down points and after he finished reading the letter he wrote down his notes on another set of notes. A blood drop fell on the second set, he put down his quil and the papers as he touched where it came from. He lightly touched the spot from his head and his fingers were soaking in blood. He got up and went to the bathroom by a corner of the place and left the door open.

All Princess Zhen could see when he dropped his cowl was the back of his head. Still with his dark blond hair but with white bandages wrapped around his head. She saw a split moment, a blood spot as he unwrapped the bandage. He tossed the used bandage away and used water to clean the surface. When that was down, he took a roll of bandages and discovered he only had enough to prevent it but not enough to wrap it. Looking around in the bathroom he saw a white headband, it was a gift to him from Tony years ago. Seeing that there was no other option, he took the headband and folded the remaining bandages and carefully set them on his head before tightening with the band. Putting his cowl back up, he went back to work.

Seeing he showed no interest in her, Princess Zhen tried to fight the sleep but couldn't. Zhōng looked over his shoulder to see her sleeping, he pulled out a drawer where a crossbow and a poison dart loaded was in and pulled out a piece of paper. "Captain, there's something I wanted to tell you," he began to write.

"We'll start in the area where he hit the hardest, search everywhere he can get into. Our main duty is to find the princess, if he's there, arrest him." order Captain Howin to fifty guards that night.

"What happens if we find the former prince first?" asked a guard.

Captain Howin hesitated, he hoped it wouldn't be the case. "If that happens, then follow him but don't be seen. We don't know if he set something on the princess that could harm her." he said, the men nodded in agreement to the statement. "Anything else?" he asked, looking around. "Very well, began the search."

"Sir! Yes sir!" shouted all the men and they disbanded to get their things before heading out. Captain Howin ducked around a corner where no one could see him. He looked around making sure no one saw him before pulling out a piece of paper with a note. He had discovered it attached to the princess's sword after she dropped it.

"There goes another fifty, that leaves our one hundred and one hundred others." stated Geurimja as they watched the captain try to hide from his men.

"I thought the former prince would not help us out, but it appears he sped the progress." said Sagishi, watching the captain put away the note.

"Our men from the outside are complaining that they might be next to face his wrath." informed Geurimja.

"His actions are out of anger perhaps. He wants to make a warning, no matter which side you'll stand you better not get in my way. Clearly our plans for him don't match his for right now."

"It's a pity that neither our plan matches his brother."

Sagishi turned to him and smiled. "It is a pity, with the blackmarket in the palm of my hand and the empire in the other, the mast killing of this empire, old and new will be the start of a new revolution." stated Sagishi.

"Let your will be done, my emperor." said Geurimja, taking a bow.

"Very well, I need you to stay with the captain if he shows any mercy to the former prince, report it to the empress, also if you find the princess first, kill her." order Sagishi.

"As you wish, my emperor." obeyed Geurimja.

Princess Zhen woke up the next morning alone, the room was dark with light coming from the stairwell. It was quiet and lonely as she appeared to be the only one in the room. She suddenly heard someone barging in on the ground floor. "Help! Someone help me! I'm up here!" she cried out.

"Princess?!" a familiar voice called back. After a couple of seconds, Captain Howin, Geurimja and three guards came running up in the room. "Oh thank goodness you're alright." he said, relieved as he cut the rope that bound her ankle.

"There's no else here, captain." said a guard after checking the room.

"Captain, so far there are no signs of anyone else." reported a guard from downstairs.

"Very well, take anything that might inform us where he went." order Captain Howin.

"Captain, what is this?" asked another guard. He pointed to a map with a night old blood drop stain on it. The map shows the capital city with marks either cross or circle. They were certain spots that were connected, revealing a symbol that in their language means 'Fallen Prince'.

"What is this supposed to mean?" asked Captain Howin.

"You know where she was, didn't you captain?" asked Geurimja out of the blue.

"What? I don't know what you're talking about." defended Captain Howin.

"You're not the only one who saw him put that there. Why would you keep a secret of our beloved princess's whereabouts hidden?"

"Captain?" asked Princess Zhen, looking at him.

"You have no proof," stated Captain Howin.

"Do I?" With a nod, two guards held the captain down and the third searched for him, finding the note. "This will be a good story to tell the empress. Come, your majesty, you're going home."

Sagishi walked near the top floors of the palace handling some paperwork as he marched on. "Sir, reports are that the princess has been found alive," said a blackmarket guard.

"Well that's a pity, can you guys do the job for the right amount?" asked Sagishi.

"Yes sir," replied the guard.

"Good, then prepare yourselves," said Sagishi.

"You think if you try again, the results will be different." said a voice on the other end of the hallway. Sagishi turned around and saw someone in a cloak and cowl up with his mouth the only thing showing.

Geurimja rode in leading the party with the princess behind him and the captain tied while on his horse. "Zhen!" cried Empress Wēi when the party stopped and Princess Zhen got off her horse. "Oh, you're okay." she said as she hugged her daughter. She then noticed the captain was tied up. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Your majesty, we found proof that the former prince and the captain were working together." stated Geurimja handing the empress the note.

"Buy me some time, tomorrow morning at this warehouse will the princess be." read Empress Wēi aloud. She shot a glare at the captain, as things didn't look good for him.

"Well isn't this a surprise, and who you might be again?" asked Sagishi, impressed that he got in this high up without being detected.

"I have that ability to make people think they remember me but forget my name," he began. "They used to call me the Dual Bladed Ninja, but now I'll go by a different name." said Zhōng.

"The former prince." exclaimed Sagishi. The fifty guards that were on the level step forward and ready themselves for a fight Zhōng. "How fitting of you to surrender."

"Your majesty, I can-" began Captain Howin.

"Silence! I give you plenty of second chances and this is how you repaid me." said Empress Wēi, furious at what her captain just did.

"Your majesty, Sagishi was put in prison for hiding his true intentions. I know what he can do." pleaded Captain Howin as guards took hold of him.

"Did you not hear?" asked Geurimja before punching Captain Howin in the stomach. "Has your Old Empire ears blocked out the sound of the new?"

"You can go to hell with him," said Captain Howin. A couple more punches were thrown at him, he began spitting out blood.

Princess Zhen watched in horror, the events turned on him were unfair. Her mother wouldn't listen to his warning and so he went to find someone who would. She felt something firm in her cloak, opening up she saw a letter tucked on her belt. When she opened it, she saw it was the same letter that she read last night. "Stop it, Geurimja." she barked, freezing everyone.

"Zhen, what are you?" began Empress Wēil.

"Captain swore to protect both I and the former prince, it's not fair that he has to choose a side. He came to me and the former prince knowing the dangers that you're blind to mother." interrupted Princess Zhen.

"What dangers?" asked Empress Wēi looking at the almost beaten up captain.

Zhōng looked to his right and left as the guards surrounded him. "You think I came here to surrender?" he asked.

"Only we know your brother wants you, but if it looks like you die by the guards of the empress. Then war would break out and I would destroy both of them." claimed Sagishi.

Zhōng chuckled then grinned. "That is if you make this out alive." he said as his dark blue eyes glowed. Suddenly, his two swords came out under the cloak and killed five men and more were falling quickly.

"Your majesty, what she is saying about my emperor is false." stated Geurimja before realizing what he said.

"Let me see that," ordered Empress Wēi, noticing the letter in Princess Zhen's hand. She gave it to her. When the empress read it, it shocked her about the dark side of a person who she named leader of the blackmarket.

"Your majesty, I can-" began Geurimja.

"You'll remain silent, guards release the captain and arrest him." ordered Empress Wēi.

Zhōng sliced guard after guard, the myth of him killing twenty was nothing but the truth as he slayed forty already. "Close the door and stop from getting me." screamed Sagishi in fear. He watched as his men tried to attack him only to see two cold and fiery eyes stare at them before two swords found their targets. A guard activated a Valtryek rocket and fired it at Zhōng. However it missed and he was next to die.

The explosion from the rocket directed everyone's attention to the palace as smoke from the highest floor blew out. They froze in fear, some battle was going on up there and it could perhaps be him in the middle of it. "Your majesty, let me prove my loyalty and bring Sagishi to you." offered Captain Howin.

Empress Wēi looked up to the palace, she felt the dark presence up there. She knew Sagishi had an eighth of the guards in the palace up there. She had the feeling that they weren't spared. "You'll go alone and bring me Sagishi and the former prince, then I'll reinstate you." she finally said.

"Yes your majesty." grunted Captain Howin. A guard handed him his sword and spear and he was off climbing to the top floors.

The door shocked violently as it was starting to break down. Four guards and Sagishi looked in fear for what was behind the door. They were perhaps the only ones left, and they had just witnessed what he could do. The barricade fell and the broken door swung open, and Zhōng charged in. The first of the guards charged at him only to be cut down. The second followed him and was stabbed down by Zhōng's Longus. The third quickly followed only to be stabbed down with the Ninja Sword. The forth seeing he was out of weapons charged only to have his sword deflected by the Ninja and stabbed by a knife in Zhōng's right hand. When all four were dead, Zhōng put away his knife, then the Ninja Sword and grabbed his Longus. "You won't win." stated Sagishi.

"Says who?" growled Zhōng.

"The Old Empire will rise only to fall again. You, Former Prince Zhōng, will die." foretold Sagishi.

"You forget I've died before." stated Zhōng. He pulled out a crossbow and loaded it with a dart. "And I'll die for this empire."

"What is that?" asked Sagishi as eyes widened as the crossbow pointed at him.

"You don't need to know what it is, only to know that you supplied it." stated Zhōng, Sagishi's eyes got wider as he realized what was about to happen.

Captain Howin heard a scream from the next floor as he continued up. When he reached the level, he saw bodies of dead guards slain every possible way. The cold wind from the hole blew in this gruesome and horrifying scene. He never knew a boy who was able to run away from guards can grow up to be this kind of monster. He opened the door and saw four more dead bodies of guards and a jolting Sagishi. "What happened here?" he asked himself as looked closer at Sagishi's body to see a dart sticking into him.

"He's long gone." said a voice. Captain Howin looked up to see a boy with his cowl down looking out the window before turning around to face him. His blue innocent eyes he once had were replaced with anger and determination. His face, young and bright, was now serious and worn. His dark blond hair that was neat and clean was now dirty and cluttered as the white headband pushed his hair back as the wind breezed through it. "The poison I used was given to kill my uncle years ago," he stated.

"I take it, he was the one that supplied it." concluded Captain Howin.

"Did the empress want him alive?" asked Zhōng, Captain Howin nodded.

"She also wanted you," said Captain Howin.

"Given your current condition, I say she's predicting you'll be almost there before I take off." predicted Zhōng, noticing the bruises on him.

"She knows I'll keep going until I drop, which rarely happens." said Captain Howin.

"Well then it's fitting, I just keep falling everywhere I go." said Zhōng.

"The blackmarket is destroyed, we will find you." claimed Captain Howin.

"Then give me everything you got." said Zhōng. Suddenly, he fell backwards off the window. Captain Howin watched him fly off in his Longus, he was on the run again.

Empress Wēi pondered on what was reported to her by the captain. "Your majesty, I'll gladly take my punishment for helping the former prince." stated Captain Howin they were in her study room with guards standing each side of him.

"I've decided to turn a blind eye to this." said Empress Wēi. "I wasn't listening to you and so you turned to someone who also had a similar past. I've decided to leave you out of the hunt for the former prince to keep your honor."

"Thank you, your majesty." said Captain Howin relieved.

"But if I catch you leaking information to him, I will have you executed." threatened Empress Wēi.

"Understood, your majesty," said Captain Howin bowing.

"Now captain, we'll need to find some new guards. I'll leave you to the task of recruiting and strengthening our men."

"Yes, your majesty," said Captain Howin. He turned and left the study room and entered his office. Since the princess's kidnapping, he didn't return to it and was behind on some things. As he was going through the paperwork, a letter fell out of it.

Captain Howin carefully looked at the letter before opening it. It read, "Captain, there's something I wanted to tell you. The day we first met, I wanted to hug you for seeing you again. The night I finally did, I wished I could cry but I couldn't. What I went through these past five years, I've seen and felt things I didn't know were possible. Now they are scars of memories, from my heart to my arm and now to my head. People I've cared for, now will chant and curse me to die. I've wished I could, I wish that the demons I fight against will go asleep leaving me in peace. I felt like I was close, I thought my anger would help me. But until I left Zhēn Lǐ, I discovered something more helpful.

"So as your final order from me, I request you hunt me down. Corner me with everything, the longer you chase me, the longer this war will wait. The Old Empire is coming back and will catch her off guard. If I return to them, the war will bring the New Empire down so quickly, that it'll go down in history as a time when everyone thought there was change.

"Finally, captain, as a friend once told me, this isn't a goodbye, this is more like see you next time. The next time we meet, you'll have to arrest me. It's okay because I know how to get out. You've chased me to protect me, I run to protect them. Let the entire empire know who I am. I'm the Former Prince, Truman the Dual Bladed Ninja…" read the letter.

Two weeks later, Zhōng was back at home in the bathroom. His blood stain headband and bandage laid on the ground as he looked at himself in the mirror. His scar was deep and perhaps permanent. He didn't care as he covered it up with a temporary tattoo. After finishing the last detail, he pulled his hair back to get a better look at the symbol he drew. "Now, I'm the Fallen Prince." he said to himself.