He's back

Prince Khane sat in the pavilion of Laon's manor, across from Lady Pherna. He crossed one leg over the other and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, his eyes distant as he pondered the situation.

Lady Pherna sat gracefully, her white, long hair cascading over her shoulders, her posture elegant and poised.

"What are you thinking about?" Lady Pherna asked, her voice soft yet inquisitive as she observed Prince Khane's prolonged silence.

He stopped tapping and focused on her. "What do you think the people will choose, Lady Pherna?"

Lady Pherna's expression turned thoughtful. "The answer is clear, Khane. If they choose not to obey, they are truly courageous. Even though Arnin said this is not the real Bain, it is still a powerful fox.

How many of us can defeat it? I once said we should fight, but I've been thinking about it ever since Arnin opposed it. I do not think we will win," she said, standing up and moving gracefully, her long white hair swaying with her movements.

"But if we have to fight, I'm ready," she declared, spreading her hands. Her spear flew into her grasp, a testament to her resolve. The weapon seemed to hum with energy as she held it.

She stared at her spear, her expression hardening. "And Arnin... he is still not here. It seems he has sold the pill to someone else and taken care of himself.

He... has managed to fool us all, and you do not want to see it," she said, turning to look at Prince Khane.

Prince Khane opened his mouth to counter her, "Ar_"

"Who has fooled who?" someone yelled from a distance.

"That voice," Prince Khane said, recognizing it immediately. He turned to see Arnin approaching.

Arnin had a sac slung across his shoulder, his mid-length black hair looking neat, his robes expensive, and his boots far better than the ones he used to wear. He walked with a confident stride, the sac bouncing slightly against his side.

"He's back," Lady Pherna said, her eyes narrowing.

Arnin smiled at them as he approached, holding the sac. "I thought you both would run to hug me. For you, Lady Pherna, I care less. Don't feel important," he said as he continued walking towards them.

Prince Khane remained composed, still seated but with a smile on his face. His friend was back. "I thought you were dead! I thought I would only see your bones, Arnin!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the pavilion.

Arnin chuckled and, when he reached them, said, "I, Arnin without a last name, won't die so easily. I haven't made history yet."

"The pill?" Lady Pherna asked, preparing to sit down.

However, Arnin quickly sat down on the wooden chair before she could. "But we can't use it now," Arnin said, looking directly at Prince Khane.

Prince Khane leaned in, his gaze intense. "Why?"

Arnin took a deep breath. "I found a man who could help you take the pill. I felt his aura; it's very powerful. And a part of me trusts him."

Lady Pherna's eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. "A part of you? Tell me, Arnin, do you still have the pill?" she asked, looking straight into Arnin's eyes.

Arnin averted his gaze and smiled nervously. "Well..."

"Arnin!" Prince Khane's voice thundered as he slammed his hand on the table, his eyes burning with intensity.

Arnin flinched, genuinely surprised. "What's that?"

Prince Khane stood up abruptly, pacing to the left before returning to Arnin's side. He leaned in, his face inches from Arnin's.

"How could you... You know how badly I wanted it and how long I waited for it.

Even when the thought crossed my mind that you might do something with it, or when Lady Pherna kept suggesting it, I brushed it off because I trusted you.

Yes, I trusted a complete stranger I met after losing my memories," he said, gripping Arnin's shoulder tightly.

Arnin's face remained expressionless, but he felt the weight of Prince Khane's words. "Just as you trusted a complete stranger after losing your memories, still trust me," he said, his eyes locking onto Prince Khane's.

"He's..." Arnin began, looking serious.

Then, suddenly, he burst into laughter. Prince Khane leaned back, bewildered by the sudden change in Arnin's demeanor.

Arnin stood up from his chair and draped an arm around Prince Khane's shoulders. "Khane, you really think I'd give the pill to someone else? I know how we got it.

There's no way I'd give it away so easily," he said, giving Prince Khane's shoulder a light, reassuring hit.

"But don't worry. Your words were tear-jerking. I've never felt more important," Arnin added with a playful grin as he opened his other hand. In his palm was a small pouch containing the pill.

Prince Khane's eyes widened in relief and gratitude as he took the pouch from Arnin.

"I need someone to talk some sense into Lady Meiyer," Ningtin said as he strode into the pavilion. His steps were hurried, and his expression was one of exasperation. They all turned to look at him, curiosity and concern in their eyes.

"Even when I laid her on the bed to rest, she's still talking about pressing matters. Her complex is a problem," Ningtin said, shaking his head in frustration. His voice carried a sense of urgency.

"Your wife?" Arnin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ningtin?" Arnin called, surprised as he finally noticed him.

Arnin waved nonchalantly. "Yes, it's me."

"The left side is winning, isn't it?" Prince Khane inquired, his gaze fixed on Ningtin with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"Yes, but she still thinks the fox will attack. I can't believe the king will use a demon. What will become of the future of this kingdom? Will demons control us completely? Is the king even mortal?" Ningtin asked, his tone filled with a mixture of disbelief and anxiety. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly troubled by the thought.

"We must kill this demon, even if we are the only ones going to attack it," Lady Pherna declared, her voice firm and resolute. Determination was etched on her face, and her white hair seemed to glow in the fading light.

"What if..." Prince Khane began, his voice trailing off as the others focused on him, the air thick with anticipation.

"What if the real Bain appears?" Prince Khane asked, his question hanging in the air like a dark cloud. His black hair framed his face, adding to the intensity of his expression.

"If the real Bain appears, then it's double trouble. Who knows if what we know about Bain is not all?" Lady Pherna pondered, her expression thoughtful but tense. She gripped her spear tighter, as if drawing strength from it.

"What if the real Bain kills the fake Bain? He's a legendary demon, and some other demon is impersonating him. Won't he be furious?" Prince Khane continued, the gravity of the situation sinking in. His eyes darted between the faces of his companions, searching for answers.

They all fell silent, the weight of the possibility settling over them like a heavy shroud. The tension was palpable, each of them lost in their thoughts.

"And what if the fake Bain is working for the real Bain?" Arnin asked, breaking the silence. His eyes were fixed on Prince Khane, his expression serious.