Two years had passed within the iron walls of Valkar… two years in which Rin learned how to hide his pain, how to smile while bleeding from the inside, and how to choose his words carefully just to stay alive. And during those two years… one goal grew clearer in his mind: to escape this hell. One night, Rin stood before Lios, his gaze steady, his voice calm in a way that raised suspicion: "I want to meet Emperor Darius." Lios let out a soft laugh, one filled with mockery rather than amusement: "And why would my father allow you to see him? You're just… a number." But Rin didn't back down. He stepped closer and said in a low voice: "I have something he wants. Something he won't hear from anyone but me." Lios narrowed his eyes, studying Rin as if trying to read what lay behind them. "And what makes you think I'll help you?" Rin lifted his head with quiet confidence: "Because you want to see how far I can break… or how far I can be loyal." That last sentence was enough to spark Lios's curiosity. And after days of persistence… he finally agreed. Inside the Iron Throne Hall, the guards opened the heavy doors, and Rin walked in with steady steps despite the chains still wrapped around his wrists. Emperor Darius sat on his throne, looking at him the way a hunter looks at fresh prey. Darius spoke in a low voice, yet one strong enough to silence an army: "I heard you wanted to meet me… Rin Sian." Rin didn't raise his head immediately. He bowed slightly, then said: "Your Majesty… I have an offer." Darius laughed—a short, mocking laugh: "A prisoner… making an offer? That's new." Rin finally lifted his gaze, his eyes strangely calm: "Send your messengers to Emperor Han Sian. Ask him for something reasonable… something he can accept without suspicion." Darius leaned forward, interest growing: "And what should I ask for?" Rin spoke slowly, choosing each word with care: "Ask him… for a temporary truce. A short, limited truce… in exchange for my release." Silence filled the hall. Lios, standing behind the throne, raised an eyebrow in surprise. As for Darius… he smiled a cold smile: "A truce? You want me to ask your father for peace?" Rin didn't even blink: "Not peace. Just a truce. Something small… but enough to make him agree." Darius said: "And why would I release you? You're a valuable card." Here… Rin smiled. A calm smile, yet carrying something dark: "Because even if you release me… I will remain yours." Darius froze for a moment. Lios didn't move either. Rin continued in a low voice: "I will return to the Sian Empire… but my loyalty will be to you." It was a lie. A dangerous lie. But it left his lips with such steadiness that Darius doubted everything for a moment. Darius spoke slowly: "And why… would you betray your father?" Rin lowered his gaze, as if remembering something painful: "Because… he abandoned me." The sentence sounded sincere on the surface… and poisoned underneath. Darius finally smiled—a smile of a man beginning to believe: "So… you want me to ask your father for a truce… in exchange for your release." Rin raised his head: "Yes, Your Majesty." Darius stood from his throne and stepped closer: "And if he agrees… you will be mine." Rin bowed slowly: "As you wish." But inside… he was saying something entirely different: "I will get out of here… no matter the cost." Darius smiled widely, the smile of a man who believed he had finally won. Then he told the guards: "Take him… not to the cell. Put him in the eastern wing." The guards froze for a moment. The eastern wing was not a place for prisoners… but for nobles. They bowed immediately: "As you command, Your Majesty." They escorted Rin through the palace corridors until they reached a massive door engraved with gold. They opened it… revealing a luxurious room, its walls covered in silk, its bed ten times larger than his old cell. Rin stood in the middle of the room, silently observing. One guard said: "These are the emperor's orders. You will stay here… until the agreement is made." Then added coldly: "And don't try to escape. The guards surround this place day and night." Rin didn't reply. He simply sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He looked like… someone else. The first week: no response. Darius muttered: "Perhaps the message was delayed." The second week: no response. Lios said mockingly: "Seems your father doesn't care about you as much as you claimed, Rin." Rin didn't lift his head. But something tightened around his heart… something like an old wound reopening. The third week: no response. Darius began losing patience. He slammed his fist on the table: "Does he dare ignore me?!" The first month: no response. The guards noticed Darius growing more irritable. Lios grew more sarcastic. And Rin… grew more silent. The second month: no response. Darius began to doubt: "Has he gone mad? Or is he ignoring me on purpose?" Lios smiled coldly: "Maybe… he no longer wants his son." The words stabbed Rin's chest like a blade. But he showed nothing. The third month: no response. And on the last morning of the third month… Darius finally exploded. He kicked objects aside and shouted, his voice shaking the hall: "Three months… and not a word?! Does he think I'm a toy?!" He turned to the guards: "Return him to the cell. Now." Lios smiled faintly, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along. The guards opened the luxurious room's door. Rin was standing, as if he already knew what would happen. One guard said coldly: "Get up. The orders have changed." Rin didn't ask. He didn't resist. He didn't speak. He simply walked with them in silence… back to where everything began. The cold cell. The damp walls. The darkness he knew too well. When they closed the door behind him—he heard Lios whisper from outside: "Welcome back… number." Rin sat on the floor, placing a hand over his chest. Three months… and no reply from his father. He whispered to himself, voice breaking: "Father… why?" But no one answered. A year later, the medical room was filled with the smell of burnt herbs and blood. The physician stood beside the bed. Lios entered with quiet steps—so quiet the physician felt a shiver crawl up his spine. Lios spoke in a low voice, carrying a clear threat: "Are you done with the examination?" The physician swallowed hard: "Y–yes, Your Highness. Rin Sian's condition… is critical." Lios stepped closer, his face inches from the physician's: "Critical… enough to die?" The physician nodded quickly: "Yes. His body can't endure anymore. If we don't intervene tonight… he won't survive until morning." Silence fell. Then Lios turned toward a black vial, lifting it between his fingers: "The Elixir of Shadows… the last of it in Valkar." The physician gasped: "But, Your Highness! This elixir—" Lios cut him off with a look that strangled the words in his throat: "I know exactly what it does." Then added coldly: "It will save his life." The physician tried to protest: "But… this—!" Lios grabbed him by the collar: "Would you rather he die?" The physician trembled, then shook his head quickly: "No… of course not." Lios released him and said in a calm, chilling voice: "Then give him the elixir. Now." The physician hesitated, then asked: "And Emperor Darius? Does he… know?" Lios smiled faintly, coldly: "My father is the one who ordered it." The physician bowed in fear: "As you command, Your Highness." He opened the vial… and whispered softly: "Forgive me…" He poured the liquid into Rin's mouth. Rin gasped… his body convulsed violently… then suddenly went still. The physician stepped back in fear: "It… has begun." A heavy silence filled the room. Then Rin heard something… his heartbeat. Slow… heavy… as if he were returning to life. He opened his eyes slowly. Once. Twice. Then froze. Darkness wrapped around him like a living beast, crawling over his skin, entering his chest, choking his breath. Rin was still on the floor, pressing his hands against his eyes as if trying to tear the darkness out. But nothing changed. Nothing. "Why…?" His voice came out hoarse, broken, like a lost child searching for a hand to hold. "Why can't I see…? Why is there nothing…?" He tried to stand again, but stumbled, crashing into the cold wall. A cry escaped him—not a cry of the body, but of the soul. "Where…? Where is the light? Where is… the world?" Tears streamed down his cheeks, hot and heavy. He rubbed his eyes with trembling hands, harshly, desperately, until the skin reddened and burned. "Open… open!" He was speaking to his eyes. "Please… please… open!" But the darkness remained. Still. Unforgiving. His voice echoed in the room, bouncing off the walls like another person crying with him. "Why can't I see? Why?!" He struck the ground with his fist—once… twice… three times… until his hand began to bleed. "Someone…? Is anyone there? Please…" His voice cracked, shattered. "Don't leave me… don't leave me in the dark…" His breathing quickened, chest tightening, as if drowning in a black sea. "Please… please… help me…" Then… he broke down crying. Real crying. The crying of a man who hadn't cried in years… a man stronger than everyone… but the darkness was stronger than him. He covered his face with his hands, curling into himself, his body shaking, his voice fractured: "Why…? Why…? What happened to me…?" He cried as if he had lost the entire world… not knowing he had lost something greater: he had lost himself. Outside the door… Lios stood listening to every scream, every gasp, every tremble. He smiled faintly and said to the guard beside him: "Leave him. This… is part of the treatment." But the truth? This breakdown was exactly what Lios had planned from the beginning. Rin's screams eventually faded… not because he regained strength, but because his voice broke from crying. He sat in the corner of the room, hugging his knees, head bowed, tears still falling silently. The darkness wrapped around him like part of his skin… as if it had become his new world. Suddenly— the door opened. Guards entered, their steps heavy, cold, merciless. One said in an emotionless voice: "Stand." Rin lifted his head slowly… but his eyes didn't turn toward the sound. He was staring into nothingness. "Where… are you?" he asked, voice trembling. No one answered. A guard grabbed his arm harshly and pulled him up. Rin stumbled, nearly falling, instinctively clinging to the guard's hand. "Where… where are you taking me?" No answer. They led him through stone corridors, his steps unsteady, his hand brushing the walls. He heard their voices… but saw no faces. No path. No light. Everything was black. They reached the iron gate of the palace. Cold air hit his face, carrying the scent of damp earth. Darius stood at the gate, watching silently. Lios beside him, arms crossed, a faint smile on his lips. Darius spoke in a low, merciless voice: "Your role here is over." Rin froze. "What… do you mean?" Lios stepped forward, coldly: "You're free." Rin opened his mouth… but no words came out. Free? When he couldn't see? When he didn't know the way? When he didn't even know where he stood? Rin whispered, voice broken: "Why…? Why release me now?" Darius didn't approach. Didn't explain. Didn't justify. He simply said: "Go." Then signaled the guards. They dragged Rin outside the gate and shoved him forward. He fell to the ground… his hands feeling the dirt… his eyes open to endless darkness. He heard the gate close behind him— a heavy sound… like a chapter of his life slamming shut. Silence followed. No light. No path. No one. Rin lifted his head toward the sky… but saw nothing. He whispered, barely audible: "Where… do I go? How… do I return? What… have you done to me?" Only the wind answered. Rin walked unsteadily through Valkar's dark streets. He didn't know he was still inside the city… didn't know the shape of the road beneath his feet. All he knew… was darkness. Darkness clinging to his eyes like part of him. He heard distant voices: cruel laughter, children crying, a vendor shouting, soldiers marching. But they all sounded distorted… far away… as if from another world. He reached out, touching rough walls, trying to find a way out. Every time he touched a wall, fear grew. He tripped over a stone and fell to his knees. Someone laughed from afar: "Look… the blind man doesn't know where he's going!" Another voice: "Leave him… he'll get lost and die alone." Rin tried to stand but couldn't. His hand searched the ground for something to hold onto. "Someone…? Please…" But people passed by without looking. He walked along the wall, hand trembling, steps unstable. The sounds of the market faded… then the houses… then the soldiers… until he heard something else: silence. A strange silence… as if he had left the heart of the city and reached its outskirts. "Did I… leave?" he whispered. But he didn't know. All he knew… was that he was still blind… and still alone. He reached a dirt road outside the city walls, though he didn't know it. His foot slipped into a small hole, and he fell hard. A cry escaped him: "Ah…!" He tried to get up… but his body couldn't take it anymore. "Someone…? Can anyone hear me…?" His voice was weak… broken… fading with the wind. Then… he heard a cane tapping the ground. Step… then step… and an old man's voice: "Boy… what are you doing here at this hour?" Rin whispered, trembling: "Where… are you? I can't see you…" The man stepped closer and placed a gentle hand on Rin's shoulder. Rin flinched at the touch… a human touch after months of cruelty. The man asked with concern: "What happened to you? And why are you walking alone in this darkness?" Rin opened his mouth, but the words came out broken: "I… I don't know… I woke up… and I couldn't see anything… everything is… black." The man paused, then sat beside him on the cold ground. "Easy… I won't leave you here. But tell me… where do you want to go? The night on these roads shows no mercy." Rin hesitated, voice trembling: "I want… to return to Sian… to my homeland… but I don't know the way… I don't even know… where I am…" The man smiled—a smile Rin couldn't see, but felt in his tone: "Don't worry. I know the way." He reached out and held Rin's hand firmly: "Come. Let me help you." Rin swallowed his tears and whispered: "Why… are you helping me? You don't know me…" The man chuckled softly: "Because I'm human, son… and I don't leave anyone to die in front of me." He tightened his grip: "Come… the road is long, and we won't reach it if we stay here." He took Rin in his cart. After a week of suffering and thirst, they reached the border. The old man left, having brought Rin to his destination. Rin continued alone. The sun was setting. Rin felt his body giving up. He could hear his heartbeat clearly… as if it were the last thing left of him. He whispered, voice broken: "Please… someone… help me…" Then he lost balance and fell face-first onto the dirt. He no longer felt his legs. Nor his hands. Nor the cold. He heard only the wind… and footsteps approaching. Heavy footsteps… organized… like soldiers. Then a voice: "There's a man unconscious here! Hurry!" Another voice: "Who is he? He doesn't look like he's from Valkar…" But none of them knew the truth. None imagined that the body lying on the ground… was the missing crown prince. Rin heard nothing after that. He had sunk into darkness deeper than night. Rin woke to the smell of medicinal herbs and the faint voices of soldiers outside the tent. He opened his eyes… but the darkness remained. He tried to sit up, and heavy footsteps approached. A large man entered, wearing light armor, his voice carrying the tone of a commander used to obedience: "Finally awake." Rin spoke weakly: "Where… am I?" The commander answered coldly: "In the Sian border camp. We found you unconscious near the road. Now… we want to know who you are." Rin hesitated… then said steadily despite his weakness: "I want… to meet Princess Sera." A short silence followed… then some soldiers outside burst into laughter. Even the commander laughed mockingly: "Princess Sera? And you think a blind, half-dead stranger can meet her?" Rin clenched his fist, his voice slow but firm: "I'm not joking." The commander stepped closer, threatening: "Then tell me who you are… or we'll return you to the road where we found you." Rin didn't lift his head. Instead, he slowly reached into his inner pocket… a pocket he hadn't opened in months… even in prison, he kept one thing hidden inside it
He pulled out the dark hunter's handkerchief, folded carefully despite everything he had endured. It was made of sturdy fabric, and on its corner was a delicate golden embroidery of a small eagle with open wings, beneath it two intertwined letters: S — R.
The emblem of the royal hunting competition… and the letters stood for: Sera — Rin.
A gift from Princess Sera to her brother on the day he won his first hunting tournament.
Rin extended the handkerchief toward the commander and said in a faint voice:
"Show her this… and she will know who I am."
The commander took the handkerchief, examined it… then frowned.
"A piece of cloth? An old handkerchief? What is this supposed to mean?"
One soldier laughed:
"Maybe he stole it from a merchant!"
Another added:
"Or he's delirious… he looks like he's lost his mind."
But the commander didn't laugh.
There was something about the handkerchief… something in the stitching… something in the letters… that made him feel this wasn't ordinary.
He said slowly:
"I'll send this to the palace… just in case."
Then he turned to Rin:
"But don't get your hopes up. Princess Sera won't come for a blind stranger."
Rin lifted his head slightly, his voice steady and calm:
"She will come."
The commander scoffed:
"And why do you think that?"
Rin answered:
"Because this handkerchief… only she knows what it means."
A heavy silence followed.
The soldiers didn't understand.
The commander didn't understand.
But they all felt… this man was not ordinary.
---
Princess Sera was in the training yard when a knight came running, breathless, holding out a dark folded handkerchief.
"My lady commander… we found this with an unknown man at the border."
She took it without interest…
but the moment she saw the golden embroidery—the eagle, the intertwined letters—she froze.
A soft gasp escaped her:
"This is…"
She didn't wait a second longer.
She shouted:
"Bring him to the imperial palace immediately!"
And she ran before them.
---
Sera reached the palace before the soldiers.
She walked quickly, her steps unsteady, the handkerchief trembling in her grasp.
She stood before the eastern waiting chamber… waiting for Haro to arrive…
He had to see Rin.
The guards opened the door and brought Rin in slowly.
He walked hesitantly, his steps unsteady, but he tried to appear normal.
Sera didn't notice anything…
She thought he was simply exhausted from the journey.
The moment she saw him, her voice broke:
"Rin…?"
Her heart didn't wait.
She ran to him and embraced him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear if she let go.
"My brother…!
My brother Rin…!
You're back…!"
Rin slowly raised his hand, feeling her shoulder, her hair, her features…
But she didn't understand why he touched her that way.
She thought he was simply emotional.
"Sera…
You're here…"
Her tears fell onto his shoulder.
"I thought… you would never return."
Suddenly—
The door burst open.
Haro entered quickly, his face tense:
"Sera! Where—"
He stopped.
He saw Rin.
He saw his brother.
The man he thought had died years ago.
He didn't think.
He ran to him.
"Rin!!!"
But his aide shouted behind him:
"Your Majesty Haro! Be careful… you'll fall!"
Rin froze.
Your Majesty…?
Haro…?
His brother…?
He turned toward Sera's voice, his own trembling:
"Sera…
Since when… is Haro… emperor?"
Sera wiped her tears, looking at him with sad eyes:
"For two years, Rin…"
The words struck him like lightning.
He understood the truth.
He understood everything.
The decision that wasn't made…
wasn't his father's.
It was Haro's.
His brother.
Rin clenched his fist, his voice slow but firm:
"I'm not joking."
The commander stepped closer, his tone threatening:
"Then tell me who you are… or we'll return you to the road where we found you."
Rin didn't lift his head.
Instead, he slowly reached into his inner pocket… a pocket he hadn't opened in months… even in prison, he kept one thing hidden inside it.
He pulled out the dark hunter's handkerchief, folded carefully despite everything he had endured. It was made of sturdy fabric, and on its corner was a delicate golden embroidery of a small eagle with open wings, beneath it two intertwined letters: S — R.
The emblem of the royal hunting competition…
and the letters stood for:
Sera — Rin.
A gift from Princess Sera to her brother on the day he won his first hunting tournament.
Rin extended the handkerchief toward the commander and said in a faint voice:
"Show her this… and she will know who I am."
The commander took the handkerchief, examined it… then frowned.
"A piece of cloth? An old handkerchief? What is this supposed to mean?"
One soldier laughed:
"Maybe he stole it from a merchant!"
Another added:
"Or he's delirious… he looks like he's lost his mind."
But the commander didn't laugh.
There was something about the handkerchief… something in the stitching… something in the letters… that made him feel this wasn't ordinary.
He said slowly:
"I'll send this to the palace… just in case."
Then he turned to Rin:
"But don't get your hopes up. Princess Sera won't come for a blind stranger."
Rin lifted his head slightly, his voice steady and calm:
"She will come."
The commander scoffed:
"And why do you think that?"
Rin answered:
"Because this handkerchief… only she knows what it means."
A heavy silence followed.
The soldiers didn't understand.
The commander didn't understand.
But they all felt… this man was not ordinary.
---
Princess Sera was in the training yard when a knight came running, breathless, holding out a dark folded handkerchief.
"My lady commander… we found this with an unknown man at the border."
She took it without interest…
but the moment she saw the golden embroidery—the eagle, the intertwined letters—she froze.
A soft gasp escaped her:
"This is…"
She didn't wait a second longer.
She shouted:
"Bring him to the imperial palace immediately!"
And she ran before them.
---
Sera reached the palace before the soldiers.
She walked quickly, her steps unsteady, the handkerchief trembling in her grasp.
She stood before the eastern waiting chamber… waiting for Haro to arrive…
He had to see Rin.
The guards opened the door and brought Rin in slowly.
He walked hesitantly, his steps unsteady, but he tried to appear normal.
Sera didn't notice anything…
She thought he was simply exhausted from the journey.
The moment she saw him, her voice broke:
"Rin…?"
Her heart didn't wait.
She ran to him and embraced him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear if she let go.
"My brother…!
My brother Rin…!
You're back…!"
Rin slowly raised his hand, feeling her shoulder, her hair, her features…
But she didn't understand why he touched her that way.
She thought he was simply emotional.
"Sera…
You're here…"
Her tears fell onto his shoulder.
"I thought… you would never return."
Suddenly—
The door burst open.
Haro entered quickly, his face tense:
"Sera! Where—"
He stopped.
He saw Rin.
He saw his brother.
The man he thought had died years ago.
He didn't think.
He ran to him.
"Rin!!!"
But his aide shouted behind him:
"Your Majesty Haro! Be careful… you'll fall!"
Rin froze.
Your Majesty…?
Haro…?
His brother…?
He turned toward Sera's voice, his own trembling:
"Sera…
Since when… is Haro… emperor?"
Sera wiped her tears, looking at him with sad eyes:
"For two years, Rin…"
The words struck him like lightning.
He understood the truth.
He understood everything.
The decision that wasn't made…
wasn't his father's.
It was Haro's.
His brother.