Marks of the New Era

Chapter 4.5

Next day came and despite what Takevu had said, the prince hadn't come back, it was weird, but maybe he just needed space.

Because of his absence, Safiya had to spend all the day attending the royal duties, even thought she was raised by mercenaries, she actually did a decent job in the meetings, but what really made her shine was the military aspect of them, both her fighting and planning skills were very developed thanks to the constant survival she experienced.

However, night arrived and Tai wasn't seen in all day, Takevu said that he usually appeared by 6, but it was 11pm and he was still missing.

Despite being reassured over and over that he was alright and that he was inside the borders, Safiya was worried sick for him and decided to go after him before he could spend any more time alone in the woods.

Tai wished he didn't have to isolate himself, even if it was for 2 days, but it was one of the few ways he could think by his own, without responsibilities or duties to attend, he knew it was only temporary, but for now, he felt a little relieved.

"Tai Hikari!" *Sigh* He should have known she would follow him.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Safiya exclaimed when she found her brother.

"I need time to think alone" He replied "I promise you I'll come back when I'm ready"

"Still, we need to talk" This was the difficult part "There is something you're not telling me and that secret is severe enough that you want to hide me from it, am I right?"

"...Yes"

"I understand that you have good intentions, Tai, but no matter what secrets you have, you're my brother and I love you; you know that right?"

"I know but... I don't think you'll be very pleased when you realize what I did, it was my fault after all"

"Tai" She grabbed both of his hands and looked at him in the eyes "We made a promise, remember? We promised that we would always be together no matter what happened"

"...I remember"

"I can see that this is a sensitive topic for you, if you don't want to tell me now I understand, but please don't leave me in the shadows... please"

*"We would always be together"* He knew that she meant it but, could that promise survive the Cheve Slaughter like him? Or would it turn its back and leave him?

"Well I-" Before he could talk, a powerful earthquake started, shaking the forest around them and causing trees to start falling.

"Run NOW!" They both ran back towards the camp, dodging everything they could, but before they were able to arrive, one of the trees in front of them started falling down.

"Safiya, look out!" He pushed her out of the way and when he looked up he saw a tree coming down towards him.

*CRASH*

"TAI!" Safiya went to aid him and found her brother laying on the ground, bleeding and with a log crushing him.

"Why did you do that?" She asked as her eyes started watering.

"*cough* I-I couldn't*cough* l-lose you again"

Fortunately, they were very close to the camp so help was already coming, but that wouldn't guarantee that the prince would survive, and they both knew it.

"*cough* D-Dad is*cough*no longer*cough*here" Feeling so close to death, Tai had the need to confess "H-He left*cough*five years a-ago"

"I-I'm so sorry*cough* it was all my fault"

Safiya wanted to ask more when she heard soldiers coming, her questions could wait, now, the most important thing was to save her brother.

After a lot ofeffort, they were able to get the log off Tai and bring him back to the camp,nobody knew what would happen, they could only wait and hope that their princewould see the light of day again.