Back at the playroom in GSH, little Damien threw a ball at Alex. He watched as Alex ignored him completely and continued reading his book.
"So the rumors about you were true? You're so full of yourself."
Alex only glanced at him briefly before returning to his book.
"If you keep up with this attitude, then no one would want to be your friend or even adopt a loser like you."
Alex got up to leave, but Damien wasn't done.
"You always walk around with a book like you're Einstein's minion."
He suddenly grabbed the book and ran.
"Give it back!" Alex shouted, chasing after him. "Give me back my book!"
Damien laughed. "So you can talk."
Alex caught up to him and pushed him. Enraged, Damien got back up, and the two of them began to fight until Ammy rushed over and separated them.
"What's all this?" she demanded. "Aren't you aware fighting isn't allowed here?"
"He started it," Damien said quickly. "I was just talking to him and he started acting like—"
"Hey!" Ammy raised her voice sharply. "You just came here recently and you're already fighting with everyone."
"Well it's his fault. He's just full of himself. The rumors about him were—"
"What do you know about him?" she cut in. "Nothing? Rumors? That don't make a person. Stop judging someone based on rumors when you don't even know them. Seriously, these kids, I—"
A cry from another child interrupted her, and she hurried off.
Damien turned back to Alex and handed him his book. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run with your book or fought with you."
"That's okay," Alex replied. "I'm sorry I pushed you."
He turned to leave, but Damien called out again.
"You sure are a fast runner. Wanna race with me? I'm Damien." He smiled.
"I'm Alex."
The recollection faded, and Alex sighed deeply. The memory of their fight in the abandoned warehouse and all the harsh words he had said came flooding back.
Why? Why did I never apologize for that?
He stared at the ceiling, sadness written across his face, when a nurse walked in.
"Mr. Alex? Damien is awake now. Do you want to see him?"
He nodded, and she led him to the ward room. When Alex entered, he saw Damien lying there, connected to oxygen and IV fluids. He sat beside him, and after a few minutes of silence, he finally spoke.
"Why?"
Damien smiled weakly. "That damn doctor couldn't keep it a secret, huh? I know he said a lot, but it isn't as bad as it sounds. I'm fine."
"Why didn't you get treated? You'd rather stay under rocks than—"
"I had a feeling," Damien interrupted softly. "If I stayed there, then maybe one day I would find you. Sherlyn sent her men to beat us and bring us back. Unlike you, I'd rather die than go back to that orphanage. It restricted my freedom."
He paused.
"You know, at some point, I was also looking for my parents. Even though they were killed by Ali, I refused to believe it. Back at the palace, during their execution, there was this girl named Aruna who helped me escape. She told me if I continued that path, I'd end up in a new orphanage… and that would be my home."
He looked away.
"She said she owed my mom a lot, and this was the least she could do. Till today, I haven't seen or heard from her again."
He let out a soft chuckle.
"You know, I always envied you. You were… special. It didn't even take you up to a year to find out about your mom. But me?" He shook his head. "I gave up the moment things got hard. I just wanted to forget everything. The palace, the bullying, the unfair treatment… just because I wasn't a true descendant."
His voice grew quieter.
"Maybe if I had been more determined like you, I could've found Aruna… maybe even my parents. But no. I was just a failure who gave up on everything."
"That's not true," Alex said firmly. "You never gave up on being there for me. And that's what helped me find my mom. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be stuck with Sherlyn. You helped me get out of that hellhole and stood by me the whole time."
He smiled sadly.
"So don't you dare call yourself names. I should be the one doing that. I was never nice to you. I didn't even know what you were going through. Instead, I hurt you. I was selfish… always putting myself first."
He lowered his gaze.
"Even if you couldn't find your mom, you helped me find mine. And I'm really grateful for that."
Damien gave a faint smile.
"The king shouldn't cry for a peasant… said a foolish man."
He looked at Alex.
"You'll have to complete your journey without me. Don't you want to know the truth? Lives were lost for you. Charles' son is waiting for you. If you go to Pruga City now, there might still be hope—"
"No," Alex cut him off. "I give up. I don't want to know. I don't want the throne. I… I—"
"Listen, Alex," Damien said, his voice steady despite his condition. "I'm still with you. I'll always be with you. You might face hardships, but you need to finish what you started."
He removed the moon-shaped pendant from his neck.
"It was once a full moon, but my mom gave me half. You can use this as your guide back to the palace."
"No," Alex said quickly. "You should keep it. It's the only thing you have left from your mom."
"I'll be waiting here, Alex," Damien replied. "Don't worry about me. After some treatment, I'll survive this and find you like always. And even if I can't find you here…" He smiled faintly. "There's always the afterlife."
He coughed, blood spilling from his lips.
"I've always hated the day you'd come see me like this. Go to Pruga City. Find the answers we were looking for. I'm fine."
"No, you aren't," Alex said quietly. "I know the moment I leave this room, you'll start crying."
"I'm stronger than I look."
"You better not die on me," Alex said, standing. "After all, it's a game, right? I hope you come find me like always, Damien."
He hesitated.
"Well… I'll get going now. Till then, please stay safe, okay?"
He walked out.
As soon as the door closed, Damien broke.
"Curse this life…"
He clutched the chain tightly.
"Mom… are you there? Please come save me… please… I…" His voice trembled. "I don't want to die. Please come and save me… please…"
Tears streamed down his face as he stared at the ceiling. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
"I finally get you, Alex. I understand now… why you always stare at the sky or the ceiling during hardship."
His breathing grew weaker.
"Who knew staring at something blank could be so peaceful…"
He slowly closed his eyes.
"I don't want to hold you back anymore, Alex. Being with me would only slow you down. You know… with you by my side, it was a warmth I couldn't explain… yet a pain I tried to forget."
His voice faded into a whisper.
"Somebody… anybody… please… I don't want to die…"
Outside the door, Alex stood frozen the entire time. A sad laugh escaped him.
"You said you wouldn't cry, you fool…"
He walked up to the doctor.
"I'll be heading out. Please take care of him."
The doctor nodded.
As Alex turned away and left, he muttered softly,
"Don't worry, Damien… hang on. I promise I'll come back for you."