Chapter 8 - The Truth

"What?" asked Princess Zhen as Shadow jumped down and landed on the barren floor they were standing on.

"It's true, princess," confirmed Shadow pulling his cowl off, revealing his head. His dark blond hair was burned away on one side and carried scars of brutal hits to his face. His eyes were black but there was still some dark blue in them. He separated his cloak, revealing braces for his legs and supports for his back. Around his right wrist was the watch that he wear to travel through time.

"It can't be I watch you die." stated Princess Zhen.

"I did, but they brought me back to life where they continued to torture me till I give." explained present Zhōng.

"Well, I'm glad my story doesn't end." said past Zhōng.

"How did you figure out it was I?" asked present Zhōng.

"Just by what Princess Zhen said to me about what you said and did. Then I remember what you look like and even now, I knew it was I." explained past Zhōng.

"I'm impressed you figure out the watch." applauded present Zhōng.

"Zhōng, what did he do to you?" asked Princess Zhen.

"Don't look at me as if this is bad, I feel like I've been reborn. All my secrets are out, I have nothing to hide I can thank the rain that made me speak the truth that night. If it wasn't for that, I would never feel so free." explained present Zhōng.

"But what did it cost? We know that not everything is free." asked past Zhōng.

"My loyalty, I've fought for an empire that believes in secrets. It was secrets that kept me afraid, to tell the truth to you, princess. It was secrets that I had to pretend to be someone else, which I soon hated. It was secrets that kept me from finding those trying to start another rebellion. I'm tired of secrets, telling the truth made me express myself so much easier." said present Zhōng.

"So you'll do anything to make this empire to tell the truth?" asked past Zhōng.

"Exactly, no more hiding Zhōng, we can live like ourselves, ourself that puts on a grin to our sister all the time. Ourself that feels warm and loving, we don't have to put on the mask of Truman anymore." offered present Zhōng.

"That's tempting, but what about this empire? Is capturing those who keep secrets the right action to do?" asked past Zhōng.

"I don't care about this empire anymore, they were going to kill me anyway. They turned their backs at us, that's why I'm going to do this, I don't mind playing the villain. And when I'm done with this empire, I'll work in the other empires till no one will ever lie again or keep secrets from one another." stated present Zhōng.

"That will cost more peoples' lives if you do this, no one should suffer what we went through." stated Princess Zhen.

"Only if they don't cooperate, then they should deserve what we got if not worst." replied the present Zhōng.

"I won't allow you," declared past Zhōng, gripping his weapons tightly as he prepare to fight.

"So be it," accepted present Zhōng. The two charge and cross blades, the past show what he can do to counter the present's counterattack. They exchange blows and blocks if both had two swords the fight already be finished. Though the present struggle, he had more experience and soon overpower his past self, disarming him.

"I refuse to accept this fate." declare past Zhōng as the blade was pointing at his head.

"Then go back to your time and hide for the rest of your life, I will cross the bridge you are afraid to cross." declare present Zhōng.

"Oh, I wouldn't if I were you," a familiar voice said behind them. They turn around to see an eighteen-year-old boy who joined them on the platform. His dark blue eyes were cold and serious as he glared at the present Zhōng. His dark blond hair was pulled back revealing a fading blue mark meaning 'fallen prince'. He wore a long sleeve shirt with a bandage around his right arm that hid his watch. Around his hips were two blades, a Valtryek and a black blade.

"Who are you?" asked present Zhōng as he and his past and the princess begin to tremble from his presence.

"Someone who also is dead, someone who matured much throughout five years. Someone that needs to do this to make sure my timeline doesn't collapse." growled future Zhōng as he pulled out his Valtryek. "I'm your opponent."

"Ha, ha, ha," chuckle Father Shí Huà as he struggles to stand up, holding a glass ball. "I see that your future perhaps not as good as you thought."

The future Zhōng turned his head, having his glare hit the priest's eyes. "I say while it's painful, it's worth for what this empire needs." he said.

"How can keeping secrets be beneficial for this empire?" demanded present Zhōng.

"Because if you don't, you'll have to face someone you are not ready to face." stated future Zhōng pulling his shirt up to reveal bandages around his waist. "He's real, I faced him."

"You can't prove he is just by a scratch." accused Father Shí Huà.

"A pity you won't meet him." stated future Zhōng. He put away his sword before activating his Valtryek and fired at Father Shí Huà. A shield went up to protect him as he chuckled behind it.

"No matter what you do to stop me, I will have you in my grasp as long as I can see what will happen next in your future." declared Father Shí Huà as putting away the glowing ball. His mech fully activated as he prepared for the assault.

"Are you guys going to let me do all the work?" he asked the other two Zhōngs.

"Is this the only way?" asked present Zhōng.

"There's light at the end if we do this." replied future Zhōng, concentrating his firepower.

"So be it," agreed present Zhōng, activating his Longus while their past activated the Ninja Sword. The three of them were too much for the shield as Father Shí Huà activated his mech and fired at them.

Princess Zhen was about to help them before seeing the hand of the future Zhōng prevented her. He knew her other secret and didn't want her help in this fight. She watched as the father was feeling the strain just as Zhōng did when they escape over a month ago. He began to puck blood and soon the mech deactivated, causing him to be pelted with rounds from the three Zhōngs. They hit the ball and the place suddenly opened up before being swallowed into a white void.