Destiny

After his memories were unsealed and he recalled the memories of his past, Haneul was overwhelmed with emotions. Today had been such an emotional rollercoaster for him. Having someone who he regarded as his older brother fall into a coma, knowing that he was not the true Premier, and realising that he had a twin brother all along; discovering all of these within a day was too much for him. He truly had a mental breakdown.

The Holy Monastic consoled him by hugging him and patting him on his head. Regardless of who Haneul was, the Holy Monastic still thought of him as his dear pupil. Even though he may not be the true Premier, the Holy Monastic still cherished him the way he had always done.

After having discovered the whole truth about himself, Haneul decided to meet Haru and talk to him. Even though he was still shocked by everything that happened today, he judged that Haru deserved to know about it as well.

Haneul approached Haru who was talking to his best friend, Akihiko. The moment Akihiko saw Haneul approaching them, Akihiko excused himself to let the twins talk to each other.

“Brother?” Haru asked.

“We need to talk, Haru.”

Haru smiled from ear to ear, delighted to meet his long-lost brother. Now that the two of them stood facing each other, Haneul started to realise just how similar they looked as twins, apart from the different attires they were wearing. Haneul suddenly broke into tears again and hugged Haru all of a sudden.

“I’m sorry for all this time, Haru.”

Haneul’s voice was shaking. He felt sorry for a lot of things. For having left him alone in the monastery, for not having recognized him, for having forgotten him.

“It’s okay, brother. I understand,” Haru replied.

Haru didn’t know what was truly going on, but deep down he knew that Haneul wouldn’t do anything bad to him unless it was out of his control. Haru trusted his brother so much that he didn’t mind everything he went through just to see him again.

After Haneul calmed down, he recounted everything that he was told from the Holy Monastic to Haru. He told him everything, including his fyx skill and the fact that his memories were locked by the Temple members.

Unlike what Haneul imagined, turned out Haru already knew that he was the Premier. During their travel from the Temple to the Royal Residence, the Holy Monastic told Haru about his true identity inside the carriage, right before the Stainless Syndicate attacked them. Haru was just as shocked as Haneul upon hearing that news. Haru even rejected the idea, not wanting for things to change just because he was identified as the true Premier. Unfortunately, this was not a choice for any of them to make.

After the two talked it out, Haneul grabbed Haru’s hands and looked at him in the eyes.

“Haru, I want you to do something for me,” Haneul said in a serious tone.

“What is it, brother?”

“I want you to replace me as the Premier.”

“!?”

Haru was even more shocked. He did not expect that coming from him at all.

“Wh–what...? No...!”

Haru let go of his hands, not wanting to take his place as the Premier. This was not what he expected when he came to the capital.

“Haru! Listen to me!”

Haneul stopped Haru from struggling. He looked at Haru deep into his eyes, trying to get into a serious conversation.

“This is your destiny. Sooner or later, you will have to do this. The people deserve to know their true Premier.”

Haru broke into tears. This was not what he imagined his life would be. He didn’t want to take his brother’s place, let alone be the Premier. All he ever wanted was to reunite with his brother, that was all.

The two brothers then hugged each other tightly one last time, before destiny set them apart once more.

The next day, everyone returned to the Temple. The Lord Commander, the Holy Monastic, Haneul, Xiaohui, and the rest of Garuda Squad members returned to the capital riding the carriages they came with. Yumi stayed behind at the Royal Residence because she had to deal with the emergence of a new enemy. Akihiko also did not go with them, as he was stationed in Noctilio City.

Before Haru and Meixia returned to the capital, Yumi and Akihiko talked to them before getting separated once again.

“Well, I guess this is it,” Akihiko said.

“I’m not sure about you guys, but I really don’t know the next time we will be meeting each other,” Yumi added.

“Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure we’ll meet each other again soon enough,” Meixia commented.

“Well, we better get going. Take care, guys! See ya around!” Haru exclaimed, saying his goodbyes to his best friends.

Haru and Meixia then entered their carriage and left the Royal Residence, along with the others. Yumi and Akihiko stayed at the Royal Residence and waved at them while they left riding their carriage.

The moment they arrived at the Temple, they were given around 2 hours to get prepared for Arudo’s funeral. The four remaining members of Garuda Squad who did not go to the Royal Palace finally heard the news of everything that happened and cried their hearts out, mourning the loss of their chiefs. Saaya–– whose real name turned out to be Four–– betrayed them and Arudo passed away while fighting against her.

The funeral was held in the evening, around sunset at the National Cemetery. Arudo's photon saber was erected on his grave next to his tombstone as a memorial item. He was given a title as the “Hero of the Battle of the Royal Palace.” All Garuda Squad members prayed for his passing, along with the Lord Commander, Haneul and Xiaohui, led by the Holy Monastic. Even though they were not that close, Xiaohui lamented the death of his cousin as fellow members Rayoza clan. Out of everyone, Zum was the one that was most impacted by his death.

After the funeral was held, the Lord Commander finally announced the new Chief of Garuda Squad. In front of the Premier’s Palace, the new chief was inaugurated in front of the rest of Garuda Squad members.

“Hereby, I announce you–– Zum Borschuv–– as the new Chief of Garuda Squad.”

The Lord Commander appointed Zum as the new chief, without any objection from the members. Everyone knelt in front of him, recognizing his authority as the new chief.

Now that her mission was accomplished, Meixia withdrew from the squad. She was never a true member to begin with, but the members had always recognized her as part of them. Meixia thanked everyone for the time they spent together working as fellow members of Garuda Squad and said her goodbyes as she returned to the place she belonged, the National Intelligence Agency.

Yara almost cried the moment she saw Meixia withdrawing from the squad, as the two of them had grown very close. However, Yara knew that there would be plenty other times which they could meet again in the future, so she was looking forward to it.

After Zum was appointed as the new chief, he promoted Dasom and Bing as his right and left hands, respectively. With Meixia’s withdrawal, Saaya’s betrayal, and Arudo’s passing, there were currently 3 vacant positions in the Garuda Squad. They then opened recruitment for new members immediately after.

At dinner, Xiaohui sensed something strange. He didn’t see Haneul at dinner, or anywhere for that matter. He just realised that he hadn’t seen him anywhere right after Arudo’s funeral.

“Lord Commander, have you seen His Divinity?” Xiaohui asked.

“No, I haven’t....”

Xiaohui then went to Zum to ask about Haneul’s whereabouts. Zum asked members of Garuda Squad if any of them saw the Premier. Nobody had any clue about where he was.

The Lord Commander then told the guards to search for him all over the Temple. After a few hours of searching, he was still nowhere to be found.

“Don’t tell me....” Xiaohui mumbled in terror.

Ever since that day, Haneul had gone missing.

The Premier disappeared.