(18 years ago)

The silver-haired vampire’s heart was in pieces and yet this small child was putting smile after smile on his face with her innocent questions. She was so brave right now and most importantly she was placing her trust in him.

The tears on her red cheeks were drying and her eyes held such intelligence and determination.

"I was in a hurry today. A little princess needed a tiny amount of my help so I forgot the crown at home," he answered while she placed her tiny arms around his neck and declared:

"Thank you, angelic prince. Help my parents as well and I will make a painting for you. I love to paint."

"Deal, I will help them and you will have to make a painting of me," he gave her false reassurance and she nodded her small head at him. His heart screamed in agony, this was too much for him and he knew he had to erase these beautiful memories from his as well as her mind.

Otherwise, the flashbacks of these memories will haunt him forever. He spotted Rivan in the distance with a few other kids they had saved. He had brought his car and was waiting for Xiran to return.

They were on the border of Treskilaya and Druhias and Rivan was friends with guards that patrolled the areas, so it was easy for him to pass through.

It was a deserted area with few trees and dry ground. Xiran landed on his feet and carefully put the little girl down. He then lowered himself so he was level with her face and spoke:

"You will have to be a tiny more brave today. My brother will take you to a safe place, where no bad man will hurt you and I will bring your parents," he patted her head and she hugged him while whispering:

Thank you for helping me. Is your brother a prince as well?"

"Indeed, he is," Xiran spoke so calmly with her as if he had all the time in the world. Rivan had walked over to them and was listening in to their conversation.

"Xiran, it’s time I take them," Rivan spoke in a grim tone and Xiran nodded.

He extended his shaking hands to the girl’s face and touching her head he whispered to her:

"I am sorry little one but I must keep you safe," he then wiped all the memories of his existence and the one where she saw her dead mother and her burning house. But Xiran couldn’t remove the memories of where his father had barged into her house and attacked her parents.

Her brain became overwhelmed and she lost consciousness and began to fall, Xiran caught her with a burdened heart. His teeth were clenched as he carried her.

Some part of him didn’t want to let her go. So he asked Rivan: "Can we keep her with us?"

"Are you out of your fucking mind? Your father will kill her in front of you just to torture you, how will you live with that guilt?" Rivan yelled at his friend and took her from his arms. Xiran felt like a part of his heart was yanked away but he let him take her.

He could only helplessly watch her.

"He has already seen me with her, so I know what’s coming, keep them safe Rivan, and hope our informant is not found out and killed," he peeked at the other kids and took away their memories as well of him rescuing them.

"Yes, let’s hope so, stay safe Xiran, go home. I will join you soon," Rivan patted his friend on the shoulder and walked away.

He placed Silah in the car and drove away toward Abinse Orphanage while Xiran was left standing there with empty hands. He then opened his wings and flew away into the silent night, with a heavy heart and a wounded soul. He wanted to hang onto these memories for a little bit longer and would erase them in the morning.

Before Rivan could reach Abinse he covered his face with a mask so kids won’t be able to recognize him when two would wake up.

Reaching the Orphanage, Rivan got out of his car and went to talk to the director who was his acquaintance. Rivan has been one of their beneficiaries. He explained the situation to the director. This was nothing new for he had dropped off kids before too.

Director was a kind man and promised to take care of the kids. Rivan opened the door and saw Silah was already awake and asked: "Where am I? Where is that bad man? And where are my parents?"

"Come with me dear, we will get your parents," he offered his hand to her which she reluctantly took and asked: "Will everything be alright?" A fresh stream of tears flowed from her eyes.

"It will be alright, don’t worry. What is your name?" Rivan asked her calmly.

"Silah Harwaghes," she replied in a trembling voice.

"That’s a beautiful name," Rivan beamed at her trying to help her stay calm. The medical staff of the Orphanage arrived and took the kids away. She cried not wanting to go and asked for her parents. But Rivan had to leave them behind with a heavy heart.

The informant Xiran had planted in his father’s companions was discovered and tortured to death, Xiran was captured and tortured for days. But he had erased every memory of that night from his mind so the torture was futile. Still, his father did it for Xiran had ruined his plans.

The girl he had rescued was important to his plans and his father was sure of it that she indeed was the girl he had been searching for. He was so close and yet he let her slip through his fingers, all thanks to his stubborn son.

18 years had gone by and Phantom was still searching for that elven girl, not knowing that his son had bonded with her and she was out for his head. Who will emerge victorious in this bloody battle? Only time would tell.