Back at Sumdem:
Alex sat at the cliffside, enjoying the sight as the breeze blew gently. He closed his eyes and remembered the fun times he had with Damien.
"It's been a year, huh?"
He smiled sadly as he watched the beautiful sunset. "It's high time I go back to the palace and claim the throne, I guess. Aruna told me I must know the truth… Damien, are you really dead?"
He entered inside and started packing his clothes.
"Maybe I'll get to see Mauja there."
He brought out a piece of paper from his pocket and recollected what Hiruko told him the night before he vanished.
Hiruko: "You said you want to go to the palace, right?"
Alex nodded.
"But you have never been there before? And you have a feeling on your way there someone might try to assassinate you?"
Hiruko took out a book and started drawing.
"There are three gates before you get into the palace. The first one is Sina. The place is friendly, doesn't have much people there. Each gate is watched by the elders. If you get past Sina, then you can either choose which gate you want to follow to enter the palace."
"The gate Maria is heavily guarded because the elder there is very careful… or you choose the forbidden path, gate Zandra. Only the royals have access to Zandra. It's really a scary place. Only criminals fill the place, but it's the quickest route back to the palace… I mean, that's if you survive."
"If you follow the back alley, then you would see a huge gate that lets you get your way into Orahime."
He handed the paper to him.
"Good luck."
Alex: "Have you ever been to Zandra?"
Hiruko laughed. "Even with half of my memories intact, I don't think I ever went there. I mean, I don't have a death wish."
The recollection dismissed as Alex sat down and drank some water.
"Tomorrow is my last day at Sumdem, I guess."
He smiled sadly.
"I used to remember how you would turn the entire place into a dump, Damien. I hope our fates cross again."
He stood up and continued packing, then saw a black mask on the bedside table with a note saying:
"I hate your face."
"…Seriously?"