32. Deimos.

Walking through the streets, which had been said to be familiar to the young male, didn't bring up memories or emotions. The city seemed dead and boring to the male as he passed strangers, some of them waving, smiling, or greeting the male. He didn't intend to appear rude, but greeting every other person, he didn't know wasn't quite his thing. Deimos watched how smiles turned to scowls, and joyful facial expressions turned into judgmental ones. Surrounded by so many strangers, yet feeling so alone. Most of them didn't know where he went, why did he leave and what happened. But it didn't matter. Not for Deimos, and definitely not his family- those people silently hoped that he would return home after noticing that nothing held him at the God forbidden town. But Deimos had a feeling that there was something bigger waiting for him, something pulled him deeper inside the cold, wet streets and forced him to pass by the unfamiliar face faster.

He turned to the right, heading towards whatever mystical pull that made him want to run straight at or into the unknown. The scent was inviting, making Deimos smile as it intensified. Whatever was waiting for him on the other side- he was more than ready to go and take the chance. Instead of a house, what he expected to see, was a forest line. He didn't doubt his intentions or goals, so the male went straight into it, following the trail of Godlike scent.

Deimos found himself standing near a lake, which seemed to be familiar, unlike everything else he had seen around the town so far. The young male sat next to it, watching how the birds flew up in the sky and listening to animals nearby. Whatever the place was, he finally felt at peace, as if it was meant for him and him only. He could feel that something big had happened near the lake before, but he couldn't come up with a logical explanation of what it was. The young male tried collecting whatever memories might have brought him here, but only within a few minutes, Deimos felt more lost than he ever imagined. What was the scent he followed, and what did the place meant for him?
Before leaving his family's territory, Deimos promised to return if he wouldn't find himself in the place which was his home for the last couple of years. Yet, deep within him, he knew that it wasn't the place that awaited his return; there must be special someone, waiting for him, hoping he would return safe and sound.
But who was the person?

"Yo, Deimos, you're back! I had a feeling I might find you here, so I've been coming here each day for the last nine months. Same as Ally. Did you meet her yet? I'm sure you have enough explaining to do, especially since you literally vanished. So, how have you been, dude?" A male plopped down next to him. Deimos eyed the stranger, raising an eyebrow in question.

For a while, Deimos kept observing the stranger's facial features, trying to understand if he ever knew the person. Indeed, there was something familiar about the guy, but it must be the annoying, disrespectful attitude more than anything else.

"Hello, Earth to Deimos? Are you fucking lost, or do you need a punch in the gut to get back to reality? Stop zoning out; it's irritating as fuck!" The stranger waved his hand in front of Deimos's face and laughed. Behind the joyful expression was the same mentioned annoyance, but there was something more. Worry? Why would someone worry about him, if he was alive and pretty much okay? Aside from amnesia, of course. If his best friend wouldn't bring that up, there was a possibility that Deimos wouldn't find out that he had one. His parents seemed very disappointed in his friend after the young male spoke up about the issue, especially his mother, which didn't feel quite close for some odd reasons. The woman seemed somewhat distant and cold, not the way how motherly love works. Amnesia or not, Deimos was able to understand how things are supposed to work.

"I'm sorry, I guess I kind of got lost in the thoughts. Since you know my name, as it appears, why don't you tell me yours?" Deimos smiled at the stranger and extended his hand for the male to shake it.

Whomever this guy was, his eyes widened, and he stared at Deimos as if he had grown another head in front of him. What was with people around this place acting so strangely? For a bit, Deimos thought that his decision might have been the wrong one. What if staying home and following his parent's lead would be the best option? What if his memory wouldn't recover, and he would be forced to spend the rest of his life- explaining himself to strangers? That wasn't a destiny Deimos would choose for himself; hopefully, the Gods thought the same.

"Haha, I get it. It's fucking joke. So crazy funny, dude, almost got me there." The male placed his hand on Deimos' shoulder. As lost as Deimos felt, he kept trying to remember the person sitting next to him. They must have had a great friendship if he was acting so free around him. Instead of playing by the stranger's melody, Deimos decided to do the opposite.

"Listen, whatever your name is... Just to clarify- stupidity is not a crime, so you're free to go." Deimos didn't want to sound rude or arrogant, but it might be one of his defense mechanisms working their way up. If he had enough memory about himself- the young male knew that he wasn't quite the rude type.

"Heh, I knew you're playing me; that's precisely the Deimos we know and love. Anyway, aside from your damn grumpy mood- where the fuck were you hiding for all this time? We nearly lost our minds, wondering why you left and if you would ever come back. Don't scare the people who care about you like that anymore. Especially Ally, she'd been one depressing bean during the time of your absence. Whatever happened between you two is not my business, I know, but she's pretty important to me, you know. We spent a lot of time together and spoke about many things, feelings included. Don't think any bullshit about whatever you just thought, because we're just friends. She met my fiancee, and they became friends as well. Many things changed, nine months is a long time, dude, but she kept waiting. Appreciate that much. Also, her engagement was called off." As the male spoke, Deimos listened in his words so eagerly, as he had never before. Again, the Princess was mentioned, and she somehow was connected to him. What happened before he lost his memory? How could a simple warrior catch the attention of the Royalty, even if just as a friend? The more stranger spoke, the more Deimos tried to remember. The invisible block, which weighed on his mind, felt more as a curse than consequences after a fall.

"Listen, don't misunderstand me, alright? I bet you're a great friend and all that, but I don't remember you. Before you jump into conclusions like a crazy kangaroo, listen... I had to visit someone important, it doesn't matter who this person is, but something happened back there. I lost a part of my memory, a pretty significant part of it. Therefore, I have no idea who you are and what's your name. I'm trying to remember, to recall at least one memory with you, but I can't. Aside from that, I have no idea why you keep mentioning the Princess over and over again. I met her, she tried to talk to me as if I was her friend, but I have to be professional. Same as other warriors around here, I'm responsible for her safety. If an attack happens, I have to stand in the first lines and give my life to protect our King's daughter. I can't become a friend to someone who's standing higher than me. Saving a friend is a risky business; I'd gladly give my life for one. Keeping a Royalty safe, on the other hand, is a duty and fulfillment of life." Deimos stared in the distance, trying to notice a ray of hope. Coming back to a place he had called home for so many years without memory about it sucked. But the young male wouldn't give up; he would keep on fighting until the memories unfold on their own.

"You're shitting me!" The other male stood up, nearly yelling from the top of his lungs. If they really knew each other, Deimos understood why his reaction to what he said was so sharp and almost unforgivable.

"You must have been born on a highway because that's where most accidents happen. I guess some things people say are actually real. If what you don't know can't hurt you- you're invulnerable." Deimos rolled his eyes and stood up, towering over the other male. They both stared at each other for a while; the stranger kept opening and closing his mouth, unable to find words. It went on like that for way too long; Deimos could feel how easily he became irritated, so the male decided to turn away and leave. There wasn't a point in holding a conversation with someone incapable of listening.

"Hey, wait, don't go! Stay here; I want to hear what happened; it doesn't matter where you went or with whom you have been all this time. It's just that we were worried about you and some things feel unreal. The thought of you losing memory wouldn't cross my mind even if people kept repeating it for weeks, months even. You're the strongest person I know, both mentally and psychically; I guess it's just that I can't believe that something could defeat you, not like this and not at such time as today. Since you left, everything went downhill, especially with Ally; she cried her days away. Dude, I know you don't remember, but you two had something special going on- in a "more than friends'' type of unique way." The male sat back down, looking down in shame. Deimos couldn't walk away; he felt as if the stranger had more on his mind, more important things to talk about.

"Listen, even if you don't remember me, it's okay, really. But I can't believe that you forgot her; she told me that both of you felt the pull to each other. I have no idea how many mystical pulls are out there, but the only one I know for sure is a mate bond. What if you were meant to be together? What if whatever accident happened made you forget about your mate? If you met her, did you felt something, anything at all? I mean, I know that I mentioned her crying for months, but such powerful females don't cry over a little crush. Ally, she's one of a kind, in all ways possible. She's the only woman I met who's so young, yet appears so mature. Her tongue might be sharp, at times, and she is pretty much an asshole, but asides that she's the most caring and loving person I have met. The Princess is used to live in luxury and gifts, but she never expects or demands something she didn't earn. This isn't me trying to convince you how good she is. It's me, pointing out that she's a real jewel, hidden within the masses. Travel the world, meet people, and get to know them- you'll never meet one such as her. If you want to run away again, turn your back to one, which might be your true mate- fine by me, but remember that you're the only one to blame at the end of the day." The stranger didn't spare even a glance at Deimos, as if he didn't care about his absence anymore.

The people around this town were too weird for his linkings. First, they wave and smile at him, just to turn their mood nearly upside down within seconds. Now, the male wanted him to say, and as soon as the things didn't go his way- he doesn't care. Deimos couldn't decide anymore what was wrong with those people. Of course, some might have gotten angry for his careless ignorance, but this was another level of weird. Grabbing his attention and trying to convince Deimos that the Princess was his mate? The man is a lunatic, that's what he is!

"Before I go, what's your name?" Deimos cleared his throat and instantly scratched the back of his neck. He thought that being confident was part of his nature, but the thought faded as the stranger's eyes met his.

"Arex, the name is Arex. Don't forget to pay me a visit when you remember who I am." He chuckled and stood up, turning his back to Deimos. Right before he could take the first step, someone startled both men, making them feel as caught red-handed.

"What on Eart are you two doing outside in the middle of the damn night?"