As dr Tenma held Johan at gunpoint, he couldn't bring himself to pull the trigger. A drunken passerby did it for him. The gunshot split the rain, a single and clean crack.
The bullet met the soaked young man and he slumped, falling onto the ground, blood mixing with the rain water as he felt his consciousness slip away.
As he opened his eyes, he found himself in a warm bed, a room filled with the scent of something which appeared to him like incense. Thinking he was in a hospital,
"Dr Tenma must have saved me again." He muttered, sitting up slowly. His right hand went up straight to examine his head as he took in his surroundings. Scrolls of ancient poetry and paintings decorated the room. It looked like the dwelling of a wealthy person.
<
The door opened quietly, the intruder's footsteps approaching the bed he pretended to sleep in. The intruder took a seat beside the bed quietly, taking Johan's hands into theirs.
"The imperial physician said you're going to be okay, my golden flower. I'm not going to let your help be in vain. Sleep well." The person squeezed his hand reassuringly before exiting the room.
"My golden flower? Imperial physician?" Johan wondered. He didn't understand what was going on. He must have time travelled but to where? He had to learn about his whereabouts as soon as possible. Johan was surprised to find out his head had no injuries however, where did the bullet go?
He wasn't in his usual lemon grey suit. Looking into the bowl of water by his side, he saw his reflection. He was adorned in dark green and white robes, long golden locks cascading his back and green dead eyes that shun through.
No wonder why he was mistaken for a young maiden. He smiled faintly, already brewing thoughts of how to put this unusual situation to his advantage.
Sunlight drifted through the windows as Johan stared at his reflection in the water. He was not in East Germany anymore; this was another time, another world. He had died in the rain and then not. If death could not be cheated, why had it let him go?
He considered the question without urgency. Reincarnation? He has been reincarnated in another time and universe. This meant that death indeed came for him on that rainy day. But why did it let him go again? He pondered silently.
The door opened. A tall man in yellow and white robes stepped in, a long black ponytail falling down his back. He sat beside the bed and took Johan's hands with a smile that was both generous and practiced.
"Golden flower, you're awake. My heart is now at rest. How do you feel?" He took Johan's hands in his. Johan stared blankly at the man, unsure of what was going on.
"Ah, you must be weary." He left his hand, leaning back lightly.
"I will never hurt you excluding the fact that I'm alive now because of you. You've been asleep for three days. The imperial physician certainly knows his job." He spoke, his eyes never leaving his.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Johan asked, hoping to acquire any information on his current whereabouts.
"Apologies. I'm the first prince of the Sky Echo Sect, Mo Ziyu and you're in the Sky Echo Palace. Thank you for saving me." He stood up, bowing slightly to show his gratitude.
Johan blinked. He tasted titles: first prince, Sky Echo Sect, Sky Echo Palace. He could already see that names were everything here too.
"You need rest. I won't bother you further. I'll send you an attendant to attend to your every need." He smiled, before turning to leave.
"There was no look of surprise when she heard she was in the Sky Echo Palace. Weird." The prince murmured, walking through the hallways.
Moments later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Johan invited.
"Good morning miss, I'm the attendant the crown prince chose for you. Li Ping. Is there anything I can help you with?" The girl bowed.
Johan tried to stand up but his legs failed him. Li Ping rushed toward him, eyes studying him with kindness and silent determination to assist. She helped him settle in the bed.
"No young miss! You have to rest. The young master said that the imperial physician will be here to check on you soon. You are not moving a muscle." Li Ping affirmed, a smile on her face as she stood beside him.
<
"It is I, the imperial physician." The voice spoke.
Li Ping rushed to the door, letting him in.
"Imperial physician, the young miss appears to have lost her memories." Li Ping whispered.