Ris looked at Mirh pouting before turning back to Kiel, who she found giving them a quick glance. For a moment, Ris' heart hastened as she felt threatened, but in the next, she saw Kiel not even sparing her a glance.

'What just happened?' she asked as she felt as though her heart was ripped apart by a monster.

Ris failed to understand, 'How weird this is… I may have been acting too paranoid.' Her words intend to counsel her fear.

The sun reached the west, and dusk was beginning to settle. Ame and Kiel left for an alleyway as the sister changed while the brother looked out for any pervert.

The next thing they did was meet their mother in the Town Gate. Ava waved her hand as she stood beside the Oxcart.

"Mama!" Ame ran up to Ava with a smile; she then hugged her mother to earn some points.

Ava raised her brows as she turned to Kiel for answers.

"She was begged to join the Celestial Phoenix Mountain… I shall drive the Oxcart mother." Kiel said as he took the reigns and had the mother and daughter get on the back.

"Are you sure, Kiel? This Ox is a rather feisty one to control. Can you really wish to drive it back home?" Ava asked with a smile… Ame was still hanging by her neck.

"It is manageable. Ame, stop trying to earn points; mother already saw through you; now, try and convince them. Fair warning, I will not help you this time."

"What!?" Ame turned her head in shock; her mouth was shaped like an "o" because of this betrayal.

Kiel didn't really care about her opinion, "Stop arguing, it is not me who wants to go out and cultivate, but you. My words hold little weight, and your dedication is not mine… please try to understand."

Ava was on the side listening to their "playful" banter. 'Kiel's words really go deep at times. Now, if only he could use that to better learn about himself. He's too smart for his own good.'

Ame wanted to pout, but, in the end, she could only sigh, "I suppose you are right now, mother, please get onto the platform of conversation, so I can convince you about this."

Ava made a hopeless smile, she already knew she would not be able to stop this daughter of hers, but she decided to sit with her, nonetheless.

Ame had never been one to explain things with eloquence like Kiel. It was always interesting to see her fumble.

The trip was not long, neither was it onerous. It was calm, steady, and no bumps were hit. The stars carpeted the night, as the cloudless skies showed the beauty of the twinkling stars.

Kiel raised his head as he listened to Ame's words. He looked at a glowing bright red star.

So much has happened in such a short amount of time. Kiel had to use so much and resorted to his old ways. While others take pleasure in being above others, Kiel was the opposite.

Now, as he watched the stars, he sought out confirmation of his mortality.

Only the vast skies could bring him back to his feet. 'As the True Spirit comes to life, it will devour a star… until the Night Sky is devoid of any light, only then would Cultivation end. But as the Wheel of Reincarnation continues to exist, the Stars could never truly disappear. The cycle will continue now and forever, so Cultivation will last forever — To end Cultivation is to end Existence itself.'

A sigh escaped him, 'A cycle fueled by greed and desires.'

The Oxcart continued on its way, and soon, he saw the house built atop a hill. The barn next to it was as striking as always with its color of red.

Ava and Ame went to tidy the back of the Oxcart while Kiel went to keep the Ox and the Oxcart away. Ame's brows were creased as she began thinking about the words she would use to convince her father — the last boss had yet to come.

[I'll get you for this betrayal, Kiel!] she swore her revenge.

[I will be looking forward to it. Maybe, this time you'll beat me.] Kiel laughed at her words and went to finish the task he was assigned. From the harness to the cart itself, all were placed aside with ease.

Then, he placed grains and grass in two separate mangers, and he even prepared water to drink. Kiel did a fantastic job, perfect without faults. Like how he lived, it was systematical to ensure nothing crumbles and creates distortion in this satisfying life.

His steps were the same, full of energy but without sounds. He then heard loud voices coming from inside their house…

"Please, Young Lord, you must return to help the Family fight against the Kingson Family, we —"

Quickly, Kiel entered their home, his face separating from its usual calm.

His steps, now loud and without restraint, his movement disoriented and without purpose.

His smile turned to a frown as he entered and saw three people inside, all of whom were matching black robes and even tight-fitting suits meant for assassins.

These three all had their heads buried on the floor as they all begged for help, "Please, we implore you to help the Head! We c—"

Their words stopped as Noah spoke, "The Main Family have disowned me and ensured that I cannot leave this place State with my Family. Why should I go and help them? I am not a part of your family. Harold, go back; I have nothing to say."

The one with the black robe raised his head, his veins popping as he shouted, "You were the one who abandoned us! I was your closest confidant. I trusted that you would become the next head! But you! You abandoned us, announced to your Father, that you would marry the daughter of the former Head's Killer!"

Noah's eyes turned red from anger as he grabbed hold of Harold's collar, "He asked me to choose, abandon everything for the family I dreamed of, or live as a slave for people who know nothing but scheme and live in luxury!

"I left because I followed my heart, not my greed, nor my blood. Look me in the eyes and tell me that my life would be better sitting on that throne where the eyes of wolves pointed glaring at my every move, waiting for me to make a mistake. Their fangs waiting to tear my flesh! Why should I contend for a position of hollowness? That is a throne of swords, surrounded by vultures."

The hill trembled from Noah's anger, and only Ava's touch managed to calm the storm of fury, "You are scaring the children, Noah." She said in a calm tone.

Noah saw their faces and had to force himself to calm down, "Get out of my sight, Harold."

"...." The men stood up, and as they felt conflicted in their hearts, Harold still left the words, "Before I go, I'll let you know that the Head has already lost an arm to Kingston."

Shocked, Noah almost called out to them, but he hesitated and stayed by himself.

He passed Kiel by the door. He looked at the child's eye, and for a moment, saw a pit of darkness… he inadvertently averted his gaze.

Kiel entered the house and saw both his father and mother supporting each other. He failed to respond in any manner, and so did Ame.

Noah noticed Kiel's shadow, and as he did, he forced out a smile as he said, "I'm sorry for scaring the both of you."

Noah held onto his children's hands; he trembled in fear. Scared that what he found in this place would crumble.

A great warrior like him was afraid, not of a sword, but of losing his family.

The night passed, the talk about Ame joining the Celestial Phoenix Mountain was forgotten, and the family went to sleep early. Or so they would have, but Kiel and Ame failed to even close their eyes as they heard Noah and Ava's words from the other side of the wooden door.

Kiel covered both ears.

No one was shouting and yelling, but the deafening softness of his parents' worries felt worse, always finding reasons to rouse his anxiety and fears. It was harrowing.

He sat on their bed as he looked at the moon, [Ame, do you think they will leave?]

[I don't know, but... I doubt they will.]

[Why? The look in Father's eyes when he learned of his family's situation was a clear indication of wavering will.] Kiel argued.

Ame opened his eyes and looked at the thatched roof, [It's because Father is afraid of vilification.]

[Afraid? He gave zero care when the Kings of the East came to knock on our doors and walked out bucked naked. He once prostrated for a week to Mother, his knees never leaving the ground no matter what he did, just so he could take you hunting in the Eastern Regions for three weeks when you were five. I don't think Father is worried about vilification.]

Ame sighed, [Sometimes, I don't even know if you are just acting like a fool or not.]

[...]

[He's not afraid for himself, but for us... for Mother. He doesn't want us to suffer what he did. From what we heard earlier, Father is from a wealthy family primed to be the next heir. If he returns after being branded as a traitor with us, how do you think would they react?]

[...does that mean he cares for them as well?]

[Naturally.]

[I see....]

[Don't worry, everything is going to be all right.] Ame saw through him.

'...you're lying' Kiel saw through her as well.

'So knowledgeable yet still so pitifully unknowing. Listen, just like there is no such thing as destiny, and how prophecies are nothing but coincidences and predictions, life is uncontrollable.' he repeated Ourorboros' words.

Kiel's heart raced; the only thing he could do to calm himself was to fill his mind and drown everything in the sea of thoughts.

He remembered the starry skies and thought to himself, 'Like how the starry sky is the forever reoccurring cycle of death and reincarnation of greed and desires, it is also a person's life.

'Constellations can only be formed when stars from different places line up with one another… to see the fullness of life; I cannot just look at the straight path as the only possibility I can take. For a true life to be realized, an interwoven path must appear, and that can only appear if I let the ones who travel with me go and deviate from my path. I have been too selfish...'

[Where are you going?] Ame asked as Kiel got up from his bed, then realized his intentions, [Ki-kiel!?]

Kiel chose to stand up and then felt his steps becoming heavier as he approached his parents' room. Kiel touched the door; a simple push would result in the destruction of the life he had been trying so hard to protect.

He took in a deep breath, as his heart began to beat faster than ever before, 'I am not the only one living….'

Pushing open the door, his parents saw him and exited their room, "Is something the matter, Kiel?" Noah asked, worried about his son.

"Were we being too loud?" Ava added.

Kiel looked at his father's eyes; they were full of anxiety and fear, far from its usual purity. A feeling of tearing appeared in his heart, and with the best of his ability, Kiel opened his mouth, "Fa..."

It was hard for him to speak. His lips trembled, but he had to continue, "Father… please, go and help your family with mother."

"What?" Noah and Ava failed to understand his words.

"Father is hesitant to leave because he is worried about us, and he shouted at those people as if he hated them, yet the moment they left, his hands trembled as they clutched mine. You... do not want to admit it, but you want to go."

None spoke, and by this time, Ame peeked from their room.

Kiel continued his words despite the cracks it carried, "I…I am not knowledgeable about the happenings of the past, but I know that Father wishes to go and help your parents. It is okay, Father, do not hesitate, leave with mother, and complete your desire… because I know… Father will not be the same unless you go."

Another emotion surfaced in his heart.

It was a different kind of emotion from before when he was a child; it was not embarrassment, neither was it shame. It was sadness

and nothing more. Yet, it was liberating as he finally pushed himself to utter the words he had been trying to push down...

With tears in his eyes, Kiel sniffled as he finished his words, "Please, go… so that... I can hab… da Father dat smiles back."

Kiel cried with broken words as he realized he couldn't see his family smile because of his greed.