The Qipao girl saw this and clicked her tongue. Somehow, she found his actions all the more irritating; his every move and mannerism was infuriating to the eye.

"This little..."

"Mirh, that is enough." The lady in the red robes finally stood up to intervene, "He's Ame's brother; treat your Martial Sister's family with respect."

Mirh wanted to say more, but she could do nothing in the face of her Elder Martial Sister. She glared at Kiel one last time and then harrumphed as she decided to back away.

'Ever since she entered the Inner Circle, she's been having more outbursts. Someone really ought to humble her.' Ris thought to herself as she once again gave Kiel her full and unbridled attention.

He had already entered her radar earlier. But now, he had just become more attractive.

Waltzing into their quarters without an ounce of respect, covered from head to toe in blood. It was a first even for her.

At first, Ris thought that Ame must be dying or having experienced a blunder in her cultivation. Kiel's calmness tells a different tale otherwise.

'He must have something he wants... but his utter disregard of the Sect's name tells me he is not here to beg us to let him enter. That slab isn't exactly helping me understand either.' Ris grew more and more attracted to Kiel by the second, "You are Ame's twin, correct? The one who went to pick her up earlier. They said your name was Kiel, correct?"

Kiel confirmed with a nod.

"So, you are our Martial Sister's twin brother. As you are her family, I think it is only due that I should introduce myself." Ris gave Kiel a proper pose and stance. She was twice Kiel's height and thrice his age, but she respectfully lowered her head to introduce herself, "My name is Ris, I am one of the Inner Circle Disciples of the Celestial Phoenix Mountain, and this right here is Mirh, she is an Inner Circle Disciple, like myself."

Ris only smiled at his unfeeling expression.

"Thank you." Kiel no longer cared.

Ris only laughed at the sight of Kiel. She snickered as she said, "You are indeed interesting, Junior Kiel, but that is enough dallying. Tell me, what is wrong with Martial Sister Ame? If it is up to our abilities, we shall do our best and help her."

Kiel took a deep breath before choosing to speak, "She's having second thoughts about joining your group because she is afraid of

leaving me alone… I want you to come with me and convince her to leave."

Mirh sneered at Kiel, "Is that how much you want her out of your life?"

Kiel had always been without expression, but as he turned to Mirh, he looked straight into her eyes, and for a moment, even without saying anything, Mirh felt an invisible pressure. He was trying his best to steady his heart as to not start anything.

'Emotions have been harder to control.' He took a deep breath and resumed his speech, ignoring Mirh's snide remarks, "She had always wanted to leave our home and go venture the Cultivation World. Our parents just left somewhere far away, and if she leaves now, I'll be alone.

"Ame does not want such a thing and is thinking of staying with me until our parents’ return. I would agree if our parents only took a simple trip, but… I do not think they'll come back in a few years… I do not want to hinder Ame's dreams. Chaining her in my presence is the last thing I want to do. She has a life; thus, she must live it as her own."

Hearing him speak, Ris could not help but feel the same way as she would when standing before an Elder or her Master. The way he carried himself, his calmness, everything was... different.

"Then why not enter the Celestial Phoenix Mountain together? Your temperament is well suited to walk your own path of cultivation."

"Senior!? We can't just have a male go there! Only a handful of males can join us every year… do you really wish to use your recommendation to a man who does not even cultivate? Are you going to waste your recommendation for someone like him?" Mirh argued.

"Mirh, have I asked for your opinion?" Ris asked with a calm tone, but underneath was a burning fury, "When did you start questioning my decisions?"

Mirh was at a loss for words. She searched for anything to respond to, but she came up with nothing.

Luckily, an unlikely person decided to help her, "I refuse."

Kiel announced with certainty.

"I have no interest in walking the path of cultivation."

"That's a shame. So, when do you want us to talk with Ame?"

"Now, if possible… I feel the city is in a state of unrest. I want her to leave before getting embroiled in this problem."

"All right then, lead the way, Junior Kiel... but first, do you mind if you change first? We don't want to elicit any misunderstanding now." a bloody child walking with the maidens of the Celestial Phoenix Mountain, not a good look.

Though he thought it was a hassle, Kiel was asking for their assistance. It was the least he could do.

While the disciples said their farewells, Kiel cleaned himself.

They then left for Kiel's home soon after.

Kiel didn't run, and neither did the other two. Silence prevailed all throughout the walk.

While walking, Kiel and the other two felt a tremendous amount of Spirit Energy being collected from the surroundings, followed by a beam of white light shooting up, illuminating the night. As Ris and Mirh felt the pressure, they looked at each other and then at Kiel in disbelief, seeking answers.

"She reached the True Spirit Realm. Do you now see why I do not want her to rot in this place?" Kiel said in nonchalance.

When Kiel reached their house, Ame was already on the front lawn, seated in a cross-legged position. She intended to ask him where he was going, but she already understood the situation, seeing the two ladies walking behind him.

Before Ris or Mirh could speak, Ame already let out a wry laugh, "Did I worry you?"

Kiel smiled back, "Well, you did… but it no longer matters. I was simply bothering your Martial Sisters."

Kiel turned to Ris, who simply waved her hand to signify that it was okay… she got to watch something rather lovely, so she appreciated this, actually.

Even Mirh had no snide to add.

Ame laughed, "Nah, you didn't bother them; it was just the right timing. I'm leaving now, I think if I stay here another night, I'll change my mind again… sorry, Kiel, but I'm going heading out as well."

Kiel helped Ame up on her feet and then handed her the bloody palm imprint, "This is my last gift to you, Ame… it's incomplete, but it should do fine."

Ame was hesitant to receive the palm imprint, but as she touched it, a sense of a burning Hell and a Ravaged Heaven appeared in her mind for a moment.

[What is this called?]

[Heaven and Hell Palms — I revised it to match your attributes. It is divided into three levels. Master it, and you'll be able to fend off most of the people. And if you are ever in need of help, destroy it and I will come to you.]

[Thanks, Kiel, but I do not have anything fancy to give you.] Ame kept the handprint in her bangle and then pulled her brother in her embrace, "I'll visit and write you a letter when I can, brother."

"I'll see you later, sister."

Ame passed by him, and Kiel turned around to watch Ame walk away to pursue her own desires.

Ame walked, and like their parents, she didn't want to turn back.

But, unlike them, she couldn't stop herself and ran back to him.

One last time, Ame embraced Kiel squeezing him tightly as she took in a sharp breath, "I'll visit as often as I can and write to you as much as possible so that it will suffocate you to death… so… please…."

Ame backed away from him, as tears welled up from the corner of her eyes, "… don't get tired of waiting…."

She wouldn't admit it outright, but Ame loves the family the world blessed her with. She cherished every moment she spent together with the family who showered her with love and care.

It was especially the case for the brother who had always been there for her.

He gave her everything he could and more, taught her martial arts in secret even when their parents were against her desire, even when it was against his own.

She didn't want to leave because she was worried about how Kiel would feel when everyone he cared for was to leave his side.

He had only wished to care and be cared for, yet now, in a single night, he sacrificed everything for those he loved.

[I-I'm sorry for what I said earlier, brother… I… I only wanted to repay you.] Ame said as her tears continued streaming down her face.

He risked everything, so they could find the chance to fill their own void. So that they would not regret anything and live as they wish.

Ame didn't want to go; she was ready to abandon her ambitions, join him and wait, but, even then.

Ame didn't mind. It was the very least she could do for the brother who cherished her, but Kiel thought otherwise.

Kiel shook his head, [No, you've already done enough after spending seven years with me.]

Ame laughed as she held his forehead to hers, [You won't even let me beat you in this, huh.]

The two were silent; they said nothing aloud, neither did they converse in their mind.

Each other's silence was enough.

Ame retreated from Kiel, her eyes now filled with fire.

"I'll be going to the World of Cultivation, brother."

"Show them who's the strongest."

"Mm, I'll wreak havoc for your sake as well."

Kiel wiped her tears away with a smile, "Go."

Ame turned around with a brighter complexion and left with the two. Kiel stood there, watching her slowly disappear from sight, and after a few minutes… she was gone.

Kiel… was now alone… once again.

But he didn't feel empty as he did before because, even if they were not together, Kiel could tell they were with him.

Because for Kiel, separation meant that someone left his life.

Unlike in the past, no one left him because no one was there from the start.

If Kiel was to be compared to an emptied box of biscuits, crumbs remained.

Fragments.

Emotions.

Memories remained.

No matter how small and insignificant it may be, it was at least inside his heart.

He was no longer a mere void.

He entered the house, he was alone, yet he could still feel their presence lingering.

He entered the bed he once shared with his Sister, the coldness it has become reminded him that they were gone.

"This is fine...."

Kiel smiled as he said underneath his breath.

"This is... fine...."

Once again, he whispered.

"This... is... fine...."

And another.

"This...." until finally he could no longer finish his words.

'Huh? What's... this? Tears?'

He wiped them, once, twice, three times... four times... seventeen times...

It never stopped, and only Kiel understood that even when he was no longer a void, it does not mean he was immune to sadness.

Thus, he started shedding tears...

"Aaaaaaaahhhhhh..."

He cried. Unable to stop.

Alone.

Vol. 1 End