I was still frozen. I couldn’t speak. How was it possible? It had never happened before.
“Am I going to die? Can I die? I don’t want to…” I thought, scared as hell.

I felt the blade against my throat.
“Hurts…”
“What did you say?” Akame replied, still in an icy tone.
“You… you hurt me, Akame. Please… it hurts…”

Without realizing it, tears flowed down my cheeks, falling onto her hand.
She loosened her murderous grip slightly.

“Who are you?” she asked again.
“No one. I’m no one… just a wandering spirit.”
“A spirit?”
“Yes. A soul, wandering in this world… observing. I don’t want to hurt you. Never…”
“Hm…” she replied.

Was she convinced by my words? I didn’t know. But she finally released her hold.
The shifting shadow that filled the cave gradually evaporated, and suddenly I heard a dull thud — Akame collapsed.

Was she drained from using too much magic?

By reflex, I put my hand against her throat to check if she was breathing.
« I… what the…? »

Astonished, I realized that I could touch her. She was alive.

At the same time, I was shaken by that sudden materialization and panicked by the situation.
I couldn’t leave her there. Even though she had defeated the monsters, others could come.

When I looked at my body, the lower part had changed.

« Legs… »

That sight… forgotten a long time ago… yet they were truly there.
I could feel my body again. Sensations I had forgotten, almost… human.

Without thinking, I held her in my arms and carried her to the exit.

It was already dark outside. Her home was far away, but I had no choice.
I walked for hours. She still didn’t wake up.

Finally, I saw her manor. A small light was shining inside, probably left by her maid when she noticed her absence.
At this hour, every household must have been asleep.
The entrance wasn’t locked.

« Thank God. »

Quietly, I went upstairs to her room and gently laid her on her bed.
She was sleeping soundly. Her face, softened by sleep, looked almost peaceful.
There was nothing more I could do. I let her rest.

But when my hands left her body, I felt as if a part of me was fading away.

My legs vanished in a breath, once again replaced by the drifting mist.
I had become a spirit again.

« After all… I’m no one. »

I sat down on a chair, at the back of the room — invisible, silent… and watched her sleep.