The night falls upon them as they try to move Rygus away from this terrible sight.

"Let's go Rygus. We can go set up our tents!" Zereth comforted.

"I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Kersia." Xarius patted him on the shoulder.

Only Helle remained silent as the other two tried their best to comfort Rygus.

He did not say a word. Rygus stared at the ground with his lifeless eyes and walked with Zereth guiding him.

The campfire didn't do much to warm up the atmosphere, either. The other three gathered around the fire; Rygus refused to join them.

"This must have been a shock to him, seeing his family like this only after a few months." Xarius sipped his tea.

Zereth looked miserable, "He was so excited to show us to his family. But now, all we can do is to tell him to forget about it."

"Is it that hard to forget someone who is dead?" Helle finally said something.

"Helle!" Zereth stood up, "How can you say that?! His most treasured family members are gone! The people he loved and loved him the most!"

"What does that have to do with me?" She closed her eyes.

Zereth walked away and gave a cold stare, "The elders weren't kidding when they say you are abnormal. To me, you are more cold-blooded than anyone I've met so far." He turned away, 

"People like you wouldn't do any goods to this world."

"Zereth!" Xarius called out, "Excuse me, Helle."

They left the girl sitting by herself, wrapped up in a warm blanket. Her eyes watched the fire danced and the sparks that flew out with it. Nobody noticed that she, too, had cold and lifeless eyes.

They set up the tents and went to sleep.

In the middle of the night, Helle was woken up by footsteps outside of the tent.

Intruders? Scared, she put on her clothes and walked out. 

A trail of footprint from Rygus' tent lead away towards the cave.

She followed the footprints. With every step she took into the cave, the colder it felt. But it was quiet, perfect for cooling down her head.

Then, she saw Rygus.

He was standing near the edge of the cliff. He was wearing no jackets whatsoever. Rygus looked down and his toe tipped, preparing to fall.

"No!"

Helle rushed up towards the cliff and grabbed Rygus by the arm, pulling him up and crashing onto the floor.

"You idiot! What did you think you were doing?! You could have died!"

"I knew that." His voice was not strong and bright like the one before, but quiet, weak, and calm.

Rygus looked up and saw Helle offering him a hand. He stod up and stared into Helle's eyes, "Why did you stop me?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Let me make this clear," he sighed, "I want to die."

"I don't want to live knowing that the only reason I'm alive is because I went to the city to meet some 'most beautiful girl' while my family was being attacked. They could have survived if I was there, with the Ripper. I felt shameful. The only way to pay them back is if I died with them. I'm worthless anyways."

Bam. 

The loud crack of the contact of Helle's hand and Rygus' face echoed inside the empty cave. Her hand grew red as the pain tingled on her fingertips. A hand print was left on Rygus' face, the exact copy of her thin hand.

"Let me also make this clear for you. I don't want to live knowing that I allowed a person whom I know and care about die in front of my eyes, even if it's suicide. Also, remember my word. No one is worthless. You simply wanted to create a future generation for the Kersia, so you seek out partners. There's nothing wrong with it."

She tossed him a jacket and walked away, "Put this one and go back to sleep."

Suddenly, Helle could feel her back being pointed by a sharp blade. It penetrated her clothes and towards her bandages.

"If you're not gonna let me die, then you will have to go first."

The tips of her lips lifted slightly, "Try me."

She turned and hopped away from Rygus. As expected, he had the Ripper out.

I can't attack him, because then it would be what he want; to die. But I also can't just stand here and waste my life away.

"Hyaaah!" Rygus charged towards her. Helle managed to block the attack with a piece of wood.

"Whoa, you're attacking for real? Okay, then." She took out Asher.

I just need to make sure to defend myself long enough to tire him out.

He kept on attacking, stabbing and slashing in the air. But none hit her. With her amazing skill Helle easily avoided those attacks.

"Why can't you just leave me be?!"

"I told you already! I don't want you to die!"

Their weapons clashed and clunked.

"It's my life! I have the right to do what I want with it!"

"I'm stopping you from making a wrong decision!"

The fight continues. They both huffed and panted for a breath of air.

"How would you know what it's like to lose your family! You have a perfect life! All my loved ones! All the people I cared about are all gone!"

"It's better to be loved by the dead than to be hated by the alive."

Rygus stopped. His hands shivered from the cold, but his mind is as clear as ever. "What? 'hated by the alive'? What do you mean?"

Helle gulped, "It's nothing."

Their little conversation made them forget all about what they were fighting for, but what they know is that there needs to be a winner.

"Raaaaaah!" Rygus dashed towards Helle with the Ripper on top of his head.

Ready to block, Helle held Asher tightly. However, there's something else distracting her. A sudden strain in her back made her wince and looked away. 

The old scar?

The moment of hesitation has lead to the victory of the man. He held Helle to the ground tightly, stabbing the Ripper right next to her ear.

"Looks like I've won!" The energy had gone back to his tone. "Thank you," this time, it's him who gave her a hand.

"Thank me for what?" Helle chuckled, "I'm just doing the right thing."

"Thank you for stopping me from making a stupid decision. If my family were still here they would want me to live to continue the Kersia bloodline. But now," he sounded excited, "it's time for your punishment~"

                                   It's time for your punishment!

"P...punishment? What punishment?"

"For losing to me."

"Fine, I'll do whatever you say."

He joked, "Even marry me?"

Helle punched him on the head, "Except for that."

"Ouch! I was just joking!"

"What is my punishment, then? Is it just to listen to your awful jokes?"

He grinned, "Close your eyes."

Helle shut her eyelids and walked as Rygus lead her around.

"You're not gonna push me down from the cliff, are you?"

"Of course not. Open your eyes now."

She opened her eyes. The sun was slowly rising and crystals reflecting the beautiful light at dusk was a mesmerizing sight.

"It's fascinating, isn't it? Now, close your eyes one more time."

Helle closed her eyes obediently, wondering what it is this time.

Chu.

The soft feeling of skin contacted her lips with a touch of moisture. Her eyes instinctively opened and found Rygus' face close by. He lifted his lips and winked her goodbye.

"Let's go."

Stupefied, she stood there, gazing at the sight of him walking away without a single worry.