Aurelius kept running through the night, feeling like he would never sleep again. Essence kept his senses vivid and helped him navigate through the dark. Before he knew it, dawn had come, and he found himself in a place he had been conflicted about returning to.

Uzbec's words had bothered him. Even though he said she was alright, he had to know for sure. Uzbec could have lied for some reason. And Aurelius had left without a word last time as well. He had to at least apologize for that. In some far corner of his mind, he even yearned forgiveness even though he would've never given it to himself.

As he stood on a hill, looking upon the small town, he could see the flagpole clearly. It was like a metal beacon that was painted white, and on its head there was a sharp metallic shape.

Aurelius clowed his eyes and shook the memories out of his head. His body jolted slightly, as he felt like he would puke but repressed it. He didn't remember that much. For a while after it happened, he had told himself that it wasn't him that did it. It had been like something had possessed him. But it was him. However, he wasn't that person anymore. He had become better. More methodical. He had realized the error in his actions and evolved.

That was the truth of it. That was what he believed.

And with that in mind, he took the first step forward. And then another. They were monumental steps that carried all the weight of the world on them.

As he made his way toward the town, he reminisced about how it was when he first arrived there after coming from the Thropes and crossing the north-west border of Arkryk. Leaving Cade had crushed him, but his coming task was more pressing on his mind. It made him focused. This time, he didn't know what kept his mind together.

She thought of Vivy. The first time they met, she had smiled at him. He hadn't smiled back. She still smiled the next time. And the next. Aurelius had told himself that he was indifferent towards her. Sure, she was nice, but he couldn't look at a person like her anymore. With what he had learned about people, he didn't see kind people the same anymore.

Still, he prolonged his stay to learn some more Rykian from her and began smiling back. He learned how diligent she was. She worked tirelessly at a shop and provided for her little brother, who had dreams of academic success. They were a tight package, the two of them, living on the outskirts of the town in a small wooden home.

One time, Vivy told Aurelius that she liked him. He was quiet for a while before telling her that he liked her as well, but she frowned at that. It always felt like she knew what he really meant when he spoke. She was clever like that. In truth, he did always see her as younger, even though they were the same age.

For the weeks he spent there, planning and training, they grew close, but there was always distance between them. To Aurelius, it felt like Vivy was looking past him at something in her own imagination.

Once Aurelius saw her defending her little brother from a local gang of thugs. She was small and didn't have a sharp tongue, but she had an unwavering determination to protect what she cared about. Aurelius remembered having felt a kind of reverence at the sight. He had never felt it before. It was... true strength.

The gang members were essence users, though not very good ones. Pathetic really. However, they posed a threat for the regular citizens, so Aurelius got involved.

He was an idiot, not knowing who he was dealing with. He intimidated a few of them, but he didn't make things clear enough. It turned out that their leader had ties to Nexus and had the absolute confidence of his men.

Their leader then decided to send a point.

On that day, Vivy's little brother, Ron, was dumped on their doorstep. He was bruised, and his face was swollen, but most of all, he was naked and bleeding.

Not even an animal would have done such a thing. Cruelty like that was a trait unique to humans. Inflicting suffering for its own sake like that. Sure, it was a message and a trap, but most of all it was an exertion of power that was over the line of being animalistic.

Vivy cried, thinking he was dead at first. But when she knew he wasn't, she called Aurelius' name in a way he still remembered vividly. It was like a prayer. After that, it was a blur. But everything Aurelius had done, he had done it out of the very same cruelty he so despised in humans.

Now he had come to reckon with those actions. He put his hood on as he entered the town and began to walk through it to the other end. People glanced at him, but didn't pay too much attention. The manner in which the people of Arkryk conducted themselves was why Aurelius had been able to stay undiscovered for so long. That wasn't a very positive notion however, because it was also the reason crime was so prevalent there. People were conditioned to look the other way.

He galbced around as he made it to the center of the town, where the houses were larger and made of stone instead of wood. He looked up and saw the flagpole again. There were dark red stains on it that hadn't been able to be washed away. Aurelius hoped there was some use for them but didn't want to look at them, scurrying around and past.

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Then he finally made it to the house he was looking for. He stopped and gathered himself for what felt like hours. However, right as he was about to knock, he met a pair of eyes that shone turquoise in the sun.

He opened his mouth about to say something when she dropped the basket in her hand and rushed to embrace him. He kept his hands off her as she squeezed her skinny arms around and pressed the side of her face into his chest.

"I knew you'd come back," she said, her voice muffled.

"I—" Aurelius couldn't get a word out but laid a hand on her head of thin blonde hair.

"Ah, sorry," she said, maybe thinking she squeezed too hard and let go. She took a step back and looked up at him with her thin lips in a smile.

"It's nothing," Aurelius said and looked around. "Could we—"

"Right, yeah," Vivy responded quickly and opened the door.

Aurelius crouched as he stepped in after Vivy so that he wouldn't hit his head.

"I'm home!" Vivy yelled brightly as she put down her basket. "Ron is probably studying in his room; we can go into the kitchen," she said as she changed her shoes. She had different pairs for inside and outside use.

Aurleius nodded and made his way into the kitchen, only to freeze again. While Vivy hadn't changed much, Ron had. His blonde hair had turned a darker shade. A dirty-looking one. His eyes were heavier.

"Hello," Aurelius said at the kitchen's entrence.

"Hello," Ron said, using Miran as he had always done previously. But it was no longer a sign of connection. More like a statement that Aurelius was a foreigner.

Aurelius took the hint and said nothing more. Fortunately, Vivy walked into the kitchen right after.

She looked troubled at Ron being there, but put on her best face. "Hey there, me and Aurelius were going to talk. Would you like to join us?"

Ron's hands trembled until he squeezed them into fists. Then he stood up slowly, grabbing some crumply old papers he was reading. "I have to study."

"Of course." Vivy nodded awkwardly as she stepped aside and watched as Ron walked out. There was a clumsiness in his step as he limped on the creaking wooden floor.

After he was gone, Vivy gestured for Aurelius to sit down. As he did, he heard a door get shut in the distance. "Don't take it personally. He's been like that ever since... Would you like something to eat?"

"No, no, please, let's just..."

Vivy understood and sat down as well. Aurelius had had an idea of what he would say, but suddenly all that seemed worthless. It was silent for a while.

Vivy fiddled with her hands awkwardly. "That man..."

Aurelius' eyes jumped. "What did he do to you?"

"Nothing," Vivy recoiled in surprise as Aurelius. "He just asked some questions. About you. I'm sorry, he just saw through me, and Ron was home; I didn't—"

"It's fine." Aurelius breathed deeply. "Everything is resolved now."

"That man... is he?" Aurelius nodded to her unspoken question. "Oh," Vivy said with mixed emotions. He looked down at her hands. "I was so worried about you."

'Worried... about me?' Aurelius thought, furrowing his brows. It was almost absurd to him. He didn't know quite what he had expected, but that wasn't it.

The news about Orpheus' death hadn't spread yet, and Nexus would probably try to keep it that way for as long as they could. Aurelius realized that if he told her he was responsible for it, she wouldn't even have believed him. It would've been absurd to her. They truly did live in opposite worlds.

"About what happened..." Aurelius said, looking at her regretfully. "I'm so sorry. I was just so angry. I couldn't control myself."

She frowned sympathetically. Sympathy was the last feeling Aurelius thought he would get for doing what he did. "I'm sorry I put you in that position."

Aurelius' stomach dropped. He stared at her, dumbstruck. Only then did she realize the manner in which she had rationalized his actions to suit herself. She had idealized what he did to be out of her will, shifting the blame onto herself.

The horror Aurelius felt at how he had affected her mind made him want to retreat. There were times when he became acutely aware of how toxic he could be to certain people. He built his solitude on those feelings, and now he felt it again.

"Uh, about Ron, is he doing alright?"

"He's better, focusing on his studies. He faints sometimes... in the bathroom. And has these trembles, but other than that, he's gotten over it."

"And the limp?"

Vkvy frowned thoughtfully. "The healer says there's nothing wrong with his legs, and sometimes he can walk just fine, but other times he can barely move at all. I have no idea about that. We're just hoping it'll go away in the future."

"I'm sure it'll be okay," Aurelius said, only trying his best to assure her. Then he put his hand into his pocket and took out a pouch of coins. "In any case, I thought this could help you two."

Vivy took it into her hands and looked inside. "Aurelius, I can't take this."

"Don't worry, if you don't tell anyone about it, it'll only be of help, especially if something happens."

"No, but I can't ask this of you."

Aurelius put a hand up to prevent her from giving it back. "I don't need it. I don't even want it. It's best for everyone if you take it." He then stood up. "I'm afraid I can't stay here any longer."

"What is something wrong?" Vivy asked, almost jumping out of her chair.

"No. But I have a destination."

"Oh, alright. But thank you so much." Vivy bowed her head. "I can't tell you how grateful I am."

Aurelius felt discomfort at such a gesture. "Please..."

Vivy looked up at him. "You look like you aren't sleeping well. Are you sure there isn't something you would want to talk about?"

"I've talked too much already. About everything."

She laughed a little at that. "Come on, you're like the opposite of a blabbermouth."

Aurelius chuckled a little even though he didn't find her words to be very funny or even true.

She came close and put a hand on Aurelius neck, making him bend down a little before kissing him on the cheek. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

Aurelius tried to smile and nodded. He then made his way out of the kitchen to the door. A door opened in his sight, and Ron peaked out. Aurelius was unsure what to think or to do, so he waved. Ron waved back.

However, as Aurelius opened the door and walked out into the street, he had the feeling that Ron was watching him, making sure he had left and wasn't coming back.