taiga argyle

“I hope I can continue to count on you during the tournament. However, there has been a development. I don’t know how you’re manipulating the fights, but out of concern for the safety of the audience, a magical barrier will be erected around the ring from now on to contain the combatants’ spells and prevent outside interference.”

Sophia took a deep breath as she was overcome with relief. Noah told her to endure her guilt, but if anything, she now felt it lighten. A gentle condemnation, a way to make up for her sins, it was exactly what she needed. She gazed at Noah, this man who had changed her whole world. He always knew what to say to make her feel better and lift her out of the bog of despair and confusion. It was just one of the reasons why she loved him.

Seraph gripped his head, threatening to rip out his hair as tears poured from his eyes. “I am a coward, remember? I ate that plum because I wanted to escape the pain I now know I deserved. But I wish that plum really had killed me. I wish I had died that day. It would have been better than a life with no hope of redemption. Every morning, I open my eyes and remember waking up after the fight. Realizing you’re alive after trying to end it all, I never knew something could be so painful. Every breath hurt, every beat of my heart was agony, every thought in my mind felt like hot lead, and it all comes again fresh every morning. All I’ve wanted to do since then is… finish what I started.”“I know how you feel.”