(This honestly made me tear up.. Thank you so much for this! I really needed it.)

Nix stared at Claude as he screamed, likely trying to pull some manner of reaction from her. It didn’t exactly work as the young woman’s face didn’t budge an inch. “.. May I ask what your goal was, Claude? I’m curious.”

“Um.. What did I just hear? I don’t understand.”

“Stop it, Alm.. This isn’t your fault so.. don’t you apologize again.” Nix forced out, taking a deep breath and wincing out in pain. Damn it all, she didn’t want to die yet either. Tharro was out there looking for her and here she was, dying in the cold land of Rigel. Tears flooded her eyes at this realization, knowing that this was her final moment. There was so much she wanted to do and see but the gods really must’ve hated her if this was how it all ended. “All I wanted.. was to feel the warmth of the sun. To.. see the green lands that Zofia had with my brother.. I know it’s selfish of me, Alm, but please.. Find Tharros for me. I was.. the only family he had left and now he’s.. all alone. It’s all my.. fault. Please for..give me, Alm, f-for not.. being strong enough.” The curse then took it’s toll and Nix’s hand went limp in Alm’s grasp as her eyes closed and never opened again..

It was a strange sensation, feeling Kamui’s warmth against her as she could feel her own body growing cold. Somehow it was comforting to know that she wasn’t alone and she felt no anger towards her sister-in-law what so ever. It was an accident, Nix was well aware of that. Though she was filled with immense regret that she never did get to find love like the one Kamui shared with her brother.. But at least the woman knew that he wouldn’t be alone and that gave her a fragment of peace. “Kamui,.. please.. be there for Tharros. He won’t.. blame you, I promise.” Her voice had grown weak but was able to speak just loud enough for the princess to hear her. It was then that Nix felt something wet running down her cheeks. Tears, she was finally crying after all this time. The curse must’ve vanished since her life was about to be extinguished. “I don’t.. blame you either. I’m finally free now.” A small smile came to Nix’s lips before her eyes drifted closed for the last time..

“.. It should be a little lower.”

“In Rigel, it’s vastly different from the mindset I see here in the Deliverance. It’s mostly ‘might makes right’ and all but the higher classes have to fight to survive. People are tempted by others to offer up their soul or someone else’s in exchange for power from Duma. Without inner strength or ‘bought’ assistance, you won’t survive the cold in that land.. That’s why my brother and I had to join Rigel’s forces, so we could fight and survive. So when the opportunity came to come into Zofia, we jumped at the chance to find a better place to live..” Though Nix was separated from her brother thanks to the massive landslide some time ago, blocking the main road it would take to reach him. While the silverette was thankful that this group seemed to trust her so far, it was still a constant worry on her mind. Was he safe? Did he find a group to follow and break away from Rigel forces? Just where in the world was he? “I hope that.. I’m able to lift others like those around me. It’s hard for me to trust people easily since I’ve only had my brother there for me until now so.. Just remember that I’m doing my best, Alm.”

Seeing Orion return safely from scouting the area ahead was a welcomed sight indeed. There was nothing she could do to help him while he was airborne upon his pegasus, so she always did worry about him. Though, lately more feelings had grasped her attention whenever she was around him. They did start to develop while she was still under the curse but she pushed them away since she never imagined she’d be free. So, now that Nix was able to express herself, it was much more difficult to deny what she felt.. The problem now was how to show it. The silverette waited until Orion was back to standing on solid land and away from the others, the idea she had was a little embarrassing. Once the time was right, the myrmidon hurried over to the knight with a smile on her face. “Welcome back, Orion.. I’m glad you’re safe.” Shortly after that.. Nix leaned in to place a soft, gentle peck upon his lips.