After sitting down with a plate of tomato's (I refused to call it dinner) I asked in an exasperated voice, "How can your brother trust you to be here alone? Doesn't he know about the necromancer?"

She shook her head, "He knows."

"Then why?" I asked loudly before muttering, "You can barely feed yourself…"

"There's no way I can be done in by one lone necromancer," She scoffed, looking very un-ladylike.

"Well aren't you confident," I mused, staring at the thin slip of a girl with a raised eyebrow, "You do know what a necromancer is, don't you?"

"Hey!" She cried indignantly, "I'm actually really strong!"

"A-huh" I said in an unconvinced voice, "I'm sure you are. Those tomatos were quaking in fear."

"Watch this!" She said boisterously, raising her hand in front of herself. In the middle of her palm a rose began to grow, made completely of ice.

"You're a mage?" I asked in genuine surprise.

She rolled her eyes, "No," Then she stopped, thoughtful, "Actually, I might be."

"And you called me a weirdo," I said under my breath before adding, "If you know magic you're a mage, right?"

She nodded reluctantly before adding, "I still don't think I'm a mage though."

"Suit yourself," I said, setting the tomato-speckled plate down, "What are you two doing living all the way out here anyway?"

"Living," She replied sarcastically, "What do you think?"

"You're the first person in a long time that's been so sarcastic with me," I commented, smiling slightly, "It's nice."

"Are you…" She looked at me with serious worry, "A masochist?"

I just about fell off my chair before I recovered enough to complain loudly, "A girl shouldn't be talking like that!"

"Oh?" She said with a laugh, "Isn't it you who shouldn't be sounding so casual? What about your big, bad image?"

"You're obviously unfazed by it," I said simply, before frowning in curiosity, "Why is that?"

"Well," She said slowly, "At first I thought you seemed kind of scary. Then a friend of mine told me about you," She looked embarrassed now, "It's part of the reason I didn't stop to help you in the snow sooner, actually."

"What changed?" I said, wondering if I could do the same with the other knights.

"Apart from seeing you dripping wet and bluer than a summer sky?" She laughed, "Well that would be probably be…" She looked embarrassed again, "Did you know you talk in your sleep?"

"No I don't," I said immediately with wide eyes. I'd never talked in my sleep. Had I? I suddenly felt extremely embarrassed, "That's… What did I say?" I asked, closing my eyes and rubbing them in a tired manner.

"Most of it was just mumbling," She said with a laugh, "But you also said 'Sorry Caelan'," She laughed more, "Who's Caelan? Your teacher?"

I froze, eyes wide but not lifting my head. My hands shook slightly and I clenched my teeth tight against the wave of emotion that rolled over me, threatening to break me. I had never expected anybody to hear my inner turmoil, let alone this stranger.

She seemed to sense something was wrong, and I felt her lean in closer and place a hand on my shoulder before saying, "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said stiffly, "Where's your bathroom?"

"Middle door," She said in an unsure manner. I left before she could ask anymore, keeping my eyes on the floor and my face hidden by a curtain of my hair.

Closing the door firmly I slid onto the floor, trying my best to remain calm. My chest hurt.

Somebody knocked on the door softly, "Hey, are you okay in there?"

I didn't answer. Couldn't. The door opened slightly and she came in with a startled 'Oh'.

I didn't look up, but she approached slowly and bent down in front of me.

"There there," She said, awkwardly patting my back.

"Caelan wasn't a she," I said quietly, surprising her. I continued in an even quieter voice, "He was the Sun Knight."

She was silent for a moment before asking in a kind voice, "What was he like?"

"Stubborn," I said quietly, a pained smile tugging on my face, "But kind. He really was like a Sun. He brought everybody to gravitate around him. Even me. But I only ever watched from afar," I began to shake heavily, tears streaming down my face pathetically, "He was such a good person, and I'm the reason he's dead," I raised my hands to my eyes, rubbing them sadly, "He must hate me now. My most important mission," I murmured, "I couldn't even protect him."

I had realized how much it had weighed on me until then. Years of being quiet, of not talking about what happened. In the end I never once opened up to anybody, never once told anybody what it had felt like. Yet now it seemed like I couldn't keep it back, even if I tried.

"He wouldn't hate you!" She said fiercely, lifting my head up to look her in the eye, "I'm sure he wouldn't! You're a good person!"

"No I'm not," I said in a pained voice, "You don't know me."

"I'm sure of it!" She said stubbornly, not backing down.

"Well you're wrong!" I cried out, shaking my head fiercely, "I've tortured people, you know?!"

"That doesn't matter! They were criminals, you were just doing what you thought was right!"

"Killed even!" I was shouting now.

"I refuse to believe you're not a good person!" She shouted back, face determined.

"Why?" I yelled, unable to believe her words, "You've heard what they say about me! I'm a murderer, I've tortured people, I'm even responsible for the death of the Sun Knight! Even my own comrades hate me!"

"It doesn't matter what other people say!" She insisted, "You're definitely a good person! If anybody says otherwise, even your comrades, I'll just have to… to-TO PUNCH THEM ALL OUT UNTIL THEY LISTEN!"

"You're crazy," I muttered, "Why does everybody I meet seem so crazy?! It's like you don't even know I'm the Judgment Knight."

"Maybe you're the crazy one!" She said, eyes kind, "Jeez. Since when did your job define who you are? When the storm dies down I'm going back with you to knock some sense into your annoying 'comrades'!"

"You're joking, right?" I asked, deadpan. She shook her head happily, "There is no way that is happening."

She shrugged, "Try and stop me if you dare," She turned and left, returning a moment later with some clothing, "Wear these. They're my brothers. He shouldn't mind," She paused, looking shocked, "I just realized something," She walked forward and thrust out her hand, grinning as she did so, "I'm Kadence. Nice to meet you."

He grabbed it, replying in an exasperated voice, "Seriph. Nice to meet you too."

Kadence was weird.

She would probably kill me if she knew I thought that…

For starters; her horrible cooking, If it could be called that. When I came out of the shower she approached me, two bowls in hand. When she had handed them to me she said happily, "Desert."

I looked down at the bowl cautiously. It appeared to be shaved ice, with a red tinge to it. I took a cautious bite, praying it wasn't some kind of tomato shaved ice.

Actually, tomato shaved ice would have been better.

I spat it into the sink, staring at her in horror while she watched me with an innocently confused face, "This is alcoholic," I explained slowly, wondering how she messed up bad enough not to notice it. Instead of looking shocked she nodded, "Are you possibly… trying to get me drunk?" I asked incredulously.

She snorted, "You won't get drunk just from that. We didn't have any flavorings, so I improvised. Weirdo."

"Aren't you the weirdo?" I demanded, placing the bowl away from myself and shaking my head, "Don't just invite random strangers in and give them alcohol! You're too defenseless!"

"Boo you," She muttered, shoving a large spoonful into her mouth.

"Hey!" I snapped, trying to take it off of her and failing, "If you get drunk I'm not helping you!"

"Ha?! Who's getting drunk!" She stared at me defiantly before lifting the bowl to her mouth and swallowing the contents whole and turning to look at me triumphantly. Her triumphant look slowly faded and she fell to the floor, clutching her head tightly.

I ran over and helped her up, yelling, "I told you not to drink it, idiot! Ah what am I meant to do now?!"

I have no experience with drunk people!

"Brain freeze!" She complained loudly, rubbing her forehead with her hands sorely.

I froze.

"Excuse me?"

"I have a brain freeze! Ah it hurts, it hurts!"

"…" I paused before laughing loudly, "You're such an idiot!"

"Hey!" she whined, looking at me sourly.

"Here," I said, sitting her down on one of the seats, "I'll go get you something warm to drink, so just stay there."

"No need," She said in a clenched voice, stopping me.

"Why not?"

She didn't reply, instead lifting her hands to her head and breathing deeply. Between her hands Holy Light began to shine, dying the room gold. She stopped, lowering her hands and grinning at me widely.

"That-" I stopped, staring at her in shock, "You're a cleric?"

"Probably not!" She said, laughing and standing, "Your face is priceless," She yawned loudly, scrunching her nose up and rubbing her eyes before saying, "I'm going to bed. You're going to be staying in my brothers' room again; it's the one you were in earlier."

With that she turned to leave before I could answer, closing her door behind her. I hesitated, unsure. It seemed rude to stay in his room when he wasn't even there…

Instead I walked over to the light, using the switch to turn it off and realizing it was a Holy lamp with a jolt of surprise. I shrugged it off and moved to the window, looking out curiously. The storm outside had all but died out, leaving the world coated in white.

I sighed, despite the good news. It meant that I could leave as soon as possible, and in all seriousness, I had to. I'd been gone for a whole day, without leaving any words to anybody about my whereabouts. Furthermore Kadence was growing overly friendly. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the friendship, but I knew better than to expect it to stay. The other villagers would probably scorn her for it, claiming me to be a monster. Or worse, she would realize that I was a monster.

With that thought I waited awhile, hoping she was a heavy sleeper, before changing back into my own clothes and folding her brothers onto his bed neatly, before hesitating. If I went out in only these clothing I would most likely meet death early. With another sigh I ventured into his closet, pulling out a thick black coat and resolving to leave it at the Inn to be returned. Next I opened the window above his bed and snuck out quietly, shutting it behind me.

Outside the storm may have stilled, but the air still brought a harsh chill. I pulled the jacket closer, trying to remember which direction I had come from. In a resolved manner I decided to head in the direction of the white clearing, certain that I hadn't passed through any forests when I was conscious.

I trudged through slowly, wishing I too could yield magic and ease my journey. Unfortunately, I wasn't. And so I took the path of a knight and trudged through relentlessly, hoping that I would reach the town soon. As luck had it, I didn't need to.

"You there!" Shouts began to call around me, and I noticed several black figures approaching from different angles, "Halt!"

I held my hand in front of myself, arching an eyebrow as my own knights approached me with their weapons drawn. When they came close enough to see my face they all looked shocked, promptly sheathing their swords and standing at attention with formal salutes.

"Captain!" My vice-captain approached, bowing slightly, "We apologize for raising our weapons against you!"

"No matter," I said simply, sweeping them over with my eyes curiously, "How did you know I was here?"

He looked confused, "We didn't, sir. We've been following the direction of the necromancer. He should have come straight through here… Could you have seen him?"

I shook my head before fully processing his words. In a slow, dreadful voice I asked, "Did you say he came in this direction?"

"Yes Sir," He nodded, looking unsure as to why I had to verify.

"Give me your sword!" I yelled, and he obeyed quickly looking terrified. I paid no mind to the fact I had most likely just isolated my vice-captain from ever talking to me again, instead turning and running back in the direction of Kadence's house.

The wind bit at my flesh sharply, sending shockwaves through my legs and snow trying to stop my course. I ignored them all, pushing on despite the protests of my legs.

"Hey! Let go of me!" I could hear Kadence yell. I ran faster, stumbling in the snow wildly until I reached them. Kadence had a knife on her throat, held by a man dressed in all-white. He even had a mask pulled firmly over his face, only his eyes and mouth revealed. Meanwhile Kadence must have been freezing, still only wearing the knee-length blue dress.

I felt a sense of dread when I realized he must have walked straight passed me.

No. It's happening again. I could have stopped it.

I shook my head, staring him down with my best 'Judgment Knight' glare before growling, "Let her go."

"Seriph?" Kadence asked, looking scared, "You weren't there so I-"

"Shut up," The necromancer growled, pressing the knife closer to her throat and making her cringe. Meanwhile my knights had finally caught up to me, flanking either side of me with weapons raised. The necromancer continued in a harsh voice, "Put your weapons down or I kill the girl."

"Captain," My vice-captain said in a low voice beside me, "If we act now there's a seventy percent chance of saving the girl."

"No," I replied loudly, throwing my weapon away and holding my hands up passively, "All of you drop your weapons," They hesitated and I barked loudly, "NOW!" They obeyed, looking confused at my sudden outburst. I looked to the necromancer calmly, "Now let her go."

He laughed loudly, "I never said I'd let her go," My face twisted into a snarl and he laughed even louder, "Will you look at that! The great," He said tauntingly while he took a step forward, dragging Kadence with him, "And powerful Judgment Knight," He held the knife close enough to draw blood and my hand twitched, face filled with worry, "Have your vice-captain stab you in the leg," He said menacingly.

"Do it," I said in a deep voice, eyes darting to my vice-captain quickly. He looked reluctant, so I said in a hurried tone, "Now. That's an order."

He nodded, picking up a sword and stepping toward me warily, still looking unsure. I prayed that he would get over it quickly and do what the necromancer wanted, fearful for Kadence.

"Hey," Kadence's soft voice rang out like ice with her eyes closed, "Let them go now."

The necromancer looked to her in surprise before laughing and brandishing the knife, "Don't try to be a hero, girly."

"I'm no hero," She said with a sweet smile as she turned to look at him with hard eyes, "I'm a villain. So let them go, now."

"If you don't want to die shut up," He growled, grabbing her hair and yanking it hard.

"Stop!" I yelled out, gesturing for my vice-captain to stab me, "We're doing what you want, so don't hurt her."

"Mr. Vice-Captain," Kadence said with a chilly voice, staring straight at him, "You're going to put your sword down, or I'll kill you myself."

Everybody looked surprised, save me. In truth all I wanted to do was find a wall and hit my head against it.

"I. Told. You," The necromancer snarled, "Shut. Up."

She reached up and grabbed the arm holding the knife, eyes fierce as she whispered, "Let them go. This is your last chance."

"I said, SHUT UP!" He bellowed, moving to cut her with the knife.

Of course that's a hard feat to accomplish when somebody freezes your arm.

It all happened before I could process what was happening. One moment he was ready to strike, the next he was grabbing an arm and screaming out. Said arm was covered with countless bloody ice-flowers, all formed delicately on his arm to puncture it.

She stepped away delicately and turned to him, looking like cold fury as she hissed, "I told you it was your last chance."

He held his arm in front of himself, looking terrified as he quickly began to recite necromancy spells. She was quicker, raising her hands either side of herself. The snow around them began to move quickly, snaking up his arms and freezing his whole body into the ice.

She began to fall and I leapt forward, grabbing her securely. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized she was still awake, staring at me in confusion before saying in a curious voice, "I have no idea why I just fell."

I raised an eyebrow while I helped her stand up and removing my coat (well, her brothers coat) before draping it over her, "Because," I said, copying her earlier comment, "You were stupid enough to go out into the cold wearing summer clothes."

She pouted unhappily, crossing her arms, "It's your fault. Stupid."

"Ha?!" I exclaimed, staring at her in disbelief, "You almost get yourself killed and it's my fault?!"

"You just disappeared without a trace!" She yelled back, face full of fury, "Of course I went out to look for you, dummy!"

"And you got yourself caught by a necromancer!" I shouted back, equally angry.

"And you almost got your leg cut off because you didn't notice the necromancer!" She yelled at me, fists beating my chest while she chanted, "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!"

"Ow!" I exclaimed, grabbing her hands, "That hurts, damn it!"

Somebody cleared their throat nearby and I turned, surprised to see my Vice-captain standing by looking awkward. Behind him my whole platoon was gawking, eyes the size of saucers.

Oh no.