Liam suggested the horse Tough drew was connected to the castle's legends. However, it was still impossible to tell, and Tough didn't know what this person looked like either. So after circling the portrait and discussing the legends for nearly an eternity, they gave up.

Two more days went by, and nothing new happened. Liam and Halo alternated sitting for Seraph while she drew their portraits. But beyond that, it was as though their discovery meant nothing until Light's energy was restored.

It was late in the evening when Light popped out of nowhere without being summoned. Halo was confused for a moment, seeing it act all high and mighty. But it didn't take long before something dawned on him.

According to Liam, most of the Crawlers came from Inferno Moist. Why that particular land was a mystery. Seraph also confirmed that Tough had come from the crimson land as well.

While he lay on his bed, eyes on Light as dark thoughts swirled, he came up with the idea of sending Light to survey the land.

But before he could even propose it to Light, it was as though it read his mind. It coldly gestured for a duel.

Halo let out an annoyed sigh before ignoring Light completely to relax on his bed.

He normally would have been offended by Light's actions, but he understood it. He had enough Sin Fragments to restore its energy, but rather waited for nearly a week for it to get back on its feet on its own.

Light's actions were valid. It wanted to hand his ass to him, and knowing himself, that was the right way to go about it.

"It's late, tomorrow…"

He said and watched as Light searched for its clothes and put them on. Halo stared intensely at its eyes, as for some reason, he couldn't shake off the feeling that the duel had nothing to do with energy restoration.

Still, the moment Light finished dressing, it gave Halo a thumbs up and left the room.

As soon as Light left, he let out an annoyed sigh and began sleeping.

Light was practically immortal, though once exhausted it would become nothing but a shadow, Halo could resurrect it immediately with Sin Fragments or wait for the clone to rest enough and rejuvenate on its own.

This made Light the perfect choice to find out about this horse and why all the Sinners came from Inferno Moist, since Tough was stuck protecting the castle.

While Halo slept, he felt a powerful punch sink deep into his face, and the force alone was enough to break the bed.

The urgency of this made him panic like a child, and his mind spiraled into confusion as he tried to process everything and understand what was truly happening.

The instant his eyes opened, he barely glimpsed Light's pitch-white eyes before he felt another strike crash into his face. Still, he managed to hold his ground and keep his balance.

As soon as he understood what was happening, he smiled and assumed his stance.

He had been ambushed by Light, and though the clone didn't stay true to the principles of a real duel, Halo didn't mind because he liked it.

"Your three minutes start now…"

The moment the words left Halo, he was certain he saw Light wear a cocky smile, though there was nothing but darkness and white eyes to see in its face.

They both jumped at each other, strikes so blurred it couldn't be told who blocked and who struck from ordinary sight alone.

They destroyed everything in the room, from the mirror to the door, before their fight carried them outside into the corridor and eventually to the courtyard.

Halo was having a blast. He could tell Light had grown stronger since their last duel, even while resting. But he'd grown stronger too.

Unlike before, he could read its attacks effortlessly, and his speed was nearly equal to Liam's now. He moved so fast that after dodging a strike, he had time to ruffle Light's dirty-white hair.

The damage they were causing was beyond what Halo thought possible in such a short time. When Liam and Seraph emerged from their rooms to take a look, Halo knew he had to end the fight.

After avoiding Light's attack, he delivered two swift strikes to its chest. Halo scowled briefly before smiling. The force he'd channeled into those strikes should have sent Light flying, but it stood firm.

Still, Halo was tired of the fight. Without waiting for Light's attack, Halo adjusted himself and concentrated most of his energy into a single kick. This time, Light was sent crashing into the ground.

Halo sighed.

"1 minute, 19 seconds…"

The moment he spoke, he turned to Liam and Seraph, who were about to leave for their rooms, but he hurried to them immediately.

They were surprised to discover Halo had such a fierce fight with his clone, but the moment Light stepped close and stood beside Halo, they realized no grudges were held from their duel.

Still, he hurried his words to explain to them what he had initially thought of, sending Light to survey Inferno Moist for possible leads on their predicament.

But the moment he spoke, Liam also made a suggestion.

"If we target a lone Crawler and ensure it's reduced to ash, its fragment could be traded for a secret. I'll scout with crows."

This sounded logical to Halo, but to Seraph, it was flawed.

"Secrets are a gamble. Killing these weaklings won't tell us anything, unless it's a Beast Sinner, or worse… a Demonic Sinner."

Halo began reasoning with Seraph. The previous Beast Sinner they'd killed, Tough, was off the table since secrets were one-time offers. They could only be accepted or ignored once. This meant they needed to kill a new Beast Sinner, or even a Demonic Sinner, if they wanted better odds of getting a worthy secret.

"I'd suggest we let Light survey the area for now. That will be best."

The moment Seraph spoke, Halo and Light exchanged glances. The clone gave him a subtle nod and began leaving the castle.

Halo stood there with his hands on his waist. Liam and Seraph retreated to their rooms the moment their conversation ended. But now, he had nowhere to go.

That bastard helped him destroy everything within it.

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