Tranquility becomes terrifying when you've learned that calm seas often hide the storm beneath.

Having spent both of his lives in chaos and violence, every day braced for an enemy attack, this sudden peace didn't feel welcoming to Halo.

Nothing had happened since they'd buried Fade of Bridle's body deep in the horrific land, Rascal Land. Their plan seemed to have worked. They watched Sinners wander into that land rather than toward their castle.

Halo, though, wasn't feeling all too well about this. He couldn't tell if his senses were growing out of proportion and malfunctioning, but he was certain there was a heavy breath on his neck. Angry about how they'd so terribly treated a legend of the Changing Malicious Solemn, the very violent sanctum they protected.

This left him uneasy for the past three days. However, no one suspected anything, as Seraph believed his strange behavior was due to his accumulated Sin Fragments.

Every Sin Fragment consumed contained a piece of the fallen's Flaw. Each Flaw was a sin the individual had committed that harmed either themselves or those around them.

The outcome of their actions—whether it brought loneliness to themselves or loved ones, caused an outburst, or led to depression—determined which god they would serve.

However, consuming the Sin Fragment itself does not harm, but as they accumulate, they begin to seep into the person's behavior, forcing them to manifest toxic traits they'd never possessed before.

But Halo still believed it was too early for this. Between the bizarre sensation he'd been feeling for over a week and the current feeling of danger breathing in aggressive gasps against his neck, he remained convinced it had little to do with his accumulated Sin Fragments.

This specific sensation, he concluded, before he could drown in its abyss. He'd grown too close to violence and couldn't live freely without expecting something terrifying.

***

Halo and Liam awaited Seraph's arrival at the Grand Hall, anticipating why she so desperately summoned them.

They were both seated outside, reminiscing about how dangerous their lives used to be and how it had pushed them to grow stronger, before the Child of Deceit rushed to them and asked them to follow her inside.

They'd been waiting on her for a while, but she seemed preoccupied, perhaps preparing to deliver terrifying news. Halo couldn't tell whether to feel relieved by those thoughts or anxious, since if true, whatever she had to say could lead to their demise.

Before long, she appeared. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she held two canvases in her hands, her broad smile saying everything for her.

"I'm finished with your painting… and I realize we've both been a great help to each other since this Purpose started."

She locked eyes with Liam.

"Please accept this as a token of appreciation. You've been nothing but kind, always comforting me through my hardships and striving to make me well."

Liam responded to her with a gentle grin.

"Halo, I don't even know how to put it into words, but I know I can trust you and depend on you. The sculpture you gave me last time… I still adore it. Thank you."

Halo's eyes narrowed slightly. He struggled to show gratitude, his Flaw binding him in its chains, though he wasn't eager to express it anyway. He suspected she was only doing this because of the sculpture he'd crafted for them.

He'd done it out of appreciation, and even though he'd lied about his true reason, the excuse he gave them carried equal weight. But "I don't even know how to put it into words"? Such a shallow cop-out.

"I'm not perfect, but I did what I could."

Seraph said with an awkward smile before handing out the paintings to both of them.

A soft smile played on Halo's lips.

He had to attend painting sessions almost every day for this to happen, but the sight before him made everything worthwhile.

Seraph noticed everything, too much, even. It unsettled him. His sculptures had been good because he'd paid attention to muscles and proportions, but the Child of Deceit examined every feature with such deliberate precision that she'd captured even his hidden flaws, like the faint mark under his eyebrow.

"This is awesome, Seraph. Thank you…"

Liam said with an optimistic smile, his eyes dazzling with admiration as they darted at the painting.

"I'm honored, Liam."

She turned to Halo.

"What about you, Halo?"

Halo was trapped in his mind for a moment. He was pondering what to do with the canvas. It was a few inches longer than something he could keep around for his day-to-day activities, and considering he had no home in this world, once their Purpose ended, it was going to be a pain to carry around.

He turned to Seraph and gave her a firm nod, his expression remaining unreadable as usual.

"It's great…"

The moment Halo spoke, Liam frowned.

"Someone is coming here…"

Their attention snapped to him immediately. His expression remained serious, eyes slightly narrowed, as though every movement of his crows' eyes caused him physical pain.

"He looks familiar… wait, it's Mill."

"Mill?"

Seraph said and sneered.

Halo could see the disgust plain in her eyes. If he recalled correctly, ever since they'd visited Mirror Steppe and talked to Mill about the legend, Fade of Bridle, whose body they'd since buried, Seraph had made it clear she didn't trust Mill. She'd even dragged them out of his shop that day.

Why, though?

But something else caught most of his attention. More than a week had passed since they'd last seen Mill, and he'd always made it his personal mission to persuade them to leave the castle behind.

His motive might have been noble to Halo back then, but now that he sought something salty to leap on, Mill was looking somewhat morally gray in his eyes.

As he stood there, he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. It was Seraph.

"I meant every word. I may not have the right words, but believe me, I'm deeply grateful for you."

Seraph said with a smile and began leaving the room. Halo watched her walk away with a lazy expression. He didn't know what kind of witchcraft she possessed, but now it was clear to him what she meant when she said his eyes spoke to her.

So much trouble.

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