Francis' POV

"L-Lia, why?"

"Go on, tell him," Midas told her.

It seemed like she was reluctant to answer. But eventually, she did.

"Francis, I had to be friends with you so that my sister can successfully carry out her revenge. I have faked everything. Also," She closed her eyes then opened it. "My name is not Natalia. My real name is Nevya Turneo."

I really could not believe it. After all the years we have spent together, who would have thought she was just faking it? Those moments when we laughed together, was all of it just a fake?

"Technically, Nevy is not much of a talker and we do not have that kind of time now," Midas opened the book and it looked like she was looking for something.

"Francis," Shinerva called out. "You should not get angry right now."

"It can not be helped, Shin! I trusted Lia my whole damn life! Not just that, she is Minerva's best friend! I can not stand seeing Minerva get hurt anymore just because her trusted friend turned her back against us!"

"She is my sister, Francis. I care about her as much as you do and I am aware of that," She glared at Midas. "But I need you to stay with me and cool down. Midas is right. Your anger can lead you to your death."

I looked at Midas and Lia again. Lia was just standing while Midas was still searching for something. I wiped the sweat from the side of my face.

Midas knew. She already knew about the real me that is why she said that. Shinerva came a little closer to me.

"Your death is not yet written in that book. As long as you stay cool, she can not kill you." I just nodded to her.

When I witnessed that beautiful sunset, I had a suspicion of the reason why Midas would kill me. However, since I always tried my best to cool myself down, she never had a chance to kill me.

"Phew, just re-reading every killing in this book is very soothing to the bone. Anyway, what were you just whispering about?" Midas asked as if we can not sense her sarcasm.

"Why did you drag your sister into this, Midas? You knew what she represents, right? You made her be that kind of person!" I understood what Shinerva meant.

"Do not tell me that, Oryza. You have no right to exclaim those words to me when you barely even know a thing." Midas gritted her teeth. She was irritated.

"Lia, you represent Envy. Your sister will still kill you no matter what happens. Why are-"

"I am more than aware of that, Francis, and I am prepared for it! I chose this fate, not my sister!" Lia cried out in pain.

I feel sorry for her. Her fate was not supposed to turn out this way.

"Wonderful," Midas slowly clapped her hands and came closer to her sister. "You have grown so much, Nevy. I have missed you."

"I-I have missed you, too, Sis." She smiled sheepishly.

Midas caressed her sister's face. She also smiled back and at that moment, I wanted to take Lia away from her. However, I just could not. Midas was there and she will never let me come closer.

"I am sorry if I was not by your side as you grew up. I am sorry for making you feel lonely."

"You do not have to apologize, Sis. You just did what you had to do."

"Set her free, Midas. She is your sister."

"Shin, be careful."

She walked slowly towards Midas that caught her and Lia's attention as well.

"Shut the fuck up, Oryza. Are you going to use your impressive persuasion skill on me?" She scoffed. "Give it up. You are just being pathetic."

I took a few steps and beckoned to Shinerva. I have to do something and I have to save Lia.

"I am not gonna give you up. Not this time, Midas. I know you still have kindness inside of you. Let your sister go and we-"

"I said shut up!"

Both Shinerva and I flinched when our bodies suddenly froze. We struggled against it but we can still not move no matter what we do anymore.

"Trying to outsmart me while Francis will come and get my sister? Not a chance." Midas looked very angry.

I was starting to get mad, too, even though I must remain cool. At times like this, it was no time for staying cool. Midas has done enough pain for us. She has to be stopped.

"Francis, can you move? Dammit!"

"No. Shit! This is such an obstacle for us."

Both of us were still struggling. I noticed Midas turning her attention back to her sister.

"Sis, did not think i-it is time for us to stop? You got what you wanted and you have had enough killing. Do-"

"I will not stop, Nevy. I will finish what I started. I will never stop until everyone dies," My eyes widened when I a sharp object suddenly appeared in Midas' hand. It was too late when I realized what was that for. "And not even you, the best sister anyone could ever have can stop me from getting my revenge."

That time, it was like the world has stopped. I can not even hear the sound of the waves, nor witness the stars in the sky. It just suddenly went dark and the vision of Lia's blood oozing onto the ground haunted my soul.

"F-Francis..."

I heard muffled voices of Shinerva but I could not fathom it. It was as if my systems were shutting down. My vision went even darker when Midas tossed Lia's body right in front of me.

I tried to move and I successfully did. I walked like a zombie towards Lia and when I saw her very clearly, my knees gave up. I did not feel the sand beneath my knees. All I felt was pain and hatred as I held Lia's now ice-cold hands.

"F-Francis... I-I apologize f-for what I-I have done a-and for d-deceiving you all e-especially Min...!"

I shushed her as she spoke. Blood came out from her mouth and my hands were trembling.

"S-Stay with m-me, Lia. P-Please!"

"I d-do not t-think I can," She coughed with blood. "I tried n-not to get j-jealous but as I looked at h-how perfect your families a-are especially M-Min, I c-could not help m-myself anymore... K-Knowing her s-sister was still a-alive and well, I-I envy h-her."

Anger was running amok inside me as Lia's cold hands weakened and she was pale.

"S-Stay with her, F-Francis. Please, t-take care o-of her...!"

Those were the last statement she uttered when she closed her eyes and let go of my hand.

I was tongue-tied for once again, I lost another dear friend. Even if she was our enemy's sister, she was and will always be our friend.

"Come on, Francis. Give yourself up to your anger. Get angry now!" Midas was laughing like a complete psycho.

"Y-You... Francis, stay with me! You are stronger than your anger!"

"Oh, you shut up, Oryza."

I may still be shocked by what happened, however, it was so clear to me how in just a blink of an eye, Midas was already pointing a knife at Shinerva's throat.

No matter what Shinerva says to me, I can not stop my anger from flowing. I kept on asking myself what I should do and what I should feel. I kept on wondering whether I can survive this night without feeling furious or not.

"Say," Midas glared at me. "No matter how hard you act tough without feeling angry, you can never bear your rage from burning inside of you when I kill your ex-lover."

She gave me a vexatious smirk.

"Am I right, Francis Regan Zaveri?"

Hearing that name made my mind blank. I have seemed to drown anew in an abyss but I knew I was still in control and I also realized what I had to do. Everything happens for a reason and there was a reason for this.

All of my friends died, Minerva is trapped, Shinerva is risking her life to help us and yet, right now she is standing in front of me with Midas pointing a knife to her throat.

I am the only one with empty hands so I must do what I have to do.

"You retarded ghost need to shut up."

"What did you just say?" Midas was surprised and I was successful to wipe that irksome smirk off her face.

"Quit playing deaf. I can not just give up on anger. I do not plan on dying, Midas," At the moment, I was the one who smirked. "And if ever I die, you die again with me."

"Damn you-"

She was about to come near me when the knife she was holding fell onto the ground.

Midas was just standing frozen in front of me and little by little, I realized her eyes suddenly changed. It went back to normal which made me shocked again.

"C-Could it be...?" I gulped. "Minerva?"

"F-Francis..." My eyes widened. Minerva's body was still frozen but I knew it was her. "Do not get any closer! J-Just listen, I do not have much time! S-Sister, you have it already i-in you, have you not?"

I surprisingly looked at Shinerva when she stood up, grasping a red-leather book.

"When did you get that?"

"When Midas' body stopped moving," she answered. "What do you want me to do, Sis?"

I gave them some time together. I saw how sadness flashed in Shinerva's eyes before she completely turned her back against me to talk to her sister. I knew how much she was hurting seeing her sister struggling in her own body.

"B-Burn it into ashes and b-bury it underneath where the m-moonlight can shine o-on it in the f-forest."

"Deep within the forest," I heard Shinerva uttered. Then she nodded.

"I will. I will never let you down, I promise. A-And..." Her body was shivering "I a-am sorry."

Her voice was breaking down and at that moment, she could not hold back her tears anymore.

"T-Talk to her," She gave way for me to talk to Minerva.

I took a deep breath. As much as I wanted to hug her, I can not since she warned us not to.

"H-Hey, Min. We will get you out of there, I promise. You will have your body back."

I was not sure what to say. All I knew was I had to get her out of her misery.

"Thank you, F-Francis. I wanted to s-stay a little b-bit longer. B-But I can not. You have t-to burn the book r-right now while I a-am still in cont- " She could not finish what she was about to say when she screamed. "M-Midas is g-going to take c-control again! Y-You must h-hurry now!"

"Shin!" Shinerva nodded and she got a zippo lighter from her pocket.

She opened its base lid and ignited the flame. I thought she was going to burn it but she stopped when she placed the lower-right edge of the book on top of the flame. Her hands were shaking and I could tell she was frightened.

"Shin, burn that book now!"

My attention was diverted to someone who suddenly laughed so loud behind me. I knew right away that Midas was back and Minerva was brought back to the void again.

"Of course my dear Oryza could not burn that book to ashes. That would make her a ruthless killer again like me once she will do it."

"What do you mean?"

She gave both Shinerva and me a grin once more.

"Sativa and Oryza did not tell you, did they?"

My heart started to race because of that as I looked at Shinerva again who was still trembling in fear. Even if I was not looking, I could feel Midas' giving us that smirk of a devil again.

"If she burns my book, my soul will be sent down to hell forever along with your beloved Minerva."