When Nangong Shiyu opened his eyes again, the setting sun filtered through the curtains, dyeing the room in hues of farewell. The space was utterly empty, as if no one existed here but him.

Just like before—empty and desolate.

Just like before—silent and still.

Just like before—all alone.

Even with his eyes open, his body felt leaden.

He vaguely recalled what happened before sleep, quickly realizing why he lay in his own bed at this hour.

"Xia Zixin!"

Shiyu scrambled up, instantly struck by a splitting headache, as if death might claim him any second.

"...An aftereffect?"

"You're awake?"

A familiar voice sounded. Turning, that purple figure reappeared before Nangong Shiyu.

Seeing her, a weight lifted from his chest.

"Yeah. Awake. Morning, Xia Zixin."

"Don't think I'll forgive you easily after that absurd stunt, little brother." Xia Zixin stepped closer, sitting on the bed's edge, her gaze locked on him.

"But it worked!" Shiyu rushed to defend himself as she glared. "That Fiend didn't kill me. And I can feel part of the Demonic Orb separated from my body—it's inside you now."

That way, Xia Zixin wouldn't vanish from his sight.

"I don't see the point," Xia Zixin said sternly.

Meaning...

If he had to name one, for Nangong Shiyu, there was only this:

"I saved you."

Slap!

A sharp crack echoed as her palm struck his cheek.

"Child's play! What good is saving me?" Xia Zixin frowned. "If you fully assimilate me, absorb all my power, I'll be erased. You'll forget me—no burden left."

"And what good is erasing you?" Shiyu countered.

"Only then can you grow strong enough to survive. Living matters most. Isn't that obvious?"

Her words left him disappointed.

He wasn't that person.

And merely surviving... felt unbearably dull.

"Xia Zixin..."

It wasn't just about keeping her alive.

"For me, I've lost the courage to lose you."

No blood bound them, yet to him—

She was irreplaceable.

Too vital to vanish.

Shiyu crawled to her, wrapping his arms around her.

"I don't want to lose you." He buried his face in her shoulder, holding tighter. "I can't live alone anymore."

Nine years had passed, yet the loneliness clung—

Empty and desolate.

Silent and still.

All alone.

"So—"

Mustering his nerve, Shiyu made his plea.

"Be my older sister, okay?"

"..."

Xia Zixin fell silent, as if weighing his words.

Waiting, Shiyu's heart hammered with dread.

What if she refused? What then?

He'd respect her choice—even forced presence meant nothing without her will.

"You're such a troublesome little brother." After a long pause, Xia Zixin finally spoke. "After all that, just wanting a sister? Disappointing. I thought you'd ask for a wife." She smiled, hugging him back, gently stroking his hair. "Mm."

"As you wish. I'll be your sister. But promise me one thing."

"What?"

"A simple thing—" She leaned her head against his. "Even weakened by losing this fragment of power, you must live on strong. If you die from the Demonic Orb's loss, I'll never forgive myself."

He understood.

Her sole aim had always been his survival—as the accidental Thunder God.

She blamed herself; her death was the only way to break the curse's cycle.

"Mm. I promise."

He vowed never to make her grieve.

◆

The same pitch-black room. The same air, icy enough to make bones shiver.

"Is this your excuse for failure?" A shadowy figure loomed in the dark, voice dripping with disdain at the Fiend kneeling below.

"..."

Lotali stayed silent. No words could justify sparing Nangong Shiyu—a boy who risked death for his sister.

Kicking someone while they're down was taboo to her.

"Foolish. I've never met a demon as stupid as you."

"I... deserve death..."

"Death?" The figure sneered. "Too kind. I don't make losing deals."

Sweat beaded on Lotali's brow.

"After drinking your master's blood, if the contract breaks from failure—you know the price, demon."

He smirked, fingers tracing her small face.

"Gain demands equal payment. That's your kind's eternal law."

His hand slid down her neck, brushing her collarbone, eyes mocking.

"You'll be more than a servant now."

"Slave. That's your new title, foolish demon."

She couldn't argue.

Demon law demanded this.

"Yes... Master..."

Reluctantly, she accepted her place—

Lower than a servant. A slave.