88 An Unexpected Conclusion (2/2)
”Or, maybe it's because the man I called father for a few years tried his damned hardest to keep me and the rest of our family away from such things.”
”…”
Or, maybe there is a completely different reason. I don't really care. Now is not the time to do self-introspection. Now is the time to deny your wish.
”Deny my wish? Seriously!?” he ask with a smirk, ”You know, even if everything goes south, I can still just kill myself and get it over with. Dues plan to end the Demon race will work out just fine. So, I don't have any need to stay alive.”
”…”
”The only reason I have chosen to not kill myself and die at your hands in this duel is to make you a stronger person, and to get some closure at death. That's it. Even if that doesn't happen, it doesn't affect me all that much.”
”Ha! Ha! Hahaha!!!” I can't help but laugh. ”Do you really believe that?”
”What do you mean?”
”Do you really think you will find closure by dying by my hands? You won't.” I say, and before he can retort, I continue, ”The only way you will ever find closure is if you died by Grimma's hands.”
”Ah!” He is left unable to respond, giving me ample time to continue,
”You blame yourself for everything that happened with Grimma and everything that happened because of it. I don't remember everything but I can tell it was something awful. Regardless though, it's her that you blame yourself for. So only by dying by her hands can bring you any closure.”
I am not a replacement for my sister. No one is.
”Hah!” He sighs and says, ”You know, maybe you are right. But, since this duel is something I have already started, I might as well finish it.”
He tries to make some symbol with his hand for some mage-craft. But, whatever it is, he stops – because I stop him with my hand outstretched as I say, ”I have noticed you do not use your mage-craft for offensive purposes.”
”…”
”Whatever reason you have for that, it is enough for me to know that I am going to win this duel. There is no point in it anymore.”
I say and turn around.
”You can't be serious about this, Irium. You are walking away from this?” He says with an annoyed expression.
”Yes, I am.” I simply so and start walking.
”…”
”…”
Neither of us says anything past that as I reach the entrance/exit to the field, which Trevor opens up for me, and I leave.
And that – is the end of the duel.
*****