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45. With the knife you killed, I got reborn.

  Still outside in the woods. Ace is on the three playing with her knife, Nuri sitting near the river. Troy leaning against the tree with Roger. Rho and Nigel separated somewhere in the woods.

  Roger: So that was Nexara?

  Troy nods.

  Roger: And all this time I thought you are full of shit.

  Troy silent, serious. Thinking. Rin walks towards Nuri and sits down.

  Nuri: I can't believe she was the Nexara this whole time... and we didn't even notice.

  Rin: Yeah...

  Kaya: Well I noticed so...

  She sits down too.

  Nuri: You could have told us you know? I mean forget that. You could have at least told me.

  Kaya: As much as I hate keeping secrets from you, this time was different. I only kept that as a secret because I know that she was Nexara but now she is Rhodri, our Rho, our friend. Why should we remind her of someone who she doesn't want to be anymore?

  Nuri: I understand that but still... she could have...

  Kaya: Told you guys? did you forget how all of you reacted?

  Nuri: Yeah, you are right...

  Rikka: What are you guys talking about? Red?

  She sits down.

  Rin: We are talking about how we feel about the fact that she was Nexara.

  Rikka: Well, I couldn't care less, she is annoying either way. Beside, I don't see what is the big deal about her. I mean, I listened a lot of people talking about her before but I never really knew much about her.

  Rin: She was an important figure in this world. Daughter of first general, daughter of a man who is nothing but evil and a liar.

  Rikka: You think she is evil too?

  Rin: No, not at all, but I did used to think that, before I knew her.

  Nuri: Yeah me too.

  Pause.

  Rikka: So let me guess. You are afraid she is using all of you?

  Rin: Well that is a possibility, I mean she is with us because she has to be.

  Kaya: No... She was with us because she had to be, but now that is not the case, I am sure of it.

  Nuri: Of course you think that, you believe in everyone.

  Kaya: Maybe... but, I am positive about her. She is not our enemy.

  Rin: I agree.

  Rho and Nigel.

  In the forest alone

  Nigel: I am going to ask this only once, and I want an honest answer.

  Rho is serious and calm. She nods.

  Nigel: Did you or did you not had anything to do with curse users? Did any of your projects included that?

  Rho looks at him, silent a bit.

  Rho: No, I didn't, that was always under Orobas jurisdiction.

  Nigel: But you knew about it?

  Rho sighs and looks down.

  Rho: I found out about it a bit too late. I didn't know a lot of things that was going on in there, curse users was one of them. I wasn't even supposed to know that but I did find out about it on my own. And I wanted to shut down the whole project but I couldn’t do anything about it.

  Nigel is silent for a bit.

  Nigel: When did you find out about it?

  Rho: I was 19 when I found out about C.U. since then, I was never the same.

  Nigel sighs.

  Nigel: I am just glad that you didn't have to do anything with that.

  Rho: I can be cruel, but not that much.

  She looks away.

  Nigel: Are you afraid of a Curse users?

  Rho looks at him.

  Rho: I am afraid for them, not them.

  Nigel steps a bit closer.

  Nigel: If I would show you right now what a curse user looks like, would you still think the same?

  She looks up at him, calm.

  Rho: I am not afraid of you Nigel, and I won't be. Curse user or not, I can still see the real you.

  She said cold, serious, and honest.

  Rho: Is there anything else you would like to know?

  She still talked cold. Nigel thinks a bit.

  Nigel: What kind of a relationship you have with that animal guy?

  Rho confused.

  Rho: Well it was always mostly professional, but I guess I could say that he was my friend...

  She thinks.

  Rho: Anyway, why do you care?

  Nigel shrugs.

  Nigel: I don't like having competition.

  He said a bit in a teasing tone. Rho even more confused.

  Rho: I don't understand.

  She talked like robot, always.

  Nigel: Oh you know what I mean...

  He leans a bit closer and touches her lock of hair.

  Nigel: I guess I just don't like to share.

  Rho slaps his hand immediately and looks annoyed .

  Rho: Stop talking to me in that way, or I will stop talking to you.

  She turns around and starts to walk away.

  Rho: Jerk.

  She said quietly.

  He laughs a bit, but then he looked down at the ground. He thought about the past for a moment, but then he walked in the same direction she did.

  The rest...

  Still in the woods. Rin and Nuri talks.

  Rin: You know, I was thinking...

  Nuri: Yeah?

  Rin: I think I want to get bounty.

  Nuri looks surprised.

  Nuri: What now?

  Rin leans on his arms, on grass.

  Rin: I am serious,

  Nuri: Why did you change your mind? You hate to go against rules.

  Rin: I only hate to go against my rules.

  Nuri: Well isn't that one of your rules? To not have a criminal record?

  Rin: Well what can I say, the reason has changed.

  Nuri: And what is that?

  Rin: I want to be part of that, with all of you.

  Nuri smiles a bit.

  Nuri: You know brother, I like that reason very much.

  Rin smiles and looks up at the sky, Nuri puts his hand on his shoulder .

  Nuri: And now that I know that, I think I am going to do everything in my power for you not to get that bounty.

  Rin: Wait what?

  Nuri: You heard me. I don't know what is it... I just like to ruin your plans I guess.

  He teases him, and looks in front of him. Rin laughs a bit.

  Rin: Game on.

  Kaya and Rikka looking at Ace that is on the tree.

  Kaya: While you are there, can you get me that apple?

  Ace looks.

  Ace: That one?

  Kaya: It doesn't matter, any apple that is the easiest to get.

  Ace: Don't be boring, give me a proper challenge.

  Kaya wants to say something Nuri interrupts.

  Nuri: You say you can get any apple from that tree?

  Ace: Damn right.

  Kaya: Well it doesn't matter, any apple is fine.

  Nuri: That one!

  Nuri shows at the apple that is high and far to reach.

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  Ace: No problem.

  She starts to climb, she is good at that and fast. Kaya sighs. Ace comes to the tricky part, she tries to reach it.

  Kaya: Be careful!

  Nuri: There is no way.

  She picks up an apple, and climbs down a bit lower, still on the tree, and throws an apple to Nuri.

  Ace: Here you go.

  Ace: Anyone else wants an apple?

  Kaya: I still want an apple...

  Ace: Well you have to choose one first.

  Kaya: Oh fine... that one.

  She shows which one.

  Rikka: While you are there, can I have one too?

  Ace: Which one?

  Kaya: Oh no that again...

  Nuri: You know what, I bet I can pick that apple before you.

  Kaya sighs again.

  Ace: Oh? On what do you want to bet?

  Nuri thinks.

  Nuri: If I win, you will let me hold your katanas for about... an hour?

  Ace: 15 minutes. And if I win, you owe me ?no question ask” favour.

  Rikka: What is that?

  Kaya: All I wanted was an apple...

  Nuri throws an apple to her. She catches it. Kaya happy.

  Kaya: Finally!

  Rikka: I am still waiting for an answer...

  Nuri: “No question ask” favor is basically when you can ask someone for any favor but they can't ask you why or anything about that favor, they just have to do it.

  Ace: So what do you say?

  Nuri thinks.

  Nuri: 20 minutes, and I am in.

  Ace: Deal.

  While they climb the three and betting, Rin talks with Troy and Roger. Troy looks up, and looks at Rin.

  Rin: May I ask you a question?

  Troy looks at him cold. And he nods.

  Rin: When you saw Rho... Nexara... last time, what did you see exactly?

  Troy thinks.

  Troy: I saw her dying.

  Past

  She was on the cliff, Davon stabbed her in the heart, and she fell down the cliff…

  Present

  Troy: While I was escaping the prison and death I thought that she sent me to, I saw her on the edge of the cliff, fighting for her life. I saw Davon stabbing her with his sword into her chest. She fell of the cliff while the sword remain in her chest. I waited to see what will they do with her body but they couldn't find it. There was no sight of her. I thought that maybe someone removed her body, that someone waited under the cliff, because Davon always had everything planed out. I have no idea how she survived that... I was sure that she was dead. I escaped and never looked back. After that, the story of her dying in the battle of the war was spread everywhere. No one was allowed to even say her name. The whole world felt sorry for Davon because of losing his daughter, while he was the one who killed her.

  Rin: Well he failed.

  Roger: Well, I only met her today, but I can tell that's the woman who does not take anyone else’s bullshit. That is some strong bitch right there.

  Troy: Language.

  Roger: Oh right, I still use female word for a dog. Pardon me. I am new to this human world...

  Troy: Then how come I never heard you use that word for a female dog?

  Roger: What word?

  Troy: You know what word...

  Roger: I know that you are not going to say it.

  Troy: And dog is supposed to be human’s best friend.

  Roger: And humans are supposed to know a difference between your and you're, but for some reason they don't. What is up with that?

  Ace won the bet. She is laughing evilly.

  Ace: Be ready for that favor.

  Nuri: Damn it...

  Ace: Don't feel sorry bro, there was no way for you to win even in the first place.

  Nuri: I am afraid of what you might ask...

  Ace: You should be.

  Nuri: What is that supposed to mean?

  In that moment Nigel and Rho came from the forest. Rho looks up at the sky, it looked like it will rain.

  Rho: We should get out of here.

  Kaya: I agree but where?

  Troy sighs and starts walking.

  Troy: Are you all coming or not?

  They followed him. He led him to his cabin in the woods. The rain started to fall, they all went inside.

  Troy: I only have one room, and that is for me, you can stay here, but I don't care where you all be sleeping.

  They were in the living room.

  Rho: Thank you for letting us stay.

  He looks at her.

  Troy: You can have my room, I owe you that much at least.

  Rho shakes her head.

  Rho: You don't owe me anything, and besides, I have my bed right here.

  She took out small bed from her purse, that she made smaller with her power, and she throw it on the floor and made it bigger.

  Nuri. Wow, do you maybe have another one?

  Rho looks at him, talking cold.

  Rho: Why would I have another one?

  Nuri: I don't know, maybe just in case for your friends!

  Rho: I didn't plan to have any friends, so no.

  Nuri: Okay then... I am taking the couch.

  Kaya: Wait! You can't just...

  Nuri lay down.

  Nuri: I just did.

  Kaya trying to push him off.

  Kaya: Get off!

  Rikka helping her.

  Rikka: Be a gentleman and get up!!!

  Nuri: Be a lady and maybe I will!

  Rikka: What did you just say!?

  Kaya and Rikka fought for the couch.

  Rho: Well I have a blanket here too.

  She made it bigger and threw it on the floor.

  Ace: That is good enough for me. Do you maybe have some beer in there too?

  Rho: No, I don't have any alcohol with me.

  Ace looks at Troy.

  Ace: And what about your fridge?

  Troy: No alcohol here.

  Ace confused.

  Ace: You got to be kidding me...

  Roger walks towards her.

  Roger: Psst, I got you, follow me.

  Ace: Well, good dog.

  She follows him. Troy talks to everyone.

  Troy: Don't get to comfortable and don't touch anything. I am going to light some fire.

  Nuri: I can help you with that.

  He lights fire. Troy looks at him, he talks cold like Rho too, always.

  Troy: You are free to have a couch.

  Nuri: Yes!

  Kaya: Well that's just not fair.

  She crosses her arms. Nuri makes the couch into a bed.

  Nuri: There is enough room for two, see.

  Kaya: Fine, but keep your arms and feet away from my face. And you better not snore!

  Nuri laughs.

  Rikka: Oh just great...

  Rho: You can sleep on my bed.

  Rikka: And you are suddenly nice because?

  Rho annoyed.

  Rho: I don't know, I guess it would be easier just to kill you in your sleep,

  Rikka sarcastic.

  Rikka: Ha ha, very funny, you monster!

  Rho: What, you want to sleep on the floor?

  Rikka sighs and sits on her bed.

  Rho: I thought so.

  Rin: Thank you, once again for letting us stay.

  Troy nods.

  Troy: Well it's been a long day...I think we all should get some rest.

  Kaya yawns.

  Kaya: I don't mind that idea at all.

  She closes her eyes and she instantly falls asleep.

  Nuri: Damn, how is she doing that?

  Everyone starts to go to sleep, Ace and Roger still drinking. Troy looks at Rho.

  Troy: That means you too.

  He looks at Rho because he knows she is never asleep. Rho expression the same cold, she didn’t react. She ignored him and went to do as she usually do, pretends go to sleep. Troy went to his room, Nigel leaned on the wall and crossed his arms and leg, and closes his eyes. Rin lies on the blanket on the floor. Kaya and Nuri sleeps, already snoring on the couch, Rikka sleeps in Rho’s bed feeling so tired. Rho awake, Rin still awake but he was slowly falling asleep, Nigel keeping his eyes closed. Ace and Roger walked into a room where they all are. Drinking bears.

  Ace: What happened here? Were we attacked? She said as calmly as possible.

  Roger: Nah, they just don't know how to party I guess.

  Ace: Oh you have no idea.

  Roger cheers with her.

  Roger: I think I can tolerate you human.

  Ace cheers back. And nods in a way that said “same”. Rho watched through the window. Ace walked to her.

  Rho: I was waiting when you will show up.

  Ace: Oh you know me, I always appear in the shadow.

  She smiles a bit. Then she is more serious and leans on the wall.

  Rho: So what is it, that you want to know?

  Ace: First I want to know, do you want bear?

  Rho was a bit confused but she turned to her cold expression again.

  Rho: No, thank you. May I hear a second one?

  Ace looks at her and straightens up

  Ace: While you were... Nexara. Did you knew someone named Aaron?

  Rho thinks. Rho her face a bit softness, because she remembered Ace talked about him.

  Rho: No, I did not.

  Ace: I see.

  Rho: But, there was this one person who was by Eligor's side most of his time, working with him, but no one ever knew who he was. The name was unknown.

  Ace: So you think, he was that guy?

  Rho: I am just saying what I know. Based on your history, you knew Eligor, and there is a likely chance you knew that person too. So I think that information would be useful.

  Rho knew why she asked, she knew about Aaron, she knew Ace’s story, and by all of that she knew how to give her right answer.

  Ace: Let's test that theory, shall we? When was the last time you saw that person?

  Rho thinks.

  Rho: Three years ago.

  That was the day everyone thought she was dead. She wasn't in government. Ace laughs.

  Ace: Well you see, that theory of you is wrong, that could never been Aaron.

  Rho: Why is that?

  Ace: Because. He died 4 years ago.

  She looked down.

  Ace: So there is no way you could have seen him 3 years ago.

  Rho: Then I made a mistake. That could not be him.

  Rho thinks, Ace still looks down.

  Rho: But who was it then?

  Ace: I could never know, Aaron was his favourite pupil, he would know.

  Rho: I see.

  Rho talked calm. Ace looks at her. Sees her expression.

  Ace: I hope you are not applying something?

  Rho: No, of course not.

  Ace: Because if you do, I would like to know.

  She looks at her.

  Rho: I am just wondering who that person was, that's all. Now we know that it couldn't been him.

  Ace: Yeah, you are right. I guess I didn't really knew anything about Eligor... I guess I wasn't good enough to be his right hand. Like you were to Davon.

  Rho understands.

  Rho: I have to stop you right there. You should never feel sorry for that. You should be happy that he did not take you through that path. You would not see anything good, trust me. Run while you can... because I am sure when it comes to one thing, and that is, that you don't need another hell. So I am telling you, be happy that you were not one of his people.

  Ace realizes.

  Ace: Yeah.. you are right. I would never want to fight for that side anyway.

  She cheers.

  Ace: Thanks for the advice.

  And drinks some bear.

  Rho: Do you want to talk about it?

  Ace: About what?

  Rho hesitate.

  Rho: Aaron's death.

  Ace: Well that was very straight forward...

  Rho: I apologize if I offended you, I just assumed that was on your mind right now...

  She talked like robot.

  Ace: Can you stop talking like robot, and just start talking like Rho?

  Rho surprised.

  Ace: I did not mean to offend you I just wanted to say, I understand the consequences, so I am just saying, ditch one.

  She talks relaxing. Drinking bear. Rho is surprised and a bit impressed.

  Rho: You know, Eligor is a fool for not choosing you for a role. As someone who was in government, and being a right hand to Davon, if I had to choose someone for my team, I would definitely choose someone like you.

  Ace surprised, she looks at her, and smiles away.

  Ace: Oh really? A drunk like me...

  She drinks.

  Rho: Who is a stronger of a drunk person that can fight like a sober person? And not only fight, that drunk chick always wins. So yeah, I would choose a good warrior like you anytime.

  Ace: Well... thanks, I didn't know you knew how to be... this nice.

  Rho: Neither did I. Still learning.

  Rho looks away.

  Ace: Do you want to talk about it?

  Rho: About?

  Ace: That hell you've been trough.

  Rho: Well that was very straight forward.

  She smiles a bit and Ace smiles too.

  Rho: I was already there, I don't want to go through that again. I would rather try and enjoy the place I am now.

  Ace understands.

  Ace: You go girl.

  She smiles and drinks her bear.

  Roger: So you do have emotions.

  They are surprised and looked at him.

  Roger: What? Should I tell you I was here sooner?

  He said in a teasing way.

  Rho: That would be nice, yes.

  She talked calm.

  Roger: But if I did that every time, I wouldn't know all the shit I know now.

  Ace laughs a bit.

  Roger: Now, does anyone have a cigarette?

  Ace gives him cigarette.

  Rho: I thought Rin got rid of all your cigarettes.

  Ace: That is what he thinks.

  She tries to light it, but her cigarette suddenly gets frozen. She is mad.

  Ace: You got to be kidding me... Isn't he asleep?!

  They glance over him, he is laying, having his eyes closed, he just rolls over to a different side.

  Ace: If he does that even one more time, I am killing him in his sleep tonight...

  Rho smiles a bit.

  Ace: You want one?

  She offers her a cigarette. Rho thinks.

  Rho: I don't know, I never tried it.

  Roger: What? How old are you?

  Rho: I am 23.

  Roger: You know kid, most people in that age is fighting with addiction, and trying to stop smoking, and you never even tried?

  Rho: It is unhealthy.

  Roger: So?

  Rho confused

  Rho: What do you mean so?

  Roger: You don't see good sides of it.

  Rho: And what would that be?

  Roger walks towards Ace, takes the cigarette, and holds it towards Rho.

  Roger: The best thing that comes from this is getting to know someone over a cigarette.

  Ace: Oh yeah, I agree.

  Roger: So? what do you say, do you want to join your old friend and maybe get to know a new one?

  Rho thinks, Ace looks at her. Rho takes the cigarette.

  Ace: Holly shit, you are going to do it!

  Rho looks at the cigarette. Ace holding the light for her. Rho lights it on, and takes her first drag. She didn't cough.

  Ace: Damn girl, you are natural.

  Rho looks at it.

  Rho: Where this has been all my life...

  Ace smiles and light it a cigarette for her and Roger. They smoke together.

  Later that night, everyone asleep. Rikka in Rho’s bed, Nigel leaning against the wall, Nuri and Kaya on couch, Rin on the blanket on the floor, Ace was sleeping next to him holding her bottle. Roger sleeping on the floor. Rho walked around the cabin, she went upstairs. One door was opened a bit, and she went in. She saw some familiar things. Some piece of papers, awards, an old pocket watch that Troy always had with him. She took it and looked at it.

  Troy: I knew you won't be asleep.

  She turns around and looks at him.

  Rho: I am sorry, I wasn't trying to...

  Troy: I see you remember it.

  He looks at the watch.

  Rho: How could I... you always had it with you.

  He walks in.

  Troy: Well, I had you with me always too.

  Rho: Yeah... I bet it was a challenge working for me.

  Troy: With you.

  Rho: Oh get over it already, I was the boss and you knew it.

  She talked calm but smiling. He laughed a bit too.

  Troy: Yeah... I just hated to say it out loud.

  He walks around, looking at some staff.

  Troy: You know, you were an awful boss.

  Rho: I apologize for almost killing you but you knew that risk from the beginning.

  He laughs a bit.

  Troy: Can't argue with that.

  They both smile. He looks at her.

  Troy: You know, I missed this.

  Rho: What?

  Troy: This partnership, well, friendship.

  Rho nods.

  Rho: You were my only friend back there, and yet I almost killed my only friend. What that tells about me...

  Troy: That was only business, beside, it was not your fault, you did the best you could.

  Rho sits on the chair. Troy leans on the desk.

  Rho: I just hope I won't make the same mistake again.

  Pause.

  Troy: Those people downstairs... they are your friends?

  Rho smiles.

  Rho: They are more than that, they are my family.

  Troy: I am sorry but, I got to ask, how that happened?

  Rho: Well by only one way possible. Force.

  He raises an eyebrow.

  Rho: I wanted to say... it was one of the conditions of the mountain.

  Troy: Oh... well that makes the most sense.

  Silence

  Troy: When that happened? Mountain?

  Rho turns serious, a bit broken.

  Rho: The same day I died.

  Past.

  On the cliff.

  Nexara: You won't get away with this!

  Davon cold, serious.

  Davon: If you only did what I asked...

  Nexara: I am not your pet! No one is! You need to stop with all of this! You can't play God!

  Davon still the same.

  Davon: You know, I really did consider you as my daughter.

  Nexara: You were never my father.

  Silence.

  Davon: Don't be too harsh, this is a very sad day for me.

  Nexara: How?

  Davon looks at her.

  Davon: Today is the day my daughter died.

  He stabbed her with the black sword into her chest, in the same spot she has her sword tattoo. She looked at him pale, coughing blood.

  Davon: Goodbye Nexara.

  He pushed her, and Nexara was falling down the cliff. Slowly, it felt like forever. In that moment ground opened, and she fell into that hole, and she disappeared.

  Darkness....

  Present.

  Rho: Then I woke up, and I had these tattoos on my shoulders and chest. It took me time to remember it all, but I woke up like a different person, it felt like I was asleep for a long time. Mountain appeared in the most perfect timing.

  Troy: I see... so that is how you survived.

  They kept talking, Nigel was standing right in front of the door, leaning on the wall listening. He still wasn't sure can he trust her.

  Poetry from me to you.

  VOICE OVER SILENCE

  Deleting past for the now, the future.

  Creating art, myself, healing over torture.

  First time I choose my own voice over silence,

  I am breaking from pain, lies and violence.

  The path I walked wasn't easy but I got trough it,

  I wont look back, I am done, I know it.

  In a world full of darkness I found light,

  I am not stopping, not ever, not now.

  Without the fight I am not going,

  I will follow the light until it's all glowing.

  And I know it is right the path of morning,

  The night was the path that showed me a way,

  But night meant dark, loneliness, silence and pain.

  Hiding behind a smile, music and art.

  Hiding in the darkness, shadows and night.

  Breaking from hiding, the walls are fading,

  True colors are showing, true music is playing...

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