"According to the book of Metanoia, there were nine of them, and they were known as the Nine Sinners," Cyrus adds, staring at the ground. "They were so dedicated to the God of Darkness that the Great Wizard made them his servants. They assisted him in deceiving even more innocent people. However, because they were only humans, they eventually aged and died.

"When the Twelve Prophets appeared and injured the Fallen Angel, the Great Wizard was enraged. He killed nine humans and summoned the spirits of his loyal servants to the victims' bodies. They are known as Blood Demons."

Cyrus unfolds his arms and rests his elbows on his knees. He leans forward, clasping his hands under his chin. "The Great Wizard and the Blood Demons mysteriously vanished without a trace after the war a thousand years ago."

Raia's eyes narrow in thought. "That spell he cast on the Fallen Angel's soul must have cost him a lot of power. He was weakened, which is why he vanished. He was hiding and regaining his strength during his absence."

Cyrus stares at her for a moment before smiling. "Ah, a smart kid; you're right, he's gotten weak. Five hundred years later, he returned and, along with the Blood Demons, reintroduced darkness into the world. But those seven demons . . . we haven't heard of them in a hundred years, and now you've encountered them."

"Yeah, but he's alone and he mentioned the Core. I'm guessing they're also looking for Cimmerians to find it."

Cyrus and Sonnet exchange a wary look.

"I see," Cyrus speaks in an undertone, his voice suddenly tense. "It's not surprising that the Fallen Angel will be awakened soon, given that the Core will form a new soul after a thousand years. The Great Wizard must have been desperate to find and secure it."

"Awaken?" Raia asks with a frown.

"Yes," Sonnet answers, and Raia looks at her.

"The Fallen Angel's Core is still a mysterious substance, but it is thought to reside in cursed souls. Once it awakens, our chances of closing the Western Gate will be greatly reduced."

And so my chance of achieving my freedom.

"Anyways," Cyrus says, breaking the silence that had descended on the room. "I need to contact the other branches right now. The Blood Demons have returned, and it's a serious matter. We must warn everyone to be more cautious." His gaze falls on Raia as if he wants to say something, but instead, he sighs and picks up the folder from the bed. "Well, then, I guess I should go."

"Wait," Raia blurts out, rising from her bed before Cyrus can leave.

Cyrus and Sonnet watch as Raia pulls her cloak from the metal hook on the white wall and clutches it against her chest. A flowery scent tickles her nostrils right away, indicating that her cloak has been washed clean.

"Take me to Kara," Raia orders, her voice low and solemn.

Cyrus's mouth widens in surprise as he stares at her, and Sonnet gives her a worried look. They both appear to be aware of what the girl is thinking.

"Raia," Cyrus begins, a hesitant tone in his voice. "You don't have to. You're not fully recovered yourself. You should take a rest for a while."

"What do you mean?"

Cyrus lowers his eyes to avoid her gaze. "I am aware of the consequences of your healing."

Raia stiffens. She scowls as she grips the cloak. Then she narrows her eyes and studies Cyrus's features, but when their gazes meet, the man averts his eyes once more.

"I will do it," Raia pronounces in a firm voice.

Cyrus's face looks surprised. "No, you don't have to . . . at least not right now. You should -"

"I'm a healer."

Cyrus stares at her, at a loss for words.

"You want me to heal him, right?" Raia continues, a hard expression on her face. "You're worried for him, which means he's in a bad state right now. So I'll do it, I'll heal him."

"But Raia -"

"What? You're worried about me? Or just feeling a bit sense of guilt?" Sarcasm rings in her deep voice. "It's no time for such thing, Bishop Galbraith. Besides, I want to do it myself. Kara protected me from the Blood Demon and I despise it when I owe someone something. That's why I'll do it. To repay him."

Cyrus lowers his eyes, his jaw tightening.

Raia's mouth corners curve downward. Is he trying to pity me? Or is he just pretending just to feel less guilty?

Frustration flares up inside of her. Raia doesn't need anyone's sympathy. She knows that they're always out of pretense, and she finds it infuriating. Her time in the orphanage had already taught her everything she needed to know about the world. No one cares about anyone unless they are in need of something. And in Raia's case, everyone always wants something from her.

They only want her gift.

Humans are cruel and selfish creatures. And they are predictable.

Besides, the consequence of her power only lasts during the healing process. So why fret about that when the pain will disappear once the patient is healed? It's better to get things done quickly than to waste time on something nonsensical.

This time, she heals whoever she chooses to heal.

"I'll heal him," Raia declares in a clearer voice. Her expression precludes any counter-argument.

Sonnet's eyes dart between the two with a troubled expression, but she remains silent.

"All right, then," Cyrus finally responds in hushed tones, flashing her a small smile.

"Just don't tell Kara," Raia says, lowering her head.

It's at this point that she remembers Raiden's words.

"And I don't want anyone to heal me if they have to bear my pain instead. I hate that. I don't want to be burdened with any more guilt."

Raia clenches her fists and pushes them out of her mind.