After the figure of Infernus vanished into the shadows of the forest, Raphael let out a sigh. Making his way to the path towards the church, Raphael found his mind pondering on the recent events. So much happened in so little time that his mind had trouble recalling every moment. Such were the effects of pumping adrenaline throughout the human body in full survival mode. Trying his best to recall, Raphael's mind only settled on two major events.

First of all, he thought of the death of the Smith family. Normally, death of that scale would scar any sane human for the rest of their lives. But yet, here he was, not fazed at all by the traumatic events. Was he a bad person? The Smiths died horrible deaths, and he couldn't shed a single tear for any of them. Was it because their killer, Infernus, is now his friend? Raphael can only answer no to those questions.

"How can I be fazed by someone else's death when I myself have experienced it before?" Raphael muttered under his breath. The sight of the death of others pales in comparison to the sensation it brings upon oneself. The embrace of death completely devours one's soul, leaving the person lost forever. Nothing is worse than that.

By all definitions, death is the end of life. Nothing exists after death. Yet, Raphael stood breathing in the air that only life allows. He could confidently exclaim his existence beyond the boundary of death.

This thought brought him back to the brief conversation he had with Infernus, who claimed to have also embraced death before. Raphael found it somewhat amusing that he had not a single doubt in the wolf's statement. If anyone else was to say such ridiculous nonsense, Raphael's only response would be to laugh as hard as he can. But in Infernus's case, Raphael could tell that the wolf was not lying. The wolf's eyes spoke volumes of a being that saw what was beyond life, as he himself sees them every time he sees his reflection.

Was that why he was so quick in accepting Infernus, that they both were burdened with the knowledge of death? A childish smirk formed on his face at realizing that he was alone and that there was someone else that carried the same weight he did. Even though the Smith family lost their lives, it was through them that he met Infernus. This was how life works, life yearns for death. And through death, Raphael had made a friend. This connection brought him and Infernus together as if two missing puzzle pieces suddenly fit together.

As he approached the church, he could see the townsfolk in panic. Of course, in this quiet town, a fire was the greatest disaster seen in a while. That's not even mentioning the death of the Smith family, he had to tell someone the Smiths were gone. The men were gathering buckets of water and making their way towards the forest, the same direction he had just come from.

Just as he was to grab a passing man's attention, someone crashed into his back. Hearing the sound of sobbing, Raphael turned to face the person responsible. He wasn't surprised to see Ana, crying her eyes out. He patted her head and gave her a gentle smile. She flung herself into his arms and continued sobbing.

"I was so scared. They said they couldn't find you." Ana managed to convey through multiple hiccups.

Raphael hugged the little girl closer and patted her back. Just as he was going to reply, the others came rushing in and joined in the hug with their own cries of relief. The twins were crying the loudest as their tears soaked his scorched shirt. He muttered apologies and continued hugging the kids, his brothers and sisters in all but blood. He managed to look up and see the tear-filled face of Sister Hana.

"We were so worried. We thought something had happened to you." Sister Hana said as she approached him. The kids made way for her and she grabbed Raphael in a tight hug. Raphael returned the hug and replied, "I am sorry for worrying you all."

"Where were you? The men said they couldn't find you anywhere. We assumed the worst." Sister Hana refused to let go of him until he gently pushed himself from her. He faced the middle-aged woman, who he could say to be the closest thing he had to a mother.

"I am sorry. When I heard the loud howling, I tried to make my way back here as quickly as possible, but then the fire started and I panicked. I had to make my way towards the edge of town and take the other path around back here." Raphael explained to Sister Hana and the kids.

"You are alright and safe now. Thank Imari." Sister Hana hugged him again.

"Wait. There is something I have to tell you." Raphael motioned the kids to go inside. And once they were gone, he quietly muttered to Sister Hana. "The Smiths did not survive the fire, I could not let their bodies lay in the open so I buried them." She was flustered at what she heard and inspected the boy in front of her. He was covered in soot from head to toe and had seared rags that used to be clothes at a point in time, along with the dirt that only improved his looks.