No one told anyone anything, but they spread rumors that the Ripper would not come again in the form of a folk song and lots of hints that rumormongers would hear. After some time without daily news of death for weeks, people are beginning to believe in the rumors and started leaving their homes again. What happened that night remain a secret from everyone except those that were there and those that have seen the footage. Luckily no one wanted the glory, they just want to get rid of the Ripper.
Everyone is happy. Viola's vengeance is complete, Leon's house arrest is uplifted and now everyone in the conspiracy club know that they are safe. Leon is gonna introduce to his parents to begin implementing and training spiritualists in the future.
With Lysander's influence, The Atreus family's name was cleared but Karmanor is known as the Ripper throughout the entire world. It is humbling that Amy, herself, is not all powerful with her mental age and story knowledge. She looked at the small baby dagger she used against Karmanor. He had a family, lost them and his life in one night and is set on removing everyone's families as well.
"To win is to lose... huh"
"What does that mean?" Selim asked out of nowhere.
Amy sighed. "It means that by achieving victory, you must understand failure first. Karmanor is an upstanding person in life but lost his life and became a vengeful ghost. In his case, he lost and keeps losing. He gave up on becoming human and became the monster he is remembered by. He has no true direction to win. He has nothing to lose after all."
"Did you feel like you gain something? You saved many lives and even cleared the Ripper's family name."
"What could I gain from this? It won't bring back the ones that are gone."
"Everything you said before, was it true?"
Amy remained passive, "Who knows. What do I know? No one truly knows."
*
The end of the year party was quiet, but everyone is neither in high spirits but also not feeling low either. Final exams are cancelled which, by the way, thank goodness. Amy didn't have time to study so she is probably the happiest in the room. And also... she is tired.
Perhaps if she died that day, she might end up like Karmanor. If Tyler's killer is still alive then she would want to kill him. Who is she to judge a person's feelings and actions? Who is she to say those words to Karmanor? Some of the things she has said are true, but she left out one thing. One that would remain a secret. One she wishes not to talk about. In that moment, he stared at her like he understood her and that she understands him. Truthfully, she wants to talk to him a bit more. Her purification ability can destroy anything that exists even spirits, so he's gone, erased from existence.
Amy may be aware of her true identity and the person she is playing as and as old and unhesitant as she is, she is still human. She could die here and there. If she dies here, no one will remember her and it will all be erased or as a cruel joke, she will exist as a copy, a fake, a record. She watched everyone in the hall, celebrating before leaving to get some air. As she sat at the edge of a fountain, she saw her reflection before seeing another. That head of hair is recognizable. It is Leon.
"When is the last time you slept?" he asked in a casual tone.
Amy looks haggard as she continues to stare at the water. She may have presented herself as presentable, but eyes are loopy, covered with dark circles and her skin is sickly pale.
"Last night," she answered.
"Don't let this kind of stuff bother you. When people think you're strong, they always look up to you, want to be you but they can't. People like you are like me."
She moved her head to his direction. Her tired eyes are staring deep at him. She has nothing to lecture him. He is the strongest, confident and possibly the only person in the world whose words are hard to believe. The only person he acknowledged as the strongest is Rufus as he is his only equal. To call her that is quite lonely. To stand on the precipice of power is enough to make a person arrogant to the point of overconfidence. Yet, he's probably the only person the reality to know how this feels. He cares about nurturing talent and make them as strong as he. As much as he annoys her, she acknowledges that she learns much from him.
"You impressed me." he said, "Everything from this point will become harder. You must show your power and use it something you are best at."
"You are a more caring person than I'd give credit for. Is it because you are a prince on the road to becoming king or because you are Leon Rex?" she asked.
He was quiet. He came here to advise her, not to comfort her or say some nice words.
"I should warn you to be careful. Because I won't always be there for everyone. One day, I am your friend and the next thing you know, I might become your enemy."
He didn't answer as he was quiet. His expression is hard to read but she could tell that it bothered him. Everyone is to play an important role here. She cannot be there. She cannot stay even if she wants to and right now, she really doesn't want to. She needs a break from it all. The idea to run away from the responsibility sounds nice for once.
*
Amy found a prescription on her desk. Sleeping pills from Boris. She packed everything for the ride home tomorrow so all she needs is a good night's sleep and hopefully some good dreams for once.