Weakening the Barriers.

Nyx entered a cafe.

Seeing Aurora at the corner table, Nyx walked towards her.

"Hey!"

Nyx called out to Aurora.

Hearing the familiar melodious voice of her sister, Aurora turned to Nyx.

She was surprised to see Nyx at the cafe.

"What are you doing here?" Nyx asked Aurora.

"...I...was nearby...with someone... Then I saw, the cafe..." Aurora whispered awkwardly before turning her eyes away from Nyx.

Nyx sighed seeing Aurora averting her eyes from her.

"Can you come with me somewhere?" She asked Aurora.

Aurora thought for a minute before she nodded to Nyx.

"Okay..." She replied getting up from the table.

Paying for the coffee and the Tiramisu cake, Aurora followed Nyx from behind.

~~~

Nyx and Aurora were sitting on a park bench having just bought ice creams for themselves from a convenience store nearby.

"So now you aren't avoiding me?" Nyx said turning to Aurora.

Aurora was sitting beside Nyx and was silent.

Nyx sighed before she spoke up, steeling her heart.

"If I had told you, you wouldn't have approved of the operation knowing that there is a high chance of me ending up paralysed for life. You would have done your utmost best to prevent it."

Hearing Nyx, Aurora had a complex expression on her face.

She bit her lips before replying to Nyx.

"I know..."

"Aurora, do you know that your excessive dependence and protectiveness towards me is holding you back from moving on? Well, it's just part of it..."

Hearing Nyx, Aurora flinched.

Her hands that were holding the cup of ice cream, were trembling.

She knows what's happening right now.

She knew at the back of her head that this day would eventually come.

"You resist all emotional support, preferring to cope with emotional needs alone, or even ignore them entirely. When you can't cope with it alone, you rely on me. You reach out to me, depend on me for your emotional needs... But not for all of them."

Nyx tore the plastic lid of the ice cream cup before she took a spoon full of ice cream from the cup in her mouth.

"The lack of meaning in life without me, the persistent fear of rejection, the constant need for reassurance from me, the feelings of emptiness and anxiety when you're alone, needing me to build your self-esteem, confidence and self-worth, the feelings of jealousy and possessiveness towards others who I spend my time with... Especially, Li Hwa... Sis, you have-"

Aurora with a shaky voice interrupted Nyx.

"Can you stop...Please..."

Nyx shut up.

She could feel what Aurora was feeling right now through their empathetic connection.

Aurora's heart was in turmoil.

She could sense the uneasiness, the fear, anxiety.

Feeling Aurora's emotions, Nyx got angry!

Nyx felt that she can't leave Aurora be like this. She has to plant a seed in Aurora's heart for her own good!

It's still early, Aurora's heart is not fully sealed.

If it seals off completely, then no one, not Takashi, not Erina, no one will ever be able to get inside her heart.

"Sis, you have done a lot for me. Ever since I could remember, you were always there for me. When I needed you the most, no matter where you were, you would abandon everything else and come to me to support me. Now, I want to do the same thing but I can't do the same... Why can't you face yourself, sis? Why do you not want to move on!"

"Nyx, stop!" Aurora raised her voice before getting up from the bench.

She was about to walk away when Nyx grabbed her hand.

"Sis, I won't ever abandon you! So there's no need to fear about that. I'm moving on with my life, sis...And, I want you to move on too! I can't always be there for you. Open your heart to others, try to acknowledge your feelings. I'm not asking you to accept them, just acknowledge them. Please, move on. Don't let me be the only person in your heart. You will be alone, I can't accept that!"

"Turn around and look at me!" Nyx raised her voice.

Aurora turned around and faced Nyx.

Nyx gazed into Aurora's eyes.

Aurora seemed almost on the verge of tears.

The look in Aurora's eyes deeply hurt Nyx.

"Give me the Blood Token!" Nyx asked.

Aurora hesitated at first before she took of the pendant from her neck.

"You have done enough for me, so let me shoulder half of your burdens, sis. Originally, those responsibilities were mine to shoulder." Nyx said taking the Blood Token from Aurora.

"Move on from your past life, your wives, your lovers, your children, your queendom. I can only do so much for you, sis! I have done everything I can to help you, the rest is all up to you. Only you can help yourself move on!"

Nyx took a deep breath before she shut off the telepathic channel.

"Until I see some progress on yourself, I will be keeping my distance from you, sis. Good luck!" Nyx said to Aurora letting go of the hand from her grasp.

Looking at her sister, Nyx felt complicated.

A part of herself didn't want to do this, however, she has no choice but to do this.

It's all for Aurora sake.

Aurora looked vulnerable and uncertain, that it tugged Nyx's heart.

Steeling herself, she turned around and started to walk away.

Staring at Nyx who was walking away from her, Aurora stood like a statue.

She raised her hand, reaching out, trying as if she wanted to grab hold of something or someone.

An immense amount of dread filled her heart.

She felt like she was all alone, vulnerable, broken.

Aurora bit her lips hard enough to draw blood, she could taste the metallic taste of the blood in her mouth.

Turning away from Nyx's figure, Aurora left.

~~~

Aaron woke up from his sleep.

He needed more sleep but he couldn't sleep anymore.

It has only been a week since his operation, Ana has advised him to sleep and rest for 2-3 weeks.

He slowly got up from the bed.

After the operation, he could move normally.

It doesn't take him 20-40 minutes to get up anymore.

"You're awake!"

Aaron heard a melodious voice from the entrance.

Li Hwa was standing at the door. It was apparent that she has just taken a bath.

Water was from dripping her hair and she had a towel in her hand.

"I just took a bath." She said smiling at Aaron as she gently squeezed her hair with the towel.

Suddenly, tears started to form in Aaron's eyes.

"!!!" Li Hwa.

"What's wrong!" Li Hwa went towards Aaron.

When Li Hwa was at his arm's length, Aaron pulled Li Hwa into his embrace.

Tears trickled down Aaron's eyes as he held Li Hwa tightly in his embrace.

"Can you please, comfort me, my love...I beg you..." Aaron whispered into Li Hwa's ears with a quivering voice.

His whole body was shaking, as he held on to Li Hwa.

Li Hwa could sense pain and distress from Aaron's voice.

She made herself comfortable in Aaron's embrace before she whispered back to Aaron.

"You don't need to ask or beg, I'm always here for you, Aaron. Always and forever!"