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The match was over, and Oliver was the only one left still standing. Now it was time to shake off the fear and adrenaline and make sure the girls were okay, and be in good spirits from his win...

Rather than do the things he knew he had to do, the boy couldn't stop shaking. Even with Jökul de-summoned. He didn't want to fight anymore, even just the practice match brought back memories of his last fight where there were lives resting on his shoulders and he had been terrified and so unready to die. It was safe here, but no matter how much he tried to reassure himself, that tight feeling in his chest and sickness in his stomach wouldn't go away.

He flinched as Horace's hand landed on his shoulder, tolerated the hair ruffling without a word, and the moment his friend had turned back towards the girls his legs collapsed under him. Oliver dropped rather ungracefully to his butt on the hard dirt. His lip quivered, and he had to wipe his face with a sleeve before the others could see the tears in his eyes.

She'd heaved a relieved sigh hearing Harley's reply and then answered Horace she was fine. When Oliver fell and Harley scooted over to hug the young hunter, she only watched silently. The petite girl doubted that whether his shield was malfunctioned, hers was broken and his.....?

A detestable yet familiar sensation of the reoccurring scenario formed, a sense of loneliness appeared after she lost her siblings. Shu felt like she shouldn't be there, there was no place for her as usual, why did she feel that?

She knew they were good people, but she only wished to leave. Maybe to curl up in her dark tiny basement room, maybe go to the cliff to hear the waves hitting the shore, just not there.

<Isn't it almost your birthday?> The beast asked and she realized it might be the reason.

It just needed one step to turn around but she was looking at three of them from a distance, legs felt numb from supporting her body weight as if she was petrified. It sucks.