"It's not safe," he repeats. "Please, Luce." He reaches with his hands, palming my cheeks as he strokes his thumb over my skin. "You have to withdraw after this trial."

"No. Absolutely no," I state.

"You can't see what I see from here. This is not something you can win. And if you die, your soul dies too. Do you know what that means? No more incarnations. We can never meet again. At least this way..."

"I can't do it, Nikki. I can't give you up. I know I can win this."

"You're human, Luce. They aren't. You can't win."

"My team will help me," I tell him. "They're stronger than me. With them by my side, I can win. I will win."

"Luce. Please... I can't bear if anything happens to you."

"And I can't bear to be without you," I whisper. "So you see, we're at an impasse."

He continues to caress me as he moves closer. The coldness of his cheek seeps into mine as he nuzzles his face against mine.

"Please. Do it for me. Leave this game and go home."

"Do you understand what you're asking me? You're telling me I should just go back home and live the rest of my life without you. How could I ever do that? How, Nikki? How?" I cry out.

"Because the alternative is much worse," he says calmly.

"I know the risks. I'm well aware of the danger and nothing you could say can change my mind. I know you're only thinking of me, while I'm only thinking of you. So we're bound to be perpetually at a crossroads."

His arms drop from my side as he takes a step back, rising to his feet. I scramble up too, stepping toward him, needing to be closer to him.

"You must drop out of the game," he reiterates, his voice sterner. "You must, Lucero," he says with an exasperated sigh.

I blink slowly.

He called me Lucero... He only calls me by my full name when he's angry at me.

"Nikki, please..."

He shakes his head, stepping farther away from me.

"If you love me, you will drop out of the game."

"What... No. It's because I love you so much that I can never do that. Please understand me."

He doesn't speak. He merely stands there, a large spot of black against the colorful background. The shadows within his body move wildly, like black flames fanned by his increased displeasure.

He takes a step back. The chasm between us widens. I step forward, raising my arm and reaching for him.

"Please, Nikki... Don't leave," I whisper, terrified that he'll disappear any moment.

He doesn't move, letting me come closer. Raising myself on the tips of my toes, I reach for him, gently touching his face.

"Can you feel me?" I ask in a whisper as I blow hot air to combat the iciness that pervades every atom of his being. "Can you feel my touch?"