When Rain Falls on the Burned Desert

Ophelia’s world was confined to a cramped attic atop a winter tower.
Even after she was cast out into the desert beyond the tower’s walls, nothing changed.
The frost consuming her heart, bestowed upon her by an Ice Spirit, continued to slowly devour her life.

The man who took her in was Helio von Kapkan, the Lord of the Desert.
His affection and kindness, given without him asking for anything in return, gradually broke down the life she had resigned herself to: one built on surrender and despair alone.

“If this is how it’s going to end, then you shouldn’t have been so kind to me.”
“You shouldn’t have taught me what it means to love.”
“Now I want to live.”
“But… I’m dying.”

In order to save her life,
Kapkan willingly offered himself as a sacrifice to the Fire Spirit.

“There is only one way to transfer the Fire Spirit’s power.”
“Physical union.”
“Did you hear that? Then let’s mate like beasts.”