"I don't think that is true," Ryuk responded, leading to Odette grinning in interest.
"You think it isn't stupid?" she asked, and he nodded, feeling the girl in his arms grip harder around his stomach as she buried her hand in his chest, seemingly in search of comfort.
He rubbed her hair chaotically, making her smile goofily.
"I think fearing death makes us commit a lot of mistakes, and takes us farther away from growth. Also, you were right," he said, turning to look at her.
"Huh?"
"Orrelith didn't leave me behind. I had a choice to follow her and escape, something she calls a temporary retreat."
"I don't necessarily find that to be wrong, but the truth is, if I had run away from the fight with you, I wouldn't be half as strong as I am now, mentally and physically."
"I grew from that fight, and that only happened due to my lesser fear of death, you could say."
"Hmmm," She hmmed silently under her breath.
