[Arc 2: Ambition's Blade]

  (Ambition is just a word. It has no meaning, nor purpose to exist. Everything will always going to be forgotten...)

  (...Just like my cold emptiness heart.)

  Inside the cart, Rein stared out the window, his mind clearly elsewhere. Carol looked around excitedly, while Aria sighed at her behavior. Across from them, Noire and Saria studied a map, tracking their location on the way to Rein's manor.

  "Is something on your mind, Rein?" Revir asked, his voice a low rumble.

  "No. It's none of your concern." Rein replied, his gaze unwavering.

  "Are you sure?" Revir said with a smirk. "It looks like you're not ready for whatever problem you'll find at home."

  Rein signed heavily, the sound a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Can you stop prying into my life?"

  "I will," Revir said, turning his head to look out the window. "Once you prove that you can handle it on your own."

  "Right..." Rein said, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Though I must say, your action confuse me. It's not like you to care."

  Revir's lips twitched in a small smile. "My friends always did that for me," he said. "So why shouldn't I do the same?"

  "Whatever you say, Revir." Rein murmured, deciding it wasn't worth the effort to continue the conversation.

  As they were having their conversation, a sudden, powerful blast hit the side of the cart. The wooden frame splintered, and the wheels were torn free. The entire cart was sent flying, tumbling violently over the edge of a cliff and into the chasm below.

  Everyone was sent spiraling, but in the chaos, Noire's wand shot out. A shimmering plant spell flared to life, a soft yet strong leaf encasing the group just as they were about to hit the jagged rocks at the bottom of the ravine. The leaf absorbed the impact with a muffled thud, bouncing them safely to a halt.

  Thankfully, they all managed to survive the fall without a single scratch.

  "W-what was that?" Carol said, still in shock.

  "That's his doing." Rein said, his expression hardened. "My cousin, Orin. He's...a bit of a mess. I suppose I should have expected him to show up for this meeting."

  "W-what's your relationship with him..?" Saria asked, wanting to understand the bond between them.

  "I don't want to talk about it," Rein replied. "But let's just say our relationship is...mutual at best."

  "I-I see..." Saria said quietly, sensing the topic was off limits.

  Well, rather than standing around," Noire said, brushing dirt and leaves from his clothes. "How about we start walking? I can feel that our destination isn't far from here."

  "I guess you're right." Carol said, already walking toward the deepest part of the forest.

  "W-wait for me!" Saria called out, following after her.

  The rest of the group fell in line, their earlier panic replaced by a silent of purpose. Rein, though, glanced back toward the top of the cliff for a moment before walking deeper into the forest.

  At the top of the cliff, a figure clicked his tongue in annoyance.

  "That idiot Rein. How dare he return to the manor with his filthy feet."

  "Are you sure about endangering Mr. Rein like that, Sir Orin?" A voice asked, concerned.

  "Are you questioning my actions, you useless maid?"

  She replied with a gentle bowed, doesn't want to defied her master further.

  "Hmph." Orin looked back down at the group. "Just you wait, Rein. I'm going to make you regret what you've chose. For neglecting your duty."

  After a series of brisk walking through the forest, the group finally emerged, their eyes taking in a breathtaking view from the edge of a cliff. Below them lay a village and a magnificient manor, the rooftops gleaming in the sunlight. They were mesmerized by the serene beauty of the scene.

  But Rein saw something else.

  Not far from the manor, a young, blue long hair girl and her bodyguard were having a hard time fending off the horde of monsters in the vast plains area. Without a moment of hesitation, Rein's hand blurred as he morphed his wand into a spear and hurled it. The spear soared through the air, piercing the ground just in front of the monster, successfully grabbing its attention.

  The group stared at his immediate, reckless action in confusion.

  "Do you guys just want to sit around or what?" Rein's voice was sharp.

  Aria sighed, a hand on her hip. "Before we jump into another problem, can you atleast give us a reason? We just fell off a mountain, and you're already looking for trouble."

  "I know." Rein said, his gaze fixed on the girl. "It's just... I can't stand here and do nothing. Not when she's idiotly fighting them on her own."

  Carol placed a hand on Aria's shoulder, her touch reassuring. "Just relax, Aria. Rein's got a reason, even if he's having a hard time explaining. Besides," she said, just as the monster leaped toward them. "It's probably better if we have a warm up first." Carol's wand morphed into a sword, and she slashed the monster mid-air.

  "I guess you're right." Aria conceded.

  With that, the group jumped off the cliff, their wands morphing into their signature weapons as they fell.

  "Revir, use your teleportation spell again." Carol commanded. "Rein made a mark there, so it should be easy."

  "Sure, but I can't guarantee a perfect landing-"

  "Yeah, yeah. Just get us there." Carol cut him off.

  Revir just smiled, casting the spell. They landed successfully right where Carol had intended. "See? It was a success."

  "You're right." Revir said with a carefree grin.

  Rein pulled his spear out of the ground as the group surrounded the girl. "Are you okay?" he asked.

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  The girl didn't respond. She simply ignored him, her face a mix of pure anger and annoyance, as she tried to cover the fresh wounds on her arms.

  The group charged forward, leaving Rein behind.

  "We're going to have a lot to talk about. So sit still." Rein muttered to her before rushing to join the fight without looking back.

  Now closer to the group of monsters, the team sprang into action. Aria leaped forward, a ripple of raw power cracking the ground beneath her boot, the shockwave sending the closest monsters flying. At the same time, Carol soared into the air, releasing a flurry of sharp Windcutter spells while Saria shot multiple arrows with pinpoint accuracy. Several monsters were slain instantly by their combined assault.

  Noticing Aria's vulnerability after her attack, a few of the remaining monster lunged at her, but Noire's shimmering barrier appeared just in time, blocking their charge.

  Revir appeared on the flank, his axes a blur as he slashed through their ranks. Meanwhile, Rein summoned a new spear of pure ice, throwing it alongside his previous one. The two spear collided, shattering into a cascade of icy shards that instantly froze the monsters in place.

  With the group ready to finish them off, the remaining monsters, seeing their companions frozen, decided to flee and scattered into the forest.

  "That should do." Rein said, turning away from the others and walking toward the girl. He knelt beside her, his expression softening as he want to see her wounds.

  "Show me your arm." Rein commanded.

  But the girl didn't even bother to listen. She just glared at him, pulling away.

  Rein sighed in annoyance. "Don't be a stubborn, Lily. Can you atleast listen to your brother for once?"

  "Hmph. Why should I listen to someone who ran away?" she shot back, her voice filled with venom. "We're not even blood related."

  The guard beside her, who had been patched up by Rein's friends, looked shocked at her words.

  Rein, however, didn't react. He simply grabbed her arm and checked the wounds himself. "Just a minor one."

  Lily quickly pulled her arm away. "You don't have to pretend like you're caring about me. I'm not that significant to you anyway."

  "Lily..." Rein started.

  She stood, and her guards followed her lead. "You only came here because of the invitation, am I right?"

  Rein didn't answer. He fell silent, a clear sign of his guilt.

  "Figure." she said, her voice dripping with annoyance. "Since you brought your friends, I suppose I should show them the hospitality of Azerin's household." Lily and her guards walked on toward the village, heading straight for the manor at its center.

  "Hey, is that your little sister?" Carol asked, her voice full of curiosity.

  "Yeah. But like she said, we're not blood related." Rein replied in his usual flat tone.

  "Really? Carol's gaze fixed on Lily's retreating back. "Is that why she seems to hate you so much?"

  "... Maybe." Rein said hesitantly, a rare moment of uncertain in his voice.

  The group stepped inside the village and onto a cobblestone path that led directly to the manor. The building itself was a magnificient sight, but its beauty was surpassed by the elegance of its interior. The halls were a mix of traditional wood panelling and modern, intricate decorations that seemed to catch the light in hundred different ways.

  A snap of a finger broke the group's daze. "Maids." Lily commanded. Maids in immaculate uniforms quickly took the group's bags and led them to their rooms.

  "Welcome everyone, to our manor." Lily said with a confident smile. "You don't mind if I'm the one who guides you around?"

  "I don't mind." Carol said, looking at her friends. "How about you guys?"

  They nodded in agreement.

  "Then, dear guests, follow me." Lily walked toward a grand staircase, and the group followed.

  As they walked, Lily spoke with surprising amount of knowledge about the history of Azure Holders. She explained that her family, though small in territory compared to others, had contributed the most to the Flame Eclipse War. She spoke with a fierce pride, claiming their power was more than enough to stand as equals to other Holders.

  However, Carol's eyes were drawn to a family tree on the wall. A strange, modified section caught her attention. There was no picture of Rein anywhere.

  (Is this what he meant by not being blood related?) She thought, bewildered.

  "Carol?" Noire's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

  "Coming!" she said, rushing to catch up, deciding to ignore the unsettling detail for now.

  A while later, Lily stopped in the main hall. "That should be enough for today. I hope you're all satisfied with the walkthrough."

  "We're really satisfied, miss Lily. Thanks for showing us around." Carol replied.

  "Just call me Lily. I'm not the righteous heir of this manor...for now." Her eyes flickered to Rein, a deadly look of resentment in them.

  "Well, I guess we'll be taking a little bit of rest." Carol said, holding the doorknob to her room.

  "Sure, go ahead. If you need me, just knocked on my room. It might be hard to find without guidance, so you'd better ask a butler or maid."

  "Okay."

  "Now, if you'll excuse me." Lily gave a practiced bow before walking away, leaving the group behind.

  Everyone went into their respective rooms, yawning and waving to each other to call it a day.

  "Wait, Rein." Carol said, stopping him from walking to his room.

  "What is it?" he asked.

  "I... I don't know what happened between you and your family, and I don't want to get in the way."

  He sighed in annoyance. "Just say it, Carol."

  "I saw a family tree on the wall. Why is there no picture of you on it?"

  "I already told you," he said, his voice flat. "I'm not blood related."

  "That's absurd. Blood related or not, you're still a part of Azerin family, right? There should be a picture of you there."

  "Carol, can we continue this at different time? I'm not in the mood today." he said, the annoyance clear in his tone.

  She sighed in disappointment. "Fine. I won't force you to talk about it. I'm sorry."

  "It's okay. For now, rest is important. We should get ready for tomorrow's meeting."

  "Alright. Goodnight, then."

  He simply nodded, then walked away and disappeared into his room.

  "I've been waiting, you know?" A voice said from his doorway.

  Rein turned to see Lily leaning against his door. "Lily..."

  She tossed him a key. "I've been cleaning your room every day, wishing for you to return... And this is what you give me in return?"

  "Lily, I-"

  "Shut your damn mouth, liar. I know you tried to run away by asking brother Luke to register you at Verlyn. Do you still feel guilty after all that?"

  Rein fell into a heavy silence.

  "Whatever your reason is, I'm not going to sugarcoat it." she said, stepping aside to let him open the door.

  He did so with the key she gave him.

  "Where's brother Luke anyway?" Rein asked, trying to change the subject.

  "Why should I answer that? Aren't you supposed to find that out yourself?" she scoffed.

  "He's probably doing the same old thing," he muttered. "Hunting monsters."

  Lily snorted in annoyed.

  Rein entered the room, feeling a rush of guilt.

  "Everyone missed you. I did, too. You've been avoiding us for almost a decade and now deciding to leave us behind. Why would you do that?" she asked, her voice cracking.

  He hesitated, a deep sadness in his eyes. He didn't know what to say. "I..."

  A memory flashed in his mind. Corpse scattered everywhere, covered in blood and ice. The overwhelming feeling of terror and death consumed him. In the midst of the chaos, one of them whispered to him before being pulled away by something unseen.

  "... I'm sorry, but I don't think I want to talk about it." Rein said, shaking his head.

  "I knew it." Lily said, turning away, a deep hurt on her face. "Hiding from us, just like always. If that's what you really want, then I don't care about your condition anymore. I hope you just rot in the dark, like an apple waiting to be eaten."

  With that, she walked away without a backward glance, leaving Rein standing alone in the doorway.