Reider stood by the tall window, arms crossed, staring out at the city below. The night lights flickered like distant embers, fragile and temporary. He looked unmoving, almost carved from stone, but his mind was already far ahead—past the war, past Aldric, past Lucian.
"This war," he said calmly, breaking the silence, "needs to end quickly."
Vael lifted her gaze from her seat, golden eyes narrowing just a little. "Why the sudden urgency?"
Reider turned from the window. His expression didn't change, but his eyes sharpened, focused like a blade being drawn.
"Because after this," he said, "I'm going to find my mother."
The room shifted.
Mei's breath caught. Her hands clenched in her skirt before she even realized she'd moved. "Your… mother?"
Eryndra leaned back in her chair, a crooked smirk tugging at her lips, though her eyes softened despite herself. "So after all this chaos, you're planning a family reunion?"
Reider looked at her, completely unbothered. "It's not about a reunion. I need answers."
Vael leaned forward, elbows resting on the table now, studying him carefully. "The letter," she said. "You think it's real? You think she's actually waiting for you?"
Reider glanced down at the floor, memories surfacing uninvited. "She left it for me. She knew I'd look for her."
Mei swallowed hard, eyes dropping to her trembling hands. "But if you go to that ancient land…" Her voice faltered. "You may never return."
Reider met her gaze, his voice soft but unyielding. "Then I need to be strong enough to survive."
Vael closed her eyes briefly and sighed. The pieces were falling into place now. "That's why you didn't hesitate," she said quietly. "Why you killed them so cleanly. You want everything finished. Fast."
Reider nodded once. No remorse. No hesitation. "They were in the way."
Eryndra let out a low whistle, half amused, half impressed. "Remind me never to stand between you and a goal."
Mei looked up suddenly, biting her lip. "Do you… really think she's alive?"
Reider stepped closer, stopping beside her. His presence was steady, grounding. "If she's not," he said quietly, "then I want to know why she left me behind."
Vael crossed her arms, unease creeping into her voice. "And what if that land isn't just dangerous—but a trap?"
Reider didn't blink. "Then I'll destroy the trap."
Eryndra smirked. "Simple answer. Predictable. Very you."
Reider turned back toward the window, voice lower now. "I've never had a family. Maybe she has answers about what I am."
Vael studied him carefully. "And you think finding her will give you peace?"
He turned back, eyes cold. "Peace isn't what I'm after."
Mei stood suddenly, emotion breaking through her composure. "Then what are you after, Reider?"
He looked at her for a long moment, silent. Then, softly:
"Truth."
Vael and Eryndra exchanged a glance. Whatever path he was walking, he wasn't turning back.
Eryndra sighed dramatically. "Well, if you're marching off to some ancient death land, I guess we're all coming."
Vael smirked faintly. "You really think we'd let you go alone?"
Reider actually looked surprised. "You'd follow me?"
Mei stepped forward and gently took his hand, her smile sad but certain. "You're my family now. Where you go, I go."
Vael joined them, standing at his other side. "And I'm not letting you get yourself killed before I decide what to do with you."
Eryndra stretched lazily and grinned. "And someone has to keep this weird family from falling apart."
Reider looked at all three of them. For just a second—barely noticeable—something warm flickered in his eyes.
"Then we end the war," he said. "Fast."
They all nodded.
---
Morning came with the sound of steel on stone.
The training grounds were wide and open, sunlight cutting clean lines across the dirt. Reider stood beside Eryndra, arms crossed, watching the far end of the field.
"You sure you don't want to smile?" Eryndra teased. "First impressions matter."
"I don't care," Reider replied flatly.
Footsteps echoed.
Two figures emerged from the morning haze.
The first was tall, composed, eyes sharp with calculation—Elias. The second moved with careless confidence, silver hair wild, smirk already in place—Elara.
Elara laughed openly. "So this is him? Doesn't look like much."
"Appearances deceive," Elias said calmly.
Reider looked at them with visible disinterest. "You talk too much."
Eryndra grinned to herself. "Oh, she's gonna love that."
Elara stepped closer, grin widening. "Sharp tongue. I like sharp things. They break easier."
"Try," Reider said.
Her eyes lit up. "Gladly."
She attacked without warning—a spinning kick aimed straight for his head.
Reider tilted his head. That was it.
She landed, impressed. "Fast."
Reider was suddenly behind her, finger hovering at her neck. "Dead."
She laughed. "You're fun."
Elias watched closely. "His speed exceeds projections."
They regrouped.
"If you're done playing," Reider said, "we have a war to win."
Elara nudged Elias. "I like him."
Elias nodded. "Then test him properly."
They attacked together—perfect synchronization.
Reider vanished.
He reappeared between them, fingertips pressed to both foreheads.
"Dead."
Silence.
Elias nodded slowly. "Impressive."
Elara wiped sweat from her brow, grinning. "Alright, stone-face. I'm in."
"Don't slow me down," Reider said.
She laughed and leaned on Elias. "Relax, hubby."
Reider frowned. "I'm not your husband."
The morning air felt heavier now.
A new alliance had formed.
And the war had just gained another weapon.