Later That Night - Guild's Inner Chamber
Kael sat alone when Garron — Reyden's closest friend, a veteran A-rank warrior — approached, stern.
Garron: (serious)
"Listen, kid. I get it. You're hurting. But forget about revenge. Drop the idea of taking on the kingdom. You'll only end up dead."
Kael: (coldly)
"Even if it costs me my life... I'll make her pay for what she did to my brother."
Garron: (frustrated)
"You don't even have magic! Without it, you won't survive a second against her!"
Kael: (whispering)
"I don't care. I'll fight... with or without magic."
Just then, a stranger leaned against the doorframe, smirking.
Stranger Warrior: (mocking)
"Was your brother an idiot? Knowing all this... and still entering the tournament?"
The next instant, Kael snapped — lunging at the man, trying to punch him.
But the stranger caught Kael's fist easily with one hand and threw him to the ground with little effort.
Stranger: (scoffing)
"Pathetic. Learn to control your emotions before you die too."
Before the stranger could attack again, Garron stepped between them, his eyes flashing.
Garron: (growling)
"Touch Reyden's brother again, and you'll lose that hand."
The stranger, seeing the fury in Garron's gaze, backed off immediately.
Even other members whispered: "That's Garron... the A-rank berserker..."
---
Later - Around the Fire
Lyla, the soft-spoken healer, looked heartbroken.
Lyla: (hesitant)
"Kael... can I ask you something? Reyden once told us... he'd never join the contest. So... why did he?"
Kael wiped his bloodied lip, thinking.
Kael: (quietly)
"At first, he didn't want to. But then... he saw a poster. It said... even if you lose against the princess, you get a huge reward if you beat the other participants."
Lyla: (sadly)
"He changed his mind for money...?"
Kael: (nodding slowly)
"I asked him why... but he just smiled and said, 'You'll understand one day,' and went to sleep."
Lyla's eyes filled with tears.
Lyla: (whispering)
"He was saving up... to move to Visalka. The safest kingdom... He wanted to live peacefully with you, Kael..."
Kael stared at her, confused.
Kael: (hoarsely)
"What... do you mean...?"
Garron took a deep breath.
Garron: (serious)
"Kael... it's time you learned the truth. Please... don't get angry."
He pulled out an old photograph — Reyden standing with his real family, all with shining golden hair.
Beside them stood a small boy — identical to Kael but with yellow hair.
Kael: (heart pounding)
"This... isn't me..."
Garron: (gently)
"You aren't Reyden's real brother, Kael."
The words shattered the remaining pieces of Kael's heart.
Garron: (softly)
"Years ago, Reyden's family was slaughtered by monsters. In his grief and rage, he became known as the 'Monster Slayer' — ruthless and merciless."
(Other guild members murmured, shocked: "The infamous Monster Slayer... his brother?")
Garron: (continuing)
"But during a hunt... Reyden found a little boy — injured, bleeding, with no memories. You, Kael. You called him 'Big Brother' the moment you saw him."
Kael's vision blurred as memories flashed — Reyden's warm smiles, his protective hugs, the nights he stayed awake tending to Kael's fevers.
Garron: (quietly)
"He never found your real family. But he decided... to make you his own."
Kael staggered back, clutching his chest.
Lyla: (weeping)
"He gave up everything... became softer, kinder... not for himself, but for you. Every coin he earned, every wound he took... it was for your future."
Kael sank to his knees, sobbing.
His brother — not by blood — had been more family than anyone else ever could.
The fire crackled quietly as Kael clenched the earth in his fists.
His brother wasn't just lost.
He was stolen.
By a kingdom that fed on cruelty.
By a princess who masked hatred with crowns.
The storm inside Kael turned darker, fiercer.
This was no longer just revenge.
This was justice.
Kael: (whispering, eyes burning)
"I swear on my life, brother... your sacrifice will not be in vain."
The embers of vengeance sparked to life — and Kael's war had just begun.
---