The rain continued falling softly.
Cold droplets slid down the roof of the small cottage while distant thunder rolled quietly across the dark sky above.
And outside—
Everything had changed.
Ellie sat weakly against the wet grass, one hand gripping her aching head as fragments of forgotten memories continued crashing into her mind.
A ruined castle.
Warm laughter.
A boy with crimson eyes carrying her on his shoulders.
A voice promising—
"I'll always protect you."
Her breathing trembled.
Slowly—
She lifted her head.
And looked at him.
At the young man standing silently before her beneath the rain.
"...Brother...?"
Her voice barely existed.
Fragile.
Uncertain.
Like she was afraid reality itself would shatter if she said the word too loudly.
Eryndor froze.
Completely.
The wind moved through his dark hair softly, his eyes trembling for the first time in decades.
He had imagined this moment countless times.
Sometimes she hated him.
Sometimes she died before he could reach her.
Sometimes she forgot him completely.
But never—
Never had he imagined hearing her say that word again.
Brother.
Ellie stared at him with shaking eyes.
"Are you real...?"
A tear slowly rolled down her cheek.
"Why do you still look so young...?"
Eryndor opened his mouth—
But no words came out.
Because what could he even say?
How could he explain thirty years of not being there...
Thirty years of death...
Thirty years spent clawing his way out of hell itself?
Jae stood nearby within the vision, silent as electricity crackled faintly around his body.
Even he could feel it.
This wasn't some reunion.
This was two broken souls trying to recognize each other after fate ripped them apart.
Ellie slowly stood up despite her shaking legs.
Then she asked quietly—
"If you were alive this whole time…"
"...where were you?"
That question pierced straight through him.
Eryndor lowered his head.
And for the first time since returning from death—
Tears finally fell freely from his eyes.
"I... wasn't alive."
Ellie froze.
His voice sounded hollow.
Broken.
Like every word dragged itself out painfully.
"I died to the shadow contractor hands."
The rain intensified around them.
"I died while you were still a child."
A faint black aura leaked from his body unconsciously.
The air around him grew colder instantly.
Jae narrowed his eyes.
Even now—
The darkness around Eryndor felt unnatural.
Like his existence itself had become incompatible with the world.
Eryndor slowly clenched his fist.
"When he killed me…"
"I thought that was the end."
His voice lowered further.
"But death wasn't peaceful."
His eyes darkened.
"There was no light."
"No warmth."
"Only endless hatred and death."
The Divine Flame of Curses remained silent beside Jae.
Watching carefully.
Even it seemed uncomfortable hearing this part.
Eryndor continued quietly.
"And then…"
"Something answered me."
Ellie's breathing stopped.
"A voice."
"Terrible."
"Calling to me from beneath everything."
A pause.
"And I answered back."
Black flames flickered faintly around his fingertips.
Jae felt his chest tighten.
"I made a pact with Hell itself, the shake of satan."
Thunder exploded across the sky.
Ellie stared at him in complete shock.
But strangely—
She believed him instantly.
Because the man standing before her no longer felt human.
Not completely.
Not anymore.
He felt like something forged from grief itself.
Eryndor laughed bitterly.
"It gave me power."
"A second chance."
"But every second I remained alive…"
His voice cracked slightly.
"I feel less human."
Ellie's eyes widened painfully.
Because suddenly—
Everything made sense.
His coldness.
His terrifying presence.
Her brother really had suffered for thirty years trying to come back.
And all this time—
She thought he abandoned her.
A painful sound escaped her throat.
Her chest hurt.
No—
It shattered.
All those years she cried herself to sleep believing nobody was coming for her...
Believing her brother died...
Believing she was alone...
Were wrong.
He came back.
He actually came back.
Ellie looked at him again.
Really looked at him.
At the familiar young man standing before her.
The insufferable idiot who used to tease her constantly.
The reliable older brother who carried her whenever she got tired.
The boy who taught her how to hold a sword.
The protector who stood in front of her no matter how scared he was.
He was still there.
Buried beneath all the darkness.
But still there.
Ellie took a shaky breath.
Then suddenly—
She moved.
Fast.
Before Eryndor could react—
She threw herself into him.
Wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Brother...!"
Her voice broke completely.
Eryndor's eyes widened.
His body stiffened instantly.
Like he forgot how to react to warmth.
To love.
To being needed.
Ellie cried against his chest.
"You idiot…"
"You stupid idiot…"
"You actually came back…"
Eryndor slowly raised his arms.
Hesitant.
Careful.
Almost afraid.
Then finally—
He hugged her back.
Tightly.
"...Ellie."
That single word nearly destroyed him.
His shoulders trembled faintly.
Because after thirty years of becoming a monster—
Someone still looked at him like family.
Jae quietly looked away.
"I hate how sad this is…"
The Divine Flame of Curses chuckled softly.
"Love always hurts the most."
The two remained there for a long time beneath the rain.
Neither wanting to let go.
Neither trusting the moment was real.
Eventually—
Ellie wiped her tears with a small laugh.
"You still suck at comforting people."
Eryndor blinked.
Then surprisingly—
A tiny smile appeared on his face.
"You still cry too much."
She punched his shoulder weakly.
"You disappeared for thirty years!"
"Fair point."
For a moment—
The darkness around him felt lighter.
Human again.
Then Ellie looked toward the cottage behind them.
Warm light glowed through the windows.
"They're probably wondering why I've been outside so long…"
Eryndor's expression shifted slightly.
"...They?"
Ellie nodded softly.
"My family."
That word hurt him more than expected.
Not because he was angry.
But because he realized just how much time he truly lost.
Ellie noticed the look in his eyes immediately.
And gently grabbed his hand.
"Come inside."
He hesitated.
For the first time in years—
Eryndor looked nervous.
The man who slaughtered armies.
The man who returned from hell.
Now looked nervous meeting ordinary people.
Jae almost laughed.
Ellie smiled faintly.
"They're good people."
So slowly—
Eryndor followed her.
The warmth inside the cottage hit him immediately.
Fireplace heat.
The smell of cooked food.
Wood creaking softly.
Simple.
Peaceful.
Normal.
A life he no longer belonged to.
The older woman immediately stood up.
"Ellie?! Are you okay sweetheart?!"
Then she noticed Eryndor behind her.
And froze.
The father slowly stood too.
His expression instantly sharpened.
Because Eryndor's presence felt dangerous even while suppressed.
Like a wolf standing inside a home.
Ellie quickly spoke.
"It's okay."
Her voice softened.
"This is my brother."
Silence filled the room.
"...Brother?" the woman repeated softly.
Ellie nodded.
"My real brother."
The older couple exchanged looks.
Shock.
Confusion.
Concern.
But then—
The mother smiled gently.
"Well…"
She walked toward Eryndor carefully.
"Any family of Ellie's is welcome here."
Eryndor looked stunned.
Like he didn't understand kindness anymore.
The father extended his hand.
"I'm Gareth."
Eryndor stared at it for a second before slowly shaking it.
"...Eryndor."
The younger adopted brother peeked from another room nervously.
Then immediately pointed.
"MOM HE LOOKS LIKE A VILLAIN."
"LEON."
"WHAT?! LOOK AT HIM."
Ellie burst out laughing through her tears.
And surprisingly—
Eryndor smiled slightly too.
Small.
Barely visible.
But real.
Hours passed quietly after that.
The family listened silently while Ellie carefully explained pieces of the truth.
Not everything.
Never everything.
But enough.
Enough for them to understand that Eryndor was someone who suffered greatly.
The adoptive mother eventually placed food in front of him gently.
"You're too skinny."
Eryndor blinked slowly.
Nobody had worried about him in thirty years.
He quietly muttered—
"...Thank you."
Later that night—
Ellie led Eryndor upstairs to her room.
Moonlight filtered softly through the curtains.
The room was simple.
Books.
Maps.
A sword resting near the wall.
Eryndor noticed immediately—
She still slept with a weapon nearby.
Even after finding peace.
Ellie sat on the edge of her bed quietly.
Then finally asked—
"What do you plan to do now?"
Eryndor didn't hesitate.
"My goal hasn't changed."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"The Divine Flames die."
The room grew colder instantly.
Ellie looked at him seriously.
"I don't think you can."
Eryndor frowned slightly.
"What?"
She met his gaze directly.
"You couldn't even defeat the Divine Flame of Shadows thirty years ago."
Her voice remained calm.
"But the contractors aren't the same anymore."
"They've evolved."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Their power now is beyond reason."
"They can destroy continents."
"Maybe even the world itself."
Jae's eyes widened hearing that.
Even the Divine Flame of Curses remained silent.
Ellie continued.
"And then there's the Emperors."
Eryndor stayed quiet.
"The Nine Emperors were personally chosen by the contractors."
"Blessed directly by divine authority."
"Each one powerful enough to rule nations alone."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"I'm one of them."
The room fell silent.
"And even with my help…"
Ellie looked at him seriously.
"You can't beat all of them alone."
Eryndor stood near the window quietly.
Thinking.
Not angry.
Not offended.
Just thinking.
Then finally—
"I know."
Ellie blinked slightly.
Eryndor stared out toward the storm.
"I know I probably can't win."
His voice lowered.
"But I made a promise."
Black flames flickered faintly around him.
"And Hell always collects its debts."
Ellie watched him silently for a moment.
Then suddenly—
She remembered something.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Wait…"
She quickly stood and moved toward a hidden drawer beneath her bookshelf.
After searching for a moment—
She pulled out an old map.
Ancient.
Worn.
Covered in faded markings.
Eryndor narrowed his eyes.
"What is that?"
Ellie carefully unfolded it across the table.
"There's a hidden temple in the northern mountains."
"A place forgotten even by the contractors."
Her voice became serious.
"Years ago, during an Emperor mission, I found it accidentally."
Jae leaned forward slightly.
At the center of the map—
A strange symbol resembling flowing water glowed faintly blue.
Ellie pointed toward it.
"At the center of the temple…"
"There's Ancient Water."
"The water is alive."
Eryndor frowned slightly.
"Alive?"
She nodded.
"It chooses masters."
"Not everyone can touch it."
"Most people die instantly."
A pause.
"I tried once."
Her expression dimmed.
"But it rejected me."
The Divine Flame of Curses' eyes narrowed slightly.
Even it seemed interested now.
Ellie looked back at Eryndor.
"But I think it'll accept you."
"Why?"
Her eyes locked onto his.
"Because you survived Hell."
Silence.
The sentence carried strange weight.
Like fate itself whispered through her.
"The water only accepts those who have already been broken completely."
Eryndor slowly took the map.
"If it accepts you…"
Ellie's voice lowered.
"You might gain enough power to actually challenge them."
The room became silent again.
Then Eryndor folded the map carefully.
"...Thank you."
Ellie smiled softly.
Then Eryndor paused near the doorway.
"What about you?"
Ellie's expression sharpened instantly.
"I'm going to meet someone."
"Who?"
"The Emperor of Ice."
Even Eryndor looked surprised hearing that name.
"She's different."
Ellie crossed her arms.
"She hates the contractors almost as much as we do."
"If anyone else can help us…"
"It's her."
Eryndor hesitated.
Because now—
For the first time in decades—
He wasn't fighting completely alone anymore.
Finally—
He nodded.
"Be careful."
Ellie smiled softly.
"You too... brother."
That word still felt unreal.
Eryndor quietly left the room afterward.
Before leaving the cottage—
He turned toward Ellie's adoptive family.
Then lowered his head slightly.
"Thank you."
The mother smiled warmly.
"For taking care of her?"
Eryndor nodded silently.
The father crossed his arms.
"She's family."
Simple words.
But they hit harder than any blade.
Then finally—
Eryndor stepped back into the storm.
The rain fell softly across his dark cloak as he walked toward the distant northern mountains.
Toward the hidden temple.
Toward the Ancient Water.
Toward the next step of his evolution.
Jae watched silently as the vision followed him through the darkness.
And beside him—
The Divine Flame of Curses quietly whispered—
"...The water had no idea what kind of monster it was about to create."