Rein walked slowly into the deeper, undisturbed part of the library. His footsteps echoed loudly across the empty hall, a sharp contrast to the chaos he left behind. He stopped abruptly, his expression hardening as he saw a familiar figure leaning against a wall, eyes closed in contemplation. It was Revir.

  "Took you long enough, Rein," Revir said, opening his eyes with a sigh. "Did they give you a hard time already?"

  Rein snorted, stepping fully into the game. "Something like that. Even Carol and Aria had a hard time dealing with them."

  "Is that so," Revir replied. He pulled out his book and opened it, a silent signal that he was ready for battle. "But thank you, anyway."

  "For what?"

  "For sparing their lives. I knew I chose a good friend, and I'm glad for it."

  "The same good ol' friend you just betrayed over such a simple matter," Rein countered, his voice dripping with righteous accusation. "Well, no matter. I already have a score to settle with you, for all the punches you hit me with back then."

  "Heh, really?" Revir grinned, morphing his wand back into his usual stone axes. He was still using the same weapons, but now they were channeled through the power of his Sealer book, not his abandoned Margias wand. "Then let's see if you've made any improvement onto yourself, Rein!"

  With that challenge issued, both former friends rushed violently toward each other, their final, unavoidable fight began.

  Revir swung his axes down heavily. Rein instantly morphed his wand into the Azure Lance. Their weapons clashed with a loud, resounding clang across the hall. This time, Rein held his ground, successfully containing Revir's violent strength, a clear sign that their power levels were now equally matched.

  "Here I thought your power was still the same," Revir grunted, showing a slight struggle as he held back Rein's force. "Can't believe your progress escalated so quickly for your level."

  "Heh, I guess it’s all thanks to you," Rein retorted. "But it wasn't enough for me. Not until my fist hits your face!" Rein declared, gripping his lance tightly as he pushed Revir away with all his strength.

  Revir snorted in disbelief. "Do you have a personal resentment against me? Is it because I betrayed you guys? Or is it just the petty personal matter you mentioned—that I punched you back in Sowrien?"

  "Some of it," Rein replied, his expression shifting from anger to genuine sympathy as he raised his lance. "But that's not what I meant."

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Desperation. You don't know what to follow anymore. Instead of following your own path, you chose to walk into a dead path with a dead end."

  Revir fell into a deep silence, then broke it with a giggle of amusement. "Since when did you learn how to use a metaphor, Rein? I thought you were the type who wouldn't care about that much."

  "Yeah, for my old self, that is." Rein's determination was absolute. "Because of you, I managed to stand my ground. And it's appropriate for me to make you stand your ground as well."

  Revir's eyes widened in surprise. He shut them, briefly contemplating another possibility, but desperation quickly returned. He gripped his weapon tighter and opened his eyes. "That's just absurd, Rein. You know I still have a job to do as a Sealer, right?"

  "I do."

  "Then why do you still persist in talking to me?" Revir's tone verged on outright anger. "You Margias have destroyed everything from me. You can't just—"

  Rein cut him off sharply. "That hatred is not yours to use, Revir. Even if you're a Sealer, you didn't even try to kill us in the first place. Why?"

  "That's..." Revir trailed off, unable to answer.

  (Seems like I hit where he was vulnerable. I hope you're aware of what you've done.) Rein thought, gripping his lance tightly, prepared for the backlash.

  Confusion and raw frustration plagued Revir's heart. He lashed out, commanding the chain inside his book to attack. Despite the shock of the sudden offensive, Rein instantly summoned a thick terrain of Azure Ice to protect himself. The terrain and the chain met with an immediate, shattering impact, both breaking apart upon contact.

  "You think words alone would convince me otherwise?" Revir's expression hardened. "After everything I've faced, to think that I finally came back to this place, I don't want to stop right now. Her will is my will, Rein."

  "Quite a weird philosophy for you," Rein countered, clenching his hand tightly. "I thought you hated following other people's commands."

  Revir fell into a deep silence, the words clearly striking a chord of doubt.

  Seeing Revir hesitate, Rein clicked his tongue in anger, stomping his boot hard enough to flash-freeze the entire hall around them. Revir blinked, surprised by the sudden escalation of the surroundings.

  "You really are angry, huh?" Revir replied, still joking around, though a nervous sweat glistened on his face.

  Rein knelt, thrusting his lance onto the ground. A huge magic circle ignited beneath him, summoning a dozen thorns of crystalline ice that shot toward Revir. Revir instantly responded, swinging his axes repeatedly to shatter each thorn. Afterward, he threw his axes at Rein, who was still kneeling.

  Noticing the attack, Rein instantly leaped back. Revir seized the opportunity, retrieving his axes as he charged forward, using his summoned ice terrain to launch himself slightly above Rein. Revir swung his axes in a heavy downward arc, but Rein created a lance-based ice shield at the last moment to defend. Their weapons met with a loud clang.

  Rein landed harshly, bracing himself, while Revir teleported instantly to a spot in front of him, swinging his axes once again against the lance. Both struggled, their strength perfectly matched. Frustration tightening his jaw, Rein channeled all his Ender into his weapon, adding a spiraling, sharpened edge that transformed the lance. The cold temperature violently spiked.

  Unnerved by the sudden increase in power, Revir showed clear desperation. Rein held his ground, slowly gaining purchase and advancing. Tightly gripping his enhanced lance with two hands, Rein used all his strength to push Revir greatly toward the wall. Revir sprayed blood from his mouth, receiving the harsh impact against the stone.

  Rein rushed forward without hesitation, ready to thrust his enhanced lance. Revir desperately cast a stone barrier as defense, but the ice lance pierced through it, utterly destroying the stone in the process. Rein immediately thrust his weapon deep into Revir's stomach. The dripping blood from the wound instantly began to freeze.

  Furious and annoyed, Revir managed to cast a magic circle beneath Rein, forcing him back as a spike of stone erupted. Several follow-up magic circles appeared as Rein tried to land further away. As Rein was airborne, Revir teleported behind him, swinging his axes hard against Rein's unprotected arm. A sickening snap of bone could be heard, shoving Rein away toward the wall, where he crashed against it, causing a huge sheet of ice to crack around him upon landing.

  "Brutal as always, huh?" Rein said, leaning against the wall as he gripped his wounded arms, slowly sank to the ground. "Can't believe you can utilize teleportation just like that."

  Revir once again fell into his thoughts, questioning Rein's persistence. "Why do you still pursue me? I gave you all the mercy, a moment to run away. But instead, you endangered your life just to get to me." His voice was sharp with the edge of anger.

  "You're our friend, Revir. We... No, I can't just abandon you here. If not for your actions back then, I might still be living in a lie. Now, it's my turn to snap you back to reality, to ensure that your dream will continue on no matter what."

  "What kind of dream you meant by that, Rein?!" Revir exclaimed, his bursting tone echoing across the hall. "My dream, my adventure, it's her wish! Not my own! You think this awful asshole deserves any of that?"

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Rein remained silent, his expression unwavering, simply listening.

  "After everything I did to her... ripping and leaving her behind... Do you still think I deserve all that happiness and that dream?" The book beside Revir shone with a bright light, and the subsequent flashback resonated with Rein, giving him the full, painful picture of the incident.

  In a castle room behind the library, Irlia excitedly showed her journal to Revir, who was working through paperwork beside her. "Revir, look!" Irlia pointed to a page.

  Revir sighed playfully. "What is it this time, Irlia?"

  "Do you know of this picture?" Irlia asked with a proud, smug expression.

  "That's the picture the folk took of us at Verlyn, right?"

  "Correct!" Irlia closed the journal and jumped from her chair, looking out the window at the library scenery. "After adventuring across the world and seeing the Margias Society flourish, I just realized something." She turned back to Revir, smiling happily. "The Sealers society also deserves its own light in the sky. Don't you think so, Revir?"

  Revir responded with a smile. "Of course it is, Irlia. Everyone deserve their own light to live, including the Sealers."

  A knock interrupted them. "Pardon me, Irlia," a man's voice said. Erick and Dulcinia entered.

  "How's the preparation for the event?" Irlia asked Erick.

  "Good so far. No casualties, my Queen." he said, bowed down like a gentleman.

  Dulcinia pulled Erick's cheek in playful frustration, earning a surprised look from Irlia and a sigh from Revir. "Anyway, we should get going. Congrats again for your ascending to the throne, Irlia." Dulcinia pulled Erick out the door by his clothes.

  Irlia laughed happily, and Revir snorted in amusement. Both smiled, believing their long, shared dream was finally taking its first step.

  However, their long, anticipated dream was shattered by the next morning. A group of Margias appeared and began raiding the Sealer society with their own wands. Burning flames consumed the Sealers homes, a cold ice lances pierced an innocent citizens. Helpless Sealers screamed and ran in the middle of the chaos. Blood stained the demolished structures.

  "Why..." Irlia stared through the window, horror freezing her face. "How can they..."

  Revir burst through the door, kicking it down. "We have to run, Irlia!"

  She was paralyzed by the horrible sight in front of her. Annoyed by the urgency, Revir harshly grabbed Irlia's arm, forcing her to run. The screaming of their people echoed through the castle, shattering Irlia's mind.

  As they reached outside, Revir panted heavily, but Irlia only looked down, consumed by guilt. Noticed her sudden shift of mood, instead of a happy go lucky persona, Revir asked her condition. "Irlia? Are you—"

  "It's all my fault."

  "Huh?" Revir was confused.

  "They noticed I was a Sealer when we were travelling outside back then. I forgot that most of the Margias this day still hunting us down."

  "That's..." Revir couldn't finished his sentences, doesn't knew the right answer he want to gave to her.

  Irlia, consumed fully to her own guilt, began to giggle hysterically. "Isn't it funny? A queen on day one, immediately destroying her own hometown because of her clumsiness..."

  Then, one of the Margias spotted them and cast a fireball against her. In response, Revir pulled out his axes from his book and slashed the spell in half, but they were surrounded. Few of the Margias appeared from every corner, giving no chance for them to run.

  "Now then, kids," one of the Margias said, showing his hand. "Give me your Sealer's book, right now. If you do that, we might be able to spare your lives."

  "What if we don't?" Revir challenged, shielding Irlia.

  "Well, let just say that your 'little adventure' will reach its own end." The Margias shrugged maliciously. "You don't want that, right?"

  Devastation reached their heart, Irlia and Revir didn't know what they should do. They were trapped, leaving them with no choices remained. Thankfully, their miracle: Erick, Dulcinia, and Hindrey, arrived. They broke through the Margias formation, inflicting wounds against each Margias they passed.

  "Revir!" Erick roared, trying to find Revir's whereabouts.

  Revir started to run, but Irlia stood still, thinking it was the right things to do.

  "What are you..?"

  "I'm sorry, Revir. But I have to do it."

  "What the hell are you talking about, Irlia? There's no way you can just—"

  Irlia cut him off. "Typical Revir. Too many 'What' instead of accepting."

  "No... Please don't do this, Irlia!"

  She summoned her book, preparing for a battle she know she couldn't win. "At least... one of our adventures isn't over yet. So, I'm begging you," Irlia turned her head back to Revir, showing a deeply regretful smile. "Live... and continue our dream. For today, the responsibility is mine to take as the Queen of the Sealers."

  Before Revir could join her, Hindrey grabbed his arm, pulling him away. "No... No, No, No, No! Please, Sir Hindrey! Let me go! I have to help her! I have to help her!" Revir roared with all his energy, tears welling up, but Hindrey's grip was too strong.

  "It was no use, Revir," Hindrey said, his eyes hollow. "It was her choice to begin with. We must respect it."

  (No... I can't tolerate this... I was supposed to be by her side... A right-hand man to help her... But why... Why do you still want to lift that burden alone...?) Revir watched in agony as they pulled him away, seeing the pain and suffering Irlia endured from the Margias. Despite the wounds, Irlia offered one last, heartbreaking smile before the two friends were separated for the first time.

  As the mournful light of Revir's book vanished, Rein's eyes widened, struck by the crushing weight of his friend's past. He closed his eyes, focusing inward to define his next course of action.

  "Satisfied, Rein?" Revir's voice was flat, emotionless even.

  Rein responded with a hard snort. He opened his eyes, determination etched across his face, and slowly stood. He manifested a sharp Ice Lance from his undamaged arm, readying his stance.

  Revir’s expression tightened with annoyance. Even after that painful reveal, Rein's stubbornness was incomprehensible.

  "Then why do you still persist? Is it merely the debt to Irlia, or because you haven't found your own dream yet?" Rein taunted, knowing it might break Revir's character.

  His taunting made Revir could no longer contain his emotion. He charged blindly, swinging his axes in a furious, unrestrained attack. Rein didn't flinch. He met the assault by defending with his lance. Weapons connected and shattered instantly. In that vital moment, with Revir's guard broken, Rein drove his fist hard into Revir’s face.

  Revir staggered, dropping to his knees, his nose instantly gushing blood.

  "How's that taste of my punches, you damn carefree boy?" Rein said, shrugging with a tired arrogance while slightly panting.

  Revir wiped the blood from his nose, staring in shock at the crimson stain on his hand.

  "Even if you feel guilty about your past... even resorting to betraying us to repay her debt, doesn't that mean you chose to end your own adventure?"

  Revir remained silent, forced to confront his own reflection.

  "Irlia commanded you to keep your adventure going," Rein continued, walking closer. "If you don't know where to start, you can start now. I'm sure there are so many things you haven't discovered yet."

  "Can I... do that...?" Revir replied, sorrow creeping into his voice as he slowly looked up. Rein stood over him, offering his hand. "Knowing I was too weak to prevent the chaos... too helpless to stand alone... Am I truly allowed to have a dream?"

  "You are. With or without someone, you are who you are. Your dream, your adventure... it isn't over yet, Revir."

  After hearing Rein's answer, Revir's confusion began to lift. A clear light pierced the dark fog of guilt in his heart. Rein noticed the change of Revir's ender. It was calmer, less violent than usual.

  Though hesitant, Revir accepted Rein’s hand, a choice made by his own free will.

  "If that’s the case, I’ll take the offer," Revir said, gripping Rein's hand tightly as he stood. "If it means to have my own dream to follow, I will gladly gallop on, until I reach the finish line."

  Rein managed a small grin. "Oh, before that. I think you need this back." He pulled Revir's wand from his pocket.

  "This is...?" Revir stared at the wand in disbelief.

  "You might need it. After all, Margias is still a part of your identity."

  Revir warily took the wand. He knew that both the Sealer and Margias sides were now essential to his path.

  "So, what's your next move?" Rein asked.

  "I'm going to face Irlia. I can't let her suffer any longer," Revir replied, his voice firm. "She's endured too much, and I want to at least give her a deserved peace."

  "You don't have to, Revir." A voice of a girl loudly echoed across the hall, her footstep became closer. It was Irlia, menacingly looked against both of them as she stood at the entrance of her hall.

  "Irlia." Revir said, sweating in nervous.

  "If this is your choice, then I wouldn't force you," Several of the Sealers book flies toward her, now ready for her command. "But, you will be pointed as a traitor from now on. Are you sure you want to do this?"

  "Yeah. And this time, I'm going to win."

  Irlia snorted in amusement, almost reminiscing about their past. However, she know that the past between them has long gone. For that, three of them ready for the fight. The final curtains has began to unfold.