Linah and Roselia

"Serious, you say?"

"Yeah," The red-haired fellow prepared to jump. "Like this!"

Bam!!

The man blasted off into the sky. To Lyrica, it looked as though he was a spacecraft from earth blasting off into space because of how powerful that jump was.

Smash!!

"Ack!"

Barely catching it from the corner of her eyes, Lyrica witnessed how violent and destructive the red-haired fellow struck the Anino with his knee.

"Y-You...!"

Having been angered for receiving his attack, the Anino's claw tried to reach for the red-haired fellow's head. But before it could...

"Haa!!"

Pow!!

The bulky fellow came from the side and tackled the Anino away from the man with one arm.

Crash!!

The impact blew the air violently all across the plateau. At that moment, the three fellows exchanged glances with each other.

The Anino shove off the floating dust with its raging claws as it fired a giant ray of black fire at them. The hefty man took on the Anino's black fire with his Tibay as he descended toward the entity.

"Tch..."

The Anino got out of the way before the bald head fellow could pummel the entity to the ground.

"Take this!"

The red-haired man surprised the Anino with a hard right, sending the entity right in the direction of the man with a ponytail who was pouring mana into his light bow and arrow, making them grow bigger.

Fwiip!

The man released his grip and the arrow was shot.

Pierce!!

"Gah!!"

Not knowing what was heading its way, the Anino could not act in time and was struck by the big arrow.

"That was the last of the light beads Linah created for me." The bow disappeared from his grip. "Do not waste this moment, you lot!"

The red-haired man and bulky fellow sprinted at the same time toward the Anino. Meanwhile, the woman beside Lyrica hardened her grip on her staff and told the girl,

"This is it! The opening I'll give you will only be for an instant! Get ready!" The woman struck the ground with her staff. "Blooming Rose!"

Blue roses spawned and began extending forward with numbers.

"200dB: Hea–!"

Lyrica was about to use her magic when her eyes meet the Anino's red glowing eyes that are glaring in their direction.

"I know what you're up to, you incompetent bast*rds!"

The Anino released yet another powerful storm of energy to shove the three fellows away.

"I will not fall for your trick again, Blue Rose!"

Saying this, the entity sent a ravaging dark fire, setting the blue roses ablaze while making its way onto Lyrica and the woman.

***

Thirteen years in the past, a tragedy took place in the kingdom of Reilaea. An Anino harboring anger and hatred against the world and the people who were gifted with abilities wreak havoc. But after weeks of neverending pursuit, and countless lives lost along with the late Hari of Reilaea, five young adventurers finally put a stop to this entity.

However, their hard-fought victory came with a price. Even the five adventurers couldn't kill the Anino, so their only way of defeating it is by sealing the entity. One of the five adventurers, Linah, was capable of sealing the Anino with her light magic. But with the Anino proving too powerful even with her magic ability, Linah knew it'll take more than just the mana she currently had to seal the Anino completely.

Therefore, without hesitation and fear, Linah used her own life to gather the massive amount of mana she needed to create the strongest sealing magic that not even the Anino would be able to escape.

Peace returned to the kingdom of Reilaea. But 8 years after that tragic incident, the Anino broke free of the seal that was purposely left unsupervised by the one that was tasked to look after it. And that person was none other than Linah's sister, one of the five adventurers the people of Reilaea dubbed the "Blue Rose," Roselia.

***

Roselia did not manifest a magic ability. She was considered a Wahika until after she turned 10 and was classified to be a late bloomer instead, a rare case where magic users manifested their abilities past the five-year-old threshold.

Roselia was an orphan that was left in front of a adventurers' guild at the age of 1. As such, she had no recollection of her real family or know her real name. Roselia lived in the adventurers' guild for two years until she was adopted by two adventurers who gave her the name Roselia. And just like that, Roselia got herself a new Mother, a Father, and a young sister named Linah.

"Roselia, I know how unfortunate it was that you didn't manifest a magic ability. However, using mana crystals, you'll be able to fight monsters and protect yourself with magic tools."

"Like we always said, it's tough for someone without magic to be an adventurer, but if you really wish to become one, we will support you in any way we can."

"Thank you very much, Ina, Ama."

Together, they lived a normal but contented life. However, behind the kind smile and affection she's showing to her new family, Roselia was hiding hate and envy toward her sister, Linah.

"Your magic is incredible as always, Linah!"

"Right?!"

"The power of light and sealing, huh. Your sister truly is gifted, don't you think, Roselia?"

"You're right, Ama."

Unlike Roselia, Linah manifested an ability at the age of five. On top of that, the magic Linah got was light magic, which is considered to be rare. Using her light magic, she can create either a cube or a bead in whatever size she wants and use them as a projectile or to seal and trap things inside them. It's essentially a type of sealing magic, but a lot more formidable against dark magic or an Anino.

Hearing her Mother and Father sing their praises on Linah's abilities, as well as seeing Linah's cheerfulness as she showed Roselia what she can do with her powers, made Roselia grow even more envious and hateful at Linah.

However, as much as she hated and envied Linah, she also cared deeply for her young sister. After all, at the end of the day, she is her sister and they are a family, even if they are not related.

"Remember your training, Roselia. Your magic staff can be used not just to shoot magic beams, but also for close combat."

"Right! Let's go, Ama!"

"Give me your best, Roselia."

Instead of letting her emotions grow, she put her mind to becoming stronger in her own way. Not just to become an adventurer like she always wanted, but to also protect Linah.

Day and night, Roselia refused to miss a day without doing training even if she has to do it by herself. And then, a few years later, that one normal and uneventful early in the morning...

"W-What's going on?"

Roselia woke up with a mysterious white staff in her hand and hundreds of blue roses filled her room. When she called for her parents, they confirmed that it is indeed the work of her magic ability. That's right, Roselia manifested an ability, leaving her unable to process something she never thought would happen ever in her life.

Her ability allowed her to fire beams of blue rose petals, as well as summon blue roses. The blue roses she created are capable of showing people what they value most unless Roselia wanted to show the affected individual something else. On top of that, the blue roses' scent gave off a dream-like atmosphere around the affected individual, making them feel bliss. In terms of combat, she's essentially removing her enemy's guard for her to freely attack them.

While her ability is unique and useful in a lot of ways, just like her sister's, her true and terrifying ability has yet to awaken.

***

7 years later, Roselia and Linah have now become full-fledged adventurers. They are now taking on quests and completing every single one of them. They often take quests with their three friends whom they know since they were little, slowly trying to catch up to their Mother and Father. Until one day, a piece of terrible news reached the Adventurers' Guild.

"According to the information we received from the Hari himself, the sole culprit of recent killings all across Reilaea was an Intelligent Anino."

The guild master plastered an emergency quest letter to the quest board.

"The Hari and Reyna encouraged everyone to join the hunt, no matter what rank you are. But remember, fighting an entity like an Anino is no easy feat, fighting Anino is like a demon itself. One small mistake WILL cause your death."

Though they feel dreaded after hearing the news, Linah and Roselia gathered to courage to join along with their parents. However...

"Your Mother and I know how incredible you two are, but..."

"We can't bring you two in danger."

Despite their retorts, their parents refused to let them join. And then, one night...

"Ina... Ama...?"

Buwoooohh!!

"Ah!!"

A vision of Roselia's Mother and Father being swallowed by black flames woke her out of her bed.

And then, the day after the night Linah and Roselia's parents left their residence to continue the hunt, horrible news came to the sisters.

"They were part of the group that was trying to chase the Anino last night. They tried to confront the Anino, but the Anino's black flames swallowed them. We couldn't retrieve a single trace of them."

It was so sudden. It happened without warning. They died without even saying a thing to their daughters before they left them to meet their demise.

For the past few days the Anino remained silent, Roselia and Linah mourned until the two sisters took them to their final resting place. And right after that, the Anino made another appearance in the north of Reilaea. More precisely, in the village of Karna.

For another few days, everything seemed ordinary. But then, one night...

"Linah!!"

"Huh? Why are you shouting in the middle of the night, Ate?"

"Linah?"

Just like that vision she saw before their parents passed, Roselia saw the image of her friends and Linah. One of them had a missing arm, the other had a hole in his right lung, and another appeared heavily injured. And lastly, she saw Linah standing in front of a boundless land of light. Linah turned around to face her before smiling at Roselia as she slowly vanished into nothingness.

Right after she explained everything she saw to Linah, her sister told Roselia:

"Me and the others are going to Karna village tomorrow. I don't know what's happening to your dreams becoming true, but if you come with us, then don't say a thing to everyone."

"But why? Even after knowing that you'll... You might get killed?!"

"It's not like I'm going out there for the sake of vengeance. I simply wish to know why Mother and Father had to sacrifice their lives just to get rid of that thing. That, and to finish what they started, in any way I can."

After seeing the determined look in Linah's eyes, she realized she had no power to sway her decision. That determination resembling her Mother and Father lit another hate and envy at Linah for being the real daughter of the family who gave the same care and love to Roselia.

***

It was already past midnight. As they were coming closer to Karna Village after a long journey, Roselia spoke about what she saw in the dream her and Linah's friends.

As expected they paused and were out of words. And Linah looked at Roselia with conflicted eyes.

"I don't mean to scare you three, but what I said... what I saw in my dream will come true."

"Roselia–"

Roselia cut off Linah as she continued to speak.

"I'm gonna keep going with Linah to Karna village. We will not despise you if you're afraid. But if you're turning away, I suggest you do it now."

Roselia told herself whatever answer the three young fellows would give her, she would respect it no matter what. But if she could dictate what they do, Roselia would tell them to turn away now.

"My father did not teach me to turn my back on my friends." The young fellow flexed his muscular physique. "I will make sure the Anino cannot harm any of you!"

"It may sound kind of embarrassing, but you guys are the only family I got." Said the other with a blank expression on his face. "If you're going to face death, I shall do the same."

"I don't have any reason like these two guys, but if I'm going to die, I at least want to die fighting." Said the young man with red hair. "Besides, I don't think premonitions determine our fate. We do it ourselves! At least I think."

Though their reasons differ, they all decided to stay together. The group continued on their journey to Karna village. It didn't take long for them to see the village in the distance that was covered in fire. And as they kept pushing forward, on the outskirts of Karna village, they saw a shadow figure handling a lifeless body of a man.

"That's...!"

"...Hari Renel."

The shadow turned the Hari into flames before shifting its attention to the five of them.

"Who are you? I can sense uneasiness coming from you five. Hm? I can sense a strong desire to get an answer from one of you." The Anino locked its red glowing eyes onto Linah. "It's you."

"If I asked you a question, will you give me an answer?" Linah inquired.

"No!" The Anino cackled.

"I figured."

From beside Linah, Roselia took a step forward and conjured her staff.

"In that case, we'll just take it by force."

Flowers blossomed all around the field, surrounding the Anino. Confused, the entity allowed Roselia's magic to work. The Anino entered a dream-like state.

"What do you see, Roselia?"

"Roselia?"

"Hey!"

"Nothing," Roselia answered the other four adventurers. "My ability lets me show the one affected with my magic what they value the most. But... Everything is black. There is nothing! It doesn't value anything!"

"Say what?"

Burn! Burn! Burn!

The blue roses turned into flames one after the other. A surge of tremendous energy came from the Anino in front of them.

"You... What did you do?!"

"It forced its way out of my magic!"

"That should have been obvious, I guess," Linah interjected as she point her finger at the entity. "You're no longer human. You're a monster. A monster who follows only their instinct to harm and destroy what others value."

"Monster? Yeah, that's right! I am a monster! I've become what you humans always wanted me to become! And now I shall let the world know of my anger and hatred."

"I see now. So Mother and Father died trying to stop a monster from wreaking havoc and bringing hell to this world. That's all I need to know."

From the palm of her hands, numerous beads of light formed and float all around Linah.

"I will finish what my parents started!"

"Finish?"

Flapping her arms forward, the beads floating around Linah began hurtling at the Anino.

"I will kill you, Anino!"