⊙---Hidden Quest

Kael and Lira sat across from each other at a corner table in the inn. The warm glow of the lanterns flickered between them, casting soft shadows on the worn wooden surface.

Now cleaned up and with a proper meal in front of him, Kael was finally beginning to process everything.

His sister.

Lira watched him intently, her ruby-red eyes never leaving his face. There was a quiet joy in her expression, but also hesitation, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know how. 

Kael shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. He had faced monsters, awakened strange powers, and fought for survival, but the way she looked at him—like he was something precious, something lost and found again—unnerved him more than all of that.

He cleared his throat, deciding to break the silence. "How did you know I was here?"

Lira blinked, as if pulled from her thoughts. "Mylar," she answered simply. "He told me where to find you."

She opened her mouth as if to say more but hesitated, closing it again.

Kael studied her carefully. There was something in her demeanor, a quiet weight she carried. He wanted to say something—anything—to ease it, but the words felt clumsy in his mind, unorganized, scattered.

Still, he felt the inexplicable need to comfort the woman in front of him. His sister.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to speak. "I… I don't remember my past since I awakened," he admitted.

Lira's expression faltered—a flicker of surprise and sadness—but it vanished quickly, replaced by quiet understanding.

"But I know you," Kael continued, his voice steady despite his uncertainty. "I saw you… in my memories. It was fragmented, but I know you're my sister."

A soft, radiant smile spread across Lira's face. Without hesitation, she reached across the table and took his hand in hers, a warm, reassuring presence. 

"Even if you don't remember, it doesn't change anything. You're my brother, Kael. My only family left in this world."

Kael stiffened. Only family left?

So… we're orphans?

Before he could ask, Lira reached into her coat and pulled out a small pendant. It was circular, its surface an opalescent shimmer of shifting colors.

The moment Kael laid eyes on it, a strange familiarity washed over him. He had seen this before—but where?

"Here," Lira said softly, placing it in his hand. "This is our family's heirloom."

The instant the pendant touched his skin, it flared to life. A brilliant red glow pulsed from its core, illuminating the space between them.

Kael's breath hitched. "T-this..." His words trailed off, stunned.

"Look. It reacted."

She exhaled shakily, her grip tightening around his fingers as if afraid he might disappear. The soft glow of the Rebirth Gem slowly faded, but the warmth it left behind lingered between them.

"I knew it. My instinct was right." Her voice wavered, yet there was no doubt in her gaze—only relief, only certainty. "You are my brother, Kael."

Hearing those words sent a strange ache through Kael's chest. He wasn't sure if it was the weight of the moment or the memories he had yet to reclaim, but for the first time since awakening, he felt… grounded.

He belonged.

Kael swallowed hard. "What… is this?"

"This is Avryon's legacy." Lira's voice carried a reverence that sent a shiver down his spine. "It's called the Rebirth Gem."

Rebirth Gem.

Kael's heart pounded. Rebirth Core.

His mind raced. Could they be connected?

Lira continued, "Before I found you, there were many who tried to claim your identity. Imposters, desperate for the reward. But our family… we are not ordinary. Our lineage carries ancient history, a bloodline unlike any other. Only a true Avryon can activate the Rebirth Gem."

Kael turned the pendant over in his hand, his thoughts swirling. Avryon lineage. His name—Kael Avryon.

And then, his system chimed.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:]

Detecting Rebirth Gem…

Hidden Quest Available.

Quest: Avryon Heir

Objective: Reclaim the Avryon lineage and uncover the secrets of the Avryon destiny.

Rewards: ????

Kael's breath hitched. A hidden quest.

His existence in this world… it meant something. His name wasn't just a name—it carried weight, history, and a destiny he had yet to understand.

Just as Kael was processing everything, a sudden presence jolted him from his thoughts.

"Oh, now this is interesting!"

A familiar, furry figure materialized beside him, his small form floating excitedly in the air. Limo.

Like all system guides of Ascension, Limo's appearance was only visible to the awakener he was assigned to. The tiny creature's fluffy tail twitched as he peered at the glowing pendant in Kael's hand, his golden eyes widening with delight.

"You actually triggered a hidden quest! That's impressive!" Limo chirped, bobbing up and down in excitement. But when his gaze fell upon the pendant, his expression shifted from excitement to outright shock.

"The Rebirth Gem?! An Avryon heirloom? Wait—" Limo's eyes snapped to Kael, his fluffy ears twitching in alarm. "You're an Avryon?! Oh, this changes everything!"

Kael frowned, still trying to process what was happening. "What do you mean?"

Limo, for once, looked genuinely rattled. He began pacing in the air, muttering to himself. "This… this shouldn't be possible. The Avryon bloodline wasn't supposed to exist in Erendath. Why is an Avryon here, of all places? It doesn't add up…"

Kael felt his pulse quicken. "So you're saying I really am an Avryon?"

Limo stopped midair, his expression unreadable. Then, with an exasperated sigh, he crossed his tiny arms. "Well, it certainly looks that way now. You were just supposed to be a normal Reborn, but… now this explains why that entity awakened. Oh boy."

Kael's brows furrowed. "The entity, the one evolving at the moment?"

"Not that entity—" Limo flinched. "Forget I said that."

Kael narrowed his eyes, but before he could press further, Limo suddenly turned serious, floating closer. 

"Listen to me, Kael. You must not let anyone know that you're reborn as an Avryon. No—I mean, you must not let them know you're Reborn. Do you understand?"

A strange chill crept up Kael's spine. "Why? What's so dangerous about being a Reborn?"

"Nothing is wrong with being a Reborn… but if a Reborn and an Avryon...well that…"

Limo hesitated, his usually carefree demeanor replaced by something far more serious. His golden eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if weighing how much he could say.

Kael clenched his fists. "What does that even mean?"

Limo sighed, ears drooping slightly. "I can't tell you the specifics. Not yet." His voice lowered, urgent. "But trust me—this changes everything. If the wrong people find out… you'll be in more danger than you can imagine."

A cold weight settled in Kael's chest. The way Limo spoke—it wasn't just caution. It was fear.

Kael's grip tightened around the pendant. He wasn't sure if it was fear or frustration settling in his chest, but the way Limo spoke made it clear—this was bigger than him.

The small guide exhaled. "I need to go for a while. There's something I have to check. I'll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime—stay safe."

And just like that, Limo vanished, leaving Kael with more questions than answers.

When he looked up, Lira was watching him, her eyes shimmering with emotion. And this time, when she smiled, Kael felt it—not just in his mind, but deep in his soul.

Lira was his family—his sister. And for the first time since awakening in this strange new world, Kael felt something deeper than duty or survival.

The need to protect her.

She was the only anchor to his past, the only person who truly knew who he was before all of this. The thought settled in his chest, solid and unshakable. 

No matter what mysteries surrounded his identity, no matter what dangers lurked ahead—he would not lose her.

"I will protect you, sis. I will protect our family."

Kael's voice was firm, unwavering, carrying a conviction that surprised even himself. It wasn't just a promise—it was a vow, one that settled deep within his very being.

Lira's eyes widened for a moment, caught off guard by the sheer determination in his words. Then, a realization dawned on her—a memory long buried but never forgotten.

That's exactly what her brother Kael would do.

Even as a child, Kael had always shown glimpses of that protective nature. Whether it was shielding her from bullies, standing in front of her during storms, or gripping her hand tightly when the world felt too uncertain—he had always been there. 

Even when he was in his childlike mental state, there had been a fierce protectiveness in his gaze, a silent promise that no harm would come to her while he stood.

And now, that same Kael—changed, awakened, but still undeniably him—stood before her, vowing to protect their family.

Lira felt her heart clench, warmth spreading through her chest. He might not remember everything… but in the ways that mattered, he was still her brother.

Then, slowly, her lips curved into a warm, knowing smile.

"Yes," she whispered, squeezing his hand gently. "I'm sure you can. And I will do the same. Let's protect each other."

There was no hesitation, no doubt—just the unspoken bond between them, reforged in that moment. Whatever trials lay ahead, whatever fate awaited the Avryon name, they would face it together.