The reunion

The sun was setting over Eldermere, casting long shadows across the town's cobblestone streets. Díkē sat at a table in the guild hall, his adventurer's badge gleaming in the fading light. The mission to Briar Glen had been a success, and the villagers had thanked him and Calian profusely. The guild had rewarded them with a hefty sum of gold and a commendation for their bravery. But despite the accolades, Díkē couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest.

Calian sat across from him, his greatsword resting against the wall. The knight's presence was a steadying force, but even he seemed to sense Díkē's restlessness.

"You've done well," Calian said, his voice calm but firm. "But I sense there's something troubling you."

Díkē sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just… I can't stop thinking about my family. About my sister. She's the reason I left home, the reason I've been trying so hard to prove myself. What if she finds out I'm here? What if she comes looking for me?"

Calian's eyes softened, and a faint smile played beneath his helmet. "You cannot run from your past, Díkē. Sooner or later, you will have to face her. But remember—you are not the same person you were when you left. You've grown stronger, both in body and spirit. You have nothing to fear."

Díkē nodded, though the knot in his stomach remained. "I know. But it's not that simple. She's… she's always been better than me. Stronger, faster, smarter. I could never measure up to her."

Calian placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "You are not defined by her expectations. You are your own person, with your own strengths. And you have the Knight's Heart. That is something she cannot take from you."

Díkē took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "You're right. I can't keep running. If she comes, I'll face her. But until then, I'll keep moving forward."

---

The next morning, Díkē and Calian set out on another mission. The guild had received reports of bandits attacking travelers on the road to the nearby town of **Silvercrest**. The request was straightforward—eliminate the bandits and ensure the safety of the road. It was the kind of mission Díkē had come to expect, but as they approached the bandit camp, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

The camp was nestled in a clearing, surrounded by dense trees. Díkē and Calian moved cautiously, their senses alert for any signs of danger. But as they drew closer, they realized the camp was empty. The fire was still smoldering, and the remains of a meal were scattered on the ground, but there was no sign of the bandits.

"Something's not right," Díkē muttered, his hand instinctively brushing against the ruby in his palm.

Calian nodded, his greatsword at the ready. "Stay close. We don't know what we're dealing with."

They moved deeper into the camp, their eyes scanning the area for any clues. Then, they heard it—a low, guttural growl, followed by the sound of footsteps. Díkē's heart raced as a figure emerged from the trees, her presence commanding and unmistakable.

It was his sister.

---

Aegis Lyra stood before them, her silver armor gleaming in the sunlight. Her sword was drawn, its blade glinting with a deadly edge. Her eyes, sharp and piercing, locked onto Díkē's with a mixture of surprise and disdain.

"Díkē," she said, her voice cold and cutting. "I should have known I'd find you here."

Díkē's breath caught in his throat, his grip tightening on his sword. "Lyra. What are you doing here?"

Lyra smirked, her expression one of pure arrogance. "I could ask you the same question. But I suppose it doesn't matter. You've always been good at running away, haven't you?"

Díkē's jaw tightened, his anger flaring. "I'm not running anymore. I'm an adventurer now. I've proven myself."

Lyra laughed, the sound harsh and mocking. "Proven yourself? By playing at being a hero? Don't make me laugh. You're still the same weakling you've always been."

Calian stepped forward, his greatsword resting on his shoulder. "That's enough. You have no right to speak to him like that."

Lyra's eyes flicked to Calian, her smirk widening. "And who's this? Your new bodyguard? How pathetic. You can't even stand up for yourself."

Díkē's hands clenched into fists, his anger boiling over. "I don't need to prove anything to you, Lyra. I've changed. I'm not the same person I was when I left."

Lyra's expression hardened, her grip tightening on her sword. "We'll see about that."

---

The tension in the air was palpable as Díkē and Lyra faced each other, their swords drawn. Calian stood to the side, his presence a silent reminder of the bond they shared. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the usual sounds of nature fading into an eerie silence.

Lyra was the first to move, her blade flashing as she lunged at Díkē. He dodged, his movements fueled by the ruby's energy. He countered with a swift strike, but Lyra blocked it with ease, her smirk never wavering.

"Is that all you've got?" she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.

Díkē gritted his teeth, his anger fueling his strikes. He attacked again and again, his sword flashing in the sunlight. But Lyra was faster, her movements precise and calculated. She dodged and parried with ease, her smirk never faltering.

Finally, with a powerful strike, Lyra knocked Díkē's sword from his hand, sending it clattering to the ground. He fell to his knees, his chest heaving, his body trembling with exhaustion.

Lyra stood over him, her sword pointed at his throat. "Pathetic. Just like always."

But Díkē wasn't done. He clenched his fists, the ruby's glow intensifying. "Calian!"

With a burst of light, Calian materialized beside him, his greatsword at the ready. Lyra's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly recovered, her smirk returning.

"A summoner, huh? Now this is interesting."

The battle resumed, but this time, Díkē and Calian fought together, their movements synchronized as they traded blows with Lyra. The Aegis heir was strong, but even she struggled to keep up with the combined might of the summoner and his knight.

Finally, with a powerful strike from Calian's greatsword, Lyra's sword was knocked from her hands, clattering to the ground. She raised her hands in surrender, a grin spreading across her face.

"Alright, alright. I yield. You've proven your point."

Díkē let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, his body trembling with exhaustion. But despite the fatigue, he felt a surge of pride. He had faced his sister and emerged victorious.

Lyra clapped him on the shoulder, her grin widening. "You've got potential, kid. With the right training, you could become one of the guild's best. Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild."

Díkē smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the ruby in his hand. Its glow was steady and reassuring, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded—and the responsibility that came with it.

"Thank you," he said, his voice firm. "I won't let you down."

Lyra nodded, her expression serious. "See that you don't. The life of an adventurer isn't easy, but it's rewarding. And with that knight of yours by your side, I think you'll do just fine."

---

As Díkë and Calian left the trial room, they were met with applause from the other adventurers. Word of their victory had spread quickly, and the guild members were eager to welcome the new recruit.

Díkē felt a sense of belonging that he had never experienced before. He was no longer the disgraced son of the Aegis family—he was an adventurer, a summoner, and a member of the guild.

But as he looked at the ruby in his hand, he knew that his journey was only just beginning. The Knight's Heart had chosen him for a reason, and he was determined to uncover its secrets—and his own destiny.

---

**End of Chapter 7**