The whole guild sat around the long table in Mentil's grand study. Maps of Esteria and regions beyond were spread across the table's surface, weighed down by cups of tea and half-eaten pastries. A fire crackled in the background. The sun filtered in through the stained-glass windows, casting long shadows across the floor.
Reiner Cold stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, his scarred face serious as ever. Mentil stood beside him, arms behind her back, red hair catching the morning light.
Kajala was the first to speak, holding his cup with both hands.
"Sooo... what's with the intense faces? This better not be about taxes."
Reiner's tone was cold and firm. "It's about your lives."
Everyone straightened up a little.
"We've been tracking the Sin of Pride," Mentil continued, "and we're starting to see the pattern. The corrupted knights aren't just pawns. They're training for something. Preparing. And if Maestro Prenz really is behind them…"
She looked around the table. "Then he's getting ready for war."
Leo leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "He's cocky. But if he's got the power to back it, we need more than flashy attacks."
Reiner nodded. "That's why we've arranged for your next step. Two years. Training. With the best fighters in Esteria."
There was a long pause.
Rika slowly blinked. "...Two years?"
Kajala's jaw dropped. "TWO?! Years?! That's like… forever! I'll be old!"
"You're already annoying," Regulus muttered. "Can't imagine what two more years of you would do to my sanity."
Reiner ignored the bickering and pointed at the map.
"You'll be separated. Temporarily."
He looked at Rei and Regulus. "You two we're sending you to Master Valtrax. He's a war veteran, retired general, and the best weapon master this side of the continent. He'll sharpen your swordplay, teach you new techniques, and push you until you break. Then rebuild you stronger."
Regulus cracked his knuckles with a grin. "Finally. A challenge."
Rei remained silent, nodding once. That flicker of his older self from last night still lingered in his head. He knew this was necessary. His blade wasn't enough yet.
Reiner turned to Kajala and Rika. "You two are going to the Twin Peaks Monastery. Home of Master Aelo and Master Maren the greatest agility instructors alive. They'll teach you stealth, speed, balance, and movement that'll make you ghosts on the battlefield."
Kajala raised a finger. "...Will I have to wear monk robes?"
"No," Mentil said flatly.
"Cool."
Rika grinned, spinning one of her small daggers between her fingers. "I'm in. Sounds fun."
Finally, Reiner looked to Elyra. "You'll train at the Arcanum Tower, under High Arcanist Nyress. She specializes in support magic and elemental casting. If we're going to fight light, we need magic that can bend or resist it."
Elyra nodded with a quiet, focused look. "I understand. I'll do what I must."
Kajala frowned. "But wait... we're all splitting up? For two years?"
Mentil stepped in. "This is the only way. You'll each return stronger, with new skills and new allies. Your paths may separate but when the time comes, you'll be needed together again."
"And trust me," Reiner added, "when that time comes… it won't just be Maestro. He's only one of the seven."
Everyone froze.
"...Wait," Rei said, his voice low. "There's more?"
"Seven deadly sins," Reiner confirmed. "Pride was just the start."
The room went silent.
Leo stood, stretching his arms behind his head. "Well. Guess this guild just got a whole lot more important."
Kajala groaned. "Two years of monk running and whip practice... please send letters or I'll die."
Mentil smiled softly, despite the tension in the room. "You're a guild now. But by the end of this… you'll be an army."
Rei looked around the room at each of them.
Kajala, half-asleep but still smiling.
Rika, picking her nails with a dagger.
Regulus, already stretching and cracking his neck.
Elyra, calm as ever.
Leo, watching him with a nod.
They were ready even if it scared them. Even if they didn't know what came next.
Rei clenched his fist under the table.
I won't lose this time. No matter how many loops it takes.
The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting golden light across the grand courtyard. Bags were packed. Weapons were strapped tight. Everyone stood in a loose group, quiet, unsure of what to say.
The wagons that would take them to their separate destinations waited near the gates. Each wagon bore the seal of a different region, ready to part ways.
Kajala fidgeted with his scarf, ears twitching. Rika leaned against a pillar, twirling a lockpick absentmindedly. Regulus had his arms crossed but kept sneaking glances at everyone like he didn't want to forget their faces. Elyra stood still, hands folded neatly in front of her, her cloak catching the breeze.
Rei looked at them all. This was the first time they'd be apart since the guild had formed.
Two years.
It felt like a lifetime.
"Welp," Kajala said suddenly, breaking the silence. "This sucks."
No one disagreed.
"I mean—who's gonna remind you guys how cute I am?" Kajala added, trying to laugh.
Rei cracked the smallest smile. "We'll be fine."
Kajala turned to Rei, suddenly looking more serious. "You always say that like it doesn't hurt."
Rei didn't answer.
Then, without another word, Kajala stepped in close and wrapped his arms tightly around Rei, pulling him into a full-body hug. No teasing this time. No jokes. Just warmth.
Rei stiffened at first, startled, then slowly eased into it, patting Kajala's back awkwardly.
"You better come back stronger," Kajala muttered into his shoulder. "Because if you die and come back and don't remember me, I'll punch you so hard it carries through the timeline."
"…Okay," Rei said quietly. "I'll try not to forget."
Kajala pulled back and wiped at his eyes like he wasn't doing anything emotional at all. "I mean not like I care that much, obviously. I just… y'know. For guild morale."
"Right."
Rika stepped up and gave Rei a small salute. "Don't get all serious without me, or I'll haunt you."
"You already do."
Rika grinned and skipped off toward her wagon.
Regulus nodded at him. "If you die, I'm stealing your sword."
Rei raised an eyebrow. "You'd have to find it first."
"Heh. I like your style."
Regulus turned and marched off, his heavy boots thudding with purpose.
Elyra stopped before Rei last. She reached into her cloak and handed him a small cloth pouch.
"What's this?" he asked.
"A charm. For protection. It might not do much, but…" Her voice trailed off, then she added softly, "Stay safe."
Rei nodded. "You too."
One by one, they left. Wagons creaked down separate roads, hooves clopping softly into the evening air.
And then Rei stood alone in the courtyard, staring at the empty gate, clutching the charm Elyra had given him.
Two years of training.
Two years of preparing.
This is the quiet before the storm, he thought.
I need to be ready.
He looked up at the sky and whispered, "No more resets. I'm going to win. This time, for real."