After the commander's instructions, everyone in the room departed to attend to their respective tasks. Damo, before heading out, turned to Haizen with a smirk. "Until next time, idiot," he taunted, and sauntered off in a different direction.
Vorenus, noticing Haizen's lingering gaze on Damo's retreating figure, nudged him gently. "Let's go see your brother," he said, his voice soft but firm. He then turned to the medic, "Go and give the urilo the details we discussed and have him ready for training."
The medic saluted crisply, "Okay, sir," and left the room.
Vorenus then gestured to Haizen, "This way."
With that, Haizen and Vorenus retraced their steps, heading back to where they had come from. The labyrinthine corridors of the Brotherhood's base seemed a little less daunting now that Haizen had a guide.
As they walked, Vorenus initiated a conversation with Haizen. "What do you think about the Brotherhood?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes serious.
Haizen pondered a moment before replying. "I don't know much yet, but you guys sure are rich. If you really are for the greater good of the world, why not donate all this wealth?"
At his words, Vorenus laughed. "That's one way to see it, but the things we do here for the greater good of the world can't be measured by wealth. Every member here is ready to die for that cause."
Intrigued, Haizen asked, "What is that cause, then?"
Vorenus nodded solemnly. "Okay, first, you need to know about the origins of the Brotherhood. I'm sure you have heard some of it. Actually, our founding members were enlightened by one of the great dragon lords of this world. He is so powerful he could destroy mankind or any race without a second thought. But he was kind enough to appreciate the beauty of the world and wished to protect it. That's why our Brotherhood was formed—to answer that great dragon lord's wish."
Their conversation was interrupted as they reached a door guarded by two Brotherhood members, their faces completely concealed and their bodies as still as statues. They were dressed in cloaks that added an air of mystery and solemnity to their presence. Without a word, they opened the door for Vorenus and Haizen to enter.
The room they entered was rather plain, devoid of any significant decorations or adornments. The only notable feature was a bed in the center where Haizen's brother lay unconscious. Haizen's heart clenched at the sight, and he walked over to his brother, his emotions surging as he looked down at his sibling.
His brother's arm was adorned with a metallic brace, a marking of a roaring dragon etched onto his hand. He looked frail, as if he hadn't eaten in days. "Why does he look so weak?" Haizen asked, his voice choked with worry.
Vorenus spoke up, "We've placed an artifact in his hand to monitor his body activities, which includes his magical output. We've also sealed his mana so he can't use it until we know he's completely safe."
Haizen looked at Vorenus as he spoke, absorbing the information. Seeing his brother in such a state was heartbreaking. Vorenus continued, "We think he drained his energy by using high-caliber magic on his own. It's going to take him a few months or so to recover."
Haizen looked at his brother again, a surge of determination washing over him. He would become stronger, he resolved. He would ensure that an incident like this would never happen under his watch again.
The room fell silent except for the soft breathing of Haizen's brother. Haizen gripped his brother's hand lightly, the cool touch of the metal brace a stark reminder of the danger his brother had faced. He looked up at Vorenus, his eyes filled with resolve. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect him," he said, his voice hard with determination.
Vorenus nodded, understanding the vow that Haizen had just made. "I believe you will," he said softly, "And the Brotherhood will help you in that."
After visiting Nova, Haizen and Vorenus went their separate ways. Haizen returned to his room to continue his recovery, while Vorenus carried on with his usual duties within the Brotherhood. Day by day, Haizen and Urilo's wounds healed, and they gradually regained their strength.
During this time, Haizen would often visit the Brotherhood's library, hoping to learn more about this new world that he had found himself in. Urilo would sometimes accompany him, and together they would study ancient texts and scrolls. They also made it a point to visit Nova daily, their concern for him becoming a routine check-in.
As the days passed, Haizen and Urilo became more acquainted with the Brotherhood's facilities. There were still areas to which they didn't have access, but the resources that were made available to them were more than sufficient. They even ran into Damo occasionally, and every meeting ended up in a heated argument, with Urilo having to drag Haizen away to avoid exacerbating the situation.
They also spent time training, with Haizen pushing himself to his limits to become strong enough to protect his brother. A week passed in this way, and Haizen and Urilo's recovery was finally complete. They were back to their normal state, ready for whatever was to come.
Vorenus had assured Haizen that he would take care of the thief organization he used to work for, ensuring that no one would come after them. Haizen felt an immense sense of gratitude towards Vorenus and the Brotherhood for everything they had done.
One day, Vorenus informed Haizen and Urilo that it was time for them to begin their new recruit training. They were ready, they were healed, and they were stronger than ever. The next chapter of their journey with the Brotherhood was about to begin.