“The treachery and arrogance of Nolan Khan, the Endless, was what lead to the unspeakable tragedy, to which many of us lost our mothers, daughters, fathers, brothers…our families…”

The head of House FIsher, Charles Fisher, was an old man with smooth grey hair, courtesy of the nourishing sea waters, and his voice carried a certain echo through the air that some believed contributed to his charisma and leadership. But that only made him all the more annoying for Fisher. After what had happened, listening to an old fool babble is the last thing he wanted to do. But even he knew that this is what his parents would have wanted.

To be a good son of the Fisher family, and to do what's best for the family. Does it even matter, if they are no longer here?

The leadership circle of the Fisher family all stood still upon the stage as the mayor of Costa city, the younger brother of Charles nodded in agreement. Nearly all of the city’s citizens gathered here on this day in the city plaza where the campaign of the rebuild was supposed to begin, a mere week after the incident.

“However, without the sacrifices and cooperation of PORA, the entirety of Costa city would have been no more. And with that, we offer PORA our sincerest thank you.” Charles said, gesturing towards a figure standing in the back wearing a white and red cloak as he bowed back in response while remaining in the shadows.

“Today, we start our rebuild, but we will always remember those that we’ve lost. As we move forward into the future, we shall bring their memories with us. The House of Fisher is strongest together, and we shall rise again. This...all of this...is merely a challenge that fate had given us, and we will overcome it with flying colors, together.”

The crowd dispersed slowly right as Costa city mayor Darren Fisher started to list out the individual initiatives and responsibilities. However, Rache simply stood there, letting the words flow through him.

Eventually, Darren Fisher knew to shut up before the meeting formally concluded and the crowds dispersed. But somehow, for some reason, Rache’s body didn’t move. It refused to move. His feet remained planted firmly on the ground with his eyes locked forward.

He’s in no rush to go home. Not really. Who’s even going to be there anyway?

“You lost someone, didn’t you?” A smooth voice came from behind him, and Rache turned around to see the man dressed in the white cloak with red stripes with a symbol of a blood-red rose upon his chest. He’s a handsome-looking man with sharply defined eyes and thin eyebrows, a tall nose and a small motuh. Rache caught himself staring at him for a moment before blinking a few times and looking away.

“What a guess.” Rache said sarcastically, but suddenly felt a tinge of regret for that sharp response.

“I wouldn’t have been in my current position without being somewhat observant.” The man smiled before flicking his hair back and watching Rache with interest. His hair was black with strands of red mixed in, and he was just a little taller than Rache when standinng straight up, “My name is Rote Zorn, and I am the associate with PORA for House FIsher.”

“Don’t you have any main family people to bother?” Rache rolled his eyes and tried to leave, but this time, his body refused to leave for another reason. As his heart raced, he locked his eyes onto Rote’s very own dark brown eyes as he smirked back, "What do you want with me?"

“They are all boring and want the same thing.” Rote said, shrugging, “I am here to do my job, but I also seek excitement and unpredictability. And through the Wave, I sensed something about you that’s different. Something perhaps you can give me... Tell me, what’s your name, and what do you desire?”

“I am Rache Fisher.” Rache found himself responding quickly before he even had time to think it thorugh, “And…I want revenge.”

“Against who?” Rote started walking, gesturing for Rache to follow him.

“Whoever’s responsible for dropping an entire island on my home...I don't know, I don't care...” Rache said through gritted teeth, “It doesn't matter who they are. I will find them, and I will inflict the same pain upon them as was inflicted on me...”

“And I am sure you know that vengeance will not bring back those you lost?” Rote said, “Pain and suffering will simply procure more of themselves.”

“Find someone else to lecture.” Rache warned, slowing his steps and Rote let out a handful of chuckles like chimes.

“I apologize, Mr Rache.” Rote bowed politely in the same way he did towards Charles and Darren Fisher earlier that day, “I simply suggest you seek out something more than just vengeance.”

“Such as what?”

“Power.” Rote said, turning around as he stood with the setting sun behind him creating a red glow around his body, “So much power that you cannot be hurt by anyone. So much power that no matter what Fate has in store for you, you can carve out your own destiny. So much power that no matter what you want, be it vengeance, forgiveness, or whatever you desire, you shall have the freedom to do it whenever you want, however you want.”

“No shit.” Rache crossed his arms, “You think the Ethereal tournament was created for fun? You think everything that all of the Houses are doing is just to keep people fit and healthy?”

“Of course not.” Rote strolled towards Rache until the two men stood inches away from one another, and Rach could feel the warmth emanating from beyond the man’s cloak. His mind wandered, and he imagined Rote's body behind his cloak, “I merely suggest that you should seek out more. Always...more.”

“You spoke as if you know me.” Rache said, conjuring up an orb of Wave within his fist instantly before shoving his hands forward at Rote, "Stop acting so close!"

However, Rote caught the fist and popped the sphere like a bubble. As their fingers became interlocked, Rache felt like his hands were burning cause Rote’s body was so warm

“I know that you are weak, and that you want to be stronger.” Rote said, pulling Rache closer before staring into his soul, “And I know how I can help you.”

Rache blinked a few times before his face turned red, and Rote smiled before letting his hand go.

“Follow me.” Rote said, “You want power? My sources had told me of such a thing that may just grant you exactly that around here. That’s one of the reasons that PORA had taken a special interest in the House of Fisher after the incident.”

“And what’s that?” Rache asked when Rote suddenly started running. Rache cursed under his breath before picking up his speed and running after Rote.

For someone wearing a full cloak in the midst of summer, Rote moved with remarkable speed and lightness, and Rache was barely able to keep up with his own physical enhancements.

After what felt like an hour of running, they found themselves on the beach with the sun slowly setting far out on the horizon. The outlines of Costa city were barely visible back where they came from, and Rache had his hands on his knees ever since they stopped running.

In comparison, Rote seemed completely fine, as not even a single droplet of sweat formed over his body.

“What was that for…” Rache said, struggling to catch his breath as his heart pounded in his chest, “Da..damn…Too…fast…You…You are a Channeler or something?”

“Not exactly.” Rote responded before snapping his finger in front of Rache’s face and drawing his attention, “Have you heard of the legendary beasts of the past?”

“Anyone that paid attention during bedtime stories has.”

“It’s not just stories of legend. Not literally.” Rote said before he pointed his fingers straight at the ocean, “Out there, one mile off-shore, it was said that there lied the resting ground of one of the fiercest legendary beasts, the hell hound of Cerberus.”

“And just like that…?” Rache tilted his head back, "You just happen to know about this?"

"The connections of PORA goes way deeper than you know..." Rote said, his face becoming plain, "I am to retrive the legendary beast, one way or another. However, I myself cannot...posess such a beast."

Rache simply stared at him.

“What sort of Wave user are you classified as?” Rote continued, “You sure as hell don’t look like a Channeler or a Manifester.”

“Cause I am not.” Rache lowered his head, “I am utterly uselss regardless of what I am. Technically a Caster, I guess.”

“You won’t have to feel that way anymore.” Rote said, “Not after you obtain the powers of the Cerberus.”

“What, I am just supposed to take a swim, and power is just going to magically latch onto me?” Rache sat down on the ground and lied down, “In that case, why haven’t I found anything before ever in any of my dives?”

“The beast hide its presence among the natural Wave of the ocean, though one skilled in navigating the oceans naturally have a better chance at finding it. So...I don't think you are entirely useless, are you?” Rote asked as Rache sighed before rolling his eyes and nodding.

“What do I have to do?” Rache asked as Rote took off his white cloak, revealing the lean contours of his muscles underneath. Under the gentle warm lighting of the sunset, it appeared as if his entire body was glowing like red hot iron.

“I am not the best swimmer, but I will guide you in the direction to the best of my ability.” Rote said while noticing Rache staring at his body, “Hello? You up?”

“Ye..yeah…” Rache quickly undressed and let his blue hair run behind him.

Then, the two of them stepped foot into the water with their shoulders scraping against one another. The ocean felt warm thanks to the day-long heating from the sun, but Rache could tell it was about to become far colder really soon.

He heard sizzling sounds coming from Rote’s feet, and the water around his body started to bubble up as if he really was made out of hot iron.

“Come.” Rote said, diving headfirst into the waves before forming a thin layer of red glowing Wave around his body as Rache followed suit, “Let’s go find ourselves a three-headed legendary beast.”