Palace District.
After his brief chat with the Prince, Adam returned to his temporary residence. He paced around his bedroom, hands clasped behind his back.
A contemplative look shadowed his face as he thought to himself:
In the time Iāve spent with Anna, the number of times she spoke about her father and elder brother can be counted on one hand.
The person she spoke most about and the one she loved the most was her mother. To think that Iād meet that person today was... surprising.
Even before setting foot in Amberfall, Adam knew that he would eventually meet Annaās family. But when he actually met the Queen today, he couldnāt help but become slightly nervous.
After all, when he was a child and listened to Anna speak about her mother, he had naturally begun to imagine her as his own mother as well. Having already lost his family, he instinctively thought of Anna as her elder sister, and by that same childish logic, her mother became his mother too.
At least, that was how the world made sense to an eight-year-old Adam.
Adam closed his eyes and sensed the telepathic link he shared with the serpent heād just left behind with Marlow.
A moment later, his eyes snapped open, and he spat, "Dragonshit!"
He ran a hand through his dense white hair, then curled his mustache upward. "Twisted mind of a scribe? Is that any way to talk about your elders? Hmph!"
Soon, Adamās expression turned solemn, and he couldnāt help but think to himself:
Judging by their conversation... it seems that Anna hasnāt sent her family any messages, notifying them of her well-being.
Why didnāt she do it? This is unlike her. Given how close she is to her mother, she should have, at the very least, let her know... that...
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he understood the reason.
I see,
he mused.
So thatās why.
After the Battle of Ravenfell, Anna and her entourage took refuge within the protected confines of the Soaring River Secret Plane.
As a secret plane, it existed in a pocket dimension embedded within the material world. Its laws of space were tightly contained and deliberately hidden. As a result, those inside the secret plane were unable to summon creatures into it or anything out from within its boundaries.
That was why the Fireborne family hadnāt received any correspondence from Anna. It wasnāt because she didnāt write. It was because she couldnāt.
Thinking of the reason, Adam couldnāt help but massage his temples and heave a helpless sigh.
Her family is worried sick,
he mused.
And knowing that sheās alive, yet receiving no message from her, will only deepen their panic, forcing them to imagine the worst possible circumstances that might be preventing her from reaching out.
How long has it been? Almost twenty-five years...
Just what must her family have endured all that time?
Recalling the conversation that Marlow and Amira had just had, Adamās lips curled up into a sad smile.
Anna, your elder brother still hasnāt stopped looking for you after all these years.
Your mother still thinks of you, wishing that one day you will return to her.
All this while, they had no other option but to cling desperately to a ray of hope, to believe that wherever you were, you were well.
But it doesnāt have to be like that anymore, does it?
Iām here now.
As your little brother, how can I allow your family to continue drowning in uncertainty and grief?
In that moment, he took a deep breath and came to a decision. His hands slowly rose and weaved a few hand seals, erecting a formless barrier around him.
Adam then willed the Faceless Mask, and in the next moment...
His height started to diminish, his aged skin smoothened into something clear and unblemished, and his hair gradually shifted to a bright shade of crimson.
In a matter of moments, the transformation completed seamlessly.
And when it ended...
Anna Fireborne had emerged in Amberfall after decades away!
***
Amira Fireborne sat by the arched window within the palace, the cool night breeze brushing past her as she gazed at the twin moons hanging in the sky. Their pale light spilled into her private chamber, casting soft shadows across the stone floors.
Clutched in her hands was a small, worn toy. It was something Anna cherished deeply as a child. Amiraās fingers tightened around the toy, as if afraid to let it go.
In the quiet of the night, the grief in her heart finally spilled over, and she began to sob in silence. She could no longer remember the last time she hadnāt cried.
When she gazed at the toy in her hand, her heart pained even more as she wondered about what her dear daughter must be going through at the moment.
She closed her eyes and wiped her tears away.
When she opened her eyes and turned towards the scene outside the window, she froze.
Unbeknownst to her, a familiar bird had appeared and now stood on the window ledge, curiously gazing at her. The bird was tiny and seemingly harmless. Its feathers looked bright as flames and appeared quite fancy.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
Amiraās eyes widened.
She instantly recognized this fantastical creature. How could she not? This was her daughterās summons!
The Queen rose to her feet and quickly reached out for the bird. But the tiny flaming bird tilted its head in an adorable manner and gave her a playful wink before vanishing in a soft puff of flames, leaving behind a small, octagonal disk.
Amiraās mind was a mess, and her heart churned with turbulent emotions. For all these years, she had waited to hear from Anna, and now that the moment had finally arrived, she couldnāt believe her eyes.
Although she couldnāt quite understand why the flaming bird disappeared so abruptly, she couldnāt be bothered about it. Resting on the window ledge was an item that radiated the unmistakable remnants of her daughterās mana.
She would recognize that mana signature anywhere.
The moment Amira noticed Annaās mana within the disk, she cried tears of joy and quickly clutched it to her chest. Then, she hastily infused her own mana into it, and following that, a life-sized illusion of her daughter appeared standing before her.
Amira covered her mouth and began to sob as she gazed upon her daughter ā although an illusion ā for the first time in so many years.
Annaās ruby eyes flashed with love and warmth as the message activated. Her lips parted, and she said gently:
"Dear Mother..."