Balzamir's memories were firmly etched in his mind. He recalled living with his older brother, Zul, who was 19 at the time. Balzamir, just 16 years old, frequently donned elegantly crafted red garments embellished with golden silk accents.

The sky was turning ominous as darkness enveloped the city and its estate. The wind howled fiercely, battering the structures and sweeping through the streets with relentless force.

The sky was covered by heavy, foreboding clouds, enveloping everything in shadow. A deep rumble of thunder echoed, while flashes of lightning illuminated the gloomy horizon, showcasing nature's wrath.

The rain began as a light sprinkle but soon escalated into a torrential downpour. The noise of the rain crashing against the ground produced loud, splashing sounds. It obscured visibility for everyone and unleashed a torrent of water from the sky. The rain carried a salty yet acrid flavor as it rinsed away the perspiration and oils from those caught in its relentless fall.

Those who found themselves in the heavy rain were soaked and burdened; yet, despite its harshness, the rain carried a fresh, serene scent.

Even though the rain poured down heavily, saturating the town with its intense presence, life continued to thrive. Yet, the presence of the nobles created an atmosphere of tension among the townsfolk. The structures had been renovated with modern designs and materials, lending the town a more aristocratic feel. The air was filled with the delightful scents of freshly baked pastries, mingling with the fragrances of cologne and perfume. The streets had been upgraded to brick, replacing the old dirt paths, which left a gritty, chalky taste in the atmosphere.

Regardless of the weather and the town's atmosphere, life went on for the residents, including Zul and Balzamir. Balzamir dedicated much of his time to his room, immersing himself in literature about warmth, volcanoes, fire, and the ancient tales of the Great Divine. In contrast, Zul explored the tumultuous history of the Smith noble family, which had inflicted suffering, despair, and fear upon the common people, a perspective that Balzamir found hard to accept.

The altercation between the two brothers escalated into violence. Balzamir, with his nose buried in a book, shook his head but remained attentive to the unfolding drama. He questioned, "Zul, how can you justify treating innocent people in such a manner?"

Zul, appearing perplexed, remarked, "I can't help it if they choose to live like filth." Balzamir placed his book on his lap and countered, "True, but mistreating them doesn't benefit anyone, particularly not them." With a look of disdain and his arms folded, Zul shot back, "The thought of them being mere insects beneath my foot brings me satisfaction." He further expressed his contempt by declaring, "Inferior creatures like them should simply vanish. Rikros would thrive without such nuisances."

Balzamir's eyes grow wide with disbelief, quickly shifting to a scowl that reveals his fury as he exclaims, "How can you even suggest that? We owe everything to them!" Zul, fueled by his rage, intensifies the confrontation, expressing his disdain as he retorts to Balzamir, "How can you stand up for those worthless scum?"

Balzamir presses on, his voice filled with fury, "How can you treat them as if they are contagious!" Zul steps closer, challenging him, and retorts, "Because they are the contagion!" Balzamir is taken aback by his brother's fierce response and retaliates with a swing. Zul swiftly leans back, evading the blow, and seizes Balzamir's arm in an attempt to apply a submission hold. However, Balzamir quickly pivots behind Zul and locks him in a sleeper hold.

Zul nudged Balzamir in the ribs, prompting him to release his hold. Seizing the opportunity, Zul quickly pivoted and landed a punch squarely on Balzamir's face, sending him reeling to the ground. As Balzamir tumbled down, he accidentally toppled a blazer that contained smoldering coals. The hot coals struck Balzamir's face, eliciting a scream of pain as he writhed and kicked on the ground.

Zul stood there, a smirk of triumph and righteousness etched on his face. He let out a derisive laugh and declared, "Hah! You brought this upon yourself." Taking his time, Zul approached a bowl of water, intent on imparting a lesson to his brother. He picked up the bowl and a rag, soaking the cloth before advancing toward Balzamir. With a casual flick, he hurled the wet rag at his brother, showing no remorse. As the rag struck Balzamir's face, he erupted in furious agony, shouting, "I wish I had burned you along with the rest of our family!"

Balzamir shot a fierce look at Zul, who responded in kind. Zul turned on his heel and stormed away, declaring, "You'll come to regret what you just said, Balzamir!" He marched to his room, leaving Balzamir to tend to the injury on his face. While Balzamir focused on his wound, Zul was busy plotting something dark. He immersed himself in books about summoning malevolent spirits, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment and sealing it with the Smith family signet.

In Zul's dimly lit chamber, candles flickered ominously, their wax pooling around a sinister symbol etched in black chalk on the floor. A wave of frustration washed over him as he muttered, "I'm sick of his weakness. Maybe I can reshape him into something stronger." With a determined glint in his eye, Zul began to recite an incantation steeped in dark magic. The flames danced wildly, morphing into a chilling blue that cast an eerie light, filling the room with a foreboding chill.

The shadows danced and contorted across the walls and floor. A chilling air settled in the room, making Zul's breath visible as a frosty mist. The light struggled against the encroaching darkness, while the floor became icy, frost creeping up the walls. Despite the room's frozen appearance, a sudden warmth emerged, causing Zul to break into a sweat. A gust of wind swirled around the candles and symbols, as a dense fog enveloped the space.

In the dense fog, flashes of electricity danced, causing the mist to swirl around the symbol's vicinity. From the haze, two piercing icy eyes emerged, accompanied by a chilling, elongated growl that was punctuated by a sigh. A hoarse voice then materialized from the fog, uttering words, "A challenge to face, what does this pest seek, From Syclisk, the answer feels quite unique."