AN: Welcome to the start of a new story. I've been so engrossed in this game series lately, which is part of the reason I haven't updated my other stories, So I apologize for that. Now then, I will warn you that this will not be Alisa fans. This will involve cheating while Alisa is unaware, but whether or not she finds out, I don't know yet. As for who is cheating on her and with whom, it's going to be everyone's favorite Super Maid, Sharon, and Rean. There are numerous situations of Sharon heavily teasing Rean about becoming his personal maid throughout Trails of Cold Steel, and I am astonished at Rean's willpower to NOT take her up on her advances. But this could be said for the advances of all the girls that hit on him. There will be spoilers, but I will attempt to keep them to a minimum... the spoilers revealed will be important to the story.
ONWARDS TO THE STORY!
"Talking"
'thinking'
Crafts/Arts
"Electronic Talking"
Trails of Chained Steel
Prologue: The Fateful Encounter
[December S1199]
Up in the mountain village of Ymir, in the northern part of the Nortia province, we find Noble Family, the Schwarzers. However, the normally peaceful village and family of Baron Teo Schwarzer are in a state of disbelief and worry, or at least, his son, Rean, was worried and distressed, his parents and sister were trying to calm him down.
"Dad is it true there was an explosion in Roer?! Are Alisa and her family alright?" the young Schwarzer with messy extremely dark blue hair that appears black, which was even more of a mess and tangled, and currently worried stricken light fuchsia eyes since hearing about the news about Roer.
"Rean, please calm down, I'm sure Alisa's fine..." His adoptive sister Elise said. While she was worried herself about the Reinford family, she was more worried about her brother. 'I've never seen him like this. D-does he cares that much about her that much...?' The deep purple-haired thought somewhat bitterly.
"We only got word that there was an explosion at one of the factories, we have no further info." Baron Schwarzer said as calmly as possible, but seeing his son so distressed he sighed. "It'll take us half a few hours to get to Roer via cable car. Go get your things, but remember Master Yun Ka Fai will be here in a few days to begin your training." Unlike the rest of his family, Teo had short sandy blonde hair, but quite a muscular physique.
Rean brightened up and ran off to his room to get his stuff for the trip. Meanwhile, his mother Lucia watched him go upstairs with concern. "Dear, are you sure this is wise? If something has happened to that Alisa girl, it will be devastating to him... Will you even be able to see the Reinford's? They do have a company to run after all." She asked her husband.
"We will. I knew that Rean would be worried when he heard the news so I contacted Gwyn and made sure to let him know we'd be there by nightfall. Though he didn't tell me what happened, from his tone, it sounded serious. However, He assured me that young Alisa was unharmed." He explained.
"Very well. Let's get ready ourselves. That goes for you as well Elise." Lucia said to her daughter, who just sighed and nodded, clearly not wanting to go since she knew her brother's attention would be solely on the young blonde-haired, ruby eyed girl that visited just a year prior. Little did they know that Rean would be meeting someone whom he would completely captivate him and would change him, and maybe not for the better.
[1 hour Later]
"Attention Passengers, we would like to thank you for your patronage, we will be arriving in Roer in a few moments. We will be stopped for 3 minutes to load and unload cargo. Please make sure you have all your belongings before departing the train. Have a nice day." The announcement said as the Schwarzer family got up started gathering their bags and made their way out of the train when it came to a stop.
Rean, whose hair was still a tangled mess and eyes still filled with worry, looked like he wanted to run straight to the Reinford building fidgeting anxiously while waiting for his father to say it was ok. "Alright, we arrived sooner than expected. For now, I will go meet with Marquis Rogner and see if he has any info for us. In the meantime, why don't you three go to the diner and get something to drink. We aren't excepted until 6 pm, which is about an hour from now."
Rean looked discouraged he couldn't go support his friend right away but he knew the importance of being punctual. Showing up early is not very polite to your hosts. So, reluctantly he went with his mother and sister to Dvance's Diner.
While Elise and Lucia sat calmly, waiting for Teo, Rean was pacing the diner in ever-growing anxiety. After 5 minutes of pacing Lucia askes him calmly, "Rean, please sit down. Your father will be back soon so that we can go see Alisa." Hoping that mentioning Alisa would calm him down at a little.
"I know that Mom, but I can't sit still! I feel like I'm going crazy wondering if she's alright! What if she was caught in the explosion and got severely injured, or worse!?" Rean, not meaning to shout, did so anyway in a clear panicked tone.
After hearing what was driving the young man in front of them to pace so much, Yuuna, the server for the diner, decides to help. "I'm sorry for interrupting, but I can tell you that Alisa is uninjured and is as well as can be expected given the circumstances." stating in a solemn tone that, while somewhat relieving the Schwarzer family, especially Rean hearing that Alisa's safe, told them something tragic had happened.
"Thank you for this information, young lady. I take it you are friends with Young Alisa?" Lucia asked inquisitively. Yuuna nodded and simply confirmed Lady Schwarzer's inquiry. So, with this new information, they waited, now more patiently than before for Teo's return.
At the appointed time they made their way to the RF Building and walked up to the reception desk. "Hello, Welcome to the Reinford Company. Do you have an appointment?" Asked the receptionist with a smile.
"Not an appointment but I do believe that they are expecting the Schwarzer Family." Teo said in return.
"Ahh yes. Chairman Gwyn did mention that you would be arriving this evening. One moment while I call their suite." Baron Schwarzer nodded and waited. "You may head on up my Lord, 24th floor is the Reinford Family's home. Please take the elevator on the right."
"Thank you." He said and headed to the elevator with his family.
Inside the elevator, Lucia took the chance to ask her husband if he learned anything. "I did...and it's not good... Alisa's father was killed in an accident yesterday, aside from that the Marquis didn't give me any other info, said it wasn't his place to say."
"No..." was all Elise could say. While she was jealous when Alisa got more attention from Rean than she did, she didn't actually dislike the blonde... She actually considered her a good friend, even if she seemed to be a rival for Rean's affection.
"...Alisa..." Rean looked down and made up his mind to give Alisa his full support via hugs and head pats.
"So, that's what the young waitress meant." Lucia knew it must be hard on Irina as well as little Alisa. "Is Angelica here as well? I know she and Alisa are close."
"No, but she sure does want to be, she even asked me to sneak her out. Apparently, she's being punished for sneaking out to the mines again." Teo said with a small chuckle.
This drew small laughs from the Schwarzer Family. If they knew one thing about the Rogner Family, it's Marquis Rogner's tomboy of a daughter was a free spirit and didn't like being tied down to one spot for too long.
As the elevator doors open, they revealed a young woman, with light purple hair, dazzling green eyes, a mischievous smile, wearing a purple maid uniform that had a hint of semi-transparent lace, which focused around the top of her blossoming breasts, only being obstructed by the matching purple cloth hanging from the blue jewel at the base of the neck.
Rean was immediately captivated by her. He was in so much a daze that he didn't notice his family dragging him off the elevator. They thought it was because he was thinking about Alisa, they didn't know that the young woman in front of them just captured his heart without even saying a word.
"Greetings my Lords and Ladies, I am Sharon Kreuger, a new maid in the service of the Reinford family. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said with a deep bow, all the while stealing glances at the young male Schwarzer she knew was staring at her with those light fuchsia eyes that found quite fetching. However, she could also sense something dark within the young lord in front of her but decided to keep it in the back of her mind for now. "If you'll follow me, Master Gwyn, Lady Irina, and Lady Alisa are waiting." She said as she raised from her bow and turned around.
As the maid in front of him turned around, Rean snapped out of his trance. 'She's gorgeous, but I need to focus on comforting Alisa right now... then worry about getting to know...Sharon, I think she said her name was.' He thought to himself.
Elise was starting to notice that her brother's gaze hasn't left the young maid in front of them but thought nothing of it for now, but she decided to keep an eye on the two of them. After all, it wasn't like Rean to space out like that, and she did notice the very faint blush on his cheeks.
"Ahh Teo, Lucia, thank you for coming down from the mountains to visit us. And hello to you as well, young Rean and Elise. You two sure have grown a lot in the last month since we've seen you." Gwyn greeted then turned to Sharon while taking notice of young Rean's eyes trailing his family's new maid. 'it seems my granddaughter has some competition. I know that look and he is completely captivated by Sharon.'
Irina also seemed to notice this and only thought he better not end up hurting her daughter. Didn't matter if he was the adopted son of a Baron, the young man would feel her wrath but decided to play nice... for now. "Indeed, it's good to see you. I'm sorry it wasn't under better circumstances..." She said, trying to keep the sadness and remorse out of her voice.
Alisa however wasn't so subtle. "REEEEAN!" She cried as she tackled her friend into a bone-crushing hug, catching him off guard and causing him to lose balance and fall to the floor. Even falling to the floor with Rean, the young blonde just crying into his shoulder.
"Oh my..." Sharon said covering her mouth.
"Seems coming here was the right choice after all. I was hesitant on coming here since my son's teacher will be in Ymir in a couple of days to begin his training in the Eight Leaves One Blade school of swordsmanship, but Rean was insistent and very worried about your family." Baron Schwarzer said.
"Well then, thank you Rean. My granddaughter has been beside herself since the accident." Gwyn said solemnly.
Rean nodded as he picked up Alisa, and carried her to the couch and off the hard-garnet floor. Elise watched with a pout but fought it down.
"We're very sorry for your loss... I had a chat with Marquis Rogner before we came up since we arrived early and told me about Franz, but he wouldn't say anything more." Teo said.
The adult Reinford's nodded and glanced at Sharon who looked away with some discomfort and shame. The adult Schwarzers noticed this gesture, as well as the look on the young maid's face, and nodded.
"Perhaps we adults talk in private... Sharon included." Lucia suggested figuring this wasn't something they'd want the kids to hear. Gwyn and Irina agreed, while Sharon merely nodded, tossing a quick glance to Alisa and Rean, which this time went unnoticed by everyone, all the while thinking to herself. 'Seems the young Lord is a kind, selfless young man. He might be worth keeping an eye on. And with him training to become a Divine Blade, he'll be formidable in the future.'
[With the Adults + Sharon]
"So, let's get to the point... Something tells me that Sharon was involved in Franz's death." Teo said bluntly
"Yes, but before I explain the details of what happened, I must tell you who and what I am..." Sharon said in an even tone. "I am a part of a group called Ouroboros, more often referred to as The Society. I am an Enforcer number IX, known as Krueger, the Severing Chains of the Society... I only recently obtained the name 'Sharon' from the Reinfords as part of our contract to serve them as penance for my actions."
"As for what happened, I was sent to make contact with Master Franz Reinford, for what reason I don't know, but it went terribly wrong, I don't remember what exactly happened... but the explosion caused life-threatening injuries to me... but killed Master Franz... that was...a week ago? Medical Arts and technology saved me thanks to Lady Irina's pressure to save my life since she wanted answers." The newly named Sharon said to the Schwarzer parents.
"...I see. I've never heard of this Ouroboros, but I am assuming that they are dangerous." the Baron in the room said.
"I will not deny that some of the Society has done put the general populace at risk. However, I now devote myself to the Reinford company as a humble maid for as long my contract remains intact." she said with a bow at the end.
"So then, I take that to mean that you mean no harm to the children?" Lucia said as more of a threat than an honest question.
"Yes. The children will be safe. As will the two of you." the maid nodded, catching the threat laced within the question.
Both Schwarzers nodded at this and decided to begrudgingly trust the young lady, deciding to give her a chance, but keep a close eye on her, especially with their son's infatuation with her.
[With the kids at the same time]
"I'm sorry it took so long to get here Alisa, we just heard about the accident just this morning..." Rean said while holding the crying young Reinford in his arms, much to the chagrin of Elise.
Alisa just shook her head into Rean's chest. "I-it's ok... you came even though you have to leave soon for your training. Thank you." she looks up at with the best stern look she can muster through her tear-filled eyes. "But you better be careful. Got it? I won't lose my best friend because he pushed himself too far and took too big of a risk."
While Alisa didn't know about Rean's dark power, she knew of his reckless nature and the trouble it got him into. Rean chuckled nervously seeing Elise nodding in agreement with the Blonde. "Alright, Alright! I'll be careful." he said surrendering. If there was one thing he learned in his young life from his Father and future Master, it was "Don't argue with women, they are always right."
"I wonder what the adults are talking about with your maid...?" Elise asked looking towards to door.
"Whatever it is. I'm sure they will inform us eventually, even if it's not right away." Rean said in response to his sister. "Adults have their secrets after all."
This gets a nod of agreement from the two girls. Their parents didn't always tell them everything saying things like "You're too young to understand" or "We'll tell you when you're older."
After a few moments of silence. Alisa decided to speak up. "Will you guys be staying for supper? Despite just starting out a maid, Sharon is an amazing cook."
"I would think so... I don't have to be home for a couple of days...so I don't see why our parents would leave tonight." Rean said with his sister nodding. "But I will ask to see if we can stay the night."
"Thank you Rean..." she said quietly but loud enough that the gratitude in her voice can be heard.
"Oh Rean..." Elise said with a sigh. 'he's always like this...'
It was then that the adults and Sharon came out of the room they were in. "There is no need to ask if we will be staying the night... it'll be dark soon and that means it'll be cold in Ymir by the time the next train arrives. We leave tomorrow at noon." Baron Schwarzer said.
"And I am honored to put my cooking skills to the test for you and your family Lord Schwarzer." Sharon added to the conversation.
The sound of the maid's voice drew Rean's attention. To him, it was the voice of an angel. His gaze once more fell upon her and was unable to look away. There was something that drew him to her, and it wasn't just her looks, or her voice, but the way she carried herself. It was a different kinda grace than the maids they had at home. He looked into her eyes, seeing that she had the same sharp eyes he'd seen in Master Ka Fai's. 'She must be extremely well trained... or at least something truly intense...' Rean thought to himself.
Sharon seems to notice the young lord staring at her intensely and simply smiled at him in return. While she had promised that the children were safe, she could sense there was something extraordinary about the young man whose eyes has yet to leave her, and it piqued her curiosity. 'hmm I wonder if I could get a moment alone with the young master at some point during his visit. He seems very interested in me, and it's very flattering, if not a little arousing, that he can't take his eyes off me whenever I'm in the room unless the young Mistress requires his attention. They seem close.' she thought as she turned to go make the evening's dinner as she said would.
[Later that night]
After the amazing dinner prepared, the Baron Family gave their compliments to Sharon, who humbly accepted their praise while downplaying her skills saying it was "nothing special." After a while later Alisa was exhausted, so Irina took her bedroom to put her to sleep. Elise requested to be shown to the guest room so she could get some sleep so Gwyn showed her the way since Sharon was busy doing the dishes after dinner. That left Rean and his parents in the main room.
Rean, being raised to be a gentleman went over to offer his help to the maid, seeing his chance to talk to her alone, or as close as he could manage under the watchful eyes of his parents, he picked up the dish towel and picked up a dish from the dish rack. "Here, let me give you hand, there is a lot here." He said with a smile.
Sharon looked shocked for a split second that a son of a noble would offer to help with something even commoners consider tedious. "Oh no, I can't possibly take you up on this." Was her reply while attempting to take the dish back from the young noble.
"Nonsense... I help all the time at home." He smiled and started drying another dish.
Sharon just shook her head and smiled "Very well, thank you for your assistance. While I introduced myself earlier, my name is Sharon, It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, I am Rean Schwarzer, adopted son of Baron Teo Schwarzer." Rean introduced himself.
"Adopted...?" Now, this truly surprised her. It wasn't every day that nobility adopted a child.
"Yeah... my earliest clear memory is that of Teo finding me in the middle of a blizzard... He and Mom took me in and raised me as their own. For that, I'll be eternally grateful. However, one day I would like to know who my real parents are. If they are alive, did they abandon me, or are they dead..." He said solemnly "It's been on the back of my mind every day but I never mention it to Dad or Mom... I'm afraid I'll hurt them by asking."
"I see... I'm sorry to dig up painful memories." the older girl said.
"Oh, it's fine... it's honestly nice to actually be able to talk about it to someone for a change." He said putting on a sad but genuine smile. "It helps that I find you so easy to talk to."
"Well thank you for sharing. I'll be more than willing to listen whenever you are in the company of the Reinford family. Whether in the Reinford's home, or your family's" She said as she finished the last dish and went to dry her hands and go to put the dried dishes away. "By the way Master Rean, might I be able to talk to you privately? I would very much like to ask you about something."
"Sure, but please don't call me 'Master Rean', I dislike being addressed formally... I'm not truly nobility." Rean responded slightly annoyed. "Where and when would you like to talk?"
"I'm afraid I can't possibly do that. It would be improper for a simple maid like me to address you as an equal." She teased with a small chuckle, but went quiet feeling like the Schwarzer family was watching, and said "In an hour, in the laundry room, the door beside the stairs, when everyone else is asleep."
And watching they were, but couldn't hear them due to the distance between them. They may have agreed to trust the Ouroboros agent but they were still going to keep an eye on her due to how enchanted their son seemed to be by her, as much he attempted to hide it.
Rean just simply nodded, wondering what she wanted to talk about and why she went quiet like that and helped put the last of the dishes away with Sharon's instruction on where they went.
So Rean went to his assigned room, and decided to work out for a while, doing standard push-ups, sits up, even doing pulls up in the closest after testing the strength of the bar. He stops though when he hears a knock at the door. Upon opening it, he sees his adoptive father, "Oh, Father, do you need something? I was just exercising before bed."
Teo looked at his son, noticing the small amount of sweat built up. "Mind if I come in? I need to talk to you about something." He said politely but the look on his face said it wasn't a request.
Rean saw this and understood. He went to sit at the table in the room. "Thank you." Teo said, joining his son after closing the door. "Your and mother and I have noticed your...infatuation with the Reinfords new maid." He looked to see his son blush that it was that obvious to his parents. "We also know of your affection towards young Alisa, it's clear that you care for her by how you reacted to the explosion."
Rean looked down kinda seeing where his father was going with this and looked down. "Now, I didn't come here to lecture you about women at the moment... I came to warn you about Sharon... If you want to get close to Miss Kreuger, be very careful. She's far more dangerous than her appearance suggests. Remember the old saying? 'Appearances can be deceiving.'"
"Of course Father, thanks, I'll keep your advice in mind." The ravenette said with a nod, making sure to take those words to heart.
"That's all your mother and I ask." Baron Schwarzer said as he got up. "Now. Your mother and I are heading off to bed. You should do that same as soon as you clean up from your workout." and with that, he left the room.
After his father closed the door, Rean let out the breath he was holding in. 'Did father know about my plans to meet Sharon later? And why did he warn me about her? I mean I could tell she must have been through some heavy stuff, but to be called dangerous is being a touch unfair.' He thought but shrugged and decided to take his father's advice to clean up. 'I need to ask Sharon where the bath is, clean up, then talk to her about whatever she wanted to discuss with me.'
He grabbed his bed wear and the towel he brought with him thinking they might stay at a hotel rather than this penthouse and went to find the young maid. Finding her, she directed him to the showers, offering to wash his back in a teasing, yet seductive voice, but he declined, albeit reluctantly, saying he'd talk to her after he cleaned up. She nodded with a giggle and went about finishing her chores for the evening.
Thirty minutes later Rean made his way to the laundry room with clothes in hand and headed to meet Sharon, figuring that regardless if he brought them or not that she would find a way to get a hold of them and put them through the wash for his departure for tomorrow. She seems to be that diligent if she offered to wash his back, even if there was some teasing involved.
"Did you enjoy your shower, Master Rean?" Sharon asked teasingly, knowing that he hates formalities.
Rean groaned knowing she was doing that on purpose. "Yes, I did, thank you." He said putting his sweaty clothes to the side. "So what is that you wished to talk to me about?" He asked, leaning against the door.
"One moment while I start this last load of laundry." She said as she picked up Rean's clothes and delicately put them in with the other clothing items into the washer and turned the orbal washer on, as to create background noise to cover their conversation
"Now then... I'm sorry for asking you to come here so late, but I thought this would be my only chance to talk to you seriously about this." She said with a bow before putting on a hardened, serious face that took Rean back. This was not the angelic face he was mesmerized with. "My apologies for startling you, but this is important. I must ask why it is you wanted to be trained by the Sword Hermit? And please, it's imperative that you be honest with me."
'What is going on?! She got so serious...does she know...?' Rean thought as he instinctively brought his hand to his chest. "I don't usually like to talk about it, but since you seem to suspect something already." He said before taking a breath to calm down. "I have some weird ability that took hold of me once when my sister and I were attacked by a monster on the Ymir mountain path and in a lot of trouble... I was overcome with anger... Then some sort of power overtook me, causing me to brutally and viciously slay the beast. It scared Elise and scared myself if I'm to be honest. My father is good friends with Master Ka Fai, so he requested he trains me so I may overcome my fear and master this power. I only hope it will help." The young Schwarzer finished, trembling while clutching his chest.
"I'm sorry to have brought it up, but may I ask for a description of this power, does it change your appearance at all?" Sharon asked reluctantly, her voice showing compassion and regret.
Rean nodded "...Elise said I was surrounded in an evil red aura, my hair turned ash-colored and my eyes went blood red." He said and looked at the maid. "Why are you so curious about this?"
'I see... it's just like Enforcer no I... only on a significantly smaller scale. Maybe I can reach out to the Fool or the First Anguis to contact the Grandmaster. She might be able to help him.' The Severing Chains thought while considering his inquiry. "It is because the moment we met I felt something special coming from you. After hearing your story, I may know someone that might be able to help. However it could take some time to contact this person, so for the time being, please keep this conversation between us."
"Really?!" Rean had to hold himself from shouting, however, he did take the maid's hand, forgetting the dangerous look that was on her face a moment ago. "Thank you so much, Sharon..."
"Oh my, So bold of you Master Rean, Taking a lady's hand so suddenly." She said with a small blush on her face as she was not expecting the physical contact. She felt a small jolt run through her. It was warm and pleasant. 'What was that...? Just him grabbing my hand sent shivers down through me.' She thought.
Rean, realizing what he did, and also felt a similar sensation, not quite the same one, as pulled away, blushing up a storm. "O-oh. I-I-I'm sorry! I don't know came over me..." He studdered, trying to reign in his emotions but he thought at the same thing she was about the contact. 'I never felt anything like that with Alisa...'
"A-anyway, I should get to my room, See you in the morning, Sharon." Rean said as he practically ran out of the laundry room leaving a stunned young lady behind.
'It seems I have even more reason to contact The Society to attempt to bring him into the fold. Sorry Lady Alisa, but I'm not going to give up without a fight.' She thought with her blush still fresh on her face. 'Rean Schwarzer, I hope you join the Society.'
[The Next Morning]
Rean woke up to the smell of breakfast cooking, seeing his clothes from yesterday sitting on the table in the room with a note with some lipstick on it. He sighed 'That woman is gonna be hell on my restraint, I can tell already.' He thought as he got dressed and made his way downstairs and saw everyone else already. "Good morning everyone." Rean said in a slightly sleepy voice.
"Good morning Rean!" Alisa said in an excited voice as she got up out of her seat and tackled him into a hug.
"Come on Alisa... He just woke up, at least let him have his breakfast before straddling him..." Gwyn said in a teasing voice causing Alisa to invent a new shade of red on her face.
"Father, don't tease them like that. I might lose out on a son-in-law" Irina said, joining in on the teasing.
"MOTHER!" Her daughter said, losing blush her of embarrassment and now blushing in anger.
Rean on the other hand was just groaning. "Can you get off, please? They aren't going to stop with you on me like this."
Realizing he was right and she was still on top of him she got up and blushed up a storm again, and went to hit him for not telling her sooner, only for Elise to stop her by grabbing her arm, preventing the slap.
"Please do not hit him, you are the one who tackled him." Young Lady Schwarzer said with a frown.
Alisa just jerked her arm from Elise's hold and went to sit down in a huff.
"Thanks, Elise." Rean said getting up. No one noticing the faint glare Sharon was sending Alisa. 'trying to hit him for your mistake... not a healthy relationship if she'll do that every time she's embarrassed or upset. I'm glad Lady Elise stopped her though... even though there is nothing that I could have done without raising the anger of the parents and grandparent in the room.' She thought watching the scene while putting the finishing touches on the imperial breakfast.
After a while Sharon served everyone breakfast and joined them, with the Schwarzer parents keeping a discreet eye on her, knowing Rean's interest in her. However, nothing more occurred other than Rean once again offering to help with the dishes again and Sharon not fighting him this time, much to Alisa and Elise's ire.
Noon came around and it was time for the Schwarzer family to get to the station and return home. "Alright Everyone, we'll keep in contact the best we can." Baron Schwarzer said to the Reinfords.
Rean stepped forward "However, I won't be able to contact you very much, I will be focusing on my training. Maybe we will see each other when it's time to choose a school. If we don't, who knows we might end up going to the same school, Alisa."
"Yes, I'd like that. Hopefully, by then we'll have a better way of communicating." Alisa said with a small, sad smile before bringing Rean into one last hug for what could be years.
Sharon simply gave Rean a wink and nod, letting him know she's working on her promise. Rean nodded back subtly without interrupting the hug with Alisa. The adults however caught the brief exchange and wondered what was going on but decided not to pursue the answer.
Alisa and Rean broke their hug and the Schwarzer family got on the train and headed home. Rean sat in silence, feeling guilty for burdening his family, but grateful at the same time for contacting the Sword Hermit so he can train himself. 'I only hope that Sharon can contact whomever she is hoping to so that if the training fails that I can still have control over my power.'
AN: That's it for the prologue of Trails of Chained Steel. Please leave a review and let me know what you thought, and if you enjoyed hit that follows button it means a lot to get feedback from you guys. I changed when Franz died for the story's convenience, one of my beta pointed out that if I followed the original timeline Rean would be far too young to develop any sort of real, lasting, feelings for Sharon, nor would Elise be jealous of Rean's concern and affection for Alisa.
Now, this will the primary story I work on from now on since I am so enraptured by the Trails series, which I strongly recommend you guys check out if you haven't already. "Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel" is probably the best place to start... but if you want to play "Chronologically", then "Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky" is the first game in the timeline.
I want to thank a streamer on Twitch, Olizandri, for getting me into the series, but I really want to thank FebruaryNight4 for truly getting me hooked. He also helped push me towards this story idea! Also want to thank my betas for this story, Warudo as I know him on Discord, and Logicblade, who has a Juna x Rean fanfiction over on Archive of Our Own.