"I must say, Yue." Miki stated as the trio rested in the Foshi Pyres eating dumplings. "You look awfully familiar to someone I know. I just can't put my finger on it."

Yue swallowed the meaty filling. "You must be mistaking me for someone else." After that, the trio ate in silence once more.

"You know... On nights like these, it's a good idea to share some stories. Might know each other better." Kreivier said as he finished his dumpling. Yue opened her mouth but Miki beat her to it.

"I'll go first!" She finished her dumpling quickly and cleared her throat. "I was born and raised in a wealthy family, loving parents, lots of siblings, educated to be perfect."

"Sounds like the generic princess-turned-warrior." Kreivier added.

"And, shameful to admit, it is. But somehow different in how I look at it." Miki's expression dropped like a hat which made Yue slightly surprised. She'd never seen the girl look so sad. "On that day... Someone betrayed us. I remember it clear as day: Me and my siblings were taught to fight in order to protect ourselves. I chose to be a Force Master because my preference over the ice. That night... One of our servants told us to run. She had blood on her apron and her eyes were shaking. Us, being the oh-so obedient children we are, ran out to find our parents. And then I saw..." Miki gulped, her eyes glistening.

"You don't have to say anymore if you're uncomfortable." Kreivier said.

"It's okay..." Miki continued. "My parents'... dead bodies on the floor. Standing over them was a woman in black. She was holding an odd-looking sword. I was in such a stupor that I didn't realize my older sister swinging her sword at the woman. She... Got turned into dust by the wave of a hand. My brother took my hand and we fled from from the manor. He told me to run as fast as I could... Far away from there. I haven't seen him since..." By this point, she was on the verge of tears.

"Hey hey... Don't worry. I'm sure your brother is doing great out there. Don't cry." Kreivier went to Miki and rubbed her back.

"Did you say... A woman in black?" Yue said slowly.

"Y-Yeah..." Miki sniffled. "Tall, black-haired, wears a dark suit. Why?"

Yue looked down and clenched her fist. Until she sighed. "I guess it's my turn to tell my story, huh?"

Kreivier instantly went back to his spot as Miki was surprised. "Really? Wow... We haven't made much small talk since we've met in Bamboo Village." She leaned closer. "Do tell!"

"Okay... I am a student from the Hongmoon clan."

"Hongmoon? THE Hongmoon? The famous school for martial artists?" Kreivier said, eyes shining.

"Yes. Don't interrupt. Anyway, it was a normal day for me. A fresh new morning, my Hongmoon brothers and sisters witty banters as we stood in-front of Master Hong. Master gave me a tome which officially made me a Hongmoon disciple. I was trained to be a Blade Master. Then at that same day, I was sent to the Cave for my final trial. I defeated the training dummies but I was almost knocked dead by a mysterious assailant. After healing myself, Brother Lusung came and told me I should go outside."

Yue took a shaky breath. "The sky... Was completely dark. The animals were all dead and these... Fiends started popping up everywhere. My brothers' and sisters' dead bodies, Master Hong's demise and... Jinsoyun..." Her name was dripped with venom which made Miki and Kreivier shudder. "She killed everyone... And that bastard Lusung betrayed us by putting poison in Master Hong's medicine. I swore upon that day, I'll get revenge for my school, my master, my family, Iris..." Yue stopped talking as she remembered Iris.

"So Jinsoyun..." Miki shook her head. "Who is Iris?" Miki asked after a short silence.

"My little sister. My blood-related sister." Yue said. She and I were taken in by Master Hong when he paid us a visit."

"I see." Kreivier said. "Welp. Guess it's my turn." Kreivier cleared his throat. "I was born and raised in one of the best Forgekeeper family in all of Cinderlands. Hence my clothing choices." He gestured to his long, dark-blue coat with a high collar covering his mouth and a silver shoulder pad armor. "We get a lot of money since we craft the best weapons to the wealthiest families. Even though I was a Lyn, I excelled greatly in forging weapons with the best designs. But... One day, there was a Stratus Officer who looked worse than a Gnorlax. He called himself Yonkai and that he demanded we'd lend our services to him unless the people in Sandstone Refuge would be harmed."

He clenched his fist. "We didn't believe him at first so we laughed. After he threw a fit, he stormed off. After a few days, a Sandstone villager yelled at us... Blaming us because his people were injured due to Yonkai's attack. My family was shunned, shamed upon, the reason why Sandstone Refuge is..." Kreivier shook his head vigorously. "The worst part is that them and my family are too afraid to stand up to him. They would rather beat some helpless civilian rather than stand up to him." He clenched his fists. "I vowed upon that day to avenge my family and to kill Yonkai...!"

Miki shuddered at Kreivier's sudden change in voice and Athiana hissed slightly while Yue narrowed her eyes. "Kreivier, I know how you feel but you should know that revenge isn't always the answer."

"Says the person who wants to kill Jinsoyun."

Yue pursed her lips. She had the Mark of the Black Rose which made her vulnerable when she felt great anger.

"Okay, we had our story time so we should get going on our quests." Yue said, changing topics.

"A-Ah, of course." Miki said as she stood up. Kreivier looked at the ground then at his familiar and stood up as well.