Chapter 342: Calming the Storm

"What are you planning to do Aiden?" As they left the inn, Drake was the first to speak up and ask the clearly troubled and angry boy.

Hearing the pretty obvious question with the visible concern intermixed into his friend's voice, Aiden halted his steps and let out a heavier sigh. He reached for his temple, rubbed it as he spoke after a few seconds of silent contemplation.

"I'm not sure about what you two want to do, but I for myself will go and rescue him."

Surprisingly, even though he was clearly mad, his tone wasn't reflecting his emotions. It had an eerie quality of calmness to it. It was… unnatural to say the least, causing a shiver to run through both sibling's bodies as they heard it.

"Listen, Aiden…" Drake spoke up, forcing a smile to stretch across his face overcoming the fear that started to settle into his heart. "I know you want to charge in headfirst and rescue him. Believe me, I…" He heard a cough coming from his side. Looking at her, he almost jumped, her sister was staring at her with a fierce, dissatisfied expression. " Sorry, WE both understand what you feel. Don't forget, we also have one of our missing brothers trapped there. For much, much longer than your friend, Cole has."

His words, however, didn't seem to manage to calm Aiden's heart. He clenched his fists as he responded with a bit more coldness than before. 

"What about it? What are you implying?"

"What my stupid brother was trying to say…" Seeing that the conversation was going towards a direction neither of them wanted, Scarlet decided to jump in. She stepped closer and placed her right hand over Aiden's right shoulder. 

An uncanny, compassionate smile appeared on her face, as she explained.

"What he was trying to say, is that we are also just as agitated to go there as you are. Trust me, the faster I could see Little Dan and rescue him from that horrible place I wouldn't hesitate. However, we can't rush in without thinking through our options and devising a suitable plan. You can't just rush in and kill hundreds, or thousands of others unrelated to the plots of a few devilish individuals. We need a plan."

Clenching his fists tightly, Aiden closed his eyes as he took in a large gasp of air. They were obviously right, he shouldn't always act on his emotions. Even Master made this point several times during their training, but still… How could he leave someone close to him to suffer? If he has the power, why can't he act? Why does he need to care about these people?

He took a few moments to keep all the air and with it, all of his frustrations inside. He let them mix together, creating a chaotic mess as he slowly began to exhale, eject all of them out. With the used-up air, he exhaled all the troubling emotions, all the worries he had. 

As all the useless negativity left his body, serenity once again entered his heart. His troubled, trembling closed eyelids, turned smooth, his frown eased up, a small smile curved at the edges of his lips. His tight hold over his balled-up fists, relaxed. At the same time, the chaotic, invisible aura that swirled around him, the agitated essences lingering in the air also calmed down and receded back into his body. 

Once again, Aiden regained his calm and cool. He understood that although he was worried about his friend, he shouldn't act like a spoiled child, but should act more responsibly. 

Scarlet, and even though he would never admit it, Drake as well was right. They needed to think the situation through and devise a plan. They should also let the ones closest to them know. 

Eventually, Aiden opened his eyes. The madness was cleared, he looked back at the smiling Scarlet matching it with his own smile, before turning towards Drake and nodding at him as well.

"You are right. We need to think this through. Let's go to the Guild Hall first and ask if they know anything." He said, turning around and ready to depart. Before he could do so, Drake pulled on his arm, forcing him to turn back.

"Wait! Who would you even ask there? Why would they know anything about one little Rank 1 Adventurer? Even if they comply, which I highly doubt, they could at most, tell the last quest he took." He asked. Although he didn't mean to mock or look down on anybody, the way he phrased his question was easily misunderstood.

His sister, Scarlet, could feel the derogatory tone from his brother's inquiry. With a frown, she lightly punched his side.

"Drake!" She chided as if a mother would his unruly child.

"What? This is the truth! I'm not trying to be an arse, but this is how the system works! There are several ranks above the boy. In the capital, even a Rank 2 would be a nobody! My Rank 3 is also nothing that impressive, I am barely counted as a regular! I just don't want Aiden to put his hopes up high and then face disappointment!" Feeling that he was judged innocently, Drake argued with a hurtful look on his face.

"Still, you could have phrased it in a much better way! No need to be so harsh!" Scarlet scolded, not moved by his brother's theatrical display at all.

Meanwhile, Aiden was enjoying their little debate. He was smiling at them, feeling that finally, they all started to move closer together. He always felt a bit of a distance coming from the girl, ever since they first met in the Slums during her escape. For Drake, whilst he didn't truly hate the boy, he couldn't be counted as a true friend either. He was more of an acquaintance, someone that had some usefulness. 

However, he was haughty and despite him being so devoted to reuniting his torn family and get revenge on his own father for his actions, he still sometimes acted like a typical noble, or royalty would: Looking down from a high pedestal as if he was steps above the world just because of the nature of his birth.

Aiden understood that this wasn't intentional on his part and that, unlike the real nobles, he was much more down to the earth, much calmer. He didn't seem to have any prejudice against people in other social casts, and he was also working on accepting other humanoid races. After all, after their first meeting with Roas and Aiden's other servants, he gradually became much more relaxed.

After all, he even offered a helping hand for the problem they were facing with Galina. All in all, Drake was a human, that Aiden slowly began to accept and let closer.

Sighing, Aiden raised his hands, silencing both parties instantly. He looked at them with a warmer smile, as he spoke to both of them.

"Relax guys. I appreciate for defending my feelings Scarlet, but Drake is right. A rank 1 adventurer wouldn't make a mark anywhere. That's the initial stage when you join the guild, that's the rank you would normally get." He explained causing a small pout to appear on the girl's lips while at the same time, a victorious smile to emerge on the brother's. Seeing this, Aiden's smile curved even higher, equipping a slight, naughty quality. "However, who said Cole is a Rank 1? Besides, we have a friend there, she should know what happened."

Instantly, the smile froze from Drake's face, whilst the pout also faded from Scarlet's expression. 

Before any of them could speak and continue their little sibling quarrel, Aiden turned around and waved at them.

"Come guys, we should get to the guild. I'm certain we will find some answers there. After that, we can sit down somewhere and think through what to do." He advised as he resumed his trek.

Seeing his slowly departing figure, both siblings quickly regained their senses and went after him.

After the small scene, the trio walked in silence, until they arrived at the now-familiar intersection. While the main street they were on continued further along the residential district, it also forked to the side, entering the relatively famous part of the city, nicked as the 'Adventurer's Street'.

Unlike the others, this alley was much busier than the others. A sea of colorful figures could be seen. Full sets of leather, mail or even sturdier metallic armors shined, making their majestic presences known. A great variety of weapons could be seen hanging from the sides or even the backs of the hordes of adventurer's pacing, walking to the shops, or towards the large multi-story building at the far end.

Whilst both Drake and Aiden were pretty familiar with the sight, Scarlet was wide-eyed as he looked around, taking in all the sights.

Although she wanted to spend much more time checking out everything that her eyes could see, the trio made their way towards the Adventurer's Guild Hall first. 

As they pushed in the large double doors, as looked towards the counter, Aiden's eyes froze on the back of a particular duo speaking to the familiar brown, curly-haired attendant.