After conversing with the Rising Heroes and Platinum Edge, Solreth found himself lost in thought as memories of his past resurfaced.
Born as a twin, Solreth had shared an incredibly strong bond with his brother, Lucrotus. The two were inseparable. Wherever one went, the other followed. The love and trust between them were immeasurable.
As a child, Lucrotus was naturally shy and reserved. Because of that, Solreth often helped him gain confidence and encouraged him whenever he could. The two trained together constantly.
It was never that Lucrotus was weak.
In fact, he possessed considerable talent.
He simply lacked confidence and motivation to fight.
Meanwhile, Solreth was viewed as a prodigy from a young age.
Despite that, Solreth always considered Lucrotus his equal, perhaps even better than himself.
Unfortunately, the world around them did not share the same opinion.
While Solreth was praised, Lucrotus was doubted.
While Solreth was admired, Lucrotus was overlooked.
Slowly but surely, Lucrotus began living under the shadow of his brother.
As time passed, Solreth's reputation continued to grow. By the age of eleven, he was already regarded as one of the strongest young dragonkind and a valuable warrior.
Lucrotus fought alongside him on many occasions.
Yet no matter what he accomplished, the credit always went to Solreth.
Everyone simply assumed Solreth had done all the work.
At first, Lucrotus did not mind. He knew how hard his brother worked and did not want him distracted by petty conflicts. He was fully aware that if Solreth ever learned how others treated him, he would confront them without hesitation.
Another year passed.
Solreth became busier than ever as more responsibilities were placed upon his shoulders.
Meanwhile, Lucrotus grew increasingly lonely.
Though he remained strong, nobody acknowledged his strength.
For years, Solreth had been the anchor that kept his emotions steady.
But as the distance between them slowly grew, something inside Lucrotus began to crack.
He was still happy for his brother's success. But he was also breaking.
One day, Lucrotus overheard two Dragonkinds discussing the twins.
At first, they praised Solreth.
Hearing that made Lucrotus smile.
But soon their conversation shifted.
They began talking about him.
They mocked him.
Insulted him.
Compared him unfavorably to his brother.
Lucrotus silently endured every word.
Then one of them casually remarked how embarrassing it must be for someone as strong as Solreth to have such a weak brother.
That was when Lucrotus finally broke.
He stepped out and approached them.
The two Dragonkinds immediately became nervous.
One attempted to calm him down, though there was still a hint of arrogance in his voice.
They assumed Lucrotus was harmless. Weak. Someone who would simply complain and leave.
In an uneasy voice, Lucrotus asked,
"So me being weak brings shame to my brother, is that it?"
The two quickly tried to explain themselves.
"You've got us wrong."
Lucrotus stared at them.
"Then tell me how it is."
His voice remained unsettling.
"Who are you to decide whether Solreth and I are brothers or not?"
The tension in the air grew heavier.
One of the Dragonkinds attempted to calm the situation.
The other, however, became irritated.
"Don't get ahead of yourself."
His tone turned harsh.
"You are weak. You are a shame to your brother. You are a shame to us Dragonkinds." Obviously people will question how someone as strong as Solreth can have a brother like you."
That was enough.
Lucrotus had heard enough.
The first Dragonkind tried to stop his companion.
But before he could say anything, white flames engulfed Lucrotus's claws. In the next instant, his hand pierced through the other Dragonkind's chest. Blood splattered across the ground.
The remaining Dragonkind collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by fear.
Lucrotus looked at him and smiled.
"Sorry I killed your friend. I have nothing against you. You see, being weak brings shame to Dragonkinds. At least that's what I've been told. So sorry... not sorry. It's your own fault for being weak."
The Dragonkind desperately begged for mercy.
"No, wait... "
Before he could finish speaking, his head was severed in a single motion.
And at that moment... Something awakened inside Lucrotus.
The act of killing filled him with joy.
A feeling of existence.
A feeling of purpose.
Soon, that sensation became his identity.
To the world, he continued acting weak.
But beyond everyone's sight, he began killing Dragonkinds for pleasure.
Rumors soon spread about a mysterious Dragonkind hunter.
Because war was ongoing, most assumed the killings were the work of an enemy who hated Dragonkinds. But as another year passed and more Dragonkinds died, a pattern emerged.
The truth became impossible to ignore.
The killer was not an outsider.
The killer was one of their own.
Trust among Dragonkinds began to crumble.
And who else but Solreth was entrusted with uncovering the culprit. As he investigated, Solreth slowly gathered clues. Eventually, he began to suspect someone. No one had ever survived long enough to identify the killer. Yet all evidence seemed to point toward one person.
Lucrotus.
His own brother.
But Solreth refused to believe it. He wanted more proof. More answers.
Even if it truly was Lucrotus, he needed to know why.
Then one day, Solreth returned home.
His parents were kneeling on the floor.
Standing before them was Lucrotus.
Lucrotus looked toward him and smiled.
"Tell me, brother. What should I do with them?"
Solreth immediately tried to stop him.
But Lucrotus paid no attention.
"Look at them. They are so weak. What should I do with them?" They always looked at you like you were the sun... And me like the darker side of the moon."
Solreth remained silent.
Lucrotus continued.
"Enough of it. Dragonkinds are supposed to be the strongest. Failing to recognize strength is also a sign of weakness."
"You've got it all wrong." Solreth finally spoke. "Stop before it's too late."
Lucrotus paused.
For a few seconds, everything became silent.
Then he swung his sword.
Both of their parents were decapitated instantly.
Blood stained the floor.
Lucrotus turned toward Solreth.
"Brother. In this world, no one understands me better than you. I'm not wrong, right? Come on. Tell me."
Even after witnessing his parents die before his eyes...
Solreth said nothing.
Lucrotus walked past him.
"Till next time."
And then he disappeared.
Soon afterward, Lucrotus became known as 'The White Flame Who Burns Fire.'
The Dragonkind who hunted his own race.
After that day, the brothers met many times.
Again and again, Solreth tried to reason with him.
He tried to bring him back. To make him understand.
Rather than punishing his crimes, Solreth kept hoping his brother would change.
Each time he covered for him.
Each time he convinced himself Lucrotus was simply lost.
His love for his brother blinded him.
Years passed.
Dragonkind populations gradually declined.
Then one day, Lucrotus vanished completely.
For several years, Solreth struggled to move forward.
The guilt.
The regret.
The memories.
They consumed him.
Eventually, he made a decision.
He would stop trying to save Lucrotus.
He would hold him accountable.
As he met survivors of Lucrotus's actions, he gathered them together.
People who had all suffered because of the same individual.
And thus, a group was formed.
A group whose purpose was to one day face Lucrotus and deliver justice.
That group became... The Eternal Wings.
Though vengeance was their original goal, over time their purpose changed.
They became more than comrades.
They became family.
Yet even now, they continue searching.
Waiting for the day they finally find Lucrotus.
Waiting for the day they have their say.