As they wandered through the bustling city of Maximus, Amari tugged at Vandel's sleeve.
"Vandel… how are we even supposed to find the Light family? We don't have clues, no map, nothing."
Vandel frowned. "I don't know."
Amari groaned. "This is about to be such a pain…"
"Yeah," Vandel admitted, his stomach growling. "But first things first—we haven't eaten since yesterday. Let's get some food."
They ducked into a small restaurant, ordered whatever was quickest, and while waiting at the counter, Amari leaned forward.
"Excuse me… have you heard of the Light family?"
The man behind the counter shook his head. "Can't say I have."
That small hope faded instantly. With trays of steaming food, they sat at a corner table. Vandel rubbed his temples.
"I should've asked Amanda if they were still here. Or at least where they used to live."
Amari poked at his food. "Well… yeah. Would've been nice to know before we came all this way."
The two fell silent, the weight of hopelessness pressing in. How were they supposed to find a family that might not even be alive anymore?
Then—out of the corner of his eye—Amari froze.
Through the restaurant window, perched on a hill just outside the city, stood a towering mansion. Its gleaming walls and elegant design made it stand out against the skyline.
"Vandel!" Amari pointed, excitement sparking in his voice. "Look—up there! That mansion. Remember what Amanda said? The Light family was wealthy before they disappeared. What if…?"
Vandel glanced at the hill, his eyes narrowing. "Maybe. But don't get your hopes up, kid."
"I know," Amari said quickly, but his gaze lingered on the distant estate, his heartbeat quickening.
They finished their meal and set out, weaving through the streets until the massive iron gates of the mansion loomed before them. A security guard sat in a booth, eyeing them suspiciously.
"Who are you, and what business do you have here?" the guard demanded.
Vandel stepped forward calmly. "Is this the residence of the Light family?"
The guard crossed his arms. "Who's asking?"
"My name is Vandel," he said firmly. "And this boy here is Amari. We believe this may be his family's home."
The guard frowned and lifted a radio to his mouth. "Got a man at the gate named Vandel and a kid named Amari. They're claiming the kid's parents are here. I'll send them off."
But before he could hang up, a woman's voice crackled urgently through the radio:
"Wait! …Amari? Did you say Amari—and Vandel too? Let them in. At once!"
The guard blinked in surprise. "…Understood."
He pressed a button, and the iron gates slowly swung open with a heavy groan.
Amari and Vandel exchanged a glance before stepping onto the long stone pathway. The closer they got, the heavier Amari's chest felt, as if the air itself was pressing down on him. His palms were clammy, his heart hammering.
Before they could even knock, the front door swung open. A tall man in a black suit bowed slightly.
"Welcome. I am the butler of this household. Please, follow me. The family is expecting you."
Amari's legs felt weak as he stepped inside the grand foyer, the marble floor gleaming under the chandelier's light. Vandel placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
The butler guided them into a spacious living room, its walls lined with shelves of ancient books and portraits of people with piercing, luminous eyes—eyes that looked eerily similar to Amari's.
"Please, wait here," the butler said, bowing once more. "I will return shortly."
As his footsteps faded, Amari turned to Vandel, his voice trembling.
"Vandel… do you really think… this could be my family?"
Vandel met his gaze, his expression softening. "I hope so, kid. I really do."
Amari clutched his hands together, staring at the floor, his heart pounding louder with every passing second. Somewhere in this house… the answers to his past might finally be waiting.