I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"In halls of dusk where echoes wane. A figure roams, its will to reign. With ancient thirst and eyes that gleam. What creature dwells within this dream?" Adam read aloud, frowning at the easy riddle. 'An ancient creature roaming in the night. Didn't we fight a bunch in the canyon?' He pondered, remembering their red glowing eyes, nightmarish abilities, and terrifying whispers.

"An evil ghost!" He exclaimed, sure about his answer.

However, the text remained unmoving, showing the wrongness of the response.

"How is it incorrect? I've seen and fought them myself!" He yelled, punching at the illusory Elven symbols in frustration. Then, he enumerated their names, believing the answer must be more specific, "Pontianak, Poltergeists, Haunted soul, Shadow Ghost, Vengeful Spirit, Doppelgänger, Dullahan!" Alas, no reaction manifested, causing his ethereal frame to tremble as he bit his lips.

On the side, Julius watched with a bitter smile. His brother's answer wasn't entirely wrong, but he knew about a creature fitting the description better. "It's a vampire, big bro," he said, feeling terrible to show off after all the efforts Adam made.
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Echoing his words, the text swirled, its symbols morphing into new ones until the last riddle appeared.

Simultaneously, Adam turned to the boy, his glowing eyes casting light like two torches. "I'll be the one to answer the last!" He declared, a fire burning in his heart. 'I refuse to leave with no correct answers,' he screamed inwardly, every fiber of his soul tensed as if he would face a terrible adversary while the text took form.

Then, he turned to read the riddle. "Across the ages, through life's stages,

I wander, yet unseen. Bound to mortal coil, yet beyond turmoil, I hold the essence keen. In joy, I sing. In sorrow, I cling, a whisper in the night. Through trials and strife, the thread of life, I guide with unseen might. What am I?"

Upon hearing his brother's words, Julius frowned. How were those riddles a challenge? They were just too easy. 'The answer is time,' he thought, shaking his head in disappointment and crossing his arms above his chest while waiting for Adam's response.

"I know this one! If I'm wrong, I'll jump from a cliff!" Adam said, excitement covering his features, causing Julius to sigh in relief. At least, he wouldn't be depressed for the rest of the day after failing. However, the answer he heard caused him to facepalm.

"The answer is me! A ghost, a soul!" He screamed, his fist raised above his head, smiling like a child who gave the correct answer. After all, he saw the boy's growth, was bound to him, and possessed a soul essence. He also had his own emotions and acted as a guide. That's how he found his answer so rapidly.

"It's OK. You can try again," Julius reassuredly said before his eyes widened as the text morphed again.

"One participant completed the challenge of wits. Complete two more to find what you seek," Adam read, confusion veiling his face. They were two, so why did the chamber miscount them twice? Not to mention the bizarre hint at the end. Elysia never mentioned anything of the sort.

'Does it have something to do with Selene's will?' He pondered, remembering the teacher's wild beliefs he had brushed off the day prior with furrowed brows. Yet, his theory didn't explain the participant's wrong number.

As silence reigned in the chamber for two minutes, Adam dismissed his thoughts, crouched before Julius, and floated out. They had no time to waste on questions. However, he didn't forget to boast, saying, "Did I tell you I could be the best riddle master if I wanted to?"

After traversing the wall's illusory section, they returned to the corridor, resuming their search for other rooms, unaware that trouble brewed above their heads.

On the first floor, seated on a centuries-old wooden throne carved from the tree, Eldarion's eyes locked with Elysia's as he sighed, "You really outdid yourself this time, sister. What am I going to do with you?"

After her morning stunt half an hour ago, he instantaneously intercepted her, unwilling to let their relatives harm or mistreat his little sister. Yet, he knew punishments would be unavoidable considering the commotion she caused.

"Humph. Arrange a marriage with some random noble to chase me away like you always did. I don't care," responded Elysia, her voice scornful as she glared back at his brother.

"You know I only tried to make you happy," Eldarion said, holding his forehead with a bitter smile. "Did I ever force you to accept? Did I chase you after you fled to teach human kids? Wake up from your delusions," he added, squinting his eyes dangerously.

Ever since she turned thirty, he had genuinely tried to find her a proper husband. Yet, decades later, Elysia continued to believe he had been after benefits. He would be lying if he said her reactions didn't dishearten him. But he resolved to respect her choices and let her leave and come as she pleased.

However, despite his open-mindedness, his sister remained oblivious to his efforts, preferring to weave a tapestry of deceptions to justify her actions and a culprit to blame.

Upon reaching this thought, sadness veiled his face. Maybe he was guilty, too. Maybe his lax approach was wrong. Perhaps he should have been firmer to guide her better. Unfortunately, the time for regret was long gone.

"You need to set an exemplary punishment this time, or the kids will think they can do anything without consequences," one of their uncles intervened, rage filling his face. No one could discover the underground complex and its secrets. But after begging for months to get their ancestors' grimoire, she suddenly returned with hidden intentions. They would be fools not to understand it was her goal.

Every mage present agreed, nodding and interjecting to support the proposal. After all, if that burdensome grimoire saw the light of day again, the Elven royals would obliterate their family without second thoughts.

To calm the clamours, Eldarion raised his palm, commanding silence before rising from his seat. "I know you better than you think. Tell me the real reason behind the commotion you caused to alleviate your sentence," he said, offering her a way out. After all, no matter what happened, she was the closest person in his life. Even his wife counted less to him.