"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Kaen stood alone… facing Yuzen's army. White flags fluttered in the wind — they were firmly embedded in the ground. Blood soaked the streets. The Ryuki mages were retreating… but Kaen stood still.

Kaen (muttering to himself): "I never knew… our Ryuki mages could be this cowardly."I never knew only we few carried the real pride of Ryuki."

"Well… if this is how it ends, then let it be the moment I shine… forever."

His body was wrapped in his grey cloak, the wind making it flutter like a battle flag.

As Ryuki's mages passed by, retreating in panic, some glanced at him in disbelief.

Ryuki mage (whispering): "What's with this kid? Why is he standing there… choosing death? "Does he not know the plan?"

But Kaen didn't stop. He stepped forward, alone, toward the countless Yuzen mages ahead — as if he were walking toward fate itself.

The Yuzen mages began to charge, weapons raised — magic swirling in the air.

Yuzen mage (grinning): "Look at that… little mage's got guts."

Another sneered: "He's walking straight into death."

But then, someone raised a hand. It was Tesmin, standing tall, watching Kaen carefully.

Tesmin (voice calm, yet impressed): "I'm impressed, kid. Blood like yours… is rare in this mage world."

But Kaen said nothing. He kept walking forward — closer… and closer to the entire enemy line.

Then — FUSHHHHHH!

He charged.

A burst of wind exploded behind him as he sprinted toward the Yuzen mages like a thunderbolt.

Kaen (shouting): "I am Ryuki! If I don't fight for my land… who will?"

Far behind, Veon watched from the bull, weak and broken. His lips trembled, but no voice came out. Only his tears spoke for him.

Veon (eyes wide, heart breaking): "Kaen… my little brother… please don't go…"Kaeny… Kaeny, come back!"

But Kaen was already gone — lost in the fire of battle.

Sia, watching from afar, clenched her jaw.

Sia (whispering): "No one wants to die……but that boy… he's got something."

And then Kaen screamed:

Kaen (roaring): "I HAVE THE WILL OF RYUKI!"

Veon's tears fell, soaking the bull beneath him. A deep, brutal wound bled across his chest, blood dripping like rain.

Kaen… Kaen was becoming a living legend in the eyes of the mages. Yuzen and Ryuki are silent, awestruck by his bravery.

Tesmin smiled softly."I wish you were my son, kid… Then maybe I could've been proud of myself. You… you're what it means to be a real man of Ryuki."

The troops of Yuzen and Kaen were close now. Kaen leapt into the sky, arms wide open, eyes closed."Father… I'm the luckiest to enter heaven from my own home. But before I go… let me show you my final dance."

Another elite warrior stepped onto the wall, watching as a lone mage charged fiercely toward Yuzen's troops. With the face of Prasel, he whispered, "Who is this brave soul?""Sir, we have no intel," a soldier replied. "His body is cloaked—completely hidden."The elite shouted, "Tesmin! I want to see his face!"Tesmin answered calmly, "So do I..."

Sia, running fast with her team, called out without looking back, "Don't stop! Don't look back! It doesn't matter who that is. We just need to move forward. Whoever he or she is... we're proud ."

Veon's tears grew heavier, streaming down his face.

A flashback begins...

Veon and Auren sit with toddler Kaen, singing softly:

"Ooo, ooo, my sweet little brother... sweet and spicy, crazy as ever. Ooo, ooo, my sweet little brother... may your name reach to the heavens."

Baby Kaen twirls and dances around them, full of laughter—the joy of a moment forever etched in time.

Back in the present—

Kaen, floating high in the air, eyes still closed, whispers:

"Hey water... I used your power all my life. Just this once, give me your power more... let me do something that matters."Hey, water... I obeyed you. Now... lend me your strength."

A giant splash of water erupted— FUSHHHH! —A massive wave came crashing in, sweeping away Yuzen's soldiers."Fusshh... what is this power?!"The water surged forward, colliding with the mages, dragging them along. Shields were summoned— BOOM! —but they shattered on impact.

"Sir, it's an elite! Please, stop!" a soldier shouted.

The wave roared toward Tesmin. With one swift motion, he swung his sword, slicing through the water. He dashed forward at lightning speed.

Kaen roared— "Water Cannon!"The blast fired— BOOM! —slamming into Tesmin's sword. The two forces clashed violently, water and steel colliding in midair. Tesmin cut through the cannon.

Kaen raised his hands— Water Tornado, furious cyclone formed. Tesmin was flung back, crashing into the fortress wall with a deafening impact. He rose, coughing, with blood on his lip.

"What the hell is with this guy...?" he muttered.

From the wall above, the elite watched, laughing."Great… great! You've impressed me, mage of Ryuki!"

Tesmin's expression hardened."Magnus Missiles!"Phiee! Phiee! Phiee!Multiple glowing missiles shot into the tornado, piercing through it. Inside, Kaen was hit—

The tornado vanished.

Tesmin charged with full force and stabbed Kaen straight through the side. Blood sprayed. Kaen gasped but stood firm.

Tesmin growled, "You're something else... Now show me your face!"

Tesmin grabbed the edge of the cloak covering the mage's face. With a single pull, he revealed it.

Tesmin's eyes widened in disbelief. He shouted—"It's Kaen Ryuki!"

A silence hit the battlefield—then suddenly, all of Yuzen's mages erupted into cheers. The name Kaen Ryuki echoed like thunder across the air.

From the wall above, the elite stared down, smirking."So that's where this heat came from..."He raised his voice, booming across the fortress: "Listen, Tesmin! We'll offer him to Lord Zackey. I'm sure he'll enjoy tasting him..."

Kaen bared his teeth, looking Tesmin in the eyes."Kill me if you want. I don't care."

But inside, Tesmin's heart twisted. His thoughts trembled."I won't let him fall into Zackey's hands… I don't even want to imagine what kind of torture he'd suffer there."

He stepped closer, tears starting to form."Hey kid..." he whispered, "...why didn't you run? Why didn't you leave with the others? Tell me, what was the reason?"

Kaen gave a tired smile."The reason is simple… I'm a Ryuki. If I don't carry our pride, then who will? Our legend… our Ryuki… he's watching us. How could I ever let him down?"

Tesmin's tears rolled freely now. Mekamaru's words echoed in his mind—"So… Mekamaru was right all along..."

Ryuki has a pride to carry.

With a heavy heart, Tesmin pulled the sword out of Kaen's chest. Blood spilled freely as Kaen collapsed to his knees.

Tesmin raised his sword high, his hands shaking. But before he could strike—

Kaen lifted his head, voice firm despite the pain."Stop."

Tesmin froze.

Kaen gave a weak chuckle, blood staining his lips."I will not die on my knees."

Tesmin's hands trembled more. Tears filled his eyes again."As you wish... Mr. Ryuki."

Kaen slowly stood up.

every movement labored.

A gaping wound opened across his chest, a big hole, but he stood tall.

He opened his arms wide, as if embracing the sky.

His voice came soft but clear."Now… swing. Take my head."

Tesmin gritted his teeth, raised his sword, and whispered—

"I will always remember you."

Swing...