"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Kaen's head fell. His body hit the ground hard — once… twice. Then silence.

Tesmin stood nearby, chest heaving, breath uneven. He didn't move at first — only looked upward, eyes closed against the night sky.

Tesmin (softly, to himself): "I will always remember you… Kaen Ryuki."

A long breath escaped his lips.

Up on the wall, another elite mage stood watching, his jaw tight, fist clenched.

Elite (coldly): "What have you done, Tesmin? You just killed Zackey's offering."

Tesmin turned slowly. His face was calm — too calm — like a man hiding the storm behind his eyes. He exhaled, steadying his breath, and spoke without emotion.

Tesmin: "I only did what was necessary."If you're talking about Sir Zackey…"

He trailed off, as if the name itself didn't deserve to be spoken any further.

"We can't trust Ryuki," someone muttered under their breath.

But no one replied.

Tesmin walked silently, returning to the fortress wall. His boots echoed against the broken stone as he made his way through the ranks of mages. None of them said a word. The battlefield — once roaring with chaos — had gone completely still.

Not a cheer. Not a whisper. Just silence.

Every mage watched him, but none dared to speak. It was as if all the voices in Yuzen had been swallowed by what they'd witnessed.

Up on the wall, the elite stood with their arms crossed, observing Tesmin's return.

He didn't say anything at first. Just breathed slowly.

Then suddenly, he let out a loud exhale and smiled — too widely.

Elite (mocking, loud):" What's with you all, Yuzen's stars? Why the silence? We made Ryuki retreat! We took the son of Ryden! We should be celebrating! Aren't you happy?!"

But the silence remained.

Even his laugh faded awkwardly into the wind.

Because deep inside — everyone felt it. This didn't feel like a victory.

The elite clapped his hands together, his voice booming through the walltop.

Elite (grinning):" Listen up! Tonight, we celebrate! I'll tell Lord Zackey that we've won the battle. Today… is a banquet!"

There was a pause.

Then the Yuzen mages finally forced out their voices.

Mages (half-hearted cheers ):"Yaa!"Aya!"Glory to Yuzen!"

But their voices lacked spirit.

Their cheers echoed like hollow drums, not thunder. Because no matter how much they cheered, they had all seen what Kaen Ryuki did. And part of them knew…

This didn't feel like a victory. This felt like the silence before a storm.

**************

Morning was about to set in.. 3:30 a.m.The massive gates of Ryuki opened slowly, groaning under their weight.

Giant lanterns on either side cast a soft orange glow across the stone road. The air was chilly. Mages walked with hands clasped tightly, shoulders slightly hunched — their fingers shivering in silence.

Up ahead…Ryuki stood still. The streets were empty, lined with flickering lamps. The great Ryuki Dojo stood quietly in the distance, glowing black under the dim sky — like a sleeping beast mourning in silence.

Veon lay unconscious on the back of a bull, his body unmoving.

No voices. No footsteps out of rhythm. Every mage moved steadily… their faces worn, their souls heavier than their wounds.

The damage was brutal, and though they had returned…something inside each of them had been left behind.

Sia walked at the front, her head lowered, eyes locked on the ground. Her breath came slowly and unevenly. Even Bubu, curled on her shoulder, leaned quietly against her neck — fast asleep.

Behind her, a mage walked beside the bull carrying Veo n. He looked at Sia with soft concern, his voice barely audible.

Mage (softly ):"Ma'am… should we wake Sir Veon?"

Sia didn't respond.

He hesitated, then gently reached out and tapped her shoulder.

Mage (quietly): "Ma'am… we've arrived. We're in Ryuki."

Sia blinked —A slow breath escaped her lips, as if she had just returned from a far-off place.

She spoke without lifting her gaze.

Sia (quietly): "No need… Don't wake him."

A pause.

Sia (softly): "Take him home. Can you do that for him… just once?"

The mage nodded.

Mag e: "It would be my pleasure."

And so, they continued their silent march. A city full of light ahead — but none within them. The war hadn't ended. Only the chapter had closed… and grief now carried its flag.

*****

The entire unit walked slowly through the empty streets of Ryuki. Not a single civilian in sight.Only them.Only the survivors.

A man leading a bull took a different path — carrying the unconscious body of Veon. The others moved together, wordless, heading toward one place.

The Ryuki Dojo.

The giant gate of the dojo creaked open, cracking slightly as it revealed the main hall's words. Just heavy breathing… boots scraping softly against the stone. One by one, the soldiers entered.

The first hall began to fill with wounded mages — some limping, some clutching bloodied arms. The smell of dried blood from their cloaks lingered in the air.

Support mages — police unit members who had stayed behind — rushed in carrying large crates of food and supplies. Steam rose from pots. Baskets of buns, rice, and vegetables were placed on tables. Some smiled, trying to lift the mood as they handed out plates.

The army mages sat down heavily at the long wooden red tables, chimneys, exhausted. Their eyes stared blankly ahead — minds still stuck on the battlefield.

One police mage approached Sia. He held a warm plate in his hand and smiled gently.

Police Mage (softly): "Ma'am, please take your food."

Sia didn't respond. Her eyes remained fixed on the ground.

He offered it again, voice still kind.

Police Mage: "Ma'am… please. Eat something."

Sia slowly lifted her head.

Her sharp, tired eyes locked onto his.

Sia (coldly): "Why… are you smiling?"

The mage blinked, confused.

Police Mage: "Huh? I—I thought… yYou just returned from battle, so—"

Before he could finish, Sia grabbed him by the collar.

A faint spark flickered at her fingertips.

Her voice dropped — heavy and sharp.

Sia (through clenched teeth): "Our mages died out there. We lost people. And you're smiling?"

The room fell silent.