"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Inside, Auren was already breaking. He wanted to fall to his knees, to tell her the truth, to scream. But outside? He stayed cold.

He looked at her—face emotionless, voice hollow."The bruises? Just an accident."He paused."But your face, Rose? I hate it. Don't bring it near me again."

That was the final cut.

Rose's hand stopped mid-air, her eyes trembling. Her voice cracked under the weight of heartbreak."If you don't want to see my face… I'll never show it again. I promise."

She turned away. And she ran.

The wind swallowed her sobs.

Sunny clenched his fists, jaw tight, tears in his eyes. He glared at Auren with nothing but rage."I hate you, Auren."

Auren let out a dry, broken laugh."What's new? The world already hates me."

Sunny didn't say another word. He spun around, jumped onto Cyber, and dashed after Rose, vanishing into the streets.

Now alone, Auren stood still, silent.

His voice, now soft, almost trembling—"Kaen… my dear brother… I'll come back for you. Just wait for me."

A vehicle passed by. Auren raised a hand and stopped it.

"North Port. 50 Ryu."

As the vehicle moved forward, the city lights passing by in blurs—his eyes welled with tears.

He whispered, brokenly—"I'm sorry, Rose…I'm sorry, Sunny…"

Meanwhile...

Rose was running wildly. Her hand clutched tightly over her chest, while the other desperately wiped away the stream of tears from her face. Her once-bright blue eyes had dimmed, filled now with heartbreak and disbelief.

She kept whispering to herself, over and over—"I'll never show you my face again, Auren… I never knew you saw me this way… Auren, I loved you… I was a fool to believe… that you loved me, even a little."

At that moment, Sunny arrived—riding Cyber fast through the streets. He saw her and quickly turned."Rose!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the wind.

He reached her, pulling Cyber close, grabbing her hand."Don't break over his words," Sunny said, trying to keep his own voice steady. "We never knew he was like this."

But Rose wasn't listening. She was talking to herself again, dazed—"No… no, he can't be like that. My Auren… he was kind. He had that smile… why did he say those things to me…?"

Sunny gently guided her onto Cyber. With a swift movement, Cyber lifted her behind him. Rose didn't say a word. She just grabbed the back of Sunny's collar, leaned her head on his back, and cried—softly, brokenly.

Sunny stared ahead, the wind brushing his face."My life's always been hell…" rose muttered under his breath."But never hell like this."

Auren sat silently in the backseat of the oval-shaped sky taxi, which hovered steadily toward North Port. His eyes were closed, but tears escaped freely, tracing slow paths down his cheeks.

In his thoughts, a storm raged."Kaen… my little brother… you're gone. You always looked at me like you had something to say, but you never could. Especially… after that last test. You never spoke to me again."

Auren leaned forward, burying his face into his trembling hands."I miss you, Kaen. So much…"His teeth clenched. His eyes burned red with fury.

"I'll avenge you, brother. I swear I will. I'll kill those demons myself. I'll wear a necklace of their intestines—dance on their blood. You just watch me from heaven… Your brother won't be weak anymore."

But then—A voice echoed in his mind.

"Auren… don't become someone you're not."

His eyes widened slightly. He looked to the taxi window, where his reflection blurred in the passing clouds.

"Rose…"

Another tear fell—this one not from rage, but heartbreak.

"I'm sorry… You were my life. I loved you. I always will. But I had to leave… I had no choice. Maybe… maybe we'll meet again—in a life where there's no pain like this. No decisions like this.

You never wanted to see my face again… I know. I hurt you. I shattered you, Rose. And Sunny… you too.

In this journey… I lost two people who meant everything to me."

Auren burst into tears once more. Clutching his head with both hands, he screamed—

"Rose! I'm sorry!"His voice cracked from pain."I'm sorry... I hurt you! Please… forgive me!"

He yanked at his hair in agony, his cries echoing through the small space of the taxi.

Just then—Ding! A soft alarm tone rang out.

"Northern Port. You may now disembark."

Instantly, Auren wiped his tears. He clenched his jaw, took a deep breath, and picked up his bag—a blue and pink, water-themed sling. Slipping it over one shoulder, he stepped out.

He wore a soft pink jacket, a blue T-shirt underneath, and dark pants—his appearance mismatched, like a soul still figuring itself out.

Before him stretched the giant Northern Ship Port of Ryuki City.

Massive ships stood proudly along the docks, glowing like jewels under the rising sun. Some shimmered with enchanted crystal plating, others painted in striking colors—deep blues, blazing reds. Ordinary ships moved in between, smaller, rusted, but still full of purpose.

The wind from the sea hit his face gently. Auren looked ahead—quiet, but his eyes carried fire.

Auren entered the terminal of the northern ship port.The place was massive — its glass walls shimmered under the rising sun, and glowing magic corridors twisted above like floating ribbons. The air buzzed with energy.

There were two types of ticket counters.One was for premium ships — fancy, glowing, sleek.The other for normal painted ships — red, blue, and white wooden cruisers with charm of their own.

Auren reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch.

"15,000 Ryu," he whispered.A soft smile crossed his lips."Thank you, Mom... for giving me this. I'll miss you. Just wait for me."

His eyes drifted upward to the glowing billboard:

"Baku City — Counter No. 17."

He headed toward the premium counter.

The glass counter was beautifully crafted.Carved into its surface was a golden snake twirling around a butterfly — ancient symbols of travel and transformation.

Auren stepped forward."Hi, miss. One ticket for Baku City, please."

The lady behind the counter gave him a polite smile."That'll be 800 Ryu," she said warmly.

Auren paid, sliding the money gently across the counter.She handed him a sleek silver-blue ticket."Gate 9. The ship departs at 7:30 AM. Don't be late."

Auren nodded."Thanks," he said softly, then turned — ticket in hand, steps steady.