"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Ravi leaned forward, his tone low and grim."Litos… they're not just any pirate crew. They're Tideborn."

Doctor's eyes narrowed. "Tideborn?"

Ravi nodded. "Their leader is Ranjan. He commands the Pink Dragons—one of the fastest ships on the sea. They say he can walk on water itself. His strength is terrifying, his vitality unmatched… but it's his ability that makes him truly dangerous. Word is, he's pushed it to the third… maybe even fourth stage."

The doctor, listening from the side, frowned. "I've heard whispers about the Litos. They carry fleets, not just one ship…"

Ravi continued, voice hardening."They smuggle rare crystals, deal in illegal trade, drugs, and worse. But there's something else—they're orb collectors. Every orb they find, they keep. No one knows why… but when the Litos come for an orb, no one survives to ask questions. Some kings purchased them..

Ravi's gaze hardened, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the room."The main reason we're heading to Baku City… isn't just diplomacy. We're going there to plan—plan how to protect ourselves from the Tideborns. They've been causing havoc… silently. A war no one talks about, but one that's already begun between the cities and the Tideborn."

He turned sharply toward Auren."Auren… the man who once attacked your city—the one your brother, Veon Ryuki, defeated—that man was Tideborn. We dug through what little intel we could find, and when I heard the name Obara Rakuji… it became clear. He's from the greatest Tideborn faction of our time—Vaiven."

The doctor shifted uneasily, the name alone enough to make his knuckles tighten.

Ravi continued, his voice dropping lower."Vaiven isn't like the other crews. They're not just pirates. They're ghosts on the sea—hidden, organized, driven by a goal no one can figure out. We don't know their world, their rules… but we do know this—every time they move, the world changes. And when they decide you're in their way… You disappear.

We, Raman, want to destroy each Tideborn leader, to make Winland Tideborn-free. That's why we are traveling this far, city to city.

The doctor, in shock, asked – I never knew such tension was going on in this world…

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

Time – 9:30 PM. Auren lay on the bed, eyes fixed on the glowing toys above, then drifting to the glass window. Outside, a big moon hung over the sky, stars scattered around it, and space dust shimmered in many colors.

This was Vivi's room. Auren slept just beside the glass window, enjoying the view. One thought circled in his mind – Tomorrow… Baku City. This journey felt long, like an eternity.

Beside him, on another bed, Vivi slept peacefully. Auren looked at her and whispered softly, "You look nothing like Rose… but you keep reminding me of her. How can I be happy… if she isn't? Rose… when you become happy… I'll become too."

***********

ORPHAN YARD

Sunny stood near the orphan yard building, shouting up," Rose! Come down… Rose, are you listening? Hey, Rose, reply to me!"

His cyber flickered with emotion, seeing Sunny trying so hard. A girl passed by him."Hey, can you call Rose from inside?" Sunny asked. The girl ignored him and walked away.

Inside the place, Rose sat silently, working on her clothes. But that voice kept piercing her ears—Rose, come down. Let's do something exciting. Want ice cream? Or cake? Say something, Rose…

She dropped the cloth from her hands in frustration, stood up, and walked to the balcony.

Sunny looked up.When her eyes met his, she saw that tired smile on his face.

Sunny's hands fell to his knees, breathing deeply."Huh… huh…" he panted, then looked up with a faint smile. "Rose, I'm happy you came. Let's go somewhere."

Cyber bounced beside him, smiling and wagging its little antenna, but Rose stood above, her narrowed eyes locked on Sunny like a wall refusing to crack.

"I already said, leave me alone!" Her voice cut through the yard.

Sunny didn't back away. "Rose, wait. I know you're in pain. Do you not consider me your friend? I've been coming here day and night just to ask you to come out. Go with me. What happened, happened. I know you loved him… and if he betrayed you, it's not your fault. You did nothing wrong. Just come down—start a new life."

Her gaze hardened. "I said I will not come down. Leave me alone."

Sunny lowered his eyes for a moment, then called out, "Well… brother, come here."

From a shop across the street, Okabaru burst out, bumping into a parked vehicle."Oh, sorry, sorry—my mistake!" He straightened instantly, planting both hands on his waist, chest out like a hero. Den daa den.

"You summoned me, little brother?"

"Yes, brother." Sunny gestured toward the balcony. "This is Rose. She's… depressed. Auren broke her heart, and now she's locked herself away."

Okabaru came back to his maturity, taking a deep breath, arms folded."Hello, sweet Rose," he said gently. "I want to tell you a story. A story of birds."

Rose tilted her head slightly, still silent.

"Once," Okabaru began, "a female bird loved a male bird. They were friends. But one day, the male bird left her, saying, 'I don't need you anymore.'" He paused, letting the words hang in the air. "Now think, what did the female bird do?"

Rose's eyes flickered, but she didn't answer.

"She cried for days," Okabaru continued. "She lost hope… because she loved deeply. But one day, she thought—when the male bird wasn't in her life, she was happy. She knew how to live happily. But that stupid male bird… he made her unhappy. Now that he is gone, why shouldn't she live happily again, like she used to?"

A sudden realization hit Rose.She began to think about the days when she used to sit alone on the cliff, watching the city, smiling for no reason.

Okabaru's voice softened, almost like a whisper."Remember who you truly are. People will come and go. No matter how important they become, they can never be more important than what you are."

A single tear slid down Rose's cheek. She felt it—not just in her mind, but deep in her being.On that cliff, in her heart, she said to herself: I am Rose. I am truly that girl.

Okabaru nodded slowly. "Remember your own vibe… the one that stays with you."

Rose exhaled, her shoulders lighter. She was realizing—once again—her own way of living.

Okabaru smiled faintly, his voice calm but warm."Think of it like this, Rose. A beautiful chapter might end with a bad phase… but that doesn't mean the book is over. Now, come down. Sunny is your friend too. Look forward to life—and be happy."

Rose slowly opened her eyes."Yes… I want to live as Rose. The Rose I know."

Sunny's face lit up instantly."Yes! Rose came down! Let's have fun! We'll do so many things, yeah, yeah—come down!"Cyber was already dancing near Sunny, his joy impossible to contain.

Okabaru glanced at Sunny, his tone turning serious."Ok, Sunny. Get along well with her. She's an innocent girl—don't hurt her feelings. If she has no one… You should be the one."

Sunny nodded firmly."Definitely, brother."

"Good." Okabaru folded his arms again. "Sakura just bought a flat in Neon Tower. Make Rose live there. This place doesn't deserve a kind, innocent, pure-hearted girl like her. Offer her to stay at our place—we'd love to have a new sister at home."

Sunny smiled faintly."I'll be happy to, brother."

"Alright, bye."

Okabaru raised his hand, and in an instant—FWOOOSH—a giant bat appeared in the middle of the street. People gasped, their shock breaking into screams."Monster! Monster! Run for your life!" Chaos rippled through the crowd as people fled.

Okabaru laughed wildly, holding his hands out."Woa, woa! It's my summon! No need to worry!"

Sunny rubbed the back of his head."Brother… why did you summon him here?"

Okabaru smirked."Why would I spend money on a vehicle when I have this beast?"

Okabaru flew away into the distance, his giant bat vanishing into the clouds.

Rose stepped down from the cliff, a soft smile returning to her face. The heaviness in her chest had finally lifted—she was gaining her happiness back.

"Let's go, Sunny," she said gently.

Sunny nodded happily. "Yeah!"

Both climbed onto Cyber's back. The beast let out a playful snort before sprinting down the streets, his powerful steps shaking the ground.

Rose's hair danced wildly in the wind as the city blurred past. Somewhere inside, she felt a quiet warmth—something she had lost because of Auren… and now was finding again.

Auren… she thought. I loved you. But I can't hate you. You did what you wanted… and I forgive you.

Her eyes softened. I can't live sad anymore… because that's not my way.

Meanwhile…

Auren sat alone in his small room, staring at the city lights outside his window. His voice was low, almost trembling.

"Hey, Rose… if you're happy, please… tell me somehow."

The night wind slipped through the half-open window, carrying with it the faint scent of flowers. From somewhere unseen, a single glowing flower floated in, dancing gently in the breeze.

It landed softly on his desk. Auren's eyes widened. He reached out, holding it like it was the most fragile thing in the world.

"…So… you are happy, Rose." His lips curved in the faintest smile. "Thank you."

Knock. Knock.