"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

On the empty streets, Kaen was walking slowly, wearing a big white hoodie. His hands were tucked deep inside his pockets. Beside him, his friend Mosin was walking too — both silent, both lost in their little world. There were very few people on the streets. The wide stone road felt hollow, quiet….

Mosin glanced sideways. "Kaen, why are you so quiet today?"

Kaen looked straight ahead. Hey, "Mosin… do you want to fight in this war?"

Mosin blinked. "Huh? I'm only twelve, Kaen. How can I fight in a war?"He tried to smile. "But when I grow up… I'll fight for sure. Then you'll see. I'll become important. Just like the big heroes!"

Kaen's eyes stayed low, his voice soft. "Mosin… do you think I can fight in this war?"

Mosin replied quickly, "Of course! You're a Sub-Elite, right? But… you're also twelve. Our time is supposed to be for playing…"

Kaen looked up at the sky slowly. "Mosin… have you ever heard of a twelve-year-old boy becoming a hero?"

Mosin grinned. "Yes! In my dreams!"He chuckled. "I always become a hero in my dreams. It's fun."

Kaen smiled back, a short laugh escaping him. "Hahaha…"

Then he became quiet again."I never dream of becoming a hero. I just….. I just want people to look at me the way they look at my brother. Or my father."

Mosin turned to him with a nervous look. "Hey… what's going on in your head? Wanting to go to war? Just so people look at you like that? Kaen… you shouldn't think like this. That kind of thinking—it can mess you up."

Kaen kept his calm, his eyes steady. "Yeah… but I'm gonna be a hero soon. What's wrong with that?"

He stepped forward slowly."If we're born as humans… and don't try to be something more… then we're just here to eat, sleep, and waste time. I need this chance, Mosin."

Mosin stopped in place, eyes wide. "Kaen… did you make up your mind?"

Kaen nodded. "Yes, I did. Tomorrow night… when they launch the attack—the frontal one—I'll be there."

He looked serious now, a rare fire in his eyes.

"I'll cover my face… my body… with a cloak. I'll move in the shadows. And it's night time, so no one will recognize me."

He turned to Mosin. "But you can't tell anyone. Promise me mosin."

Mosin bit his lip. "I… I also want to go with you. But I'm scared. Still… hearing you speak just now… I don't know… maybe I'll go too."

Kaen gave him a look—calm, determined.

Neither of them smiled. The street stayed quiet. But something heavy had changed between the two.

Tomorrow night… the battlefield would have more than just soldiers, Kaen said firmly.

While they were walking, on the right side of the street, a group of kids was playing. Laughter echoed around. Suddenly, a floating ice cream venture appeared from the corner, glowing with soft blue lights. A voice echoed from a speaker:

"Kids! Kids! Take your free ice cream! It's free, free today!"

It's my daughter's birthday.

The floating vendor stopped near the sidewalk, hovering gently.

Mosin's eyes lit up. "Hey Kaen! Look—free ice cream!"

Kaen blinked. "What? Really?!"

All the kids from the area rushed towards it, gathering around the floating stall, chanting loudly:

"Ice cream! Ice cream!"

Kaen and Mosin looked at each other and instantly turned right, dashing toward the crowd. Their voices joined the others—

"Ice cream! Ice cream!"

Mosin laughed, "Kaen, run fast! It's limited!"

Kaen grinned. "I'm ahead of you, you moron, you shithead slowpoke! You better run faster!"

They both reached the vendor, still chanting, their excitement bursting like little fireworks inside them.

Surrounded by children, their eyes wide, arms stretching for cones… it felt like a celebration. Smiles everywhere. The scent of vanilla, mango, and mint floated through the air. For a moment, everything seemed simple. Innocent.

Kaen felt something strange.

The world…Suddenly felt silent.

No chants, laughter.

Everything around him slowed.

Kaen's smile faded.

Kids- ice cream, ice cream .... beeeeppppp beppp

He heard… a beep.Faint.Repeating.From somewhere deep inside his mind.

His eyes looked at his hand, but his mind wasn't there anymore.

A weird weight took over his chest.

He couldn't think of anything.

Just that sound. That beep—like an alarm… waiting for something.

Flashback...

Veon's voice echoed in Kaen's head—

"You're a kid, Kaen. You can't go to war. You're just a kid."

Suddenly—

"Ice cream! There it is! Let's go, Kaen!" Mosin's cheerful voice pulled him back.

But Kaen wasn't moving. His legs stiffened. His breath… slowed.

In his mind, He saw flashes.

—Himself, climbing on his father's back, laughing.—Lisa, kissing his cheeks."My little lion."—His brother is patting his head."You're a kid, Kaen..."—The warmth of home.—The dinner table."Hey, my baby, let's go eat ice cream, kid, ice cream, you are kid kaen, you can't go to war, kean ,kean.....

His vision returned. He saw the kids chanting all around—

"Ice cream! Ice cream!"

But he couldn't hear it. Not anymore.

Kaen whispered to himself, voice trembling:

"I am also a kid… no."His hands clenched."I don't want to be a kid.

A hero, a hero..I am Ryuki..

His eyes sharpened."I am a Sub Elite of Ryuki City. Even if I'm 12… I don't want this life."

The floating vendor leaned towards him. "Take this ice cream, kid."

Kaen looked at him—Straight into his eyes.

"Give it to the kids." His voice was sharp."I am Sub Elite. The mage of Ryuki City."

The ice cream seller blinked. "Huh… what?"

Kaen stepped forward." I am a mage!" he shouted."I'm not a kid!"

Behind him, Mosin stood frozen. Eyes wide. Shock hit him like thunder.

A little boy in the crowd frowned and yelled—

"If you're not a kid, go away! Don't disturb us!"

Kaen didn't flinch.

He turned.

He walked out of the crowd.

"I will fight. I will fight tomorrow."

The wind brushed past his white hoodie as he walked off.

The vendor turned to Mosin. "Take the ice cream, kid."

Mosin looked down.

Then looked at Kaen walking away.

He clenched his fist.

"Sorry… I can't take it."

He ran.Chasing Kaen.Catching up.

The ice cream seller blinked again, scratching his head."What's wrong with these kids today…?"