"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Rose is cuddling with Auren. They're sleeping on the cliff — silent, peaceful, with the soft wind waving their clothes. Sunny is also beside them, dozing quietly.

Meanwhile, back in the city…

Kaen reaches home. The moon is already high, casting silver light on the quiet streets.

Inside, Ryden is sipping tea, sitting calmly in his wooden chair, lost in his own thoughts.

Kaen enters his room, lies down on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His hands rest behind his head.

Kaen (in mind) –Tomorrow… I'll go to fight. Father must not know. Brother Veon, too…Can I die? If I die in battle, maybe that's okay, too. But if I win… then maybe I'll become a hero. I'm not sure about Mosin. Will he come? Will he fight? I hope not. He's not strong like me… he's just a mage of the army.

Downstairs, Ryden continues sipping his tea.

Veon comes down from his room, adjusting his shirt. Ryden looks at him with a firm expression.

Ryden – "Veon, I need to talk to you."Veon – "About tomorrow?"Ryden – "Yes. Come with me."

Ryden walks straight ahead, then turns left into a narrow hallway. The corridor leads to a hidden passage, dimly lit by flickering candles on the walls.

At the end, a carved green-wooden door appears — a snake etched into its surface, its eyes glowing faintly.

Ryden – "Open it."

Veon pushes the door. A cold breeze flows in.

They descend a stone staircase into an underground chamber. The room is dark until small lights begin glowing from the walls.

At the center stands a giant oval-shaped stone, ancient and radiant with faint blue pulses.

Veon – "Why are we here, Father?"

Ryden – (walking toward the stone) "I wanted to show you this. This stone carries our hope. It's a symbol of our ancestor… the great legend, Ryuki."

He places his hand gently on the surface of the stone. Ryden – "Ryuki used to sit here, in deep meditation. His master gifted him this sacred stone. It still carries his energy."

Veon follows, touching the stone too.

Both of them close their eyes.

Ryden (softly) – "May this stone bring fortune to us."

Ryden & Veon (together) – "Glory to Ryuki."

Meanwhile, on the cliff...

Auren murmured in his sleep, turning slightly. Auren – "What a great dream… why am I feeling so good today? This cliff sleep is something else."

He opened his eyes slowly. A breeze touched his cheek. He blinked, lowered his gaze…Auren – "Huh? What's this hand on me?"

He turned slightly — and saw Rose, sleeping beside him.

Auren flinched gently. His small movement made Rose stir.

She opened her eyes lazily, moaning softly as she stretched her arms above her head. Rose – "Mmm…"

Auren blinked fast, anxious. Auren – "Wait… did you cuddle with me?!"

Rose, fixing her messy hair with her fingers, replied in a calm, chill tone —Rose – "Yeah. So what? Got any problem?"

Auren's inner mind exploded.

"Hahaha! I'm happy! I'm happy! This is the best feeling ever! HURRAY!"(But outside, his face just twitched nervously.)

Beside them, Sunny slowly opened his eyes, blinking. Sunny – "Where… where am I? Is this heaven? Why is everything black…?"

He paused. Sunny – "Wait, is it hell? Gross… My grandpa's theory was wrong. This doesn't look like any heaven he told me about… gross."

Auren – "Sunny, wake up."

Sunny sat up, rubbing his eyes. Sunny – "Auren… Is it night already?"

Auren – "Yeah, it is."

Sunny looked around and noticed Rose sitting next to Auren.

Sunny – "Rose?! What are you doing here? And how did you even know we were here?"

Rose – (with a small smile) "I have seer ability. I can see you guys from anywhere."

Sunny – "What? You're a mage too?! I never thought of that…"

Then he looked at Auren closely. Sunny – "By the way, Auren, why's your face so red? You look super happy or something."

Auren turned his face away. Auren – "What? Who said I'm happy? You just woke up from fake heaven — that's why you're seeing things."

Sunny – "What kind of logic is that?!"

Rose giggled softly, her voice playful. Rose – "Looks like Auren's blushing… that means he does have feelings. Is that so?"

Auren covered his face with one hand, muttering. Auren (mind) – I'm dead. This is the end. But also... the best day ever.

Sunny – "Auren, Rose… don't you think this night is beautiful? Look — the garden is glowing, and see that Anthridium Park? That's where we first met. And over there, that sky train is traveling toward the dojo... This city looks amazing at night."

Auren – "You're right, Sunny."

Rose – "and Auren always sit here… just watching the city from this cliff. It feels peaceful."

Sunny – (soft voice) "I hope the war between Yuzen and Ryuki doesn't happen… Honestly, I feel like I'm the biggest reason behind their conflict."

Auren – (serious tone) "Then if you are the reason, that means they'll protect you at all costs."

Rose – (tilting her head, curious) "Sunny, what's even special about you? Except that white lion Cyber."

Sunny – (grinning confidently) "Maybe I'm just… too handsome."

Rose – (bursts into a laugh) "You? Handsome? Maybe Yuzen is the city of fools!"

Sunny – "Rose, are you saying I look bad?"

Rose – "Don't you have a mirror?"

Sunny – "Auren! Stop your girlfriend!"

Auren – (suddenly trapped, eyes wide) "W-What? Are you mad? She's not my girlfriend! She's my friend — just like you!"

Rose – (eyes widening) "What… what are you even saying, Auren? Sunny, it's not like that!"

Both Auren and Rose looked flustered, trying hard to explain, talking over each other.

Sunny – (laughing, folding his arms) "Hahaha… I knew it. No point in hiding it anymore — I know everything."

Rose looked away, cheeks red. Auren scratched the back of his neck.

The wind blew gently, carrying their laughter far across the glowing cliff.

**********

Ryden – "What formation did you and Sia decide on?"

Veon – (standing upright, eyes focused) "Father, we'll move under the cover of darkness until we reach their wall. The forest might be guarded — there's a high chance their mages are already on alert, expecting Ryuki to attack."

Ryden – (nodding slowly) "Hmm..."

Veon – "So, we've decided to divide into three formations — right, left, and center. I'll take command of the center unit. Sia will lead the left wing. And Sir Mekamaru will join us and handle the right side."

Ryden – [said calmly] "Good. Stay sharp. The forest may not forgive mistakes."