"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Alvin yawned, slow and lazy, like a predator stretching before the kill."What is the reason you can't give us Shamrico?" His voice was cold, almost casual. "Okay, my words— I will spare your life. Just give us Shamrico and get your ass out of here. Our Litos family doesn't want you anymore. Accept this deal… or die."

Rabi's knees shook. His breath was thin."Please… don't kill me. The reason I can't give you this book is… is…" His voice cracked, each word dragging out like it hurt to say. "I don't know— someone is stopping me. Something… against my will. I can't even say what it is."

Alvin's eyes hardened, his tone turning sharp."Don't try something stupid. Just give me the book. Give me Shamrico."

Rabi's stomach churned violently. With a guttural sound, he bent forward and vomited hard in front of Alvin.

Alvin's eyes narrowed, his step pulling back from the splash on the floor."What the hell are you doing, Rabi?"

"I… I'm not doing anything—uuaaeeee…" Another wave hit him, spilling across the wooden floor, the acid stench filling the air.

Alvin's patience snapped. He summoned his sword in a flash, the steel glinting in the dim light, its edge aimed at Rabi's throat."This is the last time I'll ask—where is Shamrico?"

The cold promise of death broke what little courage Rabi had left. His trembling hand slowly lifted, pointing toward the bed.

Thudum.

Rabi's body collapsed to the floor, shaking uncontrollably.

Alvin stepped carefully, avoiding the slick pool of vomit, his boots clicking against the wood. His eyes locked on the bed. In one smooth motion, he crouched, reached beneath, and pulled the book into the light.

Shamrico's cover shimmered faintly, almost breathing.

Alvin gazed at the book.It was… breathing.Each rise and fall, like the lungs of a living thing trapped beneath its cover.

His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile."This book… holds the location of the greatest treasure any human could dream of. After so long searching for Moa Island… after finally setting foot there… we made it."

His voice softened, almost trembling with excitement."Brother… I can't wait to see your face when you hear. Finally, we will become the greatest Tideborns this world has ever seen. We will surpass Vaiven—surpass them all."

The dim lantern light caught in his eyes as he looked up, satisfaction washing over him. A smile unlike any he'd worn before lingered on his lips—unprecedented, unrestrained.

Flashback…

A boy stood by the roadside, his clothes ragged, full of holes. Bare feet pressed into cold dirt. His voice was hoarse, weak."Food… please… give us food. Hello, mister… give me food. I haven't eaten in four days…"

A passing man scoffed. "Look at this rascal. Every time we come here, he annoys us."

A boot swung. Thudd.

The boy fell hard, the taste of dust in his mouth. Wiping the blood from his lip, wiping the dirt from his wounds, his watery eyes still refused to spill tears. Hunger gnawed, but so did something else—something colder, sharper.

Still, he stood. Still, he asked."Food… give me food. I'm hungry…"

Another kick. Pain surged, but he rose again.

"Hello… brother… give me food."

A shadow loomed over him.Ranjan's voice broke the air."…Brother?"

"You… called me brother?" Ranjan's voice was quiet, almost uncertain.

Alvin's lips trembled. "Yes, brother… give me something to eat, brother. I haven't eaten for days, brother… I'm going to die today, brother… help me, brother… I want to live, brother."

A tear welled in seventeen-year-old Ranjan's eye. Slowly, a smile broke across his face. He reached down, cupping Alvin's jaw, lifting it gently so their eyes met.

With a voice warm enough to cut through the cold night, he said—"Come with me."

Alvin blinked, startled. "Ahem… huh? Where… where are you taking me, brother? Don't kill me, brother… I want to live, brother… brother, where are you taking me?"

Ranjan's tears kept flowing. His grip on Alvin's jaw was steady, reassuring."I'm taking you home."

Alvin shook his head weakly. "I… I don't have a home, brother… brother…"

Ranjan's smile deepened, though his voice cracked with emotion."You called me brother… so I have to take responsibility now. No more staying here. I just finished building my ship… we will sail into the ocean, just you and me. I'll make a big crew. We'll live freely… without oppression from kings… without this boring world. We will make our own.

Across a quiet river…

A small ship drifted lazily with the current. Alvin and Ranjan sat side by side on its worn wooden deck.

Ranjan reached into a container and pulled out two bright red apples. Without a word, he held them out."Take this," he said softly.

Alvin's eyes shimmered. He snatched the apples as if they might vanish, biting into one with desperate hunger—juice running down his chin."Thank you… Thank you so much, brother… I thought I was going to die today."

Ranjan waved a hand with a half-smile. "Naa, naa… you're my brother from now on. Eat as much as you can."

The river wind tugged at their clothes as the small ship carried them forward—two strangers bound by a single word: brother.

Ranjan lifted his hand, his voice ringing with unshakable determination."I'm going to become the greatest Tideborn this world has ever seen. I'll surpass them all… and then, I'll make this world mine."

He turned to Alvin, his gaze sharp yet warm."Listen. I was once like you. But I chose to stand up. This life is painful—brutal. The longer you stay buried, the deeper it hurts. So stand. Stand like never before. Roar like a hundred lions. Walk as if you are the only king the world has ever known.

And if death comes for you before you reach what you're after… then die like the sun setting—brilliant, and on your own terms. That's the only rule I live by. You should, too."

Alvin's lips trembled, but pride lit up his eyes. He nodded slowly, as if a new life had been breathed into him.