"You're still here, sir," Commander Bismarck said as he approached the figure standing quietly on the balcony.

Mayor Duncan stood with a porcelain cup in his hand, his back straight, his eyes fixed on the city stretching far below. The evening wind carried the scent of the sea, sweeping through his hair as the lights of Atlas City shimmered like stars scattered across stone.

He turned slightly, catching sight of Bismarck from the corner of his eye, then looked forward again. "I still am, Bismarck," he said softly. "I still am."

Bismarck stopped beside him, folding his arms behind his back, his boots clicking sharply against the marble floor. "And Khan?" he asked, his tone casual but his words deliberate.

Mayor Duncan paused, the silence between them thick. He took a slow sip from his cup before answering. "I haven't heard from him… yet."

Bismarck's lips curved into the faintest smirk. "So he hasn't returned." He feigned a sigh. "Unfortunate. I suppose this confirms it, then."

Mayor Duncan's eyes narrowed. "Confirms what?"

"That he didn't make it." Bismarck turned, leaning against the railing. "This wasn't part of the agreement, unless I'm mistaken."

Mayor Duncan didn't respond. He knew the commander was baiting him, twisting the knife in the open wound of silence surrounding Axton's mission. Time had passed since the new commander, Khan, left for the rescue mission. There had been no message, no scout report, no confirmation of survival.

And now, whispers had begun to spread… idle chatter that was ignited by Bismarck himself.

Rumors traveled faster than light in Atlas City. They said the new commander was reckless. That he had led hundreds of men to their deaths. That the mayor's faith in a young, unknown warrior had been misplaced.

Exactly as Bismarck had planned.

He wanted the people's doubts to grow, their confidence to crumble until only one commander remained in their hearts.

…Him.

Mayor Duncan took another drink, hiding his irritation behind a mask of calm. "You seem very sure of his failure, Bismarck."

"I deal in results, sir," Bismarck replied, adjusting his gloves. "And when a commander leads an entire rescue into enemy territory with no word at all… I call that failure."

Before Duncan could answer, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall behind them.

*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*

A soldier appeared at the balcony entrance, out of breath, his face pale but glowing with excitement. "Sirs!" he saluted sharply. "Commander Khan has returned!"

The words struck like lightning.

Mayor Duncan froze, the cup nearly slipping from his hand. His heart pounded against his chest, a mixture of disbelief and joy flooding his veins.

Bismarck, however, went stiff. His forced smile cracked like glass. "Are you… sure?" he asked, his tone strained.

"Yes, sir," the soldier said, catching his breath. "He's entered the city with surviving soldiers. Around sixty men. The rest… didn't make it, I suppose."

The soldier then hesitated. "Also…"

"Also what?" Duncan and Bismarck asked in unison, one eager, one anxious.

The soldier swallowed hard. "He rode into the city… on a beast. A massive one."

******

Inside the city, chaos turned into celebration.

Axton — or Khan, as the people called him — rode through the city gates on the back of a towering Great Bear.

When the guards saw him approach, their jaws dropped. They had never seen such a sight in Atlas, but once they recognized the rider.

It was their commander, alive and breathing.

Immediately, they noticed him, the gates swung open at once.

"Commander Khan! It's the commander!" one of the watchmen shouted.

In an instant, word spread like wildfire through the streets. The commander had returned, alive, victorious, and riding a beast straight out of legend.

Crowds gathered along the stone roads, pressing against the walls and balconies. Shopkeepers abandoned their stalls, blacksmiths dropped their hammers mid-swing, and children ran barefoot to catch a glimpse. The roar of the crowd grew louder with every step the Great Bear took.

"He did it!"

"He's back!"

"Praise the commander!"

Cheers erupted. Flowers, both real and handmade, were thrown in his path. The city that once whispered doubts now shouted his name with reverence.

Axton lifted a hand in greeting, his calm smile masking the exhaustion beneath. His eyes were cold and sharp, holding the fire of survival. Every soldier who followed behind him stood straighter, proud to be seen beside their commander.

The Great Bear let out a low growl that rumbled like thunder, causing a few to step back. But when Axton patted its head, the beast instantly quieted, sitting majestically in the heart of the city square.

"Commander Khan!" a little boy called out from the crowd. "Did you really fight demons?"

Axton's lips curved into a faint smirk. "What do you think?" he replied, and the boy's eyes widened in awe before laughing in delight.

At that moment, two figures emerged from the direction of the mayor's mansion — Mayor Duncan and Commander Bismarck.

The mayor's expression was filled with relief, his steps brisk with excitement but beside him, Bismarck's face was a storm of barely contained fury.

When they reached the square, Bismarck froze.

The beast was real — enormous, breathing, and obedient to Axton's will. He clenched his jaw tightly, hiding his disbelief under a scornful sneer.

"It's true," Bismarck muttered.

Axton looked down at him from atop the Great Bear, his gaze cold. "What's true?"

Bismarck's eyes darted over the beast's muscled frame, its claws that could crush steel. He spoke loudly enough for the watching crowd to hear. "You do realize, Commander, that bringing such a vile creature into our city could cause panic? Who knows what it might do? Tear through our citizens, perhaps?"

A murmur spread through the onlookers. People who were cheering moments ago began to glance nervously at the Great Bear.

Exactly as Bismarck wanted.

But Axton saw through him. He saw the glint of manipulation in the man's eyes — the attempt to poison the crowd's joy and twist it into fear.

He chuckled softly, patting the beast's fur. "Don't worry, Commander," he said, voice steady. "This creature isn't the one you should be afraid of. It's perfectly tamed."

Bismarck's fists clenched. His pride burned. "What's that supposed to mean? That I don't know a savage beast when I see one? Are you insulting me?"

Axton raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone almost playful. "Your words, not mine."

The tension between them snapped like a bowstring.

The crowd went silent.

Bismarck turned sharply to the mayor. "Mayor Duncan, you can't seriously allow this! A creature like this in the heart of Atlas is a danger to everyone. What if it runs amok? What if—"

"Enough," Mayor Duncan interrupted, shaking his head. "Allow it, Bismarck. The commander has proven capable of handling the beast. You should be thanking him, not challenging him."

Bismarck's eyes darkened.

He took a step back, pointing an accusing finger at the mayor. "Ah… I see it now."

"See what?" Duncan asked, brow furrowing.

"I see what's truly happening," Bismarck said, his voice rising, turning bitter. "You favor him. You've already chosen your side. You want me out of the way!"

Mayor Duncan sighed and rubbed the side of his head. "You're out of your mind. This isn't about sides—"

"Oh, it's exactly that!" Bismarck barked, cutting him off. His hand flew to his sword. The steel gleamed under the sunlight as he drew it out, pointing the blade directly at Axton. "There can only be one commander of the Atlas City Watch. So it's either me… or him."

"Bismarck!" the mayor shouted. "Put that weapon away!"

Bismarck didn't move.

"I challenge you to a duel, Commander Khan."

His rage had consumed him entirely, his composure shattered by jealousy and humiliation.

Around them, the soldiers stiffened, their hands instinctively moving toward their own weapons, though none dared to interfere.

Axton, meanwhile, dismounted slowly from the Great Bear. His boots hit the ground with a dull thud. His expression remained calm, almost bored, but his eyes gleamed with restrained amusement.

He had been waiting for this moment — the chance to shut Bismarck up once and for all.

"You want a duel?" Axton asked, cracking his knuckles. "Fine. I accept."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. The Great Bear gave a low growl, its breath steaming in the cold air as if it too understood what was about to unfold.

Bismarck grinned, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. "Good," he hissed. "I'll make sure this is the last time you ever parade yourself in my city."

Axton tilted his head slightly. "Your city?"

Bismarck raised his sword higher, fury twisting his features. "After I'm done with you… yes."

Mayor Duncan stepped forward, his voice stern. "Enough! This is madness!"

Neither of them listened.

The square had gone completely silent. Every pair of eyes in Atlas was fixed on the two commanders standing opposite each other.

One burned with arrogance, the other stood tall and unshaken.

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