Dax and Nyra smiled, happy to see Auren's wide eyes, filled with awe at the breathtaking beauty of the cave. Waterfalls dripped from above, glowing moss lit the stone walls, and the entire cavern shimmered like a hidden temple.
But then, something unusual caught Auren's gaze. On the bark of an ancient tree near the cave's heart, a strange carving stood out.
A pillar… and another beside it. Between them, a planet rested. And below, a massive serpent, its body coiled, head raised, supporting the planet.
Auren's hand trembled slightly as he stepped closer. He leaned in, fingers tracing the edges of the symbol slowly, feeling each curve and line as if the stone itself wanted to whisper its secret.
"What does this mean?" he asked in a hushed tone.
Nyra's voice was soft, yet it carried weight. "This is the Symbol of Existence. It represents the three primal energies that control this world. And the serpent… she is the Mother of Earth."
Auren froze, tensing. "Mother? A snake? And what are these three powers that control everything?"
Dax's expression grew serious. "Creation. Preservation. Destruction. They are the three eternal forces of nature. Without them, existence itself collapses."
Auren's curiosity only burned hotter. "Interesting… but how do you two know all this?"
Nyra twirled her ponytail with a playful smile. "Master told us long ago. You don't know, Auren, because you're new."
Auren's eyes narrowed. "So this… serpent, the Mother—she's real? Is she still holding the world?"
Dax shook his head slowly. "Not real in the way you think. It's not flesh or blood. It's spirit. Holding the world means she carries us all—our destinies, our existence. Without the Mother Snake, the three forces can't act. Without her… there would be nothing."
The cave suddenly felt heavier. The waterfall's sound deepened, and for the first time, Auren felt the silence between heartbeats—like the very symbol on the tree was watching him.
Auren – "You guys know about the 3rd world beasts, right? Who created them. And Mahavanga… Ryuki… You've heard their names. But do you also know about Ash Phantom? And about the other two lands, besides Winland?"
Nyra – nodding "Yes. But Ash Phantom… who is he? Master never spoke of him. Do you know, Auren?"
Dax – leaning forward, curious "Ash Phantom… is he from the outer lands? Or someone from the legends… Ryuki's time, Mahavanga's era?"
Auren – smiles faintly, then shakes his head "Forget it. If you don't know, leave it. Nothing special."
Auren's fist clenched tight at his side. His eyes dropped, shadows flickering across his face from the torchlight. His voice lowered, muttering to himself, each word heavy with venom.
Auren (to himself) – "Stupid believers… always chanting the name of the dead. Ash Phantom? Ryuki? I don't care. I am Auren Ryuki. I'm not their shadow. I have my own will, my own path. If I keep chasing past lives, glorifying old names… then I am nothing right now."
Nyra studied him, her sharp gaze cutting through his silence. The night wind carried the sound of distant waterfalls, heavy against the tension.
Nyra – snapping him out of it "Auren… fighting your inner demons again?"
Auren – a long pause, then a short laugh, bitter but calm "No. Nothing."
*************
Meanwhile, in Ryuki City.
Inside the grand dojo — a giant stone hall with a floor of glowing green emerald glass. Lanterns blazed across the high ceiling, their flames dancing, throwing golden light against the walls.
In the center, the elites trained:
Veon, calm yet fierce, his face sharp with focus.
Sakura, fury in her eyes but a smile on her lips, tension turning into thrill.
Sia, sparks of thunder dancing around her shoulders, her cat Bubu charging beside her, crackling like a storm given form.
Marco, silent, in his blue jacket and pointed hat, gaze locked downward, calculating.
Above them, on the open balcony, sat Hoshin Maru, the leader of Ryuki City. Beside him — the Guardian, Ryden Ryuki, watching with arms folded, his sharp eyes never blinking.
Then — the clash.
All four elites charged at once, their steps echoing like an army's march.
Veon summoned his red staff, flames sparking as it cut through the air.
Sia's body arced with lightning, Bubu howling as thunder bolted forward.
Marco spun his blue hat, flinging it like a blade, the air splitting as it circled.
Sakura opened her First Gate of Speed, her figure blurring, movements faster than sight.
Steel and storm collided. Their weapons struck, blasts echoing like thunder in the emerald hall.
Marco's kick caught Veon, sending him skidding back across the glowing floor. But before Marco could strike again, Sakura dropped from above, her sword flashing. He threw his hat — it spun mid-air, exploding into a spear of blue sparks, blocking her.
Veon rose, eyes burning, wings of Zephyros erupting from his back. Wind shattered the thunder-cat Bubu, the fragments crackling into nothing. He stormed toward Sia, staff whirling — strikes like a storm. Kicks, punches, sweeping arcs of red flame. Sia reeled, struggling under the pressure.
On the balcony, Hoshin Maru's eyes narrowed.
"...Veon is beginning to understand Man-Beast form… at this age."
Ryden Ryuki's voice was low, steady.
"It is not ordinary. Those who master Man-Beast are no longer common mages. His vita is rising fast… no wonder the city adores him."
Hoshin Maru smiled faintly.
"I see it now. The next leader of Ryuki is standing before me."
Hoshin Maru – "Any word about Auren?"
Ryden narrowed his eyes. "Why ask about him? I don't care if he lives or dies."
Hoshin Maru – "Well, I've heard something… A boy named Auren killed some of Lito's Tideborn. He was heading toward Baku. Every Tideborn is a mage—but Auren wasn't. What if he became one because of your hate?"
Hoshin Maru's breath slowed as his gaze shifted to the elites fighting in the distance. His voice softened.
"I know you wanted him to hate you, so he'd awaken as a mage. But tell me—if he does, will he truly serve Ryuki City? A city that ignored him? A city that treated him like filth? Even if he becomes a mage, he may turn his arrow on us. What's the point in forging a mage filled only with hate? Now he carries that power… and that hatred in his heart."
Ryden lowered his face, his energy heavy. "I despise the powerless—those who can't protect themselves. We are of the Ryuki family. How could I accept someone of our bloodline with no vita?"
Hoshin Maru's jaw tightened. "And yet you must think beyond your pride. Everyone will know he is Auren Ryuki. With his mage ability, if he turns criminal, he'll stain the Ryuki name—a name preserved like something holy in our bloodline. And you, Ryden… you will be the reason for it."
He leaned closer, voice sharp as steel.
"We are not supreme. We cannot control everything. Forcing someone to live only as you demand—it is a sign of weakness, not wisdom. Realize it. You made a mistake."
****-
In Yuzen City, inside a dimly lit geisha house, laughter and music echoed. Silk curtains swayed with the rhythm of drums. Beautiful geisha danced gracefully before Zackey, their shadows flickering under lantern light. Some sat close, pouring wine, one even perched on his lap, pressing a cup to his lips.
Zackey's drunken eyes wandered over every curve, his voice heavy with wine.
"I'll taste you tonight, won't I?"
The geisha on his lap smiled coyly, whispering, "It will be my pleasure, my lord."
Suddenly, a flutter broke the air. A bird slipped through the window, landing on the table with a small parchment clutched in its beak.
Zackey squinted, waving lazily. "Baby… read it for me, can you?"
The geisha lifted the parchment, unfolding it with delicate fingers. Her voice rang clear:
"Greetings to Lord Zackey, the greatest, the one destined to rule the world. I, Aamin, must inform you of troubling news…"
At the mention of Aamin, Zackey's drunken smile widened. He leaned back, savoring it.
"Oh… it's from Aamin himself. Go on."
The geisha continued:
"Many workers, traders, and laborers are moving across the cities—but none from Ryuki. Suspicion grows that Ryuki mages may be moving in disguise, coming from other lands to counter us. We are not certain… and await the word of the greatest lord."
The music outside continued, but inside, Zackey's eyes narrowed, his grin darkening. The wine still lingered on his breath, but a new tension filled the air.
Zackey slid his hand around the geisha's neck, tilting her face toward him. With a drunken smirk, he pulled her closer—his lips crashing into hers, devouring the taste of wine and perfume
All of you, make your clothes fall, let me fill you with my holy water.
Every geisha attire falling, under gravity.
The look of curves, sexy feeling of warmth fell across all. Mood light up like thirsty crow about to drink water.
Zackey's lips Bob across bounce of geisha.
Every naked body fall into his arms.
Aamin I will taste you too my boy.
Hahahahaha
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