Arc 2 chapter 13 still breathing, still burning
After a few days of rest and recovery, Retro and Lea began training together.
The sun peeked through the cracks of the ruined building they had taken shelter in. The once-broken duo now stood side by side, their shadows stretching across the cracked earth like echoes of the past.
Lea, now standing tall—almost up to Retro's chest—held a makeshift weapon in her hands, her stance wobbly but determined.
Retro crossed his arms, watching her closely. His voice was calm, but carried the weight of someone who had seen too much.
Retro: "Alright, kiddo. Show me what you've got."
Lea took a breath, then charged forward. Each movement was raw, unpolished, but filled with heart. Retro deflected her swing with ease, but nodded in approval.
Retro (smirking): "Not bad. You're not just trying anymore… you're fighting."
Lea (panting): "Because I have to. If I want to stand beside you… I need to be strong."
Retro knelt in front of her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Retro: "You're already stronger than most. You just don't realize it yet. But I'll help you see it—step by step."
As the wind carried dust across the ruined isle, a quiet understanding passed between them. They weren't just surviving now. They were preparing.
For what was to come.
The days passed, and the training intensified.
Gone were the simple swings and uncertain steps—now came bruised knuckles, sore muscles, and sparks of magic lighting up the sky.
They moved through dense underbrush, across broken ruins, and over makeshift training grounds Retro carved out with his blade. The island might have been in ruins, but for the two of them, it had become a crucible.
Lea charged again, this time without a weapon, her fists glowing faintly with flickering energy. She threw a punch toward Retro's chest, but he stepped to the side with a grin, catching her wrist mid-air.
Retro (chuckling):
"You're putting too much weight on your front foot, again."
Lea (gritting her teeth):
"I almost had you!"
Retro:
"'Almost' doesn't count, kiddo."
She yanked her arm back, spinning into a low sweep—he jumped, landed smoothly, and poked her forehead with two fingers.
Retro:
"You're thinking too hard. You fight better when you don't try to impress me."
Lea glared, cheeks red with both effort and embarrassment.
Lea:
"I'm not trying to impress you!"
Retro (grinning):
"Mmhmm. That's why you've been charging your spells extra flashy?"
A sudden burst of light sparked from Lea's hand as she fired a bolt of raw energy toward a nearby boulder, obliterating it.
Lea (smirking):
"Maybe I just like to make an entrance."
Retro:
"Careful. One of these days, you're gonna outshine me."
Lea:
"Isn't that the point?"
Retro paused—then smiled, proud.
Retro (softly):
"Yeah, yeah it is."
The two stood side by side again, watching the horizon as the sun dipped behind the ruined isle. The world around them was still broken, but little by little, they were rebuilding themselves.
Together.
Retro took a few steps back, stretching his arms.
His voice echoed through the ruined clearing, calm but firm.
Retro:
"Alright, Lea… no holding back this time. Come at me with everything you've got."
Lea wiped the sweat from her brow, her fists clenched tight, mana radiating around her like a rising flame. Her feet dug into the ground as she kicked forward, magic swirling in tandem with every strike—light blasts, wind arcs, even a flash of shadow magic for good measure.
She was faster now. Stronger. More controlled.
And Retro? He barely moved.
A dodge here. A block there. Sometimes just stepping aside like she was a gust of breeze.
Hours passed.
Each spell cast chipped at her stamina. Each punch thrown chipped at her pride.
Finally, with one final, desperate cry, she jumped and threw her full weight into a blazing kick—
—and Retro caught it with one hand.
Retro (grinning):
"Nice form. Better balance. Still predictable, though."
Before she could respond, he gently pushed her back with just enough force to throw off her footing. Lea landed flat on her back, a cloud of dirt puffing up around her.
Lea (groaning):
"Ow… okay… maybe not everything I had…"
Retro walked over, offering a hand.
Retro:
"That was good, kiddo. You lasted longer than I thought."
Lea (grabbing his hand, grumbling):
"Gee… thanks."
He helped her up, brushing some dirt off her shoulder.
Retro (teasing):
"Still got that flare, though. Remind me to dodge next time you throw that wind blast—I think I actually felt that one."
Lea (smirking through the pain):
"Good. Maybe next time, I'll make you fall."
Retro (laughing):
"If that day comes, I'll be proud... and a little terrified."
They both laughed, their shadows long in the fading light. No one else in the world may have understood what they were fighting for.
But they did.
And they weren't done yet.
Lea, still dusting herself off, flopped back into the grass, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath.
Retro sat down next to her, stretching his back with a slight wince.
Lea (curious):
"Hey… you and Atlas. You always seem in sync. Like you've known each other forever. How'd you two even meet?"
Retro (smirking):
"Oh… now there's a story."
He leaned back, resting on his elbows, eyes fixed on the orange hue of the evening sky.
Retro:
"It was years ago… deep in a cursed forest during one of the colder nights I've lived through. I was tired, low on food, and I just wanted a quiet spot to rest. Made a fire, laid down a bed of leaves, and finally started to drift off…"
He paused, a distant smile pulling at his lips.
Retro (softly chuckling):
"Then came this noise. Fast footsteps. Not quiet like a hunter, more like someone running for their life. That's when I saw him—this half-dead redwood fox-hybrid limping into the clearing, bleeding and glaring at me like I was the threat."
Lea (wide-eyed):
"That sounds like him…"
Retro:
"He asked if I was with the people hunting him. I said no. He didn't believe me."
Lea:
"So what happened?"
Retro (grinning):
"Before I could convince him, one of his hunters rushed him from the trees. Poor guy didn't even see it coming. I yelled at him to duck and cleaved the attacker clean in half. Blood, dirt, screams—the usual mess."
Lea (grossed out):
"Ew…"
Retro (laughing):
"Trust me, it wasn't pretty. After that, a whole group tried to jump us. I ended up leveling a chunk of the forest trying to protect both of us. When it was over, he was just lying there on the ground, blinking like he couldn't believe it."
He looked at the sky again, eyes softening.
Retro:
"I offered him a hand and said, 'Come with me. I'll help you.' And he did. Passed out right after, but he came."
Lea:
"He didn't say anything when he woke up?"
Retro (smirking):
"Oh, he called me crazy. Thought I was some wandering lunatic. But he stayed. And over time… he became like a little brother. Loyal. Fierce. And stubborn as hell."
Lea (giggling):
"Sounds about right."
Retro (quietly):
"We've fought together. Bled together. Argued like wild dogs and still had each other's backs when it counted. I don't know what kind of chaos we're about to face, but knowing he's out there? It makes it easier."
There was a long silence, the kind that only comes with deep understanding.
Lea (softly):
"You think he's okay out there right now?"
Retro (nodding):
"If he's anything like he was back then… he's probably tearing through problems like always. And maybe—just maybe—he's thinking about the time I saved his furry ass."
They both laughed, the warmth of the moment clinging to them like the fading sunlight.
The sun had barely crested over the jagged edges of the ruined horizon when Retro and Lea set out. The ash-colored skies above still held a bitter wind, but for the first time in days, there was a sliver of calm.
Lea (stretching her arms):
"Finally… we're moving."
Retro (adjusting his jacket):
"Yeah. Let's stay sharp though. These ruins haven't been quiet for a reason."
But just as they began making their way through the cracked and broken stone roads, the air shifted. Retro paused. He could feel it—a low rumble beneath his feet.
Then—
A massive clawed hand burst through a ruined wall to their right.
Lea (wide-eyed):
"MONSTERS!"
Retro (gritting his teeth):
"Of course. Never that easy."
From the shadows of the collapsed buildings emerged three hulking beasts—each malformed with glowing red veins and bone-like armor. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural hunger, saliva dripping from serrated jaws.
Lea readied her stance, conjuring a small pulse of energy around her fists. Retro stepped forward slightly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Retro:
"Don't hold back. These aren't your average beasts… they're infected with something darker."
Lea (grinning faintly):
"You too, old man."
The monsters roared—charging.
Retro vanished in a blink, reappearing mid-air above the first beast, his shadow trailing behind him like a whip of black fire. He raised his hand, his fingers curled in as mana gathered around them—then hurled a bolt of pure force straight through the creature's chest, sending it crumbling backward into rubble.
Lea darted forward, flipping over a low swipe from another, delivering a blast of kinetic energy to the beast's face, cracking its skull plating.
But just as it staggered, the third monster leapt at her from behind—
Retro shouted:
"Lea—duck!"
She dropped just in time for a blade of green energy to cleave the beast clean in half, Retro landing beside her a second later, blade humming.
Retro (smirking):
"You good?"
Lea (panting but smiling):
"Getting better."
The air grew still again. The corpses steamed as their dark blood soaked the broken stone.
Retro looked around cautiously.
"That was just a scout group… Something worse is waiting in these ruins."
Lea:
"Then let's find it—before it finds us."
They moved forward, side by side—stronger than yesterday, but walking straight into the unknown.
The wind howled softly through the cracked archways and hollow windows as Retro and Lea moved deeper into the ruins. The collapsed buildings loomed over them like skeletal remains of a once-great civilization—twisted by time, war, and whatever cursed energy now clung to the land.
Lea (whispering):
"Do you think this used to be a city?"
Retro (running his hand along a shattered pillar):
"It was… Might've even been beautiful once."
He paused. "Before the world tore itself apart."
They passed broken statues with faces half-erased, streets warped and slanted, and shattered glyphs glowing faintly beneath patches of moss. Everything felt frozen in a moment of destruction.
As they rounded a corner, Lea pointed toward what looked like a broken tower in the distance.
Lea:
"Do you think we can climb that? Might get a view of where we're actually going."
Retro (nodding):
"Good idea. Let's check it out."
---
Minutes later…
They reached the base of the tower. Half of it had collapsed, but the spiral stairwell up the inside still seemed intact—though barely.
Lea (starting up the stairs):
"I swear, if this thing crumbles under me…"
Retro (grinning faintly):
"I'll catch you. Probably."
---
At the top, the air was clearer. The view was... devastating.
The ruins stretched for miles, a scorched maze of stone, bones, and broken metal. But far to the north, they could see it—green hills beyond the black. A way out.
Lea (squinting):
"Do you see that? Past the ruins."
Retro (serious):
"I do. That's our way out."
But before they could descend, a soft click echoed beneath their feet.
Retro (tense):
"Trap."
The stairwell suddenly shifted—grinding metal locking in place as part of the floor gave way. Lea stumbled, catching herself on the edge.
Retro grabbed her arm, yanking her up just as the platform dropped into the darkness.
Retro (gritting his teeth):
"Alright, we climb down the hard way."
Lea (deadpan):
"Why is it always a deathtrap?"
---
As they carefully worked their way down the broken tower, Lea spoke again—quieter this time.
Lea:
"Do you think Mom's okay?"
Retro paused, then answered without turning.
"I hope so. If anyone can survive out there… it's Lilly."
They reached the bottom at last, landing with a soft thud.
Retro looked back once more at the tower, now leaning further than before.
Retro:
"Let's get moving. We've got ground to cover."
The ruins groaned behind them, a past that refused to die, as they headed toward the faint promise of life ahead.
The ruins thinned out, bit by bit, replaced by twisted trees and creeping vines reclaiming the land. Moss clung to old stone, and strange howls echoed in the distance—low and guttural. Retro stayed in front, keeping his senses sharp. Lea followed closely behind, sweat beading on her brow.
The sun barely pierced the gray-green clouds overhead, giving everything an eerie twilight hue.
Lea (panting):
"Do you think anyone's even still using the docks?"
Retro (low voice):
"If they are, we'll find out soon. If not… we'll make something float."
As they stepped into an overgrown marketplace, bones littered the cracked cobblestone—some old and brittle, others disturbingly fresh.
Lea (looking around nervously):
"I don't like this…"
Retro (quiet):
"You're not wrong."
Suddenly, a nearby pile of rubble shuddered. Lea took a step back as long, sinewy limbs crawled from beneath the stone. A creature, all ribs and fangs, emerged, its body stretched and wrong, like it had been twisted by the ruins themselves.
Retro (calmly unsheathing his sword):
"Keep your distance."
Lea instinctively lit a small flame in her hand, ready.
The fight was swift.
Retro moved like lightning, cleaving through the first creature's torso. More emerged—at least three of them—but this time, Lea stood her ground. A powerful gust of wind and flame burst from her palms, sending one beast crashing into a wall. She smirked as it slumped motionless to the ground.
Lea:
"Getting better, huh?"
Retro (grinning):
"I'll give it a 6.5 out of 10."
They moved on.
Eventually, the wilds began to open into what looked like a broken coastal road, long overtaken by the forest. The old stone path led them downward toward the cliffs, where the sound of crashing waves could now be heard clearly.
In the distance—
A shattered lighthouse, half-swallowed by the sea.
Just below it: the remnants of a once-bustling docking bay, now a splintered graveyard of boats and piers.
Lea (pointing):
"There it is."
Retro (squinting):
"Looks like hell chewed it up and spat it back out…"
They pushed on, climbing down the rocks, where half-rotten ships bobbed silently in the tide. The wind picked up, and with it… the smell of blood.
Retro froze.
He could feel it—magic, and something worse—waiting.
Lea (tense):
"…Someone's here."
Just then, a voice called out from the shadows of a wrecked ship.
??? (mocking tone):
"Well, well… never thought I'd see you again, Swan."
Retro stepped forward, narrowing his eyes.
Retro:
"Bad news—I'm not in the mood."
The figure stepped from the shadows, boots scraping across wet wood, and the salt-stained wind blew back their hood—
It was a face Retro hadn't seen in nearly a decade.
Scarred. Older. But unmistakable.
Cassian.
A rogue adventurer from Retro's past, presumed long dead after the siege of Virestone. He was a fellow warrior once, though far more unstable—known for using forbidden relics and alchemical augmentation to push beyond mortal limits. His eyes now shimmered unnaturally, one glowing green and the other pitch black.
Cassian (grinning):
"You've aged better than I expected. Still dragging kids around like a hero, I see."
Lea (stepping up, whispering):
"Who is that?"
Retro (quietly):
"Problem from a life I buried."
Cassian raised a mangled sword that dripped a tar-like substance.
It moaned.
Cassian:
"Been rebuilding myself after you left me for dead. The Dock's a good place to catch souls, Retro. You wouldn't believe how many have drowned trying to escape this cursed isle."
Retro (firmly):
"You shouldn't be alive."
Cassian:
"No… but neither should you."
He raised his other hand—a corrupted relic embedded in his arm began to glow. All around them, shadows began slithering from beneath the waterlogged planks. Mangled, drowned corpses—reanimated tithe-payers to whatever dark force he now served.
Retro (to Lea):
"Stay close. This isn't just a fight…"
He raised his sword, the hum of the Night Slayer resonating deep.
Retro:
"…It's unfinished business."
Cassian's Relic ignited, sending a pulse of dark green energy outward. The corrupted corpses lunged first—twisting, snapping limbs, baring salt-ridden teeth—racing across the docks like hounds unleashed.
Retro moved first.
The Night Slayer pulsed in his hand, humming with barely-contained magic. In one fluid motion, he spun and cleaved the first wave of undead into ash, light magic erupting from the blade and disintegrating them mid-air.
Lea held her ground, staff in hand, a fiery aura surrounding her as she shouted:
Lea:
"You're not laying a hand on my dad!"
She unleashed a burst of flame, vaporizing the ones coming from the side—but Cassian didn't even flinch.
Cassian (walking forward):
"You've trained her well, Retro. But fire and fury won't save you from the truth."
Cassian stomped, and the dock cracked beneath them. A massive shadow tendril erupted from the water below and grabbed Retro mid-swing, slamming him into a crumbling tower of crates before hurling him into the air.
Cassian (mocking):
"Come now, Retro. You promised me a dance the day you betrayed me."
Mid-air, Retro twisted, forcing a burst of space magic under his feet to stabilize. He vanished—reappearing behind Cassian with his blade drawn back.
Retro:
"You talk too much."
He struck down—but Cassian turned just in time, blocking it with his corrupted blade, sending a shockwave that splintered the dock around them. The two clashed violently, fists, blades, and relic-born magic flashing faster than the eye could follow.
Cassian snarled, unleashing a dark spike of necrotic energy. Retro ducked, countered, and landed a clean blow across Cassian's chest—but it barely phased him.
Cassian:
"I gave up my humanity long ago!"
Retro:
"I fought to keep mine."
Suddenly, the sky overhead cracked with thunder—Lea was channeling a relic of her own, a small pendant glowing in her hand.
Lea:
"DAD—MOVE!"
She let loose a lightning spear straight at Cassian.
Retro backflipped as the bolt collided with Cassian's side, tearing off part of his corrupted arm—but the man just laughed, coughing up blood.
Cassian:
"This… this is fun."
Cassian's laughter twisted into a growl.
His body convulsed, tendons snapping and reattaching like living rope. Black sludge oozed from the wound Lea caused, hardening into plated armor along his torso. His remaining arm extended grotesquely, mutating into a blade-like claw crackling with dark energy.
Cassian (voice now deeper, layered with something inhuman):
"You wanted a monster, Retro? Then dance with one!"
He charged, faster than before.
Retro barely had time to parry. Sparks flew as Night Slayer clashed against the corrupted claw-arm. Cassian feinted low, then slammed Retro with his shoulder, launching him across the docks. Retro hit the ground hard, skidding, blood smearing behind him.
Lea screamed.
She sprinted toward him, but Cassian was already closing in—
Until Retro's hand snapped up.
Retro (growling):
"Not this time."
He slammed his palm to the ground, a massive barrier of shadow-fire erupting between Cassian and Lea, forcing the monster to recoil with a snarl.
Retro, slowly rising, blood dripping down his face:
"You want a monster? Then fight the one that ended gods."
His aura exploded outward—black and green flames swirled, mixing with traces of time and light magic. The dock beneath him shattered, unable to withstand the pressure.
Cassian paused, sensing the shift.
Even in his mutated state, something primal recoiled.
Retro vanished.
BOOM!—He reappeared behind Cassian, landing three slashes in a blink—one across the spine, one down the leg, and the last straight through Cassian's side.
Cassian wheezed.
He spun to retaliate—but Lea joined in, her pendant glowing brightly.
Lea (chanting):
"By the echo of flame and fury—fall."
She cast a chain of fire-light, wrapping around Cassian's legs and pulling him to his knees.
Retro raised his blade overhead—Night Slayer screamed with stored power.
Retro:
"Let's end this—together, Lea!"
He and Lea both lunged, father and daughter, one final synchronized strike—
CRACK!—Straight through Cassian's mutated form.
His body was torn apart in a cascade of light, shadow, and corrupted sludge.
Cassian's final scream echoed across the ruined docks—until it faded into silence.
Lea collapsed beside Retro, panting, smiling faintly.
Lea:
"We… we actually did it."
Retro (kneeling beside her, laughing weakly):
"Damn right we did."
The sky began to clear slightly above them. But the war wasn't over.
It was only beginning.
Retro slowly pushed himself off the cracked stone floor, dust slipping from his shoulders. He rolled his neck, letting out a tired breath, but his eyes burned with clarity and purpose now.
Retro (softly, to himself):
"Well... I guess it's time I let the world know I'm still alive."
Lea (blinking, startled):
"Huh? What do you mean—"
Before she could finish, the air shifted.
A pressure unlike anything before filled the ruins.
Retro's aura ignited, spiraling upward in a roaring column of black and green energy. The very ground around him cracked and hummed. Magic flared violently, surging through the air in waves.
Then came the bloodlust—a thick, suffocating presence that hit like a storm front, primal and overwhelming. It wasn't out of hatred—it was a reminder.
A message to the world.
"He's back."
Lea stumbled backward slightly, eyes wide, her body trembling under the sheer weight of it. She had seen Retro fight, trained with him even—but this... this was different.
Retro (grinning, voice laced with power):
"They've all forgotten… but they'll remember now."
The sky above the isle shifted.
Thick clouds twisted unnaturally, drawn toward the epicenter of a towering pillar of black and green aura surging upward like a beacon. Lightning licked the heavens, echoing across the ruins and wilds.
Everyone—no matter how far—felt it.
On a distant cliffside, Atlas stood alone, wind whipping his coat. He narrowed his eyes at the sky, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Atlas (murmuring):
"So… he's awake."
He exhaled slowly, a mix of awe and concern.
"That's one hell of a powerful aura, Retro."
Deep in a distant cove, Maris stood near a tide pool, her silver hair catching the golden glint of the aura overhead. Her scales shimmered in resonance.
Maris (wide-eyed):
"This aura… it's Retro's, Nexus."
Nexus, standing beside her, clenched his fists. He looked up at the sky, his sword humming faintly.
Nexus (calm but firm):
"So it seems... I guess I need to return the sword to him."
A determined fire lit behind his eyes.
In a hidden forest glade, Lilly stood near a tree, watching over a supply pack. The moment the sky cracked open with Retro's energy, her body stiffened.
Her eyes burned gold. She growled, her fangs peeking out.
Lilly (gritting her teeth):
"Retro…"
She turned, facing the direction of the aura with fierce purpose.
"Whatever did this… they're dead."
Inside a mountain bunker, Gronn leaned against a table, drinking from a steel mug. The rumble of magic made the cup tremble in his grip. He stopped mid-sip and glanced toward the sky through a broken window.
Gronn (smirking):
"So the bastard still lives, ay?"
He downed the rest of the drink and cracked his neck.
"Good. About time things got interesting again."
The world around the isle stirred. Old allies, hidden watchers, and even forgotten enemies—all felt the call of the man who refused to stay dead.
And for the first time in years…
Hope—chaotic, terrifying, and raw—returned.
The winds settle slightly. The sky above them still hums with the lingering echoes of Retro's unleashed aura. Dust swirls around the shattered stone beneath their feet. Retro exhales, his shoulders relaxing as the last remnants of his bloodlust fade.
Retro (softly):
"Sorry 'bout that, kiddo... had to make sure they knew."
He turns and offers his hand. Lea, still catching her breath from the rush of energy, looks up at him with wide eyes. She takes his hand as he helps her off the ground.
Lea (grinning faintly):
"You scared the crap out of me, Dad."
Retro (laughs lightly):
"Good. That means you're paying attention."
Lea dusts herself off, her stance steady now. She glances over at the ocean, where the wind carries a strange sense of something coming.
Lea:
"So… what now? Are we heading straight for them?"
Retro:
"We'll take the long way. No telling what's in the wilds now… and I've got a feeling the world isn't done testing us just yet."
As they begin to walk again, Retro's eyes scan the horizon, a subtle smile tugging at his lips—equal parts excitement and quiet dread.
Retro (under his breath):
"Let's go shake the world a little more."
The wind howled through the broken arches of the ancient ruins, carrying with it the distant cries of monsters and the scent of salt from the nearby sea. Retro led the way, stepping over cracked stone and burned-out roots, his eyes focused on the horizon while Lea followed close behind, now walking with more confidence in her step.
Lea:
"You think there's still a ship at the old dock?"
Retro: (glancing back)
"If there's not, we'll build one. Or take one. I'm not planning on dying on this rock."
Lea smiled faintly, but the unease in her golden eyes lingered. The land had changed—twisted in places, wild in others. Thick vines choked old statues, and ruined banners fluttered weakly from crumbling towers.
Suddenly, a sharp snap echoed from behind them.
Retro's hand shot up, stopping Lea mid-step.
Retro:
"Something's tracking us."
From the darkness of the collapsed temple behind them, several glowing red eyes appeared. Low growls followed. Five quadrupedal beasts, almost skeletal in shape but with armor-like plates along their backs, stalked into the fading light. Their mouths dripped with black ichor, and their claws dug into the stone.
Lea:
"What are those things…?"
Retro: (calmly drawing his blade)
"Remnants. Left behind by the dragon's influence. They don't know death unless you show it to them."
The creatures lunged.
Retro's sword gleamed as he met them head-on, cleaving through the first with a clean vertical strike. Black blood sprayed into the air as the beast howled before vanishing into ash.
Lea flanked his side, casting a flame barrier to hold off two others. One burst through, forcing her to dodge and retaliate with a bolt of lightning she'd been practicing — it missed by an inch, but the surge of energy startled the creature just long enough for Retro to drive his sword through its back.
Retro: (smirking)
"Not bad, kiddo. You're actually starting to fight like me."
Lea: (grinning through the heat of battle)
"You mean stubborn and dramatic?"
Retro:
"Exactly."
They fought in tandem — fire and steel, shadow and light. The remaining beasts tried to regroup but were met with a surge of magic from Retro's palm as he channeled a sphere of compressed darkness and light, twisting it into a spear and hurling it through the final two creatures.
Silence followed.
Ash settled like snow around them.
Retro exhaled slowly and looked around.
Retro:
"This whole isle is infected with memories. Blood. Pain. But that just means we're headed the right way."
Lea stepped beside him, wiping sweat from her brow.
Lea:
"We keep moving?"
Retro: (nodding)
"Yeah. We're close. The sea's calling."
As they pressed on, the sky began to clear — the faintest glimmer of sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a gold hue over the broken land.
The ruins gave way to cracked stone paths, then to shifting sands and jagged rocks. The beach ahead stretched wide, the sea a deep steel blue beneath the cloudy sky. Old, shattered boats rested like skeletons on the shore, their wooden ribs bleached by sun and salt.
Retro walked ahead, the wind tousling his hair, his boots crunching on pebbles and driftwood. Lea followed beside him, quiet, taking in the eeriness of the coastal silence. Every now and then, a distant seabird cried — but otherwise, the world felt... paused.
Lea:
"This place... it used to be lively, didn't it?"
Retro: (nods slowly)
"There were stalls lined up along this stretch. Merchants, fishermen, laughing kids... The ocean used to shimmer here. Now look at it."
He gestured to the half-sunken remains of an old ship, tilted and broken against a jagged outcrop.
Retro (continued):
"The docks are just ahead. Let's hope time's been kinder to them."
As they moved, a gust of wind carried the scent of brine and rust. The tide lapped gently at the shore, but something felt... off.
Then, Lea stopped walking.
Lea:
"Dad..."
She pointed.
In the distance, where the old stone pier jutted out into the water, figures stood motionless. At first, they looked like statues — but then one moved, tilting its head unnaturally fast. Its body shimmered faintly with a sickly violet hue.
Retro: (narrowing his eyes)
"Specters. Not just leftover monsters... These ones remember who they were."
Three ghostly beings stepped forward — one in the form of an armored knight, another resembling a robed spellcaster, and the last a large beast-like figure with elongated limbs.
Retro (softly):
"They're drawn to strong mana. Mine, probably."
Lea (gritting her teeth):
"So what do we do?"
Retro pulled the Night Slayer from his back. Its green glow lit the fading shore like a beacon.
Retro:
"We give them rest."
As the sea wind howled louder, the shimmer around Retro's ghostly blade began to intensify. The pale green glow warped the air around it, and just as he raised it higher—the echoes of the past returned.
From the mist forming along the shattered dock's edge, spectral ghosts began to rise.
Figures clad in armor from a forgotten age. Some bore the banners of ancient kingdoms; others were hunched, twisted, remnants of warriors long devoured by time. They didn't speak—but their hollow eyes burned with purpose.
Lea (stepping back):
"…Those aren't monsters."
Retro (nodding, voice low):
"They're remnants. The spirits of warriors who died trying to flee this island. Bound by regret… or rage."
The lead spirit stepped forward—taller than the others, wearing fractured silver plate. His helmet was cracked in half, exposing a ghostly face locked in a silent scream. At his side was a warped blade, mirroring Retro's in shape… but darker, like a shadow made steel.
Retro narrowed his eyes.
Retro:
"This one's familiar…"
The ghost warrior lifted his blade and pointed it directly at Retro. The other phantoms followed, weapons shimmering with ghostlight.
Lea (raising her fists):
"They're not here to talk, are they?"
Retro (gripping his spectral sword tighter):
"No. They're here to test me. Again."
Suddenly, the phantoms charged. Their movements were erratic but sharp, flashing through the air like slicing winds. Retro dashed forward to meet them, clashing blade to blade with the lead warrior. The shockwave of their impact sent sand and broken wood flying.
Ghost voices whispered in the wind—regrets, lost oaths, battle cries echoing from long-forgotten wars.
Lea darted between attacks, using her speed to dodge and strike at weak points—but these weren't normal foes. They had no blood, no bones—just raw emotion and spectral energy.
Retro (gritting his teeth as he blocks a heavy swing):
"These ghosts… they remember me. This one… he was part of the old war."
The lead warrior let out a soundless roar and unleashed a burst of spectral flame from his sword. Retro leapt to the side, barely dodging it as the dock cracked beneath them.
Then—suddenly—a spectral chain lashed from the fog, wrapping around Retro's arm.
Lea (shouting):
"Retro!"
But Retro didn't panic. His eyes lit up.
Retro:
"Then I'll remind them why I'm still standing."
He yanked the chain forward, pulling the ghost in close, and with one clean sweep of his glowing blade, he cleaved through not just the warrior's form—but the memory binding him.
The spirit let out one final cry—this time, not one of rage, but relief—as he dissolved into glimmering particles.
The others hesitated. For the first time, the ghosts seemed unsure.
Retro (lowering his blade):
"You can rest now… or keep testing me."
A long silence fell.
The silence was thick—suffocating. Retro stood still, waiting.
Then—
One ghost lunged.
Lea didn't wait for instruction.
Lea (growling under her breath):
"Not this time."
She darted forward like a streak of silver and gold, her claws glowing faintly with aura she was still learning to control. With a swift uppercut, she sliced through the spirit's chest, causing it to falter mid-air before dissolving into smoke.
Two more charged. She flipped backward, landed on one hand, spun, and sent a wave of magic-infused wind slicing into them.
Lea (through clenched teeth):
"You think you're scary? You've never met someone raised by him."
Another came from behind. Without looking, she launched a backward kick, piercing through its head with her aura-enhanced heel, causing its form to explode into shimmering dust.
Retro (watching with narrowed eyes):
"…She's learning. Fast."
The last few ghosts hesitated.
They were no longer attacking. They were staring—at Lea.
At the one who stood her ground despite their centuries of torment.
Lea (stepping toward them, panting but firm):
"Go. Your time is over. This world doesn't belong to the dead."
The spectral warriors slowly lowered their weapons. One by one, they knelt.
Then—like smoke caught in sunlight—they faded away. Peacefully, quietly.
Only the wind remained.
Retro walked over and placed a hand gently on Lea's head.
Retro (softly):
"You've got the heart of a lioness, kiddo."
Lea (smirking through her exhaustion):
"Takes one to raise one."
They looked around the ruined dock. It was quiet again. The path ahead now clear.
Retro (looking to the sea):
"Let's find a way off this cursed island… before it throws more ghosts at us."
Lea's breathing gradually slowed, adrenaline fading from her veins as the last traces of spectral mist dissipated around them. For a moment, the chaotic world fell quiet, replaced only by the soothing rhythm of the ocean waves.
Retro's hand rested gently atop Lea's head, tousling her hair softly—an affectionate gesture he rarely showed, but one Lea cherished deeply.
Lea closed her eyes, relaxing into his touch. A faint, almost shy smile appeared on her lips, a warmth rising in her chest.
Lea (softly):
"...That feels nice."
Retro paused for a brief moment, then chuckled softly, continuing to gently run his fingers through her hair.
Retro (quietly, warmly):
"You earned it, kiddo."
She opened her eyes slightly, glancing upward at him with quiet pride and contentment, letting herself fully embrace this rare, peaceful moment.
The waves continued their gentle rhythm against the shore, offering a brief respite—a small pocket of peace in the storm of their lives.
After a while, Retro looked out toward the horizon, the breeze gently tugging at his coat.
Retro:
"Lea, hold on to something."
Lea (tilting her head):
"Huh? Okay…"
She walked a few paces away, choosing a rock to lean against and planting her feet.
Lea:
"Here good?"
Retro (glancing back):
"Yeah. That's good."
She folded her arms and watched him curiously.
Lea:
"So… what are you doing this time?"
Retro (cracking his neck slightly):
"Trying to get Atlas... or at least pull him here faster."
He stepped forward, planting his hand firmly on the ground. A ripple of energy shot outward—subtle and invisible to most—but laced with a frequency only one being could perceive.
Only Atlas.
The wind shifted.
Nothing.
Seconds passed. Then minutes.
Still, nothing.
Retro's brow furrowed. He stood back up, his aura settling.
Retro:
"…That's weird."
Lea (perking up):
"What is?"
Retro (frowning):
"Atlas should've responded by now. He's got the power to shadow step to anywhere he's seen before. Fast. Efficient. He would've already been here."
Lea (brightly):
"Whoa… that's so cool. He can teleport like that?"
Retro (nodding, quietly):
"Yeah. Which means if he hasn't… something's wrong."
The air grew still for a moment. The calm of the beach suddenly felt heavy—foreboding.
Retro (muttering to himself):
"Atlas… where the hell are you?"
Lea surveyed her surroundings and realized something.
Lea- hey dad.
Retro still a little frustrated that Atlas never responded Retro- yes Lea
Lea- let's go to gronn, he should be around here somewhere.
Retro- gronn that old man is still kicking after 5 years?
Gronn hearing this popped up out of nowhere and yelled back at retro.
Gronn- who are you calling old, you old bag of bones!
Retro turned sharply, instinctively stepping in front of Lea.
Retro (grinning):
"Well, I'll be damned… Gronn, you're still kicking. Thought you'd be retired by now, sipping lava whiskey on a volcano."
Gronn (crossing his arms):
"Retired? Bah! Not while titans are stompin' around and kids are blowing up half the continent. I tried takin' a break once—fell asleep for two days, woke up to a dragon laying eggs in my forge."
Lea (giggling):
"Still fiery as ever, huh?"
Gronn (eyeing her up and down, a little stunned):
"You've grown, kid. Last time I saw you, you were clinging to Retro's back like a little monkey. Now you're lookin' like a proper warrior."
Retro (playfully):
"She's tougher than I expected. Give her another month, she might be stronger than you, old man."
Gronn:
"Careful now, I still remember how to throw a hammer through a mountain."
Retro (half-laughing, half-serious):
"Glad to see you again, Gronn. Honestly. After everything… I wasn't sure anyone would still be around."
Gronn (his expression softening):
"A lot's changed in five years. Some left. Some didn't make it. But me? I stuck around. Knew you'd come back eventually. The world's not done with you yet."
Lea (quietly):
"Neither am I."
Gronn (sniffing the air):
"You both stink of fighting and ghosts. Let's get you inside. I've got a pot of stew boiling and a room that doesn't leak—well, not much."
Retro:
"Lead the way."
The once lively guild hall had changed.
As Gronn led Retro and Lea through the winding halls, the sounds of their footsteps echoed differently—less chatter, fewer laughs, and more silence. The walls were still carved with ancient dwarven inscriptions, but some now bore burn marks, scars, and mended cracks, each one a story of a battle fought while Retro slept.
Lea's eyes wandered, catching the subtle details—
A massive chunk of the left wing was now sealed with divine stone, pulsing faintly with protective runes.
The familiar training grounds were buried under metal scaffolding, now used to house survivors, their makeshift tents scattered across the upper balconies.
And where there used to be banners of victory, there now hung maps marked in red ink and black glyphs—tracking titan movements, disaster zones, and "No-Go" sectors.
Retro's voice was quiet as he looked around.
"…This place was home."
Gronn (gruffly):
"It still is. Just got a little… darker while you were gone."
They passed a hallway Retro remembered vividly—a narrow corridor that once led to the kitchen, now blocked off by steel bars and guarded by two dwarves with runeblades strapped to their backs.
Gronn (nodding at the guards):
"Old kitchens are now a vault. That's where we store what relics we could salvage."
Lea (curious):
"Relics? From who?"
Gronn:
"Everyone. Some died. Others vanished. And then… there are the ones who lost themselves."
At last, they reached a new room—not part of the original layout. Gronn had clearly expanded downward, building into the bedrock of the mountain. He pushed open a thick stone door, revealing a war room carved from black obsidian and cooled with froststone veins. Dozens of maps, floating glyphs, and relic shards lined the walls.
A massive crystal stood in the center—pulsing dimly, as if tracking something. It reflected Retro's face… and his aura.
Retro (quietly):
"You built all this… for me?"
Gronn:
"For what's coming. I didn't know if you'd wake up, but if you did… you'd need to see what's left of the world."
Lea stepped forward, her fingers brushing the edge of the crystal.
Inside it, a faint image flickered—a vision of Atlas, standing alone in a field of shadow and snow, watching something beyond the veil.
Lea (whispering):
"Is that… him?"
Gronn:
"Yup. That's how we've kept track. Barely. He's been moving, fighting… and running. Whatever's after him—it's not of this world."
Retro (clenching his fists):
"Then it's time we bring him home."
As the three of them stepped into the main hall from the war room—Gronn, Retro, and Lea—the atmosphere shifted.
A pair of adventurers standing near the far wall dropped what they were holding.
A blacksmith polishing a weapon froze mid-motion.
A group of younger recruits murmuring over a mission board slowly turned… eyes widening.
"He's here."
"Is that really… him?"
"No way… it can't be."
"My gods… he's alive."
The whispers grew—like wind stirring a forest before a storm.
Every step Retro took echoed louder than the last. His aura, still faint compared to its full strength, was unmistakable—etched in memory, feared by enemies, revered by allies.
A seasoned warrior stepped forward, trembling slightly, eyes locked onto Retro.
"Sir Retro… we thought you were dead."
Retro glanced at him, offering the smallest of nods.
"I thought I was but I'm here now aren't I ."
Laughter broke through the silence from somewhere in the crowd. Relief mixed with disbelief.
A cleric nearby dropped to her knees, tears streaming from her eyes.
"We prayed… and now—he's back. Thank the stars. Thank Gaia."
Gronn huffed and crossed his arms.
"Can we stop acting like he's some damn ghost? Man's still got bedhead."
Lea giggled, clutching Retro's coat.
Retro simply gave a tired smirk.
But in the back of the guild hall, someone leaned against a shadowed column. Their voice low, but sharp:
"If he's really back… then the world's about to shift again."
Gronn stood by a shattered pillar, arms folded across his chest as he looked out over the ruined guild hall. His voice was low, but heavy with meaning.
Gronn:
"It's not just this isle that got worse… The world itself is unraveling."
Retro frowned, his expression tightening.
Lea:
"But… I thought this isle was sealed off. Contained. Are you saying… everything's changed?"
Gronn turned toward her, sighing through his nose. He didn't sound angry—just tired.
Gronn:
"Well, little missy, if you'd brought Retro here while he slept instead of insisting he remain hidden away in that crater, you might've known the truth sooner."
Lea, taken aback, looked down at her feet. Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
Lea:
"I… I'm sorry…"
Retro placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Retro:
"She did what she thought was right. She kept me safe. And I'm here now."
Gronn:
"Aye, you are. But time's slipping through our fingers, Retro. The longer you were gone, the more the world shifted. Lands have fractured. Kingdoms fell. The balance is—barely holding."
He turned his gaze to Retro fully now.
Gronn:
"Wherever you go next… don't expect to find it the way you left it."
Retro:
"Then I doubt our home in the redwoods would still be there after all this time…"
Lea tilted her head, curious.
Lea:
"The redwoods?"
Gronn's eyes widened. He blinked a few times before leaning forward with disbelief etched across his face.
Gronn:
"Wait… You're telling me… you lived in the Snowy Redwoods?! The most cursed, monster-infested, mana-bloated deathtrap in the entire world?!"
Retro blinked, genuinely confused.
Retro:
"Dangerous place? I had no clue it was that bad… Me and Atlas lived there for almost a year before he found Nexus."
Gronn groaned and placed his hand over his forehead like a weary grandfather who just found out his grandkids were playing catch with live grenades.
Gronn:
"Spirits above, you idiots weren't just walking into danger—you were sleeping in its damned living room."
Just then, murmurs echoed through the ruined guild hall. People began to gather at the edges, some whispering in awe, others in disbelief.
"Did he say the redwoods?"
"No way anyone survives there a week, let alone a year…"
"That's where the ancient beasts roam."
"He's not human… he can't be."
The weight of the past and the revelations it brought settled over them.
Retro, with a faint grin, muttered under his breath.
Retro:
"Well… that explains the oversized wolves and the talking tree that tried to eat me."
Gronn, without looking up, responded dryly.
Gronn:
"Gods help us, you're an idiot…"
Retro (more serious this time, eyes narrowing slightly):
"I'd like to ask… if there's any way we can find Lilly. Or at least track her down."
Gronn let out a breath, his face darkening with quiet regret.
Gronn:
"Can't do that, Retro."
Retro's voice dropped lower, laced with tension.
"Why not?"
Gronn shook his head.
"The tracker can't find her. Nothing works. No aura trace, no guild imprint, not even the enchanted lattice."
A pause hung in the air like a cold wind.
Gronn continued:
"We only found Atlas by mistake while trying to track Nexus—he lit up like a bonfire when we pinged your sword."
Retro (sighs):
"Damn it, kiddo… There's nothing I can do about that now."
"He did carry the sword for two years after all. That much time would link him to it like blood in the veins."
His hand clenched unconsciously, jaw tight, but his eyes drifted—haunted.
Gronn:
"We'll keep searching. But if she's hiding—there's a reason. And if she's not…"
Retro:
"...Then I'll tear the world apart if I have to, Gronn. I will find her."
Retro (voice quiet but heavy):
"Gronn… do you know what happened to her? Before she left?"
Gronn paused, glancing at Retro with a weight in his eyes.
"You're asking the wrong man, my friend."
"If anyone knows, it's her… but I doubt you'll get much out of her either."
He tilted his head slightly—gesturing toward Lea.
Retro followed the motion, and his eyes fell on her.
Lea stood there, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her ears drooped, and her expression turned distant—guarded. The fire in her eyes dimmed. She didn't say a word.
Retro (gently):
"...Lea?"
She said nothing.
Just the way she stood said more than words ever could.
Lea (softly, her voice trembling):
"She was… she was corrupted."
Her words hit the air like a fragile whisper.
"Three years ago… she was hit by someone, or something. I don't know what it was. But after that…"
Her voice cracked, and she hugged herself tighter.
"It was horrible. We fought—gods, we fought—and I lost. I lost to her. She wasn't… she wasn't Mom anymore. It was like something else was wearing her skin."
Lea's knees gave out. She crouched down, curling into herself like a child hiding from a storm.
Lea (barely audible):
"I can't…"
She squeezed her eyes shut, trembling—trying to hold back the flood of memories.
Retro stared at her, his heart sinking as each of her words sank in deeper than the last.
His fists clenched—not out of anger at her—but at himself. For not being there. For not protecting them. For letting it happen.
He slowly knelt down in front of her, lowering himself to her level.
Retro (gently):
"Hey… hey, kiddo."
Lea didn't look up. Her breathing was uneven, panic creeping into her chest like cold water.
Retro reached out slowly, placing a firm, warm hand on her head—then pulled her into his arms.
Retro (softly, voice calm and low):
"You did everything you could. I know you did. You're strong, Lea. Stronger than anyone your age should have to be… and I'm so damn proud of you."
Lea's hands gripped the back of his jacket as she cried into his chest. Not loud. Just broken, muffled sobs that had been buried too long.
Retro (whispering):
"I'm sorry I wasn't there… but I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere—not until we find her. And fix this. Together."
He looked up at Gronn, eyes steady now—burning with quiet resolve.
Retro:
"We're getting her back. No matter what."
Gronn, arms crossed and brow furrowed, exhaled through his nose as he leaned back against the nearby stone wall.
He'd heard a lot of things in his time, but this… this struck a chord.
Gronn (quietly at first):
"That explains the claw marks on you, kid…"
His eyes slowly drifted to Lea, then to Retro.
"…and the clawed-up mountainside we found three winters back. Thought it was a corrupted drake at first."
He ran a hand down his face and grunted.
Gronn:
"Hell, we didn't even realize it was her. Nobody could've guessed—not with the way she vanished. Some said she went rogue. Others said she was dead."
He looked down at the ground, jaw tightening.
Gronn (more serious):
"But if she was corrupted… if it really was her… then she's not lost. Not entirely. There's still a chance."
His eyes flicked back up to Retro, their shared past reflected in that heavy silence.
Gronn:
"So… what's the plan now?"
Lea trembled in Retro's arms, her head tucked into his chest as she clutched his shirt tightly. Her body still shook, haunted by memories she'd tried to bury for years.
Retro held her close, one hand gently cradling the back of her head, the other wrapped protectively around her back. His expression had hardened—not with anger, but with quiet resolve.
Gronn, watching the two of them, finally broke the silence.
Gronn (with a sigh):
"That explains all that stuff."
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So what's the plan..."
Retro didn't respond right away. He looked down at Lea, then up at Gronn with eyes full of exhaustion and something deeper—sorrow.
Retro (softly):
"I don't know, Gronn. I just… I don't know anymore."
He looked out toward the battered horizon, then tightened his grip around Lea just slightly.
Retro:
"For now… let's rest. We'll talk more when the storm in her heart and mine has settled."
Gronn gave a slow, solemn nod.
Gronn:
"Aye. Rest, then answers. You've earned it. Both of you."
With a gentle motion, Retro shifted Lea more securely in his arms. She didn't resist—her fingers remained curled around his shirt, her eyes shut tight like she was trying to disappear into his warmth.
Retro (softly):
"Let's get you somewhere safe, kiddo."
He nodded once at Gronn, who silently pointed down the hall toward one of the private guest rooms. The torches along the corridor flickered with low golden light, casting long shadows on the cracked stone walls.
As Retro walked slowly, each step quiet but firm, Lea finally whispered:
Lea (muffled):
"You're not leaving again, right?"
Retro (without hesitation):
"Not a chance."
He nudged open the wooden door with his foot. The room was simple—a single bed, a small dresser, and a dimly glowing mana crystal mounted in the wall for soft light. Quiet. Peaceful.
Retro walked over and gently laid Lea on the bed. She gripped his arm before he could move away.
Lea (barely audible):
"Please stay."
He smiled faintly, brushing her hair out of her face.
Retro:
"I'll stay as long as you need, kiddo."
He sat beside her on the edge of the bed, one hand resting near hers.
Outside the room, the world still burned with unanswered questions—but for now, in this small corner of it, there was only quiet and the steady rhythm of a father watching over his daughter.
—
The faint sound of dripping water echoed off the cold stone walls.
A pale blue light flickered from a small crystal orb nestled beside the fire, casting dancing shadows across the walls of the cave. Nexus sat near the entrance, his back resting against a jagged rock, staring into the storm outside. The rain hadn't let up for hours.
Maris stirred from further inside the cave, her tail barely flicking as she pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. Her once vibrant eyes looked dim under the low light—fatigue and worry buried deep within.
Maris (softly):
"Do you think he's really alive…?"
Nexus didn't answer at first. He clenched his jaw. The fire popped.
Nexus:
"I don't think… I know."
He looked down at the glowing gem embedded in Retro's sword, resting beside him. It had pulsed—only for a second—just before the storm hit. The same pulse he felt when Retro first taught him how to hold it years ago.
Maris crawled closer, sitting beside him, her knees to her chest.
Maris:
"Then why haven't we gone back?"
Nexus:
"Because whatever's waiting for us back there… isn't just him. You felt it, too. That energy—it wasn't just his. Something else was released."
They sat in silence.
Outside, lightning crackled and thunder roared across the sky, briefly illuminating the mouth of the cave.
Maris (whispering):
"Do you think we're running away… or waiting for the right moment?"
Nexus turned his head slowly.
He gave a small smile—tired, but firm.
Nexus:
"…We're waiting. But not much longer."
Inside the quiet cave, lit only by a few glowing crystals embedded in the walls, the soft sound of dripping water echoed faintly. The world outside felt distant here—safe, if only for a moment.
Maris was sitting near a small, crackling fire, the gentle waves of her long hair catching the soft light as she leaned her head on her knees. Nexus sat beside her, sharpening his blade with slow, deliberate motions, the rhythmic sound of stone against steel acting as background to the silence between them.
After a while, Maris broke the quiet with a soft voice.
Maris:
"You always look like you're carrying the weight of the world, even when you're sitting still."
Nexus chuckled faintly, finishing one last drag of the whetstone before setting the blade down beside him.
Nexus:
"That's because I probably am. Or at least it feels like it."
She nudged him with her shoulder, smiling faintly.
Maris:
"Well… you're not alone anymore. You haven't been for a long time."
Nexus turned his head to look at her. Her voice was gentle, but there was strength behind it—born of everything they'd survived together. He reached out, taking her hand in his, and gave it a squeeze.
Nexus:
"I know. And I don't say it enough, but… you've kept me grounded. If it wasn't for you, I might have lost myself after everything that happened."
Maris: (softly)
"I nearly did too. But somehow, we pulled each other through."
A pause. The fire crackled. The cave hummed in soft resonance.
Nexus:
"Do you think they're okay? My father, lilly… Lea?"
Maris:
"I don't know. But if anyone can survive the end of the world and still crack a joke about it… it's Retro."
Nexus laughed for real this time—a small, surprised sound. It echoed off the cave walls like something precious and rare.
Nexus:
"Yeah. You're right."
He leaned his head against hers, their shoulders touching.
Nexus:
"When this is over… when the world is quiet again—I want to build something. A home. A real one. For us."
Maris: (smiling into his shoulder)
"You already have. It's just been traveling with you this whole time."
They sat there together, close and quiet, with the fire warm between them and the distant world forgotten for just a moment.
As the pale light of morning filtered faintly into the cave's entrance, the once-silent world outside stirred with the distant cries of waking birds and shifting winds. Maris stood near the fire, quietly tending to a small pan over the flames. The scent of cooked meat and herbs drifted gently through the cave. She moved with calm grace, her movements practiced from years of necessity and care.
Behind her, farther toward the cave's open mouth, Nexus was shirtless, sweat glistening on his back and shoulders as he practiced in the morning air. Each movement of his sword was sharp, efficient, and deliberate—no wasted motion. His eyes were focused, his breathing steady, his aura disciplined like the tempered edge of a well-forged blade.
He had changed.
The boy who once doubted his place in the world now moved like a warrior forged in the fire of chaos—battle-hardened, scarred, but no longer afraid.
Maris glanced over her shoulder, pausing to watch him.
Maris (softly, with a fond smirk):
"You know… even after all this time, you still swing that sword like you're trying to impress someone."
Nexus (without stopping):
"I'm not trying. I am impressive."
He spun the blade, planting it firmly into the ground as he turned to look at her, breathing heavily. His chest rose and fell with practiced rhythm. His body bore new scars, reminders of past fights—but his eyes held a clarity that hadn't been there five years ago.
Maris (grinning):
"Well, that ego of yours survived the apocalypse just fine."
Nexus:
"Someone had to keep the pride alive."
He walked over, wiping his face with a cloth before sitting beside her, watching her finish preparing their breakfast.
Nexus (quieter now):
"Any word from the shadows?"
Maris (shaking her head):
"Nothing. The spirits are too quiet today. I tried sensing your father's aura again… but it's still faint. Like it's been buried under something heavy."
Nexus (muttering):
"Or someone."
A silence fell between them for a moment as they ate. It wasn't uncomfortable—just the silence of two people used to surviving together, savoring peace wherever they could find it.
Nexus:
"I think we'll find him soon."
Maris:
"I think… he might find us first."
Their eyes met. That old hope was still there.
As the morning wore on, Nexus packed away the remnants of their camp with practiced ease, while Maris folded the last of their gear into a worn satchel lined with sea-silk. The fire was stamped out, and the warmth of the cave began to fade as they stood at its edge, staring out into the wild unknown beyond the cliffs.
The path forward wasn't easy. Twisted, jagged rocks lined the coastal edge like the teeth of some ancient beast, and the sea roared in the distance, a constant reminder of the world's unrest. But the land ahead—dark forests, broken ruins, and the faint shimmer of the distant horizon—was where they needed to go.
Maris (adjusting her cloak):
"So… where to now, husband?"
Nexus (glancing at a map carved onto a thin obsidian slate):
"There's a village called Arthen's Hollow about two days east of here. The last place anyone saw a glimpse of my father's sword aura… or something like it."
Maris:
"You think it's really him?"
Nexus:
"After everything we've seen? It has to be. There's no one else who carries an aura like that and lives long enough to talk about it."
They began walking, the wind trailing behind them like a curious spirit. Maris's boots crunched against the gravel, while Nexus kept a firm hand on the hilt of his blade—Retro's sword—still pulsing faintly with distant energy. It was as if the sword knew it was getting closer to its rightful owner.
They hiked along high ridges and crossed broken bridges, sharing stories along the way—brief tales of encounters with specters of the past, old ruins that whispered names they never spoke aloud, and quiet moments where the only sound was the thrum of their footsteps.
That night, by another fire under a star-pierced sky, Nexus looked at Maris, the flames dancing across her features.
Nexus:
"When we find him… I don't know what shape he'll be in. Five years of silence… that can change a man."
Maris (placing a hand over his):
"Then we remind him who he is. Who he was… and who he still can be."
He nodded, squeezing her hand.
Far beyond them, in the direction they walked, something stirred—faint ripples of magic in the wind, as if fate itself was waiting for them to arrive.
The fire had died down to a soft glow, casting flickers of amber light across the rocky outcrop where Nexus and Maris rested. The stars above were dim, flickering like they were struggling to stay alight. A strange tension built in the air, a kind of pressure that neither of them could ignore.
Maris turned her head slightly, ears twitching.
Maris (whispering):
"…Did you hear that?"
Nexus (already on his feet):
"Yeah."
The moment felt like the wind held its breath—and then it exhaled violently.
A deafening howl pierced the night sky as shadows darted between the trees. From the mist that clung to the ground, glowing blue eyes began to appear—six of them. Wind Wolves.
Monsters born of storm magic and ancient curses. Their fur rippled like mist, their bodies shifting between solid and vapor, and when they moved, it sounded like the air itself screamed.
Nexus (drawing the sword):
"Wind Wolves. Six... maybe more."
He glanced at Maris.
"Stay behind me."
Maris (already swirling water magic in her palms):
"Not happening."
The first wolf lunged—a blur of wind and fang—and Nexus met it head-on, the ghostly glow of Retro's sword igniting in emerald flame as he slashed, scattering the creature's form with a vicious shockwave.
Another came from the side, but Maris spun, sending a pulse of water pressure strong enough to shatter bark, slamming it into a tree. The beast hissed, reforming from mist, but slower now.
The pack circled them.
Maris:
"They're testing us."
Nexus (grinning slightly):
"They'll regret it."
He surged forward—a blur of speed and steel—clashing with two at once. His blade cut through air and bone alike, forcing the wolves back. Maris threw barriers of water, freezing them mid-snap with sudden cold, then shattered them with pinpoint strikes.
But then, a bigger howl. Louder. The leader had arrived.
A Wind Wolf nearly twice the size of the others stalked from the shadows, its fur rippling with lightning, eyes white with rage. Nexus paused, his blade humming with tension.
Nexus:
"…That one's new."
Maris (breathing hard):
"Do we run or fight?"
Nexus (tightening his grip):
"…We fight."
The final clash was coming—and this time, it wouldn't be a test.
This would be survival.
The great Wind Wolf stood at the center of the storm it had conjured—lightning arcing across its misty, half-ethereal form. Its growl echoed like a rolling thunderclap. The smaller wolves circled again, emboldened by their leader's arrival. Nexus and Maris stood side by side, breath heavy, spells half-formed and weapons primed.
Maris (quickly):
"Nexus—we're not going to win by just reacting. We need to combine."
Nexus (glancing at her):
"You mean a sync spell?"
Maris (nodding):
"I've been working on one. Your speed and my water magic—if I freeze your aura mid-strike, it'll crystallize the blade into something stronger."
Nexus (smirking):
"Did I mention I love you?"
Maris:
"Only every time we nearly die."
They separated briefly—Nexus sprinting forward, blades glowing with green aura. Maris focused, both palms rising to the sky as she shouted:
Maris:
"Aegir's Bind—Glacier Fuse!"
A stream of water shot from her arms and wrapped around Nexus like a torrent of silk. But as it touched his aura, it flash-froze, turning into spiraling shards of ice that hovered like a corona around his sword and limbs—his movements sliced the air itself now.
Nexus vanished from view, now a blur of green and glacial blue. The Wind Wolf barely turned before Nexus slammed into its side with a speed-enhanced, frozen slash that broke through its form, cracking its elemental structure with a sharp howl.
Maris:
"Now!"
With perfect timing, she flung a spear of water upward—it pierced the wind tunnel that surrounded the beast, and Nexus followed through with another strike, shattering the barrier.
The smaller wolves lunged again, but this time Maris slammed her hands into the earth. The puddles from their earlier battle surged upward and froze mid-air, raining down jagged icicles like spears. Nexus leapt from one to the next, slicing with enhanced precision, cutting down three wolves in seconds.
Only the leader remained, flickering between phases—but its form was unstable now, weakened by the fusion technique.
Nexus (yelling):
"Let's end this!"
Maris:
"Together!"
She launched a water whip as Nexus vaulted forward—the whip wrapped around his wrist like a slingshot. With a shout, Maris yanked and launched Nexus like a comet, his sword glowing with spectral fury.
He struck.
A massive explosion of wind, ice, and green light erupted across the field—blowing back trees and sending the mist scattering to the skies.
When it cleared, the wolves were gone.
Nexus stood in the middle of the field, sword humming faintly. Maris approached, panting, her knees trembling.
Maris:
"We… we did it."
Nexus (sheathing the blade):
"Yeah. Not bad for a married couple."
She slugged his shoulder, but smiled.
The winds settled. Leaves drifted softly from the trees, and the grass bent beneath a newfound silence.
Nexus exhaled, wiping the sweat and frost from his brow. His green aura slowly faded as he turned toward Maris, who had collapsed to her knees, exhausted but grinning. The icy mist still clung to her shoulders like a veil.
Nexus (walking over):
"You okay?"
Maris (nodding, breathless):
"Tired… but okay. You?"
Nexus:
"Still standing. That counts."
He extended a hand. Maris took it with a gentle smile, and he pulled her to her feet—wrapping his arms around her shoulders for a brief moment of quiet.
Maris (softly):
"Five years of this… It never gets easier."
Nexus:
"But we've survived every time."
They looked out over the battlefield. The Wind Wolf's essence had dissipated into the air, leaving behind a single glowing shard of condensed wind magic—the core.
Maris (walking over to it):
"A mana shard."
Nexus:
"High-tier too. Could be useful."
He picked it up, the shard pulsing faintly in his palm, like a heartbeat. They both knew this was just one of many obstacles still ahead.
As they packed up, Nexus looked to the eastern sky—the direction of the old isles. His expression tightened.
Nexus (quietly):
"He's definitely awake now…"
Maris (softly):
"You felt it too?"
Nexus:
"Everyone probably did."
Maris placed a hand on his arm, grounding him.
Maris:
"Do you think… they'll be okay?"
Nexus (after a pause):
"They have Retro. That means they have a chance."
He tucked the mana shard away, slung his pack over his shoulder, and looked toward the rocky path ahead. Beyond it was the edge of the cave—and the start of another dangerous trail.
Maris:
"Then let's keep moving."
Nexus (grinning):
"Race you to the next ridge."
Maris:
"Only if you're ready to lose."
They both broke into a run, laughing—wounds, exhaustion, and worry trailing behind them—for just a moment, the weight of the world felt a little lighter.
—
Far away from where Retro stirred back to life…
Far from the laughter of Lea…
And far from the warmth Nexus found beside Maris...
There was a place where the sun didn't reach anymore.
Where the trees had twisted into bone-like branches, and the skies above pulsed with a constant dull red glow, like a heartbeat beneath a dying world.
Here, in the forgotten corners of Velithar's most cursed lands, she stood.
Her silver hair—once vibrant and flowing like moonlight—was now tangled with ash and blood. Her horns, once elegant and curved with grace, had fractured and sharpened into jagged thorns. One of her dragon wings was torn, black veins pulsing through it like infected roots.
Her eyes no longer held warmth. The gentle green that once met Retro's was now split—one eye glowing a sickly crimson, the other barely flickering with her former self.
She stood over the ruins of a once-living creature. Its body smoldered, its essence drained into her hand—twisting and pulsing with cursed mana.
Corrupted Lilly.
Half-elf. Half-dragon. Now something else entirely.
As the wind howled, her expression didn't change. She didn't blink. She didn't flinch.
But somewhere deep inside, something stirred.
A whisper.
A memory.
A voice she couldn't erase.
> Retro (from her memory):
"Lilly, no matter how bad things get… promise me you'll always come back to me."
Her fingers twitched.
The cursed magic in her hand flickered, briefly struggling to maintain form—only for her grip to tighten and crush the energy into dust.
Behind her, a figure in shadows whispered.
??? (in a cold, delighted tone):
"She's almost perfect now. But still… she resists. He must've left quite a mark."
Lilly didn't respond.
The figure stepped closer, robes dragging behind him like oil. His face was hidden, but his aura dripped with something ancient and wrong.
???
"When we're done… even the memory of him will be gone."
Lilly turned slightly. Her red eye narrowed. But her mouth remained shut.
She didn't speak.
Not yet.
Because something inside her still burned.
A voice that wouldn't be silenced.
A promise that hadn't been broken.
And somewhere—deep beneath all the darkness—Lilly was still fighting.
---
Beneath a fractured sky veined with cracks of red light, far from the ruined guild, far from Retro's resurgence…
Atlas walked alone.
His coat torn, his hood drawn low, the once-proud guardian now moved like a phantom through the forgotten veins of the world—underground catacombs and shattered temples lost to time. Not out of fear.
But purpose.
In his hands, a tattered parchment trembled with ancient glyphs.
The ink glowed faintly with the last trace of celestial guidance.
And his eyes—those burning embers of foxfire gold—never blinked.
> Atlas (to himself):
"They'll be looking for me… Retro, Nexus, even Maris."
"But if I bring this back… maybe we won't lose everything again."
He placed a hand on the obsidian wall. The surface rippled.
The chamber opened.
This was The Vault of Whispers—a forbidden place where gods once buried their secrets. It wasn't marked on any map. Not even the gods remembered its shape anymore.
But Atlas did.
Because the memory wasn't his.
It belonged to Mystic—the Light God whose soul burned inside him.
As Atlas stepped inside, his boots crunched over brittle bones and faded scripture. Glyphs along the wall began to light up, reacting to the aura he tried so desperately to keep contained.
The air was thick with pressure. Like time itself refused to move here.
And at the very center of the chamber sat the relic.
A crystal sphere suspended above a stone pedestal by six chains of glowing rune-forged metal.
It pulsed slowly… like a heart.
The Relic of Conversion.
Capable of rewriting the very essence of what is corrupted—turning chaos into order, darkness into light, or... even worse, back again. But only in the hands of one who could withstand the memory of gods.
> Atlas (clenching his fists):
"This… this might be enough."
Suddenly, he staggered back as the runes around the chamber surged to life. Visions flooded his mind—memories not his own:
Gods falling from the skies.
Cities reduced to ash by one corrupted hand.
And Retro… consumed by the very power that once protected him.
Atlas dropped to a knee, gritting his teeth, blood dripping from his nose.
> Atlas (snarling):
"Not again… I won't let it happen again…"
He stood. The light in his eyes brighter. Fiercer.
> Atlas:
"You took Mystic from me. You corrupted Lilly. You broke this world..."
"So now I'll use the gods' own tools to fix it."
He reached out toward the Relic of Conversion.
And for the first time since the seal broke…
The gods trembled.
---
High above the broken veil of reality, in a realm that did not exist on any map, between time's breath and the silence of creation—
Phantom laughed.
The sky around him fractured with every echo of his mirth. Stars bent, planets trembled, and dying prayers scattered like ash in the void.
He stood at the edge of a crumbling obsidian cliff, his white crown of halo-light flickering with chaotic pulses. His eyes—pure white, without soul or pupil—watched as shadows below crawled across every corner of the world.
Corruption spread like wildfire.
Lea heart broken
Lilly lost to corruption
Retro waking up too late.
Atlas grasping at godhood.
Nexus chasing at ghosts.
Maris following nexus.
> Phantom (smiling darkly):
"What a beautiful tragedy... I barely had to lift a finger."
He tilted his head, watching the threads of fate curl and twist. Every path once guarded was now frayed and tangled. The world was unraveling… exactly as he wanted.
> Phantom:
"You think you're winning now, Retro?"
"Think again. You left this world to rot. And now you're trying to play savior?"
He raised his hand and pulled forth a mirror of soulglass, revealing images of each of them:
Retro, bleeding yet standing, smiling through pain.
Lea, clutching his side, afraid but unbroken.
Atlas, reaching for the relic with defiance in his veins.
Lilly, consumed in shadow, whispering to herself in forgotten tongues.
Nexus and Maris, their bond tested, unaware of the blade dangling over them.
> Phantom (mocking):
"Let them rise. Let them try. I want to see them shine…"
He crushed the mirror in his palm.
> Phantom:
"Because it makes the moment I snuff them out so much sweeter."
He stepped into the void, vanishing into a rippling portal of inverted starlight.
The final game had already begun.