The battle had ended.
The training field still smoked — the ground marked by glowing cracks, echoes of the duel between Zen and Eliara.But now the air was lighter, filled with laughter and relief.The gathered heroes smiled; some commented on every move, others simply admired the strength of the moment.
Ryan sat on one of the arena's steps, the old leather notebook open on his knees.His pen moved quickly, drawing symbols, notes, and technique names with almost obsessive precision.
"Hmm… Predator's Trap – Hunting Zone… incredible…" he murmured, eyes shining with curiosity.
A shadow fell over him.
"Hey, kid, what's got you so focused?" asked Darius, arms crossed, a curious smile on his face.
Ryan looked up, surprised.
"Ah—Sensei Darius! I'm just… taking notes on Zen's techniques, trying to see if I can replicate some of them with the Reversum."
Darius raised a brow, amused.
"Reversum, huh? You really don't waste time." He held out a hand. "Mind if I take a look at that notebook?"
Ryan handed it over, a little hesitant.Darius opened it — and his eyes widened.
"Whoa…" he whispered, flipping through the pages. "Even Inavy's Voidrend Slash, Ray's Thunder Spear… all cataloged. Diagrams, equations, reaction timings…"
He looked at Ryan with genuine admiration."This is incredible, kid."
Ryan scratched his head, smiling shyly.
"Ah, I just want to understand how they thought, you know? Like… what makes each attack unique."
Darius flipped another page — and frowned in mock offense.
"Wait a sec. Where are my techniques, huh?" he teased. "Don't tell me you forgot your legendary master?"
Ryan chuckled, grabbing the notebook back.
"They're here! Look—" he flipped to a page near the middle.
Darius leaned closer and nodded.
"Wow… you really did put everything in. But… why did you only write Divine Light?"He raised a brow."And what's this? Lorien/Darius?"He laughed lightly."Kid, just because Lorien and I both use Divine Light doesn't mean we have the same abilities."
Ryan blushed slightly.
"Yeah… my bad. I forgot to add your spatial manipulation, sensei."
Darius pointed at him, half serious, half playful.
"That's right, little genius. Never underestimate the power of dimensional teleportation."
Ryan laughed and immediately jotted it down.For a moment, silence settled between them.Then, out of nowhere, Ryan asked:
"Sensei… do you like my mom?"
Darius froze.
"What?! Where did that come from, kid?" he coughed, startled.
Ryan grinned.
"Just answer it! It's normal."
Darius sighed, rubbing his neck.
"Well… actually—" He hesitated, glancing away."That's something I've wanted to ask you, Ryan."He looked back, more serious now."Would you… approve of me being with her?"
Ryan placed a hand on his chin, pretending to judge.
"Hmm… if you stop being a flirt, I guess yes."He smirked."You know, she hasn't been with anyone in almost sixteen years."
Darius chuckled softly — though there was melancholy behind it.
"That 'flirty Darius' phase is long gone, kid. These days I've got more responsibilities… and honestly, I've been a bit lonely."He sighed, gazing into the horizon."A thirty-five-year-old guy, no family, no kids… it starts to hurt a little."
Ryan lowered his gaze, thoughtful.
"I… always wanted a father. A real one. Someone present."
Darius's eyes glimmered.
"Then… is that a yes?"
Ryan smiled.
"Of course, sensei. Welcome to the family."
Darius couldn't hold back the emotion.He pulled Ryan into a firm, heartfelt embrace — almost paternal.
"I promise, with all my heart, I'll make her happy. You can count on me, Ryan."
"I know, sensei," Ryan replied softly, smiling. "I know."
The hug between master and student now carried a different meaning —Father and son, finally united by destiny.
Darius pulled away, grabbing his Phone.
"Emi-chan?" he said warmly. "Ryan approved our relationship. I'll stop by tomorrow so we can celebrate, okay?"
Ryan chuckled quietly.
"Good luck, sensei." He yawned. "Think I'll take a nap."
He glanced at his holographic watch: 16:39.He walked through the corridor, still smiling, and collapsed onto his bed.His body relaxed.The world vanished.
Astral Plane — The Flame of the Ancients
When Ryan opened his eyes, he was no longer in his room.He floated in a space of blue and gold — where stars danced in silence.Before him, two figures materialized.
Ray Stormbreak.Golden hair, green eyes, his lightning mantle flickering.And beside him — Inavy Stormbreak.The same serene smile, the firm gaze Ryan would never forget.
Ryan froze for a moment… then tears overcame him.He ran forward and hugged Inavy tightly, as if time itself bent just to allow that reunion.
"Inavy…" he sobbed. "We miss you so much… Ethan almost gave up being a hero, people I love are dying, villains, emperors, cosmic beings — all getting ready to destroy everything…"He swallowed, voice trembling."And I… I don't know if I'm worthy of the place you left for me. I never wanted to be the new pillar. I just wanted to be a hero… and save everyone…"
The words poured out — raw, filled with pain, guilt, and longing.Inavy held him gently, eyes closed, radiating calm.
Ray stepped forward.
"Young Ryan, right?"
Ryan wiped his tears, trying to smile.
"Yeah… and are you Yon or Ray?"
Ray chuckled softly.
"I'm Ray."
He snapped his fingers — and the astral space shifted.Suddenly, they stood in a moonlit park. Crickets in the distance, the breeze rustling leaves. Two benches under a tree.
Ray sat, gazing at the sky.
"Let me teach you something, kid. Something I once taught this knucklehead here." — he pointed at Inavy, who smiled faintly.
He raised his fist, and the astral ground pulsed with electric lines.
"First… not every hero can save everyone."His voice was firm, but heavy with old sorrow."Do you think anyone is born worthy to carry the weight of the world?"
He took a step forward, eyes glowing.
"I doubted myself too. When I lost allies. When I failed. When I looked up at the sky and asked why I was still fighting."
Electricity raced through the ground, forming glowing symbols at his feet.
"But you know what kept me going?" — Ray clenched his fist. — "The flame that never dies."
He turned to Ryan.
"You don't need to be the perfect pillar.You just have to stay standing — even when the world tries to drag you down.That's what makes us heroes.Not the title.Not the power.But the choice — the choice to fight, even when you're broken."
He placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder. The touch sparked — warm, alive, electric.
"Carrying the burden isn't weakness. It's proof your heart still believes.And as long as faith burns within you… the legacy never dies."
Ryan cried — but now, smiling through his tears.
Inavy knelt before him.
"I understand more than you think, Ryan," he said softly, eyes full of compassion."Seventeen years ago, I felt that same weight.The fear. The pain. The doubt.I thought of giving up — more times than I can count."
He placed a hand over his own heart.
"But what made me keep going were the people who believed in me —even when I didn't believe in myself."
Inavy touched Ryan's chest — and a blue flame ignited, glowing like a small star.
"Being a hero isn't about being invincible.It's about falling — and getting back up again, because someone out there still needs to see the light you carry.You're not the new pillar by inheritance.You are because your heart proved strong enough to bear the impossible."
He smiled.
"This flame is yours now.Not to consume you… but to light the path for those still lost in darkness."
Ray and Inavy exchanged a glance — pride and hope in their eyes.Ray rested a hand on Inavy's shoulder, then turned to Ryan.
"Remember, kid," said Ray. "We're never far away.Every time thunder echoes, every time the wind blows… we'll be there — fighting with you."
The astral world flared with golden light.Inavy's voice echoed like an ancient melody:
"Keep going, Ryan… and break your limits.Not for what you've lost — but for what you can still protect."
Ryan's eyes opened.
Back in his room.The sunset filtered through the window, painting the air orange.He took a deep breath — tears still glistening.
And smiled.
"Thank you, Ray… thank you, Inavy."
In the mirror's reflection, a faint blue flame still glowed in his chest — a living spark.The legacy of heroes.And the flame that never dies.