The battlefield had fallen silent.
Smoke drifted slowly into the sky as Ashura's rangers guided the wounded beastlings through forest paths. Some walked with support. Others were carried on stretchers made from branches and cloth.
Behind them lay the remnants of war.
Ahead waited uncertainty.
Arthur walked at the front, scanning the horizon.
"Keep moving," he said calmly. "We reach Ashura soon."
Anugus walked beside two rangers, his injuries wrapped tightly. Though weakened, his posture remained upright.
He did not look back.
Leaders rarely allowed themselves that luxury.
Far away, Liam Skycross and his remaining soldiers marched in the opposite direction.
Their armor was damaged.
Their numbers reduced.
No one spoke.
Defeat walked with them.
Return to Ashura
Half an hour later, Ashura's gates opened.
The town that once symbolized peace now witnessed war's consequences.
Citizens gathered instinctively.
Adults froze as they saw the wounded beastlings.
Blood-stained fur.
Broken limbs.
Exhausted eyes.
Some residents unconsciously stepped forward, recognizing something familiar — pain they themselves once carried.
Children stared silently.
For many of them, this was the first time seeing war not as stories…
…but reality.
A young boy whispered to his mother, "Are they… dying?"
The woman pulled him close, unable to answer.
The streets grew quiet.
Even the wind seemed respectful.
"Make way!" a medic shouted. "Clear the path!"
Stretchers rushed toward Ashura's grand healing hall.
Inside, chaos began immediately.
The Healers' Debate
Medics worked tirelessly.
Water mages cleansed wounds.
Light healers sealed injuries.
Herbalists prepared medicines.
A human medic spoke urgently to Arthur.
"They're severely malnourished. Many fought beyond their limits."
A beastling healer added, "Some refused treatment until others were saved first."
Arthur sighed softly. "War teaches sacrifice too early."
Nearby, Anugus spoke with an elderly elf medic.
"My people will repay this kindness."
The elf smiled gently.
"Ashura doesn't help for repayment. We help because suffering is universal."
Anugus remained silent for a moment.
"…Then perhaps peace truly exists here."
Two Days Later
Life slowly resumed.
Beastlings began integrating into town life.
Some helped farmers.
Others worked with craftsmen.
A wolf beastling assisted a bakery, awkwardly learning to knead dough while children laughed nearby.
Not everyone adjusted easily.
Some citizens hesitated.
Old fears lingered.
But Ashura endured because people chose coexistence.
A New Home
Anugus temporarily stayed with Arthur's family while recovering.
Dazai found it unbelievable.
"A real war leader… living in our house," he whispered to Kaizer.
Anugus overheard.
"I still need help walking properly," he replied calmly. "Hardly impressive."
Kaizer laughed.
Azlea crossed her arms. "You nearly defeated an army. That is impressive."
Anugus allowed a faint smile.
Training Begins
Once strong enough, Anugus began training the children.
Morning sunlight filled the training field.
"Combat is not strength," Anugus said. "It is understanding."
He observed each child carefully.
Kaizer's hands sparked faint electricity.
"Again," Anugus instructed.
Kaizer released a lightning arc.
"Better control," Anugus nodded. "Your electricity responds naturally to you."
Kaizer grinned. "Really?"
"Yes. Your secondary nature—fog—will help conceal movement. Learn subtlety."
Azlea stepped forward next.
Wind circled her as water formed small floating spheres.
"Balance," Anugus corrected gently. "Water flows. Wind guides."
She focused, merging both elements into a spinning current.
"Well done," he said.
Then came Dazai.
The field grew quiet.
Dazai closed his eyes.
He concentrated.
Nothing happened.
Again.
Nothing.
Sweat rolled down his face.
"I… can't," he muttered.
Anugus watched closely—not with disappointment, but curiosity.
"…Your mana presence is strange."
Dazai looked down.
"I don't have any."
Anugus shook his head slightly.
"No. You do."
He placed a hand near Dazai's chest.
"…But something is consuming it."
Dazai froze.
For the first time, someone else had noticed.
Anugus spoke softly.
"Strength is not always visible. Train your body. Your path may differ."
It wasn't pity.
It was belief.
And that mattered.
Struggles of Coexistence
Days passed.
Some beastlings still struggled.
A merchant hesitated before serving a tiger beastling customer.
Two children argued until their parents intervened.
Trust grew slowly—like a seed unsure of sunlight.
But small moments helped.
Shared meals.
Shared work.
Shared laughter.
Ashura adapted.
The Violet Kingdom
Far beyond Ashura stood towering walls of the Violet Kingdom.
Trumpets announced returning soldiers.
Citizens gathered eagerly—
Then silence fell.
The army returned wounded.
Some missing.
Some carried lifeless comrades.
Families searched desperately.
A woman collapsed upon recognizing her son's armor among the dead.
Cries filled the streets.
Victory had not returned with them.
Only loss.
Judgment at the Palace
Liam stood before the royal court.
The King sat silently upon his throne.
Commanders and nobles surrounded him.
"So," one official sneered, "the great Liam Skycross returns defeated."
"You lost to beastlings?" another mocked.
"Unacceptable."
"Embarrassing."
Questions turned into accusations.
Liam remained silent.
The King finally spoke.
"…You may leave."
No praise.
No anger.
Only disappointment.
The words hurt more than insults.
He was reassigned to a training camp.
A quiet punishment.
Father and Son
On the road, Liam was stopped.
Commander Lucas Skycross stood waiting.
His father.
Disapproval filled his gaze.
"You disgraced our name."
Liam's fists tightened.
"You lost to animals… and outsiders."
"I made tactical decisions," Liam replied coldly.
Lucas scoffed.
"Excuses."
He turned away.
"Become worthy of the Skycross name before calling yourself my son."
Liam said nothing.
But inside—
Something broke.
The Decision
That night, Liam sat inside his tent.
Storming thoughts refused rest.
He sent messages.
Soon, four figures arrived.
Bertram Scorn, a sharp-eyed mage.
Orvyn Egerton, calm healer.
Eira Rowena, armored knight.
Fiora Valois, silent archer.
Bertram crossed his arms. "You sounded serious."
Liam looked at them.
"I'm leaving."
Silence.
"…Leaving what?" Eira asked.
"The kingdom."
Shock spread across their faces.
Fiora spoke quietly. "That's treason."
"They already see me as a failure," Liam replied. "So why stay?"
Orvyn frowned. "And then?"
Liam's eyes burned with determination.
"I'll build my own strength. My own army."
Bertram smirked slightly. "Revenge?"
"No," Liam said.
"…Proof."
He stood.
"I will show them who I truly am."
The four exchanged looks.
Half worried.
Half inspired.
Eira finally smiled faintly.
"Well… someone has to keep you alive."
Fiora nodded. "I'm in."
Bertram laughed. "This sounds dangerous. I like it."
Orvyn sighed. "…Then I suppose I must come too."
For the first time since defeat—
Liam smiled.
Not as a captain.
But as a man choosing his own path.
Far away, under Ashura's peaceful sky, Dazai trained harder than ever.
Unaware that destiny was already moving toward him.
War had paused.
But new forces were rising.
And soon—
Their paths would collide again.