"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Ravi smiled gently, placing a hand on the floor."Sure, I'll tell you some geography… and a bit of history too. Sit."

Vivi, Auren, and Ravi all sat down together.

Vivi's mother smiled kindly at Auren and said, "I'm heading to the kitchen. I assume you all must be hungry." She gave a soft glance at Auren before walking off.

Ravi took a deep breath and looked at Auren."So, Auren… if you want to understand river-based civilizations, then first—you need to know about Winland."

Auren nodded, listening carefully.

"Winland is a massive, cracked piece of land. It's the only landmass that exists in this world—just one single, connected continent. But this continent has many grooves that stretch across it in different directions. We call each groove a lake."

Ravi leaned forward slightly, his voice calm and deep."If you look at Winland from above, it looks like an elephant sitting on a turtle. The first groove starts from the elephant's mouth and ends near its middle back. The civilization that exists on the upper side—around the elephant's face and back—is what we call the Mountain River Civilization."

Auren's eyes widened with curiosity."So that's why we see so many mountains near Ryuki?"

Ravi nodded, pleased."Exactly. The outer edges are mostly mountains and flowing rivers."

He then pointed outward, as if visualizing the map."Now we—my people—are from the Vindus River Civilization. We live far from the mountains, far from your lands… near the turtle's face."

Auren, amazed, replied, "You live so far away?"

Suddenly, Vivi giggled, interrupting from the side with a playful tone."Yes, you're right, Mr. Mountain Boy."

Auren looked at her for a second, puzzled and a little awkward." Is she messing with me or what…" he thought silently, scratching the side of his cheek.

Auren asked gently, "So… how did you come here? River by river?"

Ravi nodded."Yes. That's the only route. Because no one can go outside of Winland."

Auren looked confused."Why? Why is that so?"

Ravi leaned back slightly, voice steady."There may be many reasons… but the one I know—it became restricted during the time of the Grand Era."

He looked into Auren's eyes.

"Everyone knows something terrible happened during the Grand Era. Something so massive… it sealed us in. We only know a few names from that time."

Auren leaned forward, eyes curious."Who?"

Ravi raised a finger one by one."First—your legend, Ryuki.Second—Mahavanga, from Baku City.And third—Okasa Rakuji."

He continued, voice a bit lower, more serious."They were considered the three true legends of that era. You might not have heard of them. Most people haven't. Only a very few even know they existed."

Ravi paused, hesitant."I've been thinking whether I should even tell you this or not… because what I'm about to say could shatter people's beliefs. Their pride. Their truth."

Auren quickly spoke, without thinking—"I won't tell anyone. I promise. Please… just say it."

Ravi looked into his eyes."You swear?"

Auren placed a hand on his chest."I swear… It's a Ryuki promise."

Ravi smiled softly."Alright, then I'll tell you."

He took a breath, looked around, and lowered his voice slightly.

"Before the Grand Era… there were no cities like today. This entire land—Winland—was ruled by just two great clans."

Auren's eyes widened.

"One clan ruled the elephant's side of the land, and the other ruled the turtle's side."

"But…" Ravi's voice turned darker, "Someone appeared during the Grand Era. Someone powerful enough to wipe out both clans. And after that… they ruled all of Winland alone."

Auren leaned in, whispering like he already knew—"Was it… Ash Phantom?"

Ravi: "Who? Ash Phantom? Is he also from the Grand Era?"

Auren: "I don't know who he truly is… but I do know he existed once. I learned it from someone."

Ravi nodded slowly."The Grand Era was more than 500 years ago… So it's not necessary that he was born in that era. Or maybe… it was something else entirely. Who knows…"

Auren looked down slightly, clenching his fist."Do you know more about other river civilizations?"

Ravi leaned forward."We're heading to Baku City—it's based on the Blue River Civilization. The people there live below the elephant's region. South, along the grooves of the land."

Auren's fist tightened."Still… no information about Ash Phantom."

Ravi placed a hand on his shoulder gently."Kid… I know you're concerned about something. There's pain inside you—you don't have to tell me. But I'll say this…"

He smiled calmly.

"If night comes… morning follows. Nothing stays the same forever. Be prepared for both."

Auren looked at Ravi, nodding with quiet respect.

Vivi looked at Auren, her golden eyes filled with a quiet sense of care."So Auren… you don't need to say anything. I can see what's going on in your mind."

Auren glanced at her slowly."What do you mean?"

Vivi shook her head, smiling gently."No, no… I didn't mean anything."

She then looked at her father. It was as if both she and Ravi already understood Auren's unspoken feelings.

At that moment, Vivi's mother walked in, carefully carrying a tray filled with food."Vivi," she called, "go get the juice from the kitchen—my hands are full."

Vivi nodded and went to fetch a big glass bottle.

Vivi's mother looked at Auren kindly."What happened to you, child? You look pale."

Auren tried to force a small smile."No, no—it's nothing. Thank you… for the food."

She walked closer, placing the tray on the table, then gently rubbed her hand over Auren's head."You know… you're about the same age as my Vivi," she said softly. "And I can tell—just like her—when a child is in pain."

She looked into his eyes.

"You're not with your mother right now… so for now, consider me as your mother."

Those words hit Auren deep—cutting through his chest like a silent arrow. His smile faded slightly, and a heaviness grew in his eyes...