"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Auren backed away on the floor, his hips scraping the tiles. His hands trembled as he grabbed whatever he could — bottles, broken glass — and hurled them at the man.

Crash! Smas h!But the figure didn't flinch. The glass shattered at his feet, harmless.

He stepped forward, his shadow growing.

With a deep, mocking tone, the man chuckled.

"I know your name, Auren."He tilted his head, the wide smile never leaving his face.

"I've seen what you're capable of. So strong… and yet look at you now, crawling away like a coward. Tch tch…"

He laughed lightly, voice both playful and heavy, like a song with poison in its melody.

"But don't worry — I'm not here to kill you."

He paused, lowering his voice.

"I'm here to offer you something greater."

Auren's chest rose and fell rapidly, panic all over his face.

The man took one slow step closer.

"You'd love this journey… if you joined us. We need someone like you."He crouched slightly, eyes glowing faintly.

"Become our friend, Auren. Become one of us."

Auren's eyes widened. His voice cracked.

"What... what are you saying? I don't understand. What do you want from me? Just… go away!"

The man raised his hands slowly — as if calming a wild animal.

"Shhh... calm down, Auren. No need to panic."

He stood tall now, voice deep and final.

"We are the Tideborns."Then, with a grin:

"Or… if you like that better — call us pirates."

Auren sat still now — eyes wide, breath uneven. His voice, though shaky, carried a quiet strength.

"I don't want to be a Tideborn… or a pirate… or whatever you call yourself."

The man exhaled through a grin, amused.

"Join us, Auren."He stepped closer, hands slightly spread, like he was offering a gift.

"Our group's name is Litos. Our leader — Ranjan — he'd be thrilled to have you."His voice grew more passionate now, like a salesman of chaos.

"We Tideborns sail across the oceans, chasing storms. We collect powerful orbs. We take contracts — assassinations, heists, espionage."

He grinned wider, like sharing a favorite memory.

"We kill for gold. Smuggle dark artifacts. Rob treasure vaults. Spy on nations. We work only for ourselves — no gods, no kings."

He leaned in, eyes glowing slightly.

"And the sea… Auren, the sea gives us freedom. We've seen places no map dares to show. Cities beneath waves. Islands ruled by madness."

He paused, letting the silence build.

"We're not evil. We're just… awesome."He laughed. "And you — you would love it with us."

His hand extended, palm open.

"Come with us, Auren. Be one of Litos. Be more than just a boy with a strange fate. Be... legendary.

Auren: "No thanks. I won't follow a path like yours. There's no freedom… when you're carrying responsibility."

The man clutched his chest dramatically, staggering back.

"Ouuuch! Words of wisdom!"He dropped to one knee like he'd been shot."Ah! A bullet to my heart! I'm dying—someone save me!"

Then suddenly, he burst into laughter, loud and wild."Hahahaha! You're a loser, kid!"

Auren narrowed his eyes, grinning slightly through the pain.

"And you're a joker. A bad one. And even worse — a terrible actor."

WHAM! The man snapped forward, landing a brutal kick to Auren's gut. Auren slammed into the wall, coughing hard, blood touching his lips.

But then… Auren started laughing.

Not fake. Not scared. But real, rising from somewhere deep.

He wiped his mouth, looked up — eyes sharper than before.

"You know, Joker…"He exhaled slowly."Something inside me is changing. I don't know what exactly. But I feel it."

The man paused — listening.

"The old me would've just cried. Felt fear. Got bullied. Begged someone to notice me."

Auren's voice trembled, not from weakness — but from truth.

"I remember my father… how he used to beat me till I thought I'd die. I remember thinking I was done . But then came that day…My first punch — that man at Anthridium Park's café. That one moment… changed me a little."

He stood, slowly, despite the pain.

"Something's waking up. Like a monster inside me, breathing for the first time."

He stared straight at the man now.

"If this were the old Auren, I'd be begging you to stop . Crying for mercy. Wanting people's pity."

He stepped forward.

"But not anymore."

The air grew heavier. The man's grin faded slightly.

Auren rolled his shoulder, stretching his arms wide.

"So, Joker… you wanna fight me? Fine. I'll lose—'cause I'm no mage. But still… let me stretch a little more first."

He twisted his neck side to side, bones cracking slightly. His body ached, but his eyes were sharp with defiance.

The man chuckled, his face still hidden under the shadow of his purple hat.

"Whoa, whoa…"He tilted his head, locking eyes with Auren.Then, standing tall with sudden pride, he said—"Know my name before you die."

He stepped forward, his voice turning cold.

"I am Yidan… from Litos.Remember it."

Suddenly, without warning—SWOOSH!Yidan charged, swinging his stick down with brutal force.

WHAM!Auren dodged just in time, the stick slamming into the ground with a loud crack.Dust flew.

Auren retaliated, launching a punch—but Yidan flipped over him with ease, landing lightly behind.

WHACK!A sharp back kick struck Auren's shoulder. He grunted in pain as he flew sideways through the air, the impact echoing through the room.

THUD!Auren hit the ground hard, rolling once before coming to a stop.

Yidan landed on one leg with grace, not even breathing heavy.

Auren groaned, pressing his palm to his shoulder. The pain was sharp, but he gritted his teeth and stood back up.

Now there was no fear in his eyes. Just a death stare.

I promise my mom that I will come stronger. There is no way I can die here, not my some joker like you. Face is filled with desperation

Auren spat to the side, wiped the blood from his mouth.

"You hit harder than I expected…But I've been hit worse."