Auren grimaced – he is a maze, yet he's in this much pain… what kind of world do people make for him? Auren snapped out of his playful tone, his face holding both a question and sorrow. He snarled – I want to see him happy. I want him in my crew of the Phantom.

Those loud words slipped into Nova's ear as he lay on the couch, like someone whispering from inside his head. Nova smirked – see me happy, huh? Leave me alone… just alone. I don't know how to interact with humans, he hissed to himself.

Outside his house, by the window side, the others stood – motivated, feeling like they had a mission to make this happen. Vivi peeked through the window, her vision darting to the couch. There was Nova sprawled, half-buried in dreams, loneliness clinging to him like an old friend. In his arms, he cradled a living toy—maybe a cat, Vivi thought.

Auren is showing a victory sign – let's break inside! There, a tiny part of his leg seemed under the icefall. As they moved towards the main gate of Nova's house, Nova could already sense their presence, like they were about to come in.

Just imagining that made Nova feel uneasy. His body turned numb, and with eyes closed, he muttered – Please leave me alone, I can't talk.

Knock Knock.

Nova ignored it.

Auren spoke with a playful voice – hiii, are you here?

Meanwhile, Dax hissed behind him – of course, you stupid, we just saw him from the window.

Nyra – shhh, placing her finger on Dax's lips, pressing it hard.

Auren kept trying – hello, can we see your art? please… Then he gave a signal to the others – follow me.

All of them went like – pleeease, your art is amazing, just a gaze, that's all we want!

Nova, meanwhile, grew more mumbly, now slightly trembling – I cannot talk to humans… how can I see them, eye to eye?

He snapped inside his thoughts – they want to see my art?? I saw them, they were loving it… what should I do, what should I do???

Then a spark of belief flickered – so they don't care about me like others… they just want to see my art. My art is good… the same art I was bored with my whole life… is it really exciting?

Meanwhile, outside, Auren and the others kept requesting like crybabies.

Nova finally took a deep breath, like no more doubt time, but his hand couldn't digest the attitude he just chose, so it trembled. He left the tension on the couch, stood up, and became a sculpture for a moment. Evening was about to knock on the door soon, too, and four kids around his age were knocking for the art he himself had always declined.

The questions were gone, but the numbness of the moment stayed. And the fear of interaction — the first time — hissed through his soul.

"Brother…" he muttered from nowhere, talking on behalf of me. I always relied on you, always clung to your shoulder, and let you deal with the world. Poor me, I just buried my head under your warm shoulder.

A memory of the past flashed into his vivid vision. Two brothers under the same roof, in the same house, but back then, Nova's art was missing.

Nova, a cute little calm boy, just 5 years old, touched his hips on the sink in the kitchen as he took an apple.

"Brooo… Otaku," he said, tilting his cute little gaze, muttering while hiding his mouth from one angle, did you know I just said hii to a bear from the window? Then he giggled faintly — a sure progress, right?

Otaku, a young boy, the same age Nova was now — 17 years old — was chopping apples, preparing food for his little bro.

He placed his hands on his waist, exhaled with a faint expression – interaction isn't a big thing, Nova. You can play with kids your own age. You are my brother… gain something called normalness, it's all normal. Like you chat with me, you can do the same with others. Stop following my shadow…

Nova acted like he had heard those words many times before, but this time it was different. This time, in his brother's voice, there was something called weight and conviction. Every sentence poured straight into Nova's heart.

Little Nova dragged on his brother's sleeve. His steps seemed uncertain. Holding the apple in his small hand, he aimed it at Otaku.

Otaku darted, "Whoa, whoa, calm down!" The little one stood still near the sink, breathing heavily.

"You want to leave??" Otaku asked.

As the words struck, tears rolled down Nova's cheeks. He shouted with his soul, "Brother, I don't want to do anything, just live behind you! I always fear that I will lose you… I don't want to waste my words on humans!"

Otaku snapped. His face turned pale, but not with relief — with something colder. His words cut through like a blade:

"Cut the crap, Nova. Stop living in a world of your own."

Back to reality, Nova snapped out of the flashback. He muttered to himself, looking at his painted pawns,

"Brother… you liar. You left me. That pain still lingers. You knew I was nothing—was that the reason? Or could you not digest my existence? A good-for-nothing boy, today praised by some outsiders. The ability you left behind that night without knowing me… now they praise it."

As his heart spilled out, a smile rose on his lips, yet his hands still trembled — not knowing how to catch up with the world.

He struggled, but the motes of the falling sun blended on his clothes, kissing them softly. His trembling hand reached for the door, carried by an insubtle, nervous air.

Clink.

The sound of the door pressing open silenced the house. Nova stepped back a little, flinching. He had seen humans every day, but today felt different.

Vivi, Dax, and Nyra were too busy admiring the view of the dancing art. But Auren's glossy eyes met Nova's glossy eyes. Both stood still, like statues of the forgotten.

In Nova's vision, it felt like destiny. A lost friend found again. Behind Auren, the setting sun painted the sky orange, and the cold wind fluttered his hair — creating a cinematic scene, as if the world itself was welcoming someone long lost.

Dax, Vivi, and Nyra started pulling out blankets without the consent of the house's owner. Vivi laughed with playful mischief,

"Heheh, thank you for letting us stay in your amazing house!"

That sound of praise struck Nova again, but this time it didn't pierce his heart. His highlight was still Auren Ryuki. Both of them snapped out of that moment, suddenly remembering they were strangers — yet their gaze still refused to break. Even Auren shifted in discomfort, but he couldn't look away.

Meanwhile, Dax was already lying under a blanket with Nyra and Vivi. He noticed Auren and Nova's absence from their small circle, and with a faint smirk, he muttered to himself,

"Auren… you're something. Baku City… some strings are connected to you here. You didn't come of your own will. You're welcomed by the spirit."

********

Meanwhile, a black cart thundered into Eito Town, its horses charging fast through the snow. Inside, three figures sat cloaked in black, their faces hidden in shadow. Evening was falling, and the land was already sinking into darkness.

The snow-covered forest stretched endlessly, trees lined with glowing fruits that shimmered like jewels under the strings of a starry galaxy above. It was a sight that made Eito feel less like a town and more like a land of fantasy.

From beneath his hood, Ryzin's voice broke the silence."When will we reach the main town?"

The driver replied quickly, "Five minutes, my lord."

Aazin leaned close, hissing in a low voice,"Nova lives at the edge of the lake. We will go deeper."

Ana sat at the edge of the cart seat, her hand resting under her chin. Her eyes wandered across the mesmerizing beauty of Eito—the reindeer churring against the snowy leaves, polar bears playing somewhere along the mountains. A glossy smile caught her face, but her heart was far from delighted.

Meanwhile, Aazin leaned forward, whispering to the other two in a spy-like manner—his tone still, clear, and bold."Nova Makai… maybe he is Ash Phantom. Or maybe… Auren Ryuki is Ash Phantom. Hard to say. But Auren is difficult to reach. So Nova comes first."

Under his cloak, Ryzin smirked."And tell me, Aazin… what does this Auren Ryuki look like?"

Aazin's lips curled."Auren Ryuki, huh… When I sent the Fire Eagle, I watched him through its eyes. I know that face. But then—" Aazin's voice deepened, almost stumbled, "something sparked from his eyes. It shattered the Fire Eagle, and with it… I forgot how he looked."

Ana's voice cut sharply, without an ounce of doubt."Do you think that little kid can fight us? If his gaze alone can do this… what else might he be capable of?"

Ryzin gave a slow, deliberate nod beneath his cloak, approval glinting in his hidden eyes."Ash Phantom…?" he murmured, the words heavy with suspicion.

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