Chapter 165: Return
The waves of Zisteria lapped gently against the white sands, a calming rhythm that contrasted violently with the chaos the group had just escaped. For the first time in what felt like ages, the war-torn heroes had broken the surface, breathing in clean air and feeling the sun on their battered bodies.
They sprawled across the beach like survivors of a shipwreck, exhausted and nearly drained of all mana. Their skin was pale, their clothes torn and scorched, their eyes hollow with fatigue—but they were alive.
Eren collapsed onto the sand, face-first, his red cloak soaked and tattered behind him. Commander Elara leaned against a boulder, her arms crossed, quietly monitoring everyone. Rylan sat with his back to a driftwood log, eyes half-closed. Asher and Aria sat near the shore, watching the tide roll in and out, as if hoping it might wash away the weight of what they had seen.
Kaitaro stood off to the side with his elite Shadow Troupe, each member of the covert unit nursing wounds and deep bruises. He looked over his allies and then knelt in the sand.
Kaitaro:"Rest. Just for a moment. We'll need to figure out how to get back to the South Nation soon—but we won't survive the trip if we burn ourselves out now."
Everyone silently agreed. No one had the energy to argue.
Kirito, ever the quiet guardian of the group, began gathering driftwood and dry branches. He worked with quiet focus, soon lighting a modest fire that cast a warm, flickering glow against the setting sun.
One by one, the heroes drifted off to sleep, their heads resting on their arms or each other's shoulders, eyes finally allowed to close.
All except Rylan.
He sat quietly near the fire, staring into the flames. Eren sat beside him, elbows resting on his knees, hair matted with dried blood.
There was a pause before Rylan spoke.
Rylan (softly):"Eren… Something you said before—when we were underground. You said you didn't want to lose your parents like you lost your brother."
Eren didn't respond right away.
Rylan (gently):"Did you… really have a brother?"
Eren's jaw tightened. His gaze didn't move from the fire.
Eren (quietly):"Yeah… I did. His name was Lior."
Rylan turned to face him, giving him space but silently urging him to go on.
Eren:"He was older than me by three years. Strong, fearless… He was everything I wanted to be."
He exhaled deeply, and for a second, Rylan saw the red glint of sorrow in his eyes.
Eren:"He died in the Northern War. I was still training when we got the news. My mother… she cried for weeks. My father didn't talk to anyone for months. And me… I blamed myself. If I had been stronger… maybe I could have gone with him. Maybe I could have done something."
A silence hung between them, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the crashing waves.
Rylan placed a firm hand on Eren's shoulder and pulled him into a side hug.
Rylan:"You're not alone anymore. You've gotten stronger. We all have. We're not just fighting for ourselves anymore—we're fighting for everyone who can't."
Eren chuckled softly, the heaviness lifting from his chest, if only slightly.
Eren:"Thanks, man."
Rylan (smirking):"Of course. Just don't start crying on me now, Scarlet Blade."
Eren laughed under his breath.
Soon after, both drifted off, leaning against each other beneath the soft moonlight.
The Next Morning
The sun rose over Zisteria, bathing the shore in warm golden light. The fire had gone out, but the warriors had rested. Somewhat.
They looked rough—clothes in tatters, hair singed, armor cracked. But their eyes were clearer now. They had survived.
Commander Elara called a meeting, standing before the group with her usual commanding presence.
Commander Elara:"We need to talk. The Aquarians are already moving. If we don't return to the South Nation soon, it may be too late."
Kaitaro nodded grimly.
Kaitaro:"But the journey by sea could take nearly a month... and that's assuming no trouble."
A silence followed, heavy and oppressive.
Eren (angrily):"That's too long. There has to be another way! We can't just sit here and wait!"
Everyone looked around, unsure.
Then, from the back, a voice spoke up.
Zarek (groaning):"Maybe… there is."
All heads turned.
Zarek, still pale and bandaged, stood shakily, his gaze distant.
Zarek:"I have a teleportation ability. I've used it before… not for something this far, but it might work."
Eyes lit up with hope.
Commander Elara:"Teleportation? That could cut the journey down to minutes."
Zarek nodded slowly.
Zarek:"But there's a problem. I need an enormous amount of mana to make it work over that distance. And… I'm still drained from… whatever happened yesterday."
Eren stepped forward.
Eren:"Then take mine. Whatever you need."
Rylan echoed him.
Rylan:"Mine too."
Asher, Aria, Kirito—all began offering what mana they had left.
But Zarek raised a hand.
Zarek:"Stop. You're all still weak. If you give too much, you'll collapse."
He sat back down in the sand.
Zarek:"I might be able to take a small group. Six at most. Any more and the teleportation could go wrong."
A moment of silence. Then came the hard decision.
They huddled, debated, argued, but eventually agreed.
Commander Elara, Eren, Rylan, Zarek, Aria, and Asher would go ahead. The rest, including Kaitaro and the Shadow Troupe, would remain behind in Zisteria and continue gathering intelligence on Kuzan's larger plan.
Kaitaro placed a hand on Elara's shoulder before the group began to prepare.
Kaitaro:"We'll find everything we can. But hurry back—something tells me the storm is about to hit."
Elara nodded, eyes steely.
As the six warriors gathered in a circle, Zarek stood in the center, beginning to channel his mana. A low hum filled the air as the space around them began to twist and shimmer.
Eren tightened the grip on his blade. Rylan looked toward the distant horizon.
The time had come.