Inside Room 7

The room had finally grown calm. Vivi and Auren breathed easier now; the heavy rain outside had stopped.

In the center, Dax's bed stood between the others, and all four of them gathered on it, sitting cross-legged. Dax munched lazily on snacks, Nyra sipped juice, and Vivi sat quietly, her eyes moving between them. Auren, however, lay stretched out, gazing at the ceiling above.

They were wasting time, but together.

Auren's voice broke the silence, curiosity lacing his words."Sometimes I think… I carry mysteries beyond my own knowledge. I know I'm the Ash Phantom, and that I was something during the Grand Era. But what does that even matter now? I saw that four-handed deity… and Vivi, she's part of my past too. That must mean she also lived during that time."

He yawned, long and lazy. "Haaawwwww."

Then he added, almost to himself: "My old friend Sunny—he was something else. He carries a past so heavy, it scares all of Yuzen City. What if… everyone has their own past life? Maybe we're all reborn with some purpose…"

Dax crunched another bite, nodding slowly."Hmmm. I see where you're going, buddy. Well… everyone does have their past life. Life never really dies—it just travels from one body to another, creating its passage." He gave a small grin. "That's what Master always said."

Vivi leaned back against the side of the bed compartment, her knees drawn close to her chest, arms resting lazily on top. Her lips parted slightly—not in shock, but in that quiet moment of discovery, the sound slipping out like a whisper.

"Ohhh… so that's a thing. Never knew."Her tone wasn't startled—it carried a slow, lingering wonder, as though she had brushed against some hidden truth. The little tilt of her head made her look almost ghostly, like a child who had stumbled upon something both curious and unreal.

Beside her, Nyra sat cross-legged, shoulder lightly pressed against Vivi's. She radiated that effortless sass, a sharpness wrapped in cool composure. With a low gaze and a sip of her drink, she replied, voice calm but edged: "Yes. The world is strange… but stranger still are those who glimpse their past lives. They're the cursed ones."

Vivi's eyes widened, curiosity shimmering in them. She leaned closer, brushing against Nyra's space, her breath grazing her ear and cheek as she teased."Are you… Twenty-five?"

Nyra snapped her head toward her, eyes narrowing with mock offense."Are you mad? From what angle do I look, twenty-five?"

Vivi only smiled, eyes closed in mischief. The smile lit her face with a sudden beauty, soft enough that Dax, quietly chewing his snack, muttered under his breath so no one could hear: "She looks beautiful."

Auren caught the murmur and glanced over, noticing the way Dax's gaze lingered.

Vivi, however, pressed on with playful cruelty, her grin widening."From the angle of your attitude, you look thirty-five."

Dax chuckled without even opening his mouth, a muffled "hm hm hm" slipping out.

Nyra scratched at her head, narrowing her eyes."Wait—did you just… compliment me?"

Vivi only smiled, but Auren seemed lost in his own little world. His gaze wasn't on their words at all—it was fixed on Nyra's drink. Every sip she took, he followed with quiet fascination, watching the liquid slide down her throat, tracing its invisible path into her body.

Nyra noticed. Her eyes flicked toward him, sharp but low, as though catching him mid-thought."Hey, you… I've been noticing. Why are you acting so weird? Haaa?"

Auren didn't even lift his head fully. His voice came out lazy, heavy, as if each word was pulled from somewhere far deeper than the room they sat in.

"I wonder… who are you in your past life? Who is Dax? Who am I? Is the real me this body… or the one before? What's the purpose? If we keep changing bodies… if memories keep fading… are we ever real at all?" When we started? What is the end? Are we in prison?

The words hung in the air like a blade. Silence followed—thick, heavy.

Nyra, Dax, and Vivi all froze in place. None of them answered. Instead, their faces reflected the same unspoken question, their expressions turning inward as though they too had been caught off guard by the weight of it.

Dax rubbed his chin, leaning back a little as if the weight of Auren's words pressed on him."Hoo… buddy, you really pulled some strings just now. That question…" He shifted, restless. "It's… difficult. Honestly, it's making me a bit uncomfortable."

He fell quiet for a moment, staring at the floor as if trying to untangle an invisible knot. Then he let out a defeated groan."Uhhhh… yeah, I give up." He turned his eyes toward Nyra with a crooked grin."Hey, Nyra, you got an answer for that? Or are you gonna leave me hanging here?"

Vivi exhaled in defeat, lowering her neck as if surrendering."I give up…"

Nyra stretched her arms above her head, clearly uninterested in the heavy topic anymore."I don't want to think about it right now. By the way—" her eyes shifted to Vivi, "we only have three beds. Are you planning to live here too?"

Vivi blinked twice, her lips pressing into a straight line."Umm… yesss. Don't worry, I'll just sleep on the sofa." She pointed casually toward it.

Nyra frowned, crossing her arms."There are plenty of rooms. Why here? I know Auren's your buddy, but you see him every day at training. You don't need to crowd in this one room."

Vivi tilted her head toward Auren, giving him a small, warm smile. Auren returned the look, his expression carrying nothing but simple goodness and friendship.

"We're members of Phantom Tideborn," Vivi said softly. "And Auren is my first friend. For him, I can adjust."

Dax's eyes lit up, almost cartoonishly, with heart shapes. He shot forward, lifting both his arms with sudden energy."Yaaaaaaaaaaa! Vivi! Don't worry—you can live with me! We can adjust!"

Nyra let out a grinding hum, unimpressed.

Dax quickly clutched his head, fumbling."No, no—I mean, I can sleep on the sofa! That's what I meant!"

uren finally spoke, his voice calm."Wanna go outside, Vivi?"

Vivi nodded with a grin."Ova naro naro. Let's go."

Nyra gave a tired smile."Again?"

Dax perked up."Umm-hmm, I'm ready. Let's go."

Vivi tilted her head."But… where?"

Dax tapped his chin, pretending to think hard."Let's search for a new cave. I heard Soma went exploring and found something. Towards the eastern side—lower region—there's a cave with a tiny hole. I just spotted it the other day."

Auren stretched his arms lazily, yawning."Let's go then."

Nyra narrowed her eyes and tilted her face toward him."Are you sure? You should rest."

Auren blinked slowly."Nooo, it's alright. We're Phantom. Phantom of adventure."

Nyra sighed, but with a playful smile, pinched his nose."Then go."

The three of them hopped off the bed, while Auren remained lying down. Dax reached out suddenly, grabbed his hand, and yanked with too much strength.

Thud! Auren's face smacked straight into the sofa.

Nyra burst out laughing, almost falling over, while Vivi hurried forward, worried."Are you alright?"

Auren stood up, rubbing his face, then gave his usual thumbs up."Alright, as always. Let's go!"

As they reached the end of the mountain, the clouds above grew heavier, rolling like angry beasts. The wind howled louder, pressing against their bodies, tugging at their clothes, while water streamed down the cliffs in silver lines. Vivi clutched Auren's arm tighter, afraid her body might lift again. Dax stretched his arms wide, shouting into the storm – "wooooo, this is life!" his voice bounced back from the hollow walls.

Nyra shielded her eyes with her hand, walking carefully. "You're all insane. No normal person would stand here in this storm."

Auren laughed, his hair whipping in every direction. "That's right, we're not normal. We are phantom tideborn. Storms belong to us."

Vivi's lips parted in a soft smile, her cheeks glowing despite the cold. Thunder split the sky above – thuddddddd – shaking the ground beneath them. Dax jumped like a child. "Even thunder is clapping for us!" Nyra rolled her eyes. "Or warning us to turn back, fool."

As they descend from tree to tree using branches.

Auren suddenly pointed ahead. "Look there, a hole in the mountain wall."

Dax narrowed his eyes, squinting through the mist. "Ohhh, yeah. Looks like a cave entrance."

Vivi gasped lightly, curiosity in her tone. "Maybe that's the cave you mentioned, Dax."

Nyra frowned, her arms crossing. "In this storm? Are you crazy?"

But Auren had already started forward, water splashing beneath his boots. "Let's check. Only cowards turn back now."

Reluctantly, they followed. Vivi rushed close behind, holding her hood against the wind. Dax charged ahead with reckless excitement. Nyra sighed, her steps heavy but loyal, never leaving the group behind.

As they approached the cave, the air shifted. The roar of the storm muffled into a low hum, replaced by a damp, earthy silence. Drops of water trickled from the ceiling, echoing faintly. The entrance was narrow, but the darkness inside stretched deep, like a throat waiting to swallow them whole.

Auren placed his hand against the rough stone. "This cave… it feels different."

Dax grinned, his eyes glimmering. "Different means treasure."

Nyra muttered under her breath, "Or danger."

Vivi looked at the dark path ahead, her voice soft but steady. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Auren smiled faintly, his hunter's spirit glowing in his eyes. "Phantoms never walk alone."

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