The glow still lingered in the air, a soft blue shimmer that had not yet faded from the water where he had risen. The crowd in the training ring remained frozen — not in fear, but in awe. Mirshad floated for a moment longer, his eyes closed, silent, until his feet touched the ground as gently as a whisper returning to the earth. His gaze moved over each of them, but it didn't just pass them — it touched them, it reminded them of who he was, what he was, and what he had become. Slowly, without a word, he raised his hand forward. From far across the horizon, the sword returned. Not with noise, not with flash, but as though it had never left. And in that moment, it changed. A wave of blue fire rushed through the blade, the old cracks vanished, and its surface shimmered, reborn. He rested it across his shoulder and finally spoke. "Now… we begin the real training."
The silence shattered into cheers and whistles. The Phantom Reapers clapped like thunder, their eyes shining with pride, their hearts with loyalty. Rayyan leaned toward Malik and said quietly, "He showed us without a word how much he's changed." Malik nodded. "He didn't just return, brother. He came back claimed… whole. The throne within him is now his." Baba stood near the railings, arms folded, a small smile on his face — the smile of a man who knew destiny when it stood before him. Sophia clapped until she couldn't hold it in any longer, jumping with joy. Sara pulled her down, half laughing. "Hey! You're pregnant!" Sophia grinned wide. "Yes, I am! And inside me are three stars like their father! They can handle my excitement!"
Amir swaggered over to Mirshad with a grin. "Bro… just asking. If I touch you, will my hand burn off? You look like walking lava." Mirshad's lips curled faintly. "Amir… turn around." Amir blinked. "Why? You want to sacrifice me?" "Trust me. Just turn and close your eyes." "Bro… don't do this." Too late. Mirshad gripped Amir's shoulders and blasted into the sky with a sonic boom that shook the arena. Below, the only thing they heard was a fading scream. "BROOOOOO!!! WHAT THE HELLLLLL!!!" Above the clouds, Amir thrashed in panic. "I WAS JOKING!" Mirshad hovered calmly. "Didn't you once say you wanted to fly alone?" "I WAS JOKING!" Mirshad smiled. "Enjoy." And let go. Amir dropped like a meteor, screaming, praying, promising to never tease again, until seconds before impact Mirshad appeared again and caught him one meter above the ground, setting him down gently. Amir stumbled like a drunk, pointed at Mirshad with wide eyes, and collapsed flat on the floor.
Malik's laughter echoed across the ring — a mistake. Mirshad looked at him. Malik froze. "Nope. Don't look at me like that. I'm sorry. I'm not ready to fly today." Rayyan took a careful step back, whistling as if the sky above had suddenly become fascinating. Malik pointed frantically around. "There's kids here! Think of the children!" But it was too late. Whoosh. The same scream. The same regret. The same end. He landed, walked in dazed circles, and dropped to the ground beside Amir, both now hiding behind a Reaper like two scolded children. "If he touches me again," Amir muttered, "I'm joining the other side."
The laughter faded when they saw the change. Mirshad's body began to glow softly — not disappearing, just radiating. His presence no longer needed sound. It was the air itself now. His voice cut through the silence. "Get ready. All of you. We're leaving this island." The Reapers glanced at one another — confused, curious, but ready, because when he spoke, it meant the future was already moving. Rayyan stepped forward. "Where are we going?" Mirshad's eyes stayed on the endless ocean. "I'll tell you soon." He said nothing more, because they all knew this wasn't just about training, it wasn't just about awakening. This was preparation — for war, for judgment, for a world that still hadn't seen what he was truly capable of. And for that… the sky was just the beginning.