Ashenfall reborn

Pain was the first thing Taiyou felt—dull, pulsing aches that spread across his entire body. It was a symphony of discomfort, each note reminding him of the brutal battle he had barely survived. He stirred, eyelids heavy as they fluttered open, revealing a simple thatched roof above him. The faint scent of herbs mixed with ash hung in the air, tugging at his hazy memory.

His attempt to sit up was met with immediate regret. A sharp sting flared across his ribs, forcing him to slump back against the cot. A voice, sharp yet undeniably soothing, broke through the haze.

"Don't even think about it," Aira said, her hands hovering just above his chest, glowing faintly with green energy.

Taiyou blinked, focusing on her face. Strands of her hair were plastered to her forehead, and dark circles framed her otherwise vibrant eyes. She looked exhausted, but her expression was calm and firm.

"You've been unconscious for two days," she said, her tone a mix of exasperation and relief. "Two. Days. I had to work nonstop to keep you alive. Next time, maybe try not to jump into death's arms so willingly?"

Despite the pain, Taiyou managed a weak grin. "What can I say? Death and I have a complicated relationship. He just can't stay away from me."

Aira's lips twitched, though she didn't look away from her work. "You're lucky I was here to mediate that 'relationship.' Another few minutes, and even I wouldn't have been able to bring you back."

He chuckled softly, wincing as the movement pulled at his bruised ribs. "I'm starting to think you enjoy scolding me, Aira."

"Only when you deserve it," she shot back, finally leaning back and letting her healing glow fade. "Which is all the time."

Before Taiyou could respond, the door to the small hut burst open with all the subtlety of a lightning strike.

"He's awake!" Daichi's voice rang out, his excitement literally sparking as small bolts of electricity crackled from his fingertips.

Kaizen followed at a more measured pace, leaning casually against the doorframe with his usual smirk. "Took you long enough, phoenix. I was starting to think you'd forgotten how to rise from the ashes."

Taiyou groaned, throwing an arm over his face. "Don't you guys know how to let a man rest in peace?"

"You're not dead," Daichi quipped, crossing the room in a blur of motion to clap Taiyou on the shoulder. The touch sent a fresh wave of pain through Taiyou's body, and he let out a sharp gasp.

"Daichi!" Aira snapped, shoving the electrified pest away. "He's still recovering!"

Eli was the next to enter, her usually composed demeanor melting into concern as she knelt by Taiyou's side. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly.

"Like I got run over by one of those massive beetles," he replied, flashing her a tired but genuine smile. "But I'll live, thanks to Aira." He said, which earned him a roll of her eyes.

"You're impossible," Aira muttered, though her lips quirked upward.

The hut filled quickly, the rest of the squad piling in to check on their friend. Their relief was palpable, a weight lifted from the room as laughter and banter replaced the grim tension of the past days.

When Taiyou finally emerged from the hut, leaning heavily on Kaizen for support, the sight that greeted him left him momentarily speechless. The entire village had gathered outside, their faces lit with a mix of joy and awe. As soon as they saw him, a deafening cheer erupted.

"TAIYOU! TAIYOU! THE GOD OF FIRE!"

His eyes widened. "God of fire?"

Daichi appeared beside him, grinning from ear to ear. "Apparently, saving the world comes with perks. Who knew?"

Taiyou scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "I just did what anyone else would've done…"

"No," an elderly villager interrupted, stepping forward. His voice carried the weight of age and gratitude. "You did what no one else could. You saved us all. For that, we owe you our lives."

Taiyou opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say anything, a group of young women stepped forward, their cheeks glowing red.

"Lord Taiyou," one of them began hesitantly, wringing her hands. "Would you… consider taking me as your wife? It would be an honor to—"

"Whoa, whoa!" Taiyou stammered, his face heating up to rival his flames. "That's… flattering, really! But let's not rush into anything!"

More women joined in, their voices blending into a cacophony of eager proposals. Taiyou backed away, laughing nervously, only to find himself cornered by their enthusiasm.

Kaizen leaned against a nearby post, watching the chaos with amusement. "Looks like you've got yourself a fan club, God of fire"

Taiyou shot him a desperate look. "Don't just stand there—help me!"

"Not a chance."

Meanwhile, Ryojin stood at the edge of the crowd, arms crossed and face unreadable. Taiyou, still dodging admirers, couldn't resist calling out to him.

"Hey, Ryojin! I bet you could sweep them off their feet if you tried!"

As if on cue, a small group of women approached Ryojin, their eyes shining with admiration.

"Lord Ryojin," one of them said, bowing deeply. "Would you—"

"Don't bother" Ryojin said flatly, cutting her off before she could finish.

The rejection was so cold and final that the women froze in place, stunned into silence. Taiyou burst into laughter, nearly doubling over despite the pain in his ribs.

"Man," he wheezed, "you're too cool for your own good!"

Ryojin glanced at him, unimpressed. "I don't have time for distractions."

"You bitches" yelled Eli "do you know who you're talking to? Ryojin already has a wife and your looking at her"

For the next two days, the squad threw themselves into helping the village rebuild. Kaizen carried entire beams of wood on his shoulders, his immense strength making quick work of the debris. Daichi's lightning powers making the work three times quicker

Eli and Aira worked tirelessly together, healing the injured and restoring the village's crops. Aira's plants bloomed across the barren fields, vibrant and lush, while Eli created streams of water by melting her feet ice to nourish the soil.

Taiyou…

"Who's ready for a beetle race?!" he shouted, leaping onto the back of one of the massive beetles used by the villagers for transportation.

The beetle roared, its carapace gleaming in the sunlight as it charged forward. Daichi, never one to back down, hopped onto another beetle. "You're on!"

What followed was a chaotic race through the village, with Taiyou and Daichi narrowly avoiding obstacles and sending villagers scattering.

"Taiyou, get down from there!" Aira yelled, exasperated.

"No way!" Taiyou called back, laughing as his beetle reared up, nearly throwing him off.

---

That night, the villagers organized a grand banquet. Tables groaned under the weight of roasted meats, fragrant stews, and fresh-baked bread. Taiyou, true to form, was everywhere at once—starting eating contests, leading dances, and balancing on tables to deliver over-the-top declarations.

When the festivities reached their peak, Taiyou sought out the little boy and his elder sister. He crouched in front of the boy, his expression softening.

"Hey, kid," he said gently. "I promised you, didn't I? That I'd save everyone?"

The boy nodded, tears spilling down his cheeks. "You did, Onii-san. You saved us all."

Taiyou smiled and lifted the boy onto his shoulders. "And you helped me, you know. You're a hero too."

The boy's sister bowed deeply, her voice trembling. "Thank you… Thank you for everything."

Taiyou looked up at the stars, the weight of the past days settling on his shoulders. But for the first time in a long while, he felt at peace.

---

**A New Dawn**

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Taiyou stood with Aira at the edge of the village.

"What's next?" Aira asked.

Taiyou smiled faintly. "Everything."