The first fragile rays of dawn pierced through the smoke-streaked sky, casting a soft golden glow on the battered Syrup Village.
The once-crumbling mansion now lay quiet, its shattered windows and splintered wood bearing witness to the fierce battle that had raged through the night.
Ash stood amidst the ruins, his violet eyes reflecting the rising sun, a calm resolve settling over him like a gentle tide.
The weight of victory was tempered by the scars left behind—the shattered dreams and broken walls—but also by the promise of renewal.
Villagers began to emerge from hiding, their cautious footsteps blending with whispered words of relief.
Kaya, fragile yet dignified, approached Ash with tears shimmering in her eyes.
"Thank you… for saving not just my home, but all of Syrup Village,"
she said softly.
Ash bowed his head playful yet respectful.
"Your strength inspired us all, Kaya. This peace is yours to protect."
Usopp, exhausted but beaming, clapped Ash on the shoulder.
"You were incredible! I want to be as brave as you someday."
Zoro, leaning against a tree with a satisfied grin, added,
"The village's safe for now. Thanks to you and the whole crew."
Nami smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting the new hope blossoming within the village.
As the villagers began repairing homes and clearing debris, the crew gathered to rest and reflect.
Ash's gaze scanned his friends—each one tested by fire but unbroken.He smirked and tilted his head a little.
His playful personality surfaced as he said-
"yo... peasants ! Guess you lot held your own and proved yourselves ?"
Zoro snorted and smirked.
"well I ended the fight earlier then you .
Didn't knew your handsome was this slow !?"
Nami's voice held quiet enthusiasm as she said
"I got 15 million berries from the pirate ship hehehe."
Ash smirked.
" lively are we ?"
Then he looked at nami and the comical Berries shape in her eyes-
" So even the car burglar is satisfied eh ?"
He looked at ussop sitting nearby .
"What about our great captain ussop ?"
Usopp raised his slingshot with a newfound confidence and a shit eating grin.
" I kicked their asses Ash ! You should have seen it, I was totally amazing ! "
He paused and added as he laughed wildly.
" Maybe I'll also get a nickname like yours - hmm what would they call me great captain ussop who fought 100 mens alone and won ! Hahahaha ! "
Laughter rippled through the group, a soothing balm after the night's storm.
As the sun was trying to die so that the night could rise, the village breathed anew—a tapestry of resilience woven by courage and friendship.
Ash standing alone in a shade of big tree beside a lonesome beach looked toward the horizon, where distant seas called with whispered adventure.
His heart was steady, ready for whatever challenges awaited beyond Syrup Village.For now, peace reigned, but the journey was far from over.
Ding.
A gentle hum of the system notification broke the atmosphere as a shimmering runes like names and numbers with a translucent screen appeared infront of him.
___________________
System notification:
Mission: protect syrup village from captain kuro.
Time limit:1 year.
Reward: one life bound random character card.
Status : completed
[Reward recieved]
System:- Does the host wishes to use the card ?
___________________
"Hoh, so a random life bound character card hmm- that means if I die the character will also die with me . Intresting, let's see what do we have in the store ! "
Ash mused as he acknowledged the system notification -
"Use the card "
He spoke softly.
________________
System: using the one time random character summon card.
Uses left-0
________________
As dusk blankets the world in shades of violet and indigo, the field is quiet except for the faint whisper of wind.
Suddenly, a swirling vortex of rich purple light erupted, cutting through the tranquil evening air with electrifying intensity.
The edges of the vortex shimmerd, casting long shadows as the glow intensified, twisting the fading sunlight into a surreal tapestry across the sky.
The powerful energy was drawing the surrounding air inward, creating a wild, rushing wind that was throwing the nearby grass into chaotic motion.
Stalks bent to near-breaking, bowing in converging rings towards the center of the summoning.
The ground itself was trembling as flecks of dirt lifted and spiraled, illuminated midair by the restless magic and late golden sunlight.
Then, with gravity-defying grace, a figure steped out of the storm-
Rider !
She is the living embodiment of myth and allure, her beauty undeniable and otherworldly. Rider's tall frame was accentuated by her long, straight magenta hair, flowing nearly down to her feet, catching the purple light as if spun from twilight itself.
Her fair skin glowed with an internal radiance, smooth and cool as porcelain.
Over her eyes, a magenta visor-like band was snugly fitted—a sealing cloth to contain the terrifying mystic power that lies within those hypnotic amethyst orbs.
She had delicate features, high cheekbones, and lips touched with a faint, mysterious smile.
She was wearing a short, modified Greek-styled black dress, cut to both protect and highlight her goddess-like curves, complemented by a magenta collar and arm bands.
Her hands, framed by long black sleeves, clutching the lengths of silver chain—her weapon, glinting in the evening light.
Thigh-high boots and armored magenta accents was complimenting her shape, completing the regal, dangerous beauty for which she was renowned.
[Image]
The wind crackled around Rider, tossing her hair in mesmerizing arcs and sending her cloak billowing behind.
Every blade of grass weaved with restless anticipation, and dirt whirled in reverence to her arrival.
In the quiet that followed- only the evening chorus of insects and distant breeze remained, as even nature slowed, struck by the unearthly elegance of the Rider now upon the mortal plane.
Ash was momentarily stunned because of how mesmerizing rider was looking.
He spoke in a low ghastly voice barely audible over the calming winds after the catastrophic entry of rider.
" Marry me .....please ? "
Rider was stunned hearing somthing so outrageous out of blue but soon she giggled and said-
" Hehehe~ My how romantic...though maybe tell me you name first ? "
_________to be continued ________