The world shifted.
Light swallowed them—
Then—
They stood somewhere new.
A village.
Wooden houses lined the dirt paths.
Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze.
Smoke drifted from chimneys.
The distant sound of voices echoed faintly between buildings.
Floor Eleven.
That was their first thought.
But no one spoke.
No one reacted.
Not yet.
They were still processing.
Still replaying the Ruler's words in their minds.
Still hearing them.
Still feeling them.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Silence stretched between them.
Then—
Ravok spoke.
Calm.
Firm.
"…How does it change anything?"
Ash blinked slightly.
Ravok crossed his arms.
"…Whether we were criminals…"
"…or whether you had no one in your past life…"
A short pause.
He looked at them.
One by one.
"…We have each other now."
Silence followed.
Nyro looked away slightly.
Korin lowered his head.
Then slowly nodded.
Ash looked at Ravok.
Still shaken.
Still hurting.
But—
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…You took the words right out of my mouth."
He said it casually.
Like nothing was wrong.
Like everything was fine.
But behind that smile—
Something remained.
Unspoken.
Unhealed.
Then Ash turned.
Looking toward Nyro and Korin.
"…So."
A short pause.
"…Do you guys want to join my guild?"
Nyro smirked.
Like he already knew where this was going.
"…You already know the answer."
Korin scratched the back of his head nervously.
"…O-Of course…"
"…We're friends."
Ravok let out a quiet breath.
Satisfied.
Then—
Ash spoke again.
"…Dig."
The translucent screen flickered to life.
Yes.
Ash crossed his arms slightly.
"…What do I need to do to create a guild?"
Dig responded immediately.
To establish a guild…
…you must first declare a name.
A short pause.
You may also assign roles…
…titles…
…and positions to each member…
…if you so choose.
Silence followed.
Ash lowered his gaze slightly.
Thinking.
Not rushing.
Not guessing.
Choosing carefully.
Then—
He spoke.
Clear.
Decisive.
"…The name of our guild…"
A short pause.
"…will be…"
He lifted his head.
Eyes steady.
"…Murder of Crows."
Silence filled the air.
Then—
The system responded.
Guild Creation Confirmed.
A faint chime echoed around them.
Guild Name Registered:
MURDER OF CROWS
A faint crow-shaped emblem flickered briefly in their vision.
Nyro let out a low whistle.
"…Damn."
A small grin spread across his face.
"…That sounds cold."
Korin blinked.
"…M-Murder of Crows…?"
Ravok smirked slightly.
"…Fitting."
Ash remained still.
Watching the confirmation screen.
Quiet.
Focused.
Not celebrating.
But inside—
Something shifted.
For the first time—
He wasn't alone.
Then Dig spoke.
Guild invitations have been sent to each of you.
Silence followed—
But only for a moment.
They all accepted without hesitation.
Ravok. Nyro. Korin…
You are now members of the Guild:
Murder of Crows.
Guild Leader: Ash.
Silence settled.
Heavy.
Meaningful.
Now—
He had a flock.
Even if they weren't always side by side…
They would always be together.
Then Ash spoke.
Quietly.
"…Well."
A short pause.
"…This is goodbye."
He looked toward Nyro and Korin.
Korin shook his head quickly.
"N-Not goodbye…"
A breath.
"…Just until next time."
Ash smirked faintly.
"You're right."
A short pause.
"…We couldn't have done it…"
"…without you guys."
Nyro smiled.
Relaxed.
Confident.
"…We know."
A beat.
"But neither could we."
Then—
Ravok stepped forward.
Slowly extending his hand toward Korin.
"…Sorry for calling you a coward during the trial."
A short pause.
His voice firm.
"…I was wrong."
Korin's eyes widened slightly.
Then—
A bright, nervous smile spread across his face.
He grabbed Ravok's hand—
Shaking it firmly.
"…Th-That's okay…"
Ash stepped forward next.
Extending his hand toward Nyro.
"…We'll meet again in the Tower."
Nyro didn't hesitate.
He clasped Ash's hand.
Strong.
Confident.
"…Don't doubt it."
Silence followed.
Heavy—
But warm.
Then—
Ash and Ravok turned to the left.
Nyro and Korin turned to the right.
Two paths.
Different directions.
Same destination.
Then—
One final voice echoed behind them.
"…Until next time."
No one looked back.
But they heard it.
And all of them understood.
This wasn't the end.
Just another step—
Up the Tower.
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.