"Harvard?"
"Haaaaaaaaaarvard!"
The boy woke up as soon as his name was called, throwing his hands and arms around, trying to punch something. He took a few seconds to recognize that he was back home, sleeping soundly on his hammock, the familiar toys and pictures still present. "There you are!" His mother replied, patting him on the back with a smile on her face. "You were turning in your sleep so much. Is my little guy having bad dreams again?"
Harvard would try to recollect what he lost, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes with his hands. "Kinda..." He'd reply, not trying to look at her face.
"Well, I just made Breakfast, so whenever you come down, you let me know so I can serve you! Your friends are already finished, they're just waiting on you now." She'd give a kiss on his forehead as his Mom left the room. As she did, the boy can't help but move his pillows on his lap and punched it. Grunts and small, quiet screams made as he failed. He failed himself. He failed his promise. He failed his friends. He failed those that were just as much affected as he was. He ruffled his poofy, brown hair as he'd scream into the pillow, recalling the Ringleader's words, his voice ringing in his head.
"Omega's Circle...There, you will find one more surprise from me, and potentially, a chance to evolve yourselves further."
"So close...I WAS SO CLOSE!!!" He can't help but scream in such anguish as he had the man in his very hands, yet he was two steps behind, tripping at the finish line. He'd calm himself down as he'd try to brush his teeth and dress in his usual suit and blue bowtie, heading downstairs to snag some toast and juice, downing them both as fast as he could. His parents can't help but smile, oblivious at why he was trying to leave so quickly. As the child made his way out, he could hear sharp gusts of wind on his side, looking over to see Zazel and Stolas sparring with one another. The Avian would have his bandages tighten up as he'd try to go for a jab, elbow, then knee into another elbow to force the Demon to look up. Zazel would block as much as he could, having him cast Sabnock to block the last hit and grab the elbow, flipping the bird over into the pavement. "Guys....I'm-"
"Don't." Zazel started, as he'd shift his focus whilst having Sabnock take his place. "This is not your fault. You are not apologizing for what's essentially a setback."
"YEAH! A SET-BACK THAT I SHOULD'VE PAID ATTENTION TO! STUPID! STUPID, STUPID, STUPID! WE HAD IT AND WE MISSED IT BY A FOOT!"
Stolas would notice his friend's anger and redirected Sabnock to make him pay attention, prompting Harvard to catch it and cast a spell through the impact, the Seal immediately absorbing the arms of the Goetia. "You paid attention there! You're good enough still! He just....happened to be better than us." The avian commented.
"But that's the thing! We had HOMEFIELD Advantage! We were inside Rubix the ENTIRE time! We had our spells and energy ready, and he just-"
"Outplayed us. Don't get me wrong, We did what we can, and we did as much as possible, but....This guy's another league. He could've killed all of us if it wasn't for his obsession over his 'story.'" Zazel's words were calm, collected, concise. Harvard would've made a rebuttal, yet he paused himself and understood what he meant. "I'm sorry man. I know how much you really...REALLY wanted him gone, but we can't do that. Not now! Not like this! He'd mop the floor with us if we just barge into him without a second thought again. That's what causes insanity. We have to take his advice to heart here. If we do not prepare ourselves, we're DEAD."
Harvard would try to stomach such a truth as he'd let his cards out of his sleeve, looking through them and recognizing the monsters that Jesta gave him. The four confections to pair with a spell that makes the area around him to candy: Fruiten, Sugar, Caramel, and Chilly. Fruits and Cake, Frosting, Chocolate, and Ice Cream. "...Not unless we learn what Jesta's got." He'd mumble.
"Huh?"
"He gave me these cards, right? By extension, he also used these monsters. If I can find out what they do, it might help us learn what their weaknesses are. Meaning...."
"...We exploit them!" Zazel was amazed at how quick the boy was able to form a plan, even in his agitated state.
"Told yah you can pay attention!" Stolas added. As the two tried to prepare their stuff, Solomon would be quick to step in, already acquiring a map, the people of Khepros cheering and giving praise behind him, his Shadow struggling to keep them at bay, even silently nodding to have the boys help him with the new fanfare they received, being Hero's for once. Harvard's mood was able to soften as he recognized his dream had came true, smiling as he'd see them cheer his name and were proud of his achievements, even if he was the one who caused the monstrosity.
"That still leaves the Masks and whatever those two mooks are able to do. I'd say we take our time with this. It does mean you will need to rely on using those monsters if you want to properly learn them, by the way." Solomon would state, as he'd try to escort his friends away from Khepros, quickly hiding into a small alleyway where they wouldn't be seen as easily. "Speaking of Mooks, where exactly would the circle be? Anyone a Cartographer here?"
Harvard would try to set up the seal in order to summon Fantasia, but Zazel halted him and would direct him to try and cast the Devil's Eye instead. "I know a guy." He'd answer, quick to lead his friends over to the supposed location. The boys couldn't believe it, but they were seeing Zazel with more confidence, actually taking a leading role in this situation. What happened here?