"Let's begin the journey!" Sebastian smiles with excitement, his energy infectious as the party prepares for the next leg of their adventure.
With enthusiasm bubbling in the air, the party boards the vehicle and begins their journey toward the distant village..
"So where's this village at?" Sukiro asks curiously, leaning forward with interest.
"It's pretty far," Sirius replies, glancing out the window, "but it's worth it."
A sly grin spreads across his face. "Their beer is very good."
Sukiro gives a sloppy smile, his curiosity replaced with intrigue. "I see…"
"It's also the time when the village holds a festival," Sebastian chimes in, excitement rekindling in his eyes.
"What's this festival?" Sukiro questions, intrigued once more.
"The festival itself is divided into many parts," Sebastian explains with a grin, "but the most important one is the Night of the Sun."
"Night of the Sun?" Sukiro says, confused. "How does the sun appear in the night?"
Sebastian chuckles and smiles warmly. "It's not that the sun appears in the night. It's named that way because they celebrate the sun."
"Ohh, that makes sense," Sukiro says, nodding slowly.
"We will arrive in three days' time," Klaus calls out from the driver's seat, his voice steady.
"Just like last time," Sirius grins.
"What's Elijah gonna do?" Sukiro smirks like a villain, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"Throw you in the bonfire during the festival, probably," Elijah says in a calm tone, flashing a threatening smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
Sukiro backs down immediately. "You evil mage!"
"I am hungryyy," Klaus groans, desperate for food.
"Can I land, Sebastian?" he asks, eyes hopeful.
"I guess… let's eat up," Sebastian agrees with a nod.
The vehicle descends smoothly and lands, dust rising as Sapphire steps out gracefully, holding their food.
"Good as always, Sapphire," Sebastian smiles, receiving his meal with gratitude.
Sapphire, who is handing food to Sukiro, turns back and offers a smile in return.
Sebastian pauses for a moment.
His face turns red as Sapphire continues handing out the food.
Elijah, already munching on his meal, stops mid-bite. "There it is! The rare monster: flustered Sebastian!"
"He is so easy to read," Klaus shrugs, barely surprised.
"I see…" Sirius continues sipping his tea peacefully, unbothered.
"Why is Sebastian red?" Sukiro thinks to himself, confused.
"Sebas—"
"SUKIRO!!! Why haven't you eaten your sandwich yet??" Klaus interrupts with theatrical drama.
Sapphire secretly let's out a smile…
"Ohh, you mean the bread?" Sukiro replies, eyes gleaming with dark energy. "I am letting him power up as he witnesses the death of his brothers…"
He pauses, giving off a villainous aura.
"After that, this bread will have absorbed mana hoping to avenge his fallen brothers and then I will eat it and power up!" he chimes with excitement, nearly trembling.
"I… I don't think that's how food works???" Klaus responds, thoroughly confused.
The entire party falls into thoughtful silence, trying—and failing—to comprehend Sukiro's extraordinary thinking.
---
The Next Day...
The party finds themselves in the forest, splitting into duos to search for herbs, catch their breath, and find food.
"Is it raining?" Sebastian questions, glancing up at the sky. Dark clouds gather ominously, completely covering the sun.
A cold wind brushes through the forest, and silence envelops the surroundings.
Then, suddenly, it starts pouring.
"We have to take cover, Sebastian!" Sapphire yells over the downpour.
Without hesitation, the two of them begin running through the forest.
"There!" she shouts, pointing toward a small, abandoned house. "We can go there!"
They dash toward it and finally make it onto the front porch, soaked but safe.
"That was a surprise," Sapphire says between heavy breaths, placing a hands behind her for support.
"That sure was!" Sebastian pants beside her. "Nature is trying to catch us off guard."
He turns and smiles softly—a genuine, heartfelt expression—as he looks at her.
Her face turns red instantly, and she quickly turns away.
"What happened?" Sebastian asks, clearly confused.
---
Meanwhile…
Elijah and Sukiro are still in the forest.
Defeated.
Unmoving.
Not even trying to take cover.
They don't exist anymore—they have accepted their fates.
Their clothes have transformed into a new waterfall.
---
"You okay?" Sebastian asks, moving closer to Sapphire with concern.
She spins around quickly like a predator catching its prey. "Yep! Perfectly okay!"
Sebastian jumps back in fright, genuinely startled by her sudden outburst.
---
At the same time, Sirius and Klaus stumble upon the old house—but from the back door.
"The rain is pretty heavy, huh?" Sebastian says, now seated on the porch, watching the downpour.
"Yeah… I don't think it's stopping anytime soon," Sapphire replies, also gazing at the rain with a calm expression.
Klaus and Sirius enter the house silently.
"I am soaked, man!" Klaus complains, his clothes dripping onto the wooden floor.
"Yeah, same here," Sirius adds, shaking himself like a drenched cat.
---
Meanwhile…
Elijah and Sukiro still stand.
Like statues.
Unmoving.
---
"Should we go inside?" Sebastian asks, glancing at the door.
"No… I think there is no need. The rain is pretty to watch," Sapphire replies softly, reaching her hand out into the rainfall.
Sebastian smiles, watching her as she enjoys the moment.
---
Back inside the house, Klaus and Sirius hear voices.
Klaus immediately stops Sirius by the arm.
"Why did you do tha—?"
Klaus shushes him, then takes out a cloaking potion from his pouch so Sebastian and Sapphire can't detect them.
He drinks it, then whispers, "Here, drink this."
"Man, why do—"
Klaus shushes him again, stricter this time.
Sirius sighs and drinks the potion reluctantly.
---
Meanwhile…
"So...….." Sukiro pauses dramatically. "Are we going to move or just continue?"
"Continue," Elijah responds calmly, still a statue.
"Fine. I won't lose!" Sukiro grunts, standing strong and still in the pouring rain, trying to move as little as possible.
"Lose?" Elijah asks, genuinely confused.
---
"I wonder what the others are doing?" Sapphire asks curiously.
"Who knows? Maybe trying to power up their bread?" Sebastian chuckles.
Sapphire laughs heartily.
"We totally walked in on them,"Klaus thinks with a mischievous grin.
"Sukiro says the weirdest things sometimes, don't you think?" Sapphire chimes.
"He sure does. Maybe he's starting to become like you," Sebastian raises an eyebrow, teasing.
"Ohh really? That means he's going to be very elegant and smart as he grows up," Sapphire replies, wearing a wicked smile.
"Maybe… That means he'll be a nice cook as well," Sebastian adds, smiling softly.
Sapphire blushes again, a light pink dusting her cheeks.
"I can feel the energy. I know their faces already without even seeing them!" Klaus smirks, his eyes gleaming.
"I see…"Sirius thinks calmly, staring at
a spider crawling on the wooden beam in the distance.
---
Sebastian takes a breath.
"Sapphire… there is one thing…"
Sapphire turns to him.
Eyes wide.
Heart skipping.
Rain pouring.
Time slows down