It was morning in the Elf Forest, and the dew clung to the leaves like tiny blessings. Birds chirped with the kind of reckless optimism only possible before breakfast, and the mana tree stood tall, its golden leaves swaying as if waving goodbye.
Twelve figures stood at the edge of the village, each wearing a cloak, each carrying a bag. Not just any bag. These were the Magic Bags, custom-built, gigih-proof (hopefully), and enchanted by Yuuna to carry far more than they appeared to. Most importantly, they hadn't exploded in days.
Lucretia stood before them, arms crossed, a faint smile curling on her lips. "So. You're really going."
Kyle grinned. "Of course! Exploration! Discovery! Snacks on the road!"
"There's no noble reason for this," Sinryo added. "We just want to go."
"And get away from Gigih's cooking fire experiments," Adiw muttered.
Sakura brought two Magic Bags, one entirely for food, the other for daily necessities and, predictably, more food. Inside were neatly packed bento, sealed soup flasks, a suspicious number of preserved puddings, and an emergency snack stash labeled "For Emotional Crises Only." The second Magic Bag carried clothes, potions, bandages, a notebook, and, yes, more snacks hidden in the side pockets.
"You never know when you'll need backup biscuits," she said solemnly, tightening the straps. "We never have enough food. Never."
Yetsan checked his armor and helm with the solemnity of a knight preparing for war, except his war was against grime. Each buckle was adjusted, each plate polished to a mirror shine. This wasn't for protection from monsters, though it helped; it was more for his sanity. Clean armor was happy armor. He muttered a soft prayer to the spirits of cleanliness, hoping the road ahead would somehow be miraculously dust-free.
Of course, that was impossible. Dirt was everywhere. Dust was a conspiracy. But Yetsan held onto hope, and a backup cloth for emergency polishing.
Jessica stretched her arms, katana sheathed at her side. "I'm ready."
Fahleena spun once, her keyblade strapped to her back, the sun catching the edge of its oversized gleam. She raised one hand to the sky in a dramatic flourish, the other gripping her cape as it fluttered behind her like the wings of prophecy. "The journey of destiny begins! Let the Chronicles of the Twelfth Twilight Vanguard be inscribed in the tomes of eternity!" she declared.
Kyle blinked. "You named the party again, didn't you?"
Fahleena pointed skyward. "We march beneath the sacred starlight of fate!"
"You're holding a leaf," Sinryo deadpanned.
"A leaf of destiny," she replied, dead serious.
"Don't name the trip," Yuuna said flatly, though she checked her notes one more time just in case.
Lucretia stepped forward, gently patting each of them on the head, even Kyle, who ducked and pretended to dodge, but smiled anyway.
"You've all grown," she said, voice soft. "But don't grow up too fast."
Gaby smiled gently and said, "We'll be back."
Then she glanced sideways, where Gigih was quietly humming beside Kyle, two certified explosion makers, one with a spellbook and the other with a limitless sense of curiosity and no self-preservation. Her gaze drifted to Fahleena, who was still mid-pose and muttering something about celestial decrees and destiny echoes. A few paces over, Adiw was flexing like a junior wrestler preparing for a tournament that only existed in his head.
Gaby's smile twitched.
"Yep," she said again. "We'll be fine. Probably. Maybe."
She adjusted her bow with the grace of someone very practiced in ignoring chaos. Then she whispered, mostly to herself, "Please let the dwarves have tea."
Lucretia handed a final map to Fuhiken, who took it with a respectful nod. "North, first. To Dwargo. Dwarves are friends. Just don't trade Kyle."
"Hey!" Kyle protested.
Fahleena stepped forward once more, her keyblade now held in both hands as if it were a divine relic. Her eyes narrowed with solemn conviction, her tone dropping to the gravity of myth. "Let it be known," she proclaimed, "that this sacred march shall be remembered as the Crusade of Starlit Redemption, an oathbound pilgrimage to cleanse the chaos of the realms!"
She raised a fist to her chest, then pointed dramatically at the sky. "By the decree of the Celestial Tribunal of Silent Dawn, justice shall be delivered with radiant purity!"
Kyle leaned slightly toward Sinryo and whispered, "Wait... is that an actual ritual or just one of her dramatic monologues again?"
"I think even she doesn't know anymore," Sinryo replied.
With a deep breath, Lucretia stepped back. Behind her, the village shimmered in the early light. Before them, the path curved into forest, and then into the unknown.
Twelve children. One journey. Zero adult supervision. What could possibly go wrong?
They took their first step forward, laughter already echoing between the trees.
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