As they wait for orders from Bushiyon, 499 and Haru watch the ship from the pilot bay. Haru's impatience is palpable as he folds his arms across his chest while waiting for a page or anything to indicate they can advance. "We've been waiting here forever. How long has it been since we were on standby?"
"Two Hours."
"Jeez, those goblins and elf soldiers were really made to be as problematic as possible, weren't they…."
Suddenly, 499 gets a pager from Bushiyon. "Captain, the order for your vessel to be on standby has been lifted. You and the other entries can return to the capital world."
"Understood, Commander," 499 ends the page.
"What happened?" asks Haru
"We can now travel to the capital world."
Haru's face lights up with joy as he clasps his hands together. "Yes, it's about damn time," He makes his way to the pilot seat of the spaceship and starts the engine with a satisfying hum. He presses the radio button, and the sound echoes through the ship's halls. "Everyone, the standby order has been lifted, so we're returning to the capital world. Strap in."
"Yes, finally!" says Navar.
As the ship flies towards the capital world, Navar approaches 499, wondering what will happen upon their arrival. "So what will we do once we arrive in Ozania?"
"After a war, warriors, soldiers, and anyone who helped take part in the war will go home to their families for two weeks until you are summoned for another mission."
"Oh, that's good. I'm just glad we don't have another tiring thing to do after this," Navar approaches Jax with an excited grin, having just left his conversation with 499. "Did you hear that, Jax? We get to see Mom and Dad again!"
"Yup. And we also get to see Miri, too. I wonder how she's doing."
"She better be good 'cause I have a score to settle with her now that I awakened my JōKai."
Jax's face lights up with curiosity, and a grin spreads across his lips. "Wow, you awakened your JōKai?! What is it?!"
As Navar unsheathes his blade, he takes a deep breath and focuses his energy to invoke Light JōKai onto it. "Light JōKai, that's what Overlord said when I was fightin' him."
499's ears perk up as he overhears the conversation, his eyes catching Navar's blade in his peripheral vision and the bright white energy coating it. "Light JōKai… Interesting," He turns his gaze back to Haru, who's focused on piloting the ship. "How close are we to reaching the capital?"
"About 15 minutes."
"Ok," 499 presses the radio button on the control board. "We're getting close to landing in the Capital. Everyone get ready."
As the ship descends into the Ozanian Capital world, Jax and Navar peered out the window, marveling at the vibrant hues of the planet's atmosphere. "It's so good to be back!" says Navar.
As soon as they land and step off the ship, they spot Miri leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "Miri!" says Navar and Jax. Jax and Navar rush toward Miri with open arms, eager to embrace her.
Miri sighs and shakes her head in embarrassment as Navar and Jax approach in a public display of affection. "Those two will never not be embarrassing," She returns the gesture, wrapping her arms around them in a warm embrace. "You guys are so embarrassing. But I missed you guys a lot. You had me worried sick. I heard you both were on board exploding ships."
"Nah, we're ok! Jax and his group disabled the apocalyptic weapon while I fought Overlord!"
Navar's statement elicits a scoff from Miri, who jerks her head back in disbelief. "You fought Overlord by yourself. I don't believe you."
"Well, I did! And I awakened my JōKai too!"
"Oh, did you? So did I!"
"Oh, ok! Then let's spar! We'll see who's the strongest among us!"
Navar and Miri prepare for battle, summoning their JōKai onto their weapons as they unsheathe their blades and daggers, respectively.
Miri feels a surge of anticipation for the upcoming duel, causing her to tighten her fists. "My JōKai is Dark JōKai. What is yours?"
Navar returns Miri's affirmed smirk with one akin to her smug expression. "Mine is Light JōKai!"
"Oh, Light and Dark. I like that dynamic. Let's see who's better!"
"Yeah!" Navar and Miri charge at each other, but 499 intervenes, appearing out of nowhere to stop them. Navar lets out an irritated grunt. "Hey, captain! Don't you see we're trying to duel here?!"
"Yes, I do, and dueling in landing sites is forbidden due to them being landing hazards."
"Oh, whoops. Sorry," Navar and Miri stow away their weapons.
"Good, now get home and get some rest," 499 leaves the conversation.
Jax feels a chill run down his spine as he watches 499 walk away. "Good grief, that guy gives me the creeps."
"You're not alone on that one," Suddenly, Navar becomes curious and wonders where Pikati is. "Wait, where is Pikati at?"
"I'm right here."
Navar turns around and sees Pikati with a map in his hand. "Oh, hey! Are you ready to come to our home? You can live there with us!"
"While I appreciate the offer, I want to go to the farmland of Voranboria. I've read all about it in books and seen pictures. It's the perfect place for me to live."
"Aww, man, come on, live with us. I promise you'll love it."
"No, I appreciate it. Thank you. But this is what I want. I want land, my own house, and a nice farm all to myself."
The conversation halts for a moment until Navar squats down and places a reassuring hand on Pikati's shoulder. "While I wish you came with us, I understand. Whatever you do, don't be a stranger, and talk to us, ok!" Navar offers a fist bump to Pikati.
"Sure thing. I'll reach out to you whenever I can!" Pikati and Navar share a fist bump, then Pikati heads off toward the train station. In the middle of his stride, he glances back and smirks at Navar. "Goodbye, Navar! It was nice meeting you!"
"You too! Have fun at Vorboria!"
"It's Voranboria, you dumbass," says Miri.
"Whatever!" Suddenly, Navar, Miri, and Jax get a page from Bushiyon. "What's that message say? My pager is broken?"
"Commander Bushiyon paged us to a meeting room," says Miri.
"Really?! I thought 499 we had two weeks off?"
"Relax, Navar, I'm sure he's just paging us in there to congratulate us," says Jax.
"I sure hope so… I don't want to sit through a boring meeting."
Navar, Miri, and Jax walk into the meeting room to find every entry and cadet present, along with Bushiyon. The door shuts, and Bushiyon rises from his seat. "I'm glad you all could make it. During The Goblin War, we faced some troublesome challenges along the way. Even though we had a stronger army, the goblins and elves were incredibly elusive so much, so Overlord almost completed his task of destroying two planets. But, because of your valiant efforts and knowing the base layout, you gave us knowledge even our best scouts couldn't gather, and we thank you. All charges of your crimes against Ozania have been wiped, and all disciplinary actions will be lifted. "Thank you again, and you all are dismissed. Enjoy your time off," As everyone files out of the room, Bushiyon approaches Astran and taps her on the shoulder. "Astran."
"Yes, sir?"
"You're an entry now. Thank you for helping us in the war effort even though you didn't have to."
Astran turns away from Bushiyon to conceal the tears forming in her eyes. "You're welcome, sir. Thank you for letting me join."
"Don't mention it. Enjoy your time off."
Astran walks out the door, her blade unsheathed, and she takes a moment to admire herself in the reflection, her expression filled with pride. "Now I have a chance to restart my life. And I promise once I get enough power… I'll free you all from those bastards."
We now go to the POV of Navar, Jax, and Miri, headed toward a flying bus station. "Wow, two weeks off! Man, I'm so glad to go home! I can't wait to tell Mom and dad about the time we had!" says Navar.
"Man, I just wanna get back and relax. Being in that hot-ass space station has me exhausted," says Jax.
"I'll just continue my training. My fighting style needs improvement," says Miri.
Upon arriving at the bus station, they catch sight of Astran and Juyon standing with their arms crossed against a brick wall. "Hey Astran, Juyon!" says Navar.
Juyon and Astran approach Navar, Miri and Jax. "Hey, I know this might sound sudden, but would you guys be ok with me staying at your place? I don't have enough Royal to get an apartment, and I've outdone my stay at the hotel," says Juyon.
While Miri and Jax take a moment to consider Astran and Juyon's request, Navar's face lights up with a broad grin. "Of course, you can stay! We have a huge room thanks to our dad buildin' it for us!"
Miri's frustration is visible as a vein bulges from her forehead, and she grits her teeth. "You idiot, do you think anything through at all?! We can't just invite random people into our home!"
"What do you mean, 'Think anything through' And 'random people' Juyon is a nice guy, and he won't do anything to hurt Mom, Dad, Lucky, Me, Jax, or you."
"That still doesn't..." Miri expresses her frustration with a heavy exhale before hanging her head. "Nevermind… I don't even know why I try, knowing you won't listen."
"Thank you," says Juyon.
While Navar, Juyon, and Miri continue their conversation, Astran approaches them.
Navar's face lights up with a big grin as he sees Astran. "Oh hey, Astran. What's up?!"
"Well, I was going to ask the same question as him. Do you mind if I crash with you guys for the two weeks?"
"I don't mean to sound like a jerk or nothin' guys, but there are other homes you can stay in. I'm sure some Ozanians would be more than proud to let a warrior live with them," says Jax.
"Well, I don't really trust everyone else like I trust you guys. I just want a place to stay for two weeks. I promise I won't ask again."
Navar's face lights up with a smile as he presents his hand in a handshake. "Ok then! We kinda owe you anyway since you helped us, so… you can stay!"
"Thank you," Astran returns Navar's handshake, her grip strong and confident.
When the bus arrives at the stop, they board the flying bus and settle in for the hour-long ride to Wellfort. They explore the Wellfort community until they finally find their house, which is nestled in a cozy corner. Navar takes a deep breath, feeling the warm air fill his lungs, and exhales with a smile on his face. "Man, it's good to be home!" He kicks the door with such force that it goes flying through the hallway, colliding with a vase and knocking it over. The loud noise causes a golden retriever to descend the steps and bark at the doorframe. "Lucky!" Lucky pounces on Navar and covers his face with slobbery kisses.
"Man, Mom is going to flip about that vase," Jax thinks to himself Jax lets down his heavy bags and walks toward Lucky and Navar. "Hey, don't forget about us," Miri and Jax approach Lucky, and he gives them the same slobbery kisses he gave Navar.
"Hmm, I knew you guys were home once I heard that vase break," Tokoyashi's smile beams warmth and friendliness as he enters the room.
"Dad!" Navar, Miri, and Jax rush toward Tokoyashi, their faces beaming with joy as they embrace him.
As he embraces his children, Tokoyashi chuckles with joy. "Welcome home, guys."
"What the flyin' shit was that noise? Your stupid ass better not ha-" Chikuma's eyes dart down to the door and the shattered vase. She clenches her fists in frustration, a frustrated vein bulging on her forehead. "You little shits. This is the ninth damn time y'all done broke down the damn door!"
Tokoyashi's eyes twinkle as he looks up at Chikuma with a whimsical grin. "Honey, our kids have friends here. I don't think it's smart of you to use such harsh language…."
Chikuma chuckles sheepishly and scratches the back of her head. "Whoops, I'm sorry. Who's up for some thunder burgers?!" "Those goddamn ingrates will pay for that bullshit later," Chikuma thinks to herself.
"Yes! Thunder Burgers. I've been dying to have some!" says Navar.
Chikuma and Tokoyashi set up the table, and soon everyone is gathered around it, devouring the meal. "So guys, how was your time as entries for Ozania?" asked Tokoyashi.
"It was quite the challenge. From the Entry Exams to the fight with Overlord and the Goblin army. It was all so exhausting, but I won't act like fightin' wasn't fun, and seeing the Capital City for the first time was cool.
"Sounds like a hell of an experience."
"It sure was, and guess what, Dad?"
"Hm?"
Navar unsheathes his blade and conjures Light JōKai onto it. "Look, it's My…."
"JōKai, the power of Supernaturals, I know."
"Wait, how do you know what JōKai is?"
"Because…." The corners of Tokoyashi's mouth lift as he extends his arm, and a ball of Water JōKai takes shape in his hand.
"I'm a Supernatural, just like you are…"