**********************************************
Nourtuck, Town Central: Treehouse of Knowledge, Time: 12:45 PM
**********************************************
"So, who are we dealing with, exactly?" James said, appearing utterly confused and filled with many questions.
"The Gray Phoenix is a part of 'The Messengers of Beyond,' all of them separated as individual body parts. But specifically, what we're dealing with is the wing of the messengers. The Messengers of Beyond is a component of another larger organization called Twilight," Ace explained with a serious expression. Mianne was concerned, but James seemed unfazed.
"Not only that, but the Gray Phoenix is heavily against any race that isn't human," Ezra added.
"If we even attempt to destroy one of them, the rest of the body will come for us too." Delia and Maxwell held their heads down in fear.
"Yes, young man. I know you wanted to save us from this tyrant, but nothing can stop you if you're part of the Messengers of Beyond," the grand sage said with a saddened tone in his voice.
"But, it's good to know people can have a heart for such a small town, let alone a very non-human one," the grand sage laughed, foreseeing the rise of great upcoming heroes.
"No."
Everyone was confused by the source of the voice, it was James.
"I refuse to leave this town like this," James continued as he clenched his fist.
Ace decided he had enough of James's idealism as he slammed his fist down on the table, "Have you lost it, James?! We're dealing with an underground world organization! If anything, you're thinking too damn brightly for this world!" Ace yelled out, causing James to look at him with determination.
"So what if I am?!" James retorted, refusing to let his spirit leader silence him.
"Are you telling me you don't have any sympathy for everyone in this town?!" James continued, Ace kept silent to make his point.
"I am not here to argue with you; you are such a dense wall..." Ace stated, gaining a dirty look from James.
"So you don't feel sympathy at all... Ace, listen. You don't have to be your family's perfect child. You are finally free from that, so please, just for this once..." Ace turned back to see his friend, James had a sympathetic look, while Ezra and Mianne looked concerned.
"You know how many times people said this and succeeded? A slim chance of the impossible. That's how much of a chance we have against them," Ace continued to raise his voice, hoping James would understand the gravity of the situation.
"I wish people weren't this cruel in the world as much as you do, James, but this is partially suicide!" He wanted him to think more pragmatically, just for once.
"You know, I was saved by someone willing to take time out of his day to save me because a guardian is willing to save a single life, and that matters as much to me!" James stated, with Ace just glaring at him at this point, "We are guardians, Ace! We are willing to help out others in need because I want to save as many lives as I can."
James decided to breathe in, "So if you are willing to let someone be enslaved or let someone die like this, are you a savior at all?!" James started to cough after his outburst, visibly shaking. Mianne went to comfort him, understanding his passion and determination.
"Even though I do agree with what Ace said," Ezra interjected as he walked toward James and then turned to face Ace. "The last time someone said that was a dear friend, and he was willing to do anything to help out as much as he can, even though he's just a human," Ezra said before sighing.
"And then life wanted to end him that day; he went on a massacring rampage. James is right about us throwing our lives into the battlefield." Ace stood frozen in place, unsure of his emotions – was he angry, disappointed, or conflicted? He hadn't spoken or yelled back for a minute, trying to process everything that was said.
Ezra continued, his voice calm but firm, "Ace, I understand you're concerned, and we all are. But shutting ourselves out from the world won't change anything. It's not just about saving one town; it's about standing up against injustice wherever it may be."
Ace looked at Ezra with frustration, "You think I don't want to make a difference? I do. But we need to be realistic, not dreamers. This Twilight organization, The Messengers of Beyond, they're beyond our league."
Ezra sighed, "I get it, Ace. It's a dangerous path. But turning a blind eye to evil just because it's powerful goes against everything we stand for. You've got to believe in the possibility of change."
Ace shook his head, "Believing in change doesn't mean ignoring the odds, Ezra. We have responsibilities, not just to ourselves but to our families, and to the people who depend on us. We can't risk everything on a fight we might not win."
"But what if it's a fight we must undertake?" Ezra responded, his tone unwavering. "What if, by standing against this darkness, we inspire others to do the same? We can't let fear dictate our actions."
"I'm not driven by fear, Ezra. I'm driven by a sense of responsibility," Ace retorted. "I've seen what happens when you let emotions lead you. It doesn't end well." Ace's arm was shaking, he was reminded of a dark memory.
Ezra looked at Ace with a mixture of empathy and frustration, "I've lost people too, Ace. But if we don't take a stand now, how many more will suffer? How many more towns will be oppressed?"
Ace didn't immediately respond, a tense silence hanging between them. Mianne, who had been listening attentively, stepped in, "Guys, let's not lose sight of why we're here. We're a team. We need to find a way to face this threat together."
James, recovering from his outburst, added, "We became adventurers to protect and help others, right? If we don't do something now, who will?"
Ace remembered something in the back of his mind, a memory of some sort.
**********************************************
A few years ago...
**********************************************
"Ace, I know you're thinking quite critically about this. It ain't your fault for making me lose an eye," Rosco said proudly as he pointed toward himself.
"But why? Am I just another meat shield for you? So why sacrifice yourself for me?" Ace said, expressing his doubts about whether Rosco is truly fine with him losing an eye.
"Ah, come on now, lad, don't beat yourself up about it. We saved a child from being worked off, didn't we?" Rosco stated, referring to the incident where they rescued a child slave from being exploited for material gathering, resulting in Rosco losing an eye.
"Human life is precious, Ace, especially children. They have a lot of things to learn in their life," Rosco said as he looked out to the views.
"If anything, I want someone to change the world. Maybe that could stop problems in this current day and age," Rosco said as he sipped another ale.
"It might seem impossible, but if everyone works together, then we could turn the impossible into the possible!" Rosco stated proudly.
**********************************************
Presents time...
**********************************************
Ace walked toward James as he looked down at him. James looked up to see him offering a hand.
"You want to change the world, huh? Guess I will give it a shot too," Ace stated, finally giving in and going along with James's crazy plan of "Changing the world."
James was an absolute delight and accepted his hand, jumping up and down with joy at Ace's first-ever approval. Ezra and Mianne smiled, happy that these two finally got along.
"Yes, yes, good. Happy memory, but you're forgetting someone, yes?" Maxwell said, breaking up the happy moment as he pointed at himself.
"Let me go too! I can't let you lousy humans take all the credit!" Maxwell said with pride, offering to come along and help with the task our heroes are undertaking.
"Well, of course. You lot would get lost without me," Maxwell stated softly, imagining that these humans would be running in circles trying to find the path to the dungeon.
"Alright, Goblin guy!! We would love your contribution to the team!" Mianne said in joy, still calling Maxwell that.
"I'm not even gonna try to correct them anymore..." Maxwell said in absolute depression.
"Well, all five of us are gonna get going now! We will see both of you later!" James said as the team was about to leave.
"WAIT! I NEED TO ASK SOMETHING!"
The grand sage yelled, surprising them. "Who are you?" The grand sage asked.
James smirked as he stated, "We're The Lucky Inquisitors, and we will make sure the world will be changed forever!" James said with absolute pride, making the grand sage smile.
**********************************************
Nourtuck, Gate to The Desolate Chambers, Time: 1:00 PM
**********************************************
"DON'T SLACK OFF, YOU WORTHLESS GREEN!!!"
The Gray Phoenix guard shouted, landing a forceful blow on the goblin to assert his authority.
Trembling with fear, the goblin miner stammered, "Y-yes, sir..." and quickly returned to work.
"Damn straight, you worthless piece of crap," the GP guard insulted as he resumed his duty at the gate.
The team reached the entrance where the Gray Phoenix allies rested. Spotting them, the guard waved and approached the group.
"Greetings, fellow humans! What business have you brought to the GP South Headquarters?" he asked, saluting them.
"We have one business," Ace replied as he moved closer to the guard and unexpectedly struck him in the face.
The guard was sent crashing into the gate, breaking the door instantly. A dent was visible on his helmet.
"Not my brightest idea, but it worked," Ace remarked, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his hand.
"Alright, let's go. We're gonna make some changes in the world."
**********************************************