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Sylanwood, Path toward Diremaw, Time: 8:00 PM
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As time ticked on, The Lucky Inquisitor found themselves growing increasingly weary from the long journey that took them from Stoneglen to Sylanwood.
The weight of their footsteps and the miles they had covered were beginning to take their toll. With a collective agreement, Ace finally decided to call a halt.
"Alright, everyone, let's set up camp here," Ace announced, his voice carrying a note of exhaustion mixed with determination.
He reached into his backpack, retrieving the necessary equipment to prepare a tent. The thought of shelter and rest was a welcoming prospect for the group, a brief respite from the weariness that had settled upon them.
As Ace started the process of erecting the tent, the others in the group began to help, their movements slightly sluggish from fatigue.
Mianne unfolded a blanket, laying it out on the ground as a makeshift seating area. James, still with a spark of energy left, gathered some wood for a campfire, hoping to bring some warmth and comfort to the chilly night ahead.
"So, is no one going to keep watch for potential dangers during the night?" Ezra's question carried a note of caution, his concern for their safety evident in his tone. He understood that even in their exhaustion, maintaining a watchful eye was crucial to their security.
Mianne, however, tried to assuage any worries. "I'm sure we'll be alright," she said with a reassuring smile, reaching out to offer James some comfort by rubbing his back. The day had been tiring for all of them, and the prospect of a peaceful night's rest was enticing.
Ezra wasn't completely convinced, but he recognized the need to rest. "If you say so," he replied, his voice still carrying a hint of apprehension.
He then retreated into his tent, seeking the solace of its shelter.
As the night settled in and the campfire's glow flickered in the darkness, the group's weariness slowly overpowered their concerns.
Soon, the sounds of their steady breathing became a soothing lullaby in the tranquil night, embracing them in the quiet embrace of sleep.
Meanwhile, 10 kilometers away, Sugar's Enterprise found a spot to rest near the edge of the forest.
The Golden Captain remained illuminated by lanterns as weariness settled in among the group. Watching over The Lucky Inquisitor and waiting to snatch that moon charm away was a lot of hard work.
"Alright, let's call it a day," Sugar declared, earning a collective groan of agreement from the rest.
"I have a meeting with her tonight, so you all can get some sleep without me," he added, addressing the team's plans for the evening.
With Sugar's instructions in mind, the members of Sugar's Enterprise began to prepare for rest.
They set up their sleeping areas, exchanged goodnights, and engaged in some playful banter.
"Dy'va, I swear to god if you snore loudly, I am ripping your leg off," November threatened playfully, not in the mood for loud snores.
"Hey! I don't even snore that loud!" Dy'va retorted, and the two of them continued their playful argument.
Sugar observed their dynamic with a smile before stepping outside of The Golden Captain. He looked up into the sky, gazing at the bright stars that adorned the heavens.
The serenity of the night offered a brief respite from their relentless pursuit and provided a moment of quiet reflection.
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Sylanwood, Path toward Diremaw, Time: 10:00 PM
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As Sugar dozed off for a bit, he woke up two hours later, feeling a sense of urgency.
"Oh god, what's the time?" Sugar frantically checked his pocket watch, discovering it was already 10 PM.
"Alright, time to go meet her then." Sugar pocketed his watch, aware that Lucia wanted to meet him in the night, although she didn't specify the exact time.
Walking through the forest, Sugar heard a sudden splash in the distance and decided to investigate. It wouldn't hurt to be a little late, right?
As Sugar strolled, he reached the crystal-clear river glowing in a cyan hue. He splashed his face with its refreshing water and noticed Toodies skipping rocks.
"Toodies?" Sugar inquired, surprising Toodies as he turned to see his boss. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting like the others?"
"Oh, hey, teacher... I'm just clearing my mind," Toodies replied, gazing out at the calm river. The peaceful stream seemed to encourage introspection.
Toodies remained silent as Sugar sat down beside him, and they watched the river together.
"Is this about the latest mission?" Sugar asked, recognizing that Toodies was likely grappling with the recent events.
"Did... Dy'va tell you about it?" Toodies chuckled slightly as he skipped another rock across the water. The incident had left him somewhat shaken.
"I'm...sorry," Sugar offered, sensing Toodies' unease.
"I might have forced this onto you, didn't I?" Sugar admitted, scratching his head. He realized he should have been more considerate, understanding that Toodies might not have been prepared for such a mission.
"I thought you felt left out when I kept putting you back on the bench. I just want you to do what you want." Sugar looked out over the river, acknowledging his mistake.
"Oh...I guess all of us are just a bunch of mess, huh?" Sugar attempted to lighten the mood, eliciting a small laugh from Toodies.
"If you don't want to fight, just ask me, okay?" Sugar offered comforting words, prompting a nod from Toodies.
"Thank you, I needed that," Toodies said as he stood up, skipping the last rock he held.
"Dy'va told me that you have a phrase for that specific word of life, what was it again?" Toodies asked, momentarily forgetting the term.
"Shit happens, and you can't do anything about it," Sugar confidently stated, earning another laugh from Toodies.
"Remember, if you've got anything troubling you, just ask me about it, okay?" Sugar assured him, and Toodies nodded.
With that, Toodies ran back to the golden captain, leaving Sugar alone.
"Alright, time to find my best buddy." Sugar decided to skip away into the forest, unnoticed by anyone.
"Sugar?" A soft voice interrupted Sugar's thoughts. He turned around to see the source of the voice. Stepping out of the forest was Lucia herself.
"Oh, it's you!" Sugar exclaimed with a hint of happiness, as he enjoyed Lucia's company.
"Could we go talk in the field? I think it would be even more beautiful there," Lucia requested, her eyes already fixed on the starlit sky.
"Absolutely," Sugar agreed, eager to accompany Lucia to the spot she had in mind.
They walked together to an orange-hued hill, where the stars twinkled brilliantly above them. The serene atmosphere of the night provided the perfect backdrop for their conversation.
"It's a beautiful night," Lucia remarked, her gaze fixed on the stars.
"Yes, it is," Sugar agreed, his eyes also drawn to the sparkling sky. The two of them stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the tranquility of the night.
"Sugar, I did ask you for something, didn't I?" Lucia inquired, extending her hand.
"Yeah, the cartridges. They seem to be working," Sugar responded, reaching into his pocket to retrieve the cartridges and handing them to Lucia.
"November didn't suffer any side effects, so I consider it a success," he added with a satisfied grin, trying to impress her. Lucia sighed in approval.
"Good job. I wouldn't expect anything less," Lucia complimented him, and Sugar couldn't help but giggle.
"Also, I have a matter to discuss," Lucia continued, her tone shifting. Sugar was intrigued, wondering if it was related to further testing of the cartridges.
"Why did you and your group make the news?" Lucia asked, her smile taking on a more sinister edge as a dark aura enveloped her. The atmosphere grew tense as she awaited his answer.
"I can explain," Sugar hurriedly said as Lucia's gaze remained fixed on him, her demeanor demanding an explanation.
"I don't trust the Twilight supporters. So, I thought it was the best option," he explained, hoping to rationalize his actions. Lucia listened intently, her eyes narrowing as she absorbed his words.
"So, you decided to put yourself and your group in possible danger and ignore my order?" Lucia's voice held a mixture of reproach and concern.
Sugar couldn't help but sweatdrop in response to her stern inquiry. "Well, you see, even though I might have attracted attention, I'll be..." Sugar's sentence was abruptly cut off as Lucia swiftly pinned him against a nearby tree.
Her voice rose in volume as she practically seethed, "I swear to living hell if you get hurt..."
Sugar's cheeks reddened at the proximity of their faces, this being the closest he had ever been to Lucia.
Amid their tense conversation, an unexpected flutter of emotions began to take hold. "You will not ignore my order, Sugar."
As their eyes locked, a mixture of intensity and an underlying connection seemed to hang in the air.
Lucia's grip on Sugar tightened as her expression softened slightly, revealing a complexity of emotions. Despite her fiery demeanor, there was an undeniable concern beneath her actions.
Sugar swallowed hard, feeling a combination of nervousness and a strange warmth at her proximity.
He gathered his thoughts and managed to speak, his voice earnest, "Lucia, I promise you, I won't take unnecessary risks. The others and I are cautious, and we're doing this to protect our world."
Lucia's grip gradually loosened as she seemed to contemplate his words, her dark eyes searching his face.
The tension in the air began to ease, replaced by a sense of understanding. With a sigh, Lucia released Sugar from her hold and stepped back.
"You better keep that promise, Sugar," Lucia said, her tone a mix of warning and genuine concern. "I don't want to see you or anyone else getting hurt because of reckless actions."
Sugar nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I won't let you down, Lucia. I'll make sure we're careful."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their conversation hanging between them.
Then, Lucia's expression softened a bit further. "Good. I'll be keeping an eye on you, so don't think I won't know if something goes wrong."
A small smile tugged at Sugar's lips. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
"Also," Lucia said as she pulled out two new cartridges, "I need you to test out these." She presented the cartridges - one depicting a giant metal bird surrounded by electricity labeled as "Thunderbird," and the other showing a trio of young princesses covered in crystal labeled as "Trio of Crystal."
Sugar's eyes widened in intrigue as Lucia revealed the two new cartridges. The designs on them were captivating, each holding a unique aura of power and mystery. He extended his hand, gesturing for Lucia to hand them over.
"Thunderbird and Trio of Crystal, huh?" Sugar mused, examining the intricate artwork on the cartridges. "These look pretty impressive."
Lucia nodded. "Thunderbird is designed to enhance speed and agility while also granting limited control over electricity-based attacks. Trio of Crystal, on the other hand, should provide enhanced defensive capabilities and an affinity for earth and crystal manipulation."
Sugar's excitement grew as he held the cartridges. "These sound amazing! I can't wait to see how they work in action."
Lucia smirked. "Just remember, don't go overboard and take unnecessary risks."
"I promise, I'll test them out responsibly," Sugar assured, a glint of determination in his eyes.
Lucia's expression softened a touch. "Good. I wouldn't want to lose my little troublemaker."
Sugar chuckled. "I'll always give you a reason to worry, won't I?"
They shared a moment of lightheartedness before Lucia's gaze turned more serious. "But, Sugar, be careful out there. I know you're doing this to protect our world, but don't underestimate the dangers."
Sugar nodded, his tone sincere. "I won't, Lucia. And I appreciate your concern."
She gave him a nod of approval before taking a step back. "Alright then, I'll leave you to your testing. Remember, I'll be watching."
"Understood," Sugar said, a confident smile forming. As Lucia turned to leave, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for her presence in his life.
Sugar then remembers something, "Oh, wait! I need to discuss something!" Lucia turns back to Sugar with a confused expression before the realization hits her as well.
"Jeez, we are just a goldfish, huh?" Lucia laughed before opening up a portal to Hell, "I also have a matter that needs to be discussed with you as well."
As the night carried on and stars continued to twinkle overhead, Sugar and Lucia stepped into the portal together, discussing something together.
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