As they traveled, a mix of excitement and apprehension filled the air. The vast landscapes of Ophir unfolded before them, but their path was suddenly blocked by a group of menacing bandits.
The leader stepped forward, his voice dripping with malice. "Give me all your goods, or you'll die!"
The six friends exchanged confident glances, unperturbed by the threat. The bandits, taken aback by their fearless demeanor, hesitated, unsure of how to respond.
Yzay, with her serious expression, stepped forward. "I'll give you ten seconds to flee if you want to live."
The bandit leader laughed mockingly. "Huh! Who do you think you are?"
Yzay remain silent
With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed her Flame Style: Fiery Slash. A blazing arc of fire surged forth, enveloping the four bandits in an instant. The air crackled with energy as they fell to the ground, defeated before they even had a chance to react.
Her friends watched in awe, their admiration evident. Paul, unable to suppress his grin, turned to Yzay. "You're strong as ever, but a bit short-tempered," he teased, lightening the atmosphere.
Yzay shot him a playful glare. "You have a death wish?"a smirk creeping onto her face.
Paul, adopting an exaggerated scared expression, replied, " aight aight chill out" Laughter erupted among the group, the tension of the encounter dissipating.
Vader stood off to the side, watching his friends laugh and revel in their camaraderie. A pang of loneliness gripped him as he felt their joy slip through his fingers. Just then, Kairyu noticed him and called out, "What are you doing over there, Vader?"
The others turned to him, their expressions shifting to concern. Paul, ever the protective older brother, asked, "Are you okay?"
Vader forced a smile, trying to mask his feelings. "Yes" he replied, nodding toward the supplies they had gathered for their journey. He couldn't help but admire Yzay's capability the way she organized their little group always inspired him.
"Come on, slowpoke! Let's move out!" Visjar chimed in, his enthusiasm infectious. "We have five kilometers to walk until we reach Litrian!"
With that, the six friends resumed their journey, the sounds of laughter and playful banter echoing through the air.
Hours later, they arrived at the bustling capital of Litrian. Their eyes widened in awe as they took in the vibrant scene before them. The streets were alive with people—vendors calling out to sell their goods, adventurers discussing quests, and members of the royal army mingling with the crowd.
"Wow!" Kairyu exclaimed, her earlier shyness forgotten. "Look at all the food and equipment!"
Vader's gaze fell upon the magnificent royal castle, its intricate designs sparkling in the sunlight. The towering spires and grand arches took his breath away. For a moment, all his insecurities faded as he stood alongside his friends, united in their shared dream of becoming heroes.
"Let's go explore!" Yzay declared, her eyes gleaming with determination. They all nodded, ready to embrace whatever challenges awaited them in this new chapter of their lives.