The inn at Glitterdale (yes, it was actually called Glitterdale, to Kazuya's immense annoyance) was already packed with villagers who couldn't stop staring at the party. Every step they took left a trail of glitter, and every attempt to wipe it off only made it worse.
Kazuya slammed his head on the bar. "If one more person asks me if I'm 'the chosen one,' I'm going to lose it."
The innkeeper, a burly man with a bald head that now glistened thanks to Sylvara's "friendly sprinkle," set down three mugs of ale. "What's yer deal with all this sparkle? You folks bringin' the Festival of Fools early?"
"No festivals," Ravynne said, pulling her hood lower over her face. "We're trying to figure out how to get rid of this glitter and avoid causing more chaos."
Sylvara hugged the orb protectively. "Chaos? But it's so beautiful! Look how it brings joy to everyone!"
Behind her, a villager sneezed after inhaling a cloud of glitter, promptly tripped into a barrel, and sent an entire rack of supplies crashing to the ground.
"Joy," Kazuya deadpanned. "Right."
The Stranger at the Bar
As they debated their next move, a man cloaked in shadowy robes slid into the seat next to them. His hood obscured most of his face, but his glitter-covered boots ruined any attempt at intimidation.
"I hear you've got the Orb of Infinite Glitter," he said, his voice low and dramatic.
Kazuya stared at him. "What gave it away? The sparkles in my eyebrows?"
The man ignored him and focused on Sylvara. "Do you have any idea what you're holding? That orb is not a mere trinket—it's the key to an ancient and powerful cult."
Sylvara's eyes sparkled brighter than the orb itself. "A cult? Like, with secret handshakes and cool outfits?"
"Exactly," the man said, leaning in closer. "But not just any cult. The Cult of Glitterus Maximus. They believe the orb will grant them eternal fabulousness and—"
"I KNEW it!" Sylvara squealed, bouncing up and down. "This is amazing!"
"It really isn't," Ravynne said, glaring at the stranger. "Why are you telling us this?"
"Because," the man said dramatically, pausing for effect, "the cult is already here. Watching."
Kazuya rolled his eyes. "Of course they are."
Glitter Ambush
The door to the inn slammed open, and a group of overly bedazzled figures marched in. They wore glittering robes that sparkled so brightly it was like staring into the sun. Their leader, a tall woman with hair that looked like it had been dipped in gold dust, pointed directly at Sylvara.
"Hand over the orb!" she demanded, her voice echoing through the room.
Sylvara clutched the orb tighter. "Never! It's mine!"
"It doesn't belong to you!" the woman shouted. "It belongs to Glitterus Maximus! Surrender it, or prepare to face the Sparklenado!"
Kazuya raised an eyebrow. "The Sparklenado?"
The cult leader snapped her fingers, and the cultists began spinning in a synchronized tornado formation, sending glitter flying everywhere. The villagers screamed and ran for cover as the sparkling storm approached.
"Oh, come on," Kazuya groaned, drawing his sword. "Why is it always something ridiculous?"
Battle of the Bedazzled
As the Sparklenado barreled toward them, Kazuya charged, slashing at the cultists. But every time his sword made contact, more glitter exploded into the air, blinding him.
"I can't see!" he shouted, stumbling backward. "There's glitter in my eyes!"
Ravynne conjured a shadowy shield, deflecting the storm, but even her magic couldn't stop the relentless glitter. "This is absurd. We're fighting weaponized sparkle dust."
Sylvara, meanwhile, was spinning around with the orb, giggling as it amplified her own glitter aura. "This is so much fun!"
"It's not fun!" Kazuya yelled, wiping glitter off his face. "This is a nightmare!"
A Glittery Solution
Just when it seemed like the Sparklenado would overwhelm them, Sylvara held the orb high and shouted, "Stop! I'll give you what you want!"
The cultists froze mid-spin, their glitter-covered faces turning toward her.
"Really?" the leader asked, her eyes wide with hope.
"Sure!" Sylvara said, smiling sweetly. "But only if you promise to use it for good."
The leader nodded eagerly. "We swear it!"
Sylvara handed the orb over, and the cultists immediately began cheering and hugging each other. The glitter storm subsided, and the room fell silent.
"Wait," Kazuya said, narrowing his eyes. "That's it? You're just giving it to them?"
Sylvara shrugged. "They seemed nice."
"You're unbelievable," Ravynne muttered.
The Aftermath
As the cultists marched triumphantly out of the inn, Sylvara turned to Kazuya and Ravynne with a bright smile. "See? Problem solved!"
Kazuya groaned. "We're still covered in glitter, and now a cult has a magical orb. How is that 'solved'?"
"It's all about perspective," Sylvara said cheerfully.
"You're the worst," Kazuya grumbled, but a small smile tugged at his lips.
Ravynne sighed. "Let's just hope we don't run into them again."
Unbeknownst to them, the cult leader was already planning her next move. "With the orb in our possession," she whispered to her followers, "the world will soon bow to the power of Glitterus Maximus!"
To Be Continued...