The aftermath of the Glitter Mech battle left the forest sparkling like a disco ball. While Sylvara hummed cheerfully and occasionally tried to pick glitter out of Kazuya's hair, Ravynne stomped around muttering curses about never being rid of the sparkly plague.
Kazuya, on the other hand, was busy glaring at the chicken that had been freed from the remains of the Glitter Mech. The bird stood in the middle of the clearing, pecking at the ground as if it hadn't just been piloting a 50-foot mech of doom.
"I don't trust it," Kazuya said, pointing his sword at the bird. "It's too calm."
"It's a chicken," Sylvara said, rolling her eyes. "What's it going to do? Lay an egg of doom?"
At that exact moment, the chicken squawked loudly and laid an egg that glowed with a mysterious, otherworldly light.
The Egg of Infinite Weirdness
The group stared in stunned silence as the egg began to pulsate with an eerie, rhythmic glow. Kazuya took a cautious step back. "Okay, I was joking. But apparently, the universe hates me."
Sylvara's eyes lit up with curiosity. "It could be a magical artifact! Or maybe it's a key to another dimension! Or—"
"Or it's going to explode," Ravynne interrupted, her hand already on her weapon. "We should destroy it before it does anything weird."
As if in response, the egg emitted a strange ping noise, followed by the faint sound of... elevator music?
"What. The. Hell?" Kazuya muttered, his grip tightening on his sword.
Sylvara was undeterred. She approached the egg with the enthusiasm of a kid opening a birthday present. "This is so exciting! It's like a mystery waiting to be unraveled!"
The chicken clucked loudly and flapped its wings, seemingly protective of the egg.
"Of course," Kazuya grumbled. "The chicken's in on it. Why wouldn't it be?"
The Egg Hatches... Sort Of
Before anyone could decide what to do, the egg let out a loud crack and split open. But instead of a baby chicken or a terrifying monster, a holographic projection shot out of the egg, displaying a glittery map.
"Oh, great," Ravynne said sarcastically. "Another map. Because the last one led us to such a sane place."
Sylvara clapped her hands. "A treasure map! This is perfect! We've got to follow it!"
Kazuya sighed. "Do we, though? I mean, really?"
The holographic map suddenly zoomed in on a location marked with a glowing, animated chicken emoji. Beneath it, glowing text read: "Find the Eggstravagant Treasure of Brioche Island!"
"Treasure?" Kazuya repeated, narrowing his eyes. "Why does this sound like a trap?"
"Because it probably is," Ravynne said. "But are we really going to ignore something called the Eggstravagant Treasure?"
The Journey to Brioche Island
The group set off, following the map's glowing trail through the forest and across a perilous river that Kazuya was sure was filled with piranhas (it wasn't). Along the way, the chicken waddled after them, clucking ominously every few minutes.
"Why are we bringing it?" Kazuya asked, glaring at the bird.
"Because it's adorable," Sylvara said, scooping the chicken into her arms. "And it might be important!"
"Or it's just a chicken," Ravynne muttered.
As they traveled, the map's holographic trail led them to increasingly bizarre landmarks. First, they passed a field of giant mushrooms that emitted sparkly spores. Then they crossed a bridge guarded by a troll who only let them pass after they solved a riddle involving the correct pronunciation of "gif."
By the time they reached the coastline, Kazuya was questioning every decision that had led him to this point in his life.
Brioche Island's First Surprise
The group rented a small boat and rowed to Brioche Island, which turned out to be... made entirely of bread.
"I can't believe this," Kazuya said, staring at the soft, pillowy landscape. "We're standing on an island made of carbs."
"It's beautiful," Sylvara whispered, her eyes wide. "I want to eat everything."
"Don't," Ravynne said. "You'll probably summon another glitter monster."
The holographic map led them to a giant loaf-shaped temple at the center of the island. As they approached, the chicken suddenly squawked and flapped its wings, leaping out of Sylvara's arms and running toward the temple.
"See?" Kazuya said. "I told you it was suspicious."
The chicken disappeared inside the temple, and a moment later, the ground began to shake.
The Rise of the Yeast Beast
The doors of the temple burst open, and out came a gigantic, doughy creature with glowing eyes and a body that smelled faintly of sourdough.
"THE YEAST BEAST HAS AWAKENED!" a voice boomed from the temple.
"Of course it has," Kazuya said flatly. "Because why wouldn't it?"
The Yeast Beast roared, sending a spray of flour into the air, and charged toward them. Kazuya drew his sword, Ravynne readied her daggers, and Sylvara... pulled out a rolling pin.
"Where did you even get that?" Kazuya asked, dodging a swipe from the Yeast Beast's doughy arm.
"I carry it for emergencies!" Sylvara said, swinging the rolling pin at the creature's leg.
Victory Through Ridiculousness
After a chaotic and flour-filled battle, the group managed to subdue the Yeast Beast by tricking it into stepping into a giant oven-shaped trap inside the temple.
As the creature let out one final, doughy roar and collapsed into a pile of bread, the group stood panting and covered in flour.
"Well, that was... something," Ravynne said, brushing flour off her armor.
Sylvara picked up the chicken, who was perched triumphantly on the Yeast Beast's remains. "You're such a good chicken! You helped us win!"
"I still don't trust it," Kazuya muttered, sheathing his sword.
The Eggstravagant Treasure
Inside the temple, they found the treasure: a chest filled with golden eggs, each inscribed with strange, glowing symbols.
"What do they do?" Sylvara asked, holding one up to the light.
"We'll find out soon enough," Ravynne said. "But let's get out of here before something else wakes up."
As they left the temple, the chicken clucked happily, and Kazuya couldn't help but wonder if their feathered companion had more secrets to reveal.
"Next time," he muttered, "I'm staying far, far away from chickens."
To Be Continued...