As the group trudged out of the sticky chaos of the Maple Mire, their boots squelching with every step, Kazuya threw up his hands in defeat.
"Okay, I'm calling it now," he said, glaring at the sky as though the universe could hear him. "If the next thing we face is even remotely food-related, I'm giving up this Chosen One gig."
Sylvara smirked, wiping a streak of syrup off her cheek. "Oh, don't act so traumatized, Kazuya. You handled the Syrup King like a pro."
"Handled? I almost drowned in syrup!" Kazuya retorted. "I'm going to smell like a breakfast buffet for weeks."
Ravynne chuckled, adjusting her gauntlets. "Well, it could've been worse. At least no one got turned into a waffle."
Quackleton let out an indignant honk, clearly offended at the suggestion.
The Floating Breakfast Cart
As the group walked, a strange clinking sound reached their ears. They stopped in their tracks, weapons drawn, but what appeared was unlike anything they'd expected.
A floating cart, laden with steaming omelets, sizzling bacon, and golden toast, drifted toward them. Behind it, a rotund man in flowing robes waddled into view. His hat was shaped like a cracked egg, and he carried a spatula like it was a royal scepter.
"Greetings, travelers!" the man declared in a booming voice. "I am Chef Benedict, the Omelette Oracle, and I bring tidings of destiny!"
Kazuya slapped his palm to his forehead. "Nope. I'm out. I can't do this anymore."
"An oracle?" Sylvara asked, stepping forward. "What kind of tidings?"
Chef Benedict waved his spatula dramatically. "A prophecy most dire! For the yolk of fate has cracked, and the Omelette of Eternity must be folded before the world is scrambled!"
There was a long pause as the group stared at him, trying to process what they'd just heard. Ravynne was the first to break the silence.
"Okay, I know I've said this before, but I really mean it this time: we need to find a new hobby."
The Oracle's Vision
The Omelette Oracle led them to a clearing, where he set up his floating cart like a royal throne. He began mixing ingredients into a bowl with exaggerated flair, his every movement dripping with drama.
"To understand the prophecy," Benedict said, "we must first consult the Divine Skillet."
"The Divine what now?" Kazuya asked.
Benedict ignored him, pouring the mixture into a glowing skillet that had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. As the omelet cooked, images began to form in the steam rising from the pan.
"The Great Fowl Guardians have awakened," Benedict intoned. "But beware! For the Egg of Annihilation has been stolen by—"
The steam swirled, and an image of a menacing figure appeared. It was a man in a dark cloak, his eyes glowing red. In his hand, he held a gleaming egg that pulsed with ominous energy.
"—the Scrambler."
"Are you serious?" Kazuya groaned. "The Scrambler? That's the big villain?"
"Silence, Chosen One!" Benedict snapped. "The Scrambler seeks to use the Egg of Annihilation to unleash chaos upon the land. Only you can stop him!"
The Quest for the Egg
As ridiculous as the prophecy sounded, the group couldn't ignore the potential danger. If the Egg of Annihilation was real, it could spell disaster for the entire realm.
"So where do we find this Scrambler guy?" Sylvara asked.
Benedict pointed dramatically toward the horizon. "To the west lies the Land of Brunch, where the Scrambler's fortress rises. You must journey there, face his minions, and reclaim the Egg before it's too late."
"Let me guess," Ravynne said dryly. "His minions are going to be breakfast-themed too?"
Benedict nodded solemnly. "Beware the Hashbrown Horde and the Sausage Sentinels."
Ravynne sighed. "Of course they are."
A New Ally Appears
As they prepared to leave, a loud rustling came from the bushes. The group turned, weapons ready, but what emerged wasn't an enemy. It was a woman—tall, with flowing auburn hair and a confident smirk. She wore armor that looked like it was made of golden croissant layers, and her weapon was a gleaming baguette-sword.
"I heard you need help taking down the Scrambler," she said, resting the baguette on her shoulder. "Name's Brioche. I'm a Knight of the Golden Crust."
Kazuya stared at her, wide-eyed. "Is... is everyone in this world food-themed now?"
Sylvara elbowed him. "Don't be rude. We can use all the help we can get."
Brioche stepped forward, looking Kazuya up and down. "So you're the Chosen One, huh? Not bad. I've fought alongside worse."
Kazuya blushed, suddenly very aware of how close she was standing. "Uh, thanks... I think?"
To the Land of Brunch
With their new ally in tow, the group set off toward the Land of Brunch. The journey was filled with the usual chaos—Quackleton getting into fights with random birds, Smokey trying to steal everyone's food, and Kazuya tripping over his own feet.
But through it all, there was an undercurrent of excitement. As absurd as their quest had become, they couldn't deny that they were making a difference—one ridiculous battle at a time.
And as they marched toward their next adventure, the scent of sizzling bacon wafting on the breeze, Kazuya couldn't help but laugh. After all, who wouldn't want to save the world from a guy called the Scrambler?