Still dripping chocolate syrup, Sylvara glared at Kazuya with the intensity of a dragon guarding its hoard. "You have exactly five seconds to start running, or I'm turning you into a kebab."
"W-Wait! It was a joke!" Kazuya stammered, holding the Sauce Scepter defensively. "A delicious, chocolatey joke!"
Before Sylvara could launch herself at him, Quackleton dramatically flapped onto Kazuya's shoulder, squawking heroically. "Quack! Quack quack!"
"What's that, Quackleton?" Brioche asked, crouching down to listen like he was some kind of prophetic chicken whisperer.
"Quack says we're being followed," Kazuya translated, puffing out his chest like he was an expert in poultry linguistics.
Sylvara blinked, her anger momentarily forgotten. "Followed? By who?"
"Or what?" Ravynne added, unsheathing her trusty baguette sword, which now sported a menacingly sharp garlic butter edge.
The Mysterious Morsels
The group scanned the forest, only to notice strange rustling in the bushes. Suddenly, a procession of anthropomorphic leftovers emerged. They looked like discarded bits of food brought to life—an army of half-eaten drumsticks, wilted salads, and stale rolls.
At the front of the procession stood their leader: a towering, sentient lasagna with a glowing cheese crown. Its voice boomed with the regal authority of someone who'd just found out they weren't microwaved evenly.
"I am King Lasagnor, Ruler of the Forgotten Feast!" the lasagna declared, a piece of basil fluttering dramatically from its head. "You have stolen the power of the Sauce Scepter, and now the Forgotten Leftovers demand their due!"
The group stared in stunned silence.
"I… I can't take this seriously," Brioche finally said, choking back laughter. "It's a lasagna wearing a crown."
Sylvara folded her arms, sighing. "Why does this stuff always happen to us?"
"Quiet!" Lasagnor bellowed. "The Scepter belongs to all food, not just to the Chosen One. Surrender it now, or face the wrath of the Feast Rebellion!"
The Battle of the Buffet
The leftover army charged, their bizarre forms wobbling and jiggling as they advanced. Kazuya, still clutching the Sauce Scepter, took a deep breath. "Alright, team. Let's clean this plate!"
Sylvara rolled her eyes but unsheathed her sword. "I can't believe I'm about to fight a meatloaf."
The battle was pure chaos. Brioche took on a squad of angry chicken wings, expertly parrying their spicy attacks with her baguette sword. Ravynne unleashed her magic to conjure a tornado of bread crumbs, scattering a group of moldy dinner rolls.
Meanwhile, Kazuya faced off against Lasagnor, who unleashed molten cheese blasts. "You'll regret ever crossing the Feast Rebellion!" the lasagna roared.
"Your sauce is weak!" Kazuya shot back, channeling the power of the Sauce Scepter to summon a wave of marinara that slammed into Lasagnor.
"HOW DARE YOU MOCK MY SAUCE!" Lasagnor screeched, the basil on his crown wilting slightly in defeat.
The Leftovers' Redemption
As the battle reached its climax, Kazuya suddenly had an idea. "Wait! We don't have to fight!" he shouted, holding up the Sauce Scepter.
Lasagnor paused, his gooey layers trembling. "What do you mean?"
"The Sauce Scepter isn't about division—it's about uniting all foods under the banner of deliciousness!" Kazuya declared dramatically. "We don't have to waste our energy fighting. Let's join forces and create the ultimate banquet!"
The leftover army murmured amongst themselves. A stale breadstick stepped forward. "We… we just wanted to feel appreciated again."
"You're not forgotten," Kazuya said earnestly. "You're a crucial part of any meal—whether you're fresh or reheated three days later. Together, we can make something amazing."
Lasagnor sniffled, a single cheesy tear sliding down his face. "You… you really mean that?"
Kazuya nodded. "Absolutely. Now let's cook!"
The Feast of Unity
The group and the leftover army worked together to prepare a banquet unlike anything the world had ever seen. Sylvara begrudgingly contributed by grilling some vegetables (while still side-eyeing Kazuya for the chocolate incident). Ravynne added her signature magical spices, and Brioche served up artisanal bread with flair.
When the feast was complete, Lasagnor raised a goblet of soup in triumph. "This day shall be remembered as the day the Forgotten Feast rose to greatness once more!"
Quackleton quacked approvingly, perched atop a towering pile of mashed potatoes.
As everyone dug into the meal, Kazuya couldn't help but smile. Sure, it had been another day of absurd chaos, but at least this time, it ended with full stomachs and zero explosions.
For now.