With JC gone, the guildhall felt different. His calm, commanding presence was noticeably absent, leaving the team to navigate their path without their quiet leader. But JC's parting words echoed in their minds: "Keep growing stronger."
Determined not to let him down, the group wasted no time diving into training and missions.
---
Discovering the Staff
It was during one of their breaks that Jackson noticed something peculiar in JC's room. While tidying up the space, he stumbled upon a long, intricately carved staff resting in the corner.
"Guys, check this out," Jackson called out, holding the staff up as the others gathered around.
Lissy's eyes widened. "That's JC's staff! Why would he leave it behind?"
Angel frowned, crossing her arms. "He's always been more of a sword guy in fights. Maybe he didn't think he'd need it for his training up north."
Mark examined the staff, his expression thoughtful. "It's not just any staff, though. Look at these runes—it's an Elite weapon. He could've used this in battle."
Jackson gripped the staff tightly, a determined look in his eyes. "If JC isn't going to use it, then I will. It'd be a waste to leave something this powerful sitting around."
---
Training Without JC
With Jackson now wielding JC's staff, the group's dynamics began to shift. The staff, imbued with light magic, gave Jackson access to abilities he'd never had before. He worked tirelessly to master its powers, channeling beams of light and creating protective barriers that bolstered the team during battles.
Meanwhile, Angel doubled down on perfecting her combat techniques. She spent hours in the training room, practicing against dummies and sparring with Mark. Her movements became faster, more precise, and her strikes hit with deadly accuracy.
Mark focused on his endurance and stamina, taking on missions that tested his limits. Whether it was hauling heavy supplies or battling hordes of monsters, he pushed himself further with each challenge.
Lissy poured her energy into upgrading their gear. Her mechanical gauntlets became more powerful and versatile, capable of firing projectiles and delivering electrified punches. She also crafted new tools and traps to give the team an edge in dungeons.
---
Proving Themselves
Their efforts began to pay off as they took on increasingly difficult missions. Clearing dungeons, protecting caravans, and battling stronger monsters became routine for them. They worked seamlessly as a unit, each member playing to their strengths and covering for each other's weaknesses.
Still, the absence of JC lingered.
"We're doing great," Angel said one evening as they rested after a successful mission. "But it feels weird without JC. He always knew how to push us further."
"He believed in us," Mark said, leaning back against a tree. "That's why he left. He knew we could handle ourselves."
Jackson twirled the staff in his hands, the glowing runes casting a soft light. "And when he comes back, he's going to see just how strong we've become."
---
A Growing Bond
Through their shared struggles, the group grew closer. They joked and laughed more, finding moments of lightness even in the midst of danger. Each victory brought them a step closer to their goal of becoming a formidable team—a team JC would be proud of.
As they gazed at the starry sky that night, they couldn't help but wonder what challenges JC was facing in the north.
"Wherever he is," Angel said softly, "I hope he knows we've got his back."
And with that, the group made a silent promise—to continue growing, not just for themselves, but for JC.