THE ONE WHO WE COULDN'T SAVE

As the sun rose over Valthorne, the city buzzed with life once again. The warm morning light bathed the streets, casting a golden hue on the cobblestones. The group naturally split off to do their own things.

June and Alisan made their way to the Library of Eternity, their eyes lighting up as the towering shelves of ancient tomes and enchanted scrolls greeted them. Whispering books floated past, occasionally stopping to share knowledge with curious readers.

"This place is incredible," June whispered, running her fingers along a glowing book that hummed softly under her touch.

Alisan nodded, her eyes already scanning the shelves. "It's like stepping into a whole new world of magic."

Meanwhile, Axel headed toward the training grounds, stretching his arms as he prepared for a rigorous session. His punches echoed in the courtyard as he practiced his moves with precision, sweat already glistening on his brow. Several knights gathered to watch, impressed by his raw strength and flawless technique.

"Who's next?" Axel grinned, cracking his knuckles, challenging anyone brave enough to spar with him

Elsewhere, Cauis stood atop a balcony, taking in the breathtaking view of Valthorne's skyline. The morning breeze ruffled his hair as he leaned on the railing, savoring the peaceful moment.

And then there was Dylan… doing, well, Dylan things.

He wandered the market streets, casually juggling an apple while chatting with every vendor he met. He "accidentally" got pulled into a street performance, playing along with a traveling minstrel and earning a round of applause.

Grinning, Dylan slipped away, tossing a coin into the minstrel's hat. "See? Already the highlight of the day," he muttered to himself.

At one point, he passed by a pastry stall, eyeing the warm, flaky treats. "Hmm, breakfast number two wouldn't hurt," he said, buying a bag of sweets and taking a bite of one.

The morning unfolded gently, the city of Valthorne wrapped in a serene calm. The streets bustled just enough to feel alive, but not crowded. Sunlight danced off the enchanted lanterns that lined the roads, their soft glow mingling with the golden light of day.

June and Alisan found a cozy corner of the Library of Eternity, surrounded by books that whispered ancient secrets. They sat at a wide table, sharing notes and excitedly discussing spells they had discovered, their laughter echoing softly in the vast halls.

"I can't believe this spell lets you walk on air for ten seconds," June said, her eyes wide. "That's ridiculous!"

Not far away, Axel wrapped up his training session, wiping the sweat from his brow as he waved off another sparring offer. He leaned against a stone wall, enjoying the cool shade, watching the knights practice with a satisfied smile.

Cauis remained on the balcony, sipping a warm cup of tea he'd found somewhere along the way. He breathed in deeply, letting the scent of fresh herbs and morning dew fill his lungs.

For a moment, everything felt perfect the kind of peace that didn't come often

.Down in the market, Dylan strolled aimlessly, his bag of pastries nearly empty. He hummed a soft tune, pausing to help a merchant fix a toppled display of colorful fabrics.

"Careful with those," Dylan chuckled, handing the merchant a bolt of crimson silk. "Wouldn't want to cause a fashion crisis."

"Much appreciated, sir," the merchant said with a bow.

Dylan waved it off with a grin and continued on, casually tossing the last pastry into his mouth.

By midday, a soft breeze swept through the city, carrying with it the scent of flowers from the nearby gardens. The group gradually began to converge again at a quiet café they had discovered the day before a little hideaway with a perfect view of the Arcane Spire.

As they sat together, sipping drinks and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, no words were needed. Just the simple comfort of being together, letting the world slow down for a while.

The city buzzed quietly around them, but for this moment, everything was still. Peaceful. Perfect.

As June and Alisan gathered the group, their excitement was hard to miss. "We found it!"

June said, nearly bouncing with energy. "The third relic it's on a floating island!"

The group exchanged curious glances, leaning in as Alisan explained. "It's called Celestara, an ancient island hidden above the clouds. We found the reference in one of the oldest books at the Library of Eternity.

According to the text, the relic is protected by powerful wards and magic."

Axel crossed his arms, nodding. "Sounds like a challenge. Count me in." He glanced around before asking, "But... where's Izzy? Shouldn't she be here for this?"

Dylan leaned back casually, a mischievous grin on his face. "Oh, she, uh… went somewhere. Not really sure where, to be honest.

"Cauis narrowed his eyes. "You're totally lying. You know exactly where she is."

"Hey," Dylan replied, holding up his hands in mock innocence, "I'm not her keeper. She's probably off doing Izzy things chasing trouble, kicking bandits, or maybe stealing something shiny."June shook her head, suppressing a smile.

"We'll catch her up when she gets back. For now, we need to figure out how to get to Celestara." The room buzzed with anticipation, each of them eager for what lay ahead.

A floating island, ancient magic, and a new adventure were just the beginning.

The group made their way to the large estate where the king was staying temporarily. The building wasn't as grand as a castle, but it still exuded a sense of authority and importance.

They crossed a garden filled with blooming flowers before reaching the main hall, where King Alaric stood, speaking with a few advisors.

The king turned as they entered, his expression softening. "Ah, Heroes. What brings you here this morning?"

June stepped forward, her excitement barely contained. "We've found the location of the third relic, Your Majesty. It's on Celestara a floating island above the clouds. 

"We're here to let you know we'll be leaving soon to retrieve it."

The king's eyes lit up with surprise and curiosity. "Celestara… a place of myth and legend. Few have ventured there. Are you certain?"

"Well… not absolutely certain," Alisan admitted, her voice softening. "But I found records in the Library of Eternity fragments of old texts mentioning Celestara as the resting place of ancient relics. It's our best lead so far."

June chimed in, nodding eagerly. "It makes sense. The descriptions match what we've been looking for. If the relic is anywhere, it's on that floating island."

King Alaric stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The Library of Eternity rarely reveals its secrets so easily. If it led you to Celestara, then perhaps fate is guiding you."

Alisan smiled faintly. "I wouldn't say it was easy… but it's the best chance we've got."

"Then follow that lead," the king said, his tone resolute. "May your path be clear and your journey swift."

As they walked out, Axel looked at Dylan and grinned. "A floating island sounds cool. What do you think?"

Dylan smirked. "Sounds dangerous... which means it'll be fun."

As they prepared to leave, the king suddenly cleared his throat, drawing their attention."Ah, before you go, there's something I forgot to mention," the king said with a faint smile.

"My nephew will be joining you on your journey. He's well-trained in combat and won't hinder your progress. In fact, he might even prove useful."

The group exchanged curious glances, waiting for more. "There's just one thing," the king added, his smile turning wry. "He... has a bit of a hero complex. Always eager to prove himself and rush into danger. But rest assured, his heart is in the right place."

Axel crossed his arms, raising a brow. "Hero complex, huh? Sounds like he's gonna be fun."

Cauis smirked. "Well, at least it won't be boring."

"Let's hope he listens," June murmured. "We have enough chaos without adding more."

The king gestured toward the door, and a tall, confident figure stepped in. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and he wore a roguish grin. "Did someone say chaos?"

The king chuckled. "Everyone, meet my nephew Riven."

Riven gave a small bow. "I'm honored to join you. Don't worry, I'll keep up… and maybe even save the day once or twice."

Dylan grinned. "Oh, you'll fit right in."

Alisan crossed her arms with a playful smirk. "We'll see if you can keep up first."

Riven's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Challenge accepted."

The group exchanged amused looks before heading out, their new companion already adding a spark of unpredictability to their next adventure.