Goodbyes. . .

Kan'na continued writing a complex formation. Magic circles hovered above her, only she knew what they did.

Nimin stood a distance away and asked, "Do you all really have to go back?"

"You gonna miss us?", Kan'na teased.

"Yeah."

Not expecting such a straightforward answer Kan'na comforted, "You'll be fine, you're free from Perina's control. The world is going to develop faster than before."

"I couldn't have done it without all of your help."

"We wouldn't have helped if it weren't for you."

Kan'na paused her construction of the formation, "Listen, you hold a unique—let's say characteristic—about you. Not many people have such a thing. You saved this place, not because of our help, rather through your actions. Risking your life to save Wrock and Akiol, risking everything you had to free the players. You're kind but not to the point of naivety."

"I really appreciate the compliments. Yet-"

"Your job isn't quite done Nimin. Now that the Players have their freedom again: chaos will ensue. Without a greater threat to bind everyone, pointless conflict will always occur. Now that they look up to you as the one who started it all, you have to set an example."

"What if I don't want this responsibility?"

"It's one of those things you risked when you started the fight. You can choose to do nothing as well, no one can judge you for that."

Nimin hesitated to speak, he lacked the words to convince them to stay. He knew they had to return. He just didn't want them to.

Kan'na made an amused expression, "Besides, Akiol's body is in a poor state. He claims he only knows one person that could help restore his body. That person is back home."

"Do you not want to stay?"

"This place was fun, it was nice to explore something else too. But it isn't home, nothing can quite change that."

Kan'na wrote a few more runes and the whole formation began to glow, "Besides, it's not like we might not see each other again you know?"

"You will visit?"

"If the time arrives."

Although Nimin didn't quite understand the response, it didn't sound negative.

Kan'na dusted off her hands and inspected the formation, "Additionally we won't be out of contact, since you added us all as friends."

"Except for Akiol."

"Well that's because his case is special. We could relay a message if you want."

"If I think I need it, I will."

"Alright, the formation is finished. There's also the chance that it just doesn't work."

"I will wait for everyone so I can say goodbye."

"What about your friends?"

"They're uh, busy with something."

"Then tell them we said goodbye too."

Kan'na suddenly chuckled, "It be funny if it doesn't work after saying all this."

"More like awkward. . ."

"Awkwardly funny!"

~ ~ ~

Jarvis closed out the chat group, "It's time."

Juon looked at him, "You decided to leave after all?"

"I haven't finished exploring my own continent. So yes I have."

"Then I wish you luck. Give me your hand for a moment."

Jarvis lifted his hand and Juon poked a specific point of it. A buzz entered his mind and stopped almost immediately.

"Sign of Origin?"

"So you do know what it is! Consider it a parting gift."

"No I don't know what it is."

"Hm, it's merely a mark. A sign that you came across an Origin being and gained their favor. Like a signature on a piece of paper. Perhaps with enough of them something neat might happen."

"Thank you."

"You're an interesting person Jarvis, I ask that you visit again."

"If I can."

"Then for now, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Jarvis picked himself up and began to leave the village. A specific building set on the outskirts had a formation that would bring him out. On his path there he said goodbye to the Tanuki. Many followed him on his path, yet stopped at a certain point.

As Jarvis approached the building he spotted a familiar figure at its entrance. Greeting them with a wave he said, "Kiro."

"Ah Mister you finally arrived. I heard you were leaving?"

"I might visit in the future, but yes."

"What a time, so you've accomplished what you needed to?"

"And more."

"Then I hope it's only fun journeys from here on out."

"Likewise, this is goodbye for now."

"Goodbye?"

"Why was that a question?"

"When I said what I said about journeys I meant for both of us you know?"

"What. . . ?"

"I hope you can take care of me, I've made my decision."

~ ~ ~

Yielya handed over a piece of paper, "How does this seem?"

Wiseren inspected the document and looked back in shock, "Wait- this is?!"

"I no longer have a need for the business, I know it's not quite what we agreed on but I'm sure you don't mind?"

"That's not important, this store of yours has enough potential to be big you know?"

"I'm aware."

"You're just going to give it to me? I thought I was going to buy it!"

"I stated my terms in the document. I have my reasons—which I won't get into."

"Are you sure?"

"I've made up my mind long ago. Planned on doing this since I approached you."

Wiseren leaned in his chair and laughed, "From the beginning? While I only profit from this I can't help but feel like I lost. You managed to fool me with your intentions!"

"I can't be easily read, especially in my line of work."

"I'd be a fool not to accept this. Naturally I will agree to your terms as well."

"Then it's settled."

"Yeah, I'll take good care of that store."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you. After you saved my daughter I had second doubts about what I was doing. But you came along and made it interesting, reminded me of why I was doing this in the first place."

"Then don't get pushed out of business."

"Not with this reinvigorated passion."

"Best of luck Wiseren. I'll be saying my goodbyes."

"You too, may your journey be blessed with luck."

~ ~ ~

"So you're leaving like that?"

Wrock laughed, "We aren't on the best of terms. But I did like how you acted in the war."

"We suffered a lot of losses."

"But was it worth?"

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. Our Guild members were excited the whole time. Word of our actions spread without our hand, our popularity rose to a point we didn't expect. We're still getting applications to join."

"Then it all ends well."

"I feel like all we ever did was treat you with contempt. Yet here we are profiting off your results."

"Then, could you say you owe me another one?"

"I suppose so."

"Keep that in mind. I might be back in the future. Perhaps then it'll be your turn to help me."

"We won't forget this Wrock. Also sorry, for the way we acted back then."

"It seems to be a reoccurring thing. Guilds who treat us with contempt seem to end the same as you."

"They profit?"

"Only those who learn quickly."

"What an arrogant thing to say, but not unfounded."

"It's all jokes. May you prosper."

"Thank you, I hope your journey is just as prosperous."

~ ~ ~

"Ah, you're leaving?"

Tilia nodded, "Although our time was short I believed it necessary to inform you."

"And not the others?"

"You're the chief right?"

"That doesn't mean I should be the bearer of bad news."

"I didn't want to be held up. Something tells me you would start another party.

The village chief looked away, "I don't know what you mean."

Tilia laughed, "Take care alright? I know your village was destroyed by the Calamity, but I'm sure you'll recover."

"We have a lot of money left over, so I think we'll take this as an opportunity to rebuild as a better village."

"Then it may just work out in the end."

"Thank you for saving us."

"You repaid that debt by making some wonderful armor in return right?"

"We were out of practice at the time. When you ascend to Third Star feel free to come back to us. We can either improve or make a new set for you."

"When I ascend? You make it seem like it's guaranteed."

"Someone like you is destined to rise to Third Star, even Fourth Star!"

"I appreciate the compliment. I'll keep that in mind, if you aren't too busy that is."

"Never too busy to help our savior!"

~ ~ ~

'I forgot to mention we can speak through the link at the time.' Akiol mentioned.

Mira was carrying him in his ball form, "Not a problem Akiol Sensei! This means I can speak with the others too right?"

'Yeah, they're silent for some reason.'

"Really?"

Stars suddenly sighed, 'Why would you reveal us like that? Besides I was inspecting the link stability, if it wavered at all I would know if you were unable to handle the links.'

'I can feel the pressure you spoke of, but it isn't something that is impossible to handle. It'll just take a little bit of getting used to.' -Akiol

'So Mira joined us as well?' -Givale

'Apparently so, we got a four way call now.' -Stars

Mira's face frowned, "It's kind of hard to think with so many voices."

'You get used to it.' -Everyone else

"So what's going to happen?"

'I have to get my body repaired one way or another, so I figured I would contact someone. That can only happen at my home continent, so we'll be teleporting there.' -Akiol

"A whole new place to explore?"

'Yeah, I'm sure you'll meet a lot of people.'

Givale appeared next to them, "It's really fun traveling with Akiol, he always finds something neat."

"I'm looking forward to it! I'll be in your care."

"Likewise! Now that you are Second Stage like us all, we can properly spar!"

'Figures, forgive the muscle brain here.' -Stars

"Excuse you?!"

'I bet you've been thinking who is stronger. A Dragon or Hydra.' -Stars

"N-No! Besides Mira is an Origin Hydra, it would be natural for him to be stronger!"

'A Dragon admitting defeat? Without a trial by combat?' -Stars

"Why don't you fight me?! We'll see how strong one of the strongest swords are!"

'Picking on those who are unable to fight. What a bully! Akiol save me!'

Akiol did not respond, making everyone paused.

'Akiol?'

Mira tilted his head, "I think he's sleeping?"

'At this time?!'

'Ugh don't scream, I had hoped to stay silent while you argue and not be dragged into it.' -Akiol

Givale was quick to point a finger, "Who do you think is stronger?!"

Knowing that answering such a question legitimately would prove troublesome, Akiol decided to tease them all, 'That would be me.'

"That's not- That wasn't what I asked!"

'We'll do a battle when the time arrives, then you can sort the order at that point. Besides your training hasn't finished, everything you all did at this point was to adjust to your strength.'

"You're going to properly train us?"

'Of course.'

"Yes!"

Mira then informed, "I think we're here."

'Best behavior everyone.'