Tonight

As the three great spirit guardians finished their transformation, they each turned to their respective abodes. The forest deer retreated into the dense woods, its glowing antlers illuminating the trees with golden-green light as flowers and vines sprouted in its wake. The turtle spirit lumbered back toward the hills, its heavy steps echoing like distant thunder as its crystalline fortress shell shimmered under the sun. The lake spirit descended into the Great Lake with a graceful spiral, its water-wreathed form dissolving into the depths, leaving the surface calm and gleaming with residual energy.

The citizens of Pillaris watched in reverent silence as the guardians departed, knowing that these mighty beings were now bound to their city, ready to rise again if ever called upon.

Standing on the walls of Pillaris, Rice, Ryden, and Darius looked at each other, the glow of the spirits' transformation still reflected in their eyes.

"Well," Rice said, scratching the back of his head. "They'll be fine on their own now, right?"

Darius nodded, his gaze sweeping over the bustling city below. "I've taught the blacksmiths and craftsmen everything I can remember. They've got the basics down, and if they get creative, they'll start creating inventions we haven't even dreamed of yet."

Rice crossed his arms, grinning. "Same here. I've passed along plenty of recipes—enough to keep them cooking up some amazing meals for a long time. With all this food security, they've got what they need to thrive."

Ryden leaned on the parapet, his expression thoughtful. "We've almost finished establishing a writing system. Stories are being recorded, and art is flourishing. They've got the tools to keep building their culture."

There was a moment of silence as the three took in the sight of the city they had helped shape.

"I guess it's time to leave, right, guys?" Rice finally said, his tone lighter than the weight of his words.

Before the others could answer, a voice from behind cut through the air. "Wait—you're leaving?"

The trio turned to see Zovar, Arika, and Orvek standing there, along with a large group of tribal members. Some held tools, others carried baskets of food or freshly crafted goods. The crowd's faces were a mix of confusion and sadness.

Zovar stepped forward, her water serpent spirit coiling protectively around her. "You've done so much for us already. Why leave now?"

Rice hesitated, sighing as he ran a hand through his white hair. He gestured toward Darius and Ryden. "Yeah, it might be time for us to leave. But not for long," he added quickly, his smile tinged with both sincerity and regret.

He turned to face the crowd, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the gathered tribespeople. "It's just that… we aren't here to help just a few tribes. We're not here to develop just one city. We're here to make this world worth living in. And you've helped us do that. So thank you."

Darius stepped forward, his voice steady. "But there are others out there—other people who need guidance, other monsters threatening lives. There's still so much to discover, to create, to protect."

Ryden nodded. "Other sights, other foods, other arts. And stories waiting to be told."

Rice grinned, spreading his arms wide. "Exactly! And you guys are incredible. You've got this city covered. We've got no doubt about that. But there's a whole world out there, and it's calling to us."

The gathered tribespeople exchanged glances, their sadness tempered by understanding. Zovar looked down, her expression tight with emotion, before stepping closer. "We won't forget you," she said softly. "You've given us more than we ever imagined possible. Pillaris will always welcome you."

Arika's voice was firm, though a flicker of emotion passed through her sharp gaze. "And we'll keep building. We'll keep protecting. If we're the foundation, you're the spark that lit the fire. Don't let it go out."

Orvek grunted, his scarred face unreadable. "Don't get yourselves killed out there. The world's lucky to have you three."

A small voice rang out from the crowd. "But they're weak! They're going to die!"

The words hung in the air, startling everyone. A young girl stood near the front, her wide eyes staring earnestly at the three outsiders. Her tiny hands were clenched into fists, and her lip trembled as though she were genuinely worried for them.

Rice froze mid-step, then spun on his heel, his face scrunched in offense. "Weak? Weak?!" he sputtered, pointing dramatically at himself. "This kid doesn't know what she's talking about!"

The crowd chuckled softly at his antics, but the tension broke completely when a low grunt drew attention. Orvek had stepped forward and—surprisingly—put an arm around Zovar's shoulder. The gesture was casual, yet protective, and Zovar didn't pull away. Instead, she allowed herself the smallest smile, tilting her head just slightly toward him.

Rice, Ryden, and Darius all exchanged glances, their eyes widening in unison as they processed what they were seeing.

"Are they…?" Rice whispered, pointing subtly.

Ryden raised a brow, his lips parting in surprise, while Darius stood motionless, looking as though he'd just witnessed a major plot twist.

Before Rice could make a snide comment, a pair of strong hands grabbed his face, turning him abruptly. Arika was standing right in front of him, her sharp gaze softened by something unspoken. She leaned down and kissed him gently on the forehead.

"We will never forget you," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of her tribe's gratitude.

Rice blinked, stunned, his cheeks flushing faintly as Arika straightened.

Behind him, Ryden's jaw dropped. "No," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, no, no. This can't be happening."

Darius, usually composed, stood like a statue in the corner, utterly dumbfounded.

Arika glanced at them and smiled slyly, clearly aware of their reactions. Turning to the citizens, she raised her voice. "Come! Let us show them our gratitude one more time!"

The moment the words left Arika's lips, the crowd surged forward, transforming the solemn farewell into a chaotic yet heartfelt celebration of gratitude.

Rice barely had time to react before a flood of food supplies was thrust into his arms. Baskets of fresh fruits—bright oranges, plump berries, and golden grains—piled precariously, threatening to topple at any moment. An elderly woman shoved a bundle of dried meats into his chest, her weathered face breaking into a toothless grin as she patted his cheek affectionately.

"Uh, thanks!" Rice muttered, juggling a freshly baked loaf of bread and a jar of honey that had somehow made its way into his arms. A small child darted forward, thrusting a bunch of wild herbs at him, then darted away giggling.

Rice's arms grew fuller with every passing second. "Guys? A little help?" he called, but his call fell on deaf ears.

Darius was immediately surrounded by a group of blacksmiths and craftsmen, their faces beaming with pride. One by one, they pressed bundles of tools into his hands—hammers, chisels, and tongs, each carefully crafted and gleaming with polish.

A young apprentice stammered nervously as he handed Darius a bronze knife, its blade inscribed with intricate patterns. "F-for you," the boy said, his cheeks flushing as Darius accepted it with a nod of approval.

Warriors approached next, their hands laden with bronze weapons—spare spears, axes, and even a curved sword. One warrior clapped Darius on the shoulder, his grip firm with respect. "Your teachings made us stronger," he said simply.

Darius, usually stoic, couldn't suppress a faint smile. "You've done well," he replied, tucking the tools into his bag.

Ryden found himself surrounded by the young and the creative. Children swarmed him first, each thrusting small, hand-carved trinkets into his hands. Wooden figurines of spirits, animals, and flowers piled up, their rough edges smoothed by care. A little girl shyly handed him a reed flute, her eyes wide with admiration as she whispered, "I made it for you."

"Thank you," Ryden said, his voice soft as he tucked the flute into his bag.

Next came the artisans, holding up colorful fabrics dyed with natural pigments. They draped pieces over his shoulders, murmuring their thanks. A painter approached, offering him a clay palette filled with vibrant paints.

"You've shown us how to see beauty," she said, bowing deeply.

Ryden took the palette, his expression touched. "It's all of you who bring it to life."

As the trio tried to manage their growing piles of gifts, the spirits decided to join the chaos.

A mischievous wind spirit swirled around Rice, tugging at his cloak and scattering the herbs from his bundle. "Hey!" he protested, chasing the fluttering leaves while the spirit darted away, clearly amused.

An earth spirit lumbered over to Darius, offering a perfectly smooth stone etched with glowing runes. The blacksmith accepted it, running his fingers over the surface with curiosity.

Near Ryden, a playful fire spirit flickered in and out of visibility, its tiny form glowing warmly as it hopped from one trinket to another, seemingly inspecting each one before nodding in approval.

The crowd marveled at the harmony between the spirits and the trio, their laughter and cheers growing louder.

The warriors clasped Darius's forearm in a show of respect, each one murmuring words of thanks for his teachings.

Children tugged at Rice's cloak, giggling as they tried to sneak small berries into his overflowing arms. One boy managed to shove a tiny bird's feather into Rice's hand before darting away.

Artisans surrounded Ryden, shyly offering their creations. A woman handed him a string of beads, each one carefully painted with a unique design. "For inspiration," she said softly.

The crowd closed in tighter, their voices blending into a symphony of laughter, gratitude, and admiration. Warriors cheered, children squealed with delight, and spirits danced through the air, their luminous forms weaving between the people.

By the time the crowd began to disperse, the three outsiders were laden with supplies, gifts, and trinkets. Rice was grinning from ear to ear, somehow managing to balance his bundle of food and herbs.

"Okay," he said, looking at the others, "this is officially the most chaotic thank-you I've ever experienced. But I'm not complaining."

Ryden adjusted the colorful fabrics draped over his shoulders. "They really went all out," he said, his tone both amused and touched.

Darius, carrying an impressive haul of tools and weapons, simply nodded.

As the sun began to rise, casting a warm golden glow over Pillaris, the trio finally prepared to leave.

As the sun began to rise, the trio finally broke away from the adoring crowd. The golden light bathed the city in warmth, illuminating the freshly built houses, the murals, and the bustling marketplace. Behind them, Pillaris stood tall and proud—a testament to all they had accomplished.

The three walked together, heading toward the open plains.

As the chaos of the farewell began to settle, Ryden flipped open the booklet, a faint blue glow emanating from its pages. His lips curled into a small, satisfied smile as he turned the booklet toward Darius and Rice.

"Hey, check this out," he said, his tone brimming with pride.

Darius and Rice leaned in, their eyes scanning the glowing text etched into the pages.

New Titles AcquiredEternal Friend of Pillaris:A title bestowed upon those whose efforts have forged unbreakable bonds with the city of Pillaris. Bearers of this title will always be welcomed as kin and honored as the foundation of a brighter future.Effects: Increased reputation and influence within the Great Plains Alliance. Enhanced charisma when interacting with citizens of Pillaris.Bringer of Joy:A title granted to one who brought laughter, warmth, and light to the lives of many, fostering unity and celebration even in times of hardship.Effects: Improved morale among allies. Amplified creativity and inspiration in cultural endeavors.Pioneer:A title awarded to those who blaze trails into the unknown, bringing progress and discovery to all they encounter.Effects: Boosted leadership abilities. Increased chances of uncovering unique opportunities and resources during exploration.

Rice's eyes widened as he read through the titles, a grin spreading across his face. "Bringer of Joy, huh? Sounds about right!" He puffed out his chest dramatically, striking a pose. "I'll take it."

Darius chuckled, shaking his head. "Eternal Friend of Pillaris? That one feels… heavy, but I guess it fits."

Ryden raised an eyebrow at the titles they all earned. "Pioneer, huh? That one's not bad."

"Not bad?" Rice scoffed, jabbing Ryden in the ribs. "It's awesome! We're basically indiana jones now."

Ryden shrugged with a grin, closing the booklet. "Guess we've made our mark here."

Ryden was focused on his booklet, his eyes scanning the map. "The map's still mostly dark," he murmured, flipping through the pages. The map showed Pillaris and the surrounding areas they had explored, but beyond that was an expanse of blank space. He sighed and pointed toward a random direction. "We go that way. Until we find more people, I guess."

Rice hummed a cheerful tune, his mood noticeably lighter. He was still grinning, clearly thinking about Arika's kiss. "Man," he said, hands behind his head. "I might actually miss this place. Arika might've made me too popular, though."

Ryden rolled his eyes. "Please. Your head's already big enough."

Darius, walking slightly ahead, kept a watchful eye on the horizon. His spear rested over his shoulder, and his expression was calm but vigilant. "Let's focus," he said. "We've got a lot more to do."

The three fell into a comfortable silence, their footsteps blending with the sounds of the plains awakening to a new day. Ahead of them lay the unknown—a blank canvas waiting for their next chapter.