Reunited and Unbroken

Arlan stepped onto the deck, the sunlight bright above him and the sea breeze cutting through the air. The boat was moving smoothly, the calm water reflecting the clear blue sky. He had just come to terms with everything that had happened, but now, as he emerged onto the deck, the sounds of familiar voices met him immediately.

Tomas, Beren, and Gorrick were at the bow of the ship, near the edge of the quarterdeck, and something was clearly going on.

"You're telling me you actually think you're bigger than me?" Tomas asked, sounding incredulous as he flexed his muscles.

Beren, with his usual cocky grin, gave Tomas a challenging stare. "That's right. I'm way stronger than you. Can't you see?"

Arlan looked closer. Gorrick in his new Ratman form—was standing between them, grinning. He unleashed his Ogre form and flexed as he was showing off his size like a proud mountain. He had grown immensely from his small skeletal rat form, his body now towering in at a monstrous tall frame. He was no longer a tiny creature to be overlooked. He was a warrior now, and everyone could see it.

"You two puny!" Gorrick grumbled in his typical blunt fashion, grinning at the exchange. "Big Gorrick now. No more small rat!"

Tomas stared at him, his jaw almost hitting the floor. "Man, I didn't know you could do that!" He stepped back, raising his arms dramatically. "Alright, alright. I see you, Gorrick. But don't think this means you win!"

"We both know we dont stand a chance against that" Beren added, nudging Tomas with his elbow and laughing.

Gorrick grunted, "Gorrick muscle big. Tomas, weak. Beren strong, but not strongest." He gave Tomas and Beren a look of pure confidence.

Leila, leaning against the ship's mast, couldn't hold back her laughter. "You three are really fighting over this?" She watched the bickering with mild amusement before turning to Vrekk—who was standing calmly next to her, his expression always unreadable, even in the chaos of the teasing. "Well, look at you, Vrekk. Last time I saw you, you were a little wisp. Now you're this tall hobgoblin thing. You've grown up."

Vrekk's steely gaze shifted to Leila, and his voice was still as blunt as ever, though slightly more complex than before. "Small ghost... now large. Stronger than rat..." He tilted his head, his voice dropping lower as he spoke. "You move fast... shadows. You could learn."

Leila smiled, intrigued by Vrekk's offer. "Teach me? Now that would be interesting. I could use a few more tricks in my arsenal." She tilted her head, genuinely curious. "Maybe you'll show me sometime?"

"Maybe…" Vrekk's voice had that haunting, calm undertone, but it was evident he didn't mind her attention. He was simply being Vrekk.

Arlan glanced at Mira, standing by his side, silently observing the banter between the others. She gave him a soft smile, though there was still that quiet tension between them, a conversation unfinished.

The Moment of Teasing:

The bickering continued as Arlan moved toward the group, drawing closer to Tomas, Beren, and Gorrick.

Tomas, still rubbing his arms dramatically, turned to Arlan. "Finally up and about, huh?" he teased, a wide grin on his face. "You took your sweet time, didn't you?"

Beren crossed his arms and grinned, leaning in toward Arlan. "Hey, good to see you back with us." He smirked and added, "But I gotta say, Your summons have really become strong"

Gorrick raised a hand and pointed at himself with pride. "Gorrick strongest. You weaklings know it."

Leila laughed at the back-and-forth, shaking her head. "Sure, Gorrick. You're the best, alright."

Arlan smiled, feeling the tension lift from his shoulders as he looked at his friends. They were together, they were still bantering—just like old times. He hadn't realized how much he had missed it.

He turned to Mira, his voice a little quieter. "I'm sorry... for everything. I never should've left you all behind."

Mira, took his hand in hers, She didn't immediately respond. She just gave him a small, knowing smile—a silent acknowledgment of the apology. Then, she glanced at the rest of the group, who were still having their fun.

"Don't worry about it, Arlan. We're here. Together." She squeezed his hand, her grip warm and comforting.

The Future Ahead:

As they stood there together, the ship's sail rippling gently in the breeze, the sense of unity between them all seemed stronger than ever. Adventure still awaited them, but for the first time in what felt like forever, Arlan wasn't worried.

He wasn't facing this world alone.

The group continued to chat and laugh as they gathered around Arlan, offering him a sense of belonging he'd never expected to find. And for the first time, as he looked at Mira's hand in his, he realized that this was home.

"Whatever happens next," Arlan said, feeling a deep sense of peace. "We do it together, right?"

Mira smiled brightly, her eyes full of warmth. "Together."

And as the ship sailed onward, leaving the chaos of Veyleigh behind, Arlan knew that no matter the danger ahead, they would all face it as one.