Last Night Under Momento’s Roof

The Tower of Momento glowed softly in the evening light. Lanterns flickered across the wide halls. Distant chatter filled the first floor, where traders and mages wrapped up their daily business. The air smelled of spice and old scrolls.

But on the third floor?

It was quiet.

The six boys had finished dinner and were now scattered around their shared room. This was their last night here.

Their bags were packed. Their weapons polished. Their scrolls stamped.

They were official now.

Lui sat by the open window, looking out at the stars. The wind played with his red hair as he held his sword across his lap.

"We really leave tomorrow," he said softly.

"Yeah," Izumi answered, lying on the floor with a book resting on his chest. "It feels weird."

"I'm nervous," Iuro admitted from where he was tossing a small green pebble into the air. "But also excited. It's like… our story is about to start."

Rick was hanging upside down from the edge of the bunk bed. "Our story already started. You nearly drowned in a puddle last week."

"That was a trap puddle!" Iuro snapped. "It had no bottom!"

"Izu measured it. It was six inches deep," Rick grinned.

"Still a trap!"

Ishi sat by the corner, sharpening his twin daggers with slow, smooth strokes. "We'll have to be more careful outside. The real world won't be kind."

Izumi closed his book. "We've been protected here. Outside, we'll have to take care of ourselves."

There was a moment of silence.

Then—

Ding... ding...

Everyone turned.

Yuuv was curled up on his bed, holding his silver wand with a tiny bell on the top. The bell chimed gently in the quiet. His eyes were half-open, glowing faintly.

"I'm gonna miss this place…" he whispered.

Lui stood up and walked to Yuuv's bed. "We all will."

"I like the tower's smell," Yuuv said sleepily. "Warm. Like old cookies."

Iuro nodded. "Also, no monsters trying to eat us every five minutes."

"Except Rick during breakfast," Ishi added.

"Hey!" Rick sat up. "I'm a growing boy!"

"You grow sideways," Izumi muttered.

They all laughed quietly. Even Ishi gave a rare small smile.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Knock knock

Before any of them moved, the door creaked open and Master Elard stepped in.

He looked tired, but his eyes were full of warmth.

"I thought you might all still be awake," he said.

"Can't sleep," Lui replied. "Too many thoughts."

Elard stepped closer and sat on the empty chair near the beds. "That's normal. Big days bring big thoughts."

"We're really leaving tomorrow, huh?" Iuro asked.

"You are," Elard nodded. "But you're not being thrown out into the wild. You've trained, you've learned, and most importantly, you've grown. Together."

He looked around at each of them.

"I have one last thing to give you."

From his robe, he took out a small scroll and placed it on the table. The seal was golden and shaped like a flame, leaf, droplet, sword, star, and a green glowing clock—each one matching the boys.

"This is your guild license," Elard said. "I asked the council to approve it. And they did."

The room fell silent.

"You made us a guild?" Rick asked, eyes wide.

"No," Elard smiled. "You will make the guild. I just opened the path."

Yuuv blinked. "But we're just kids…"

"You're brothers," Elard corrected. "And that bond is stronger than many guilds I've seen."

He stood slowly. "Think of a name. Make it yours. Protect it, grow it, and walk the path together."

Then he turned to leave.

"Master Elard," Lui said quickly, "thank you. For everything."

Elard paused at the doorway. "Make me proud."

And with that, he was gone.

Silence settled in again.

Rick broke it. "Okay, so what should we name the guild?"

"Not Clock Boys," Ishi said instantly.

Yuuv pouted. "I wasn't going to say that…"

Izumi sat up. "Let's not decide tonight. We can sleep on it."

"True," Iuro yawned. "Big day tomorrow."

They all settled down in their beds. Blankets rustled. Eyes closed one by one.

Only Yuuv stayed awake a little longer, watching the soft moonlight on the ceiling.

"Night, everyone…" he whispered.

"Night, Yuvi," five voices replied, almost at the same time.

And then, peace.

Their last night under Momento's roof passed slowly, like a quiet goodbye hug from the tower itself.