The clang of hammers and the scent of sawdust filled the air as rebuilding began anew.

  Everyone, groggy from the long night, was already moving—tools in hand, sweat dripping under the golden sun.

  Josh, shirt half undone, carried two beams like they weighed nothing.

  Iver adjusted the angle of a support post, expression calm and precise.

  Ren, sleeves rolled, focused on anchoring the main support—each thud of the hammer steady and unyielding.

  The mark on his chest, unseen by the others, pulsed faintly... as if remembering.

  The girls moved in rhythm around them.

  Elly and Seri handed nails and wiped brows.

  Kristie tied makeshift rope lines between frames with Cedy holding the ladder steady.

  Lily, hair tied up, painted waterproof varnish over the new wood, her brush strokes gentle, almost meditative.

  Rica walked between them all, scribbling notes, organizing tools, delegating small fixes like a captain steering her crew.

  By noon, under the broad shade of a stretched tarp, everyone gathered around for lunch.

  Plates of stew and bread passed hands.

  Koirin napped beside Elly's shoulder, its fins pulsing with slow contentment.

  Rica stood before them, clearing her throat.

  Rica: "Listen up, we need to talk. About what happened back at the ruins."

  The chatter died. Even Snarl quieted, laying its head near Kristie.

  Rica: "When we entered the ruins, we encountered... a guardian. A creature, not corrupted but it was protecting. It didn't speak—but it knew we didn't belong."

  She paused, letting the weight settle.

  Rica: "We fought. Barely made it out. But after the battle... something appeared. An egg."

  Marian sat upright.

  Marian: "Wait—like a beast egg?"

  Rica: "Exactly. It hatched. Into something that looked like a koi, similar to Elly's Koirin."

  Koirin stirred at the mention, but remained quiet.

  Rica: "It was a Starbeast. One of the three. It spoke to us—directly."

  Everyone leaned in now. Even Iver stopped chewing.

  Rica: "It said there are three Starbeasts. Elly's Koirin is one. And this koi... it told us that only those marked by the stars can bond with them. Like Seri."

  Gasps rippled. Eyes turned to Elly, then Seri—both looked away bashfully.

  Kristie: "Hold on. So they're chosen or something?"

  Rica nodded, but her eyes flicked toward you—Ren.

  Rica: "There's more. The koi beast said the marked ones... are the key to finding the way home."

  Cedy: "Home?"

  Rica: "Or... sealing it shut forever. Whatever this 'door' is."

  A beat of silence. Then she turned fully toward you.

  Rica: "Ren... is the third one."

  The air stilled.

  Even the wind paused.

  Elly's eyes widened. Lily froze mid-sip.

  Kristie blinked twice, mouth half-open.

  Seri gasped and clutched Elly's sleeve.

  Josh, ever reliable with timing, dropped his spoon.

  Josh: "Remember when I said Ren's no longer the weird one in the group?"

  He leaned back, raising both brows.

  Josh: "Yeah. Spoke too soon."

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Laughter broke the tension, even if it was nervous.

  But Rica wasn't done.

  Rica: "There's still one more thing. The koi... before it dissolved and entered Ren, it warned us."

  Everyone stilled again.

  Rica: "Of Magnus. The Legendary Beast. It once... 'cleansed' the world. And it's still sealed somewhere."

  Jonax: "Cleansed...? That sounds ominous."

  Rica: "The cult—those people who attacked us... I think their goal is to awaken it."

  No one spoke for a moment. Even Koirin opened its eyes, shimmering with unease.

  Iver: "If they succeed?"

  Rica: "Then all of this... everything we've built... might be nothing."

  You looked around. At your friends. The house. The marks left by fire and chaos.

  No. This would not fall again.

  Ren stood up slowly, fingers closing into fists.

  Ren: "Then we won't let them."

  And as the wind rustled through half-built beams and makeshift rooftops, something settled over the camp again.

  Not fear.

  Not dread.

  Purpose.

  ...

  Two weaks later

  The house stood proud—rebuilt from ruin into something more than just shelter. Reinforced walls lined with defensive enchantments. A hidden system of traps woven cleverly beneath the soil. A garden now thriving behind the kitchen, soft petals blooming beside budding herbs. And just off to the side, a stable-like structure, warm and shaded, housing the beasts that had fought beside them.

  Laughter echoed across the clearing—not strained, not forced. Genuine.

  Josh sparred with Hornbeast, grinning even as he took a hard fall.

  Elly stood by the garden, humming softly as she tended to the growing vines, Koirin swirling lazily through the air nearby.

  Kristie and Cedy crouched by the edge of the woods, giggling over some new "upgrade" to the perimeter traps—which may or may not involve feathers, glitter, and an exploding perfume bottle.

  Stray Dawn had found its rhythm again.

  Then—

  A screech split the morning air.

  Sharp. Clean. Regal.

  They all looked up.

  A creature descended from the sky like a falling star—vast wings slicing through the air, golden feathers catching sunlight, violet tips glinting like gemdust. An Owl Beast. Noble. Enchanted. Possibly royal.

  It landed silently on the porch rail, towering above them, eyes glowing with ancient intelligence. In its talon—

  A scroll. Sealed in red wax. Marked with the insignia of a lion encircled by seven stars.

  Rica stepped forward, cautious, yet unflinching.

  The Owl bowed its head... respectfully.

  She took the scroll, broke the seal, and began to read aloud.

  Rica: "To the Stray Dawn,

  Word of your deeds and survival has reached the Capital of the Kingdom. We have eyes beyond the shadows, and the winds carry whispers.

  The Crown of Lithrium extends an invitation to your party. The King himself requests an audience with you at the royal capital.

  Your arrival is expected in seven days' time.

  May the stars guide your path.

  — Captain Auren, Commander of the Royal Aegis"

  Silence.

  Josh blinked. "Did... we just got an invite to the palace?"

  Iver crossed his arms. "This sounds like trouble."

  Kristie clapped her hands together, beaming. "Or an adventure!"

  Cedy: "Or a trap wrapped in sparkles and royal perfume."

  Rej wandered in mid-conversation, yawning. "What did I miss?"

  Rica folded the scroll carefully, her eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for meaning hidden in the wind.

  Rica: "They already know where we are. They've been watching. Turning this down might paint us as enemies."

  Seri stood behind Elly, biting her lip. "Do we even have a choice?"

  Ren stepped forward, arms crossed, eyes narrowing slightly.

  The wind brushed against his cheek. In the back of his mind, something stirred—the faintest echo of the Starbeast resting within.

  Ren: "If they know about us... they know about the marks. The beasts. The cult."

  His gaze swept over the group. Some anxious. Some excited. All waiting for a decision.

  Ren: "Guess we're going to a castle."

  He turned, already moving toward the main room.

  Ren: "Pack light. Be sharp. Stay close. If the kingdom wants something from us—"

  A pause.

  "—we'll find out soon enough."

  The Owl Beast let out one final cry, then took to the skies once more, disappearing into the clouds as swiftly as it had come.

  Behind it, the clearing buzzed with tension and whispers.

  But for Stray Dawn—

  The next chapter had already begun.

  ...

  Day 0 – The Preparation for Lithrium

  The sun crept gently over the horizon, bathing the newly rebuilt stronghold in golden light. Where once there was ruin, now stood resilience. Reinforced stone walls shimmered with dew, the garden brimmed with stubborn little sprouts, and the air buzzed with the smell of morning firewood, sharpened steel, and nervous energy.

  Today wasn't just another sunrise.

  Today marked the beginning of something bigger.

  At the war table, Rica had already commandeered the map—her fingers dragging along the parchment with precision and quiet authority.

  Rica: "Lithrium's capital is a trade hub... we'll pass two towns, maybe skirt past the edge of the Cragback Ridge. Could be beasts. Could be bandits. We'll need rations, cloaks, and better boots. This is no weekend stroll."

  Her words were matter-of-fact, but her mind was already five steps ahead.

  Behind her, Marian meticulously checked her medkit. The satchel already bulged with poultices, tinctures, rolled gauze, and that one stubborn herb bundle she never traveled without.

  Marian: "I don't care if it's marble floors and golden halls. If anyone gets a cut, I'm not trusting a court healer who's never touched dirt."

  In the corner of the room, Kristie spun in front of a cracked mirror with a smirk on her lips and half a dozen outfits strewn across a bench.

  Kristie: "Do you think they'll throw us a banquet? I need to look like I accidentally survived a war and still managed to slay in silk."

  Cedy, already halfway through packing rations, didn't even look up.

  Cedy: "You'll probably insult the royal tailor before dessert."

  Kristie: "A little danger makes fashion iconic."

  Iver, lounging nearby with a blade half-cleaned on his knee, quirked a brow.

  Iver: "Try not to wear anything so sharp it cuts your chances of us making allies."

  Kristie shot him a grin, leaning over with faux seduction in her eyes.

  Kristie: "Why, Iver... worried I'll outshine you?"

  He raised his blade just enough for the morning light to glint off the edge.

  Iver: "Just making sure we survive long enough to make fun of you later."

  They shared a smirk. Their banter had always been a strange blend of teasing and tethering—equal parts spark and safety.

  On the other end of the hall, Josh was attempting to secure a second blade onto his back harness while muttering curses under his breath. The leather straps kept twisting.

  Jonax: "You're overpacking again."

  Josh paused, looked up. Jonax stood at the doorway, arms folded, her cloak slung over one shoulder.

  Josh: "What if I need it?"

  Jonax: "What if you don't?"

  She stepped forward, untangling the strap with fluid grace. He watched her fingers work—precise, elegant, and just a little too close to his heartbeat.

  Josh: "You always this calm before things get real?"

  Jonax: "No. But panic wastes energy."

  Josh hesitated, then spoke a little softer.

  Josh: "I... don't know how to act around nobles. What if I screw it up?"

  Jonax glanced up, their eyes meeting.

  Jonax: "Then we deal with it. Like we always do."

  A pause. Then she gently patted his chestplate, just once.

  Jonax: "But maybe keep the blade count under five. You're not a walking armory."

  As the sun reached its peak, everyone gathered at the common table. The map was now dotted with parchment scraps—routes, notes, sketches. But the excitement had dulled. The weight of it all had begun to settle.

  Lily spoke first, her voice quiet but brittle.

  Lily: "What if we offend them? Or... or what if we say something wrong? We're not from here."

  Elly nodded, arms hugging her knees as her small Koirin swirled lazily in a water bowl beside her.

  Elly: "They'll stare. They'll judge. I don't know how to act in front of people like that."

  Josh, now seated at the edge of the table, exhaled slowly.

  Josh: "Same here. I've faced monsters. Steel and blood, I can handle those. But forks and formalities? I'm out of my depth."

  Kristie chimed in with a crooked smile.

  Kristie: "Then fake it. Raise your pinky. Call someone 'my lord' by accident. Trip into a noble's arms. If we're going down, might as well make it dramatic."

  Iver: "Let's not...do that."

  Ren stood by the window, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the winding trail beyond the treeline. He listened to their fears—not to silence them, but to let them breathe.

  He could feel it too. The uncertainty. The weight of expectations. The unknown that awaited beyond Lithrium's gates.

  Seven days on the road.

  Seven days to wonder what lay behind a king's invitation.

  He turned to them, his voice low, firm.

  Ren: "Let them stare. Let them talk. We didn't survive hell and ruin just to kneel to gold and velvet."

  A pause. Not of shock, but of alignment. Their gazes settled on you—steadier now.

  Rica: "Still... we'll need to be careful. We're walking into someone else's gameboard."

  Ren nodded.

  Ren: "Then let's make sure they know whose pieces we are."

  The wind outside tugged at the curtains. The map fluttered. Even the world seemed to know—

  The game had begun.

  Journey Countdown: 7 Days Until Departure