After the meeting, Gulbob and the others entered the military tent. A long table stretched across the center. Gulbob and Lin arrived first; the others trailed behind, dropping into their seats.
Griffin slumped in next to Aegis and clapped his hands on the table. "Yoo, how's everyone? I'm absolutely famished."
Aegis grinned. "Finally—your brain's catching up to those words, huh?"
"Please," Griffin replied, leaning back. "You wish you were me. There's high society… then there's me."
Lin raised an eyebrow. "High society? Looks like the bar's in the mud now."
"Not you too! Before it was Aegis, now you!" Griffin groaned, throwing his hands up.
They began eating, but an uneasy silence settled over the table. Gulbob's eyes scanned each face.
"Just spit it out," he said, voice firm. "I can't eat like this."
Aegis leaned forward. "Sir… why? This is an opportunity to become stronger."
"Stronger?" Gulbob's hands tightened over his mug. "Strength comes with sacrifice. Are you ready for that? Strength… for what?"
"We can't always protect," Aegis said. "We don't need to put our people in danger."
Gulbob leaned back, hands clasped. "Danger is exactly what waits if we accept this. And this offer… it's too sudden. Too generous. Why are they seeking our support now? An alliance, not domination? What about our people, our mountain, our home?"
Griffin stabbed at his food. "Sir, we can't always rely on ourselves. We can't protect everyone forever."
"That's exactly why we need to be stronger… and keep our people. Our family… safe," Gulbob said, his voice low, steady.
The silence stretched, thick and uneasy, until a small figure appeared at the entrance.
Aria's hands shook, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "I don't want to be protected. I want to be like you, Sir… like big brother. I want to be a warrior… a hero."
She lingered, then bolted outside. Gulbob stared at the empty space she'd left. The lamp flame flickered, small and contained, yet capable of burning everything if released.
"Griffin… go after your sister. It's late," he said under his breath.
"Oh sh—" Griffin scrambled out.
Gulbob watched the doorway, realization settling in. The next generation would fight—whether he was ready or not.
"Okay… I agree. We'll go."
Griffin returned, Aria hiding behind him, cheeks red.
"No need to be shy," Griffin said. "You were amazing earlier."
Gulbob set a plate in front of her. "Here, kid. Eat."
"Thanks, Sir!" she said, her voice small but eager.
Aegis grinned. "You heard that! He agreed!"
Griffin's smile widened. "Nice!"
Lin rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "Finally… some sense in this tent."
Gulbob narrowed his eyes. "Haven't you heard enough?"
Lunara blinked, half-transparent. "Ho-how?"
"You heard it all, didn't you," Gulbob said.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to—" she stammered.
Lin and the others stared, stunned, as the wall behind her became faintly see-through.
Gulbob sighed. "Take a seat. Let's have a proper talk."
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Lunara admitted as she settled. "I just wanted to scare you guys… bad timing. Sorry. But it's good you agreed."
"I didn't agree," Gulbob said. "I said I was going to come."
"That's just how our leader is," Aegis muttered, chuckling.
Griffin nudged him. "Don't worry… he'll crack."
Gulbob shot him a sharp glare.
"Kidding~" Griffin said, raising his hands nervously.
"Be honest… why seek us out?" Gulbob asked.
"Because we need your strength," Lunara said.
"You know we'll never leave the favored mountain unprotected. Don't even think about it," Gulbob said.
"No, of course not, never," Lunara replied quickly.
Lin leaned back, still in awe. "I still can't believe I'm on the favored mountain."
Griffin smirked at Lunara. "So, your species is cool and weird at the same time. Weird in a good way."
"Speaking of weird," Aegis added, "have you ever seen an elf? They're pretty, but in a weird way. Like someone actually drew them. Otherworldly."
"Actually," Liyandra said, "we had an encounter when they traded supplies. Your description is perfect."
Griffin held up a hand. "Enough about them. Luna, what's something you like?"
Aegis leaned toward Gulbob. "Wow, didn't know you had the guts to talk to her."
"Shut it," Griffin said. "I tried starting a topic, but you guys kept making it weird."
Luna chuckled. "You guys are fun to watch. I like… magic and food."
"Cool, but too plain," Griffin said. "Fun fact?"
Luna thought for a moment, smiling faintly. "Hmm… oh. My name is Lunara Lunara-Lumen."
The room paused. Aegis and Griffin burst into laughter. Lin tried not to. Gulbob spat out his food.
"So… your name means Moon Moon Light?" Aegis asked.
"Yeah… my dad's a practical joker," Luna replied.
"That's so funny," Griffin said, grinning at Gulbob. "Even sir almost laughed."
Once everyone calmed down, they finished eating and headed to their quarters. Lin walked ahead, graceful and playful, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
---
The Next Day
While Aegis, Griffin, and Liyandra packed, Gulbob gathered the lookout guards—the triplets Boot, Armor, and Helm—and the brothers Hawk and Hound.
"We're here to talk about the incident. Who's going to explain how they got into the mountain?" Gulbob asked, hands on his hips.
All in unison: "CHIEF WARDEN, WE ARE SORRY! PLEASE DON'T MAKE US EAT INSECT BEASTS FOR MONTHS AGAIN!"
"No. Today, you're lucky. The leader of the looters was Thalor," Gulbob said.
Armor's eyes widened. "You mean the Thalor you were once with?"
Helm nodded. "The Thalor you got captured with?"
Boot nodded aggressively. "Mhm, mhm."
"Yes, that Thalor," Gulbob said. "And Boot, you really need to learn how to talk. Thalor may know a secret passage—or one not recorded."
Hawk tilted his head. "Do you need us to look for it?"
"Yes," Gulbob said.
Voices overlapped with eagerness. "Let me do it!"
"MHMM MHM!" Boot added loudly.
"I've already decided. Hound—search for the passage. Barricade it with the sorcerer's runes or spells," Gulbob instructed.
Hound saluted. "Yes, sir!"
A knock interrupted. Liyandra stepped in.
"Sir, we are ready," she said.
Everyone looked at Gulbob.
"Ready for what, sir?" Hawk asked.
"Sir… didn't know you had a child coming," Helm said, curious.
Gulbob waved them off. "Shut it. Just go do your jobs."
"All: SIR!"
As Gulbob and Liyandra walked out, Hound whispered, "I didn't know sir had it in him."
Gulbob's voice echoed down the hallway. "One! Two—!"
They scattered in panic.
Liyandra shook her head. "Is that how you and your soldiers normally talk?"
"Those guys? Yeah. They're good soldiers. The lookouts and guards of the mountain. Their post is at the foot of the mountain, and sometimes they stay down there for days, eating whatever they can. They never complain," Gulbob said.
"Oh, I can see why you're comfortable and close with them," Liyandra said.
"So where are the others?"
"Outside the meeting hall."
"Then let's go."
As they approached, Griffin waved. "Sir, we're ready to depart."
"Good job, but can we go somewhere before we leave?" Gulbob asked.
"Where?" Lunara asked.
"To the sorcerer," Gulbob said.
"Actually? I'm gonna meet him for the first time after years," Aegis said.
"Can I go too? I haven't seen him in years," Griffin added.
"Sure, we're just gonna ask for protection and good luck," Gulbob said.
Aria's eyes sparkled. "Can I go too?"
Gulbob smiled softly. "Oh, Aria. Sure—but only this time. You're not coming with us when we leave, okay?"
"YAY!" she cheered.
They walked together toward the sorcerer's house, the morning sun casting long shadows across the favored mountain, the next chapter of their lives quietly stirring with anticipation.