Day 1
The team was very excited to explore the Land of Thaloun Grass. Leo stood near the side of the ship, quietly watching the sea as if he was reminiscing about something.
Rein noticed him and asked if he missed his homeland. Leo admitted that he definitely did miss it. Rein gently held his hand and comforted him, encouraging him not to feel too homesick.
Leo really appreciated Rein's company. Rein tried to cheer him up with her soft voice while sharing a bit of her backstory.
Meanwhile, Helmond was sitting at the top of the ship, watching the sea with fascination. From above, he also noticed Leo and Rein having their quiet moment. Helmond quietly observed them, sensing that something might be going on between the two.
Ethan, on the other hand, was simply napping the whole time, completely relaxed during the journey.
Alice was excited to explore new lands, so she was busy gathering information by asking travelers from Thaloun Grass every possible question she could think of.
The team were really excited, as this was their first time traveling across another land. The travelers made sure they were comfortable on the ship and treated Leo and his friends well.
At night, Leo and Rein sat next to each other while watching the moon and the stars. The sky was clear, and the stars shined brighter than they had ever seen before. Leo quietly stared at the sea for a moment before looking back at the sky. Rein noticed the way he looked at the horizon and gently nudged his shoulder with hers.
"Still thinking about home?" she asked softly.
Leo smiled a little and nodded. Rein didn't say much after that, but she stayed close beside him. Her presence alone made the quiet night feel warmer and more comforting. Leo glanced at her and couldn't help but smile again, feeling a little less homesick.
Ethan lay on the ground nearby, lazily counting the stars while slowly drifting toward sleep. Helmond sat higher on the ship, quietly observing everyone while staring at the moon, noticing the small moment between Leo and Rein. Alice had gathered a lot of information from the travelers and excitedly wrote everything down in her book in case someone back home asked them about their journey after the mission.
Day 2
The team woke up to the smell of freshly cooked food filling the ship. On the table was a full meal carefully prepared by Alice with the help of one of the travelers. There were four travelers on the ship, and they had been very welcoming since the start of the journey.
Leo was the last one to wake up. As he walked toward the table, he looked surprised to see everyone already eating. Alice proudly placed another plate in front of him.
"Finally awake," she said with a smile.
Leo laughed softly before sitting down with the others. He thanked Alice and the travelers for treating them so well during the trip. The meal felt warm and comforting, something that reminded him a little of home.
After they finished eating, Ethan leaned against the side of the ship and called Leo over.
"Hey… I've been meaning to ask you something," Ethan said.
Leo walked closer, curious.
"It's about what happened when Kharous attacked the city," Ethan continued. "Do you really think you could beat him if you faced him alone?"
Leo paused for a moment before answering honestly.
"No," he said calmly. "I couldn't even keep up with him like Master Eryndor did."
Ethan looked at him with surprise.
"But you still managed to make him fall back," Ethan said. "That's not something most people could do."
Leo looked out toward the endless sea.
"I didn't make him retreat because I was stronger," Leo replied. "I just did everything I could at that moment."
Ethan crossed his arms, impressed.
"Well… whatever the reason was," he said with a grin, "you still stood your ground against a titan."
Leo smiled slightly, though deep inside he knew he still had a long way to go.
Ethan leaned against the wooden rail of the ship, quietly watching Leo from a distance. After their conversation earlier, something had changed in his mind.
He now sees Leo differently.
Not just as a teammate… but as someone he wanted to surpass.
A rival.
Ethan smirked to himself before looking back at the sea.
"Guess I've got some catching up to do," he muttered.
At Night
Leo lay on the deck, staring up at the stars with an empty mind. The vast sky stretched endlessly above him, but he couldn't shake the strange weight pressing on his chest.
After a few moments, Helmond quietly sat down beside him.
"You've been acting… different lately," Helmond said, his tone calm but curious. "What's going on in your head?"
Leo hesitated, then sighed. "Something… is going on in my mind and chest right now. It's like a pain that can't be seen."
Helmond nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe it's the pressure of leading this team?"
Leo shook his head. "No… it's not that."
For the rest of the night, Helmond stayed beside him. He didn't press further, just offered quiet companionship. Slowly, the sound of the waves and the warmth of someone nearby helped Leo feel a little lighter. Eventually, they both drifted off to sleep under the blanket of stars.
Day 5
Alice gathered the group and began recounting the story of the War of the Five Lands.
"Five hundred years ago," she said, her voice steady and captivating, "the First Great War of the Five Lands began — not over land or gold, but over food and resources. The Land of Virelith Stone, desperate for supplies to sustain their people, attempted to take the fertile lands of Thaloun Grass. Thaloun Grass refused to give up their resources without a fight, and they called upon the Land of Luminous Flame for assistance."
Alice's eyes swept over the team. "Virelith Stone was not alone. They had allied themselves with Feredore River, who joined in the strike to secure resources for their own people. Aurendyl Air was dragged into the conflict, forced to defend their lands from the chaos that spread across the continent. Soon, all five lands were engulfed in war."
"The conflict lasted three long years," Alice continued, her voice somber. "Countless lives were lost. Entire villages were destroyed. Families torn apart. In the end, exhaustion and despair forced the five lands to negotiate peace. But even then, the peace was fragile, built on the sacrifices and pain of generations."
She paused, letting the words sink in. "This war shaped the lands you now travel through — a reminder of how resources, greed, and desperation can ignite even the strongest nations."
350 Years Ago – The Second Great War of the Five Lands
Alice continued her storytelling, her voice carrying the weight of history.
"Three and a half centuries ago, the Second Great War of the Five Lands erupted. The gods had gifted each land with a protector — the Lightlock race — beings of immense power meant to defend and guide their people. But most lands abused the gift, seeing the Lightlocks as tools or weapons rather than beings to respect. This angered the gods, and in their wrath, all Lightlocks outside the Land of Luminous Flame vanished, leaving only those who were treated with honor and kindness. The Lightlocks of Luminous Flame remained because their people valued them, not for power, but for guidance and protection."
Alice's gaze swept the team. "This created envy among the neighboring lands. They saw the Lightlocks' protection as a threat and a prize. The Land of Luminous Flame was immediately attacked, not just for resources like gold and food, but because the other lands wanted to assert dominance. A war broke out across the continent, with all five lands fighting, and chaos spreading."
"The war lasted one year and six months. The Lightlocks of Luminous Flame stood as unbreakable defenders, holding back armies and protecting their people. Even then, some lands, like Thaloun Grass, turned their backs on Luminous Flame, leaving the Lightlocks to fight alone. Let's hope," Alice said softly, "that history does not repeat itself in these lands today."
150 Years Ago – The Third Great War of the Five Lands
Alice sighed, "Hopefully, this will be the last one." She continued her tale, her voice steady but heavy with the weight of history.
"The Third Great War began when the Land of Luminous Flame formed an alliance with Aurendyl Air and Thaloun Grass. This enraged the Lands of Virelith Stone and Feredore River, as they realized they would have no protection while Thaloun Grass and Aurendyl Air were guarded by the power of Luminous Flame."
"To make matters worse," Alice said, "Feredore River spread a rumor that Luminous Flame was only pretending to help. They claimed the Flame planned to catch every land off guard and conquer them all, using their unmatched power. Many believed it."
"The Lands of Thaloun Grass and Aurendyl Air were uncertain at first, thinking the rumor might be true. Soon, four lands declared war against each other, with the primary goal: take down Luminous Flame first. The conflict raged for ten years, leaving devastation in its wake."
"Eventually, the Lands of Thaloun Grass and Aurendyl Air realized the truth and fully allied with Luminous Flame, standing together against their enemies. But Virelith Stone and Feredore River refused to back down, launching a relentless campaign to invade Luminous Flame. For years they failed, until about 18 years ago, when they finally succeeded in a devastating strike — vanishing the remaining Lightlock race in the face of the Land, leaving Luminous Flame weakened and vulnerable."
Alice looked at the team, her expression grave. "This is the history of our lands… and a reminder of how power, envy, and distrust can destroy even the strongest guardians."
Leo listened intently as Alice spoke, his eyes reflecting both curiosity and awe. Every detail about the Lightlock race and his own bloodline seemed to pull him deeper into the story, as if the past itself was calling to him.
Rein watched him quietly from the side, her gaze softening. She caught herself smiling at how absorbed he was, though a twinge of annoyance crept in — he was so focused, he barely noticed anyone else. She found herself interested in the story, but also distracted by her own thoughts about Alice.
Ethan leaned forward, eyes wide with excitement. "I can't believe they fought endlessly against Virelith Stone and Feredore River! That's insane!" he exclaimed. The thought of the Lightlocks' relentless courage made him feel a mix of admiration and challenge — he wanted to test himself against that level of strength someday.
Helmond, sitting slightly apart, looked out at the distant horizon as he listened. His mind raced with questions about the other lands, their cultures, and how history shaped the present. The story had sparked a new fascination in him — a desire to see these places firsthand.
For a moment, the group was silent, each lost in their own thoughts, connected by the shared weight of history and the echoes of the Lightlock legacy.
Leo stood up, his eyes blazing as he addressed everyone. The ship seemed to quiet around him, as if even the wind was listening.
"I… am a pure-blooded Lightlock," he began, his voice firm. "I don't have royal blood, but I carry Divine Blood. My father — Henry, or as most of you know him, King Henry — kept this secret from everyone except his most trusted soldiers."
He took a deep breath, his gaze distant for a moment. "I was found as a baby at the Rock where the Divine Light strikes. That day, my father saw twenty-three fallen Lightlocks lying on the ground, sacrifices meant to create a new protector. I… I was that protector."
The group fell silent. The waves seemed to pause, and even the gentle rocking of the ship felt heavier in the weight of Leo's words.
Ethan broke the silence first, a mix of awe and challenge in his voice. "Hah… so you're just lucky with that Divine Blood of yours," he said, half-teasing, half-respectful. He didn't doubt Leo's story — he could feel the truth in his words.
Helmond and Rein simply stared, their mouths slightly open. Words failed them; the revelation was too sudden, too enormous to process immediately.
Alice leaned forward, eyes wide, her notebook forgotten for a moment. The travelers exchanged astonished glances, equally amazed at the story of the last remaining Lightlock — a protector born from sacrifice and divine will.
For a heartbeat, everyone was silent, caught between disbelief and reverence. Slowly, the reality of Leo's bloodline began to sink in, reshaping how they saw him — and everything that was to come.
Rein's voice trembled slightly, words coming out in stutters. "Now… it… it makes sense why your power is similar to theirs… but yours… yours are… completely different." She couldn't help but cast a quick glance at Alice, feeling a tinge of jealousy at how focused Leo seemed on the story rather than her.
Alice, oblivious to Rein's feelings, leaned over her diary, writing furiously. "Based on everything I know about Lightlocks," she said thoughtfully, "their powers are usually limited to two main abilities: the Divine Light Blade and the Divine Light power boost. But yours… yours show so much variation and control. You're truly different."
Ethan let out a low whistle and smirked, leaning back with a spark of challenge in his eyes. "Well… that just makes me want to challenge you even more." Despite the teasing tone, there was a deep respect in his voice — he could feel the weight of Leo's power.
The air around them hummed with tension, admiration, and Rein's quiet jealousy, as the group silently acknowledged that Leo's bloodline was more than legend — it was living, breathing, and standing right in front of them.
Helmond spoke up, his tone serious. "Everyone… keep this information to yourselves. If the other lands find out about Leo's bloodline, they might see him as a threat — or worse, try to eliminate him." His sharp eyes scanned the group, ensuring they understood the weight of his warning. Helmond wasn't just cautious — he genuinely wanted to protect Leo.
Leo gave a small nod, gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks for looking out for me, Helmond. I appreciate it."
But even as he spoke, his gaze drifted. Across the deck, Rein was leaning a little too close to Ethan, laughing at something he said. A strange feeling stirred in Leo's chest, one he couldn't quite name. His focus on the moment with Helmond faded as he found himself distracted, uneasy, and… jealous.
Day 6–7
The days were quiet, almost peaceful. Leo, Rein, Ethan, and Helmond spent most of their time training, honing their skills under the warm sun. The rhythm of swords clashing, spells casting, and footsteps on the deck filled the air. It was routine… yet the bond between them subtly strengthened with each passing day.
Day 8
That night, the calm was broken. Huge sea creatures began swarming around the ship, thrashing the waves and striking fear into the travelers. Rein stepped forward without hesitation, her newfound powers blazing. With her staff glowing, she commanded the sea itself — water surged and swirled, bending to her will. Waves crashed and creatures were torn apart as she mastered every element, her confidence and control shining through for the first time.
The team watched in awe, realizing just how far Rein had grown.
Day 9
Leo sat quietly, lost in thought, his mind wandering back to Rein — her bravery, her laugh, the way she moved with such grace.
Rein quietly approached and sat beside him. "Hey… mind if I sit?" she asked softly.
"Of course," Leo replied, though his chest felt a little tighter than usual.
They watched the sea together, stars reflecting on the water. Conversation flowed naturally, small and gentle at first. Rein asked, "Have you… ever had a relationship before?"
Leo shook his head. "No. What about you?"
"Same," she replied, a small smile on her lips. Relief washed over Leo, though a nervous tension lingered.
Leo swallowed and asked, cautiously, "Have you… ever liked someone? Or… anyone now?"
Rein's lips curved subtly, and without a word, she rested her head on his shoulder, leaning slightly closer. Leo felt a warmth spread through him, heart pounding. He didn't speak, didn't move — but the silent sign was enough, a moment of trust, intimacy, and unspoken feelings shared under the moonlit sky.
Day 10
Leo and Rein woke up side by side, the soft morning light spilling across the deck. Helmond was nearby, practicing his powers but occasionally glancing their way, a small smirk on his face. He wasn't being nosy — just supportive, making sure nothing interrupted their quiet moment.
Ethan was already deep in training, his determination unwavering as he pushed himself harder than ever. Alice, meanwhile, sat cross-legged with her diary, scribbling notes and stories of the journey so far.
From the crow's nest, one of the traveling sailors shouted, "Land ahead! The Land of Thaloun Grass is near!"
Excitement buzzed through the group. For many of them, it was their first time stepping onto foreign soil, and the anticipation was almost palpable.
Day 11
The team finally arrived at the Port of Balora, the bustling gateway to Thaloun Grass. Their eyes widened at the vibrant scenery — rolling grasslands, crystal-clear rivers, and distant mountains bathed in sunlight. Even the city walls glimmered with life, the air filled with the sounds of merchants, travelers, and livestock.
Soldiers from the City of Dichondra were waiting to escort them, guiding the group through the port and into the heart of the city. Every step they took revealed more of the land's beauty and prosperity, leaving Leo and his friends in awe.
As they moved deeper into the city, a sense of excitement and curiosity grew. This land was new, unpredictable, and full of possibilities — and they were finally here, ready to explore what Thaloun Grass had in store.
Rein reached out and gently took Leo's hand, holding it firmly yet softly. The simple touch made a warmth spread through him, calming the tension that had been building inside. For the first time since everything began, Leo felt at ease, as if the world around them had quieted for just a moment.
One of the travellers noticed the gesture and asked with a teasing smile, "Are you two… together?"
Leo glanced at Rein, his lips curling into a small, shy smile. "Not yet," he said, his tone honest but hopeful, leaving the door open for what might come—sooner than anyone could expect.
Rein didn't deny it, especially with Leo acting like her boyfriend the whole time they were out on the ship.