Leaving

The sun had risen, spreading a pleasant glow over the tranquil village. Sebastian awoke with a sense of exhilaration in the air.

He extended his arms and legs, yawning. He looked around his room, realizing Mikko was nowhere to be found. He was certain Mikko had slept in his room since the adults wanted to party all night, and as children, they were instructed to go to bed early, much to Sebastian's dismay.

Sebastian, curious and awakened, decided to step out and explore the town on his own.

As he stepped outside, he was greeted by the bustling sounds of the marketplace. The aroma of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, making his stomach rumble. Sebastian's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he made his way towards the array of stalls selling various treats.

He couldn't resist the temptation of a stall selling colorful candies. Sebastian purchased a bag of his favorite sweets and happily munched on them as he strolled through the marketplace. The vibrant sights and sounds filled him with a sense of wonder.

Sebastian's attention was drawn to a group of children playing a game in the town square. They were laughing and chasing each other, their joy infectious. He couldn't resist joining in the fun, forgetting his initial quest to find Mikko.

As he ran and played with the other children, Sebastian felt a sense of freedom and happiness. The worries and responsibilities of the world seemed to fade away, replaced by pure joy in the present moment. His laughter echoed through the square, blending with the laughter of his newfound friends.

-------

Aeisha is currently admiring the different flowers on the outskirts of the town. They were blooming beautifully, and she wished that she could keep some of the flowers. However, since they were traveling, that idea was quite impossible.

The flower beds were filled with beautiful flowers such as roses, lilies, and other flowers. Aeisha herself was surrounded by daisies, daffodils, tulips, and other small flowers she recognized: echinacea, forget-me-nots, lavender, jasmine, marigolds, and even a rosebush. She was so immersed in observing the flowers that she failed to realize that someone was watching her until she heard a cough.

She turned her gaze to the side and saw someone leaning against the fence. He had pastel messy brown hair that swayed lightly with the wind. he has a greenish gray eyes that resembles a gem that sparkle and reflect the light of the sun, yet there was a slight darkness behind them. "Those flowers are beautiful, but you stand out the most," Mikko stated with a smirk, leaving Aeisha dumbfounded and getting a sense of déjà vu.

"Who are you?" she asked, eyeing the kid in front of her, who just stood there perplexed. Then, an idea suddenly crossed his mind. "Does this ring a bell?" Mikko pulled out his mask that was hanging on his side and wore it.

"Ah, the creepy kid from last night," she muttered, narrowing her eyes at Mikko, as an invisible arrow hit him. "Being called creepy by other people actually does hurt, huh?" he said while holding his chest, which made her roll her eyes.

"How old are you anyway? You don't seem to be older than thirteen. Didn't your parents tell you not to flirt with strangers?" she said, looking at Mikko, as another arrow hit him. "I-I'm actually fifteen. Besides, you're not a stranger. Everyone knows about you guys as the most successful hero party out of hundreds of them," Mikko answered.

"Well, I'm not interested in little kids-"

"Aren't you only seventeen? That's only a two-year gap..." Mikko stated with a proud smile, pointing to himself, as silence covered both of them as Aeisha is getting more creep out but all of a sudden Mikko erupted in laughter.

He laughed until tears came out of his eyes, clutching his stomach as he wheezed, trying to catch his breath, while Aeisha stood there confused.

"Da-damn, I-I can't," Mikko stated between laughs as he stood up and walked towards Aeisha, taking her hand and putting a Hydrangea on it. "Don't worry, I'm just messing around. I'm not hitting on you," he said as he smiled at her.

"Hydrangeas symbolize good luck and fortune. They also represent gratitude and happiness, so with that said... I hope you smile more!" Mikko exclaimed, making Aeisha's eyebrow twitch. "I can smile just fine without your flower-"

"A genuine smile," Mikko cut her off as he smiled once again at Aeisha before running away, laughing, and leaving a flabbergasted Aeisha behind him.

Aeisha stared down at the Hydrangea, and her lips turned into a small smile. "What a creepy kid..."

Mikko hummed as he walked when he suddenly heard a familiar laughter. Mikko's ears perked up as he recognized the laughter.

He turned his head in the direction of the sound and saw Sebastian running and playing with a group of children in the town square. A mischievous grin spread across Mikko's face as he decided to join in on the fun.

He sprinted towards Sebastian, weaving through the other children, and soon caught up with him. Mikko playfully tapped Sebastian on the shoulder, causing him to turn around with a surprised expression.

"Hey there!" Mikko exclaimed, his laughter echoing through the square. Sebastian's eyes widened in delight as he recognized his friend.

"Mikko! Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere!" Sebastian said, a mixture of relief and excitement in his voice.

Mikko shrugged, still grinning. "I got a bit distracted exploring the town on my own. But it looks like you've been having a blast here!"

Sebastian nodded enthusiastically. "I joined in with these kids, and we've been playing games. It's been so much fun!"

Mikko chuckled. "Well, count me in then! Let's show them what we're made of!"

Together, Sebastian and Mikko joined the group of children, adding their laughter and energy to the mix. They played tag and raced each other, but their fun was suddenly cut off when they heard a shout.

"The heroes are about to depart!" With a simple sentence, Sebastian's smile turned into a frown as he finally realized his main mission.

"Wait, they are already leaving?" Sebastian inquired as he gently tugged Mikko's clothes. "Yeah, after all, they are on a journey to defeat the undead. They just stopped by our town," Mikko explained.

Sebastian's heart sank at the news. He had been so caught up in the excitement of the day that he had forgotten about the hero party's departure. The thought of missing the opportunity to ask them questions and join their quest filled him with disappointment.

Mikko noticed Sebastian's change in demeanor and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. We may have missed them this time, but there are still hundreds of hero parties that can stop by our town. Though I'm sure their arrival won't be celebrated as much."

Sebastian looked at Mikko perplexed. Did he hear him right? "Wait, there are other hero parties?" Sebastian asked, making Mikko nod his head.

"Even though it seems unbelievable, there are a lot who passed Skarlax as years went by. Though this party is the most well-known, considering their achievements," Mikko explained. Sebastian's disappointment began to fade as he listened to Mikko's words.

The realization that there were other hero parties out there, each with their own unique quests and accomplishments, sparked a newfound sense of hope within him.

"You're right," Sebastian said, a glimmer of excitement returning to his eyes. "Even if we missed this hero party, there are still so many heroes waiting for us. Who knows what kind we'll meet in the future?"

Mikko grinned, his mischievous spirit shining through. "Exactly! And if it still doesn't work, we'll create our own legendary tales and become heroes in our own right. And who knows, maybe one day we'll even surpass the achievements of this famous hero party. So, you better be training well, Sebastian," Mikko stated as he playfully headlocked Sebastian and messed up his hair.

Sebastian's smile widened as he imagined the possibilities. The world was vast and filled with magic and wonder. There were countless challenges to overcome, mysteries to unravel, especially how he got here.

With renewed determination, Sebastian and Mikko joined the other children in bidding farewell to the departing hero party. They watched as the heroes set off on their grand adventure, their hearts filled with amixture of awe and inspiration.

As the hero party disappeared from sight, Mikko turned to Sebastian. "Come on now, never lose your smile. We live in a small world, and maybe we'll get to meet them again, and you can ask a bunch of questions," Mikko said with a reassuring smile. Sebastian nodded his head, feeling a renewed sense of hope.

"So good luck on your test tomorrow," Mikko stated, causing Sebastian's eyebrows to furrow in confusion. It took a few seconds for Mikko's words to process in Sebastian's mind.

"Eh?" Sebastian exclaimed, his confusion evident on his face. "What test are you talking about?"