The road stretched before them, winding through rolling hills untouched by fire and shadow. The wind carried the scent of grass and blooming flowers, a stark contrast to the chaos they had faced in the cities.
Ryosen walked at the front, calm and composed, golden aura faintly shimmering around him. "There's a town ahead that hasn't been touched. We'll rest, gather supplies, and learn more about the surrounding regions."
Kentarō squinted, kicking a small rock along the path. "Wait… wait a second. A town that's safe? That's suspicious. Are we walking into a trap? Because traps always smell like… taxes and bad food."
Shichiro sighed, shoulders relaxing slightly. "Let him talk. It's nice to have a moment without running for our lives."
Rokuro stretched lazily. "Finally, a town that doesn't try to kill us. I could get used to this… for like, five minutes."
Katsu adjusted his notebook, jotting down observations. "If it's still standing, it might have survivors we can talk to about Bellerophon's next move. This is an opportunity to gather intel."
The group entered the town. Children played in the streets, merchants called out their wares, and a gentle breeze rustled through the banners hung across the central square.
Kentarō stopped suddenly, staring at a brick wall. "Hey… anyone else notice that wall? It's… still. Completely still."
Rokuro groaned. "Kentarō… really?"
"Yeah, seriously. We should probably… I dunno… admire the wall for a second."
Shichiro rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small smile. "You never change, do you?"
Ryosen chuckled softly from behind. "Laughter is a good thing. But don't get too comfortable. Bellerophon's shadow is still out there, and the storm is only growing."
They spent the afternoon exploring the market, meeting townsfolk, and resting in the local inn. Even Kentarō's jokes were met with smiles rather than exasperation, his humor lightening the mood.
That evening, they gathered outside the inn, watching the sunset paint the town in gold and crimson.
Shichiro tightened his grip on Solar Flare, the flames reflecting faintly in the horizon. "We may have a moment of peace, but we can't forget why we're here. Bellerophon won't wait for us to rest."
Kentarō leaned back against a post, smirking. "Yeah, yeah… but for like, thirty more minutes, I vote we enjoy the wall."
Rokuro snorted. "I swear, that wall's going to be the death of me before Bellerophon is."
Katsu scribbled quietly in his notebook. "Even a short pause like this… it teaches us something. Preparation isn't just about strength, it's also about knowing when to stop and breathe."
Ryosen's golden aura flickered in approval. "This town is a temporary haven, but remember this feeling. Moments like these are what you fight to protect. Carry it with you, because the trials ahead will demand everything."
As the stars began to fill the sky, the five of them sat silently, letting the calm wash over them. Somewhere in the distance, a shadow lingered atop a hill, barely visible against the darkened sky. Its glowing crimson eyes scanned the town, noting the young heroes below.
The figure moved with precision, silent and calculating,
a scout for an Elite-grade Heartless, testing the town for weakness. For now, the town slept peacefully, unaware of the danger watching from afar.
But even in the quiet, the heroes' laughter, camaraderie, and the simple joy of a wall that refused to move shone like a beacon. And soon enough, that beacon would be tested.