The group settled around a campfire, the soft crackle of flames illuminating their faces as the night settled in. Lumi was busy roasting something that looked vaguely edible, while Sonnet shuffled a deck of cards with surprising speed.

"Alright, Lumi," Kazuki said, leaning back on a log. "What's the plan? What's the order of these Zodiac Beasts we're hunting?"

Lumi looked thoughtful for a moment. "The Zodiac Beasts are scattered across different regions of Eidolon. We should go in a specific order—starting with Leo. Since you already have a fragment of that power, it'll resonate more easily with you."

Kazuki nodded. "Makes sense. And after Leo?"

"Then we'll go for Aries," Lumi said. "Each beast is tougher than the last. We'll need to pace ourselves."

"Ooh, that sounds like a boss fight marathon!" Andreas grinned. "I'm all for it."

Sonnet smirked. "I'm ready to gamble my life on it… literally."

Kazuki blinked. "Uh… maybe not literally?"

As the conversation drifted on, Sonnet suddenly looked at Kazuki with a raised brow. "By the way, did Lumi tell you about us?"

Kazuki frowned. "About what?"

"You know," Sonnet said, waving her hand casually, "that we're the Vessels of Fate and Balance?"

There was a moment of silence. Kazuki's brain lagged. "Wait… you're WHAT?!"

"You didn't tell him?" Andreas turned to Lumi, wide-eyed.

Lumi crossed her arms. "I thought you told him!"

"We thought you told him!" Sonnet said, pointing an accusing finger.

"I didn't even know you guys were Vessels until… five seconds ago!" Kazuki threw his hands in the air.

Sonnet laughed, scratching her head. "Oops. Well, surprise! We're the Vessels of Fate and Balance. Back in the day, we were chosen during the Great Era of Heroes. But, you know, things went south."

"South?" Kazuki raised a brow.

Andreas nodded. "Yeah, the Savior kinda… killed us."

Kazuki's eyes widened. "Killed you?! And you're just casually dropping that like it's no big deal?"

Sonnet shrugged. "Eh, it happens. Vessel of Life sacrificed himself to bring us back. But we're not exactly at full power anymore."

Andreas flexed his left arm, which glowed faintly with energy. "Yeah, we're heavily nerfed compared to before. Back then, I could punch mountains in half. Now? I can barely knock down a tree."

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"And my instrument magic?" Sonnet sighed dramatically. "Let's just say it used to make people fall in love and cause meteors to fall from the sky. Now it's more like… enhanced karaoke."

Kazuki rubbed his temples. "So, let me get this straight… You're both super-powered Vessels who were killed by the Savior, brought back by the Vessel of Life, and now you're nerfed?"

"Yup," Sonnet said cheerfully.

"And you didn't think to tell me any of this sooner?"

"We thought you already knew!" Andreas said, grinning sheepishly. "Besides, you didn't ask."

Kazuki groaned. "I swear, you guys are impossible."

Lumi smiled, trying to smooth things over. "It's not like they were hiding it from you. Honestly, it's better you know now. With their experience and your new powers, we're in a stronger position for what's coming next."

"Plus, we're fun to have around!" Sonnet winked.

Andreas nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, who else can make things explode and cook the perfect steak?"

Kazuki couldn't help but chuckle despite himself. "Okay, fair point."

As the fire crackled and laughter filled the air, Kazuki glanced at his strange, chaotic group of friends. They had a lot to figure out, but for now, things felt… right.

"Alright," Kazuki said, smiling. "We've got a long journey ahead. Let's make it count."

The group makes their way through the rugged landscape, approaching Leo's domain. The air feels heavier, and the sky is painted in golden hues, as if time itself bends toward eternal sunset here. The land beneath their feet glimmers faintly with golden light, shifting like flowing sands. Strange symbols of lions and constellations appear in the cliffsides, glowing briefly before fading.

Lumi stops and stretches. "Alright! Time for a break. We've still got a bit to go, but we'll rest here."

Kazuki collapses onto a rock. "Finally. I thought my legs were gonna fall off."

Sonnet plops down beside Kazuki, twirling a strand of her hair. "Hey, Kazuki, what's the most fun thing to do in your world? What's the coolest part about it?"

Kazuki blinks. "Uh… what?"

Sonnet leans in, eager. "You know, like the best thing! The one thing that makes your world amazing!"

Kazuki scratches his head. "Uh… I guess… sleeping? Playing video games? Eating snacks? Sleeping again?"

Andreas chuckles, crossing his arms. "That's it? That's the best your world has to offer? Sounds… lazy."

Sonnet gasps dramatically. "Games?! What kind of games? Rhythm games? Combat simulators?"

Kazuki raises an eyebrow. "Wait… Sonnet, you are from Earth, right?"

Sonnet and Andreas exchange confused looks.

Kazuki turns to Lumi, who's casually munching on something. "Lumi, back me up. They're from Earth too, right?"

Lumi swallows and shrugs. "Oh, no. Not necessarily. Trailblazers can come from anywhere across time and space. Doesn't matter where or when you're from. Fate doesn't follow normal rules. If your destiny is tied to Eidolon, you'll end up here."

Kazuki stares, stunned. "Wait… seriously?"

Lumi nods. "Yup. For example, Sonnet here is from a world where life is basically one big rhythm game—"

Sonnet grins. "And I was the meta SSR Character! Of course, my powers reflect that. Music and rhythm are my thing!"

Lumi gestures toward Andreas. "Andreas, on the other hand, comes from a world much like ancient Earth, where gods walked among mortals. His people built civilizations around worshipping those gods."

Andreas smirks, flexing his arm. "Yeah, and let's just say I was the best in my era. People practically worshipped me, too!But there's no movies or anything like that on my world, I'm like a monkey compare to you guys"

Kazuki leans back, rubbing his forehead. "So… I'm the only one who lived a normal life? Just school, homework, and playing games?"

Sonnet and Andreas burst out laughing. "Yup! You're the most normal out of all of us!"

Sonnet claps Kazuki on the back. "But hey, that's what makes you special! A normal kid thrown into an insane world. That's totally protagonist material."

Kazuki sighs. "Great… I've been isekai'd into chaos, and I didn't even know it.The title should've been 'I was teleported into another world with the help of a tooth fairy while I was in hospital!' "

Lumi pouting"Hey! I'm not a tooth fairy!" and then Lumi stands, looking ahead. "Well, enjoy your normal life while you can. Things are about to get a lot weirder once we hit Leo's domain." She points toward the glowing cliffs. "We're close now. And trust me… Leo doesn't do things small."

The group prepares to continue, the weight of Lumi's words lingering as they step closer toward the unknown.