The sound of wheels rolling and crashing enters Kiran's ears. His eyes slowly blink open.

"Yawn. Where are we? Why am I so… snug?"

He looks down and sees he is wrapped up securely. "Oh no! Did we get captured again?!"

"Good morning Kiran! I hope you slept well!" Joseff is pulling the cart at an astounding speed. Kiran looks in awe as nature passes by quickly. "I couldn't sleep! So I decided to keep travelling! I hope it was comfy!"

It was comfy. Kiran's body feels well-rested, which is strange. It was still sore last night.

"It's comfy."

"Seems like the medicine I added worked!"

"WHERE THE HELL AM I!?"

"Buahahahaha! Easton is awake!"

Easton tries to toss and turn, but he is secured tightly. "Was this your doing old man?! I knew you were nothing but trouble!"

"Yo! I just had to make sure you don't fall off while I run! And I ensured you are extra tight because you seem really strong, Easton!"

"How long was I asleep?!"

"About 10 hours!"

"10 hours?! Have I ever slept that long?!" Easton struggles. "Let me out!"

"I can't do that now Easton! We are in a dangerous territory! We're almost there!"

"GRR! I DID NOT ASK TO BE KIDNAPPED!"

Even with all the yelling, Garnett still sleeps peacefully. After a few more minutes of travel Joseff slows down.

"Let me get those ropes off you now."

"H-Huh? We were travelling?" Garnett has finally woken up while Joseff unties the ropes and sacks.

Easton feels his shoulder. "It's much better."

"Good morning Garnett! Hahaha. Had a good sleep?"

"Surprisingly yes."

"It looks like all of you are in good health! Awesome! Let's get to Harmony. It's just a little further."

"In this dense forest?" asks Kiran.

"Yup! Exactly. What better place for the lowest-rank guild huh?"

"A trashcan maybe." Easton swipes away his hair.

"A-Are there animals here?"

"There are Garnett. So it's best if you stay in the cart. But don't worry! I have been navigating this forest for over 15 years. No one knows it better than me."

Joseff pulls the cart again. This forest is much different than the one Kiran saw first when he woke up. The trees here are much taller.

"Currently we are in the outer layer. We need to get into the inner layer. That's where the living area is."

The 3 newborns all remain quiet as Joseff takes them through.

When they reach the "Middle area" a few wooden houses appear. As soon as they reach the inner layer, a lot more wooden housing appears.

The predominantly grassy terrain has transformed into dirt roads decorated with wooden benches and stumps. People sit everywhere. They are all very friendly with each other.

"Hi, Joseff!"

"Look, everyone! Joseff's back!"

"Yo!" Joseff raises his hand and greets the people. Kiran energetically waves to them. A big smile accompanies his face. Garnett is a bit more timid, and Easton doesn't even look at them.

"So all these people are red-rank? Pitiful. This place smells. I need to get out of here." Easton rolls his eyes and slumps his head.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

They enter a circular area. There is a big tree with white leaves in the middle. The branches are formed in such a way that the tree resembles the skeleton of a rose. The housing around this area is much more prevalent. There is 1 big building on the other end where the group entered. There are 2 medium-sized buildings on the left and right. One is taller than the others.

On one of the branches of the big tree sits a man. "Oh, Joseff? Welcome back. A little late though?"

The man jumps off the high branch and lands in wooden sandals before the group. A bamboo staff is stuck in the ground next to him.

This man sports a khaki-coloured button shirt, with knee-length dark green pants. Over this shirt is a white haori with black linings. He has dirty blonde hair that slightly covers his eyes. It went over his ears and down his neck a bit.

"Consus! What an entrance! Everyone! Out of the cart."

All the newborns line up in front of the man.

"Kids! Let me introduce you to one of the Co-Guild Leaders of Harmony! Consus!"

"Whoa." Kiran and Garnett look in awe.

Easton… not so much. "A guild leader of the lowest-ranked guild? And they need two? Pfft"

Kiran read in the brochure that Guild Leaders are the highest rank in a guild.

Consus investigates each of the newborns.

"So you managed to get newborns to join on Cycle Day? My my. And a yellow rank as well. This is quite surprising." He peers closer at each of them.

"You all seem very interesting. Welcome to Harmony."

He rubs the back of his head.

"I have to be honest. There is no ceremony planned. Joseff has never brought any newborns on Cycle Day."

Easton glares at the blonde man. "Figures. Can't expect anything from a red-rank guild."

"I think Garnett should go with you Consus," says Joseff.

"How so?"

"His gift is seed creation."

"Uhm. It is pumpkin seed… creation?"

"Oh, how fantastic. Come with me, Garnett."

"Sure."

Consus and Garnett walk towards the tallest building. When Consus leaves, the image of a rose is on the back of his haori.

"Okay. So uh… I didn't think this part through yet. I never thought I would get this far." Joseff taps his chin. "I have things to do. So I can't look over you two now. What to do…"

"JOSEFF!!"

A girl comes from the side. Kiran immediately notices she has short pink hair with blue highlights that only go down to her ears.

"Oh, Emily!"

The girl hugs Joseff, and he hugs her back.

"When you didn't come yesterday I got stressed! But I should've known it meant you were bringing newborns!"

"Sorry for making you worry!"

Emily lets go and turns to Kiran and Easton. Easton is uninterested. He scouts the area for any place he might be able to run. Kiran couldn't help but blush. This girl that's the same height as him has a blue denim jacket with a black and blue colour scheme shirt and skirt combo.

"Hi, you two! My name is Emily. Nice to meet you!" She does a curtsy bow.

Joseff rests his hand on her shoulder. "Emily here is part of the medical team in Harmony. She plays quite an important role!"

"That's right!"

She points her thumb towards herself.

"This is perfect timing Emily. Can you take these two around? I have to do some admin work."

Emily salutes.

"Yes sir! I will take them around."

"Buahaha! Thank you, Emily! I'll see you two boys. Enjoy your stay! And welcome to Harmony!"

Joseff leaves towards the tallest building.

"Bye Joseff!"

Emily turns to the 2 dressed in orange.

"Okay, newborns! You heard Joseff. I am in charge of you two!"

"He didn't say that."

"H-Honestly Easton I don't mind."

"The hell?!"

"Haha! You heard him. Easton right?"

"Correct. Don't use it lightly."

"Sheesh! You sure are grumpy. And what's your name?"

"K-Kiran," he tries to seem confident, but Kiran can't even look into Emily's eyes. She laughs.

"Now that we all know each other, why don't I start the tour? Harmony's living area is not that big!"

She does a twirl, poses and smiles. She points towards the large tree.

"Harmony's tree! Most members live in this area. It's the safest. The birds on the trees even keep all the insects away!"

Emily places her hands on her hips and stands proud. "Oh no! I forgot to get the potatoes from the middle sector! Mehaki's gonna kill me. Unless…"

She points to the 2 boys. "Okay, newborns! As the youngest here, and new members to Harmony, it is time for some initiation!"

"Initiation? What about the tour?"

"It's part of the tour. Follow me!"

Emily leads the boys on one of the dirt paths behind the largest building. There is almost no housing in this area.

"Are we going in the right direction?"

"We are almost there! It's in the middle area."

"This is taking forever!"

They walk for a little bit more.

"All right! We are here. Behold, our potato farm!" exclaims Emily.

A big farming area is present in front of them.

"This is exactly 1 acre only used for harvesting and planting potatoes. It's what we eat the most!"

Emily giggles.

"So – This is the initiation. Whoever harvests the most potatoes within this sector wins!"

"And what's the prize?"

"It's a secret!"

"That's bull."

"I-I don't know. I-I'm interested."

"Red-rank, your opinion means absolutely nothing."

"Don't be so rude to your guild members! Mr Grumpnose!"

"What!"

Easton's eyes focus. "Tch. Okay fine. You like making fun of me? Let's go. What was it, this sector here?"

"Yes! And to make this even more fun, I'll join."

Emily, Kiran and Easton all stand in front of the area Emily pointed out. It's about 1/14 of the acre. Emily hands each of them a big burlap sack from the small shed near the farm.

"On my mark everyone!"

They all stand ready to run.

"Okay! In 3… 2… 1… go!"

20 minutes pass with them gathering the potatoes. All of them stand over breathing heavily.

"Hahaha! Huff… well done guys!"

Emily stretches backwards. "Man! I can't believe how fast Easton was!"

"Looks like I win!"

"That's bullshit! You used a much better technique! This was unfair from the start!"

"Well, games the game Easton!" Emily laughs.

While Easton and Emily bicker, Kiran slouches over his sack. He holds his head rubbing it frantically. He whispers to himself.

"I only got 45 kilograms' weight! Emily got 75 and Easton got 70… I am useless! I look weak…"

Emily giggles when she sees Kiran.

"Don't worry Kiran! Next time you'll do better. I know it!"

With the words of encouragement, Kiran springs up. "Yes!"

Easton throws his bag down. "Ugh. He's so easy to influence just because the girl has a cute face. Tsk. How has he not moved on from such primitive responses?"

"Now what?" asks Easton.

"Now… uh… the winner doesn't have to rework the ground!"

"WHAT?! This isn't initiation! This is labour!"

"Because I am a gracious winner. I will also help!"

Easton grinds his teeth.

Emily smiles. "Okay, gang. Let's hop to it and-"

CRASH!

A wild boar, over 3 metres tall, bursts through the trees. It speeds towards the group.

"OH NO! EVERYONE RUN! BUT DON'T FORGET THE POTATOES!"