The next morning, since everyone was pretty tired from the whole series of ordeals from the day before, it took longer than they had originally planned to get out of bed. Nevertheless, the party wasted no time in making their preparations to depart.
Danika and Anri were given the task of shopping for supplies that would be needed on their journey. THRAX was charged with the responsibility of procuring necessary magic scrolls, since he was the resident expert on such things. TRITHAL enlisted the help of Adeth with making sure everyone's weapons were sharpened and in good repair. Surprisingly enough, Adeth managed to only cut himself once on one of the swords.
Later that afternoon, TRITHAL assembled all 50 or so of his students at the Kaze Dojo to inform them of what is happening.
TRITHAL: "Listen up, everyone! Myself and a group of others are about to leave on a quest to the lands across the Incisor Sea to the East. We will probably be gone for several weeks. We've been asked to intervene in a situation that could threaten the safety of Morgura Prefecture, maybe even the entire Land of Fantasy."
Student #1: "Then we'll accompany you, Sensai!"
Student #2: "Let us help you fight this battle!"
TRITHAL: "No. This is something I must do on my own. Besides, you need to stay here. If worse comes to worse, your friends, families, and maybe even the whole area will be depending on your protection. Stay here, hone your skills, and make sure Laurenstown and Morgura Prefecture are here when I get back."
All: "Yes, Sensai!"
TRITHAL (to Jeff): "Jeff, I'm counting on you to keep things together in my absence."
Jeff: "Of course, Sensai."
TRITHAL: "Now then, one more thing before I go: Remember that all of you are the keepers and guardians of the Kaze Sword. Ultimately, you will all be responsible for passing down the skills and teachings to the next generations and beyond. Always be true to the Sword, and yourselves. May the Power of the Gods of the Four Winds forever emanate from your souls, as you are the keepers of the Wind!"
All (chanting in unison): "Hail the Gods of the Winds! May the Four Winds flow though our souls, and though our blades may our spirits stay pure and true!"
TRITHAL: "Long live the Kaze Sword!"
All: "Long Live the Kaze Sword!"
After that little pep rally was over with, Jeff led the class in drills while TRITHAL exited the scene and made his way back to his house to meet the rest of the party, who were nearly finished with their preparations.
THRAX managed to procure plenty of elemental defense scrolls. Danika and Anri bought enough non-perishable food to last about a month -- provided it's rationed properly. Adeth assisted with packing everyone's backpacks with each of their personal necessities. TRITHAL supervised loading all of the above cargo into the SUV.
Around 8:00 that evening, TRITHAL's cell phone rang. It was AXEM saying he was at the Laurenstown bus station. TRITHAL went to pick him up, and on the way back filled him in on what is basically going on, and also filled the SUV with gas.
AXEM: "Sooo, we're going to the Badlands Valley then? That's great. I need to disappear off the map for a while."
TRITHAL: "What the hell is going on with you lately? You seem to be trying to hide from some person or group of people. Who have you pissed off this time?"
AXEM: "I'd ... rather not discuss it. The fewer people knowing about it the better."
TRITHAL: "Eau-kay... You do realize we're trying to operate under the radar ourselves. You're not gonna get the rest of us in a bind if you're spotted somewhere by someone, are you? Because if you are, you can forget about coming with us."
AXEM: "No way! I seriously doubt I'll be spotted.... unless we end up anywhere near Mount Sabretooth. But, since you say we're leaving the United Prefectures, we should have nothing to worry about."
About this time, they arrive back at the house. AXEM is introduced to Adeth, and is brought all-the-way up to speed as to what's happening. Once everyone is on the same page, the group of them form a party and query their stats:
TRITHAL (LV 27 DIVINE WIND; 114/114 HP; 108/108 SP; 6764 EXP)
AXEM (LV 22 STONE PILLAR; 96/96 HP; 95/95 SP; 5354 EXP)
THRAX (LV 30 HELL-FIRE; 99/99 HP; 152/152 SP; 7178 EXP)
Danika (LV 27 FOREST NINJA, CLASS III; 98/98 HP; 91/91 SP; 6054 EXP)
Anri (LV 29 ICE FLAME; 100/100 HP; 100/100 SP; 7148 EXP)
Adeth (LV 10 ADVENTURER; 41/41 HP; 12/12 SP; 876 EXP)
TRITHAL (to Adeth): "Woah, Dude! You're only a level 10? And, you don't draw your power from an element? I hope you have plenty of HP potion, cuz you'll be needing it!"
Adeth (to TRITHAL): "Well, Sensai, I've been wanting to train as a Paladin, but I couldn't ever find anyone who would teach me! I was just a grunt in Lord Doman's army!"
TRITHAL: "Whatever. Just make sure you keep yourself out of danger, cuz I can't afford to keep rescuing your ass whenever you get in a bind."
THRAX: "What about Axem? It looks like he's been the laziest of all of us this past year! He's just a level 22!"
AXEM: "Yeah, well, being either in jail and/or in hiding, that's put a limit on what battle experience I was able to gain."
THRAX: "So much for having everyone at level 30 before we depart."
TRITHAL: "It's all good. We got plenty of magic scrolls, and there are enough of us powerful enough to make up for those who aren't. We'll be fine."
Danika: "Speaking of which, I hope you have plenty of your own supplies, Axem. We've already spent a whole day getting the rest of us ready. We have enough for 5, not for 6."
AXEM: "Don't worry about me. As long as we have time to stop somewhere along the way, I'll be able to get everything I will need."
TRITHAL: "I suppose once we get to Myria you can stock up on everything. It is a port city, after all. You can do your shopping while the rest of us find a boat to Garr."
By this time, the hour has grown quite late, so the party wraps up the conversation and sets every alarm in the house to wake them up early the next morning. Afterward, everyone finds a bed, or a likewise-comfortable piece of furniture & call it a night.
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