As the sun rises from the distant horizon, its radiant beams paint the sky in gold, spreading a warm glow on the world. The howling wind gusts, wielding its force, and parts the clouds, revealing the cerulean sky. Amidst the gentle mist, a sprawling land emerges, stretching out across the horizon, captivating one's gaze.

     The ship cleaves through the ocean's currents, each wave growing as it crashes against the bow. A trio of resonant rings resonates from the crow's nest bell, puncturing the air. Flocks of pigeons take flight along the shoreline, their chirping harmonizing with the of the seas.

     From the grand decks of the majestic vessel, passengers gather and eagerly gaze at the distant coastline. Nestled upon the land is a massive plateau, its jagged crest standing defiantly while scattered rubble litters its base. The aftermath of a recent calamity becomes evident as the mountainside reveals itself to be marred with uneven contours and deep crevices.

     At the harbour, a bustling crowd gathers to see the Remaining Podeshire. The sheer number of people nearly obscures the colour of the concrete floor and the wooden buildings in the background. The constant influx of individuals onto the dock creates a lively atmosphere, with chatter and whispers flooding the air.

     Amidst the throng, people manoeuvre through the crowd, vying for a vantage point by the harbour's railings. Clapping and whistling fill the air as they spot a ship approaching from a distance. The clamour along the coast grows, reaching a crescendo that muffles everyone's ears.

     Crew members stand on the ship's starboard side, readying for docking. Then, starting from the upper decks, they cast thick, long ropes into the calm sea. Slowly, the ship inches closer to the dock until its entrance aligns with a wooden platform, serving as a bridge between land and vessel.

     The ship's gangway door swings open with a resonating creak. A rush of people on the port gathers closer to the vessel, near the dock's bridge. They push against one another, peering over an ocean of heads and caps. The once-boisterous crowd gradually falls into silence as everyone stands on their toes, stretching their necks, eagerly awaiting the Remaining Podeshire.

     Passengers disembark from the ship, their shoes meeting the solid dock. They step down from the ship's doorway, one by one. Meanwhile, every person on the port, awaiting the arrival of the Remaining Podeshire, keeps their gaze fixed on the vessel's entrance. They stare and stare, refusing to look away.

     A foot clad in a shiny black shoe lands firmly on the wooden bridge of the dock. Sunlight beams towards the ship's doorway, revealing two pairs of legs—one dressed in black pants, the other in brown. Then, the owners of those legs step out.

     Oliver and Gregory revealed themselves to the roaring crowds. They smiled and intertwined their hands as they basked in the sunlight that illuminated their skin and glistened in their eyes. Taking each step with care, they moved forward.

     The people at the port can no longer contain their excitement. Their shouts and cheers cascaded like the roar of a lion. They jumped blissfully, squealing and whistling, while others waved their hands high in the sky, hoping to catch the attention of the Remaining Podeshire.

     Unexpectedly, Oliver's knees dragged him down. He quickly held onto Gregory's hand and clenched his buttocks. A stinging pain pierced through his body, causing him to clench his teeth as his brows furrowed.

"Ow! Ouch!" Oliver exclaimed in pain, pressing his buttocks with his free hand.

     The boisterous crowds at the port instantly fell into an eerie silence. The lively land quickly turned as quiet as a cemetery in the night. Every gaze remained fixed on Oliver, their lips tightening as mischievous thoughts raced through their minds. Some even dared to entertain inappropriate speculations, tilting their heads and furrowing their eyebrows.

     Oliver takes a deep, sharp breath, mustering his courage to step forward. However, intense pain shoots through his rear end, causing him to clutch onto it tightly. Despite the discomfort, Oliver has no choice but to continue walking down the dock's bridge, his legs spread out awkwardly, reminiscent of someone who has recently undergone a circumcision.

"Are you fine?" Gregory asked with concern, tightly holding onto Oliver's hand.

"Yeah," Oliver nodded as they descended from the ship.

     The crowd's continuous stare weighs heavily on Oliver. He shivers as he notices the judgmental and disgusted expressions on the faces of those at the port. Their open mouths and raised eyebrows resemble the reaction one might have upon spotting horse faeces on the road.

     Embarrassment steps on Oliver, causing his heart to race. He tightens his cheeks and lips, averting his gaze downward as his face turns red. Overwhelmed by humiliation, Oliver struggles to lift his eyes, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon him.

     Once Oliver sets foot on the land, he clenches his hands tightly, gathering the courage to scan through the crowd. Amidst the sea of people, he spots a familiar face in the background. Oliver's jaw drops, and his eyes glisten as he smiles.

     Sophia stands amidst the crowd, her hands folded on her chest, wearing a broad grin that illuminates her face. Her loose blonde hair sways with the gentle breeze, complementing her radiant smile. Standing out from the girls around her, Sophia sports a white elbow-length sleeved shirt underneath a cropped top that perfectly matches the greyish-brown hue of her pants, while a plain white cloth drapes around her waist, resembling a short skirt. As Sophia catches her friend's gaze, her eyebrows rise, mirroring the bounce of her toes in her flat black shoes.

     Oliver approaches Sophia with a gentle smile as his companions trail behind him. As he steps forward, he feels the weight on his shoulders dissipate, and he places his hands behind his back, standing in front of his friend, Sophia. He then reaches out a hand and takes a deep breath through his nose, preparing to address her.

"Hey, Sophia! I've missed you—" Oliver's voice trailed off as Sophia interrupted him.

"Did you guys do it??" Sophia grinned mischievously, her gaze shifting between Oliver and Gregory.

"What do you mean?" Oliver asked, his curiosity piqued.

"The way you walked out from the ship, it seemed like you were in pain. I assume you two had some 'adventures' during your trip to Hannsbarnne," Sophia smirked, playfully closing her eyes halfway through as she raised her brows.

"...I'm never eating extra spicy food again," Oliver whispered to Gregory.

"Sophia!" Bethany called out, sprinting towards Sophia.

"Bethany!" Sophia waved back.

"Hey, girl!" Sarrah chimed in, her long ponytail swaying as she approached.

"Sarrah!" Sophia's face lit up with a broad smile.

"Yo!" Edgar joined the group, strutting towards Sophia.

"Hi, Ed!" Sophia beamed.

Gregory closed his eyes and placed a hand over his heart. "It's truly a beautiful moment to have us all together again. It brings me great pleasure to see you, Sophia."

Sophia chuckled, appreciating the playful banter. "Aw, how nice of you," she replied. "Thank you, Greg. It's wonderful to see you, too."

"You can't imagine how eager we were to visit you. We've missed you," Oliver added, his voice filled with sincerity.

Sophia's smile widened as she looked at Oliver. "I've missed you all, too!"

Oliver took a deep breath before asking, glancing left and right. "So, tell me. What happened here again?"

Sophia's smile faded, replaced by a sigh. "...Oh, uh... there was... there was a catastrophic disaster, leaving a trail of destruction. We need your help to fix it with your elemental powers..."

Oliver pondered for a moment, placing a finger under his lips. "I remember something about a plateau. Where can I find it?"

Sophia's gaze shifted to her right, where a prominent plateau awaited them. "I'll take you there," she responded. "But first, I'd like to introduce you to our chief."