Upon nighttime, the crickets sounded across the bushes and forests sprinkled around the temples of the Kabun Clan. A few sat on nearby branches stretching to the windows, before flying towards warmer countries.

Dear was now, officially halfway through, as Quanzi deducted through the silence present. Of course, the night was deep in its vows, so looking out the window and listening in for any irregularities might've been the next best thing if he wasn't too exhausted.

Likewise, with Tributals, the Ainans also had a strange pattern of sleep. They could easily go on for a few days without a wink, and then sleep for the next three, but a good few could get adjusted with time.

Time.

One reason Quanzi continued to ponder instead of sleeping was exactly that. All the crickets would fly away in the next week or so and then they'd return halfway through Herbes making sleeping even more difficult with how loud they'd get during Gorro.

It was a common tradition at this point, though, and with how many times it has happened, it became a thing to look forward to.

A knock sounded on the sliding doors of the last floor. Quanzi turned, facing a figure sliding it open and ducking down with a nod.

"Excuse me, Osta." Zhen raised his hand.

"It's alright. I was starting to wonder when you'd come." Quanzi glanced out the window again.

"When?" Zhen asked, before neatly taking a place on a rather flat pillow a few meters behind him.

"It was a given. Since, as old stories tell, something leaves to make place for something new. Even though it could've taken years."

Zhen glanced away. "I wouldn't say that just yet. They're new Demonears, but I doubt it'll end up going any further than that."

"What makes you think that, Zhen? Again, you're backing on your own words."

"I know." he sighed. "Just took some time. I'd rather not be disappointed again."

Quanzi waited for a few seconds. Zhen put his hands behind his back and stared at the ceiling.

"It's all big dreams they wanted to accomplish, and becoming a Demonear was a reason for them to keep chasing." Zhen continued. "So when that hope died out, words weren't enough to prove their claims. Visit the whole world, write everything down, figure things out or... seek some meaning. It's stagnant, rather."

"...and then you fought over that with Saluk, right?" Quanzi blinked.

Zhen groaned, brushing through his frizzy hair. "What I'm trying to say is-"

"Nothing that you haven't already expressed every time I smiled about it." Quanzi chuckled. "Bancho was the same, wasn't he? Ridiculous, but in the end, you're still here. Alive, kicking, and complaining about things that don't affect you."

"They affect all of us, Osta. Demonears are supposed to be fighters."

"So?" he raised both hands. "Prove it."

"Huh?"

"I'm taking responsibility for 'empty' words. Only a few hours ago, I sent a sparrow towards Saphrith, responding to the King's words and formally inviting all the new and old to come train and see the thing for themselves."

Zhen folded his arms.

"Slowly, but surely, we'll lend a helping hand towards those in need and find ourselves standing in the sunrays and not constantly remaining in the shadows. Everyone has a purpose, Zhen, and if they keep living to tell the story, it means, something is bound to happen too. Everything flows with time, and it'd only be wiser to wait longer." he nodded. "You wouldn't doubt the God's words."

"Wait for what, Osta?" Zhen sighed. "Even more problems along the way?"

"Are the four that came here your typical Demonear bunch?"

"I said, Osta, that-"

"You weren't wrong with your judgment. Don't back out tomorrow, or the day after. I promise you'll see it."

"How do you know?"

As if snapping the tension of the moment, Quanzi stood up. Waddling towards the middle of the chamber revealed a big bell hidden behind a few sheets of colourful blankets earlier indicating the middle, and perhaps a reflection of the sliding dragon doors on the other end.

Zhen focused, as the other Ainan moved closer, and with the very light touch of his finger, it moved, creating a thick, empty ring.

Its memory echoed throughout the upper floors, promptly waking a few people up with a presumed dream, while Morio and Chyuuichi snoozed away.

However, the two heard it, and Zhen only squinted, furrowing his brows.

"When was the last time you've heard the gigalith ring, Zhen?" Quanzi asked.

The other Ainan shook his head.

"Back when... S-Sylvestair stormed in."

Quanzi waited.

"When it all began."

The ring faded into nothing but a memory now, and Quanzi slid the sheets close, breathing out.

"Mihua was right to make that connection, then. Morio, Jyuzou, Atomu and Chyuuichi. Giving it the ebb and flow of time is the right solution. Fate trickles and works in very complicated ways. The meeting between those dragons was exactly that." the master continued.

Zhen glimpsed back.

"The wisest of the wise knew, so it's high time to keep carrying that burden, Zhen. It's scary, but God knows where we would be without him forcing us to carve those roads until the path becomes so clear that you'll need to forge another. You..." he pointed. "...or them."

Zhen sighed, letting go of his emotions, and again, snapping the moment's tension completely.

It was quiet from thereon. Maybe the crickets finally fell asleep, to have the courage to fly away or keep ringing in the next day, but they couldn't guess.

"Bancho's not really dead, is he?" Zhen asked.

Quanzi shook his head.

"I'd know better." he fixed his posture, straightening up. "He wouldn't keep showing signs of it otherwise. Whatever they are..." he sighed. "I'll see it for myself."

***

The morning came with a brutal realisation of just how different things around these parts of Errarion are. Jyuzou could have predicted this if he hadn't slept in, so a good chunk of the burden came to the terrified Atomu and a courageous Morio to figure out.

The temple, or rather, this general area of Malikan was home to weird birds that found it their task to drag people out of their slumber with a scream.

If you were anywhere outside, they'd be a natural scare and a strange reminder for the travellers to watch out for the 'Malikan thing' and keep treading safely. Their purpose was a little different here, however.

It was Zack who caught at least fifty of these hen-like creatures in the wild to force them into army-like training to wake the sleepyheads up. Reconciling later, Morio and Jyuzou thought it wasn't as bad as the punishment they'd get in Galliath, but waking up early was only one of the few similarities which made their presence known especially with Quanzi's words.

Atomu and Chyuuichi started crying after learning that breakfast was dispensed by a few people in the basement kitchens until it was time for other activities. Of course, they could seek it out for themselves, but promises were promises and they'd have to pay up with the money they didn't have.

The Kabun Clan had a good chunk of people who gathered food in the wild to give back for the things they've learned and the obvious free and rather worryless accommodation. Most, since some worked for Silver, but a lot was done together for the sake of everyone.

Frankly, the two came from another world. Lignoria was selfish despite the people finding any reason to celebrate together, and Mirillians were a whole other topic.

Also, they really cried. Chyuuichi's case was obvious since he wanted to exaggerate his disappointment, but Atomu was genuinely hungry and tried to make himself excited with the stressful occasion either way, failing miserably.

Morio was so kind that he even shared a few things he stole from the kitchen when no one was looking, but Jyuzou said it was a rule to be learnt.

There could've probably been an argument between the Morians about righteousness, morality and such (even though Jyuzou stole things in Galliath TOO), but things moved very fast from thereon.

No time to check the washrooms, since Atomu also considered that important, or to see the insides in a better light than viewing everyone present as the enemy. Frankly, Callem was still a little salty about yesterday, but Muddy seemed happy, waving at Chyuuichi when the four found themselves outside.

Again, the Morians weren't surprised, but Atomu and Chyuuichi were in a bit of an emotional pickle. Demonears gathered around, with at least twenty people present in front of the two brothers they saw yesterday, with smirks as proud as back then.

The structure towered over the gardens without casting a shadow, and the paths of the still-wrecked garden, courtesy of the battle against the orc now standing a few meters behind the Ainans, split into other hedged-away areas of the Kabun Clan.

From there, farms, plains or a few small forests appeared. Hills rolled up, with cleared-out paths and a few outposts stretching into more of the obvious.

Wooden, torn dummies turned to stones that marked running tracks. There were a few physical courses that made Atomu shake his head in disappointment. Even a small river appeared, with a few stuck-out poles directing towards whatever someone could've endured there.

The smirks only grew bigger, and the few other Demonears sighed, while Atomu backed away.

"At least it isn't a volcano." Jyuzou cleared his throat.

"Or water prisons." Morio pointed. "Easy stuff!"

"You never know." Atomu gulped.

"Like yer one to speak! Maybe high time things like these whip ya into shape!" Chyuuichi yelled out.

"Ekhem." A voice sounded in the middle. "Pardon the intrusion, dearest Demonears." Zack shook his head.

All heads present suddenly turned towards the four as if they were the main enemy. Well, that's what Jyuzou thought, since until today they were exactly that. Atomu covered his eyes, and Chyuuichi rolled them, while Morio stood in the front.

"Sorry." the Mirillian whispered, while someone giggled out of the crowd, promptly slapped by another.

"As the Ainasu tradition goes, we take moments like these for a minute of silence." Zack continued.

"D-Did someone die?" Morio asked.

"Bohoho!" Mihua chuckled. "Winter traditions are offset here!"

"Winter?" Atomu asked.

"Silence means power, Morian." Zack continued, fixing his blonde hair. "You'd train nothing without the energy for it. Either way, enough time passed." he chuckled. "Welcome, everyone."

A few people raised their heads and smiled.

"I was to say that we have a few more people joining us today, but it seems they already made their presence known." he glanced around the circle. "No time to waste, since skies are pretty clear, probably for the last time this year." he looked up. "My group, we're taking the forest!"

A few people marched away from the entrance of the gardens towards a split in the road.

The four glanced over.

"Dibs on the hills." Mihua raised his hands. "Follow me!"

Another twenty or so did the same.

The four glimpsed. Again.

"E-excuse me!" Jyuzou raised his hand and his voice, with the two brothers quickly turning. "What about us?"

"Callem?" Zack asked, reaching his hand out and signalling something.

The mentioned Eran forced himself through the four and quickly handed a letter to Zack.

The other brother approached, grabbing a piece, and they fought over who would carry it, for whatever reason. Eventually, Mihua won and giggled.

"Atomu Turon, Chyuuichi Gamma! You come with me!" he added. "Wasn't it obvious?"

"I d-didn't think you meant it." Atomu scratched his head, while Chyuuichi glanced at Muddy, who gave him a thumbs-up and moved towards the hills.

"Guess you'll see the literal!"

"Y-Yes...?" Atomu tilted his head, a little confused, as Chyuuichi pushed him forward with excitement.

"Is Muddy training with us?!" a few questions were already thrown into the wind with the lanky and tall Ainan figure putting his hand up in the air and leaving accordingly.

"Jyuzou's coming with me," Zack muttered, raising his sunglasses and brows for a second, fixing his triple-bladed sword back in place.

Jyuzou blinked a couple of times, glancing back at Morio, who gave him a quick grin.

"Y-Yes!" the Morian nodded, before following in tandem with the rest of the group. Zack took the middle, weaving through the others to lead towards the paths.

"What about me?" Morio quickly asked.

Zack smirked, going through his rough blonde hair again before a hand landed on the white-haired's shoulder.

"Who else, Morio?" Zhen asked, as the Morian turned, with a little shock to his eyes. Then again, that was what they promised yesterday. "Since everything's taken, let's say plains will do just well. Although, be warned. I haven't done this in quite a while."

"Ha." Morio chuckled, grinning. "Considering you beat me to a pulp back then, I'll have nothing to worry about."

"What a strange conclusion to come to." he scratched his head. "I like it." he pointed, with a straight face. "Bonus points for that."

"There's a points system?!" Morio asked.

"No, I meant-"

"I'll beat you to it, Jyuzou!" he pointed, and the Morian turned, sighing.

...and the day officially began.