When Sophia came back that morning, she didn't find the scene she expected.
She opened the door… and just stopped.
Bug, Spirit, and Ember were slumped around the dining table like survivors of a pancake apocalypse. Each was halfway through a plate, covered in syrup, and barely conscious.
Sophia blinked. "...Are you three alive?"
Bug groaned. "Define 'alive.'"
Spirit, face buried in the table, mumbled, "This… is my fourth plate. I can see gods now."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the table, Sebastian was patiently helping Belos cut his pancakes, and Nyxar was calmly eating his own — while sharing bits with the two still-summoned mini steel bears sitting beside him like well-behaved, metallic pets.
Sophia sighed. "Alright. Finish up. The carriage is ready."
Three weak groans answered her — which she took as a yes.
Departure
A few minutes later, the group staggered out of the house.
Sebastian followed behind Belos, who proudly carried both mini bears in his arms like trophies.
Nyxar, somehow, was carrying three enormous bags.
The narrator's voice chimed in helpfully:
"Inside those bags, we have: a portable kitchen, several weapons, a travel guide, maps, a recipe book, bandages he doesn't know how to use, random potions, and… other questionable items. Still don't understand how three bags are enough."
Sophia just stared. "...You're seriously bringing all that?"
Nyxar said nothing. He simply got into the carriage like this was normal.
On the Road
The carriage rolled out. Inside, things quickly fell into an oddly peaceful rhythm.
Belos sat by the window, playing happily with his two mini bears.
Bug and Spirit passed out immediately — one snoring, one drooling.
Ember fell asleep against Nyxar's shoulder, still holding a pancake.
Sebastian, sitting across from them, looked around the cabin and thought, This is going to be the longest trip of my life.
He risked a glance at Nyxar, who was awake, silent, and sharpening his dagger while staring out the window with the intensity of a man watching for the end of the world.
The sound of metal scraping against metal filled the carriage.
Sebastian swallowed hard. "...You're quite alert, aren't you?"
The narrator cut in, "He's not threatening anyone. He's just getting ready in case of an ambush… probably. Also—yes, I'm shipping Nyxar and Ember. Don't judge me."
Nyxar finally stopped sharpening his dagger and said calmly, "Just making sure everyone's safe."
Belos yawned and curled up with the mini bears, who made soft, mechanical purring sounds (which, frankly, freaked Sebastian out even more).
A Sleepless Guard
Sebastian cleared his throat again. "Nyxar, I would think it's a wise decision if you… also got some sleep."
Nyxar looked around — at Bug, at Spirit, at Belos and the bears, and finally at Ember, who was sleeping soundly against him.
He looked back out the window, where the moonlight painted the road silver.
"Nah," he said quietly. "I'll rest when we reach somewhere safe."
Sebastian frowned. "I appreciate your vigilance, but even you need rest, young man."
Nyxar tilted his head slightly, as if considering it. "Fine… but I won't leave this unsupervised."
He leaned toward the driver. "Stop the carriage for a moment."
The driver, confused, slowed down. Nyxar opened the window, reached his hand outside — and with a low hum, summoned Bella, the massive Bell Beast.
The driver screamed.
Sebastian nearly had a heart attack.
The narrator calmly said, "And there goes the driver's sanity. Rest in peace, sir."
Nyxar pointed at the carriage. "Bella, follow this. Stay underground. If any threats appear, alert me."
Bella let out a deep, metallic chime-roar that shook the ground — and then vanished beneath it, digging gracefully below the carriage like some armored guardian angel.
Nyxar, satisfied, sat back, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes. Within seconds, he was asleep.
The driver stared at the ground, then at Sebastian.
Sebastian, still pale, forced a smile. "Keep driving. It's… fine."
Night Ride
The carriage started again, rolling through the quiet night.
Outside, the moon glowed softly.
Below, the faint sound of Bella's distant chime echoed through the earth, a lullaby for the group above.
Sebastian glanced around one more time:
Bug and Spirit asleep in a tangle, Belos cuddled with his bears, Ember sleeping peacefully against Nyxar, and Nyxar himself resting at last, blade still in his lap.
Sebastian smiled faintly and whispered, "What a strange group of people."
He looked at Belos and added softly, "But I'm glad you've made new friends, Master Belos."
Then he turned his gaze to the passing scenery — the moonlit trees, the faint dust trail behind them, and the soft rumble beneath their wheels — the quiet promise of whatever madness waited ahead.