Tales from the edge of reality

After the shepherd dropped Pope off at the end of his route, he adjusted his backpack and began climbing the mountain, enjoying the freshness of the air. Beside him, the shepherd watched with a mixture of concern and respect. The shepherd's wife, a woman with gray hair, cast a glance at her husband.

"Be careful, boy," she warned, her voice echoing in the crisp morning air. "That part of the mountain is full of witches, sorcerers, and thieves. You never know what you might encounter."

Pope nodded, with a smile meant to be reassuring.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful," he replied, not wanting to cause the couple any more concern. The truth was that his desire to explore and his curiosity drove him forward.

The woman looked at the shepherd, frowning.

"And where does he think he's going?" she asked, her eyes following Pope as he walked away.

"He told me he's looking for his family. He believes they're on the other side of the mountain," the shepherd answered, his tone more serious.

Pope listened to the conversation as he moved away, and although he felt their concern, his determination grew stronger. Each step brought him closer to the truth of his situation, to his lost family—or at least what remained of it, his friends. However, there was also a growing unease within him. He knew the world he had entered was full of surprises, some more dangerous than others.

Reaching a midpoint on the mountain, where the landscape stretched into meadows and rocks, he paused to catch his breath. Looking back, the shepherd's cabin was just a dot in the distance, and beyond that, the twins' farm peeked through the trees. The majesty of the place enveloped him, and for a moment, he lost himself in the beauty of the scenery.

Pope took a piece of bread and cheese from his backpack and sat on a rock, enjoying the tranquility. As he bit into the bread, he allowed himself to observe the combination of medieval and industrial elements that characterized Kingsbury. He still found it hard to believe that the city was practically medieval, but with steam technology and, of course, hygiene. Lost in his thoughts and bites, a sudden sound made him look up at the sky. A fighter ship sped past, disappearing behind the mountains.

Intrigued, he took out his map and traced a line with his finger, following the ship's route. "Flintstone Edge," he murmured, wondering what mysteries might lie there. That place wasn't marked among Kingsbury's alliances, or so his map indicated. He decided to leave it for another time, finished eating, and stood up to continue his walk.

The air grew cooler, forcing him to adjust his scarf. With each step, the radio tower Galia had mentioned became more visible. "Almost there," he told himself, quickening his pace as the sun began to set behind the mountains.

Finally, he reached the summit and stood before the tower. The view was breathtaking; in the distance, he could make out what he believed to be the city of Lumia. Further north, a slender tower rose into the sky—it had to be Goldwater. But it was the dark Forest of Corruption, marked on his map, that caught his attention. It stretched much further than he had imagined, like a dark blue carpet. That was the deadly crossing he had to traverse to reach the Wright Mountain Range.

As he admired the sunset, the waves of light from the dusk scattered through the air, creating a display of bright colors that mesmerized him—a peculiar advantage of his powers. It was then that he remembered the abandoned tower and ventured inside, using his katana to clear a path through the cobwebs and branches.

And last, but not least, Alex, the Boxer of the Waves, ready to knock out any opponent with his powerful punches!" The host shouted energetically as Alex appeared on screen, his broken glasses taped together, wearing boxing gloves, a red shirt, a vest, and what appeared to be a sandwich maker strapped to his waist. Although his appearance was comical, Pope knew Alex could be a dangerous opponent.

Before he could process everything, a thunderous sound resonated in the air, snapping him out of his reverie. Quickly, he left the tower and looked up at the sky, where several large ships were soaring through the heavens, their lights glowing like shooting stars.

Pope stood there, staring at the starry sky, reflecting on the past two weeks. So much had changed in such a short time. His friends were in Coral Barrier City, turned champions, and according to what he'd heard from Hilda, Jura and the others were in Lumia City. And Floppa… he didn't know anything about Floppa.

As he gazed at the sky, the stars seemed to dance in an almost magical beauty, completely free from the pollution of his previous world. The light waves blended with the sunset, creating a dazzling spectacle. Pope felt small, but also part of something bigger, as if the stars themselves were guiding him to his destiny.

Thinking about Galia's words regarding the shooting stars, he wondered if there was really any connection between them and his quest. "What could the shooting stars have to do with us?" he questioned, still looking at the sky, feeling a deep calm. For a moment, he thought maybe the others also had powers, but decided to check that when he saw them.

As the night went on and the lights of the ships faded, Pope took a deep breath, then remembered something important. In the TV broadcast, Bee still had her radio from the previous world with her, which meant that his idea for the transmission would work. He quickly ran back to the tower, searching for the control room. He finally found it at the end of an old, dimly lit staircase.

The place was covered in dust and cobwebs, but Pope knew he had to get the old machinery working. He sat in front of the panel, placed his hands on the controls, and closed his eyes. Focusing his powers, he channeled energy waves that resonated with the electrical systems, and one by one, the panels began to light up with a faint buzz. Soon, a blinking green light indicated that the radio signal was active.

He took the microphone, and with a firm voice but full of emotion, Pope began to broadcast:

"Your mother riding a horse, it's Pope, can you hear me? I'd like to see your mothers riding a horse, Bee, Alex, Fossil, Oka, Jura, Dream, Samu... if you're out there, respond. I'm in the Kingsbury mountains, near an abandoned radio tower. If you receive this signal, please answer. I don't know where you are, but I've been searching for you since we arrived. I know we've all had to adapt to this new world in ways we never would have imagined. But I'm not willing to leave you behind that easily. If you're still alive, or if you hear me, respond, damn it."

The silence from the radio was overwhelming. For twenty long minutes, static was the only answer. However, just when he was about to lose hope, a red blink caught his attention. A light on the panel began to glow, signaling an incoming transmission. Pope, with his heart racing, grabbed the microphone and listened intently.

"Here's Bee!" Bee's voice sounded clear and firm, although there was a hint of surprise and joy in her tone. "Pope, is that you? Where are you?"

"I already told you, in the Kingsbury mountains," Pope said after hearing Bee's question, letting out a small laugh. In the back of his mind, he was very happy—hearing her voice after two weeks was a relief. "How are you guys doing? Everything good?"

"Yeah, we're good," Alex said, his voice full of energy. "We've been training in Coral Barrier City. It's an amazing place! A bit complicated, but nothing we can't handle."

"Yeah, things are calm overall, except for the usual, but... what about the others, man? You don't know anything about them?" Fossil asked.

"Wait a minute, let me focus to boost the signal and reach them," Pope said, a bit impatient.

After concentrating to amplify the signal, Pope managed to find the radio channels of the others. If they still had their radios, like Bee, they wouldn't take long to respond, and just as he predicted, Jura's hoarse voice, the drunkard, made its presence known.

"Pope, is that you, man?" Jura said, incredulously. In the background, Oka could be heard asking if Jura was drunk again or why he was calling Pope.

"Yes, it's me, idiot!" Pope shouted so loudly that Jura had to move the radio away from his face.

"Where are you guys?" Dream's voice asked. For him, it was also a relief to hear that they were alive.

"We're in Coral Barrier City, Pope's in the Kingsbury mountains, where are you guys?" Bee asked after giving her location.

"In Lumia City," Jura said. "Yeah, it's been alright here. We managed to put together a cooking show, and it's been going well. We even have a house, something impossible back in the real world, at least before all this, HAHA," Oka added.

"Well, now that we're all good, we should meet up somewhere, at least to be together. I think it would be better for everyone, though, well, each of you has something to take care of in your cities," Pope said.

"It doesn't bother us," Bee said. "After all, we've waited so long to see if we could find you, or at least go look for you, so if we can meet up, at least to confirm that everything is fine, that would be good."

"Alright," Pope said. "And you guys?" he asked Jura's group.

"Yeah, we'll go, Popin. We were looking for you anyway," Oka said.

"Good, then we need to find a suitable place," Pope said.

"What do you think of Claytown?" Bee asked. "According to a map we have here..."

A new voice interrupted them.

"I have a name, Bee..."

A voice that intrigued everyone, except Bee's group.

"Oh, right, according to 10008..." Bee was interrupted by Oka.

"Who's 10008?" Oka asked after hearing Bee's voice.

"Oh, it's a friend. He's a sea cucumber, we met him when we landed here, he actually saved us. He's really useful, and also a good friend. You'll like him," Bee assured after briefly describing 10008. "Moving on... according to 10008..."

"A sea cucumber?!" Dream interrupted.

"Goddamn, let her talk!" Pope shouted.

There was an awkward silence, then Bee continued.

"Alright... According to 10008, what remains more or less as a middle point is Goodwill Bridge City, a trading city, but nearby there's a small town called Claytown. It's a good option, especially because right now it's not very recommended to go in there. If Tepito was bad, Goodwill Bridge is the same but worse," Bee said.

"Alright, we'll meet there," Pope said. "I'll see you guys there tomorrow. In the meantime, rest up, you'll need it."

Soon after, everyone said their goodbyes, and the transmissions ended. But then Pope remembered something. He wasn't sure what it was, so he waited in silence in front of the panels in the tower. He felt an emptiness. After pondering it, he realized what was causing it: Floppa still hadn't responded.

Normally, he would be the first to respond; Floppa had that unmistakable energy and was always attentive to the group's radio transmissions, back in the real world. Pope frowned, puzzled, as static filled the channel where he awaited his friend's reply. He tried calling again, his voice reflecting a mix of concern and insistence:

—Floppa, can you hear me? It's Pope. I'm at the radio tower in the Kingsbury mountains. Everyone else has responded, where are you?

The static continued, tearing through the air with its monotonous and heavy sound. Just as Pope was about to give up on the call, something unexpected happened. The static was interrupted by a different noise, a rapid sequence of numbers, almost like a code.

—Two... eight... one... nine... four... —the voice said, slow and strangely methodical.

It was a female voice, soft yet carrying an almost military intensity, definitely not Floppa's voice. Pope stood still, intrigue crossing his face. Who could it be? He grabbed the mic again, his tone firm yet curious.

—Who are you? —he asked, trying to remain calm—. Why are you using this signal?

Pope stared at the panel, his heart pounding. There was something deeply unsettling about what had just happened. That mysterious voice... and those numbers... was it some sort of coded message? Who was this person, and why were they on Floppa's frequency?

—Four... one... two... nine... eight... —the voice continued, using a formal, almost distant tone, as though it were a military code.

Pope clenched the mic, determined to find out who this mysterious woman was.

—Who are you? —he pressed, his tone firm.

But the voice kept reciting the same numbers, monotonously. Pope tried to analyze the sequence, trying to understand if there was a hidden message. After a moment, he realized the voice wasn't speaking casually; it seemed like it was sending a signal in some sort of code, maybe a warning.

After a few more seconds of silence, Pope tried again.

—I repeat, who are you? Why are you using this frequency? —he asked once more, his mind racing to rationalize the situation.

There was a brief silence, and then, unexpectedly, the voice stopped reciting the numbers and said something different, something that resonated with an eerie intensity.

—They will come for him... We... will come for you... —the voice murmured, in an ethereal and almost cold tone.

The line suddenly cut off, and the static filled the channel, cutting off any chance for a reply. Pope released the mic, feeling anxiety mixing with confusion. What did that mean? And who was coming for them?

He stared at the radio equipment for a long moment, trying to organize his thoughts. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, he turned off the transmitter and leaned back in the chair, his mind filled with questions and a new mystery to solve. The image of Floppa kept returning to his mind, over and over. "Where are you, you big idiot?" he thought, staring up at the sky through the window of the tower, as the stars glowed brightly in the night.

The light of dawn filtered through the window, gently illuminating the room. Bee stretched, feeling the warmth beside her. As she opened her eyes, she realized Fossil was still asleep, with a serene expression on his face. The tranquility of the moment was interrupted by the electronic voice of 10008, which resonated in the air.

—Wake up! —said the little sea cucumber, animated—. It's time to get ready. We need to head to Pueblo Arcilla.

Fossil moved, waking up slowly. Upon realizing he was next to Bee, he smiled and sat up, stretching his arms.

—What time is it? —he asked, scratching his head.

—It's time to get up —Bee replied, with a smile—. And we need to hurry. 10008 says he canceled our rotations on the Shore Run.

—That, and I also informed the tournament master that they'll stop fighting for a while. He said it will serve to name other champions who will later come back to dethrone them —said 10008—. Start getting ready, it's a long journey.

At that moment, Alex appeared at the door, already dressed and ready in his combat gear, the same he used for the tournaments. He had a determined air, and his gaze reflected the urgency of the situation.

—Hey! Come on, guys! If we don't hurry, we won't make it to Pueblo Arcilla before nightfall. If we walk without stopping, we might make it on time, but if we make stops… it could take a couple of days, even with the vehicle. —Alright, alright —said Bee, quickly getting out of bed—. I don't want to waste any time. Fossil joined her, getting up from the bed and starting to get dressed. While they both prepared, 10008 watched them closely. —Can I stay? —asked the sea cucumber hopefully. Bee crouched down, and with a smile, gently took 10008 and placed him in her backpack, just like when they first met. —No way we're leaving you behind! —she said, adjusting the backpack on her back. —Done, we're all set —announced Fossil, giving the room one last glance before leaving. The three of them headed toward the door and went outside. As they left the city, the cool morning air hit their faces. The roof of the car (if you can call it that) allowed them to enjoy the breeze. —Remember, from the reports I heard, the situation is getting tense —commented Bee as she started the vehicle—. I've seen several signs asking citizens to join the navy to move to the front. Everything points to war. Alex nodded, looking out the window as they left the city. —That's true —he said, seriously—. The archer fish have entered attack drills, their shots are devastating… almost everything we collect in rotations is being used to give them energy. Fossil, who had been observing the landscape, added: —I don't like the direction this is heading. If we're in the middle of a war, we should be prepared for anything. As they advanced, the signs on the side of the road became more frequent, with recruitment messages and calls for unity. Bee stopped for a moment at a traffic light, allowing a group of citizens joining the cause to pass by. Many of them wore makeshift military gear, some with battle marks on their faces. —Look at those guys —said Alex—. They look determined. The community is coming together to fight. That can't be good. Bee felt a chill run down her spine. —There's definitely a war on the horizon —she said, as the vehicle moved toward the outskirts of the city—. And we can't let it catch us off guard. With a turn of the wheel, the vehicle entered the road leading to Pueblo Arcilla, and as they left Barrera de Coral, the group began to feel the pressure of time and the uncertainty that loomed over them. With each kilometer traveled, the reality of their mission became more tangible. The sound of the water moving the vehicle resonated in the air, as the landscape gradually changed from urban constructions to nature. The trees lined the sides of the road, and the vegetation grew denser. In the distance, the mountains rose majestically, reminding them of the destiny that awaited them. —I can't believe we have to leave Barrera de Coral right now —commented Fossil, looking out the window. The shadows of the trees danced as they moved—. Things were taking an interesting turn in the city. —Yeah, but we can't ignore the situation in front of us —responded Bee, staying focused—. We still need to figure out what happened to Floppa, he was the only one who didn't respond yesterday. 10008, sitting in Bee's backpack, intervened. —Let's remember that everyone's safety is a priority. However, it's understandable that feelings of anxiety arise in this situation. My recommendation is to remain calm and proceed with caution. —Calm? —replied Alex, crossing his arms—. It's a bit hard to stay calm when there are rumors of war everywhere. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a bit nervous. —War always brings uncertainty —said Fossil, his voice a little more serious—. But that doesn't mean we should let it paralyze us. We need to prepare and find Floppa before it's too late. Bee nodded, but her gaze wandered for a moment to the horizon, where the mountains stood, almost like guardians of the destiny awaiting them. —10008, have you been able to find out anything else about the movements in Barrera de Coral? —asked Bee, eager for information. —Unfortunately, there is no more data available at this time. The connection to the information networks has been interrupted in several areas, they've already started erasing things— —That sounds more than alarming —said Alex, frowning—. What if the rumors are true? What will happen to us if we find ourselves in the middle of a battle? Fossil leaned forward, his expression determined. —We won't let that stop us. We've faced challenges before and always come through. We need to trust in our abilities and in the team we have. Bee felt Fossil's words resonate within her. Trust and teamwork would be essential to overcome what was to come. —You're right —she said, gripping the wheel tightly—. No matter what happens, we must stick together. If we find Floppa, together we can face anything. 10008 nodded, as if understanding the gravity of the moment. —That's the right attitude. Unity and collaboration are key to facing adversity. Each of you brings unique skills to the team, and that diversity is your greatest strength. As they continued on their way, the landscape became more varied. The mountains were dotted with lush vegetation, and the sound of flowing water reminded them they were in a world full of life. —When we get to Pueblo Arcilla, we should meet up with the others and come up with a plan —suggested Bee, as she carefully took a curve—. We can't afford to improvise in a situation like this. —Exactly —affirmed Alex, looking ahead—. We need to know what information the others have about Floppa and the state of the city. Maybe there's something we've missed. Fossil chuckled lightly, breaking the tension. —And maybe 10008 can help us organize the information more efficiently! Although I'm not sure the probability stats for us making it out alive are too positive. —I don't have access to that data right now, but I can assure you that your fate depends on your decisions —responded 10008. Bee looked at her friends and felt a mix of excitement and determination. As they ventured further down the road, she knew what awaited them wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face it. Finally, after a long journey, the vehicle arrived at the entrance of Pueblo Arcilla. The first lights of the sunset began to paint the sky, and the hustle and bustle of the city welcomed them with an air of unease. —Look, we're here —announced Bee, feeling her heart race—. This is our chance. We need to find the others and figure out what's been going on. The morning at Oka, Dream, and Jura's house began with a faint light filtering through the windows. The sound of Jura's cooking show resonated from the living room, but they were still in bed, trying to wake up. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of routine and tension, as if the city itself was holding its breath. —Any idea what time it is? —asked Oka, tossing and turning in bed and rubbing his eyes. —I have no idea, but I feel like I've slept on a rock —responded Dream, stretching lazily. Samu, the ghost, suddenly appeared in the room. —Good morning. I've been listening to the spiritual broadcast since yesterday. There's something you should know —he said, his voice calm but grave—. A number was mentioned: 28194. A girl's voice talked about one of the stars. Oka sat up abruptly, curiosity replacing his grogginess. —A voice? What was it about? —I don't know. But I don't think it's something trivial —replied Samu, watching the expressions of his companions—. We need to stay alert. Dream frowned. —As if we didn't have enough problems. Now there are mysterious voices and numbers in the air. This is just getting stranger. —Yeah, but we have more urgent things —intervened Jura, trying to stay calm—. We need to get out of here before the city sinks again. The three of them quickly got up, still feeling the heavy reality of what awaited them. As they went outside, they headed toward their vehicle, a 95 Impala known as "Antelope" in Desolea. The car rested on the road, with the roof secured by antigravity motors, vibrating softly. —Are we ready for this? —asked Oka, his voice reflecting his doubt. —I don't have another choice —responded Dream, looking toward the horizon as the city slowly began to rise from the ground—. But I have a bad feeling. As the city came to life, signs began to appear, warning of the possible total closure of Ciudad Lumia due to rising tensions. —This place doesn't look good —said Jura, watching the missile launcher hatches and cannons peeking out between the mountains—. Things are about to explode. —As if war wasn't close enough —muttered Oka, feeling the knot in his stomach. As the vehicle started, Samu projected a holographic map. —If we hurry, we could make it to Pueblo Arcilla before nightfall, but it's a big risk. The corruption forest is expanding, and we'll have to go through an alternate tunnel. —Great. Just what we needed —sighed Dream—. As if this journey wasnt complicated enough

"We don't have time for complaints," Jura said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "We need to get out of here, and soon."

The Impala started, heading towards the city's exit. As they drove, Oka looked back one last time, feeling a weight on his chest.

"I hope this is worth it."

Samu, noticing the unease on Oka's face, tried to calm him.

"Don't worry. We're all in this together—"

The road stretched before them, but the feeling of imminent danger hung in the air, like a storm about to break.

Pope woke from a deep sleep, his mind still clouded by the images he'd seen in his vision. The echo of the strange transmission he had intercepted still resonated in his ears, and his heart pounded as he remembered the numbers: 28194. He sat up in the bed of the radio tower, the sunlight filtering through the dusty windows. With a quick motion, he stood up and headed to the tower's storage, where he began to search for supplies.

"I hope this isn't too expired," he muttered, grabbing a couple of cans and filling the backpack the girls had left.

Once ready, he approached the radio to try contacting Floppa again.

"Floppa, do you read me?" he said firmly, but all he heard was a dull murmur of static. He felt frustrated at the lack of response. It was rare for his friend not to answer; he was usually the first to respond.

Feeling uneasy, he shut off the tower. With one last glance at the Cordillera de Wright, standing majestically on the horizon, he told himself that once he reunited with the others, they could search for Floppa. But now, he had to focus on getting to Pueblo Arcilla.

As he descended the mountain, the sun climbed in the sky, lighting the path ahead. His heart raced, feeling the pressure of time. "I have to hurry," he thought. "At this rate, I could get to Goodwill Ridge before sunset."

Finally, after a steady effort, he reached Goodwill Ridge. The city, vibrant and full of activity, was surrounded by shops, markets, and a constant bustle of travelers. Without stopping too long, he approached a small transportation stall.

"Where are you headed, friend?" asked the driver, a sturdy man with a worn cap.

"I need to go to Pueblo Arcilla," Pope replied, urgency in his voice.

"Hop on, but I have no idea when we'll leave. The city's a bit hectic today. You know how it is," the driver said while organizing his gear.

"I understand, I just need to get there." Pope climbed into the vehicle, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination.

After a while of waiting, the vehicle began to fill with passengers, and they soon set off for Pueblo Arcilla. Pope looked out the window as Goodwill Ridge faded into the distance, but in his mind, there was only room for worry about Floppa.

Along the way, the driver made a few stops, picking up other travelers and loading their belongings. The conversation was lively, but Pope barely participated.

"Are you new around here?" asked a woman sitting next to him.

"Yes, I'm looking for some friends," he replied, keeping his tone reserved.

As they moved forward, Pope lost himself in thought. Bee's words echoed in his mind: "We need to find Floppa before everything falls apart." He knew the situation was getting tense in Desolea, and time was running out.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the vehicle stopped on the outskirts of Pueblo Arcilla. Pope got off, thanked the driver, and headed toward the tavern he had spotted from a distance.

When he opened the door, the warm and welcoming air of the tavern enveloped him. The rustic decor, with aged wood and soft lighting, contrasted with the bustle outside. He approached the bar, where a friendly-looking bartender looked at him curiously.

"What can I get you, traveler?" he asked, wiping a glass with a cloth.

"Tea, please," Pope replied, feeling the warmth of the place offering him a brief respite.

While waiting for his drink, he looked around. The tables were filled with people, and laughter echoed in the air. However, his mind was occupied with just one thing: finding his friends.

Finally, the bartender served him the tea, and Pope took it gratefully. With the warm drink in hand, he scanned the room for familiar faces. In the back, at a table, he spotted Bee, Fossil, Alex, Jura, Oka, and Dream.

"There they are!" he exclaimed, leaving the tea on the bar and heading toward them, his heart pounding with excitement.

"Pope!" Bee shouted, jumping up and running toward him, her eyes shining with relief.

The others joined in the embrace, filling the air with laughter and exclamations of joy.

"I didn't know if you'd make it," Alex said, looking at him with concern.

"I thought you'd gotten lost in the mountain," Fossil added, his face lit up by a smile.

Pope felt overwhelmed by the warmth of their welcome, but deep down, the shadow of Floppa's absence troubled him.

"I'm glad to see you all," Pope replied, trying to hide his worry. "But, where's Floppa?"

The group looked at each other, Bee's smile fading a bit.

"We haven't heard from him yet," Bee said.

"You haven't either?" Pope seemed genuinely surprised.

The group sat around the table, looking at each other. They had all searched for one another in their own ways, asking around or inquiring, always managing to learn something, but Floppa...

—It doesn't make sense —said Bee, crossing her arms—. We've searched all the places where we think he might be. Nothing so far fits anything she likes or would be attracted to.

—I thought the same —answered Pope, looking at the others as he spread an old, worn-out map across the table—. But there's something else I've been considering. It might be a crazy idea, but hear me out.

Everyone leaned forward, attentive.

—I think she could be in the Wright Range. Do you remember what they told us in Kingsbury about the prince? —Pope paused, letting his friends recall the information.

—The rare prince no one has seen? —asked Alex, raising an eyebrow.

Pope nodded. —Exactly. They said he was reserved, somewhat clumsy but extremely intelligent, and that he had a peculiar determination. It reminds me of Floppa. It all fits... more or less.

Fossil chuckled. —So, according to you, Floppa is some sort of unknown noble now, huh?

—I'm not saying he's a prince —clarified Pope—, but if someone like that is in the Range, it's worth investigating. It's our best lead so far.

Jura shrugged. —It makes sense. And if we don't find him there, we'll keep searching. But at least it's a starting point.

With that decided, Pope spread the map, pointing to what he believed was the safest route to the range. —We'll go through Goodwill Ridge first and then head to the Wright Range. We just need to be prepared for the forest. It's going to be a dangerous trek, especially with all the corruption that's been spreading.

Pope took a sip of his tea and then looked at his companions, leaving the cup on the table. —So, I think we're all agreed on heading to the Wright Range, right? —he asked, opening the map and pointing to the route.

Dream nodded, intertwining his hands on the table. —It makes sense. If Floppa really was in Kingsbury… or anywhere in that region, he would have left some trace, something we could follow. And as for the theory that everyone landed in a place that aligns with them… well, it seems possible, but only to a certain point.

Bee, with her arms crossed and intently looking at the map, added: —Still, if he's somewhere between those mountains, we could waste whole days searching without finding anything. —She sighed—. But if that's the best lead we have, I don't see another option.

—There's something that doesn't quite add up —commented Fossil, thoughtfully—. If each place was aligned with something about us, how precise is that alignment? —He asked aloud, as if trying to convince himself—. Because so far, the places don't seem to fully match our affinities.

—I don't know… Floppa is so unusual that he could be in several places. —Jura shrugged while moving a hand over the table, mimicking the movement of the mountains on the map.

At that moment, 10008 popped out of Bee's backpack and landed on the table.

—Sorry to interrupt —he said in his formal tone, but with a hint of familiarity—. But I need to show you something important. —He projected an updated and more detailed version of the map. The forest had grown, and one of the nearby kingdoms, Goldwater, was marked out.

Bee frowned. —Why is Goldwater crossed out?

—Goldwater has disappeared from communications —explained 10008—. It's not recommended to get too close. It's been marked as a dangerous area.

Bee furrowed her brow and looked at Pope. —That complicates things quite a bit. The gas masks made in Goldwater are some of the best out there, and if we can't get some there, it will be very difficult to cross the forest without protection.

—We'll need those masks if we want to cross the forest —said Bee, worried.

Jura intervened, calmly. —We can find some masks here in Claytown or in Goodwill Ridge.

Fossil lifted his backpack and nodded. —Bee, Alex, and I already have masks from the Shore Run. They don't have the most powerful filters, but at least they'll help us get through.

Pope checked his backpack and pulled out the mask that Galia had given him. He examined it and pointed to a small golden butterfly on one of the straps. —This is from Goldwater. We need to find masks for the others, in case things get complicated.

With the plan in mind, they stood up from the table and headed to a supply store across the street, where Bee had parked the vehicle. As they entered, the smell of leather, dust, and metal filled the air, and the shopkeeper, a man with a thick beard and watchful eyes, greeted them with a slight nod.

—What do you need? —he asked in a dry tone.

—We're looking for gas masks —said Pope, and the shopkeeper pointed to a shelf in the corner, where several masks were hanging, some with the Goldwater symbol.

Bee approached and checked the masks with interest. —Do you have any from the Wright Range? —she asked.

The shopkeeper let out a short laugh, narrowing his eyes. —Wright Range masks? —he repeated, with a hint of skepticism—. No, you won't find those here. Each one of them is handmade and unique. Only someone from the range would have one, and if you find one for sale, it'll cost you a fortune.

—So, are these from Goldwater the best you have? —asked Alex, arms crossed.

The shopkeeper nodded. —That's right. Although, I must tell you, with the situation in Goldwater, we don't know if we'll be getting more. If you're planning to cross the forest, this is probably your best option, unless you have money for the ones from the range.

Dream inspected one of the masks and sighed. —Well, it seems like there aren't many options. I guess these will have to do.

While the group selected their masks and a few extra supplies, a loud crash shook the store. The shelves trembled, and some items fell to the floor. The shopkeeper cursed and ran toward the back.

—Damn it! This is the second time this week! —he shouted, while the group followed, curious about the source of the noise.

When they arrived, they found a surreal scene: three giant hamsters had knocked down a section of the wall and were devouring boxes of bread and food with obvious enthusiasm. The rodents, at least a meter tall, completely ignored the people and focused on their feast.

—Is this normal here? —asked Bee, looking at the shopkeeper with a mix of disbelief and humor.

—No, of course, it's not normal! —growled the shopkeeper—. These damn things are getting out of control… and now they're destroying my store!

One of the hamsters, noticing Fossil, approached him and began sniffing him before attempting to bite the strap of his backpack. Fossil laughed and gave it a light shove, pushing it away.

—Take it easy, buddy, I'm not part of the menu —he said with a smile.

—Should we handle getting them out? —asked Alex, looking at the group with a playful expression.

The shopkeeper sighed, clearly frustrated but grateful for the help. —If you can get those things out without destroying more stuff, I'll give you a discount on the masks.

Pope exchanged a glance with his companions and nodded. —Deal.

Bee pulled out a piece of bread and showed it to one of the hamsters, which followed it with hungry eyes as she slowly led it toward the exit. One by one, they managed to guide the giant hamsters out of the store, while the shopkeeper let out a sigh of relief.

—Thanks —he said, adjusting his apron—. You don't know how much you've saved me.

—The discount? —Bee reminded him with a smile.

The shopkeeper smiled faintly and nodded. —Of course, a promise is a promise.

With that, the group paid for the masks and supplies.

As they left the store, Bee, Alex, Fossil, and Pope were confronted with a scene that left them stunned. One of the giant hamsters, now very comfortable on the roof of Bee's vehicle, was gnawing on the material as if it were a delicious granola bar. The sound of its teeth piercing the structure was crunchy and surprisingly smooth; it was hard to believe it was tearing through something as tough as algario, that mix of seaweed fibers, shell, and coral used for armor, swords... and vehicles.

Bee put her hands on her head, unable to believe what she was seeing. —What the...? They're destroying our vehicle!

—Eating algarium? —Alex stood speechless—. This is ridiculous. How hungry are these things?

Another hamster appeared out of nowhere and, without much ado, climbed onto the hood of the vehicle and started gnawing on one of the doors. Its robust body and powerful legs had no problem getting comfortable to continue chewing, tearing chunks of the car body as if it were cardboard.

Bee turned to Fossil and Alex, pointing indignantly at the scene. "Do you realize how expensive this material is?! Algario is no joke. It's impact-resistant, weather-resistant, and these hamsters are chewing on it like it's a snack!"

Pope, watching the scene with a smile that was both amused and perplexed, raised an eyebrow. "Well, you have to admit, these hamsters have refined tastes... Though that's not going to make things better, is it?"

Suddenly, one of the hamsters, with a quick movement, snatched Jura's backpack, who had been distracted by the vehicle's mess. The backpack contained supplies and a few other items, but Jura barely reacted, shrugging his shoulders.

"Eh... well, let it take it," he said calmly. "I can always buy more."

"But that had our food!" Bee exclaimed, still in disbelief.

"Relax, Bee. Besides, I can replace everything. Looks like these guys needed a snack with a bit more... variety," Jura replied with a relaxed smile as he watched the hamster scamper off with his backpack.

Alex, not wasting any more time, stepped forward and approached the nearest hamster, trying to get the backpack back. "Hey, guys! You've eaten enough, don't you think?"

The hamster looked at him for a moment and then took off, carrying the backpack in its mouth and evading Alex with a surprising leap for its size.

Bee, exasperated, yelled, "Enough! If they wreck the vehicle, how are we going to get out of here?"

Pope couldn't help but laugh at Bee's expression and her attempts to reason with the hamsters. "I think our transportation's not going anywhere, Bee."

They couldn't believe their eyes. The giant hamsters, after destroying the vehicle, were moving away at a surprising speed for their size, carrying the remains of Jura's backpack and some chunks of algario they'd chewed on. Without thinking much, everyone started running after them.

"Stop! Those were our supplies!" Bee yelled, picking up the pace, determined to recover whatever they could.

Pope, still laughing between breaths, watched the hamsters move like fuzzy whirlwinds. He then had an idea and gestured for Bee to stop beside him.

"Let's make this quicker," Pope said, extending his arm and focusing his energy into a flash of light and sound, which shot out towards the hamsters to block their path.

Bee, seeing Pope's move, closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, focusing on replicating the same ability. She had practiced her copying powers for a while, and this time she wanted to test them in a real situation. When she opened her eyes, a beam of energy similar to Pope's started forming in her hands, but excited and without gauging the power, she launched it much stronger than she intended.

The combined beams from both of them hit directly in front of the hamsters, sending them flying backward, some meters before falling with a dull thud to the ground. The four friends stopped, panting, and watched the hamsters, who seemed a bit stunned but surprisingly unharmed.

Pope looked at Bee, amused and slightly impressed. "Since when can you do that?"

Bee, still shaking off the surprise of launching such a powerful ray, returned the smile. "I've been practicing. You know, everyone's powers... I can copy them, but I don't always control the intensity. I think I went a bit overboard here."

Alex, watching the hamsters recover from the impact, chimed in with a sly grin. "Well, at least we know they're tough. Those things took a hit that would've knocked us out."

As they spoke, they managed to approach the hamsters, who were now lying on the ground, moving slowly and with surprised, somewhat confused looks. Pope crouched down to look one of them in the eyes, and instead of finding aggression, he saw an almost... pleading expression, as if asking for a truce.

"Hey," Pope said in a softer tone, "these guys aren't as tough as they seem. They took quite a hit, but they don't seem like a threat."

Bee looked at one of the hamsters and noticed that despite their size and toughness, their eyes had a peaceful, almost friendly glow. The thought crossed her mind in an instant, and a playful smile appeared on her face as she looked around.

"Guys, I think we might have a solution to our transportation problem," Bee said, looking at a saddle hanging on a nearby fence. "If these hamsters are so tough and fast, maybe... maybe they could take us instead of the vehicle."

Alex raised an eyebrow, entertained by the suggestion. "Riding giant hamsters? Well, it's not the most normal thing in the world, but it's not the weirdest thing we've done either."

Fossil let out a laugh and nodded. "It'd be the perfect solution. And they seem fine after the hit, so I don't see why not try it."

Pope looked back at the hamsters, with a mix of respect and admiration. "Well, guys, what do you say? Will you give us a lift to the mountain range?"

One of the hamsters lifted its head and, after a second, seemed to nod, as if understanding the offer. Bee went to get the saddles, and along with Alex and Fossil, they carefully adjusted them on the hamsters, who stayed still as if they, too, found the idea amusing.

Finally, the four friends mounted their respective hamsters, which seemed comfortable and ready to start the journey.

"This is incredible," murmured Bee as she adjusted the improvised reins and patted the back of her new "vehicle."

Pope turned to the others, satisfied. "It's official. We're leaving on freaking hamsters."

The group arrived at the store in a rather odd procession, riding their new, gigantic, fuzzy mounts, moving slower than they would've liked, though they were covered by a cloud of dust raised with every step. The shopkeeper, seeing them from the entrance, let out a deep and genuine laugh, leaning forward as he watched them approach.

"Well, well! Not every day you see a group of fluff riders, huh?" he said with a mischievous grin, wiping his eyes with the corner of his apron.

Bee gave him a skeptical look from the largest hamster, who was nibbling on the makeshift bridle she had tied as a saddle.

"Fluff riders?" Bee asked, raising an eyebrow as her mount let out an almost melodic squeak and turned its head to look at her.

"Sure, sure, that's what we call these fluffy ones around here," explained the shopkeeper. "These creatures are called fluffies, native to the plains of Goodwill Bridge. They love vegetables and, as you can see, sturdy woods or materials. They must have detected that in your vehicle... I've seen many things, but nothing like that."

Alex let out a chuckle and patted his mount, a sturdier fluffy, who immediately shook its coat, sending a small cloud of dust into the air.

"Well, we definitely didn't expect to run into some interesting animals today," Alex said, glancing at Bee and Pope, who still seemed amused by the situation. "Although, now that I think about it, we should give them names, shouldn't we?"

Fossil leaned forward on his mount and looked at the shopkeeper with curiosity.

"Since you recognize them, do you have special saddles for them? Because, honestly, this isn't the most comfortable thing in the world," he commented while trying to adjust his seat, which was obviously a saddle designed for horses.

The shopkeeper nodded, rubbing his hands together with enthusiasm.

"For fluffies, basilisks, hippocampi, Wright's rabbits, obsidian snakes..." The man stopped, listing the types of saddles he had with a pride that could hardly be contained. "Here we've got something for every beast in Desolea. You choose, of course, but I'll tell you that there's no better saddle for the Corruption Forest than a good fluffy with the right mask."

Jura, who had been observing with interest, stepped forward and, without hesitation, paid for the special saddles for the fluffies.

"Alright, guys. It's all covered," he said, satisfied. Then he looked at the shopkeeper with a grateful smile. "We don't need anything else unless you have more advice for the journey."

The shopkeeper thought for a moment and then warned them about the Corruption Forest and the limitations of their usual vehicles.

"Almost any material, fuel, or alloy is food for the plants there. They devour them in seconds! If you're heading toward the mountain range, you'll need animal mounts that pass through easily as long as you wear gas masks."

With that warning in mind, Jura signaled Oka and Dream to explore the stable in search of a suitable animal mount. The shopkeeper guided them to the area, where a wide variety of animals awaited, each more exotic than the last. Oka stopped in front of a black boar from Flintstone Edge, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

"This one's mine," he said with a satisfied smile. The boar, a robust and muscular beast, grunted in approval as Oka petted its back.

Dream, on the other hand, watched the animals with curiosity and surprise, until his gaze landed on a familiar figure.

"Is this a... horse?" Dream asked, half in disbelief.

The shopkeeper let out a jovial laugh and nodded. "It is. A good, common horse. Not so rare in other places, but around here, not many see it as a good mount for the forest."

Dream smiled and nodded, deciding to keep the horse. Jura, finally, chose another black boar, making sure it was in perfect condition for the journey.

As they left on their boars, Pope yelled out:

"HOOG RIDAAAAA!"

The others laughed a little, then began teasing Pope.

Behind them, the shopkeeper pulled out a few animal masks from the shelf and slid them toward them with a smile. "Consider them a gift, for the big purchase today. Not every day does a group show up with such enthusiasm and curiosity."

The group thanked him, and with their new mounts ready, they left the shop and headed toward the fuzzballs, which were restless, chewing on pieces of something on the ground. Each of them mounted their respective fuzzball, securing the gas masks in their backpacks or belts, and prepared to depart. But, as they took their first steps, the shopkeeper threw them a final warning.

"Remember! If you're crossing the Corruption Forest, leave that anthelope here. The vehicle won't last a second inside. The plants and the environment will corrode it within minutes."

On their way, the group traveled for a few hours, until the sun began to set on the horizon. They decided to camp in a clearing protected by trees, where they set up a small fire and sat around it to rest. The fatigue was present in their muscles, but so was the excitement for everything they had achieved in such a short time.

"It's incredible how much we've done in these two weeks," Dream said, breaking the stillness and drawing the others' attention. "When we got here, I honestly thought things would be... I don't know, different. We felt so far from home, from everything we knew…"

Fossil nodded, stretching his arms and letting out a satisfied sigh. "It's true. Everyone's been doing their own thing, but in the end, we ended up meeting, doing one more stupid thing together."

Pope, sitting with his hands clasped around his knees, looked at his companions with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude.

"We'll meet up with Floppa, I'm sure of it. If our theory is right, he must have ended up somewhere that resonates with him. Maybe in the Wright Mountains, like we said."

Alex looked at him thoughtfully, stroking his fuzzball's mane. "That makes sense, Pope. It might just be a matter of time before we find him."

"We also have to find Dann... she hasn't responded either," Oka said.

Pope's gaze darkened for a moment.

"Yeah… maybe Floppa knows where she is, or can help us find her," Pope said.

The group continued talking until sleep overcame them one by one, under the stars of Desolea, in the stillness of the forest.