The morning sun rose over the horizon, casting golden light over the beast town as the group prepared for their journey. The town's people gathered at the gates, their voices rising in a chorus of gratitude and farewell. Cheers and words of thanks filled the air as Azire and his companions stepped forward, their hearts heavy with the weight of departure. When the last of them passed through the towering gate, the massive doors groaned and slammed shut behind them, sealing off the town they had come to know so well.
"I'm gonna miss this place," Hollie murmured, casting one last glance back.
The others nodded in agreement, a quiet moment of shared sentiment before Azire spoke. "We have no time to waste. Let's go."
He turned to the group. "Can everyone here fly?"
A chorus of nods followed—except for Hollie, who chuckled nervously. "Well, I guess I'm the odd one out."
Laughter rippled through the group before Azire addressed Cocobeal. "Cocobeal, carry Hollie while the rest of us fly."
The shadowy being let out a resigned sigh before shifting into his humanized form. His silhouette wavered, transforming into a massive phoenix with wings of dark mist. Hollie climbed onto his back, gripping his feathers tightly, and with a powerful beat of his wings, they took to the sky alongside the others.
As they soared, Azire's gaze was drawn to the shimmering wings of Suna, the light catching on them in a mesmerizing display. "Wow, Suna, your wings are beautiful."
A soft blush dusted Suna's cheeks. "Thank you," she replied.
Maya, flying up beside them, grinned. "What about me?"
Belial smirked. "Your wings are hideous."
Maya scowled, clenching her fist at him, while Azire and Suna chuckled at their playful exchange.
They flew for a while, the landscape below shifting from rolling hills to something darker, more foreboding. Suddenly, Maya's voice cut through the wind. "We're here."
A massive, ominous island stretched out before them. Hollie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This place looks like it'll have plenty of fights waiting for us!"
Azire scanned the land below, then pointed to a clearing. "Let's land there."
As soon as their feet touched the ground, the air filled with an eerie groan. A swarm of zombies emerged from the shadows, their soulless eyes locked onto the intruders. Hollie wasted no time, summoning her sword, Verdant Fang, and launching into battle. She moved through the horde like a whirlwind, slashing left and right, her blade cutting through rotting flesh with ease.
Belial grinned. "Can't let her have all the fun." His body ignited with divine energy, and in a flash of light, he joined the fray.
From above, Maya hovered, summoning Nyx. Raising her hand, she called forth violet lightning that rained down, striking the undead with crackling energy.
Azire stood back momentarily, watching his friends fight. Suna nudged him. "Why don't we join in?"
Azire smirked and dove into the chaos, striking down enemies with effortless precision. Suna remained in the air, supporting Maya with well-timed spells that decimated their foes.
When the last of the zombies fell, the group took a breath, their bodies weary but victorious.
"There were so many," Hollie sighed, wiping sweat from her brow.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Cocobeal, still in his phoenix form, stalked through the remains of the battle. Something caught his eye among the corpses. He picked up a weathered tablet and flew back to the group, perching on Azire's shoulder as he handed it over.
Azire turned it over in his hands before reading aloud:
"Hello, Uno's students. If you are receiving this, it means you've survived our welcoming gift of zombies."
His expression darkened, but he continued.
"To obtain what you seek, you must solve riddles and uncover clues. Your first riddle awaits you no more than twenty kilometers from your current location. Find the first page, and your journey will truly begin."
A tense silence fell over the group as they exchanged glances. The game had begun.