Vibrant arrays bloom

On sand Luluhawa paints

Beauty stirs Tōga's soul

Order rigid as wood

Duty melts into freedom

On beach of bright hues

Twilight swirls descend

Peace found in belonging

With cherished friends' feast



Tōga sat along the beach, his eyes wandering over the arrays of color that Luluhawa had laid out before him. Though his homeland of Joya was known for its striking symmetry - forested mountains lining the horizon, cities built on grids of iron and wood - Tōga found a different kind of beauty here. Joya's precision and order gave it an austere magnificence, but Luluhawa's vibrant patterns welcomed the spirit as well as the eye. Tōga felt his weariness easing as he gazed at the arrays. Joya's culture was not for the faint of heart, but Luluhawa's art spoke to his soul. Here, where land and sea mingled in fluid shapes and bright hues, Tōga felt something he rarely experienced in Joya - a sense of belonging.

The city where the Rune Knights were headquartered was a refreshing change from Tōga's homeland. Unlike Joya, which valued precision and order above all, this city hummed with motivated people dedicated to their duties. As a Rune Knight himself, Tōga appreciated the crisp discipline that shaped life here. Yet he often longed for the easygoing liberty of Mahalo Beach.

On his visit today, Tōga felt the rigid lines of his knightly life relax. As he traced meandering patterns with his eyes or gazed at the swirling blends of color, duty seemed to melt into freedom. The city energized him with its sense of purpose, but the beach awakened something deeper - a longing for beauty that stirred his spirit. Here, Tōga didn't have to be solely a knight, ruler, or heir; he could simply be. Luluhawa Island welcomed him to set down his burdens for a time and find belonging.

As afternoon melted into evening, the sky transformed like one of Luluhawa's arrays - from azure to orange to dusky purple. A brisk ocean breeze gusted across the beach, sending a chill through the lingering warmth of the day. Tōga remained unaffected, his inner fire warding off the cold. Neither frost nor nightfall could disturb the peace he found here with Luluhawa and her vibrant artwork. The sun slowly sank below the horizon, casting the beach in deepening shadow. Most visitors had retreated inland to seek shelter and warmth. But Tōga was content to linger in the shifting hues of twilight, as Luluhawa added swirls of color to her patterns in the sand. The three friends were in no hurry to let this magical day come to an end.

“How do ya’ll like your hog!?” Tōga's voice rang out, shattering the hypnotic hush that had fallen with the dark. The day's languid peace scattered before the prospect of a hearty feast. The three had succeeded in their earlier  hunt - a plump warthog now awaited the fire's kiss. While the Blue Pegasus’s set to butchering their quarry, Tōga gathered driftwood to spark a robust blaze. The mage was in his element, constructing a pyre as meticulously as any city's architecture.

---

WC: 582

“Sure!”

“Understood!” Tōga enthusiastically replied.

Michael's vague response hovered on the edge of nonsense, but the dragon slayer simply smiled and pressed on. He knew that dark inner void all too well - the emptiness where a person's thoughts could drift into a prism of possibilities, detaching them from reality's anchoring familiarity. Michael's unspoken words mattered little, for Tōga already grasped his meaning. However you sliced it, seasoned it, or cooked it, pork could only be served one way: thoroughly seared.

As Samuel and Michael carried on with meat prep on the beach, Tōga roamed the edge of the forest, searching for dry kindling. This seaside landscape posed a challenge - the sea's proximity left much of the fallen wood soaked and rotted, useless as tender for their fire. So the dragon slayer ventured deeper into the trees, his footsteps light despite his large frame. He tread with care, not to damage the forest that provided their sustenance. Tōga listened for the crack of deadwood underfoot and scanned the shadowed glades for fallen branches. Before long, his discerning eye spied a brush pile left by some small animal. He gathered an armful of cracked and desiccated branches, their timeworn textures promising a ready blaze. The dragon slayer returned triumphant to the beach, where Samuel and Michael had space. Now, with Tōga's dry timber, the companions could ignite a proper campfire.

Pleased with his haul, the pink-haired mage turned back down the beach, eager to meet his new comrades. A satisfied smile crossed Tōga's face as he pictured the feast to come. The day's foraging had proved fruitful - they would dine well tonight. With this bundle of dry firewood, the dragon slayer could build them a proper pyre to cook their spoils. His pace quickened at the thought of the crackling flames soon to be sparked and the rich smells of smoke and sizzling pork.

"I'm back!" Tōga called out cheerfully as he crossed the wide expanse of beach, as though his companions couldn't already see his approach. "In just a few minutes, you're gonna smell some mighty fine meat cookin', I'll tell ya that!" Joy radiated through his every word.

With practiced hands, the pink-haired mage began stacking the timber into a pyre, each stick placed with purpose. Tōga was a master of fire - he knew how to build for longevity and clean burning. The kindling was arranged to allow optimal air flow, laying the foundation for a strong and steady blaze. Piece by piece, his skilled fingers wove the cracked branches into an expert lattice.

“The world is bigger than just Era,” Tōga smiles, continuing the perfect the wood structure. “I want to see it all, so whenever there’s a chance I can sneak out of the city to venture elsewhere, I’m taking it – knight or not.” He never seems to use that joyful hubris.

“How about you? What brought you to this mission?”

---

WC: 485 [1069]

It took a few moments, but the small pyre Tōga constructed was finally complete. Looking outside, the cone-like wooden structure wasn’t all that impressive, however, the beauty came in it’s simplicity. The moment Tōga wanted to start his fire, the air would flow seamlessly through it, energizing the small embers into a wildfire that would roast the hog’s body full in due time.

"Sam, you're pretty cool flyin' cat," Tōga remarked, hoping the cat-like angel would take his words lightly. Samuel was a marvel to be sure, this magical being with a feline form but a keen intellect. Tōga tended to simplify matters - the natural world was complex enough without piling on mankind's formulas. But Samuel defied simple explanations. He was a walking wonder, and Tōga couldn't help but be fascinated by him. There was a glint of mystery and mischief in those slitted eyes. Tōga never knew quite what to expect from the winged cat, save that it would be interesting. He appreciated that about Samuel. Life was always an adventure with such a capricious yet good-natured companion by one's side.

Tōga nodded along as Michael explained the workings of his guild. Had it not been for the machinations of such organizations, their paths likely would never have crossed. "Sam speaks true - you handled that knife as fine as any mage wields magic," Tōga remarked with a laugh. Though spoken in jest, the words rang honest. Watching Michael take down the boar with nothing more than a common blade revealed a mastery that Tōga could not hope to match.

While Tōga had command of runic forces beyond most men, Michael's connection to his simple weapon was on another level entirely. When he struck, it was as though the knife became an extension of his very will - flashing forward with supernatural swiftness to always find its mark. What others might accomplish through magic spells or mystical arts, Michael matched with sheer skill honed to perfection.

Tōga knew the laughing comment betrayed his true thoughts. This unassuming man moved on a different plane, his humble knife hiding lethal skill that outstripped even the rune knight's pride.
“You two, grab the hog and attach it to that wooden stick over there, I’ll get the fire goin’” Tōga said with a wide smile, pointing at the wooden bridge he crafted to suspend the hog’s carcass over the campfire.

Tōga drew in a deep breath, feeling the magical energy churn within him. With an effortless belch, a jet of flames erupted from his mouth, sweeping across the pyre. The tinder ignited instantly, the fire springing to life.

"Now that's how you start a proper fire!" Tōga exclaimed. While all fire magic had its appeal, nothing quite compared to the raw might of a dragon slayer's breath. Normal flames seemed tame, almost docile, next to the untamed power Tōga wielded. As the blaze grew, crackling hungrily through the wood, Tōga felt a thrill rush through him. This was no ordinary fire, but an extension of his own magic, called forth from within. It was a part of him, primordial and unpredictable. He could guide it, shape it to his will, but never truly master it. That wild, dangerous edge was part of its glory.

Tōga stepped back, admiring his handiwork. The pyre was now a pillar of writhing flames, radiating heat and power. This was fire as it was meant to be. Tamed by no mage, but working in harmony with one who understood its true spirit. This was the gift of a dragon slayer.

---

WC: 591 [1660]

Samuel was a marvel, this winged feline. Those feathered appendages granted him an ability mankind had coveted since time immemorial - the gift of unencumbered flight. With a effortless flap, Samuel could soar aloft, cutting through the open sky and feeling the kiss of the wind against his fur. No reservation or hesitation, just the freedom of the heavens unfolding before him. It was a blessing beyond measure, one that most would never know. Even Tōga, dragon slayer that he was, could only gaze up. What must it be like, to live one's life unshackled from the earth? To rise and glide on whim, alone with the clouds?

Tōga looked on as Michael hefted the hog carcass onto the spit single-handedly. The man's impressive strength only affirmed Tōga's earlier impressions. A seasoned warrior's abilities extended beyond the battlefield into every aspect of life, major or mundane.

This casual display spoke of long years honing the body or perhaps an innate gift - whatever the source, Michael's physical power outmatched even Tōga's toned form. As a Rune Knight, Tōga was no stranger to training and discipline, but the muscular control Michael exhibited in that simple motion was on another tier entirely. With quiet efficiency Michael went about his task, no need to call upon Samuel's helping paws. Tōga studied the corded arms, the easy way they handled the weight. Another sign of the gulf between them. No magic enhanced that frame, yet it radiated coiled energy waiting to be unleashed.

Tōga had initially dismissed the knife as an unworthy weapon, but now wondered if in Michael's hands anything became deadly. Those sturdy hands could likely choke the life from a dragon bare-handed. Tōga made a mental note not to ever end up on the wrong side of those capable fingers. For all his ancient power, against someone like Michael, he was outmatched.

Tōga grinned as Samuel praised his fire-lighting skills. "Appreciate it! A little dragon's breath never burned anything down - well, unless it's a lot of breath, ha!" He laughed heartily at his own joke, hamming it up as if on stage. Life had been no picnic for Tōga, and the road ahead seemed likely to be just as harsh. But he knew his own strengths, few though they might be. His magic was a still largely unplumbed well, and his wit remained sharp as any blade.

As the flames crackled before them, Tōga felt a swell of contentment. With allies like Samuel and Michael, any challenge seemed surmountable. And he had confidence there were depths to his power even he didn't fully grasp yet. The dragon fire was a part of that, simmering in his belly, waiting to be unleashed. He imagined the inferno he could conjure if he ever released his full might. For now, these flickering flames would do...but one day. One day he would unleash the true dragon within.

"Let me help put that on the fire,” Tōga offered, moving to assist Michael in situating the hog over the fire. Together the two maneuvered the hefty carcass, angling the spit just so. Sparks whirled skyward as they worked in tandem, carefully wedging each end of the pole into waiting notches. Soon their efforts paid off - the hog was firmly suspended above the hungry blaze. Immediately the scent of searing meat filled the air, rich and mouthwatering. Juices sizzled down into the flames, fueling them further.

Tōga stepped back, admiring their handiwork with satisfaction. The pyre had become a radiant altar, paying homage to their quarry's sacrifice. The once truculent beast was now but an offering to a greater power - the ancient covenant of fire and flesh.

As the crackling song of the cookfire rose into the darkening sky, Tōga felt a deep contentment. The day's labor was nearly at an end. Bellies would soon be full, bodies warmed and wearied spirits revived. This was the simple magic of fellowship, the alchemy of fire and food transforming hardship into comfort.

“We’re going to eat good tonight!”

---

WC: 671 [2331]

The hog turned slowly above the crackling fire, suspended from a wooden spit by ropes tied tight around its hooves. An experienced hand rested on the lever, gently adjusting the rotation to ensure the meat cooked evenly. The key was patience - continuously monitoring the process to create the perfect bark without any burned patches. Like an artist carefully crafting their magnum opus, the pitmaster tended the flames, using them to transform the raw pork into a masterpiece of smoky, succulent barbecue. The fire was both palette and paintbrush, allowing the flavors to meld into the meat with each slow rotation. A true artisan can coax depth and nuance from the simple meeting of flame and flesh. This was barbecue elevated beyond sustenance into an craft bordering on spiritual.

As the pitmaster lovingly tended to the slowly roasting hog, his scarred companion made himself comfortable nearby. Tōga's glance lingered on the man as he removed his shirt, revealing muscled features etched with the echoes of past struggles. Tattoos spiraled across his skin, each one a permanent reminder of the adversities he had overcome. Tōga knew the marks all too well - he bore plenty himself. They were brothers of a kind, bonded not by blood but by the shared hardships of their world. Together they had weathered many storms, carefully navigating around the sharpest edges of life. Now they reveled in this moment of respite, when food and friendship offered a brief balm to their battered souls. Though as it appeared, some wounds healed faster than others.

The fire continued its alchemical work, infusing the pork with earthy richness. The two men waited patiently, the aroma of sizzling fat and cooking meat mingling with the woodsmoke. No words passed between them - none were needed. A kindred understanding brewed along with the barbecue, seasons of kinship distilling into this shared ritual.

"Good idea!" Tōga responded, forgoing his own shirt. His light-tanned, chiseled physique shone in the moonlight and firelight, glimmering like a statue. Yet the lingering smoke threatened to dirty their clothes and leave an unwanted smoky smell. Without a way to properly clean them, returning home reeking of smoke would be a chore. The less work awaiting him in Era, the better.

When asked if Tōga had been anywhere else, his charming smile faded slightly. "This may sound silly, but I want to go everywhere!" he exclaimed, jumping to his full height and peering at the cool moon with bright chestnut eyes.

"I've only been to Era and here since joining the Knights. My goal is to visit every country, every city, and meet all the guilds. I want to see it all, know it all," he declared, his voice ringing with ambition into the night.

“Have you traveled the world? You seem experienced enough. What’s it like?!”

---

WC: 469 [2800]

The flames danced and crackled, perfectly controlled by Tōga's skilled magic. He tended the fire with care, maintaining just the right temperature to transform the raw meat into a mouthwatering feast. The raging inferno below was tamed into a gentle heat, not so fierce as to char the meat, nor so mild as to leave it underdone. Tōga knew that the slightest variation in temperature would make all the difference. Too hot and the meat would dry out, becoming tough and leathery. Too cool and it would remain pale and unappetizing. Only with the ideal fire, steady and strong, would the flavors fully develop, rendering the meat succulent and tender. Tōga kept a close watch, using his magic to regulate the blaze. When the meat was cooked to perfection, the fire had completed its critical task, its duty fulfilled. Now it was time to enjoy the fruits of its labor.

Though skilled in the culinary arts, even Tōga did not wish to waste the entire night tending to the giant hog roasting over the fire. Its massive size would normally require many tedious hours of cooking to render the meat flawlessly cooked. But Tōga was no ordinary chef - with his Dragon Slayer magic, he could accomplish in minutes what would take other men half a day.

Where normal men would require at least 12 long, grueling hours rotating the entire hog, basting and monitoring for doneness, Tōga knew he could finish the job in a fraction of the time. Perhaps just one hour, if his magic cooperated. Soon, Tōga knew, his friends' patience would be rewarded with a feast worthy of their appetites. His magic had turned an hours-long ordeal into a brief one, but lost no love nor mastery in its haste. The proof would be in the juicy, tender meat they were so soon to enjoy.

As Tōga tended the final sizzling pork, amused laughter bubbled up between his words. "You hit a guild master with a rock?" he exclaimed with a grin. He could scarcely believe the young man's audacity. Though Michael seemed plenty strong, provoking a guild master felt akin to a death wish. Had the man been any less forgiving, Tōga doubted the boy would've lived to tell the tale.

"You're either very bold or very lucky, my friend," Tōga chuckled, giving the meat a final flip to ensure even cooking. He imagined the guild master's shock at the sudden blow, then subsequent rage. It was a wonder Michael hadn't been burnt to a crisp on the spot. But Tōga also respected the lad's courage, whether born of bravery or foolishness. He himself had challenged authority in his youth, for better or worse. And Michael too would learn when to temper his fire, with time and guidance.

Tōga pondered how to eloquently explain his aimless approach to adventure. "The world is deeply interconnected. Though I know not where to begin, I trust that each step will lead me to the next," he mused.

He lacked finesse with words, but felt the truth of it deeply. Like nature itself, the world moved in symbiosis, each living thing linked to the rest. his philosophy baffled some, but Tōga understood it intuitively. The world was too vast and wondrous to experience if he limited himself to human conventions. He would tread where his soul beckoned, one step at a time.

Still, suggestions were appreciated. "Have any suggestions?” Tōga smiled humbly. His path may seem aimless, but it held an inner logic beyond words. He hoped his friend could glimpse the heart of what he tried clumsily to convey. That to travel hopefully, for him, was to travel well. Wherever their talks led, he knew the journey itself would teach him more than any destination ever could.

---

WC: 629 [3429]

The more Michael and Samuel talked about the diminutive Guild Master, the more bewildered Tōga became. Just how tiny was this mysterious figure? A miniature human? Some sort of sprite or imp? Perhaps he was an odd hybrid of natural evolution and sorcery. While Michael seemed normal enough in stature, the idea that someone could be flicked away or swapped like an insect was perplexing. Tōga's imagination swirled with possibilities - was the Guild Master merely ant-sized? Or even smaller? The cryptic hints from Michael and Samuel only deepened the puzzle of this Lilliputian leader. Tōga was determined to solve the riddle of how someone so small could wield such power. There had to be more to this story than meets the eye.

Tōga's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You smacked the Guild Master? They must have been tiny!" He tried to restrain his shock, not wanting to accuse Michael of exaggeration if the tale was true. Still, the size difference intrigued him.

Turning to Sam, Tōga gave the exceed-kitty a warm smile. "I'm trusting you to guide me, my new friend." Though they had only just met, Tōga tended to trust easily at first. He believed life was too short for suspicion - people's true nature would reveal itself in time. This limitless journey held infinite possibilities, but finite time to experience them. Better to approach it with optimism, following those whose character rang true.

“Clockwise? I could definitely try it out. It doesn’t hurt to take advi-----” Tōga’s nose twitched in excitement.

“The food’s done!”

---

WC: 258 [3687]

"Ahh, I see," Tōga said with a nod, a smile creeping across his face. He felt a swell of amusement at his own foolishness just moments ago, now rectified by Samuel's patient explanation. Of the three, Samuel clearly possessed the sharpest intellect, or at least the inclination to flaunt it. Either way, Tōga found it heartening to see the rapport between Samuel and his human companion, Michael. They bickered like brothers, coming to each other's defense at the drop of a hat, bonded not by blood but by mutual affection. There was an undeniable warmth between them that made Tōga believe they complemented each other perfectly.

Michael, famished from the day's exertions, was first to the spread of food, and Tōga did not begrudge him. The Blue Pegasus mage had fought valiantly and deserved to sate his hunger without delay. Accepting a loaded plate from Samuel, Tōga waited politely for his own turn. When it came, he carved a thick slab of juicy meat from the hog's thigh. It fell away with barely any resistance, releasing a cascade of hot juices into the fire below. Flames erupted with renewed vigor, licking hungrily at the tender morsel. Tōga's mouth watered instinctively at the sight and scent of the freshly roasted pork. A satisfied chuckle escaped him as he imagined sinking his teeth into the succulent meat. For now, he would let Michael enjoy the first serving, knowing his patience would soon be rewarded.

Tōga turned to Michael, an inquisitive look in his eyes. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but I've noticed your scent is quite different from most humans. Why is that?"

He knew it was an odd question, but Tōga's sharp sense of smell had picked up on Michael's uniqueness from the start. Curiosity had been gnawing at him throughout their mission, though he had not thought to research Michael's background beforehand. Tōga relied more on his primal instincts than paperwork. Now, he felt compelled to solve the mystery, hoping Michael would indulge his impromptu probing. Tōga meant no offense, but simply wished to understand what made this fellow so singular.

---

WC: 353 [4040]

"A good guess indeed!" Tōga remarked, duly impressed. While Michael's deduction was based on careful observation, it was still remarkable how he had pieced together the clues. Tōga's distinctive scent had led Michael not only to identify him as non-human, but to accurately pinpoint the lineage of his magic. It spoke of hard-won experience and wisdom, to be able to paint such an insightful picture without direct knowledge. Tōga found himself intrigued by how broad Michael's worldview must be, to call upon context from seemingly unrelated events and details. The insight and intuition needed for such leaps of logic was astonishing.

Tōga smiled appreciatively at his new companion. Already he sensed within Michael a deep well of understanding - perhaps even empathy. Here was someone who sought always to expand perception, to uncover new angles, new truths. Such an approach bespoke compassion and openness.

Tōga was just biting into a juicy hunk of roast pork when Samuel's teasing prodded Michael into revealing his long-held secret - he was a werewolf.

"What! A werewolf?" Tōga blurted out through a comically full mouth. Bits of meat tumbled back onto his plate as he bolted upright in dramatic surprise. As the initial shock faded, a wide grin settled on Tōga's face. Mysteries still surrounded Michael, but an intriguing picture was coming together. Tōga settled back on the sand, eyeing his companion with new awe and eagerness. What fortune to have found not just a fellow warrior, but a werewolf! With such an extraordinary alliance, their quest ahead promised to be truly exciting.

“That’s so cool! Where’s your fur? Do you pee outside?”

---

WC: 269 [4309]

Tōga nodded along attentively as Michael launched into an impassioned explanation of the differences between his werewolf physiology and the demi-human breed Tōga had mistakenly conflated it with. Though Michael spoke with an edge of irritation, Tōga listened carefully, intent on truly understanding. He caught every word, not wanting to risk insulting his companion again by misusing terminology.

As Michael elaborated on the nuances, Tōga's face remained neutral, but internally he chided himself for his lack of knowledge. He knew an apology would only salt the wound, so he conveyed his regret through thoughtful silence and engaged listening. Michael's frustration was palpable, but Tōga weathered it graciously, allowing his friend's words to wash over him. He absorbed Michael's lesson with openness, making a mental note to tread lightly in this area in the future. Though Michael's tone was sharp, Tōga recognized the value in his counseling.

"My bad! Didn't mean to offend," Tōga replied, a radiant smile still lighting his face. Though far from stupid, in this moment Tōga recognized his own lack of understanding. Sheltered and inexperienced, his worldview was limited to the sparse interactions granted by his mere nineteen years. Well-traveled among only two countries, he had seldom crossed paths with those outside the human race. Thus, despite his keen intellect, he remained unaware of the intricacies and nuances of cultures beyond his own. Yet what he lacked in exposure, he made up for in curiosity. This encounter only strengthened his yearning to see the world, to meet its diverse peoples, and to learn from all. Tōga dreamed of expanding his horizons, grasping perspectives far greater than his own. So, he accepted the misstep with grace. After all, ignorance was merely a starting point along the journey toward wisdom. There was no shame in being taught, only in refusing to learn.

“Though, I bet it’s cool being a werewolf!”

---

wc: 314 [4623]

With a polite smile, Tōga waved off Michael's invitation to join the werewolf hierarchy. "Oh, no need! I'm quite content being human," he said gently. Though his words could be misconstrued, they came from a place of pure intent. Tōga appreciated the unique beauty of all the species that walked this earth - werewolves, vampires, demi-gods - each offered their own distinct advantages and disadvantages that made them special in their own way. Humans, however, held a particularly unique charm to Tōga's eye. Their fragility and finite time on this earth made every moment precious.

Unlike the supernatural beings around him, humans lived on borrowed time, their brief lives filled with the bittersweet beauty of aging and impermanence. This vulnerability gave meaning to each experience and relationship, intensifying the value of every minute. While others searched for power and immortality, Tōga cherished the exquisite humanity of a life defined by its imminent end. To him, it was this fragility, this awareness of death, that made the human spirit so precious.

"To be honest, I don't know too much about the wider world. I spent a large part of my life in Joya, and just recently learned of Era when I joined the Knights," Tōga replied thoughtfully when Michael questioned his understanding of life beyond Joya.

Having spent a large portion of his life sheltered in the kingdom's borders, the nuances of the outside world still eluded him. Even his recent induction into the Rune Knights had kept him confined within familiar walls. Though eager to expand his horizons, Tōga's journey thus far had been one of protected naivety. Like a bud yet to unfurl its petals, he had only glimpsed slivers of the world's true complexity. Still, he harbored no shame, only an avid curiosity and hunger to experience life's rich tapestry for himself. The coming spring would undoubtedly draw him further out into the depths of the unknown. For now, though, Tōga could but admit his inexperience with an open mind and hopeful heart.

---

WC: 335 [4958]

Tōga nodded thoughtfully at the werewolf's offer, though he knew the chances he would accept were practically nonexistent. Still, the gesture was appreciated. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied diplomatically.

"Oh, I can talk about Joya all day!" Tōga declared enthusiastically, pausing between hearty bites of hog meat. His eyes remained fixed on the present, but his mind wandered back to days gone by in his homeland. Vivid memories paraded through his thoughts - the magnificent art, the breathtaking geography, the welcoming people - all the things that made Joya great marched across his consciousness like a masterfully conducted orchestra. Joya was music to his soul, an endless composition of beauty waiting to be relived through story.

"It's like no other place, really. Joya has mountain ranges that stretch beyond what the eye can see, seemingly into the heavens themselves," Tōga recalled wistfully. "The food is delicious everywhere you go and the people are so modest and welcoming. It was perfect, until tensions arose between ruling bodies and conflict broke out."

He remembered the insurrection vividly, as if it were yesterday. The Shogun and his armies sweeping through the lands, imposing their might on the weaker citizens, forcing loyalties and demanding tribute. It was sickening to witness. Tōga's mind involuntarily conjured images of the ruthless invasion - the cruelty and devastation imprinted forever in his memory. Though years had passed, the wounds on his homeland still felt raw. Joya's peace and beauty had been ravaged, leaving scars no amount of time could fully heal.

“But Joya is strong, and so are her people. They survived and preserve till this day.”

---

WC: 271 [5229]

“I can’t speak for everyone, but I only remember pleasant experiences with most of the Joyans I know,”

Tōga treaded carefully, not wanting to overgeneralize about his fellow countrymen. But in his experience, the people of Joya were known for their kindness and generosity. Their homeland fostered community, where neighbors looked after one another. Folks lived modestly, providing for their families while still extending a helping hand to those in need. Joya was a place where people uplifted each other, making the whole greater than the sum of its parts. The land itself seemed to cultivate this spirit of togetherness and mutual care. Joya produced so many wondrous things, from its bountiful rice fields to its intricate crafts, and Tōga believed its people were just as remarkable. At least until the heavy hand of the Shogunate disturbed their way of life. But the goodness instilled in the Joyan heart was not so easily dispelled.

“Honestly, I have no idea! Maybe I’ll go back to the Rune Knights and pick up another mission. Maybe I’ll start that journey we were discussing and find someone else who’d like to tackle a mission with me,”

Tōga rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he pondered the open road ahead. Though he was a man who lived in the moment, he knew a decision on where to wander next would soon need to be made. Returning to the Rune Knights and picking up another sanctioned mission was one option. Or perhaps this was the perfect time to embark on that journey they had discussed, finding a like-minded partner who would join him in a collaborative adventure. The possibilities were open before him. This recent mission with Blue Pegasus had proven the Knights were amenable to inter-guild cooperation. Why not seize that freedom and see more of the world from new vantage points? Wherever Tōga's travels took him next, he was sure to meet the road with an open heart and keen eyes, prepared for any unexpected delights or mysteries the path might reveal. The winding future called to his adventurous spirit.


“But whatever happens next, don’t be a stranger!”

---

WC: 353 [5582]