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The sandy shores of Luluhawa Island beckoned the Dragon Slayer like an old friend welcoming him home. Tōga had found solace in this tropical paradise during his rapid rise through the ranks of the Rune Knights. In just a few short months, his prodigious talents had earned him the esteemed title of Captain, a meteoric feat even among the order's most gifted mages.

Though his duties often took him far across the lands of Stella, Tōga always returned to Luluhawa when he could. He had just completed a week-long mission on the mainland, and was eager to enjoy the island's tranquil bounty. As he breathed in the scent of plumerias drifting on the breeze, Tōga felt the tensions of battle and command melt away. Here, he was free to let his guard down and savor the island's simple comforts. Under the shade of palms, he would hone his magic and martial skills on the beach until sunset stained the waves crimson. At night, he would build a fire and cook fish caught fresh from the cove, dining beneath a canopy of stars mirrored on the dark tide. This island was his sanctuary, far from the politics and strife of the Knights. On Luluhawa, Tōga was at peace.

The magical realm of Stella overwhelmed Tōga's senses, overflowing with enchantments beyond imagination. Each spell sprang from unique origins, manifesting in myriad forms with varying impacts. In this world brimming with occult diversity, Tōga encountered a force that transcended all bounds. The Jaguar God Tezcatlipoca, pleased by Tōga's fierce battle with the shadowy minotaur, bestowed upon the battered dragon slayer a dark ember of unfathomable power. Though nearly claimed by death's grasp, Tōga now held an obsidian shard, pulsing with otherworldly energy. Its sinister purpose remained unclear, but one thing was certain - this mystical gift would unlock new realms of possibility.

Still reeling from the Jaguar God's ominous gift, Tōga sought respite on the distant shores of Luluhawa. He journeyed across tumultuous seas to the island's Mahalo Beach, hoping the tranquil setting would quiet his chaotic thoughts. But the voyage proved unexpectedly arduous, the undulating waves tormenting Tōga's stomach with unfamiliar nausea. Each rolling crest and trough tilted his world off-kilter, threatening to plunge him into seasickness. Through stubborn will alone, Tōga persevered until finally glimpsing the island's verdant silhouette. While the gift's dark purpose still eluded him, the turquoise waters and swaying palms beckoned with promise of clarity. On this pristine beach, Tōga could collect himself and make sense of the mysteries swirling within.

Disembarking on wobbly legs, Tōga inhaled the island's fresh sea air, steadying himself after the arduous voyage. As he regained his land legs, a small bird's trill drew his gaze skyward. The creature had appeared as if conjured from the ether, yet its call stirred a flash of recognition within Tōga. Intrigued, he tracked the bird's flight as it flitted down the beach, seeming to guide him onward. Tōga followed the impromptu escort deeper into Luluhawa's lush interior. Each faltering step away from the ship allowed his strength to return, along with a sense of foreboding purpose.

The bar's doors burst open, sunlight slicing into the empty tavern. "Lumikki-chan!" Tōga called out, his shock of pink hair preceding him as he strode inside. His gaze scoured the shadowed interior before landing on the new friend he sought.

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wc: 560

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As Tōga stepped into the dimly lit tavern, his gaze darted around the room, alight with eager curiosity. The empty tables and vacant chairs offered no sign of his friend. But as his eyes adjusted to the low light, a glimmer of blue caught his attention - cascades of azure hair spilling over bronze skin at the bar. Lumikki. Relief washed over Tōga as he realized he had found who he was looking for. Weaving between the scattered furniture, he made his way to the bar, a smile spreading across his face at the sight of his friend amidst the shadows.

“I could say the same for ya,” he smiles, stepping forward deeper into the tavern as he crossed enough space to meet the halfway point between himself and Lumikki at the bar. “Seems a little to warm for your liking, I’d assume,” he’d jest, stopping in place as he let Lumikki continue, the words of the Raven Queen piquing his interest as his smile grew grander.

Tōga chuckled as he recalled his own encounter with the sea several weeks ago upon first arriving in Luluhawa. The local fishermen had been alarmed by tales of a monstrous disturbance jeopardizing their catch. Ever eager for adventure, Tōga had readily accepted their request to investigate. He set sail with a crew of anxious fishermen, not knowing what awaited them on the open waters. To their shock, not one but two hulking beasts erupted from the depths! Though fierce, the battle was short-lived, and Tōga and the men emerged victorious. As he returned to the present moment, Tōga smiled wistfully at the memory, before a voice interrupted his reminiscing - the bartender was waiting.

"I'll take an ale, please," Tōga requested. The bartender nodded and turned to prepare the drink.

As he waited, Tōga leaned against a nearby table, relaxing into the moment. "But truly, if you need company at sea, I'm your man," he added with a grin, eager at the prospect of joining Lumikki on another adventure. His own miserable bout of seasickness on the journey here was already a distant memory. Before Lumikki could respond, the tavern door swung open again. Another harpy hurried in, likely one of Lumikki's own flock bearing news. Tōga raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the timely interruption. It seemed their quiet day at the tavern was about to become more eventful.

Tōga watched with fascination as Lumikki conversed with her feathered companions in lyrical chirps and trills. Their avian language was foreign to him, but the urgency was clear. Lumikki, or Kōri as he affectionately knew her, never ceased to intrigue him. The Raven Queen embodied mysteries and wonders just waiting to be uncovered. Powerful, alluring, and now revealing a talent for the tongues of beasts and birds - his friend was a gift that kept on giving. Tōga studied her graceful features as she communed with her flock, eager to learn what news had arrived that could lure them away from their quiet reverie in the tavern. Lumikki was an endless font of surprises, and he was already anticipating their next adventure together.

“So when do we go?” he implanted himself into her plans. She wouldn’t have a chance to say no.

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wc: 538 [1098]

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Tōga's gaze remained locked on the demoness, but the scraping talons and rustling feathers before him did not go unnoticed. The harpy strode closer, his claws gouging furrows in the tavern's wooden floor with each step. It’s wings flared out aggressively, then folded in, telegraphing his contentious mood. Tōga turned with a toothy grin, extending his hand in greeting. His sharp canines glinted in the low light as he hoped to make a new ally of this feathered fiend. Though his eyes never left the demoness, Tōga was no fool - he knew an enemy could prove dangerous. Better to make a friend of the harpy if he could.

“Are you daft?”

Tōga's eyes blinked slowly as he parsed Tenevi's words. "Me?" he echoed, pointing a clawed finger at his own chest in surprise. He gazed down at the diminutive harpy, head cocked as he tried to discern the meaning behind this unprompted hostility.

Though Tenevi's tone was calm, almost polite, the aggression in his word choice told another story. Tōga felt no offense at the creature's blunt language, but curiosity compelled him - what had he done to earn such contempt? As far as he knew, their paths had never crossed in Stella. Surely Lumikki had not spoken ill of him in his absence? No, deceit was not in her gentle nature. Tōga furrowed his brow, searching his memory for any slight that might explain the harpy's unexpected animosity. Finding none, he folded his arms and waited for Tenevi to elucidate further.

Though Tōga could have spent all day puzzling over Tenevi's motives, he simply grinned and gave the harpy a patronizing pat on the head. Turning on his heel, he fell in behind Lumikki as she glided past them and out of the tavern. Eager not to be the last one out, Tōga timed his exit to closely follow Lumikki's, leaving Tenevi in his wake. The harpy would now be the final one to depart, forced to sit and marinate in his own acrid words once the tavern emptied of its revelers.

As they approached the docks, Tōga sighed; all the ships had fled, either to escape the island entirely or give chase to the monstrous threat that had stirred these rumors in the first place. He pondered their next move, searching in vain for a means to sail. His thoughts were interrupted by Lumikki’s sharp cry splitting the air. Her call summoned a sinuous shape from the clouds above, which plunged into the sea before them.

"Oooooui!" Tōga exclaimed cheerfully as he beheld the leviathan. Its scales glimmered like mirrors, reflecting dazzling patterns of sunlight across the water's surface. The serpentine creature was a living echo of the ocean itself.

"Nice to meet ya, Asger!" Tōga shouted, leaping eagerly onto the sea serpent's back without hesitation. The smooth, slick scales proved tricky to grip as Asger undulated beneath him. Heeding Lumikki's advice, Tōga clung tightly but gently to avoid harming the creature.

Before he could call out for Lumikki to wait, she had already flown off ahead of them. An unsettling pulse rippled through the water around Asger. The great serpent reoriented itself, curling away from the docks to face the open ocean. With startling speed it erupted forward, propelling them through the sea in pursuit of Lumikki. Asger's powerful undulations sent spray flying as they raced over the swelling waves. Tōga's excited shouts were lost in the roar of the surf as he rode the majestic creature's back. Lumikki's magic had gifted them extraordinary transport - this would be no mundane sea voyage.

"Oooooh!" Tōga cried out, his stomach lurching as the world seemed to shrink and swell around him. Despite his many voyages, motion sickness was new to the dragon slayer. Asger's breakneck pace left his senses reeling, vision blurring even after the serpent slowed to a gentle glide at Lumikki's command.

Tōga struggled to keep his balance atop the undulating scales. Each roll of the ocean threatened to tug him loose. He clenched his jaws to force down the nausea, but his head continued to spin in spirals. Lumikki guided them steadily onward through strangely docile waters. But to Tōga each languid wave felt like a fresh assault on his equilibrium. This was no epic battle for the chronicles - merely a pitiful grapple between man and malady.

Tōga quickly realized he would play no role in defeating the sea monsters, consumed as he was by the sudden onset of motion sickness. It took all his focus simply to remain upright atop Asger, clenching his muscles tight to avoid tumbling into the churning sea.

While Lumikki set off alone to complete their quest, Tōga's own private battle raged on. His body revolted against the rolling waves and the serpent's winding movements. Nausea overwhelmed his senses until the mission itself faded into the background. Staying conscious and afloat became his singular goal.

Good luck, Lumikki~

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wc: 820 [1918]
Mission WC Met: 20% Discount on words from Lv. 3 RK Perk