Hours later Toni had buried his mother, his heart still heavy.
The sun had dipped low by the time they left the graveyard. The world felt slower now, more deliberate like it, too, was mourning. But Toni walked with a new stillness in his heart, not hollow, but full. Heavy, yes, but not empty.
They didn't say much at first.
Silence wasn't awkward with this group, it was shared, sacred.
As they made their way back to the small inn they were staying at, Kaito kept glancing at Toni, as if checking a compass. Toni caught him once and raised an eyebrow.
"You good?" Kaito asked.
Toni nodded, slowly. "No. Friend, But I will be."
That was enough. Toni standing up from the bed stretches. "I gotta handle something else real quick, i'll meet you fellas here."
The gate creaked softly as Toni pushed it open. The old stone building loomed ahead.
Toni's chest tightened as he stepped through the hallway, his heart beating a strange rhythm: sorrow and anticipation colliding. He carried his guitar case over his shoulder, not just an instrument now — a promise.
He found her exactly where he expected, curled up in the little reading nook near the window.
"Emi," he said softly.
His sister looked up, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. She leapt up and ran to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Toni! You were awesome!"
He knelt to her level, ruffling her hair with a soft smile, even as his eyes shimmered. "Of course I was. I promised, didn't I?"
She grinned. "Is Mom okay?"
The question hit him like a knife. But he kept his smile — soft, careful, full of love. "She's... she's resting now, Emi. She was so proud of you. Proud of us."
Emi's face fell slightly, the meaning behind his words settling in. Her eyes welled, but she nodded slowly, bravely. "She's in the stars now, right?"
Toni swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yeah. Watching over us, every night. Probably arguing with the moon 'cause she thinks it's hogging the spotlight."
That earned him a weak giggle.
He gently took her hands. "Emi, I need to tell you something else too, okay?"
She tilted her head. "What is it?"
"I'm… I'm going to be leaving for a while. Me and some friends, we're going on a journey. Around the world, kinda like the stories you love. I'm gonna play music in every place we go. Songs for Mom. Songs for you."
Her eyes widened, a mix of awe and fear. "But… you'll come back, right?"
Toni pulled her into a tight hug. "Always. I promise. And I'll write you all the time. Maybe even send you songs before anyone else hears them."
"Like secret songs?"
He smiled. "Exactly. You'll be the first to hear every new piece. But I need you to do something for me while I'm gone, mkay?"
She nodded, sniffling.
"Keep dreaming. Keep being brave. Mom always said you were the strongest person she knew — even stronger than me."
Emi pulled back just enough to look at him. "Mkay. But only if you don't forget me."
Toni gently tapped her forehead with his own. "Not in a million years. You're the beat of every song I play."
He handed her a small, hand-folded paper crane from his pocket — her favorite animal, made from sheet music. "Keep this. When you miss me, just hold it and listen. I bet you'll hear me playing."
She took it with trembling fingers, holding it to her chest.
"I love you, Emi."
"I love you more, Toni."
He stood slowly, the weight of goodbye pressing against him. But this time, it didn't crush — it carried him.
As he turned to leave, he heard her voice behind him, small but sure.
"Make the whole world sing, big brother."
Toni stopped in the doorway, tears in his eyes, and smiled.
"I will."
Returning to the inn Toni sighs before facing everyone. Opening up the door with a smile. "I'm ready."
Leaving from the town Toni looks back. "Wow, i've never left the barrier before."
Dante smiles, "I know the feeling, I left home for the first time a few weeks ago, and it's still hard getting used to it." He mentions.
Hours in the sun finally end with them leaving the desert. Dante falls to the ground. "Finally!"
Nanami sighs too. "We're getting close to Arsaw then, i think we should set up camp." She says before inspecting Toni. "Our party's predicament has not improved at all, we have a support, but he can't cast any healing artes." Nanami says.
Rika groans. "You're still on that?!"
Dante flipped open his planner. Jotting Toni down in the scheduled chores. "Can you hunt at all Toni?"
Toni shook his head, "not at all friend!" He happily responds.
Rika tossed her bag onto the ground with a carefree grin, stretching her arms above her head. "Who cares? I've got the easy job today!" she chimed, her voice light and teasing.
Kaito, ever the optimist, smiled warmly at the growing camaraderie among the group. With Toni joining them, he felt happy. "I'll head out to hunt," he said, his tone filled with quiet enthusiasm. "With Toni here, I want to make an extra special meal to celebrate."
Toni nodded appreciatively, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. "Thanks, friend! I'll help set up the tents with Dante," he offered, eager to contribute.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group worked in harmonious synchrony. Dante and Toni secured the tents, their movements efficient and practiced. Nanami and Rika gathered firewood, their laughter echoing through the trees as they exchanged playful banter. Kaito returned with his catch, a satisfied smile on his face.
Around the crackling campfire, the group settled in, the warmth of the flames contrasting with the cool evening air. They shared stories, jokes, and laughter, their bonds strengthening with each passing moment. Toni complimented Kaito's cooking, savoring each bite with genuine appreciation.
Inspired by the serene atmosphere, Toni reached for his guitar, the familiar weight grounding him. He strummed a soft melody, the notes blending with the whisper of the wind and the crackle of the fire. "Good food, good music," he mused, his voice carrying the sentiment. "What better way to bond?"
Rika leaned back, her face illuminated by the firelight, eyes closed in contentment. "This is great," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
The group stood in the soft glow of early morning, bags packed, breath misting in the cool air.
Toni smiled at everyone. "So what's the goal of our journey?" he asked, stretching his arms behind his head.
Kaito smiled back. "We're stopping a war," he answered simply.
Toni nodded. "Cool," he said—then blinked. "WE'RE DOING WHAT!?" he shouted, eyes bulging.
Rika burst out laughing. "Yeah, we're wrapped up in a whole villainous plot right now. Future of the world in our hands. No big deal," she said, completely unbothered.
Toni rubbed his eyes, then smirked. "You know what? Heck yeah, sounds exciting."
Dante scratched his head. "You down that easy?"
Toni shrugged. "I have nothing better to do, friend."
BOOM!
The ground shook violently as an explosion erupted just over the ridge—flames and smoke rocketing into the sky. The shockwave hit them a second later, a loud crack echoing through the valley. Birds scattered. The trees bent with the force.
Toni blinked slowly, ash floating down like snow.
"...Is that normal?" he asked.
Rika already had her boomerang in her hand. "Nope."
Kaito narrowed his eyes toward the smoke. "What's the big deal, you're messing with our camp!?
Dante jolted. "What the heck was that!?"
He then began shaking stumbling back at the towering presence before them. "I-it's him." Dante said falling onto his back.
Kaito looked ready, his eyes locked on the man before him. Rika's leg shook as she attempted to put on a brave front. "He's here, right now it's too early!?" Rika yelled.
Nanami rummaged in her bag. "It's only a prototype, I wished to finish it at arsaw but I guess we must beat him now." She said.
In the smoke, the looming presence before them was none other, then Renji, the monster of Kuni. He has arrived at their camp.