The Kingdom of Radiance, a land where the sunlight never seemed to fade. Morning rays spilled over rooftops and cobblestone streets, bathing the capital in a golden glow. The air hummed with life and laughter. Merchants shouted cheerfully from their stalls, children darted between crowded pathways, and the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted fruit filled the air. The marketplace was a sea of color. Banners of red and gold fluttered from every building, announcing the upcoming Summer Festival, the grandest celebration of the year. Stalls overflowed with spices, jewelry, and exotic fabrics from distant lands, silks that shimmered like starlight, perfumes that lingered sweetly in the air. A band of street performers drew a crowd, their flutes and drums echoing through the square as dancers spun with ribbons of light. Above it all, the great towers of Radiance gleamed, white stone spires capped in gold, stretching toward the sky like lighthouses of peace. The streets were alive with promise, and for a moment, it felt as though nothing could ever disturb it. And yet, beneath all the laughter and light there was a whisper. A single, trembling voice cutting through the noise. At the far end of the market square, a man in tattered robes stood upon a stone crate, his face hidden beneath a hood. His voice was raw, desperate but strong enough to silence a crowd. “The time of the Goddess draws near!” he cried, his tone trembling between awe and madness. “For thousands of years she has slept beneath the veil, watching as this world rots in its false peace! But her awakening is nigh and when she rises, so too shall the truth!” The crowd’s laughter died. Conversations faltered. Shoppers froze where they stood, exchanging uneasy glances. Mothers pulled their children closer. The man spread his arms wide, his sleeves flaring like dark wings. “You’ve grown soft under this kingdom’s light! Complacent! Blind! The Goddess will cleanse the filth of this age! The rivers will run red once more, and only those who embrace her will survive the coming dusk!” Gasps rippled through the onlookers. Someone muttered under their breath the word spreading like wildfire through the crowd. “Witch cultist.” It wasn’t the first time that name had been whispered in Radiance. The Witch Cultists, a fanatical sect that worshipped the supposed “Goddess of Rebirth,” though most called her the Great Witch. They believed she would return one day to plunge the world into chaos, a “divine cleansing,” as they called it. And though the royal guards had spent years hunting them, their voices still echoed now and then, always at the edges of peace. The cultist continued, his voice rising to a fever pitch. “This world is stagnant! Too peaceful! The light has dulled your eyes! When the Goddess returns, she will burn this false paradise to ash, and from that ash-” “Enough!” Two Radiance Knights pushed through the crowd, their golden armor gleaming in the sunlight. The emblem of the sun blazed across their chests. One of them stepped forward, voice stern but measured. “Citizen,” the knight said, “you’re disturbing the peace. Cease this nonsense and leave at once.” The cultist turned toward them, the hood slipping slightly to reveal eyes wild with fervor. “Nonsense? You will see her light soon, fool! You will all see-” The knight raised a hand. “This is your last warning.” But the man didn’t stop. His tone grew louder, more frenzied. “Her shadow is already cast upon your kingdom! You think your walls will protect you? You think your king can stand against the divine?” A woman in the crowd cried out, clutching her child. “Someone stop him!” The second knight stepped forward, gripping his blade’s hilt. “You’ve said enough. Surrender peacefully.” The cultist’s voice cracked into a laugh, hollow, mad. “You can’t silence prophecy!” He lunged forward suddenly, his tattered sleeve whipping through the air as if to strike. The knights moved instantly, the first grabbing his arm, the second forcing him to the ground. The man struggled violently, screaming words that made no sense. “The dawn is the lie! The darkness remembers! The Goddess-!” “Restrain him!” the first knight ordered. They bound his wrists and hauled him to his feet as the crowd slowly backed away, murmuring in fear. The market, once vibrant and full of light, had fallen silent. Even as they dragged him off, the cultist was still laughing. “You can chain my body, but not the truth! The world will wake soon and she will rise again!” His words echoed down the street long after he was gone. No one spoke for several moments. Then, slowly, the chatter resumed quieter, more uncertain. The music started up again, but it didn’t sound as bright as before. From above, the bells of Radiance tolled across the city deep and resonant, a sound meant to symbolize peace. But this time, the chime felt different. As if it was warning them. The light still shone over the kingdom… but shadows were beginning to move beneath it. Shunjiro Tenzai, Yoshinori Raikawa, Itsuki Nozomi, and Tetsuo Shinseki stood gathered near the fountain square. Shunjiro leaned against the stone edge, arms folded, a grin tugging at his lips. “Alright, team,” he said proudly. “First order of business, we need a base of operations.” Tetsuo tilted his head. “Base of operations? You mean like… a secret fortress?” Shunjiro laughed. “Not exactly. I mean somewhere we can live and plan. A place for our guild.” Itsuki smiled warmly. “That actually sounds nice. I heard there are guild dorms around the kingdom, most guilds that stay close to Radiance rent them out. It’s like a shared home.” Shunjiro’s eyes lit up. “Perfect! That’s exactly what I’m talking about!” Yoshinori crossed his arms. “There’s just one problem.” Shunjiro blinked. “What’s that?” “We’re broke.” The word dropped like a rock. Tetsuo scratched his head. “He’s got a point.” Shunjiro’s grin didn’t falter. “Yeah, but we have something better than money.” Yoshinori raised a brow. “Please don’t say enthusiasm.” “Connections,” Shunjiro said proudly. “We ask Kaito. If anyone can pull a few strings for us, it’s him.” Itsuki giggled. “You mean bribe him with compliments until he gives in?” “Exactly,” Shunjiro said without hesitation. “We’ll tell him we’ll pay him back once we start getting quests.” Tetsuo punched his fist into his palm. “I like this plan. Free housing and missions. You’re thinking like a real leader!” Yoshinori sighed. “You mean like a freeloader.” Tetsuo frowned. “Hey, shut it. Not all of us were born with an aura of sophistication.” “Some of us weren’t born with impulse control either,” Yoshinori muttered, earning a laugh from Itsuki. Shunjiro cleared his throat, pretending to be serious. “Okay, enough fighting. We’ve got bigger things to discuss. Namely…” He paused dramatically. “Our guild name.” All eyes turned to him. Shunjiro grinned, clearly enjoying the suspense. “I’ve decided.” Tetsuo leaned in. “Lay it on us.” “I’m calling it…” Shunjiro took a deep breath, his voice full of pride. “Illumina.” The group blinked in unison. Itsuki tilted her head. “Illumina?” Yoshinori raised an eyebrow. “You mean the book? The one full of-” he gestured vaguely, “-scribbles?” “Exactly,” Shunjiro said, smiling wider. “It’s a name with mystery. And light. It sounds like hope.” Yoshinori looked unimpressed. “You’re naming our guild after a book that has no readable words in it.” “There were words,” Shunjiro shot back. “You just couldn’t see them because your spiritual energy’s too weak.” Yoshinori’s eyes narrowed. “Riiight. That’s definitely how languages work.” Itsuki giggled, her eyes soft. “I actually love it. Illumina… it has a beautiful ring to it.” “Yeah!” Tetsuo agreed. “Sounds like something legendary. Like ‘The Guild of Light!’”  Yoshinori sighed, but a small smirk tugged at his lips. “It’s still better than The Strongest Guild.” Tetsuo gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “How dare you! That name had power!” “It had stupidity,” Yoshinori corrected calmly. Itsuki laughed, covering her mouth. “I think Illumina suits us perfectly. It feels… right.” Shunjiro smiled proudly, glancing around at the others. “Then it’s settled. We’re officially the Illumina Guild.” Yoshinori adjusted his gloves, shaking his head. “Well, if nothing else, it’s unique.” Tetsuo grinned. “Unique and awesome.” Itsuki nodded. “And full of light.” “Exactly,” Shunjiro said, clapping his hands together. “Now let’s go tell Kaito and maybe convince him to lend us a dorm room before we starve.” And with that, the four of them began their walk through the bustling streets of Radiance, the sun shining bright above. The Radiance Castle was as massive and dazzling as ever, sunlight glinting off every white stone, golden spire, and glass-paneled corridor. Servants and guards moved briskly through the halls, their armor shining like polished mirrors. Shunjiro, Yoshinori, Itsuki, and Tetsuo walked side by side, trying to remember which turn led to Kaito Ishiro’s office. “Was it this way?” Shunjiro asked, glancing down a corridor. “No, no, I’m pretty sure it was to the right,” Tetsuo said confidently, marching in the complete opposite direction. Itsuki looked between the two, sighing softly. “You both said something different.” Shunjiro shrugged. “We’ll just check both. We’ll find it eventually.” “You mean get lost eventually,” Yoshinori muttered. “It’s this way.” The other three turned. Yoshinori was already walking down the correct hall with that calm, effortless stride of his. “Are you sure?” Tetsuo called. “I remember the smell of burnt paper and ego,” Yoshinori replied dryly. “That’s definitely Kaito’s office.” Shunjiro laughed. “You’ve got a good memory.” “I had to,” Yoshinori said, glancing back. “You two couldn’t navigate your way out of a broom closet.” They followed him through a long corridor lined with portraits of past heroes. The air grew quieter the deeper they went, until they finally reached a familiar door engraved with gold letters: “Kaito Ishiro – Gilded Blades.” The door was slightly ajar. Tetsuo peered in first. “Hey… he’s not here.” Itsuki frowned. “That’s strange.” Tetsuo grinned mischievously. “Or it’s an opportunity.” Shunjiro blinked. “What?” “Come on!” Tetsuo whispered. “Think about it! What if there’s something in here about Takeshi? Old records, missions, anything!” Shunjiro hesitated. The mention of Takeshi made his chest tighten. “You really think Kaito keeps that kind of stuff lying around?” “Only one way to find out.” Tetsuo stepped inside before anyone could stop him, scanning the room with the curiosity of a kid in a candy shop. The office was just as they remembered: neat and organized, sunlight streaming through the window behind the desk. The cracked katana still hung proudly on the wall, and the painting of the sun and moon glowed faintly under the light, two halves meeting in perfect balance. “Tetsuo, we shouldn’t,” Itsuki said gently but firmly. “We’d be breaking Kaito’s trust.” “He left the door unlocked,” Tetsuo argued. “That’s basically an invitation.” Yoshinori gave a humorless chuckle. “Sure. An invitation to his wrath.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “I’m not getting involved in this. If he catches you two snooping, don’t look at me when he decides who to vaporize first.” Itsuki’s voice softened. “Besides… if the door’s unlocked, that probably means he’s nearby.” Yoshinori nodded in agreement. “Good point. You two should probably stop touching things.” “Who’s touching things?” Tetsuo said innocently right before opening a drawer. “Tetsuo.” “Right, sorry.” He closed it quickly. Meanwhile, Shunjiro’s gaze had drifted to the wall. His eyes landed on the cracked sword, the one Kaito never mentioned. The weapon was perfectly polished despite the fracture running along the blade. For a moment, Shunjiro could almost picture Kaito standing there years ago, before the legend, before the title of “Hero of Radiance.” What kind of battles had that sword seen? And why had Kaito reacted the way he did when he’d mentioned Takeshi? Something about it didn’t sit right. He was lost in thought when a voice spoke behind him. “Seems you guys have gotten comfortable.” The group froze. Standing in the doorway was Kaito Ishiro, leaning casually against the frame, arms folded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Itsuki turned first, startled. “K-Kaito! We were just-” “-about to get caught,” Yoshinori finished under his breath. Kaito walked in, every step deliberate. His cloak shifted slightly with the motion, the faint glint of his katana visible at his side. He dropped into his chair and rested his elbows on the desk, eyes flicking between them. “So,” he said evenly, “what exactly did you break into my office for?” “The door was unlocked!” Shunjiro said quickly. Kaito arched a brow. “And that means you just walk in anyway?” Shunjiro chuckled nervously. “…I guess?” Kaito stared for a long moment then suddenly burst out laughing. “Relax, kid. I’m just messing with you.” Tetsuo exhaled in relief. “Man, I thought I was about to be turned into dust.” “Not today,” Kaito said, grinning. “Now, what can I do for Radiance’s newest guild?” Shunjiro brightened. “Actually, that’s exactly why we’re here! We wanted to tell you our new guild name.” Kaito leaned back, intrigued. “Oh? You finally decided? Don’t tell me it’s The Strongest Guild.” Tetsuo crossed his arms, muttering, “Still a good name…” Shunjiro grinned. “No, we went with something better. We’re calling ourselves Illumina.” Kaito blinked and for a fraction of a second, something changed in his expression. Surprise, maybe even recognition. Then it softened into a small, approving smile. “…Illumina,” he repeated quietly. “That’s an interesting choice.” “You like it?” Itsuki asked. “I do,” Kaito said. “It fits. Light, unity, Radiance, it suits this kingdom well.” Shunjiro smiled proudly. “Thanks! It felt right.” Yoshinori smirked. “You mean it sounded cool.” “Same thing,” Shunjiro said. Kaito chuckled, then folded his hands on the desk. “So you’ve got a name, a team, and hopefully a plan. What’s next?” Shunjiro’s grin returned. “That’s actually why we came. We want to take on our first mission.” Kaito’s eyes glimmered with amusement. “Straight to business, huh? Not even a breakfast celebration?” “We’ll celebrate after we survive it,” Yoshinori said dryly. Tetsuo nodded. “Yeah! We’re ready for something big.” Kaito leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment. “Alright… I might have something for you.” He rifled through a few documents on his desk before pulling one out. “Here, a C-rank dungeon raid. Perfect for testing your coordination and teamwork.” Shunjiro took the paper eagerly. “Dungeon raid? Like the one Akira’s group did?” “Exactly,” Kaito said. “Not too dangerous, but not too easy either. Enough to show me how you function as a real guild.” Itsuki’s smile faltered slightly. “C-rank already? Isn’t that a little high for our first?” Kaito’s tone softened. “Maybe. But I’ve seen you four. You’ve got good instincts. Just don’t get careless.” Shunjiro nodded. “We won’t.” Kaito rose from his chair, stretching his arms. “Good. I’ll arrange a carriage for you to Dungeon Valley. When you arrive, meet with an official named Cal, he’ll brief you on the mission.” He smirked. “Try not to burn anything down before you get there.” Tetsuo grinned. “No promises!” Yoshinori sighed. “I already regret this.” Itsuki giggled. “You’ll survive.” Shunjiro folded the mission paper and tucked it safely away. “Thanks, Kaito. We’ll make you proud.” Kaito smiled faintly, though his eyes lingered on Shunjiro for a heartbeat too long. “I don’t doubt it.” The sun hung high above the marble walls of Radiance, bathing the courtyard in golden light. The sound of hooves, chatter, and rustling bags filled the air as the newly formed Guild Illumina stood before a sleek black carriage adorned with the kingdom’s insignia. The horses stamped restlessly, their reins glimmering faintly with energy. Shunjiro stood before the carriage with a proud grin, hands on his hips. “Alright, team. This is it, our first official mission as Illumina.” Tetsuo threw his bag onto the back of the carriage and grinned. “Man, I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. Our own mission! I feel like a real adventurer.” “You are a real adventurer,” Itsuki said softly, tightening the strap of her staff across her back. “We all are now.” Yoshinori adjusted his gloves, his expression calm as ever. “Let’s just not get ahead of ourselves. We don’t even know what kind of dungeon it is yet.” Shunjiro smirked. “C’mon, where’s your sense of adventure?” “Right next to my sense of self-preservation,” Yoshinori replied dryly. Itsuki laughed quietly. “He’s not wrong. C-rank dungeons can still be dangerous.” Tetsuo stretched, rolling his shoulders. “Yeah, but that’s the fun part. I’ve been itching for a good fight.” Yoshinori gave him a side-eye. “And that’s why you’re going to get us killed one day.” “Not if you cover me with your lightning,” Tetsuo countered with a grin. “Actually…” Shunjiro cut in, crossing his arms with mock authority. “That brings me to something I wanted to talk about: improvement.” The others blinked at him. “Improvement?” Tetsuo repeated. “What are we, in a classroom again?” Shunjiro ignored the jab and began pacing dramatically. “We’re going into a dungeon. Our first mission as a team. If we want to survive and get stronger, we’ve gotta work on our weaknesses.” Itsuki smiled proudly. “That’s… actually a great idea, Shunjiro.” “Of course it is,” he said, puffing his chest a little. Yoshinori’s tone was calm but thoughtful. “If we’re talking improvement… I already know what I need to work on.” Shunjiro looked over. “Oh yeah?” Yoshinori nodded. “I rely on my lightning too much. It’s powerful, but it burns through my stamina fast. If I keep that up in a long fight, I’ll be useless halfway through.” Tetsuo tilted his head. “So, what’s the plan?” “Learn to pace myself,” Yoshinori replied. “Use my lightning sparingly and work on my close combat instead. If I can hold my own without relying on my ability, I’ll last longer in battle.” Itsuki smiled approvingly. “That’s really smart. It’s good to have balance.” Shunjiro nodded, impressed. “That’s actually really solid thinking, Yoshinori.” Yoshinori gave a faint shrug. “I try.” “Good,” Shunjiro said, turning next to Itsuki. “You-” Itsuki blinked. “Me?” “You’re amazing at healing, but…” He hesitated, trying to phrase it kindly. “You don’t always have to heal right away. Sometimes you need to wait for the right moment. And maybe… work on fighting a bit more too.” Itsuki tilted her head thoughtfully, her ocean-blue eyes calm. “That makes sense. I do tend to overuse my energy when people get hurt. I’ll try to trust my instincts more… and get better with my staff.” Tetsuo grinned. “Yeah! You should smack a ghoul with it next time.” Itsuki giggled. “Maybe I will.” Shunjiro turned to Tetsuo. “You’re next.” Tetsuo groaned. “Do I really need to work on anything? I’m already perfect.” Yoshinori muttered, “You’re perfectly loud.” Shunjiro smirked. “You’re strong, Tetsuo, but strength isn’t everything. You need to learn to be more flexible and quieter. If we’re sneaking through a dungeon, we can’t have you stomping like an earthquake every five seconds.” Tetsuo crossed his arms. “Sneaky, huh? I can do sneaky. Just watch.” Itsuki giggled behind her hand. “We’ll work on stealth together.” Tetsuo brightened. “Deal.” Shunjiro paused, then felt their eyes shift toward him. “Alright, leader,” Yoshinori said, tone teasing. “Your turn. What about you?” Shunjiro rubbed the back of his neck. “Me? Uh, I guess… I need to work on controlling the flow of my spiritual energy.” “Guess?” Yoshinori smirked slightly. “You either have a ton of energy or none at all.” Shunjiro let out a groan, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, tell me about it. I’ve felt the power before, I know it’s there, but I can never hold onto it. It either fades out instantly or blows up in my face, then disappears right after. I can’t stay consistent.” Itsuki gave him a reassuring smile. “That just means you’re getting closer. Once you figure out that balance, you’ll have full control.” Shunjiro nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. “Yeah… I just have to keep trying.” Itsuki smiled gently. “You’ll get there. You’ve already come a long way, Shunjiro.” He looked at her and smiled back. “Thanks. I’ll do my best.” Tetsuo slapped him on the back. “We all will. By the time we come back, we’ll be unstoppable!” “Or slightly less reckless,” Yoshinori muttered. Shunjiro laughed. “That’s the spirit. Alright, everyone, grab your gear, let’s move out.” They climbed into the carriage one by one. The driver tipped his hat. “Destination?” “Dungeon Valley,” Shunjiro said, excitement threading his voice. The driver nodded and flicked the reins. The horses neighed and started forward, the carriage wheels clattering over the stone path. Through the window, Radiance began to shrink behind them the towers gleaming like a promise of home. Inside, the four sat together. Tetsuo humming, Itsuki watching the horizon, Yoshinori reading a small book, and Shunjiro staring at his hands, feeling the faint hum of energy beneath his skin. He closed his eyes and smiled faintly. “This time,” he thought, “I’ll control it.” The carriage rolled onward through the golden fields, the wind sweeping through their hair as the Kingdom of Radiance faded into the distance and ahead of them, the shadows of Dungeon Valley awaited.