Prepare for departure.

Niki dons her armour, Eva pulls up her stockings, and Amara straightens her cap. Armed and ready, you join them wearing a hardy suit of your own, giving the belt that holds your magic blade one final tightening pull. Soon you're joined by the dryad Peony who dresses the same as always, which is to say not anything at all, and behind her is the ninja-clad Snow. Alice wears a rather modest outfit as usual, though is just as cute--her missing ear hidden behind the curtain of hair. The cute witch Vivi is ready as well. Delphi flutters by your head wearing her bold black dress before stopping to hover nearby like a twisted dark Navi ready for fun, and it isn't much longer before you see Bek, Linzeri, Fang, Mina, and Rose as well. Lalarin, or should you say Rabbit's Foot, is wearing her emerald green spandex and eye mask as well. Stax and Lynx appear next, and then Sen-nu. Dajy is the last to arrive before a longer gap of time, and then at last, you spot Nyllia escorting Yin, Laira, and Luna towards the group.

While the templar appears the same, and Yin likely refused to wear anything that wasn't maid attire, Laira and Luna do not. They haven't exactly been the type to venture out in the past, but your lovely winged seamstress has made sure they're both dressed and ready.

As captivating as it is to see her wear nothing but overalls, Laira is still smoking as she appears in an excellent recreation of an Earth-made pair of dark blue denim trousers into tall boots. A tiny white top is held behind a plaid red and black blouse, tied high up her midriff in a knot beneath her bust, showing off her entire stomach and a generous amount of cleavage as well. A cap sits comfortably on her head, which is a similar style to that of a cowboy's hat. Despite the season, the sun is shining bright, and she shields her eyes as she tips up her brim to see you with a smile on her face.

Luna, while still wears a dress, has made one specifically for the ease of travel. The stark black fabric fades gradually to sparkling blue with a strap only over one shoulder. It's cut to show the entirety of her left leg, though beneath it is a pair of dark shorts. Somehow, she looks about ready to attend a fancy ball, yet also just as prepared to throw down if necessary. You don't know exactly what this moth is capable of in a scrap, though her kin are cursed to be rather fragile. Her confidence is another matter.

Meanwhile, the other half of Castle Phoenix waves you off. Everybody knows what must be done. That being said, the uncertainty is still unsettling. You could have just denied attendance, but you don't feel afraid of what Elok could do, and you know you need to learn more. You can't let him win. If he tries anything funny, you'll shut him right back down. Either way, you're not going to Bunny Hop every single person here a few at a time just to arrive at a location you could all travel to on foot without being late, so say your goodbyes one more time before you pass through the gates, and begin your journey down the mountain path. It'll take a few days, but much of the trip will be straight along the main road. Will it look suspicious to have such a group of people marching together? Certainly. Do you care? Not at all. This so-called festival seems to be known by others anyway.

The sun rises above the horizon, and the connecting web between you and those who march alongside you nearly feels tangible enough to touch.