Finally, the sun rose on the big day. The voyagers were set to embark on their expedition, searching for answers to questions that haunted them. They stood on the precipice of the unknown, unaware of whether they would meet death or glory. Yet, they had promised themselves to give their all.

  At around 6:00 a.m., the members of the expedition team and the volunteers gathered at the harbour of the Octagon Veranda. The chancellors arrived, flanked by their private guards, their expressions a mix of pride and concern. Chancellor Bell Bostic stepped forward, ready to deliver a speech that would echo in their hearts.

  "Listen up, everyone! This is the most important mission in the history of Octagon Veranda. The future of our organization—and perhaps all of humanity—depends on your success. You are all experts in your fields, but let me be clear: we have no idea what awaits you. That’s why you were chosen to work together. The future of humankind is on the line, which is more important than any individual life. But don’t be reckless—every life is valuable. Now, go out there and crush this mission!"

  As his words hung in the air, applause erupted, mingling with the palpable tension of the moment. They shook hands with the members of the Octagon Council, feeling the weight of expectations resting heavily on their shoulders.

  Before boarding the ship, they had a few precious minutes to say goodbye to loved ones. Olivia rushed to the ship, desperate to avoid a confrontation with Elsa. Carl followed closely, the two of them finding comfort in each other's presence. But Elsa watched them with pain in her eyes, her heart aching for what lay ahead. Tara noticed this and hurried to embrace Elsa tightly.

  "Come back alive, okay?" Madam Elsa said, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes.

  "I promise, Madam," Tara replied, her own emotions surfacing.

  "Looks like Isec is your last hope," Tara joked, trying to lighten the mood. Madam Blake managed a smile through her tears, a flicker of hope amid the sorrow.

  Marcus stood apart, waiting for Tara, feeling lonely because he had no one to say goodbye to. Chancellor Jupiter approached him, offering the same encouraging words he had given to Curie. Yet, they felt more like a formal greeting than heartfelt support.

  Tara hugged Madam Elsa one last time before joining Marcus on the ship. Almost every member of the team had few people to bid farewell to, except for Melvin and Calvin, who faced the longest goodbye of all.

  Melvin first hugged Chancellor Johnson goodbye, then Madam Evens. Those embraces felt more like formalities than heartfelt farewells. Finally, she approached Chancellor Bostic, her heart swelling with mixed emotions.

  "Take care of your brother, little genius. Be safe!" Bell whispered after pulling her into a warm embrace. Melvin looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

  "I'll make you proud. You sacrificed so much for me and my stupid brother!" she murmured, a tremor in her voice that made Bell smile wistfully.

  "Your stupid brother! I agree," he replied with a gentle smile, embodying the pride of a father. Melvin smirked, but her expression quickly turned sombre.

  "I'm sorry for taking Cal away from you," she murmured, tears brimming in her eyes.

  "No, no. Let’s not talk about that now, little genius. Just be safe and take care of yourself, okay?" Bell said, his voice taking on a fatherly tone. Melvin nodded, wiping her eyes before turning to Daniel, one of Calvin’s closest friends.

  "Goodbye! Be careful!" he urged, his voice thick with emotion as he gazed into her sorrowful eyes.

  "You’re not going to cry, are you, Danni?" she teased, attempting to mask her emotions with a playful smile. Among her three brothers, she shared a special bond with Daniel, a protective spirit who always knew how to lift her mood. Although Calvin was her real brother, she considered Daniel and Maxwell her brothers, too. They all took care of her as if she were their own sister for the past seven years.

  "Does it look like I’m smiling, little dimples?" Daniel shot back, playfully pointing to the dimples on her cheek. Melvin struggled to maintain her composure, forcing another smile.

  "Please come back alive, and take care of your stupid brother too," he said, pulling her into one last embrace. Melvin kissed his cheek softly, the warmth of friendship lingering between them.

  Maxwell, the other adopted son of Bell Bostic, observed their exchange with a teasing smile, amused by Daniel’s evident concern for Melvin. Maxwell teasingly pointed his eyes at Daniel and Bell nodded at Maxwell smiling in acknowledgement.

  "I’ll come back to annoy you and Max, don’t worry," Melvin joked, a light in her eyes as she tried to ease the tension that enveloped them.

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  Then she turned to Maxwell, her heart racing with affection. "Be careful, little firecracker," Maxwell said as Melvin leapt into his arms. His familiar warmth wrapped around her like a protective shield.

  "Goodbye, bro!" Melvin whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

  "Goodbye. I’m sure you and Cal will come back with glory," he assured her, a gleam of confidence in his eyes. Melvin smiled, feeling a surge of hope as she walked toward the ship, her heart both heavy and resolute.

  As she stepped away, Calvin approached.

  "That last hug was meant to hurt me," Calvin whispered to Maxwell, a playful smile masking the ache in his heart.

  "I know," Maxwell replied, pulling Calvin into a warm embrace, holding him so tightly that it felt like he might squeeze the breath from him. In that moment, Calvin felt the weight of their bond—a connection forged in shared struggles and unconditional love.

  "I'll be back even before you realize I'm gone, big bro," Calvin whispered, his voice steady but laced with emotion as he clung to Maxwell.

  "Be careful, little monkey. Don’t do anything reckless, please! Remember, we are leaving to meet again," Maxwell’s voice trembled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, reflecting the depth of his worry.

  "We are leaving to meet again, someway, somehow," Calvin replied, his voice cracking as he fought back tears. He turned toward Daniel, but Maxwell gently grasped his shoulder, turning him back.

  "You don’t mind the rude things I said to you last night, do you?" Maxwell asked, struggling to maintain his composure. He couldn’t let go of his brother while feeling the weight of their shared pain.

  Calvin nodded, his heart aching. "I don’t mind," he whispered, sensing the unspoken struggles that lay between them. Maxwell’s eyes searched his face, looking for reassurance, for a sign that everything would be okay.

  Calvin knew how much Maxwell cared for him. He had always been a steadfast brother, shielding him in difficult times and serving as his rock. Maxwell was aware of Calvin’s darkest secrets—the ones he could never share with Bell. He had borne the brunt of the consequences for Calvin more times than he could count. Their bond was platonic and pure, as untainted as fresh snow.

  Maxwell finally nodded, giving Calvin’s back a reassuring pat before he turned to Daniel, wrapping him in an embrace.

  "Be careful. Don’t do stupid things like you always do," Daniel said, a sad smile on his face, the weight of their friendship heavy in the air.

  "Okay, Danni," Calvin joked lightly, trying to lift the mood despite the gravity of the moment.

  Then Calvin turned to Bell Bostic, his teacher and adopted father. Bell met his gaze, and the sorrow in his eyes struck Calvin like a bolt of lightning.

  "Calvin," Bell said softly, his voice thick with emotion,

  "you mean everything to me. I wish I could protect you from this. Cal, I did everything to be a good father to you. I don't know what I missed," Bell said, his voice thick with emotion. Calvin looked at him with an apologetic gaze, his heart dropping. No, no, no! How could he think this was his fault?

  "You didn't miss anything. You were the best," Calvin replied, his voice trembling as tears threatened to spill.

  "Then why do you hurt me like this?" Bell asked softly, his pleading brown eyes making Calvin feel utterly helpless. Why, Bell? Why make this even harder for your boy?

  "I'm sorry. It's my sister. Bell, I... I..." Calvin struggled to find the words, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. Bell said nothing but pulled him into a tight embrace, squeezing him as if to shield him from the world. That single hug conveyed so much that words failed to express.

  "I'm sorry," Calvin whispered, resting his head on Bell's shoulder. A large tear rolled down his left cheek. He recalled all the times he had lain his head there, crying and sobbing, knowing that Bell's shoulder was meant to absorb all his tears and fears. He had always found protection and love under Bell's wings.

  "I understand. Come back alive, please, little one," Bell's voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes glistening with tears. Oh my gosh! The famously stoic Chancellor of the Octagon Council shed a tear in public—this was a moment to remember. He hugged Calvin with all his might, trying to convey emotions that words could never capture.

  "I will," Calvin promised softly, turning away from his teacher and starting to walk toward the ship, wiping his eyes. Bell waved Calvin the goodbye he never wanted to give, as Calvin boarded the vessel.

  "What an emotional goodbye," Olivia whispered to Tara, her gaze fixed on the poignant scene unfolding at the dock.

  "That's ridiculous. Why would he even let go of his son if he wanted to stop him? He’s a Chancellor; I've heard Calvin obey Bell no matter what, you know military people, he could have intervened," Tara remarked, leaning over the silver railing of the ship.

  "That's called 'Chancellor's caring drama to look human,'" Olivia replied, her tone laced with disdain. Melvin, who had just arrived, overheard this and angrily pushed Olivia away from the railing, grabbing her shoulder.

  "You better not talk dirt about Bell!" Melvin spat, her eyes blazing with fury.

  "What’s wrong with you?" Olivia retorted, surprised.

  Tara, sensing the rising tension, chimed in, "What’s with the hostility?"

  Melvin turned to them, her cheeks flushed with anger. "Maybe Madam Blake is a useless actress pretending to be kind, but Bell is nothing like her. Don’t speak ill of my brother or family!" With that, she stormed away, leaving Olivia and Tara in stunned silence.

  Olivia, seething with anger, prepared to retaliate but Tara grabbed her arm. "No, Liv. She’s just upset. Maybe she doesn’t know about your fighting skills. Save that energy!" Tara urged, knowing Olivia’s prowess in self-defence. Olivia had learned to fight at ten after being bullied for being smart and the daughter of Madam Elsa. She had a reputation for standing her ground, often breaking the noses of those who dared mock her.

  Melvin didn’t wait around to hear more. She was already gone by the time Olivia turned back, searching for her over Tara’s shoulder.

  Once everyone had boarded the ship, the Octagon Council gathered to say goodbye in their traditional way.

  "We are leaving to meet again."

  The members of the expedition team replied in unison, their voices strong and resolute.

  "We are leaving to meet again, someday, somehow."

  As Calvin set sail, he felt the weight of the world behind him, steering away from Octagon Veranda and into the unknown, his heart filled with a mix of hope and dread.