Three weeks later…
July passed slowly like aging wine. The days Missio spent with Dante and his friends had created many new memories for him. Bellum forced him to practice Sempiterne Swordsmanship every day which had further perfected his basics. Now, he only had to master Form 5 and 6. Once he mastered those, Bellum had stated that he would be ready for the advancement exam to become a saint.
Dante entered the driver's seat. He strapped himself and scanned his retina. The panel recognized his retina, unlocking the vehicle. He gripped the wheel as Bellum sat beside him. He pressed the accelerator, pushing the RV forward. Missio shut the door, locking it tightly. He sighed, turning towards the bed. He sat down alongside Victor. Victor put on his glasses as they exited the RV parking.
Dante drove onto the roads of Monterosso al Mare. He turned the corner, heading towards the main road.
"When is your flight again?" Dante asked Bellum.
"Our flight…" Bellum scrolled on his phone. "Yeah, it's like in an hour. We'll make it in time."
"Alright." Dante straightened, looking ahead.
Minutes passed in awkward silence. Behind them, Missio and Victor chatted happily about the time they had spent in Cinque Terre. Dante relaxed his body, slumping into his seat.
"Hey, Bellum." Dante called out.
"Yeah?" Bellum raised a brow, scratching his neck.
"Thanks for teaching Missio."
Bellum smiled, cracking his neck.
"Don't be. I just helped a friend. Besides, his talent is terrifying in itself but I can't even begin to imagine his potential…"
"Me too." Dante chuckled, placing the RV in self-driving. "But with your training, he's advanced quickly. If I had taught him, I don't think he would've advanced at this speed."
"You're only at the rank of a Master. He is a level above you." Bellum stated. "It was a smart decision to call me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten an actual learning experience."
A smile couldn't help but make its way onto Dante's face. He nodded at Bellum's statement. The sun blazed above them, watching them drive to Pisa like a deity.
***
Half an hour later…
The group finally arrived in the city of Pisa. Dante stopped at a red light, watching civilians pass the crossing. He turned his head backwards, calling out Victor's name.
"Victor! We're almost there."
Victor jolted up from the bed.
"I'm ready."
Dante nodded, turning towards Bellum.
"It's time, friend. Get your luggage."
Bellum smiled, glancing at Dante. He stood up, tucking his phone in his pocket. Then, he moved to the back. Dante locked his eyes on the road, firmly holding the wheel. The traffic light switched to green. He pressed the throttle, crossing the intersection. He barely avoided another vehicle, pressing his horn. After a few minutes, he approached the airport. The supreme commander braked, exhaling heavily. As the vehicle stopped, he stood up.
He spun around, noticing his friends were prepared to leave. The door flew open, and the duo stepped out. Dante halted near the door with Missio.
"Well… see you soon." Victor locked eyes with the siblings.
"See you soon too." Missio replied in a somber tone.
Bellum met Missio's gaze, snapping his fingers.
"Goodbye for now. Don't forget to practice, Missio."
"I won't." Missio crossed his arms, leaning against the door frame.
"Safe travels." Dante said as he watched the two head off.
Bellum and Victor waved at them. They stepped into the airport, disappearing into the crowd. Dante exhaled heavily, watching his friends escape his vision.
"…Let's get moving."
He headed towards the driver's seat. Missio raised his brows, locking the door. He followed his brother to the front, sitting in the passenger's seat. The RV drove forward as Missio sat down. They ran onto the streets of Pisa, heading towards their next destination. Missio leaned back, tapping his music box. A soft melody drifted through the box, relaxing Missio's mind. After a few moments of silence, he turned towards his elder brother.
"Where now?" He inquired.
Dante smirked, turning another corner. He tapped the screen, activating the GPS. He selected a location on the other side of Rome and started their journey.
"Dolomites." Dante replied, passing another intersection.
***
After a few hours…
Following ten hours of grueling travel, the brothers finally arrived at the closest city to Dolomites – Bolzano. Dante took control of the wheel, deactivating self-driving.
"Missio, wake up!" He exclaimed.
Missio jolted awake, saliva drooling down his face. He wiped his face, straightening. He lifted his head, looking at Bolzano. He saw numerous houses and buildings stationed across the vast area. However, the thing that caught his attention wasn't the city itself but what was behind it.
"Woah…" he blurted.
Beyond the cityscape, mountains and hills stood, touching the skies. Missio stared in awe at the high peaks as they passed the city center. Dante spun the wheel, making another turn. After a few minutes, they approached another designated RV parking area. Dante halted near the entrance, talking with the guard.
"Hello, good sir. I'm gonna need a spot here."
"Sure thing, kid!" The man stated excitedly. "For how long will you be staying here?"
"Like a month." Dante responded.
"I see… I see…" The man typed furiously on his computer. "Looks like we got a spot in the middle. Just tell me you method of payment."
"Can you automate it? I can give you my bank information." Dante drew his phone.
"That works. Hold on a moment."
The man went into the automated payment system software. He cracked his fingers, locking eyes with Dante.
"Now, tell me your bank account info."
Dante nodded, opening his mouth. He listed his bank's info to the man. The man's fingers flew across the keyboard, typing in Dante's info swiftly. After he typed everything in, he rechecked the information with Dante.
"Alright." The man pressed enter. "Everything is right. You said you'll be here for a month right?"
Dante nodded. "Yes."
"Okie dookie. I'll set it to the end of this month and… you can go on ahead."
Dante thanked the man, pressing the throttle. He drove into the designated RV parking, finding the empty spot in the middle. Then, he parked parallel to another RV as the sun dipped past the horizon, letting the moon rise to glory.