As the first rays of the morning sun cast a golden hue over the sleepy town, Haruki and his friends gathered at their school, their hearts thrumming with anticipation. Despite the gravity of their recent discoveries, a palpable sense of excitement lingered in the air. It felt as though they stood on the precipice of something monumental, an adventure that would forever alter the course of their lives.

The school day unfolded in a blur of lessons and laughter, the usual monotony replaced by a vibrant camaraderie. Each shared glance and whispered conversation was infused with the unspoken promise of the afternoon's freedom. Finally, the bell rang, its sound a herald of liberation. The students poured out of the classrooms, but for Haruki and his friends, the real journey was just beginning.

With the school gates behind them, they made their way to Haruki’s home, their minds abuzz with the thrill of impending discovery. The familiar surroundings of Haruki's cozy house provided a comforting backdrop to their burgeoning excitement. They gathered around the ancient tome, each one eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle that would lead them to the stones.

The air was thick with anticipation as they pored over the tome's yellowed pages, their eyes scanning for any sign of the next clue. Hours seemed to slip away unnoticed until Mika’s sharp gaze fell upon a passage nestled in the corner of a page, its cryptic script barely discernible. 

"This must be it," she exclaimed, her finger tracing the faint lines of text. "It’s a riddle."

The group leaned in closer, their curiosity piqued. The riddle, read aloud, resonated with a sense of mystery and challenge:

"In a city of neon lights,  
Where dreams take flight,  
Beneath the watchful gaze,  
Of stars that never fade.  
Seek the heart of steel and stone,  
Where secrets lie, unclaimed and alone.  
In the shadows, they will find,  
The key to the celestial’s bind."

Anya's heart skipped a beat. The familiar cadence of the riddle brought a glimmer of recognition to her eyes. "Neo-Bangalore," she whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The others looked at her in surprise. "Neo-Bangalore?" Kaito echoed, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What does it mean?"

"It means we have our next destination," Haruki declared, his voice brimming with determination. "And if this riddle is anything to go by, it won’t be an easy journey."

As they continued to examine the ancient tome, the map within its pages began to glow with a mysterious light, pinpointing the exact location of the next stone. Neo-Bangalore, a city of both wonders and dangers, awaited them. To their astonishment, a name appeared alongside the location: Anya Patel, chosen protector of the Celestial Sapphire.

A surge of excitement coursed through the group, mingled with a profound sense of responsibility. Anya, in particular, felt a deep sense of duty and honor as she realized her role as the stone's chosen protector. The realization brought a newfound resolve to her heart, solidifying her commitment to their quest.

Determined to continue their journey and eager for a break from the rigors of school, the friends set out to persuade their parents to allow them to travel to Neo-Bangalore. Their pleas were infused with passion and determination, emphasizing the need for a vacation and the opportunity to explore new horizons together.

The negotiations were intense. For two days, they engaged in heartfelt discussions, presenting their case with unwavering resolve. They emphasized the educational value of the trip, the unique experiences they would gain, and the safety measures they would undertake. Finally, their parents relented, agreeing to the trip with a mixture of reluctance and pride.

With their bags packed and their hearts full of anticipation, the group prepared for their next adventure. The journey to Neo-Bangalore promised to be filled with challenges, but they were ready to face whatever lay ahead. The thrill of the unknown beckoned them forward, each step taking them closer to the truth about the stones and the destiny that awaited them.

As they boarded the train to Neo-Bangalore, the excitement was palpable. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the tracks served as a soundtrack to their thoughts, each friend lost in their own reflections and dreams. The city of Neo-Bangalore was a sprawling metropolis, known for its dazzling neon lights and futuristic architecture. It was a place where tradition and modernity coexisted in a delicate balance, a city of endless possibilities and hidden secrets.

Upon arrival, the sheer magnitude of Neo-Bangalore overwhelmed them. The city's skyline was a tapestry of vibrant colors and towering skyscrapers, each structure a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. As they navigated the bustling streets, they couldn't help but marvel at the energy that pulsed through the city, a stark contrast to the tranquil familiarity of their hometown.

Their first stop was a small, unassuming café that Haruki had read about in the tome. Nestled in a quiet alleyway, the café was renowned for its historical significance and its role as a gathering place for those in search of ancient knowledge. The group settled into a corner table, their eyes scanning the eclectic décor for any signs of the next clue.

It was Anya who noticed it first: a mural depicting the city’s rich history, its vibrant hues telling a story of resilience and hope. Hidden within the intricate design was a symbol that matched the one they had seen in the tome. With newfound determination, they approached the café’s owner, an elderly woman with a twinkle in her eye and a wealth of stories to share.

The woman, named Mrs. Patel, revealed that the mural held a deeper significance. It was said to mark the entrance to a hidden chamber beneath the city, a place where the secrets of the Celestial Sapphire were guarded. She warned them of the dangers that lay ahead, but her eyes shone with approval at their resolve.

With Mrs. Patel’s guidance, they made their way to the entrance of the hidden chamber. The path was fraught with challenges, each step requiring them to draw upon their collective strengths and ingenuity. The chamber itself was a marvel of ancient architecture, its walls adorned with cryptic symbols and forgotten lore.

At the heart of the chamber, they found a pedestal upon which rested the Celestial Sapphire. The stone glowed with an ethereal light, its deep blue hue capturing the essence of the cosmos. As Anya approached the pedestal, she felt a surge of energy, a connection that resonated deep within her soul. She knew that she had been chosen to protect the stone, and with that knowledge came a profound sense of responsibility.

But their journey was far from over. As they exited the chamber, the weight of their quest pressed upon them. They had uncovered one of the seven stones, but there were still six more to find, each one guarded by its own set of challenges and mysteries. The road ahead was long and perilous, but they faced it with unwavering determination.

Their next destination was revealed in the tome: the depths of the ocean, where Tethys’ Coral awaited them. The journey to the underwater kingdom would test their courage and ingenuity in ways they had never imagined. But for now, they allowed themselves a moment of celebration, basking in the glow of their recent victory and the bonds of friendship that had grown stronger with each passing day.

As they gathered around the ancient tome once more, they felt a renewed sense of purpose. The mysteries of the stones were slowly unraveling, and with each new discovery, they moved closer to understanding their true destiny. The path ahead was uncertain, but they knew that as long as they stood together, there was nothing they couldn't achieve.

The sun set over Neo-Bangalore, casting a golden light over the city. The seven friends stood at the edge of their next great adventure, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For they were not just on a quest for the stones; they were on a journey of self-discovery, learning about their own strengths and the power of friendship. And with each step they took, they moved closer to unlocking the secrets of the universe and the destiny that awaited them.

About Neo-Bangalore-

Neo-Bangalore, often referred to as the "City of Neon Lights," stood as a beacon of modernity and tradition intertwined. This sprawling metropolis was renowned for its dazzling skyline, where futuristic skyscrapers pierced the heavens, adorned with vibrant lights that created a mesmerizing tapestry against the night sky. Each building was a marvel of engineering, reflecting the city's ambition and its embrace of technological advancement.

Beneath the shimmering exterior, Neo-Bangalore was a city of contrasts. The bustling streets were a testament to human ingenuity, where traditional markets coexisted with cutting-edge boutiques, and ancient temples stood in harmony with sleek, contemporary architecture. The city's heartbeat was a rhythmic blend of old and new, where every corner held a story waiting to be discovered.