Back at the hotel, Yeh Yao stood by the window, watching Moscow's snow-blanketed skyline glitter under golden lights like stars on a white plain.

"Thinking again?" Alicia's voice came from behind—their now-customary nightly ritual.

"About our journey," Yeh Yao replied. "From Malaysia to Hawaii, Yunnan, London, now Moscow. We've circled half the globe to gather everyone."

Alicia joined him at the window. "An incredible journey, isn't it? Weeks ago, we were just students. Now we bear the world's fate."

"Sometimes I wonder," Yeh Yao murmured, "why us? Of billions, why did the Weapons choose us five?"

Alicia considered this. "Perhaps because we're ordinary enough to do extraordinary things. Different backgrounds, skills, but all willing to sacrifice. Maybe that's what the Weapons seek."

Yeh Yao smiled. "You always see the best in things. One of the countless reasons I..." He trailed off, the unspoken words hanging between them.

Alicia's eyes softened. She took his hand. "We've always been together. That won't change."

They stood quietly as distant church bells tolled, their chimes blessing this extraordinary odyssey.

The next morning, Kristina arrived with luggage and official leave papers.

"My commander thinks I'm on an international counterterrorism op," she explained wryly. "Not entirely false, given our enemy."

That day, the five wielders trained under Marcus and Alicia's guidance, learning to synergize their abilities. Each Weapon had unique traits—understanding these would be key to victory.

In a hotel conference room cleared for space, behind Marcus's energy barrier, they practiced.

"The Sword is balanced," Marcus explained as Yeh Yao demonstrated. "Offense and defense—energy slashes and shields."

"The Hammer specializes in brute force," Nasser added, hefting his golden weapon. "Shockwaves that devastate wide areas."

"The Bow excels at precision strikes," Eunice said, nocking an emerald arrow. "Projectiles that track targets across dimensions."

"The Staff manipulates energy," Michelle noted, her amethyst weapon glowing. "Augmenting allies, creating barriers, healing."

"The Gauntlets are melee perfection," Kristina concluded, flexing her golden fists. "Enhancing speed and strength while annihilating Shadow energy on contact."

Together, their Weapons created astonishing synergy. Marcus drilled them in formations—Yeh Yao and Kristina as frontline defenders; Eunice providing ranged support; Michelle enhancing and protecting; Nasser as mobile reserve.

After initial stumbles, their coordination smoothed.

"This feels... right," Yeh Yao observed post-training. "Like we've always been a team."

"The Weapons were forged to unite," Eunice said, consulting the Book. "Their bond transcends individuals."

"And we each bring unique strengths," Michelle added. "Making us greater than our parts."

"Well said," Nasser agreed. "Yeh Yao leads; Kristina strategizes; Eunice knows history; Michelle's the brains; and I... well, I bring humor and optimism!"

Laughter followed—even stoic Kristina smiled.

"I admit," she said, "I doubted this team initially. But now I see our potential. If anyone can stop this crisis, it's us."

At dinner, Marcus received new intel. His grave expression drew attention.

"We've located the primary Hellgate," he announced. "Machu Picchu, Peru. Satellite scans show massive energy vortexes there—likely the source of all Hellgates."

"Machu Picchu?" Eunice echoed. "The Inca citadel? That matches the 'Lost Garden' prophecy."

"When do we depart?" Kristina asked, already planning tactically.

"Tomorrow," Marcus said. "Private jet to Lima, then Cusco, finally Machu Picchu."

"What's the situation there?" Michelle inquired. "Shadow Creature numbers? Local awareness?"

"Complex," Marcus admitted. "The site's secretly quarantined as 'archaeological research.' But disappearances suggest heavy Shadow activity, increasing daily."

"Sounds like our first real battle as a full team," Yeh Yao said solemnly.

"We're ready," Nasser stated firmly, uncharacteristically serious. "We've found everyone, mastered our Weapons, understood the enemy. Time to fight back."

After dinner, Yeh Yao stood by his window, gazing at Moscow's lights, thoughts churning.

Tomorrow, they'd face their greatest challenge yet—countless Shadow Creatures, perhaps even the future entity itself. Danger loomed, but retreat wasn't an option.

A soft knock interrupted his reverie. Alicia stood at the door, her expression solemn.

"May I come in?" she asked quietly. "There's something I need to say."

Yeh Yao nodded, letting her enter. Alicia walked to the window, silent for a long moment.

"Tomorrow we face Machu Picchu," she finally said, voice trembling slightly. "Our greatest danger yet."

"Yes," Yeh Yao replied simply, unsure where this led.

Alicia turned, her eyes brimming with unspoken emotions. "Before we risk everything... there's something I must tell you." She took a deep breath. "Yeh Yao, we've known each other fifteen years—from kindergarten till now. You're my best friend, but also more than that."

Yeh Yao's heartbeat quickened, sensing what was coming.

"I love you," Alicia said, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "Not just as a friend, but as someone I want to spend my life with. I don't know what tomorrow brings, but I won't face it with this unspoken."

Warmth flooded Yeh Yao's chest as years of suppressed feelings finally surfaced. He stepped forward, taking her hands gently.

"I love you too, Alicia," he whispered. "Always have. Since we were children, this feeling only grew. I just... never knew how to say it, or feared changing what we had."

Tears glimmered in Alicia's eyes, but her smile outshone any light. "We've wasted so much time, haven't we?"

"But we found each other now," Yeh Yao replied, drawing her into an embrace. "Whatever tomorrow brings, at least we have this truth."

They held each other tightly—two hearts finally united amidst Moscow's night, on the eve of their greatest trial. Here, there were no Weapons, no Shadows, no world to save—just this long-awaited moment of pure connection.

At dawn, the five wielders, Marcus, and Alicia assembled for departure, faces set with determination.

"Everyone ready?" Marcus asked, scanning the group.

The wielders exchanged glances, then nodded as one. They were prepared to face their ultimate challenge, to fight for their world.

"Then," Yeh Yao said, voice steady with resolve, "to Machu Picchu we go—to the final battlefield."

They left the hotel, stepping into Moscow's morning light, embarking for Peru. This was the Gaia Expedition's last and most perilous leg. But now, they were no longer individuals—they were a united team, ready for whatever awaited.

Together, they would face, fight, and prevail.

That was the true meaning of the Gaia Expedition.