STONE-COLD:LONESOME ROAD

Country Roads

The storm raged on through the night, its relentless winds and torrential rain creating a cacophony that made sleep nearly impossible. Inside the abandoned farmhouse, Milo and the others huddled together, sharing whispered conversations and uneasy glances. The weather outside was more than just a storm—it felt like a harbinger of the challenges they were yet to face.

As dawn broke, the storm showed no signs of abating. The group sat around their makeshift camp, fatigue etched into their faces. Milo glanced at the window, watching the rain lash against the glass. "This storm... it doesn't feel natural," he mused aloud.

Mashiro, who had been pacing the room, paused and turned to face his son. "You're right, Milo. Something about this storm is off. We need to figure out if it's connected to an artifact."

Ranheim nodded in agreement. "Given everything we've encountered so far, it's not out of the realm of possibility that an artifact user could be behind this."

Aria, ever the strategist, was already formulating a plan. "We need to investigate. If there's an artifact user controlling the weather, they could be nearby. It's too dangerous to stay here with the storm continuing like this."

Tagarshi folded up the map they had been studying. "Let's split into two groups. One group will stay here to keep the base secure, and the other will scout the area for any signs of an artifact user."

They agreed on the plan, dividing themselves into two teams. Mashiro, Milo, and Ranheim would venture out into the storm, while Aria and Tagarshi stayed behind to guard the farmhouse and monitor their progress.

Equipped with raincoats and lanterns, the scouting team stepped into the deluge. The wind howled around them, and the rain stung their faces as they trudged through the mud and puddles. Visibility was limited, but their determination drove them forward.

Milo walked beside his father, his mind racing with thoughts of what they might encounter. "Do you think it's The Shakedown?" he asked, raising his voice to be heard over the wind.

"It's possible," Mashiro replied. "But we won't know until we find whoever is behind this storm. Stay sharp, Milo. We don't know what we're up against."

Ranheim, walking ahead with his artifact Love Dramatic at the ready, pointed toward a distant grove of trees. "That looks like a good place to start. If there's anyone out here, they might be taking shelter there."

As they approached the grove, the storm seemed to intensify. Lightning flashed overhead, illuminating the landscape in brief, blinding bursts. The trees provided some respite from the wind, but the rain continued to pour relentlessly.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows of the grove, their outline barely visible through the downpour. The group tensed, ready for anything.

"Who's there?" Mashiro called out, his voice firm.

The figure stepped forward, revealing themselves to be a man dressed in rugged, weather-worn clothes. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and he held a staff that crackled with electricity. "You shouldn't have come here," he said, his voice carrying an eerie calmness. "This storm is my doing, and it will only grow stronger."

"Who are you?" Milo demanded, his hand instinctively reaching for Two Months Off.

"I am known as Country Roads," the man replied. "And you are trespassing on my domain."

Before anyone could react, Country Roads raised his staff, and the storm responded to his command. The wind roared with renewed fury, and the rain became a torrential downpour. Lightning struck the ground around them, sending shockwaves through the earth.

Mashiro and Ranheim sprang into action, using their artifacts to shield themselves from the onslaught. "Milo, stay close!" Mashiro shouted, creating a barrier with Virtual Insanity to protect his son.

Ranheim conjured a flaming rope with Love Dramatic, lashing out at Country Roads in an attempt to disrupt his control over the storm. "We need to break his concentration!" he called out, his voice barely audible over the storm's roar.

Milo, determined to help, focused on his artifact. He could feel its power surging within him, ready to be unleashed. He concentrated, channeling the energy into a focused beam of light. "Take this!" he shouted, firing a rainbow-hued blast at Country Roads.

The beam struck the weather-controlling artifact user, momentarily breaking his concentration. The storm faltered, the wind dying down and the rain lessening in intensity.

But Country Roads was not defeated. He snarled, his eyes glowing brighter. "You think you can challenge me? This storm is my creation, and it will be your end!"

With a wave of his staff, he summoned a vortex of wind and rain, aiming it directly at the group. Mashiro and Ranheim braced themselves, ready to defend against the powerful attack.

Milo, feeling a surge of determination, stepped forward. "We won't let you win," he declared, his voice filled with resolve. He unleashed another beam from Two Months Off, this time with even greater intensity.

The beam pierced through the vortex, striking Country Roads squarely in the chest. He staggered back, the power of the artifact overwhelming him. The storm began to dissipate, the wind dying down and the rain becoming a light drizzle.

Country Roads fell to his knees, his staff slipping from his grasp. "No... this can't be," he muttered, his strength fading.

Mashiro approached him cautiously, keeping his guard up. "It's over," he said firmly. "You won't cause any more harm."

The defeated artifact user looked up at them, a mix of anger and desperation in his eyes. "You may have won this battle, but the storm is far from over. There are others who will continue what I started."

As he spoke, the storm finally subsided, leaving behind a calm, eerie silence. The group breathed a collective sigh of relief, but they knew this was just the beginning of their journey.

With Country Roads subdued, they returned to the farmhouse, where Aria and Tagarshi were waiting anxiously. "We found the source of the storm," Mashiro explained. "It was an artifact user called Country Roads. He's been neutralized, but he hinted at others who might continue his work."

Aria nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We need to keep moving. The source of the energy in the west is our priority, but we can't let our guard down."

As they prepared to continue their journey, Milo felt a newfound sense of purpose. His artifact, Two Months Off, had proven to be a powerful tool, and he was determined to use it to protect his family and uncover the truth behind the strange energy signature.

The group set off once more, their resolve stronger than ever. The road ahead was uncertain, but they were ready to face whatever challenges awaited them. Their journey to the west had only just begun, and they knew that the fate of their world depended on their success.