It all started as an innocent misunderstanding. Their neighbor had been out in the yard, wrestling with a tangled garden hose, when Barley screeched Guinevere to a stop in front of their house. Ian had barely finished arguing that they didn’t have time for distractions before Barley was out of the van, practically bounding toward the unsuspecting neighbor.

“Barley, no!” Ian shouted, scrambling after him, but it was too late. Barley was already delivering his impassioned speech about magic, quests, and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

The neighbor, still holding the hose, looked skeptical but curious. “So, let me get this straight. You’re on some kind of magical treasure hunt?”

“Exactly!” Barley exclaimed, ignoring Ian’s panicked protests.

“You’re joking, right?” they asked, an amused smile tugging at their lips.

“Totally serious,” Barley replied with a grin.

Ian stepped in, his face burning with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry about him. He’s… really into this stuff. You don’t have to—”

“I’ll come,” the neighbor interrupted, clearly entertained. “Sounds like fun.”

Before Ian could clarify or stop them, Barley was already ushering them into Guinevere like they were a new party member in his favorite role-playing game. Ian, too stunned to argue, slumped into his seat and watched helplessly as their neighbor, now thoroughly intrigued, joined them for what they still believed was just an elaborate joke.

Now, in the back of the van, Ian is frantically trying to explain the truth. His face is red, his hands are shaking, and his voice is barely holding steady.

“Okay, so, um… here’s the thing,” he begins, clutching the spellbook tightly. “This isn’t a joke. It’s real. All of it. The magic, the quest, the Phoenix Gem—it’s all real.”