Bonus Chapter: Hot Springs and Hidden Talents

Exhausted but exhilarated after their encounter with Zogarad and the fragment of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, Gojo, Yuno, and Mereoleona found themselves at a hidden hot spring nestled amidst the foothills of a snow-capped mountain range.

The journey to the hot springs had been an adventure in itself. Gojo, ever the navigator (or so he claimed), got them hopelessly lost, leading them on a detour through a field of grumpy yetis and a treacherous path across a rickety rope bridge (which Gojo, to Yuno's horror, used as an opportunity to demonstrate his "superior balance" by walking across it blindfolded…while juggling flaming rocks).

Mereoleona, despite her initial grumbling, found herself strangely amused by Gojo's antics. Yuno, however, remained firmly focused on reaching their destination, his internal compass proving much more reliable than Gojo's "intuition."

Finally, after hours of detours and near-disasters, they stumbled upon the hidden hot spring. Tucked away in a secluded cave, a natural pool of steaming water emanated a gentle sulfurous scent.

Gojo, stripping down to his swimming trunks with alarming speed, declared it "paradise" and dove headfirst into the pool. Yuno, ever reserved, politely declined, opting to sit on the edge of the pool, soaking his sore muscles in the warm water while diligently taking notes on their recent encounter.

Mereoleona, after a moment of hesitation, shed her fiery cloak and waded into the water. She sat submerged up to her shoulders, a faint frown creasing her brow.

Gojo, popping his head out of the water, a mischievous grin plastered on his face, swam towards them. "Hey Mereoleona, why the long face? Don't tell me you're afraid of a little hot water?"

Mereoleona snorted. "Fear? Please. This is nothing compared to the lava baths I used to train in."

Gojo, his eyes widening in mock surprise, leaned closer. "Lava baths? Now THAT sounds like fun! We should totally do that sometime!"

Mereoleona rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile played on her lips. Yuno, glancing up from his notes, cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should focus on deciphering the information Zogarad revealed. The prophecy…the return of one who wields infinity…"

The conversation turned serious, filled with speculation and theories about the prophecy and the coming darkness. Despite their individual approaches – Gojo's flippant bravado, Yuno's analytical mind, and Mereoleona's fierce determination – they began to form a cohesive plan, their shared experiences solidifying their unlikely bond.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cavern, a comfortable silence settled between them. Yuno, seemingly lost in thought, dipped a finger into the steaming water. An idea sparked in his eyes.

"Actually," he said, a hint of a smirk replacing his usual stoic expression, "I may have a way to test this 'infinity' theory."

Gojo and Mereoleona raised their eyebrows in unison, a flicker of curiosity replacing their seriousness. Yuno, with a mischievous glint mirroring Gojo's, proceeded to demonstrate a newly developed wind magic technique – one that manipulated the water molecules in the hot spring, creating a miniature replica of the night sky above.

Gojo's jaw dropped, his eyes wide with awe. Mereoleona, a rare smile gracing her lips, chuckled. "Well, well, Yuno. Seems you have a hidden talent for creating celestial light shows."

The night wore on, filled with laughter and playful banter. They shared stories from their past, their vulnerabilities peeking through their usual facades. In that moment, beneath the starlit sky reflected in the hot spring, they were not just a powerful mage, a stoic swordsman, and a blindfolded sorcerer. They were a team, bound by a shared purpose and an unlikely friendship, ready to face whatever darkness awaited them.