And so the day came when Engi had to leave. She had made her choice and her parents accepted her decision. Although his meant leaving for an indefinite period of time, not being there for her parents and siblings, not being able to embark on countless adventures abroad with her father, they knew that this was for the greater good of all, her family, her clan, her village, and the Land of Zo. Not knowing what lay ahead, they packed all that they thought necessary for a treacherous journey.
As agreed, the Man from Nowhere arrived at their gates exactly at noon. Dressed in the same black silk robe that she saw him wearing on the day they first met. But something was familiar about him today. A familiar musky scent!! Coincidence, perhaps. Everyone bid a tearful farewell to the girl they had all seen grow up in front of their eyes. The entire village had gathered at the gates to pay their respect and shower their blessings.
Her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach as she stood near the open gates. She ran back to her parents one last time, as if to promise them her return. Her father gave her a gift she had never expected, his beloved Zothinrim, and said "May the sword protect you in your quest, and return you safely back to us."
Thlazuang Kham was where they were headed, the land of razor sharp cliffs. Only a chosen few knew how to get to the magical heights which were often a part of folklore. They had a long trek ahead of them and the final climb would be the most difficult, near impossible. A test of a person's endurance and will. Only the righteous could complete the climb to the adobe of the gods. There she was to train and harness the powers of her strong spirit, in the meadows of Phongpui. Only to return upon completion of her training, to protect her Land from the eminent doom.
Her parents counted on her to be their savior. Sangau!! The words of her father echoed in her ears long after the village seemed like a tiny point at the horizon. With his Zothinrim strapped to her waist, she began her journey.