"Where here! The famous town of Sofya!"
The words tumbled out of Blaft's mouth as he stared at the bustling town square. He had been to Sofya before, in the game, but this was different. It was much smaller than he remembered, less grand, but still a thriving hub of human activity.
"So, this is Sofya," he muttered, taking in the sights and sounds of the town. It was a world away from the wilderness they had just left behind.
"We travelled many towns and villages but, Sofya town is one of the only places that is still inhabited by humans and other races. Some towns were destroyed and became inhabited by monsters after the Cataclysm happened centuries ago," Tenert explained, his voice filled with a wistful tone.
"Centuries? Just how many years have past did that happened?" Blaft's mind reeled. He couldn't wrap his head around the idea of such a long history.
Is this the future of IRUNA?! What does really happened that time? Did the hero, defeated the Enemy God? Is this the aftermath?! Blaft's questions multiplied as he looked at the guards standing at the gates, inspecting every person entering the town.
"You really don't know about the history kid, did you?" Tenert asked, his voice laced with amusement.
"You're right. Besides, I also don't have a knowledge where I came from and who I was," Blaft admitted, feeling a strange sense of disconnection from his past.
"Glad you have joined us. Maybe if, we haven't found you, you'll end up being lost in a forest," Tenert said, his eyes twinkling with good-natured warmth.
"Thank you, Captain Tenert," Blaft said, his voice filled with gratitude. He knew he owed his survival to this group of adventurers, this unlikely family he had found himself amongst.
"No problem. It's our duty to guide the lost and nurture the Adventurers to become a Warrior. haha!"
"Hehe," Blaft chuckled, feeling a sense of camaraderie bloom within him.
As they approached the entrance, Tenert showed a badge to the guards.
"We are the Adventurers Guild Caravan, let us through!"
"Oh right!. Captain Tenert and his companions. Good to see you again. How is your quests going?" a guard asked, his voice filled with a hint of respect.
"There's no quests that I've let down, you know that," Tenert said with a confident grin.
"Just Yesterday, we found news that your caravan has been attacked by Dragon Decel. And Goddess Pino wants to have an audience with you," the guard said, his expression serious.
Tenert turned, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Allright, my boys! It seems, I have to leave you for a moment. I have a talk with a Goddess. Feel free to roam around without me."
Tenert left, accompanied by the guards, leaving Blaft and the others in Sofya.
The town, while smaller than he remembered, was still a fascinating place. Tall buildings, grand architecture, and bustling marketplaces filled the scene. The construction work going on indicated the town was thriving, even in the aftermath of the Cataclysm.
Libera, ever the energetic one, took off running, "We're back!!"
Virgo, one of the other adventurers, seemed embarrassed by Libera's boisterous entrance, his face turning red as he covered his eyes.
"Is she really like that?" Blaft asked, his brow furrowed.
"Don't worry of her. She's just happy like that," Virgo said, a chuckle escaping his lips.
"She thought of that day, right. It seems it leave a trauma to her," Blaft said, his voice filled with concern.
"No. That's not it. We always experienced dangerous quests, but we survived. But… yeah. that day. We thought, it was an end for us," Virgo said, his voice filled with a hint of sadness.
As they continued through the town, Blaft noticed the guards patrolling the streets, their expressions vigilant. He felt a sense of unease settle over him. The Cataclysm, the Enemy God, the Dragon Decel… it was all connected, and Blaft felt a growing urge to unravel the mysteries surrounding his new world.
A few moments later, Blaft found himself standing before a grand building, its facade adorned with intricate carvings. It was the Government Office, a symbol of authority and order in this world.
Inside, a woman with an air of regal elegance sat behind a polished desk, a faint aura of divine power surrounding her.
"Good to see you safe, Captain Tenert," she said, her voice a melody of grace and power. She was Goddess Pino, a guardian of this world, a protector of its people.
"Thank you for your worrying us, my lady Goddess," Tenert replied, bowing respectfully.
"I'm afraid… that the tragedy occurred centuries ago will resurface again." Her voice, though serene, held a note of urgency.
"Do you mean? The Calamity. The Cataclysm?" Tenert's expression turned grave.
"Yes," Pino confirmed, her eyes fixed on Tenert.
Blaft couldn't shake off the feeling that a shadow of dread hung over the town. He had heard of the Cataclysm, a cataclysmic event that had reshaped the world of Iruna. What could threaten to unleash that kind of destruction again?
Back in the town, Libera, Virgo, and the other adventurers had found a place to stay. "Hi, we want to buy a place to stay," Virgo said, approaching a merchant who was setting up his stall.
The merchant, a man with a kindly smile, pointed to a nearby inn. "This place is not too shabby. You can enjoy your stay here. I'll go now," he said, stepping back to allow them space.
They found the inn to be a comfortable place, and the adventurers quickly settled in.
"This marks my first day in Sofya," Blaft said, looking out the window of the inn. He was still unsure of what to expect, but he felt a growing sense of excitement about the adventures that awaited him.
The Cataclysm, the Dragon Decel, the memories of his past… he knew he had to delve deeper into the secrets of this world, to uncover the truth behind his presence in Iruna.