Well, this is it. Today's my tenth birthday. And the start of my journey. I had packed everything the night prior and made sure everything was accounted for. Tools, weapons, and other necessities had all been checked off. Though traveling light, I had everything I needed for the time being. It was still just breaking dawn outside, but I had gone to bed early after packing. All I had to do now was get my "Everyday Carry" items in order, and I'd be set.
I had packed all items I could do without in an emergency in a case and used space-time magic to send it into a pocket dimension for storage. That wasn't all that rare for the adventurers out here, but the sheer size of mine allowed me to pack in non-necessities. Furthermore, organic matter wouldn't spoil in mine, for some reason. Speaking of the adventurers out here in the frontier, they were plenty powerful and were people I could look up to. And they all worked together even though they were independent individuals.
My backpack, in which I would keep emergency items just in case for some reason I couldn't access my dimensional pocket, was small and lightweight enough to where I could move without penalty. That included a change of clothes, a multitool, a map, some food and water, emergency money, travel documents, as well as both Gluttony and Envy. Well, strictly speaking, they were attached to the bag, not in the bag, but that's beside the point. I also packed my otherworldly sidearm and munitions just in case. Concealed, of course. I also test-fitted the homemade plate carrier using a mix of magic to create disposable plates for it. Some lightweight armor could be the difference between life and death in the boonies, after all.
Over the years, I had been able to conduct enough research to prepare me for this journey, at least for the first few legs of it. I had pretty much memorized the map just in case I lost it, at least up until the first larger city. Allegedly, it would take around two weeks to make that trip, but that's if you travel by convoy. People have made it in much shorter times if they didn't have any precious cargo to worry about. And all the precious cargo I had was, essentially, myself.
After I had stowed everything away in my pocket dimension and leaned my daypack up against the wall, I did my best to get some shuteye in before the start of my journey. My family would walk me to the nearby village, but after that, I was on my own. Lying awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, I thought of all the new memories I had made while living in this world. And eventually, I doze off with the stars watching over me.
^^^^^^^^^
I found myself in the familiar grassy paradise that I had visited so many times before, in that same spiritual form that I was used to. I made my way over to the usual meeting spot, where I found Sakurai sitting there, sipping tea. Sliding into the seat, I pulled the cup closer to me and then took a small sip.
"It finally starts. Your upcoming journey," she started.
Chuckling a bit, I responded "Yeah…Yeah, it does. I'm a bit nervous but it should all work out."
"Yes, it will. Don't worry, my child…"
"That…makes me worry…" I say, laughing.
"It's going to be fine, you're already a silver-ranked adventurer, y'know. At your age…" Sakurai reassured me.
"Yeah, I know, but let's just relax for a while now."
We both sipped at our teacups intermittently as I took in this imaginary scenery. The smooth, cool marble at my feet contrasted the warm breeze. Birds chirped in the distance, and the crickets sang under the setting sun. As the sun finally set and the dark purples of the night washed over me and Sakurai. As the sunlight acquiesced, I stood up and turned to Sakurai.
"I suppose I should get going, then…"
"Yes, I'll be watching over you. Through the body of Sakura, after all."
Sakura is the pet I had adopted years back, and she had grown into a full-size canine, so big, in fact, that I could actually ride on her soft, fluffy back. I smiled and turned away from the chiseled marble gazebo and went back the way I came.
^^^^^^^^^
For the last time in the foreseeable future, I woke up in a bed that I had pretty much grown up in for the past ten years. I did my typical morning routine - minus the training - in the breaking dawn. I suppose that this could be considered the breaking dawn of the journey ahead of me as well.
Once snapping out of that quick philosophical trance, I opened the door and entered the living room where I saw Lilith, the family maid, cooking my final breakfast here in this house. The scents wafted through my nose, and my mouth watered longingly for my last meal here.
Setting my backpack down near the door, I waited patiently as Lilith worked her magic. Not even breaking a sweat, her auburn ponytail swayed back and forth as she worked multiple burners on the magical stove. As the house filled with different scents of spices, all members of my family had risen from bed.
My mother, Freya, and my father, Steele were the first to come out of their bedroom, followed shortly by Kris and Leora, my adopted sisters. Even though Lilith practically prepared a morning banquet, the mood of the room was somewhat heavy. I mean, I was leaving for possibly multiple years without returning. However, we would be able to stay in contact through letters using a magic tool that tracks my general location for the postal service. How it works specifically is beyond me, but what really matters is that it works, I suppose.
As we worked through the large breakfast with little chat, the sunlight glinted through the windows, and what remaining ice and snow from the winter season began melting, creating a faded rainbow just outside the window frames. As the seconds turned to thirds, and the pot ran dry, the elephant in the room was finally mentioned.
"Your journey starts today, huh, big bro?" asked Kris, somewhat bittersweetly.
"Yep, it does. Don't worry, I'll keep in touch." I replied, smiling.
"Good luck…on whatever your journey entails…" Leora said, trying to sound cool, I guess.
Chuckling, I reply "Thanks, I'll probably end up needing it!"
Finally, mom and dad, wearing somewhat sad but proud faces, chimed in.
"We are so proud of you, son."
"We'll keep your room clean for your return."
Stifling tears, I say my thanks, and the entire family - including Lilith - goes in for a big group hug. The warmth and joy I felt there was enough to make any grown man cry, but I did my best to hold it back.
"Look, big bro is crying!" Cilia said, somewhat stumbling over her words.
"No, I'm not. I swear!" I say, voice somewhat shaky.
That response apparently elicited some laughter and lightened the mood a little bit. After that, I made my way toward the door and picked up my bag. As I turned around, Lilith was there, handing me a cloak to protect myself against the elements. I thankfully take the parting gift, throw it on, and don my backpack.
"Now you look like an adventurer," smiled Lilith.
I chuckled, then thought to myself wait, does that mean all this time, she thought I looked goofy?
Shaking my head to rid myself of that thought, I stepped through the threshold - the first step of my journey.
^^^^^^^^^
As the cool air nipped my cheeks, I took a second step forward. And then a third, fourth, and fifth. Soon after, I crossed the eastern property line, just marked by a rickety wooden fence. Stepping onto the main road of the area, I looked in both directions, surveying this area I grew up in one last time. Turning around, I waved back one last time at my new family, who were all huddling on the porch.
Smiling, I faced North on the road and began walking. A steady rhythm of crunching dirt, ice, and snow beneath my feet broke the seemingly everlasting peace in the area. Birds chirped overhead, and wolves howled in the distance. It was just a pure form of nature out here. As I crested the hill, I looked back one last time at that wooden house I grew up in. Clapping my face and shaking my head, I began my journey forth. My journey to hopefully find any clues from the Temple of the Black Viking.
This rhythm, temperature, and feeling all kind of remind me of that one fateful day oh so long ago. Well, this time, I was riding a big, fluffy canine. Ten years ago, to be exact, when I got transported to this world. I had to do a few things in that little frontier town near my house. Thinking back, that was the only form of civilization I've ever seen in this world. In-person, at least. I've read about it and seen artworks of the Interior, but because we live so far on the frontier, only small villages like the one I grew up near exist. Since I had grown up at that point, the journey hardly took half an hour to complete - one that used to take double that time.
Before I knew it, I had crossed through the wooden archway marking an entrance to the little town. Crossing over into town limits, Sakura dissipated into my shadow, allowing her to stay concealed as I walked through the market sector towards the guild hall. While not super strange out here to have a companion or familiar, as you got closer to the interior, it became increasingly uncommon, so the practice was welcome. Out here, towns hardly have names worth remembering, so to be honest, I never learned the name of this village. Guess I should check before I head out. Gotta find my way back somehow…
I had already set up the necessary paperwork with the branch master, so it was just a matter of picking up a few things at the guild, nice and easy. Treading lightly, as to draw little attention, I quickly made my way over to the guild hall and opened the big wooden doors. I suppose I just carry myself like that due to muscle memory from all those years of questing, on top of the combat experience I had in my previous life.
I made my way up to the counter where the branch head was waiting for me.
"Hey, kid. I hear you're going to start a journey, yeah?"
"Yes, sir. Today's the day," I said, removing the hood of my cloak.
"Where to?"
"The interior. Capital city of the Aznarian Empire."
"Any specific reasons?"
"It's a journey…to find myself, I suppose. It's just something I need to do," I hesitantly answered. It's not wrong, because I may be able to find out something that's related to my mission - my existence here.
"Hmm. Well, that's not my business. Can I ask you a favor?"
"If it's something within my power, sure…" I respond, somewhat unsure of what would come next.
"It'll be a slight detour from Hymeria, the capital, and you'll have to go through Blackridge Pass, but it'll be a massive favor for me. And it will probably help you later on in your journey. I need you to go to Yesal City, a free, adventurer-run city-state. "
"Sure, I should be able to. But can you provide me with a map?"
"Yeah, here's a map to Yesal City that's marked with the most recently updated safe zones, hotspots, and other dangerous areas. Especially along the infamous Blackridge Pass."
"Alright, I'll be wary."
"From Mistyvale, here, to the Southwestern Blackridge Checkpoint is a fairly easy walk, or I suppose ride for you. Just make sure to go through Whitewillow City and restock on any specialty items you may need. The checkpoints have supplies of food and water, but specialty items can be hard to find as people procrastinate preparations."
"Roger that, thanks for the tip," I responded, making mental notes.
"Now for the task at hand," he says, bending down behind the counter and grabbing a small box along with a letter. "I want you to deliver this special package to the guild master there. Along with the letter of course."
Loading the box and letter into my backpack, the branch head pulled out two more items from the desk.
"Another delivery?" I jokingly asked.
"No, no, these are for you. This pouch contains a traveler's permit, so you don't have to pay entrance taxes, and you have some insurance if something goes wrong, along with some money as an upfront commission."
"Sweet. The other thing?"
"Yes. Here, take this necklace."
"What does it do?"
"It's a charm. It'll help you find your way."
Pushing both items towards me, I throw the pouch into my bag and examine the necklace. It looks almost like an intricate compass needle of some sort, but I wasn't sure. Giving the branch master a questioning look, he just replied with a little wink.
That prick!
Clasping the necklace around my neck, I said my thanks and waved goodbye to all the registrars that I've come to know so well over my years growing up here in Mistyvale. Slightly smiling, I reminisced on some of the memories I had both at home and on my adventures close to home. Once past those heavy wooden doors, I took a breath of fresh air and rubbed the water from my eyes. No, they weren't tears, it was just sweat. I swear.
I grabbed a quick lunch and ate it while walking towards the Mistyvale village border. Shortly after I left the village border, Sakura materialized out of my shadow, and I rode Northeastward-bound, passing multiple streams, rock outcroppings, and mushy, muddy road segments. Speeding past low-level mobs not worth my time, as well as a considerable amount of ruts from wagon wheels, I made good time on the first day of my journey. Well, I suppose it was more like a half-day journey since I had to stop by the guild office. Because Sakura can maintain a steady pace of about double the average horse, we were able to traverse about 160 kilometers or so in about five hours.
As the sun began to set, I hopped off Sakura to find a clearing in the dense trees to use as a campsite. After searching for a couple of minutes, I found a clearing slightly removed from the main road I could use. A pair of trees were settled in the direct center, but this worked to my advantage because I could tie my hammock onto them.
Not having to hunt, prepare, and cook wild meat was blissful tonight, but I know I am going to have to do that tomorrow. And the upcoming weeks of travel.
Oh man, that's gonna suck, isn't it…
As I ate the packed dinner of biscuits, bacon, and eggs, I gazed up at the night sky, wondering if any of the stars I was looking at were the same as the ones back in my old world. The iridescent aquamarines and azures of the moonlit flowers glowed beneath my feet as the last violets and tangerines faded from the sky. After dinner, still having a bit of time before I went to bed, I decided to clean my weapons Gluttony and Envy. Detaching the sword and stave duo from my backpack, I once again gazed at the intricate etchings of both weapons.
"While you staring at me seems perverted, at least you're not staring at that glutton," Envy said, telepathically
"Watch your tone, you envious stave," Gluttony fired back.
"Oh come on guys, do we always have to do this?" I said, out loud. If someone was watching me, they'd think I was a complete lunatic
"Yeah, whatever. Just clean us already, that first day was dusty and boring…" Gluttony said, somewhat dejectedly.
"You better make me spotless, or at least, cleaner than he is," Envy said, somewhat menacingly.
"Yeah, don't worry, I brought my cleaning kit."
Materializing the proper materials from my pocket dimension, I went to work cleaning those two selfish weapons. But, the quiet craft was somewhat soothing, setting my mind at ease so I could doze off properly. Having finished the job, with both of them satisfied, I turned in for the night, hopping on my hammock and gazing at the stars through the pine needles. As the breeze gently rocked me back and forth, and the stars twinkled in the sky, I fell into a deep slumber not five minutes later.