In the weeks that followed, Ace threw himself into the arduous task of preparing for his grand adventure. Each morning, he woke with the sun, his body aching from the previous day's exertions, but his spirit buoyed by the anticipation of the journey that lay ahead.
First on his list of priorities was securing transportation. The skies of the Celestial Expanse were vast and treacherous, and Ace knew that traversing them would require a vessel that was both sturdy and nimble. He scoured the shipyards and docks of his home island, marveling at the array of skyships on display—gleaming wooden hulls adorned with intricate brass fittings, sails of silk and canvas that rippled in the breeze, and robust engines that hummed with the promise of untold speed.
Ace's savings were meager, but after much negotiation and a few odd jobs, he managed to strike a deal with a shipwright for a small, secondhand skyship. It was hardly the grandest vessel in the harbor, but it was his, and Ace couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he ran his hand along its weathered hull.
With transportation secured, Ace turned his attention to supplies.
He spent hours poring over books and charts, studying the islands he planned to visit and the various dangers he might encounter. He stocked up on dried foods, fresh water, and essential tools—a sturdy rope, a sharp knife, and a reliable compass. He purchased a set of sturdy leather armor, its surface etched with protective runes, and a pair of sturdy boots that would serve him well on any terrain.
Finally, Ace began the difficult process of saying goodbye to the life he had known. He visited the marketplace one last time, exchanging heartfelt farewells with the vendors and travelers who had become like a second family to him. He stopped by the orphanage where he had grown up, promising the matron and the younger children that he would return someday, his pockets filled with tales of adventure and treasure.
As the day of his departure approached, Ace found himself standing on a windswept cliff overlooking the endless sky, the map that had started it all clutched tightly in his hand. He closed his eyes and breathed in the salty air, committing the scent of his home island to memory.
He knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but he also knew that he was ready. With the map as his guide and the spirit of adventure in his heart, Ace stepped aboard his skyship, hoisted the sails, and set a course for the great unknown.