The wind blew in the distance. The wind at his cheeks were balmy but he had to go home quickly
"Why." Why does he want to go home, it's not a anyone is waiting for him there, both of his parents were dead and he didn't have any close relatives. Only suffering awaits him there, doing anything he could just to meet ends meet.
But he suddenly remembered the answer. There were indeed people waiting for him. Lyon, Elsie and the rest of the night owls were waiting for him. Therefore,
"Uh...?"
Kai opened his eyes and towering trees and dangling vines filled his vision. However, an excruciating pain welcomed him, telling him that he wasn't dreaming.
"Where am I? How am I still alive." Kai mumbled as he tried to stand up. But no matter how he tried to straighten his body, he couldn't muster his strength.
The only thing he was able to move, was his head, neck and his right arm, and even that involved a series of throbbing pain.
"Seriously, how am I still alive." He couldn't help but wonder what happened when he lost consciousness.
Even if he reinforced his body with mana, he would have still dead. At best, he would have broken all his bones but right now, he didn't seem to have even much as a broken bone.
Kai pondered over the possible answers until he interrupted by a strong grumble from his stomach. He fought through his body's protest at his attempts to move.
Gritting his teeth, Kai used his right arm to drag himself across the ground until he reached his knapsack.
Pulling the bag closer, he used his one good arm to rummage through it until he found what he was looking for: The dried bellies and nuts he packed before embarking on the journey.
He succeeded in pouring himself a mouth full of the snack. But in his reclining position, some of the snack strayed past his tongue, sending him into a choking fit and the coughing triggered another round of agony in his body.
Fumbling for the water skin inside his knapsack, Kai slowly poured a bit of water into his mouth, then managed to eat another handful of food.
Finally when he was finished, Kai passed out against using the knapsack as a makeshift blanket.
Several hours later, Kai opened his eyes as he stirred awake at the brick bite of cold. He looked around as best as stiff neck could allow and realized it was dawn.
Kai slowly got up and inspected himself, making sure everything was in place before allowing himself to relax.
First thing firsts, he needed to find somewhere to stay, he was lucky he didn't encounter any wild animals till now and he didn't know how long that will last.
"Oh, You're awake."
Kai instantly dropped into a fighting stance, it was out of reflex, even though he couldn't fight anybody. It was a natural instinct, after all.
"Haha, you don't have to worry, I mean you no harm." The voice seemed to come from nowhere. It was powerful and resonant but Kai had a feeling he could trust it.
"Who are you? are you the one who saved me?" Kai asked. If it was the owner of the mysterious voice who saved him, it would explain how he saved the fall.
"Yes and to answer your first question, you will find out as soon as you arrive at my dwelling." The voice seemed pretty confident that Kai will try to find it.
As if reading Kai's mind, it continued "I advise you make haste, I'm the only one who can send back home.
That's right, he had to get back home. Lyon, Elsie and the others, were they alright and there's the dungeon matter as well. If the voice can take him back, then he had no choice but to find it.
"uh...Mr Voice, may I ask for directions to your location?" Kai spoke after clearing his throat.
"Very well, I'll show you the way." After it spoke so, Kai's vision suddenly shifted into a bird eye view, zooming in until a location came into sight. Roughly a day's trip to the east and lit up.
Kai's vision shifted back to normal.
"You should hurry, it's a lot safer traveling in the day than in the night." The voice spoke out.
"O-Okay." Saying so, Kai quickly carried his knapsack and set off towards his destination.
His movement have become less painless with each step and by mid-morning, he was left with only a few aches here and there.
"Whatever that person did involved some powerful magic. I'd never heard of someone casting a spell over such a distance. Or did he cast it before I landed and then left? But could he had known that I was falling and why did he save me?" Kai thought as he tried to solve the mystery but only ended up with more questions.
Several hours later, Kai became thirsty and heard a faint gurgling sound. He headed towards it and spotted a narrow stream.
"Yes!"
He was dirty and his clothes was covered with grime. Without thinking twice, he dashed towards the stream and cannonballed into it, he scrubbed his entire body clean.
After taking off his clothes and giving them a rough wash. When he was done, he placed them on a nearby rock to dry. He had finished his refreshing bath and headed towards his still damped clothes. Then,
"How carefree." Upon hearing the voice, Kai immediately covered his privates.
"Haha, Don't worry, there isn't much to see anyway." After hearing the teasing voice, Kai immediately became depressed.
"My pride." Kai mumbled so.
"Hahaha sorry I apologize." the voice said with a laugh.
Letting out a sigh, Kai began to look around and wonder where he was. Since he fell towards the east, he didn't think was in the forest of hulda. He also ruled out the beast glade since he hadn't spotted any magic beasts around.
He only spotted rabbits and birds but he could feel a abundance of mana in this place. But that was strange, magic beasts usually gather where there is an abundance of mana.
In any case, he had to hurry. The voice will answer any of his questions when he gets there.
His journey was peaceful and uneventful. There was no road, but there were only small obstacles in the terrain. The closer he got to the voice, the richer and denser the mana became.
Everyone probably assumed he was dead, so he couldn't help but worry about Lyon and Elsie. They were his closest friends, so Kai was concerned they were would blame themselves for his death.
He finally reached the place the voice guided him to, what stood in his line of vision was the entrance of a large cave which was at least 60 meters in height, so he was wondering what was inside.
He hesitated a bit before walking inside the cave. He walked inside the cave a bit before he was greeted by the voice.
"So, we finally meet boy."
All the blood drained from Kai's face as his mouth gaped open and his eyes bulged. He suddenly became lightheaded and his legs gave out.
He fell on his butt as he stared at the being who had been helping him this whole time.