Amukelo healed over the following days. He had expected scars. When he had fought the landwyrm, even that smaller injury had left a faint, jagged line across his forearm. But now, despite the extent of his injuries, his skin was clear, as if he had never been wounded at all. Perhaps it was the skill of the healers Roland had provided, or perhaps it was something else. But either way, Amukelo felt strangely whole, physically, in a way he hadn't for a long time.
One morning Amukelo began packing his belongings. He gathered his few possessions. Pao's trinkets were there, along with the torn blue clothes he had once worn on their dates. They were damaged and worn, but he couldn't bring himself to leave them behind.
Once his pack was secured, he glanced around the room one last time.
Finally, he walked toward the main doors of the house. He had spent so much time chasing after vengeance, driven by a single purpose, and now… now he was walking into a future he couldn't clearly see. Part of him still wondered if it even made sense, if this path would lead him anywhere. But another part said that perhaps, if he kept going, he might find something worth living for again.
As he stepped outside, the cool morning air hit him. He looked around, taking in the sights, until his gaze landed on Roland, Fliss, and Eliss standing a short distance away.
Eliss was dressed in deep blue robes, elegant and striking, the fabric adorned with intricate golden runes. She held a golden staff topped with a large blue crystal that caught the light, casting faint reflections around her. Fliss was holding her tightly, her face turned away as she tried to stifle the tears that shimmered in her eyes. Roland stood beside them, with a warm smile on his face, though his eyes held a quiet sadness.
For a long moment, Amukelo simply watched.
As Eliss broke away from her mother's embrace, Amukelo approached them. He didn't speak, didn't want to interrupt the moment, but he just stood nearby.
Fliss finally stepped back, her hands lingering on Eliss's shoulders as she whispered a few final words. Then she let go, wiping her eyes as she took a deep breath, her gaze drifting to Amukelo. Roland stepped forward, his expression softening as he noticed Amukelo. He moved toward him, extending a hand.
Amukelo hesitated for a moment, staring at Roland's outstretched hand, before finally reaching out and grasping it in a firm handshake.
"Take care of yourself, young man," Roland said. "And remember, there is always hope."
Amukelo nodded, though he couldn't bring himself to believe in those words fully.
Fliss approached him then, her eyes softening as she looked him over. "Maybe before you head on," she suggested, "you should choose an armor from our armory. We have a wide range, and I'm sure we could find something that would suit you well."
Amukelo shook his head slowly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "No, thank you. You've already done too much for me, providing me with healing, shelter, and support. I have funds; I can buy something suitable for myself."
Fliss nodded, and she decided to not press the matter. She offered him a soft smile, a gesture of quiet support, as she and Roland stepped back, giving him a bit of space.
Roland and Fliss exchanged a final glance, and with a final nod, Roland and Fliss stepped back.
Amukelo and Eliss stepped out of the tall gates of her family's mansion.
Finally, after a moment, Eliss broke the quiet. "Why did you decline my mother?" she asked, glancing at him with a puzzled expression. "It really wouldn't have been a burden for my family to provide you with a good suit of armor."
Amukelo didn't answer right away. After a beat, he shrugged, finally replying, "I don't want to owe anyone anything."
Eliss gave a thoughtful nod, though she still looked puzzled. But before she could question him further, Amukelo glanced at her. "Do you know of any armor shops nearby? Or maybe a cartographer?"
She shook her head. "No, I don't."
Amukelo stopped in his tracks, turning to face her with a look of genuine surprise. "You live here, and you don't know where to find things like that?"
She crossed her arms, a bit defensive. "Well, I've never had much reason to go looking around the city."
"Fine," Amukelo sighed, "but you've got to know where to buy something useful, like magical items or… healing potions?"
Eliss pursed her lips, looking a bit sheepish, and shook her head again.
Amukelo raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Are you sure an adventure like this is right for—ahh, whatever." He shook his head. "Let's just ask around."
Eliss watched him for a moment before speaking up. "You don't have to worry about magical shops or a cartographer, actually," she said with a hint of pride. "I already have everything we'll need."
Amukelo paused, looking at her with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Really?" he asked, clearly taken aback. "You mean you already have maps and supplies?"
Eliss nodded, a small, confident smile on her face. "Yep, I even have maps of different nations and territories. I wanted to be prepared."
Amukelo couldn't help but chuckle. "You've really thought this through, haven't you?" he said, letting out a resigned sigh. "Alright then, let's get me that armor."
They made their way through the streets, the sounds of merchants hawking their wares and townsfolk chatting filling the air around them. It didn't take long to find a small, modest-looking armor shop tucked between two larger buildings. Amukelo stepped inside, the scent of leather and metal filling his senses as he glanced around.
The shop was simple, with rows of armor displayed along the walls, from lightweight leathers to heavier chainmail and plate. Amukelo scanned the options, settling on a medium armor set crafted from reinforced leather and studded with intricate metal plates. It was lined with faint runes designed to offer additional protection without weighing him down.
He inspected the armor, running his fingers over the metal plates, testing the weight of each piece. It was sturdy but flexible, offering him the freedom of movement he needed without sacrificing too much protection. Satisfied, he carried the pieces to the counter, placing them down in front of the shopkeeper.
The man behind the counter was a short, balding fellow with a cheerful smile and a pair of spectacles perched on the tip of his nose. He looked up as Amukelo placed the armor down, adjusting his glasses with a friendly grin. "Ah, that's a good set," he said approvingly. "One of our finer pieces. That'll be one golden bag."
Amukelo looked at him, surprised by the price. "So cheap…" he murmured, more to himself than to the shopkeeper.
The man chuckled, noticing Amukelo's surprise. "Aye, it's all thanks to a bit of luck, you might say. Mafia groups were controlling our profits, see? But since they were dealt with, well, prices are back to normal. We're all grateful for that, I'll tell you."
Amukelo raised an eyebrow. "Nameless Dynasty?"
The shopkeeper's face lit up with recognition. "Exactly! They were a nasty lot, but word is, someone finally put an end to their business here. Whoever took them down did us all a favor." He paused, then leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You ever had any encounters with them?"
Amukelo hesitated for a brief moment, his mind flashing back to the battles, the life he had taken in his pursuit of revenge. "Kinda," he replied simply, his tone flat, hollow.
The shopkeeper, sensing the change in Amukelo's expression, softened his tone, offering a small nod. "They were scum, all right," he said quietly, as though acknowledging something unspoken. "The world's better off without 'em."
"Yeah," Amukelo murmured. "They were…"
The shopkeeper watched him for a moment, sensing that there was more to Amukelo's story than he was letting on. But instead of prying, he offered a simple, respectful nod.
"Well," he said with a gentle smile, "I hope this armor serves you well, lad. Looks like you've got a journey ahead of you."
Amukelo nodded, his gaze still distant as he replied, "Thanks." He reached into his pouch, placing the gold coins on the counter before picking up the armor and turning toward the door.
As he stepped outside, Eliss was waiting for him. "Got what you needed?" she asked.
He gave a curt nod. "Yeah. It's decent quality, reinforced with some runes." He held it up briefly, showing her the intricate symbols that lined the metal. "Should hold up well enough."
Eliss studied him for a moment, noticing the quiet in his gaze. "What did the shopkeeper say to you?"
Amukelo shook his head, as though brushing off the question. "Nothing important," he muttered, glancing away.
"Alright," Amukelo said, clearing his throat, "we just need to gather some supplies, and then we're ready to go."