The next day begins my journey towards the next city. This will be my first time away from home. Who knows what kind of wonders and dangers await me? The distance looked to be about a thirty-five-mile journey to the next town. The name of my first destination I seek was Shine Solstice.
It is named for the fluorescent light; the stones in the city give off during the solstice. They built the city of these precious stones to preserve their glow the best way possible. This made the city one the many wonders on the planet, a must-see tourist destination if you will for those interested in that sort of thing.
Many years ago, a man and his family lived on that very land as farmers; they live somewhat normal lives. One day the farmer went out to plow his land and prep it for the next planting cycle. This farmer grew potatoes out in his fields, and to ensure that they developed properly, he used stones as a guide to where each seed was planted. So, no one would step on them or miss them while watering them.
One year as he was plowing his fields, his tractor turned up some strange stones from the ground. They were mostly oblong in shape some square and others of irregular shape. The farmer thinking nothing of it decided to use the stones for his potatoes this year.
He then waited three days as it rained the following day that he planted the potatoes and used the strange stones. The third day was the summer solstice as it so happens; he went out to check his fields to ensure his potato seeds were still intact.
And as he went outside it just as the sun started bursting through the horizon. The stones started to radiate with a majestic glow. It was so bright one could hardly see where they were going. Seeing this, the farmer immediately ran back to his house and told his family about it. They took some samples back to town to show the people. Soon after word started to spread, more people began moving and settling in until the grand city we see now was built.
The city was spectacular in the way it was built. It has large walls that enclosed it like that of a castle. The walls stood at least three to four stories high. The city was the shape of a gourd from the sky. However, that didn't detour tourists and thieves. There wasn't a day that went by that some didn't attempt to rob the rich city.
The name of the farmer was no other than Richard Arnesto; founder of Shine Solstice and the current mayor. However, there are very few paths to which to get there from Sacar. One of the places I must first travel through is Xaolyn Timber Forest, followed by a tunnel through Mount Aperex, the dormant volcano, and finally across the desert nicknamed the 'Arid Netherlands.' Each place has received its names in many similar ways to Shine Solstice.
As I say my final goodbyes to Kenshin and his wife, I headed toward Xaolyn Timber Forest the sky was bright, and the sun was high. With not a cloud in the sky and the warm feeling of the breeze as it passed me by. My journey began, knowing I had little time before word got back to Eon Pax about what I had done to one of his generals.
I needed to get to the city as soon as I could and find my mom's friend as she is the only one who can help reach Eon. I don't know what awaits me in the forest, but I will not falter. Though the forest was a good distance away, I had to begin somewhere.
I traveled for five to six days through the mountainside until I could see the forest in the distance. It would take me another half day till I reached the forest. As I approached the forest, it grew ever darker as sun's light waned, leaving a bright orange glow in the distance.
The trees towered over my head like giants hovering over me. So thick that the sun's light could barely shine through. The atmosphere was still and quiet yet vibrant with color. The only sounds I could hear were the animals in the distance, one's own breathing, and every step I took.
I had to admit I was intimidated by the vast size of the forest and the dangers it held. Still, I pressed on toward the city. I traveled through the woods for two days until I came upon a riverbed.
There I made camp for the night and went fishing for my dinner. Having not eaten for the last few days can make one a bit anxious. Even still, I managed to catch some fish to eat. After which I prepped myself for bed after a quick bath in the river. I put out the fire and proceeded to sleep.
Everything was great as I slept for a while, then without warning, I heard a loud explosion not too far from where I was. At once, I jumped out of bed and grabbed my sword. Quickly and quietly, I crept outside my tent, looking around for what made that sound.
As I was looking, I heard it again, but this time it was closer heading deeper into the forest. At first, I thought it was just another person hunting prey. However, the next time I heard the explosion, I could feel the ground shake below my feet.
To which I took off with incredible speed towards the source of the sound until I saw something faintly from the trees. I hid behind a large bush a couple of feet from what looked like a huge crater. As I looked around, I saw broken and burned tree bits everywhere. Some dead or scorched animals all over in random places, as well as some burnt tents and homes.
I continued looking around until I spotted a human-like figure fighting with what looked like a bear with an ax. The axe looked peculiar and didn't seem normal; the bearlike figure's weapon had an ominous glow almost like that of a mystical weapon.
However, that couldn't be as those kinds of weapons only exist in the capital; and can only be used by the king's militia. Despite this, however, I could not see who they were clear enough. I would have to get closer, but one thing was for sure, the creature with the axe was clearly not an enemy. The guy he was fighting used what appeared to be sticks of dynamite.
As I watched them battle, I could tell what was happening. For it reminded me of my homeland of Sacar a year ago, but then I thought, "Should I jump into a fight that does not concern me and help him or should I leave him to his fate?"
As I watched the two continue to battle, the guy with the dynamite started completely overwhelming the axe user. Watching him struggle was just too much to bear; it was then I decided to help him. So, I rushed in with my hand in my sword and struck at the incoming attacked of the bomb user.