Aether's gaze swept beyond the verdant forest's dense beauty. Sparkling rivers branched and intertwined, reflecting the sky like a heavenly compliment to the earth below. Vivid flocks of birds, a living rainbow, danced across the vast canvas. Rolling hills punctuated the horizon, adding to the breathtaking scene.
In the distance, colossal pillars pierced the sky, resembling a monumental gate. "Mama, what's that place?" Aether's curiosity piqued.
Mary followed his gaze. "Hmm, you mean over there?" she confirmed. "Those, Aether, are ruins. We call the area beyond the gate Wyrdwood."
"My people, ever driven by curiosity," she continued, a hint of nostalgia in her voice, "sent mage-archaeologists to investigate. But sadly," she added, gazing skyward as if lost in memories of countless reports read in grand halls, "they found nothing but rubble, perhaps the remnants of a temple or shrine."
A spark of adventure flickered in Aether's eyes as he absorbed his mother's explanation.
"Mama," Aether called hesitantly. "Yes, dear?" Mary replied.
"When you're fully recovered," Aether stammered, "can we... can we explore Emberhod together?"
Surprise flickered across Mary's face. This ambition mirrored her own from her apprentice scholar days. A playful smirk touched her lips. "How adorable," she teased, "an adventure with this old lady?"
Aether's face flushed. "Mama isn't old! You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Mary was stunned by his declaration. The wind tousled her golden hair, highlighting its brilliance. Her eyes, the color of a deep blue ocean, sparkled with amusement. The delicate curve of her nose and the soft red of her lips completed a picture of undeniable beauty.
Heat crept into Mary's cheeks. "Now look what you've done," she murmured, hiding a smile behind her hand. 'Imagine,' she thought, 'this little imp making me blush! This is too much!' A rare laugh escaped Aether's lips, a sound Mary rarely witnessed.
"How dare you laugh at your mother?" Mary playfully chided, puffing out her cheeks in mock offense.
"Touche," Aether countered, a grin spreading across his face. He fondly recalled the countless times his roles were reversed.
Mary playfully swatted him on the head. "Never mind," she conceded. "Aether, if your dream is to travel the world and you wish for me to accompany you, then yes, dear. I am yours to command."
As Mary spoke, a gust of wind swept through the air, sending birds scattering into the sky. She stood tall, facing Aether, bathed in the faint sunlight. Happiness bloomed in his chest, a feeling he desperately wished could be captured forever.
As twilight draped the land, Aether rose from the log and wrapped his arms around Mary. "Eziel, the village hunter," Mary suggested, "wouldn't mind some company on his next outing. Perhaps you could join him?"
Aether shook his head. "Thanks, Mama, but I should focus on my studies."
Mary's smile remained undeterred. "I'm not going anywhere, dear. Besides, a change of scenery might be refreshing for your studies, wouldn't it?"
Knowing he wouldn't win this playful argument, Aether gave in with a smile. "Alright, alright, Mama. Let's head back. Speaking of refreshing, have you ever tried ramen?"
Aether couldn't help but grin, remembering the countless times he'd scavenged for ingredients, trying to recreate the signature dish from his homeland.
Mary's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Ramen? What in the world is that?" she asked, a hint of excitement peeking through at the thought of her son's culinary creations.
"Well, Mama," Aether chuckled, taking her hand, "let's just say you're in for a taste sensation. Ready to head home and discover a new favourite dish?"
****
The first light of dawn peeked through the window, rousing Aether from his slumber. He stretched and donned the simple gear his mother had lovingly crafted for his wilderness adventures. Before departing, he cast a glance back at Mary, still fast asleep, likely satiated from the previous night's ramen feast – a valiant attempt at replicating the dish from his homeland.
With a soft whisper, "I'll be back before you know it, Mama," Aether slipped out the door to meet Eziel.
Eziel, a burly yet agile man, was an awakened warrior specialist, job description: Arcanic Marksman. Once a member of Freiheitsstadt's prestigious Hunting Guild, his life had taken a dramatic turn. A brutal encounter with a pack of dire wolves left him the sole survivor, forever marked by the near-fatal experience. A kind former slave woman from the village had nursed him back to health, and Eziel, with nowhere else to go, became the village, meat hunter, provider.
As Eziel reminisced about his fallen comrades, Mashel and Jaeck, while packing his gear, a voice broke the silence. "EZIEL! Wait up!" Aether came bounding towards him, eager not to miss their rendezvous.
"Well, well," Eziel chuckled, "this is a surprise, young bookworm. Room for one more on your hunting expedition, you say?"