Kael awoke to something he hadn't experienced in what felt like an eternity—silence, broken only by the distant chirping of birds outside the window. A soft glow filtered in through the curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. For the first time since he had woken up in this new and strange world, he felt… safe. It was a feeling so foreign to him that it took a moment to register. He lay there for a while, unmoving, basking in the simple pleasure of waking up without fear gnawing at the edges of his mind.
He slowly blinked the sleep from his eyes, his body heavy with the pleasant lethargy that followed a night of deep rest. It was peaceful here in the Rusty Lantern. The bed beneath him was softer than anything he could remember, and the blanket draped over him still held a trace of warmth. For once, he wasn't being hunted or chased. There were no abominations lurking in the shadows, no sudden threats that forced him to be on edge.
He felt like he could stay in bed forever.
But the soft, rhythmic chirping of birds outside drew him back to reality. Kael sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand before giving himself a light slap on both cheeks to fully wake up.
"Right," he muttered to himself, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.
"Time to get moving."
His body felt strangely light, a stark contrast to the exhaustion that had clung to him over the past few days. Even his mind, once clouded with confusion and uncertainty, now felt clearer, more focused. The trial, the journey with Elowen, the strange events he had experienced—everything still weighed on him, but this morning, it felt a little more distant, as if the peaceful night had granted him some reprieve from the chaos.
He stretched, letting his muscles loosen, then sat cross-legged on the floor in the familiar lotus position. He figured he should take this rare moment of calm to gather his thoughts, to reflect on everything that had happened so far. He still didn't fully understand what he was doing here, why he had been thrust into this world, but something told him he had to make sense of it sooner or later.
Taking a deep breath, Kael focused inward, attempting to clear his mind. The concept of the Soul Chamber—what Elowen had called the inner sanctum where Fatewalkers stored their boons and abilities—was still a strange one to him. He hadn't spent much time with it, not after the insanity of the past few days, but now seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore it further.
With a quiet exhale, he summoned the information about his status, just as Elowen had shown him.
Floating letters appeared before his eyes, forming words only he could see.
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Name: Kael
Rank: Challenger
Title: -
Authority: –
Abilities: –
Items: Hunter's Enduring Belt, Dullblade of the Novice
[Progress to Saturation: 1/100]
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Kael stared at the glowing words for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. The information seemed just as bare as it had the last time. Challenger, with no mention of authority or abilities yet. He had some items—his Dullblade of the Novice, the sword that had been more of a bludgeon than a proper weapon, and his belt, which had already saved his life with its survival tools. But that was it.
He sighed, dismissing the information with a wave of his hand.
"Doesn't look like that's going to change the longer I stare at it."
Standing up, he stretched again, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. He glanced down at his clothes—the same worn, dirty outfit he had been wearing since the start of his journey. The fabric was frayed, his pants were torn at the bottom, and his shirt was stained with the remnants of battles he'd rather forget. He looked entirely out of place in this clean, orderly room.
"Well, I look like a mess," he muttered. He ran a hand through his tangled hair, trying to smooth it down.
"Guess I need to figure out how to get some new clothes."
Elowen had given him a bit of money before they parted ways the night before. It wasn't much, but maybe it would be enough to get him something decent to wear. He wasn't exactly well-versed in how much things cost in this world, so he'd have to ask around. The idea of wandering through a city like this dressed like a beggar wasn't exactly appealing, but Kael figured he had to make do.
His stomach rumbled, though not as aggressively as it had the day before. Still, he realized he was hungry—again. Yesterday's meal, Maria's Hunter's Stew, had been one of the most delicious things he had ever tasted, even though it was simple fare. After surviving on abomination meat for days, it felt like a feast.
He decided his first stop would be downstairs, where he could ask Maria about breakfast—and perhaps, where to find some new clothes.
As he walked down the stairs, the sounds of the bustling inn greeted him. Laughter and conversation filled the air as patrons enjoyed their meals. The scent of fresh bread and roasting meat wafted through the room, making Kael's stomach grumble louder.
Maria was behind the counter, her warm smile brightening the room as she noticed Kael's approach.
"Well, look who's finally awake," she teased.
"You must have slept like a rock."
Kael chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, something like that. I think I needed it."
"Well, you certainly earned it after the way you looked last night." She turned to the side, grabbing a plate from behind the counter.
"Care for some breakfast? Nothing too fancy today, just some toast with tomato and oil. Simple, but it'll hit the spot."
Kael's stomach growled again in response, and Maria laughed.
"I'll take that as a yes."
She slid the plate toward him, and Kael took a seat at the counter. The toasts were warm and crisp, with a bright red layer of crushed tomato drizzled with fragrant oil. He took a bite and nearly sighed with contentment as the flavors washed over his tongue.
"How'd you sleep?" Maria asked as she wiped down the counter.
"Honestly? Better than I ever have," Kael admitted between bites.
"I don't think I've ever felt this rested."
"Well, that's good to hear. You'll need it if you're traveling with Elowen." Maria winked.
"She's a force of nature."
Kael chuckled, though the reminder of Elowen's strength made him feel like a kid trailing behind an older sibling.
"Yeah, she definitely is."
"Oh, speaking of Elowen," Maria added,
"she stopped by earlier this morning. Said you were still dead to the world, so she'll come back in a couple of hours. Told me to let you know."
Kael nodded, his mouth full of toast. That was good—he had some time before Elowen returned. Maybe he could get a few things done before then. He glanced down at his worn clothes and frowned.
"Actually, Maria…" he began, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Do you know where I could buy some clothes? Something not too expensive. I don't exactly have a lot to spend."
Maria smiled warmly.
"Of course! There's a little shop not too far from here. It's run by an old tailor who's been in the business forever. His prices are fair, and he doesn't skimp on quality either. You'll find him just past the main square, to the left of the blacksmith's. Can't miss it."
Kael nodded, feeling a bit more relieved.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"No problem," Maria said, refilling a patron's drink.
"And don't worry about the price. He's got plenty of options for folks who don't have pockets full of gold. Besides, I'm sure you'll manage."
Kael chuckled, finishing off the last of his toast.
"I'll have to, I guess."
He stood from the counter and stretched, feeling much more awake now that he had some food in his stomach. The morning sun was rising higher outside, casting soft light through the windows of the Rusty Lantern.
Maria gave him a small wave as he left the bar.
"Good luck! And don't get lost out there!"
"I'll try not to," Kael said with a grin before stepping out into the city.
As he walked through the cobblestone streets of Feysreach, the city seemed even more alive than it had the night before. People bustled about, trading goods, talking, and going about their daily lives. The atmosphere was peaceful, even serene—a stark contrast to the chaos Kael had experienced just a short time ago.