Dominik woke up to the faint light of dawn filtering through the thin curtains of his room. The anticipation of the journey ahead coursed through him, dispelling any remnants of sleep. He swung his legs over the side of the mat feeling the cool floor beneath his feet, and stretched before making his way to the small cupboard in the corner.
"Good morning, Dominik," his mother greeted him as she entered the room. She held a neatly folded set of clothes in her hands. "I've prepared your outfit for the trip."
"Good morning, Mother," Dominik replied, taking the clothes from her. He unfolded the garments—a sturdy yet comfortable travel outfit consisting of a dark tunic, reinforced trousers, and a lightweight cloak. "This looks perfect."
His mother smiled, adjusting the cloak on his shoulders. "I wanted to make sure you're well-prepared for the journey. It's important to look respectable and be comfortable at the same time."
"Thank you, Mother," Dominik said, pulling her into a hug. "I'll make you proud."
"I'm already proud of you, My son there might be a tough time ahead of you. On this journey you will uncover some truths" she whispered, squeezing him tightly before letting go. "Now, go see your cousins. They've been waiting to say goodbye." Dominik couldn't make sense of his mother saying he'll uncover some truths. The statement confused him greatly.
Dominik made his way to the hallway, where his cousins, Aaron and Gaia, were waiting. They were both slightly older than him, strong and dependable, and had always been like the older siblings he never had to him.
"Dominik!" Aaron called out, clapping him on the back. "I heard you were travelling to Turin. But my father had been training you hasn't he? Are you sure that this is the right decision to take at a time like this?"
"I apologize if I've given to impression that uncle Foden's training has been inadequate. It was my grandfather's decision to take me to Turin to have his old friend help me train and I trust his choice," Dominik replied with a grim face. "I hope that you understand and relay that to your father for me. I'll be in Turin for a month and I'll head to the capital directly for the consignment. Take care brother and thank you for everything ." He said with tears in his eyes
Gaia pulled him into a hug. "We're going to miss you, cousin. Don't you dare die. Come back home to us and good luck" she exclaimed with tears rolling down her face.
"I will," Dominik promised, feeling a pang of sadness at leaving them behind. "Take care of each other."
With heartfelt farewells exchanged, Dominik headed to his grandfather's house accompanied by his mother. His grandfather was waiting by the door, a small travel bag slung over his shoulder. The morning air was crisp and filled with the scent of dew-covered grass. "Good morning father" his mother greeted "Good morning grandfather" Dominik retort in succession. "Good morning, Lucille step aside for a moment"
"Father, I'm really scared that he might not survive the consignment, not to mention what will happen when we remove the seal" Lucille said "hmmm, I understand your concerns. The consignment was certainly unexpected but the seal would have come off sooner or later. About the consignment, a miracle has happened before and it can happen again. I'm fully confident that he will survive. You gave him Kaine's medallion?" "Kaine had always wanted him to have it. I miss him badly" Sadness seeping into her voice.Her father sighed in response as he stepped back to the entrance.
"Ready, Dominik?" his grandfather asked.
"Ready," Dominik replied with determination.
The walk to the Airbus terminal was uneventful, the streets still quiet in the early morning light. When they arrived, Dominik was surprised to see Raphael waiting there.
"Dominik!" Raphael called out, rushing over to him. "I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye."
Dominik hugged his friend tightly. "Thank you, Raphael. I'll miss you."
"Good luck," Raphael said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know you will come back a survivor ."
With one last embrace, Dominik and his grandfather boarded the Airbus. As the craft lifted off the ground, Dominik gazed out the window, marveling at the sight below. The city shrank away, replaced by the sprawling restricted forests and distant mountains.
The view from the Airbus was breathtaking. The vast landscape stretched out in every direction, a patchwork of greens, browns, and blues. The fugashus glimmered closely. As they flew higher, the clouds seemed close enough to touch, drifting lazily against the backdrop of a clear sky.
"Turin is an incredibly mountainous region," his grandfather explained as they flew. "The weather can be harsh, and the air is very toxic. You'll need to wear a mask at all times."
Dominik nodded, slipping the mask over his face. The mask filtered the air, making it safe to breathe. He turned his attention back to the view, watching as the scenery below shifted to rugged mountains and valleys.
"Grandfather," Dominik said, breaking the comfortable silence. "You've always taught me so much. You're like a mentor to me."
His grandfather smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "And you've always been a quick learner, Dominik. I'm proud of the young man you're becoming and the one you will become."
The rest of the journey passed in a mix of conversation and quiet contemplation. When they finally landed in Turin, Dominik was struck by the stark beauty of the region. The mountains were steep and imposing, their peaks shrouded in mist. The air was cold and filled with the scent of pine and earth. The city could be said to be a desert city. But it was a brown paradise with architecture drastically different from that of Andhuim.
From the Airbus terminal, they boarded a train that would take them deeper into the mountains. Dominik stared out the window like a child, absorbing the sights of Turin. The landscape was dotted with small villages, winding rivers, and dense forests.
As the train rattled along the tracks, Dominik experienced flashes of memory. The sights and sounds felt strangely familiar, as if he had been there before. He shook his head, trying to clear the disorienting feeling.
They disembarked at a small station near a large, castle-like house. The house was build entirely out of sand and stone with a long bridge that led to the house. There were the largest boxes of alguis Dominik had ever seen almost as large as trees with branches, it was incredibly beautiful. The structure was imposing, with high walls and towers that reached towards the sky. As they approached, they were greeted by a stern man in a black masks adorned with spikes with winding tattoos on his arms and scars on his face. He looked like a warrior, his presence intimidating.
"Hello, Master," the man said, bowing respectfully to Dominik's grandfather. The gesture confused Dominik, who had never seen anyone address his grandfather with such reverence. His grandfather simply nodded in response and stepped into the building with a gait that suggested that he was very familiar with his surroundings.
The man's gaze shifted to Dominik. "Welcome," he said gruffly. "You must be Dominik."
Dominik nodded, still processing the unexpected display of respect. As they entered the house, Dominik experienced another flash of memory, the interior feeling oddly familiar. As they passed by different corners of the house, Dominik felt images flashing in his mind, one of his younger self seemingly walking through the halls. He felt like his head was being struck with an hammer as he stumbled in his steps and held on to the wall for support. "You okay, Dominik?" The man turned to him "I'm fine" he responded
They were welcomed warmly by the household staff and directed to their rooms. Dominik's room was spacious and comfortable, with a large window overlooking the mountainous landscape.
As he settled in, Dominik couldn't shake the feeling that he had been in the castle before. The sense of familiarity deeply unsettling.