Desperation filled Mira and Aldric's faces as they realized their time was running out. Aldric pulled out a teleportation scroll that could only transport one person. He gazed lovingly at Izzan.
Aldric: "Izzan, listen carefully. This scroll will take you to safety. You must leave now."
Mira clasped Izzan's hand, tears beginning to stream down her face.
Mira: "My child, remember that we will always love you. Never forget who you are. You are our hope. Stay strong, Izzan. We believe in you."
Izzan's heart shattered at his mother's words. But Aldric, with determination, added as he placed the pendant he had once given Izzan around his neck.
Aldric: "This pendant will help you find my uncle, Dorian. He can help and protect you. To activate it, say, 'Light, take me to Dorian,' and he will appear. You must find your own way now, Izzan. This is your life."
While tying a dimensional pouch to Izzan's belt, Aldric said, "There's a little money inside. Use it wisely. You'll have to live on your own."
Izzan stood silent, stunned by the reality that his new family was about to vanish. His happiest memories had just begun, but now they had to end. He cried out in desperation.
Izzan: "No! Don't leave me!"
As the explosions drew closer, Aldric tore the teleportation scroll and activated it, pulling Izzan into its magical field by force. Zarek, watching everything unfold, merely chuckled darkly as he sidestepped the blast that obliterated everything around them.
Zarek: "Haha! No one can save you now, Aldric!"
When the explosion finally subsided, Zarek looked around, searching for the artifact he desperately desired, but found nothing. His frustration boiled over.
Zarek: "Where is everything? This is useless! That artifact should have been here!"
Realizing that Izzan had taken the item with him, Zarek knew he had to adjust his plans. Izzan's uncle, Dorian, was the key to retrieving the technology he sought. But Dorian resided in the kingdom—a place that wouldn't be easy to reach.
Zarek: "Fine, I'll return to the base. We'll figure out a way to get to Dorian and claim what we need. This time, I won't underestimate them."
With renewed determination, Zarek hurried back to his base, leaving a void where Aldric and Mira's family fought to the bitter end.
Meanwhile, Izzan was still in shock, feeling the heavy weight of the farewell that had just taken place. Now, he found himself in the heart of the city where his mother's kingdom was located, standing before the majestic teleportation gates. All the splendor around him felt alien. Sensing his confusion, Athena tried to bring him back to reality.
Athena: "Izzan, you need to move! Now isn't the time to fall apart. We must find my uncle and continue our mission."
But before Izzan could react, two thugs who had been watching the scene approached him. They assumed he was a country boy, awed by the grandeur of the city, and saw an opportunity to rob him. One of them slung an arm around Izzan, trying to snatch his pendant and dimensional pouch.
Thug A: "Hey, what are you doing here, country bumpkin? Hand over that pendant, and we won't hurt you!"
Athena quickly warned Izzan.
Athena: "Izzan, be careful! These men are dangerous!"
As if awakened from his despair, Izzan swiftly incapacitated one of the thugs. The other, panicked, drew a knife and attempted to attack. In a flash, Izzan dodged and struck back, dispatching the threat with ease.
The commotion drew the attention of the city guards, who rushed to the scene. One of the guards, seeing the situation, questioned them.
Guard: "What's going on here?"
Izzan quickly explained that they had tried to rob him. When the guard noticed the pendant hanging around Izzan's neck, his expression shifted to shock.
Guard: "That pendant! It bears the mark that only members of the royal family or ministers possess! Where did you get this?"
A dark thought crossed the guard's mind, as if he were plotting to take the pendant. He ordered his men to apprehend the two thugs, then turned back to Izzan.
Guard: "Come with me to the station. We need more information from you."
At the station, the tension rose. The guard eyed Izzan with suspicion.
Guard: "Where did you steal this pendant from?!"
Izzan tried to explain that the pendant belonged to his father, but the guard scoffed.
Guard: "A dirty peasant like you doesn't deserve something so valuable!"
He snatched the pendant from Izzan. Though furious, Izzan sensed there were bigger priorities. As he moved to fight back, Athena intervened.
Athena: "Izzan, stop! He's stronger than you right now. Focus on finding my uncle. Don't waste your energy on this pendant."
Reluctantly, Izzan let go of the pendant. The guard ordered him out of the station.
Guard: "Get out now! We don't have time for people like you."
Outside, Izzan felt hollow without the pendant. He decided to seek Athena's help.
Izzan: "Athena, initiate a wide-range scan. We need to find where my uncle is."
Athena complied immediately, using 60% of her mana to create a map of the kingdom, highlighting important locations and potential leads on where they could find Dorian.
Athena: "The map is ready. We can use this information to gather more clues."
Izzan stared at the map with renewed hope. Despite losing the precious pendant, he knew there was still a path forward to continue his mission and find his uncle.