Luna's pilgrimage to Nordia stretched out like an epic saga, each step drawing her deeper into the enigmatic kingdom's grip. Joining the ranks of the famed berserker organization, even temporarily, was a path fraught with challenge and mystery, and Luna could feel its weight pressing against her with every mile.
Nordia loomed in the distance, nestled high among craggy mountains that pierced the sky, their imposing silhouettes a testament to the kingdom's isolation. The ascent was not just a physical challenge, but a barrier to all but the most determined. Few ventured here. The towering cliffs and the sheer remoteness discouraged any casual travelers, turning the act of arrival into a rite of passage.
The rhythm of life in Nordia was unlike anywhere Luna had ever known. Its streets were shaped by the steady, disciplined presence of the military and shadowy figures who resembled modern mercenaries more than citizens. In this land, civilians, though present, were sparse and tethered to their existence, rarely stepping beyond the formidable walls that enclosed them. It was as if the kingdom itself conspired to keep the world at bay, guarding its secrets with the same ferocity as the warriors who called it home.
For Luna, this wasn't just a journey through mountains and valleys, but a plunge into a world unlike her own. Nordia felt like a land suspended in time, a place where past and present intertwined. The very air seemed thick with the weight of unspoken histories and hidden agendas, as if every stone and shadow concealed a story waiting to be uncovered. Luna couldn't help but feel the pull of the kingdom's mystery as it whispered to her in ways both subtle and profound.
Her guide through this new world was Otto, the Berserker representative who had chosen her from the agent showcase. Their journey to Nordia had been long—three days across treacherous seas that only further added to the kingdom's elusiveness. Upon their arrival, Nordia revealed itself in its full grandeur: endless mountains stretching into the heavens, jagged and ancient, as if they had stood since the dawn of time.
"This place is stunning," Luna murmured, her eyes wide as she took in the sheer scale of the landscape. But her humor quickly broke through as she quipped, "Shame it's filled with barbarians." Her laughter echoed briefly, but Otto's expression remained stern.
"Watch your tongue here," he warned, his voice low but firm. "Words like that can make you a target before you even begin."
Luna smirked, acknowledging his caution with a slight nod. "Noted."
As they prepared for the climb up the mountainside, Luna asked, half-jokingly, if they had some sort of advanced transportation—perhaps a helicopter or at least a car. Otto chuckled at the thought.
"No such luck. We do things the old-fashioned way here. Just a 15-hour hike to get up there. Easy, right?" His grin widened as if daring her to show any sign of hesitation.
Luna's heart raced, not with fear, but with anticipation. The challenge thrilled her. If Nordia was to reveal its secrets, they would be earned, not given.
The climb was as grueling as promised, but Luna kept pace effortlessly, surprising even Otto. By the time they reached the summit, the kingdom of Nordia spread out before them—vast, rural, and untouched by time. For a moment, Luna felt as though she had stepped into another era, one where giant warriors roamed the earth and empires were forged with nothing but steel and willpower. The people they passed, towering and broad-shouldered, seemed to belong to a different age, their clothing and demeanor evoking a blend of Viking ferocity and pirate boldness.
As they reached the carriage that would take them to the Berserker headquarters, Luna's thoughts drifted to the role she was to play here. Otto had mentioned her partner—a rare thing, as Berserkers were notorious for working alone.
"You're lucky," Otto said as they settled into the carriage. "Not many would take on a newcomer. But there's one—Lara the 4th. One of our strongest from this year's intake."
Luna's curiosity piqued. "Lara the 4th?" she repeated, intrigued by the title.
"She's from Lothro, one of the five major families of Nordia," Otto explained. "You'll learn the names quickly—Ivra, Piratha, Lokia, and the royal family, Ironside. Each family holds power here, and alliances are… complicated."
As the carriage rolled deeper into the heart of Nordia, Luna felt the weight of the history around her. This place, this kingdom, was not just a backdrop to her mission; it was a living, breathing entity, steeped in tradition, power, and secrets that only the brave—or foolish—sought to uncover. With every passing moment, the lines between her mission and her fascination with Nordia blurred, and Luna knew that this journey was only beginning.