"How do we know where to go? Why does this map start with Amexan?" Marta asked, her brow furrowed.
Harlen pointed at the map they carried. "That map will guide you to crucial locations…"
"..."
"...but the map you now hold is enchanted—it can change at any time. You must always keep it safe and follow it. If you're truly worthy, the map will lead you to the Water Goddess Stone. The rest…" He placed a small, worn book on the table. "...is in here." His journal, filled with sketches and notes.
Godan picked up the book carefully. "What is this?"
"It's the journal I wrote years ago while studying the Star Key. Inside, you'll find additional clues—and perhaps answers to some of your questions."
"Why are you helping us?" Jomie asked, his tone still laced with suspicion. Though he had eagerly devoured the smoked fish Harlen bought for them, a small piece of meat still clung to the corner of his mouth.
Harlen paused, his expression heavy with regret as he looked at them.
"Because I failed once. I chose to leave Somara after the Oran Tower fell, and I've regretted it ever since. But you… you have a chance to restore what was lost."
Taking a deep breath, Harlen pulled a handful of coins from his pocket and placed them on the table.
"Listen, your clothes stand out too much here. Go to the cleansing house six shops west from here. These twenty-six Delas should be enough for a wash and some modest clothing that fits in better with Amexan."
The trio accepted the coins cautiously. "Thank you," Godan said, though his voice still carried a hint of doubt.
"Be careful," Harlen warned before they parted ways. "And remember, the further you go, the more dangerous this journey will become. But if you succeed, you won't just save Somara—you'll bring hope to the surrounding lands, even the whole continent of Amhail."
* * * * *
That night, after cleaning up and changing clothes at the cleansing house, Godan, Marta, and Jomie felt more comfortable, though the weariness still clung to their bodies. At least, for now, their stomachs were full.
Their new outfits were simple but far more fitting for the atmosphere of Amexan. They no longer looked like kids from the Waste City, though the defiance in their eyes still carried the hard spirit of Somara.
Amexan's streets shone brightly, lit by lamps that reflected off the neatly paved stone roads. The city's air felt different—fresher, though tinged with the constant hum of human activity that never seemed to stop.
Tall buildings towered around them, some adorned with symbols they didn't understand. In the distance, a glowing tower shimmered as if it absorbed sunlight, even though night had fallen. Amexan was truly another world to them.
"Harlen said this is the Star Key—an important artifact," Jomie muttered, eyeing the map they carried. "But it feels more like a magnet for trouble."
Godan and Marta chuckled faintly, though they couldn't disagree with him.
The map was now neatly folded and tucked away in Jomie's pocket, but he couldn't stop thinking about it, convinced that it was more than just a guide.
"We've come this far, Jomie," Marta said firmly. She looked ahead, unwilling to let doubt creep into her mind. "Whatever happens, let's keep going."
"Agreed," Godan replied.
Leading the way, Godan's steps felt heavy. He suddenly stopped, staring at the ground as he clutched Harlen's journal, tucked safely into his pocket alongside the journal about the Water Goddess Stone. He took a deep breath before turning to face his friends.
"Listen," he said, his tone sincere, "I… I'm really sorry. This is all my fault. If only I hadn't been so curious about those ruins, you wouldn't be stuck in all this danger."
Marta offered a small smile, while Jomie let out a soft snort.
"Hey, stop blaming yourself, Godan," Marta said. "You know what? This might actually be one of the best things we've ever done. At least we're trying to do something to save Somara. Honestly, I'd rather risk this than spend my life in the factory or surrounded by mountains of trash forever."
Jomie nodded in agreement. "Yeah. If not us, then who else cares about Somara? This is way better than just complaining like all those adults back home. So quit beating yourself up."
Hearing this, Godan felt a bit lighter. He gave them a faint smile and nodded. With renewed determination, they continued their journey, holding onto the map given by Grandma Miru.
The next point on the map was still within Amexan, leading them to a quieter area far from the bustling main streets.
But their sense of safety didn't last long. Unbeknownst to them, someone had been following them since they left the cleansing house.
In the shadows of the towering buildings, a man with a strong build and sharp, hawk-like eyes watched them closely. His slick black hair gleamed under the city lights, and a cunning smile played on his lips.
He wore a dark coat that concealed most of his body, making him blend in with the shadows as he moved. His gaze remained fixed on them, ensuring they didn't notice his presence.
When they paused briefly at an intersection, the man ducked behind a large pillar, continuing to observe from a distance.
"I know they're carrying something valuable," he muttered to himself, eyes narrowing as he noticed how carefully Jomie guarded the map in his pocket, as though protecting a treasure.
His smile widened. He didn't rush to approach them. Instead, he chose to wait for the right moment, quietly plotting his next move.
"Foolish children." the man whispered.
His shadow melted into the darkness, but the malevolent intent in his eyes lingered in the air.
Godan, Marta, and Jomie remained unaware of the looming threat. They were too focused on the map and the clues they needed to decipher. But in a vast city like Amexan, secrets lurked in every corner, and not everything under its bright lights came with good intentions.