After we finished breakfast, as the master had instructed, we headed to the teleportation portal. The teleportation portal operates only during the day and is closed at night. It was constructed using specially crafted artifacts, resembling a door, and it opens by placing special crystal stones at its four corners. People must pay a fee to pass through the portal. When the portal opens, it emitted a bright white light.
We waited our turn to pass through the portal.
Attu asked:
-"Is this the teleportation portal?"
Valorant replied:
-"Yes, if we go through here, we will come out in Obilvor."
Attu then noticed:
-"Those coming from the left, are they coming from Obilvor?"
Valorant confirmed:
-"Yes, the portal works both ways; you can enter and also exit from the same place. Attu, pretend to be blind; the soldiers are about to check us now."
Attu replied:
-"Okay."
One of the soldiers in front of the portal said:
-"Next in line, come this way and show your belongings."
Valorant said:
-"Here you go."
The soldier checked Valorant's bag and then handed it back to him.
The soldier addressed Suna:
-"Next, show your belongings."
The soldier checked Suna's bag and then returned it to her. Anna passed through without any issues since she had nothing in her bag or on her that needed checking. It was Attu's turn next.
The soldier said:
-"Hand over your belongings."
Attu, pretending to be blind, stretched his bag out to the side and said:
-"Here, take this."
The soldier asked:"Did you see it?"
Attu responded:
-"Yes."
The soldier checked the bag and returned it to Attu, saying:
-"You may pass now."
Attu asked:
-"May I ask a question?"
The soldier replied:
-"Sure."
Attu continued:
-"Why are you checking the bags?"
The soldier explained:
-"We check to see if there are any items that could disrupt the functioning of the portal during transport. Some artifacts may affect the portal, which is why we need to check your belongings." He then handed Attu his bag back.
Attu said:
-"Understood," took his bag, and passed through the portal.
Once Attu stepped out, he immediately noticed that the appearance of the city had changed. Valorant, Suna, and Anna were standing not far away. Attu approached them.
Attu asked:
-"Master, what do we do now?"
Valorant answered:
-"Now we head towards the forest."
Anna said:
-"I didn't expect we would reach the elves' forest this quickly."
Suna agreed:
-"Neither did I; I thought we would be pursued."
Valorant cautioned:
-"We shouldn't celebrate too early. We don't know what awaits us ahead. It's still a three-day journey to the elves' forest."
Attu pointed out:
-"If I'm not mistaken, you said it would take about a week."
Valorant said, "I meant to say that considering they might chase us."
Attu asked:
-"If they do chase us, shouldn't we move faster?"
Valorant explained:
-"No, think about traveling fast in winter weather. It's fine for us, but what about the girls? Right now, we're heading to one of the villages closer to Obilvor. After that, we'll pass through other villages nearer to it before reaching the elves' forest. Now we need to ask one of the traders here." With that, he went to a passerby.
Valorant said:
-"Sorry to take five minutes of your time."
The person replied:
-"Hello, how can I help you?"
The master went to talk to someone. I thought he was asking about a place to spend the night closer to the elves' forest since we wouldn't be able to reach it in a day.
Suna commented:
-"It's colder here than in Vorkalis."
Anna added:
-"Yes, it's probably because we are closer to the north."
Suna asked Attu:
-"Aren't you cold?"
Attu responded:
-"I'm holding on to a fire mana, so I'm not feeling cold."
Suna said:
-"That's nice; if I learned that too, I wouldn't be cold."
Attu replied:
-"If you also have a talent for fire magic, you can learn it. But even then, it would take some time to reach the level of fire mana."
Suna quipped:
-"I was just joking. Don't take everything so seriously."
Attu replied:
-"It was just a suggestion. By the way, Anna, you must also have some talent for fire, right? You come from a royal family."
Anna replied:
-"I haven't checked this yet. I don't know if I have any talent for fire magic."
Attu assured her:
-"I believe you must have some talent for fire magic."
While Attu and the girls were talking, Valorant came over and said:
-"There is a village nearby where we'll stay for the night. This person will take us there." He pointed to the person next to him.
Kan said:
-"Hello, my name is Kan. Come, I will take you to my village. Our village is hospitable, and the villagers will be happy to see you." He smiled.
Attu and the others set off with Kan to his village. Upon arriving, Kan welcomed them with a smile, offering a place to stay at his home. Kan had a wife and two children. His family greeted the unexpected guests with warmth, sharing everything they had with them. During dinner, a table was set for everyone, and they ate together. Attu sat quietly observing the family from the side. Kan was an ordinary man, and his house was not very big. They weren't wealthy either, but anyone who stepped into his home would think that Kan's life was happy. The smiles on Kan's face during moments with his family and the joyful play of his children proved that. Attu found himself deep in thought observing this.
Kan's little son approached and asked, "Hey, what are you doing?" He poked Attu playfully.
Attu thought of the little boy and remembered the time spent with his father and mother. He recalled how pure and innocent the smiles on his and his mother's faces were. As Attu recalled these memories, it felt as if the wound in his heart opened once again. He got up and walked outside, leaving the house.
Thinking his son had upset Attu, Kan was about to scold him, saying:
-"Son, what have you done? You've upset our guest."
Valorant reassured Kan and the others:
-"Your son is not at fault; don't worry. Attu just went out for some fresh air."
Attu ran outside and dashed into the forest near the village. He untied the ribbon in his hair and held it in his hand as he entered the woods. As Attu ran, he began to cry, and his sobs echoed through the forest. He moved far enough away that no one could hear him. Eventually, Attu sat down on the ground and began to wail, the tears flowing from a wound deep in his heart.
Clenching his fists, he cried out:
-"Why? Why…" as he slammed his fists to the ground, asking himself questions.
After a while, Attu stopped crying, feeling as though he had released all the pain and grief bottled up inside him. It made him feel considerably lighter.
After some time, Attu found himself sitting on a fallen tree, staring at the ground and doing nothing. Although he felt cold because he hadn't put on thicker clothing when he left home, he had no desire to move from his spot. Each breath he took only made his body feel colder. Thoughts swirled in his mind, "I miss you. Mother, I miss you. Why did this happen?" These words deepened Attu's melancholy. While he was staring at the ground, he suddenly felt something warm draping over him.
Attu said;
-"Thank you."
A voice replied:
-"No need to mention it." It was Anna's voice.
Attu asked without looking up:
-"What are you doing here, Anna?"
Anna replied:
-"I saw you were cold without warm clothes, so I brought this for you." She sat down next to Attu.
Attu said:
-"Did you forget that I can keep warm using fire magic?" Although he said this, he was shivering from the cold. Attu hadn't used fire mana.
Anna said:
-"I forgot, sorry." After a moment, she added, "What a happy family, don't you think?" looking at Attu.
Attu asked:
-"What are you talking about?"
Anna explained:
-"They are not rich, and they are not magicians either. But the thought that their family is happy came to my mind."
Attu listened quietly without saying anything.
Anna continued:
-"Seeing that family reminded me of the times I spent with my parents. We were so happy and content. Unfortunately, now only memories are left from those times. It's so painful, isn't it?" She paused.
Attu responded:
-"They may be happy, but you are not."
Anna replied:
-"But having those memories makes me happy now. While these memories hurt and scratch at the wounds in my heart, they are still part of my existence. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
Attu said:
-"Life brings happiness to some, while for others, it remains a dream."
Anna added:
-"We may be alone, but our hearts are united with our loved ones. They live in our hearts." She placed her hand on Attu's shoulder.
Attu tied the ribbon back in his hair and said:
-"Thank you. You helped me gather my thoughts."
Anna replied;
-"If you need any more help, don't hesitate to ask."
Attu suggested:
-"Now we can head back." They both stood up and started to walk back.
Anna said:
-"Yes, let's go to Kan's house. He thought your son upset you."
Attu replied:
-"I need to apologize to them."
Anna agreed:
-"Yes, you showed them disrespect."
As Attu stepped out of the forest and looked towards the village, he heard the sound of people screaming and the crackling of a fire. It reminded him of the day his mother died.