On a quiet morning, Julian awoke to the sound of horse-drawn carriages passing along the cobblestone streets. The sun still lingered behind the horizon, leaving the sky painted in hues of orange and violet. A cold breeze seeped through the slightly open window, prompting him to pull the blanket tighter around his weary body. He sat on the edge of his bed, his messy hair reflecting the disarray of his thoughts. His mind swirled with the events of the previous night and the book that had upended his life.
He glanced around his small room. The walls bore silent witness to years of modest living, and the simple furnishings mirrored his humble reality. His gaze fell on the book he had left open the night before, but instead of picking it up, he stared at it, recalling fragments of his conversation with Albus.
As the faint rays of sunlight crept through the window, Julian moved to the small kitchen and prepared himself a cup of coffee and two slices of bread. Sitting by the window, he watched the city slowly come to life. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted in from the nearby bakery, blending with the bustling calls of street vendors. It reminded him of the simplicity of his life, though his mind was too preoccupied with the questions that had begun to stir.
"What secrets does this book hold? And why does it feel like everything is tied to me?" he murmured as he sipped his coffee.
After finishing his simple breakfast, Julian donned his dark coat and stepped into the street. The city was in the throes of its morning hustle. Vendors greeted customers with eager smiles, children darted through narrow alleys, and women exchanged gossip outside shops.
Walking toward the square, Julian passed a small alley that led to his usual bakery. The bakery was a familiar place, not only for the delicious bread but also for the owner, Oscar, who often engaged him in lighthearted conversations.
As Julian entered, Oscar greeted him warmly."Ah, Julian! How are you this morning?" Oscar's deep voice carried a cheerful tone.
Julian replied with a faint smile, "I'm fine, thank you. And you?"
"Same as always," Oscar replied as he placed fresh loaves of bread on the shelves. "What about you? Any luck finding a job? Or are you still set on finishing school?"
Julian chuckled. "I'd rather finish my studies, Oscar. There's only a month left before the new school year starts. Maybe then, opportunities will open up for me."
Oscar shook his head with a smile. "You're as stubborn about education as your father was about his goals."
Julian froze for a moment at the mention of his father. A pang of nostalgia swept through him whenever his father came up in conversation. His father, who had raised him alone after his mother's passing, was a symbol of resilience and determination. But illness had robbed him of time.
With a hesitant smile, Julian replied, "It's the one trait I inherited from him that I treasure."
Julian purchased a loaf of fresh bread, thanked Oscar, and stepped out of the bakery.
As he walked toward the main square, he noticed a small group of children gathered around a man who seemed to be narrating a story. Curious, Julian approached quietly, holding the bread in his hand, to listen.
The man wore an old hat, and his face was adorned with a modest mustache. He stood amidst the children, speaking in a loud and animated voice:"Well then, do you know about the land we inhabit? Its history and rulers?"
One of the children raised his hand enthusiastically."Yes! We are in the Middle Lands, the largest continent in the world. It is home to humans and ruled by three great kingdoms."
The man nodded in approval, encouraging the child to continue. The child eagerly added,"We are in the Kingdom of Ovidale, located in the east of the Middle Lands. Its territory stretches southwest, and it's ruled by King Lawrence Vollmery, the tenth in the great Vollmery lineage."
"What about the north?" asked the man.
After a moment's thought, the child replied,"In the north lies the Kingdom of Ailorban. It was founded after the fall of the Luxemir Empire 200 years ago when Ailory Drakmor led a revolution against it."
"Excellent! And the west?"
"In the west is the Kingdom of Orinthia, the oldest of them all. It has stood for over 700 years, with its monarchy unbroken since its founding."
The man clapped enthusiastically. "Well done! You have an excellent memory."
Julian watched the scene in silence, feeling a strange longing for the innocence and enthusiasm of childhood. Yet amidst this innocent moment, his thoughts grew more complex.
"Why does all this information feel incomplete? Why is there no coherent history of this world?"
"Why do these tales only start from specific eras, with no mention of the beginnings?" he muttered to himself.
As Julian walked away from the square, his questions took on a deeper tone. He recalled the strange symbols in the book and Albus's cryptic words about hidden truths and forgotten legends. Could these three kingdoms be mere veneers, concealing a deeper, more significant truth?
His steps led him to the library of his friend, Adir—a place he often sought solace. But as he reached the door, he hesitated.
He raised his hand to knock but then let it fall."Tomorrow. I'll visit him tomorrow," he whispered to himself as he turned away.
Hours later, Julian returned home. Throwing his coat over the chair, he sat by the open window. The city was slowly enveloped in darkness, and the dim streetlights cast an eerie glow over the streets.
His gaze settled on the book resting on the table. He hesitated for a moment but didn't open it. He felt as though everything—the city, the myths he'd believed were mere stories—was hiding a greater secret.
"Am I ready for what's to come?" he murmured, staring at the darkened sky.
He knew the days ahead would change his life forever. But was he prepared to face the unknown? He wasn't sure, yet he couldn't deny the growing curiosity that consumed him.
This was only the beginning… the start of a journey that would lead him into the heart of the unknown, where a fate he was unprepared for awaited.