Prosperum was an island renowned as the world's leading producer of goods, a title it had earned through centuries of trade and craftsmanship. Yet, its reputation extended beyond mere commerce. The island was famous for its breathtaking pink cherry blossom trees, which flourished across its expanse, painting the streets in shades of delicate pink. At the island's farthest edge loomed Mount Prosperum, a towering mountain that bore one of the rarest and most essential elements in the creation of Trinkets.
As Adrian and August's boat docked at the island's shore, the scent of salt and fresh blossoms filled the air. Just as they prepared to disembark, Adrian noticed August reaching for a tablecloth from one of the dining tables on the ship. Without explanation, August tied the cloth around his face, leaving only his eyes visible.
Adrian's brow furrowed in suspicion. "Why are you covering your face?"
"I'm cold," August replied nonchalantly. "Needed to cover up."
Adrian found that hard to believe. The same person who had effortlessly endured the freezing temperatures of Hvitt in shorts was now complaining about the mild island breeze? Something wasn't right.
Stepping off the boat, Adrian took a deep breath, letting the warmth of Prosperum wash over him. Compared to the frigid lands of Hvitt, this place felt like an entirely different world. His eyes wandered, taking in the vibrant scenery—the bustling streets, the colorful banners hanging between buildings, and the tourists being immediately swarmed by eager merchants and tour guides.
"Hey, kid! I sell the finest goods on the island. You looking to buy?" a merchant called out, displaying an array of jewelry and clothing.
Among the merchant's wares, one item caught Adrian's eye—a simple yet elegant white sweater, adorned with a black star at its center. It was a stark contrast to the oversized winter garments he had grown up wearing in Hvitt.
"How much for that sweater?" Adrian asked, pointing at it.
"One thousand Ty," the merchant replied.
Ty was the universal currency used across the world, and at that moment, Adrian didn't have nearly enough. His expression fell, disappointment clear in his eyes.
August, noticing Adrian's interest in the sweater, stepped forward. Clearing his throat, he adopted a deeper, more composed tone—one unlike his usual playful self.
"I'll take the sweater," he stated.
Adrian turned to him, surprised. "Are you sure?"
"If you want it, I'll get it for you," August replied, his tone unusually mature.
Adrian watched as August handed over the money, his demeanor momentarily shifting from his usual carefree nature to something more composed—almost reliable. The change was subtle, but Adrian couldn't ignore it.
After receiving the sweater, Adrian immediately switched out his old one. As soon as he put it on, he was surprised by the sensation. Rather than feeling overly warm, as he had expected, the fabric was cool against his skin, counteracting the island's heat.
"Thank you!" Adrian said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
August, startled by the sudden outburst, chuckled. "Don't worry about it," he said with a grin.
With that, the two wandered into the heart of the city. Prosperum's streets were lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals occasionally drifting through the air like soft pink snow. The roads were paved with polished stone, and at the end of each street stood various inns and storefronts, bustling with activity.
Yet, amidst all this beauty, the most imposing sight was Mount Prosperum—a colossal mountain that dominated nearly half the island. Despite its somewhat unoriginal name, the mountain's significance could not be understated. It was said to hold rare minerals found nowhere else in the world, vital in the creation of Trinkets.
As they continued through the city, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that August was looking for something. Before long, their path led them into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway. The air here felt different—thicker, quieter. At the alley's end was nothing but a solid brick wall.
"We're here," August announced.
Before Adrian could ask what he meant, August suddenly sprinted toward the wall at full speed.
"Wait—what are you doing?!" Adrian shouted.
To Adrian's shock, instead of colliding with the wall, August passed through it, vanishing as if the bricks had never been there.
'How did he do that?' Adrian thought, hesitating for only a moment before steeling himself.
Taking a deep breath, he mimicked August's actions, running straight at the wall. As he braced for impact, he instinctively shut his eyes—only to find himself still running. The ground beneath him remained firm, but when he finally opened his eyes, his stomach dropped.
He was running straight toward the edge of a cliff.
Before he could react, gravity took hold. The world tilted, and he felt himself falling—until a firm hand caught the back of his sweater.
August, gripping Adrian's collar, pulled him back onto solid ground.
"Careful," August said, peering over the edge. "The drop's massive."
Adrian steadied himself, his breath still unsteady. Then, as he finally looked down, his eyes widened in awe.
Below them lay an entire city—a hidden world bathed in a warm glow from the countless lanterns and neon signs dotting its landscape. The underground city stretched as far as the eye could see, an intricate maze of buildings and alleyways, bustling with life despite its concealed location.
"This is The Underground City," August declared, a hint of pride in his voice.
"It looks amazing!" Adrian gasped.
"I know, right?" August grinned.
To their right, a long, spiraling staircase led down into the depths of the city. As they began their descent, August spoke again.
"There's someone we need to find," he said.
"The Master Craftsman?" Adrian guessed.
"Yeah. He's the one who'll make your Trinket. But first, we have to track him down, and this is where our search begins."
The anticipation in Adrian's chest swelled.
"I'm actually getting a Trinket," he murmured in excitement.
"You have to," August said with a smirk. "Especially if we're going on an adventure."
"Amazing!"
With renewed determination, the two pressed forward into the depths of the Underground City, embarking on the next step of their journey—the search for the Master Craftsman who would forge Adrian's future weapon.