14 | An Unexpected Journey
And so began the quest for the soon-to-be Emperor of the kingdom of the Elves. With the spherical magic crystal in his hand, Wil set off towards the direction indicated by the glowing orb, accompanied only by his resolve and a few essential supplies for the journey ahead.
The northern lands of Enchantria were painted in hues of orange and brown, a testament to the arrival of autumn. Yet, the looming presence of winter loomed on the horizon, promising to cloak the landscape in blankets of white and blue.
As the sun neared its zenith, casting its warm rays upon the land, Wil pondered the task ahead.
"The ancestors said that I have to find the other chosen ones, but they didn't tell me how many they are and..." he mused aloud, his voice trailing off into uncertainty. "I don't even know how to use this crystal ball."
He scrutinized the magical sphere, its surface displaying a map-like representation of the surrounding terrain, with a red dot indicating his current position. With each step he took, the dot shifted, revealing nearby landmarks and the winding river that snaked its way through the city.
"I hope this isn't a mistake," he muttered, giving the ball a shake in hopes of some clarity.
"Do you have a problem, Your Majesty?" a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, causing Wil to startle and hastily conceal the crystal sphere within his leather sling bag.
"Uh, no. I'm... I'm fine," he replied, forcing a smile to mask his unease.
"Before you depart, I want you to have this," Alvier insisted, presenting Wil with a sharp rapier. "You'll need it on your journey."
"Alvier, I..."
"Journeying through the Immortal Realm is perilous, especially with demons lurking about. Consider it a token of my faith in you," Alvier urged, extending the weapon until Wil reluctantly accepted it.
"Alright," Wil acquiesced, marveling at the rapier's craftsmanship, yet uncertain of his ability to wield it effectively.
"And should darkness encroach upon your path, use this night crystal to illuminate your way," Elron, the leader of the Elder Committee, interjected, offering Wil a small lantern adorned with a rare octahedron-shaped white crystal that emitted a soft, comforting glow in the darkness.
"Thank you, Graxien," Wil replied, accepting the lantern with gratitude.
"Is there anything else we can assist you with before you depart?" Alvier inquired.
"No, this is... this is sufficient," Wil answered, his voice tinged with apprehension.
As Wil made his final preparations, he knew that the time had come for him to leave behind the familiar comforts of his homeland and embark on a journey into the unknown. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the challenges that lay ahead, ready to embrace his destiny as the future Emperor of the Elves.
"It's time for me to go now," Wil declared, his voice tinged with both determination and reluctance as he turned away from Alvier and Elron. "Please take good care of Sepphora while I'm gone."
Alvier and Elron nodded solemnly, their smiles masking the concern etched upon their faces. "Take care, my lad," Elron whispered softly as they watched Wil's figure recede into the distance until he vanished from sight.
As Wil's journey unfolded, a sense of unease gnawed at his troubled mind, as if unseen eyes were tracking his every move from afar. He recalled fond memories of a simpler time, a life spent in peaceful anonymity with his family. The weight of his newfound responsibilities as the future ruler weighed heavily upon him, a burden he had never anticipated bearing.
"Bien neo (Good luck)!" the Sepphorians called out, their voices filled with genuine warmth and encouragement as they bid farewell to their future leader.
To others, it may have sounded like a friendly greeting, but to Wil, it felt like a stark reminder of the expectations and obligations looming over him. Despite the outward displays of support, he couldn't shake the feeling of isolation and uncertainty that engulfed him.
As Wil ventured forth along the main road towards the other elven cities, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnection amidst the bustling activity around him. The streets teemed with elves going about their daily routines, the market alive with chatter and laughter, children playing without a care in the world.
Yet amidst the laughter and smiles of his people, Wil couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for the simplicity of his former life. Despite his noble quest for the kingdom, a part of him yearned to turn back the clock and return to the days of innocence and anonymity.
"There's our future Emperor!" The cheerful voices of the people echoed around him, their words filled with optimism and confidence.
"I'm certain he'll find the new guardians just in time," an elderly elf remarked, his tone tinged with reverence. "His father traversed Enchantria for mere meales and vanquished countless foes!"
Some of the children paused their play to approach him, their faces alight with smiles. "Bien neo, Your Highness!" they greeted him warmly.
"I was so frightened when I heard about the portal to the Spirit Realm opening, but..." one of the children began, their voice filled with hope, "knowing that you're setting out to save Enchantria has given me courage."
Wil was taken aback by the child's words, his heart stirring with a newfound sense of purpose. Though he felt apprehensive about the journey that lay ahead, he couldn't help but smile in response.
As he bid farewell to the bustling city of Sepphora, the hopeful gazes of its people followed him, their faith in him serving as a beacon of strength.
"Serebia is the nearest town," Wil thought to himself, contemplating his next move. "Perhaps I should head there first."
"I suppose I'll take the longer route on foot..." he began, only to be interrupted by the sight of the Sepphorian forest looming before him.
Retrieving a spare map from his bag, Wil pondered his options. According to the map, the forest offered a potential shortcut to Serebia, though it was shrouded in mystery and uncertainty.
After a moment of deliberation, Wil made his decision, setting his course towards the enigmatic depths of the Sepphorian forest.
"Well, here goes nothing," Wil muttered with a resigned smile. "Might as well make the best of it." With that, he stepped forward, embracing the unknown with determination in his heart.
•○GLOSSARY○•
⚔️Bien Neo!
- Elven word: Good luck!
⚔️Graxien
- Elven word: Thank you
⚔️Meales
- Enchantrian word: Months
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