56 Journey Begins.



(Ren Hilton's POV.)

 

Phew

 

"It's time to say bye." I stood before my childhood home in Sephra, my heart heavy with mixed emotions. The time had come for me to embark on a new chapter of my life, but bidding farewell to these loved ones was no easy task. My mother, Rose, and father, Chris, stood beside me, their eyes brimming with pride and sadness.

 

My mother's dear friend, Marylin, had also come to see me off. She had been a constant presence in their lives, a source of wisdom and support, and I slightly considered her a mentor. Her warm smile now held a tinge of sadness as she clasped my hands tightly, conveying her well wishes.

 

"Ren, let's go." Anabelle said from behind, The carriage that would carry me and Anabelle's companions to the capital awaited us.

 

The sturdy and practical exterior of the carriage, which can hold up to five passengers, is supported by a strong structure and four wheels. A bench with three chairs is located on the opposite side of the single row of seats inside. Small windows, a functional but not particularly roomy cabin with necessary amenities like seat belts, storage spaces, and climate control. It effectively moves people from one place to another, serving its intended goal.

 

I turned to face my family and Marylin, taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart. I knew I had to find the strength to bid them farewell and assure them that I would return one day, victorious and accomplished.

 

"Mother, Father," I began, my voice filled with gratitude and determination, "I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your unwavering support. It is because of your love and guidance that I have the courage to chase my dreams."

 

 

"Ruu, my dear child, go forth with our blessings and know that we will be here, eagerly awaiting your return. May the gods protect you on your journey and grant you success."Mother embraced me tightly, her tears mingling.

 

My father clasped my shoulder firmly. "You have our utmost faith, Ren. Remember to stay true to your principles and wield your talents wisely. The world can be both beautiful and treacherous, but I know you have the strength to navigate its challenges."

 

"Marylin, thank you for everything you've done for me."Turning to Marylin, I extended my hand to her. She took it gently, her eyes shining with affection.

 

"Ren, my dear boy, you have grown into a remarkable young man. I have no doubt that you will be successful in whatever you do. Remember to stay true to your values, and may the winds of fortune guide you towards greatness." Marylin's voice wavered with emotion as she replied,She patted my shoulders.

 

 

With tearful goodbyes and promises to write letters, I stepped into the awaiting carriage, Anabelle's companions by her side. As the carriage began to roll, I looked back, my heart heavy yet filled with determination. My family and Marylin stood there, waving and watching me until they were out of sight, their unwavering support etched into my soul.

 

 

As the carriage carried me away from Sephra, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude and love for the people who had shaped my life.

 

Blaze asked in a casual tone, 'Are these emotions you're experiencing your own, or do you think they belong to the previous owner?'

 

A swirl of emotions overwhelmed me. Was it the lingering presence of the previous owner's emotions, or perhaps my own deep attachment to the memories we had shared within these few days? I couldn't say for certain, nor did I want to delve too deeply into the why.

 

'Who knows, and who cares?" I sent it back in response. This feeling, this sense of bittersweet nostalgia, was not something I despised. It fueled me, reminding me of my purpose: to grow stronger, not only to safeguard my own well-being but also to shield those I held dear.

 

.....

 

[Inside the carriage.]

[Third person view.]

 

"It'll take two days to reach Eldoria,so be at ease since this road is safe." Henry sat confidently in the driver's seat, his hands tightly gripping the reins as he guided the horses along the bumpy road. The sun cast warm rays through the windows, creating a cosy atmosphere inside. However, tensions simmered beneath the surface.

 

"Isn't it too quiet here?' Ren thought as he looked around himself.

 

Zzzzzz

 

Barbara sat nearby, her massive frame occupying most of the space. Despite the commotion around her, she was soundly asleep, snoring lightly, oblivious to the dynamics at play. Her immense strength and sturdy stature made her an imposing figure, even in slumber.

 

 

Flip

 

Zark, sitting across from Barbara, immersed himself in his reading. The magic scripture he held in his hands absorbed his attention completely. Ancient symbols and mystical incantations danced before his eyes as he delved deep into the lore and secrets of magic. His concentration shielded him from the unfolding tensions within the carriage.

 

 

"So is it always this quiet here?" Ren asked Anabelle in a low voice.

 

"Well,it used to be more lively, but lately nobody wants to talk much, or it's more like they don't want to talk to me." Anabelle responded, she showcased a sad expression.

 

Sigh

"Well,Fret not," Ren whispered in a low voice, his words brushing against Anabelle's ear. "Just do what I told you, and you'll be fine." The intimacy of his hushed tone sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and intrigue.

 

"Hie!!!" Startled by his words, she turned to face him, her eyes searching for reassurance and guidance.

 

 

 

"What happened? Is everything fine behind you?" Henry, momentarily distracted from his role as the driver, glanced back with a curious expression, his grip on the reins loosening slightly.

 

"Hey kid! Don't creep her out." Ali, ever watchful and quick to seize any opportunity to taunt Ren,

 

"Creep her out? What do you mean?" Ren tilts his head in confusion.

 

"Why did she react like that? What was this guy doing, Ana? Is he touching you in any weird place?" Ali asked as he shot up from his seat.

 

 

 

"!?" Barbara, roused from her slumber by the commotion, blinked her eyes sleepily and straightened herself in her seat. Her muscular form made her an imposing presence, and her gaze shifted from Ren and Anabelle to the others in the carriage, observing their reactions with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

 

Shut

 

"What happened to Anabelle?" Zark, torn away from his engrossing reading by the sudden stir, looked up from his magic scripture with a raised eyebrow. His eyes flitted between Ren and Anabelle, and his mind was already formulating theories and speculations about their relationship. The unexpected twist in the atmosphere had caught his attention, diverting his focus from the ancient magic text for the moment.

 

Silence

 

The silence that followed the startling moment lingered in the air, each person in the carriage holding their breath, waiting for an explanation or an awkward attempt to diffuse the tension. Anabelle, her cheeks still flushed, glanced at Ren with a mix of surprise and embarrassment, searching for the right words to address the sudden spotlight that had engulfed them.

 

"Why don't you say something, Ana? If you don't explain,then that bald guy is going to think that I am a creep. Are you fine with that?" Ren asked teasingly; it's as if he knows why she reacted this way.

 

"No! It's just that..."Ana went silent.

 

"It's just that?"but Ren kept going.

 

"I felt it... I felt your breath touch my ear, and I got startled. Nothing much." Ana said her cheeks took on a more dark crimson shade.

 "Oh! my, Anabelle," Barbara taunted, her tone lighthearted yet pointed, "Seems like you've caught the attention of this little fellow here. Care to share any lovey dovey secrets with us?"

Barbara, unable to resist a playful jest, couldn't help but tease Anabelle due to the earlier incident. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she leaned closer to Anabelle, her voice filled with playful sarcasm.

"Lovey dovey!?" Anabelle's embarrassment reached its peak as Barbara's teasing words echoed in her ears. Her cheeks burned with a deep crimson hue, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, desperately wishing for an escape from the attention directed her way.

 

"So Mr Baldy.You heard Ana right? now apologise." Ren turned to Ali,who had a dumbfounded expression on his face.

 

 

"Apologise for what?" Ali asked as he returned to his seat, his voice laced with defiance.

 

"You called me a creep, right? So Apologise,NOW." Ren's eyes lost their light as he commanded, his tone firm and resolute.

 

The atmosphere in the carriage grew tense as the two locked eyes, a battle of wills unfolding before them. The weight of Ren's words hung heavily in the air, demanding resolution and an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Ali's expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and

 

"What if I don't?" Ali tried to brush away the warning, but before he could complete the sentence, Henry said

 

"He's right, Ali.I heard you call him a creep without proof. Now apologise." Henry said this without looking back.

 

"But-"Ali tried to argue.

 

"I said apologise, now." Henry repeated himself. His tone is absolute.

 

"Sh*t, fine, I'll do it." Ali looked at Ren and said, "I am sorry for what I said earlier."

 

"Make sure you won't make the mistake again, or there might be some heavy consequences." Ren said that as light returned to them,he gave a small, eerie smile to Ali. That, for some reason, only looked quite scary to Ali.

 

Ren focused his attention back on Anabelle, and they began talking normally, and soon Barbara joined them.

 

"Tsk." Ali was rolling his eyes when he saw Ren and Anabelle talk with Barbara.

 

'That fellow definitely hates me for some reason,' Ren thought.

 

 

As the carriage continued its journey, the delicate balance between hate, sleep, and magic created an intricate tapestry of emotions, each thread weaving through the air. The atmosphere remained charged, waiting for the next turn of events to unfold within the confines of the carriage.

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