64 Leaving Eldoria.
"Is everything alright?" Henry asked, glancing back at us. Anabelle gave him a thumbs up, indicating that things were going smoothly.
I was glad to see that Henry and Anabelle seemed to be getting along well. Their camaraderie brought a sense of unity to our group, enhancing our overall morale.
"Ana, make sure to pack the food, or else we'll be stuck eating whatever culinary creation Henry comes up with," Ali chimed in, joining us near the carriage, his hands full with supplies.
Anabelle's face lit up with a cheerful expression. "Don't worry, Ali. I'll make sure we have some delicious meals while we're on the road." Her merry demeanor was infectious, spreading a sense of anticipation among us.
'Hoho, it seems like your advice worked,' Blaze's voice echoed in my mind, referring to the strategy I had suggested to Anabelle.
Indeed, my advice to Anabelle had been fruitful. I had encouraged her to challenge Ali to the point where he would either speak up or let loose with his characteristic fiery language. Either way, it was bound to lead to a resolution, as Ali tended to be unfiltered in expressing his thoughts when pushed to his limits.
With our preparations complete, we were ready to depart. I still hadn't quite grown accustomed to Leila's presence. There was an eerie aura surrounding her, and she maintained her veil, keeping her face hidden from view. Given the absence of any discernible magic emanating from her, I assumed she was a commoner.
"Let's go," Ali declared, bringing his horse alongside mine. Our task was to guard the carriage from the outside, while Zark, Anabelle, and Barbara rode within the confines of the carriage alongside Leila. It was clear that Leila held the wooden box containing something of great value.
As Henry initiated the carriage, the horses began their steady march, propelling us forward. Our next destination was Ivorygate, a border town nestled between the Reva Kingdom and the Grav Kingdom.
This time, we planned to travel continuously without any extended stops. It would take around fourteen to fifteen days to reach Ivorygate, where our journey would conclude, and we would part ways.
"Hey Ren, how are you holding up?" Anabelle leaned out of the carriage window, her green hair swaying in the wind.
Anabelle had been in high spirits since reconciling with all of our friends. Her genuine happiness was contagious.
"I'm fine," I replied with brevity, mustering a small smile. My mind was occupied with numerous thoughts.
Anabelle pouted and retreated back into the carriage, seemingly disappointed with my short response.
"Haha, you better not make her angry, man. That girl has a soft spot for you," Ali chuckled, drawing his horse closer to mine and patting me on the back, consciously avoiding my shoulders.
"Ah, I wasn't trying to upset her. Just lost in my thoughts," I sighed, looking at him. "But it's quite surprising to see you talking to me so casually and laughing."
Ali, who had always been abrasive towards me, was now unexpectedly friendly.
"Well, you know..." Ali glanced around, then met my gaze. "I wanted to apologize for whatever I said to you. I wasn't in the right frame of mind, and my words were never intended to hurt you."
"Oh, that!" I feigned surprise, though I had long suspected that Ali's animosity towards me wasn't genuine. "Don't worry about it. It takes someone truly important to hurt me, and you didn't even come close. You just managed to annoy me a little," I replied nonchalantly.
Ali's expression shifted, a hint of vulnerability surfacing. "I don't know why that actually hurts my feelings," he admitted, his tone genuine.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy towards him. We all had our struggles and moments of vulnerability. Perhaps there was more to Ali than met the eye, a complexity beneath his gruff exterior.
"Well, let's leave it in the past," I offered, reaching out to pat him on the back in a gesture of goodwill. "We're all in this journey together, and it's better to build bridges than walls."
Ali nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You're right, Ren. It's about time we move forward and focus on the task at hand."
Ali said while I pondered what I would do once I parted ways with the group. Obtaining a reliable horse would be essential, as I planned to head towards the border crossing, then make my way to the Reva Kingdom, and from there, follow Blaze's suggestion to venture to the enigmatic Crooked Islands. While I still didn't fully grasp Blaze's intentions, I decided to trust his guidance for the time being.
As I delved deeper into conversations with Blaze, the discrepancies between the game world I had known and the information he shared became increasingly perplexing. Our discussions unfolded like an unraveling tapestry, weaving a tale that challenged the very foundations of my understanding.
The map, once a reliable guide to the lands and kingdoms I thought I knew, was now called into question. Blaze's words painted a new reality, one where the boundaries of realms shifted, and unexpected realms, such as the enigmatic Demon kingdom, rose to prominence. Mermaids, once confined to the realm of myth and folklore, now claimed their existence in this magical world.
The implications of Blaze's revelation extended far beyond mere geography. He claimed the power to alter bloodlines, a feat I had believed impossible within the confines of the game mechanics. It shattered the preconceived limitations I had come to accept, leaving me to ponder the true depths of this world's potential.
Furthermore, Blaze spoke of an untamed and treacherous island, Crooked Island, housing a fabled dungeon of unparalleled strength. My knowledge had always pointed to the Hestia Empire as the seat of such power, a beacon yet to be discovered. The incongruity between reality and perception danced before my eyes, beckoning me to question everything I thought I knew.
Perhaps the most staggering revelation of all lies in the existence of multiple gods. In the realm of the game, only Ellora, the goddess of light, held sway. But according to Blaze, a pantheon of deities presided over this magical realm, each with their own dominion and influence. The implications of such divine presence ignited a sense of awe and uncertainty within me.
The world that once appeared familiar is now unfurled before me as a tapestry of mystery and contradiction. The game's boundaries had expanded beyond imagination, challenging the very essence of what it means to inhabit this magical realm. With every revelation, my sense of wonder and anticipation grew, for within the intermingling of truth and fiction lay the potential for extraordinary adventures and uncharted territories yet to be explored.
Well,Let's not jump on the conclusions it's all just assumptions.
We rode side by side, guarding the carriage as it continued its steady progression towards Ivorygate. The passing scenery unfolded like a breathtaking tapestry—lush fields, shimmering rivers, and ancient forests, all bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves on the road accompanied our journey, creating a soothing symphony that reverberated through the surrounding landscape.
As dusk casts its gentle veil upon the world, we set up camp for the night. The crackling fire illuminated our tired faces, forging a bond that went beyond the boundaries of our initial agreement. We shared tales, laughter, and even moments of vulnerability, strengthening the foundation of our newfound camaraderie.
As the days blended into nights, and nights transformed into days, the landscape transformed around us, painting a breathtaking panorama with each passing mile.
Throughout our week-long journey, Leila's enigmatic presence remained a constant source of intrigue. Draped in her veiled attire, she exuded an air of mystery and quiet strength. Though her inability to speak restricted her communication, her actions spoke volumes, as she remained ever vigilant, never straying far from the precious wooden box she safeguarded.
Occasionally, I caught fleeting glimpses of Leila's eyes beneath her veil—deep, contemplative orbs that held untold stories within. Her silence only seemed to enhance her aura of trustworthiness, as if she had taken on the role of a steadfast guardian, dedicated to ensuring the safe delivery of the invaluable cargo.
Yet, despite her presence, questions lingered in the back of my mind, taunting me with their elusive nature. What secrets did Leila hold? Why had the merchant in Arcanum chosen to entrust a mute non-mage with such vital responsibility? The incongruity of it all gnawed at my curiosity, fueling a mixture of fascination and caution. But for now, I respected Leila's silence, realizing that the answers would reveal themselves in due time.
In the midst of our journey, Blaze's voice echoed in my mind, expressing the same doubts that plagued me. 'It just doesn't add up,' he murmured, his thoughts mirroring my own.
Yet, despite the unanswered questions, I found myself drawn to Leila's enigmatic presence. It added a captivating layer to our adventure, a touch of intrigue that made each day on the road all the more exhilarating. With every step forward, I silently hoped that the mysteries surrounding Leila would eventually unravel, illuminating the path before us and revealing the greater purpose that lay ahead.
"Haa, ain't we in a bind now," I muttered under my breath, gazing ahead at the obstacle that lay before us. We had already completed half of our arduous journey, and now it seemed that we were faced with a daunting challenge.
As we faced the dense expanse of the sprawling forest ahead, a knot of unease twisted in my stomach. It wasn't the forest itself that gave me cause for concern; after all, we had traversed through various landscapes and encountered their own set of challenges. No, what truly troubled me is that the whole forest is the-
" It's an Illusory Forest Path."
