Journey 01

Just like that, our journey began. Watching the border of the village grow smaller and smaller behind us stirred something strange within me. It was a peculiar feeling, especially since this was my first time leaving the village. Next month, I'll be five years old, and this is the first time I've ever ventured beyond its borders.

Many of the other kids often accompany their parents on trips, and some even invited me to join them. But I always refused. I didn't want to trouble anyone with looking after me.

This time, though, my curiosity got the better of me. I couldn't resist.

As I stared at the surroundings, the environment grew stranger with every step we took. The greenery I was used to was now much thicker. The trees became denser, their trunks towering higher, and they seemed to press closer to the road. Even the usual howling of animals had quieted. It felt eerie—but also captivating.

That's the charm of getting farther from the Forbidden Forest, I thought to myself.

I was lost in my observations when James's voice pulled me back.

"Did you notice anything?" he asked.

"It feels... livelier as we get farther from the village," I replied.

"True. And do you know why?" he asked again, his tone gentle but curious.

"Because we're getting farther away from the Forbidden Forest?" I answered, though not entirely sure if I was right.

James chuckled softly. "True

"Not just that, little warrior," Pol chimed in, breaking through the conversation. "It's also because we're getting closer to the Green City. It's not called that for nothing."

Startled, I turned to see him—how had I not noticed him approach? He stood just a few paces away, his sharp eyes sparkling with amusement as he looked down at me. There was something both reassuring and unnerving about the way he carried himself, like he knew things the rest of us could only guess at.

He studied me for a moment longer before adding with a sly grin, "You're going to look really handsome when you're older. You've definitely inherited Theo's charm."

My cheeks flushed instantly. Compliments weren't something I knew how to handle, and this one came completely out of nowhere.

"Of course, he's my son after all!" Dad's voice rang out, rich with pride. I hadn't even noticed him stepping closer either. Before I could react, he reached out, lifted me effortlessly from the wagon, and held me in his arms.

I stared at him, utterly bewildered. Five hours of walking, and he looked completely unfazed—like he hadn't spent all that time trekking over uneven roads under the hot sun. Meanwhile, I'd been sitting in the wagon the whole time, bouncing uncomfortably with every jolt, yet somehow I was still the one who felt exhausted.

Dad smirked as if reading my thoughts. "One look at you, and I can tell you're not built for sitting around. Guess I'll have to carry you for a while."

Before I could protest, he adjusted me in his arms, his steps steady as ever as he continued down the road. It was embarrassing—being carried like a little kid—but also strangely comforting. His warmth, the steady rise and fall of his chest, and the rhythmic sound of his boots against the path made me feel safe in a way I couldn't explain.

I glanced up at him, still unsure what to say. He caught my gaze and smiled. "Don't overthink it, kiddo. Save your energy. You'll need it when we get to the city."

His words sparked a flicker of excitement in my chest, though I tried to hide it. The Green City. I'd heard so many stories about it—the sprawling gardens, the vibrant markets, the endless streets alive with color and music. It felt surreal to think we were finally on our way there.

As I nestled against Dad's shoulder, I let my mind wander, imagining what awaited us beyond the next hill.

"Guys, let's take a break," James said, his voice steady but kind.

I knew he was saying it for my sake. No one else seemed the least bit tired. They moved with practiced ease, their steps light despite the hours of walking. Meanwhile, I'd been carried and coddled for most of the journey, and I still felt like I was slowing everyone down.

Guilt gnawed at me. I hadn't just tagged along—I felt like I was dragging them down, wasting their time. But no one complained. In fact, everyone agreed to the break without a second thought.

After another half hour of walking, we found a nice spot to rest. It was a small clearing nestled between tall, shady trees, with a gentle river flowing just twenty meters away. The sound of the water was soothing, almost melodic, as it lapped over smooth stones.

As we settled in, I overheard one of the adventurers—a stocky man with a deep voice—speak up. "It's weird," he said, his brow furrowing slightly. "We didn't encounter any beasts on the way here. I think it's our lucky day."

Another adventurer, a wiry woman with sharp eyes, chimed in while stretching her arms. "Yeah, usually by now we're already exhausted from fighting. Instead, we're just sitting here resting."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and I couldn't help but feel a slight chill creep up my spine. Their tone wasn't entirely celebratory—it was cautious, like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Dad must have noticed the shift in the mood because he glanced over, his expression calm but watchful. "Don't jinx it," he said with a half-smile. "Quiet days like this are rare. Let's just enjoy it while we can."

The group nodded, though the unease lingered just beneath the surface. As everyone began unpacking their supplies—water flasks, bread, dried fruits—I found myself gazing toward the river. The sunlight danced on the surface, casting ripples of gold and silver that seemed almost magical.

"Want to check out the river?" Dad asked, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.

I nodded hesitantly. Maybe the cool water would wash away the odd sense of unease I felt. Together, we walked toward the riverbank, leaving the others behind.

For a moment, everything felt peaceful. The forest was quiet save for the rustling of leaves and the gentle murmur of the river. I crouched by the edge, dipping my hands into the cool water, watching the ripples spread outward.

But then, in the distance, I thought I heard something—faint but distinct. A rustling sound, deeper and heavier than the wind moving through the trees. I glanced at Dad, and from the way he stiffened, I knew he'd heard it too.

Hello, my lovely sunshines! ☀️✨

I hope you all missed me as much as I missed you! Life has been a bit rough lately, and to make things worse, my PC broke. 😭 I really dislike typing on my phone, so I took a little break. But, since my PC isn't fixed yet, I've finally accepted reality and decided to use my phone until I can get a new one.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me during this time. Your love and encouragement mean the world to me! 💖

Shoutout to these amazing people:

light1, luvley anasita, mossyender, liji815, crimcrim2000, lilylina, suelilly, shyannestorie, raven, creakycorey, balogunfunbi, Emani36337, irgilesop, just_snailprincess, koroko149, melodicstarsss, rileymeww, Ajkurt, Arpita, nothingperiod, Premsingh693, Khaulat<3, Candygrapes156, Waterlily84, kukuCaca5, Mikachi15, UNDERSTONE, owjfie, emmamario, lynxxyd, ivydebra5, ILYKAEYAA, RAkshatasingh, moonys26, LILITH22306, SATOROJJKGOJO, TRACEAKIRA, KIRANPANDA2, PUMPUMPATTY, TWISTEDVICTORYLILY, MARYROSE, MAYSMAY7, MEEZTICALS10, FANTASY5VAISHNAVI, THEUKEPROTECTOR, SATOROJJKGOGO (a special thanks to you! 💕), bolanlefolayan, atanasiia, nonamesadness, favouritesong8, FAMILY179, BAKU45673, mizzingtexture, yungchizzy, rainbrownies, aniew9, YKONNO, temmiel89, amethystflower, mistyareader, havefunbi, parisdubai, krisw292, celestia, cherryA79, percyjackson, stephanie, pyromaniacdeejae, najade24, carlene24, toyouarmmm, lilihelona, blizarer, midnightdewrose, chrysanthemum lover!

You guys are the best! Thank you for sticking with me. I'll do my best to keep writing despite the struggles. Sending you all lots of love! 💫💜

For those I didn't mention this time, don't worry—I'll definitely include you in the next chapter! 💖 Your support means so much to me, and I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you again for being part of this journey! ✨💫💜