Out There

“Who’s my baby boy. That’s you!”

Astrid spins with Eiric in her arms. She skips though the hall and into the living room where she sits on the couch.

From here, Eiric can catch a glimpse outside the window. As much he tries, he can only see a wall from the angle he lays at. It must be their fence, though he can’t see the top of it from where he is.

Eiric giggles as his mother, pinches his cheeks and pokes his belly. Most days consist of Eiric lounging around, or his parents doting over him. It’s fun to play with them, but he is able to enjoy himself most as he has confirmed what he wanted most, Astrid and Torsten are his family.

He has no explanation for it; his heart can just tell. Better yet, he still sees his friends from the heaven’s waiting room as family as well.

“Egh.”

“Oh my baby.” Astrid holds Eiric up, “I promise, we’ll make this world one you can live as you wish.”

Although Eiric believed Astrid beautiful the day he first saw her, her beauty only grows with each day. It’s alarming even, Eiric believes her beauty could rival that of Sigrun.

“Agh!”

“What’s wrong honey? Hungry?”

“Agh… seh.”

“She? You’re a little young for your first words. Then again, I don’t think many babies are like you. Have you even cried yet? Torsten, isn’t it weird that he doesn’t cry?”

“Hm?” Torsten enters the living of their home, he’s drenched in sweat and has a bruise on his cheek, “It is strange, but he’s healthy.”

“He is, eats more than us combined, I think. Isn’t that right my little man, who’s a big eater.”

“Agh!”

“Dear, how did everything go?” Astrid pulls Eiric close.

“They say there hasn’t been a blessed born in any camp for two years now. We don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.”

No blessed? What about the others?

Eiric still wonders about his blessing. The others often said they would have a pick of choices, but he received no such option, only the name of his blessing: master of light.

With no special feelings, Eiric is left clueless. Perhaps there was a mistake. He is a baby now after all, but his status screen does display his blessing.

How do I use it? Am I too young? I can barely crawl.

Eiric wonders more about it, but this brings strange memories like that he saw before collapsing in heaven’s waiting room.

“Agh.” Eiric reaches for his head and cries.

“Oh! Baby, you’re crying! There, there, are you hungry?”

“You seem excited to hear him crying.” Torsten said.

“Now I can rest I peace knowing that he will tell me when something is wrong. Hungry?”

The memories stop. For a moment, there were hundreds if not thousands of images of which he is certain he has not experienced himself. The images are gone, behind remain threads of different colors that offer a small glint of each. Manageable now, but none he believes are his own memories.

“Here, eat up as much as you can… good, good. I’m not bad at this, I hope.”

“Of course not. It’s your first baby, you’re doing great. If anything, I need to step it up.”

“You’re already so busy. You know I’ll always support you, but please stay safe. We need you as well.”

“I know. Oh, how about I take Eiric out to see the world outside. He can’t be stuck in this house forever.”

“Do you think he’s ready? Maybe another month.”

“You said that last month, the seasons have changed since he was born you know.”

“Fine. But if anything happens to my baby, you’ll understand true fury mister.”

“Haha, what could happen within these walls?”

“You’re not staying within these walls; I can see it in your eyes. I don’t mind, but safety is priority.”

“Of course. You need a break as well. I’ll take him as soon as I eat.”

“Keep him bundled up, it’s cold and the winds out here are strong. If he gets hungry I prepared a bottle, also a diaper and some other things you may need. Oh! And some extra clothes.” Astrid said.

“Should we prepare a spare bed as well.” Torsten laughed.

“Oh, stop it. Be careful, promise?”

“Of course dear, we’ll return as soon as I’ve shown him the view over the cliff.”

Eiric keeps his eyes on the door. The first time outside his house, some questions he’s had will be answered, but he is curious to see the area they live in.

Exiting the house, Eiric closes his eyes as they struggle to adjust to the sun. Once they do, the wonders swarm in. Houses made of stone surround a river cutting through their village, animals are corralled over a bridge, and children run alongside their parents as they head for the center where businesses are concentrated.

But Eiric’s eyes focus on one thing.

The village is surrounded by large walls that pierce the clouds. He’s never seen such a thing, but the outside world must be as dangerous as his mother worried about.

“Is that little Eiric?”

Many villagers approach Torsten to introduce themselves to the newest member of their village. Much to his surprise, he can only see humans.

“It’s his first time leaving the house, I’m going to show him outside the walls.”

“Torsten, be careful out there. Also, we’re having the meeting tonight. Another was born.”

“Where?”

“A village deep in the south marshes.”

“I see. Prepare a house, I’ll see you all at the meeting.”

“What do you think Eiric?” Torsten asked as he walked for the eastern wall.

“Egh.”

“You like it? Well, the village itself is beautiful, the people are wonderful. But there is more to life, you all deserve much more.”

Torsten approaches guards wearing silver armor standing at the village walls.

“Reason for leaving?” A guard said as they stopped Torsten.

“I’m just showing my boy what it’s like out there.”

“Should a weak plant gatherer take a child out by himself? You always have your friend with you when going out.”

“We’re not going anywhere dangerous; we’re taking a horse as well. It will be fine.”

“Very well. Permission to leave until sundown, no later.”

“Thank you.”

Outside the walls Eiric is met by a forest, the trees as vast as those he saw next to Yggdrasil. To their left is a large stable with different animals guarded by over ten guards. Of the many animals there, horses, bears, large bulls, there are no winged horses.

“Just a horse please.” Torsten said as he tossed the guard a silver coin.

The guard here wears simple clothing unlike the armor worn by the guard at the gate, he’s local to the village while the silver armored guards work for the kingdom.

Torsten follows the main road for 15 minutes, the speed of the horse far greater than any found on Earth. The trees soon disappear, replaced by a large clearing of hills, and skies filled by large birds hunting for small animals hiding in the tall grass.

“Don’t worry, those birds tend to stay away from humans. So long as we don’t meet one of the stronger of the bunch, but I’ll protect you anyhow.”

Torsten turns their horse off course, now northeast bound and away from the main road.

“That road is considered safe passage for anyone weaker. Predators tend to stay away as there are many checkpoints in the area, but that’s no fun is it?”

“Agh!” Isn’t it dangerous for us then?

Torsten continues down the unpaved path until reaching a hill.

Ahead of them lies an endless view of a river surrounded by trees and mountains in the distance. Around the mountains are floating pieces of land, that burst and rain down below before reforming in less than a minute.

“Eiric. Out there is a beautiful world for us to explore. One day, I promise I’ll give you the opportunity to do so. We may be stuck in our village for now, but.” Torsten hops of his horse while holding Eiric close, “We’re going to change the world.”

From one of the floating islands, an owl the size of house turns its head to look at them. Its wings spread, the only warning it will give before rising into the air like a spinning bullet. Then, it jets for Torsten and Eiric.

“Agh!” It’s going to kill us! “Agh!”

“You have good eyes, that’s my son. Eiric, don’t worry. I’ll make you strong, and then all that is out there will be free for us to roam. Tveir Gale.”

Torsten raises his hand, three runes floating in front of his palm. Eiric digs his head into Torsten’s chest, but, as the owl’s claws are about to strike Torsten’s eyes, strong winds split the owl into five pieces.

Eiric looks back up, the owl dead with a single attack. “Egh!” Dad’s weak?!

“Don’t tell anyone, ok my little guy.” Torsten raises Eiric into the air, a proud smile as Eiric claps for him, “Dad’s strong.”