Journey to the Heartstone (Part 1)

The sun was just a blush on the horizon, timidly peeking over the edge of the world, as if hesitant to face the day ahead. The village square was already a hive of activity, people scurrying about with arms full of supplies, faces etched with seriousness usually reserved for later hours. I mean, who organizes a life-or-death packing party at the crack of dawn? Apparently, we do.

This wasn't the cheerful, bustling scene you might expect from a market preparing for a festival. Nope, this was more of a "Hey, gather 'round, folks! We're about to embark on a journey to possibly save the world, but there's a not-so-small chance we might not come back!" kind of affair.

"Are you sure about this, Nanang?" Putri's voice brought me back to the present. Her eyes were clouded with concern, and I could see the weight of what lay ahead pressing on her.

"Oh, absolutely!" I declared, "I always wanted to go on a life-threatening quest with a bunch of strangers. It's like a fantasy vacation package!"

Putri managed a small smile at my attempted humor, but her worry remained. "Please, be serious this time," she pleaded. "This is no game. We're dealing with the Heartstone's potential failure, and..."

"I know, I know." I cut her off, my tone softening. "But what can I do? Stay here and sketch more funny faces? I have to go."

Her eyes searched mine, and I knew she understood. But that didn't make it any easier.

Around us, preparations continued as Orym, the innkeeper turned expedition leader, oversaw everything. His voice, strong and confident, carried the authority of a once well-known merchant and traveler. His reputation as an explorer was legendary among the villagers, but as I watched him, I caught a glimpse of something else in his eyes: fear. The very man who had crossed treacherous terrains and negotiated with formidable traders now faced something that even his vast experience couldn't prepare him for. He knew the stakes, perhaps even more than the rest of us.

"Putri!" Orym's voice broke through the noise. "Assist me here, child. We must ensure enough potions and herbs for the road."

"I want to go with you, Father! I can mend wounds; I can help," Putri rang out, clear and defiant.

Orym's face tightened, and he took a step towards her. "I know you can, my dear, but I need you to be here. The journey is dangerous, and it's no place for..."

"For a woman?" Putri's eyes flashed with frustration. "I thought you taught me that being a woman never held me back."

"I did, my dear," Orym replied, his voice firm. "But you're my daughter, and I can't bear to lose you."

"But Father, I can be the healer," Putri protested. "I'm the one who's seen what those dark and vile wounds can do. I can make a difference.

Orym looked into Putri's eyes, seeing the determination and strength she had inherited from him. But he also saw her vulnerability, the little girl he had once held in his arms.

"Don't worry, Putri, we have Master Thoren," Orym gestured to a wise-looking old man, his face carrying the marks of many years' wisdom. "He's your mentor in the academy, right? You know he's skilled, Putri. But you, you stay with your mother. Don't you make her worry."

Tears glistened in Putri's eyes, and she looked down, her body sagging with defeat. The silence seemed to hang in the air, thick and tangible.

"I understand, Father," she finally whispered, her voice fragile.

Orym reached out and lifted her chin. His eyes, a turbulent sea of conflicting feelings, met hers. "I want you safe, my daughter. That's all I've ever wanted."

Putri nods.

I stepped closer to Putri, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. I'll make sure your father comes back safely, and I'll draw you a picture of the Mystic Peaks. How about that?"

She smiled, wiping a tear from her eye. "Just make sure you come back too, okay?" she whispered, her voice tinged with a subtle sorrow.

"I promise," I assured her, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. We were in this together, even if she couldn't be there in person.

Although, I've got this mixture of relief and guilt. Relieved that Putri wouldn't be in danger, but guilty that I was still going. Despite my inexperience as an adventurer, I was being chosen over Putri, a talented healer with so much to offer. It was a confusing knot of emotions, this sense that my untested abilities were somehow more valuable than her proven skills.

"Ahem." Orym cleared his throat, turning to me with a keen glance. "Nanang, lad, are you prepared? There's more to this journey than meets the eye, don't you think?"

I looked at him, my stomach doing somersaults. "Ready as I'll ever be. Though I should warn you, I'm a complete novice at this adventure stuff."

Orym clapped me on the shoulder, his eyes twinkling with encouragement. "Fear not, lad. We'll train you on the way."

That's comforting, I thought. An adventurer-in-training. What could possibly go wrong?

The preparations continued, and the time for departure drew near. I could feel the anticipation, the fear, the hope, all mingled into one giant ball of emotions. It was like being on the edge of a cliff with a pair of homemade wings, knowing you had to jump but not sure if you'd fly or become an accidental pancake.

Finally, the time came. The supplies were packed, the team assembled, and we were ready to go. The air was thick with anticipation, and as we gathered for our departure, I could see the strained smiles and misty eyes of those we were leaving behind. It was time to say our goodbyes.

I turned to Putri, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Take care, okay?" she whispered, reaching out to hug me.

"I will," I promised, hugging her tightly, feeling her heartbeat against mine and the warmth of her embrace. "And you take care too." As we parted, my eyes darted around, searching for Pyuan. It's a bummer not to find her; knowing her, she's probably still snoozing in her bed. Typical Pyuan.

But then, something tickled the back of my mind. Pyuan's playful mischievousness was one thing, but I believe she'd never missed a chance to say goodbye, especially for something this important.

A slight frown creased my brow as I dismissed the thought. Maybe she left a note or something. That's just like her.

Putri nodded, stepping back, her eyes on her father. Orym was saying goodbye to his wife, their lips meeting in a tender kiss, their eyes locked in a silent vow, filled with an unspoken promise to return safely.

Then, he turned to his daughter, his face filled with love and pride. "I'll be back soon, Putri. Watch over the village for me."

"I will, Father," Putri replied, her voice choked with emotion. "Just... just come back safely."

"We will," Orym promised, squeezing her hand.

With that, we set off, leaving the village behind, heading towards uncertainty, danger, and hopefully, the salvation of our world.

As we began our journey, I couldn't help but admire the sturdy wagons lined up, each pulled by magnificent Draythorns. Imagine a bear, but with the scales of a dragon and the hooves of a mighty stag, and you're halfway to picturing these beasts. Their eyes, a brilliant shade of emerald, reassured me of their reliability.

Orym's merchant past had served us well; these were no ordinary wagons but crafted with care and laden with compartments and conveniences only a seasoned traveler would think of. The Draythorns pulled the wagons smoothly over the ground, and as I settled into my seat, I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation for the journey ahead.

Orym explained the plan: the Heartstone was located deep in the Mystic Peaks, a good two or three days' travel away. Our mission was to investigate the potential failure of the Heartstone, a gem that maintained the balance of our world. The challenge was like walking through a thick forest at night, knowing something was there but not seeing it. As we began to move, I leaned back, trying to wrap my head around the magnitude of our quest, when suddenly I felt something shift in my cart.

My heart leaped into my throat, and I scrambled to find the source of the movement. Was it a stowaway? Some dangerous creature? A living ink blot that turned into a monster?

Oh, boy!

I braced myself, pen at the ready, preparing to face whatever it was under there. I pulled back the sheet, pulse racing, when a pair of sparkling eyes and a mischievous grin greeted me.

"Pyu!" I exclaimed, my surprise giving way to amusement. "What are you doing here?"

The catgirl's laughter rang out, her tail flicking with delight. "Surprise! You didn't think to go on this adventure without me, did you~pyu?"