Giving my First Steps

As I continue on my path without hesitation, the footsteps from behind catch up to me. Despite their fears Yuki and Daichi have chosen to follow me. I can't help but smile and feel comfort by their presence.

“You're a hopeless idiot, you know that?” Daichi's voice makes me relax, a warm feeling spreading through my chest.

“I know, thanks for coming. Let's save the Fifth together.”

“We might die and on top of that, we had to leave all our loot behind to run faster,” Yuki says with a hint of frustration. Still, I notice the determination shining in her eyes. “We'll lose a whole day's work.”

“We'll get it back. And if we rescue the prince, we'll probably be rolling in money.”

“Ahhh, so you're doing it for the money, you are greedy, Kaiko.” We all laugh and the mood lightens. Daichi gives me a hearty slap on the back. “You should say 'when' we rescue the prince.”

He's right. “Yes, Dai, when we rescue the prince, we'll also go for the Vivrras.”

“Alright, let's pick up the pace,” Yuki interrupts, taking the lead.

We catch up to her and hurry through the forest. We start joking about us, about my power and what awaits ahead, the confidence, joy and determination are contagious. We're sure of our path, even if what awaits us is daunting.

Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating harmonious patterns. Gradually, the forest becomes denser and the air grows heavy with tension, it's getting darker and the sun hasn't been set. I don't understand why; we're not there yet. It shouldn’t be the prince and his battle. The atmosphere feels similar to our morning journey.

“If you're wondering about this strange feeling… it's because the Boss Mchafu in the forest is reviving and soon more and more monsters will appear with it,” Yuki explains, glancing back at me as she runs. “The peace will end soon, let’s hurry.”

And she's right. The peaceful forest sounds, the chirping of insects and birds, gradually fade, replaced by the howls and cries of the monsters.

After a while, we reach the boss's zone. As Yuki said, it's still regenerating and at a low level. The Zkan tells me it can be killed, but it won't give any experience. It has the size of two normal Mchafu, but without hands, or his face fully created.

“Don't stop running! Follow me!” I shout, signaling them to follow my plan.

Fast Dash.

I head straight for the boss, reinforcing my speed and use it as a springboard. It's a kind of solid mass with two legs that's regenerating. As it screams like a kid’s rage, Yuki and Daichi do the same, roaring a laugh.

We land past the trees and continue running. “You're absolutely crazy, Kai,” Daichi says, shaking his head.

“It felt kind of gross, feeling my feet sink into that thing…”

“You will bathe later! We're almost there, right?” I ask them and they nod in agreement.

After the boss, there's a short stretch of dense forest and the terrain rises. Ahead, there's a barren wasteland stretching for several kilometers, that’s where we are going.

We take a short break by one of the rivers running parallel to the forest. We're almost at the edge of the Wasteland Eden and take the opportunity to plan. Yuki hands each of us a differently colored potion. Mine is a turquoise-green, theirs is blue. I drink it in one gulp and it tastes horribly bitter.

“Any plans or ideas?” I ask, trying to get a sense of what they're thinking as I drink a large amount of water to wash away the taste.

“Weren't you the one with the grand plan to rescue them at all costs?” Daichi teases. “The Great Kaiko, the vanquisher of evil beings.”

“Very funny. My plan was just to get there and take them down. No real plan, but maybe sneaking up and surprising them wouldn't be a bad idea.”

“If they're high-level enemies,” Yuki muses aloud, “they'll detect us. We don't have invisibility. Night could be our ally, but it's still far off and we don't know their situation, we cannot wait.”

“Let's approach cautiously,” Daichi says seriously. “See what they're doing and if necessary, we'll get involved. Let's not jump into the fire without thinking.” He is looking at me, I ignore him while looking to a bird flying from a tree to another.

“Fine,” I say, feeling my ears burn at the remark. I wanted to rush in, but they're right. “We won't take unnecessary risks.”

I glance at the sky, a full blue and orange sky without any clouds, then we start running again. It makes me wish this day is just a walk with friends, but it is not. I calculate the time, there are probably three or four hours of daylight left. We're a bit tired, but Yuki's potions restores our energy and health almost back to normal.

As we climb the terrain, battle sounds become clearer; clashing swords, exploding spells, lightning, flames and smoke. At the top, Daichi pulls me down to hide. Crawling on the ground to get a better view.

They're almost directly below us, about six metters down. Maybe they were trying to flee to the forest, but they were stopped. Two of them wear matching outfits and three wear different ones. One of the three is smaller. Is he a squire or a powerful enemy?

“Judging by the outfits of those two, I think they're from the Caelux Empire,” Yuki whispers and Daichi nods in agreement.

My heart races and my hands start to sweat. I talked a lot and made me brave and smart, but now it's in front of me. I can feel my heartbeats going faster and faster.

“So one of these three is the prince,” I say, unsure of which one. We need to get closer to be certain.

“Even though there are three of them, one looks injured,” Yuki observes, seemingly having better eyesight than us.

The battle resumes and we just watch. The youngest stays in the middle, casting reinforce spells one after the other, the other two seem to be losing ground.

We need to act now.

Before I can move, I look at my friends. They're scared too, someone has to take the initiative. I close my eyes, trying to focus and summon energy from my body to my hand. My finger starts to glow, then the light spreads to my entire hand.

“No!” Daichi shouts, but he's not looking at me. He's looking down. I follow his gaze to one of the two in front. One of their arms has been severed.

It's time.

“Kaiko… no—” Yuki says, but it's too late. Daichi tries to grab my clothes and get me down.

I'm already giving my first step to save the Prince.

I strike the air with all my might, sending a blast straight at them.

It's time to act.