Kite and his friends' eyes widened as soon as they reached the Valoria.
As the wagon crested the final hill, the sight of Valoria unfolded before them. The town was encircled by high stone walls, ivy creeping up their sides, giving the impression of a fortress at peace. The gates stood open, welcoming travelers from near and far.
Inside, the cobblestone streets were aglow with lanterns hanging from wrought-iron posts, casting a warm, golden hue on the faces of the townsfolk as the sun barely began to rise. Market stalls lined the main thoroughfare, their canopies a patchwork of colors, and the air was rich with the scents of spiced meats and fresh bread.
Towers and spires rose above the rooftops, some made of gleaming white stone, others of dark timber, all pointing skyward like fingers seeking the stars. While they weren't skyscrapers, Kite couldn't help but think of those steel and glass buildings from his old world.
As Kite and his friends entered Valoria, they were immediately struck by the bustling energy of the town. The streets were alive with activity; merchants shouted from their stalls, selling goods from exotic lands, while children around their age darted between the crowds, laughing as they played their games.
Above them, the banners of Valoria fluttered in the breeze, displaying the town's crest—a griffin and a unicorn, symbols of strength and purity. It was clear that Valoria was a town proud of its heritage and thrived on commerce.
"So, do you know where this Sylvana girl lives?" Elian asked, glancing at Ludo's dad.
The merchant hummed. "I don't know actually. That girl is actually a poor child. When I met her, she tried to steal from me."
"She's a thief?" Skyla asked, mouth wide open.
He nodded, solemnly. "Yes, but she's one out of necessity. She tends to live off of the land around the town, but for refined goods such as bread or soap are stuff she tends to steal."
Kite frowned as he thought about how his life in this world might've been, had Elder Mirrin's family not taken him in. Maybe he would've been like Sylvana.
"So, he might be in the nearby forest," Liliana asked, humming.
"Maybe. That's where the town folk usually see her come and go." Her uncle-in-law sighed. "Although, the merchants of this town aren't very fond of the girl. She's costed them money."
Kite sighed. Money was important, but it wasn't everything either. Not to say that stealing was good, but it wasn't like a child could work like an adult could.
Kite's thoughts were interrupted by Ludo's dad. "We can't change the past, but we can influence the present. Let's find Sylvana and see if we can offer her a different path."
Liliana giggled and nodded. "Yeah! Maybe we can take her in."
Kite chuckled. "Taking in more strays, huh?"
She grinned and hummed him. "Of course. I don't like leaving people who need a hand alone. If I can do something, I do it."
Ludo smiled and nodded. "That's what our grandparents taught us."
Elian smiled. "While Elder Mirrin and Michiko might not be my grandparents, I still agree with their teachings."
Kite smiled. "Same."
"Let's get going then!" Liliana said, running off.
"Hold it! We're taking the wagon," Ludo's dad said.
She nodded and hopped back into the vehicle.
Elian snickered at her hyperness and followed her in.
Kite smiled. He was fortunate to have such kind people around him.
The wagon creaked into motion, its wheels rolling steadily over the cobblestones as they left the vibrant life of Valoria behind. Kite settled into the rhythm of the ride, his thoughts turning to Sylvana. He wondered what kind of person she was, living alone and relying on her wits and the generosity of the forest.
As they neared the edge of the Valorian forest, the landscape changed. The cultivated fields gave way to wilder terrain, and the air carried the scent of pine and earth. The forest stood like a sentinel, its trees ancient and towering, a stark contrast to the orderly town they had just left.
Ludo's dad used his wind to push the wagon like he had been these past few days, leading them down a narrow path that wound its way into the heart of the woods. "Keep your eyes peeled," he advised. "Sylvana is known to be elusive."
They all scanned the surroundings, the forest seeming to watch them in return. A squirrel scampered up a tree, and a bird called from the canopy, but of Sylvana, there was no sign.
"She's been through here," Skyla whispered, pointing at a broken twig, and a nearby footprint.
Encouraged by the discovery, they continued on, deeper into the forest. The wagon could only take them so far, and soon they dismounted, continuing their search on foot.
"Stay close, kids. I'll stay here with Skyla," the merchant said.
Kite nodded.
"Be careful dad. There could be bandits in this forest," Ludo said. "And I don't mean Sylvana. Like actual bad to the bone bandits."
His father chuckled. "It's fine. I can handle myself. It's you kids who I worry about. Stick close together you four."
They nodded before going on their way.
The forest floor was uneven, covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves and the gnarled roots of ancient trees.
"The ground is very muddy here. It must've rained recently," Ludo muttered.
"We need to trend carefully," Elian said as he eyed the trees. "One wrong step and we might go falling into the chasm."
Kite and Liliana glanced to their right and saw a large chasm. They gulped. It was a pretty big drop.
Kite and his friends moved cautiously, stepping away from the edge of the chasm.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Kite's feet gave way. A landslide, silent and swift, pulled at him, the earth itself seeming to swallow him whole. Liliana gasped and tried to grab him with vines. Elian's hands glowed with a protective aura as he cast a barrier around each of them. But Liliana's vines were too slow as the ground crumbled. Kite was swept away by the tumbling earth.
Kite's world became a blur of motion and noise. He reached out desperately, trying to grab hold of something—anything—but found only the walls of the spherical barrier. His friends' shouts echoed in his ears, growing fainter as he fell like an unfortunate pet hamster. Their expressions of agony stayed etched in his mind before blanking out.