Kite stared at his book. He had decided to go to the library today to do some reading. The book he came across happened to talk about the continent the mysterious duo had told him about nearly five years ago, Auroria. Its name reminded him of the friend Cassia told him about.
Cassia, he wondered what became of her. After her departure, they had only seen her one other time, more than two years ago.
He wondered if this was a sign he should take the journey to Auroria. Or was it not time yet?
"What are you reading?" Sylvana asked as she looked over his shoulder.
"A book about Auroria. It's talking about its various kingdoms and nations. Apparently, there are two major kingdoms in the continent. One being Solterra, the other Dawnhaven."
Sylvana hummed. "Cassia mentioned them last time I saw her too. Ludo told her that the friend she's looking for might be a princess from there."
Kite eyed the book again. "I was thinking the same thing, to be honest."
His fingers traced the lines of text, each word a beacon calling him into the unknown. "It's strange," he mused aloud, "how life presents us with these crossroads, these choices that feel like they're part of a grander design."
Sylvana nodded, her eyes reflecting a world of thought. "Perhaps it's not about whether it's time or not. Maybe it's about whether you're ready to embrace whatever awaits you in Auroria."
Kite closed the book gently, a determined glint in his eyes. "You're right. I've been waiting for a sign, but maybe the sign is just… this feeling inside me." He stood up, his decision clear. "I'm going to Auroria. I need to find out more about the prophecy the white-haired boy and girl I ran into the forest years ago spoke about. They said I could find the answers to my questions there."
Sylvana smiled. "I bet Liliana and Elian would be excited to hear that." She swung her arms behind her back. "Of course, I'll be happy to join too."
Kite felt a bit flustered by her tone, but there was also a sense of reassurance in her words. Having Sylvana by his side meant gave him another reasonable voice to balance out Elian and Liliana's more adventurous urges. She also would be a great help in getting around, with her summoning magic.
"Thank you, Sylvana," Kite said, his voice earnest. "I couldn't imagine doing this without you."
Sylvana's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Well, then it's settled. We'll embark on this journey together."
As they left the library, Kite's mind raced with thoughts of Auroria, the mysterious continent that had been a distant dream for so long. Now, it was becoming a tangible reality, a place where answers awaited.
Back at their shared dwelling, they found Liliana training with Elian in the backyard.
"Hey, Kite! How was the library?" Elian asked.
"Found anything interesting in those dusty old books?" Liliana asked.
Kite took a deep breath and told them about his decision.
"Finally!" she exclaimed, her eyes alight with excitement. "I've been itching for a new adventure. Auroria sounds like the perfect place to find it."
Elian, ever the calm and thoughtful one, nodded in agreement. "It sounds intriguing. From what I've read, Auroria is rich in history and magic. They're styles differ from the ones here."
Kite felt a surge of gratitude for his friends. Their enthusiasm and support bolstered his resolve. "We'll need to prepare thoroughly. Auroria is a vast and unknown land to us. We should gather supplies and information before we set out."
Sylvana, ever the practical one, chimed in. "We should also look into finding a guide or someone who has been to Auroria before. Navigating a new continent will be challenging without some local knowledge, even with the help of my animal friends."
Liliana grinned. "Uncle Mako might be able to help us with that. He does have connections thanks to his job as a merchant."
Elian grinned. "We should invite Ludo while we're at it."
"And me?" Tomas said as he poked his head out of the door.
Liliana grinned. "Actually, I got a special task for you, little bro."
The ten-year-old's eyes glistened. "Special task? What is it?"
"To watch over Ald Town while we're gone."
He chuckled. "Okay! Skyla and I will keep an eye out for any baddies and tell Papa and the other grown-ups!"
Liliana giggled and ruffled his hair. "Thanks, Tomas. You've grown to be a dependable little brother."
Kite smirked. "He's always has been."
She laughed. "I mean more!"
Her brother and three friends burst into laughter. The laughter echoed through the evening air, a symphony of camaraderie and anticipation. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, the group gathered around an old wooden table, maps and scrolls spread out before them.
Elian, with his keen eye for detail, pointed to a series of winding paths marked on the map. "These trade routes are our best bet. They pass through the lesser-known regions of Auroria, which might give us a chance to learn more about the land without drawing too much attention."
Liliana's gaze was fixed on the illustrations of mythical creatures that bordered the map. "Imagine the beasts we might encounter," she said, her voice tinged with wonder. "The stories say Auroria is home to creatures we've never seen before."
"Given the kinds of creatures I've seen, that's really something," Sylvana said, laughing.
Kite leaned in, his finger tracing the route to Solterra. "Our first destination should be the kingdom of Solterra. It's known for its scholars and libraries. We might find clues about the prophecy there."
Sylvana nodded in agreement. "Before we leave, we should stop to get some supplies. Although, not too many. Else it might slow us down."
Tomas, who had been listening intently, piped up. "Will you bring me back something? A souvenir?"
Elian ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "Of course, little man. How about a compass? So you can dream of your own adventures."
Tomas beamed, his eyes shining with the promise of future explorations.
"We should consult Ludo and his dad tomorrow," Kite said, smiling. "Maybe Mako knows better routes than the ones listed on this old map."
"Indeed, my son-in-law would know the best way to go where you kids are going," Elder Machiko said as she walked over to them. She held baby Irina in her arms.
"Grandma," Liliana said, smiling.
"Those maps are from when your grandpa and I were your age, Liliana. They aren't as reliable as you think. Especially in Solterra."
Kite blinked. "Why do you say that? Did something happen in Solterra?"
---
"A man by the name of Gessoro," Elder Machiko began, her voice heavy with concern, "seized control. He's a ruthless warlord who rules with an iron fist. The once-thriving kingdom of scholars and libraries is now a shadow of its former self."
The group fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Kite felt a chill run down his spine. The journey to Solterra would be fraught with dangers they hadn't anticipated.
"That's... troubling," Sylvana murmured, her eyes narrowing in thought. "We need to be even more cautious than we thought."
Liliana's adventurous spirit seemed momentarily dampened, but she quickly recovered. "All the more reason to go. If there's a prophecy tied to Auroria, it might even have something to do with what's happening in Solterra. We need to find out."
Elian nodded, his expression serious. "Agreed. But we'll need more than just supplies. We'll need allies."
"Mako's connections could be invaluable," Kite said, thinking aloud. "And Ludo's knowledge might give us an edge."
Elder Machiko gently rocked baby Irina, her eyes filled with worry. "Be careful, my dear ones. The path you're embarking on is fraught with peril, but you must remember that you are not alone. You have have the strength of your bonds."
"We'll be careful, Grandma," Liliana promised. "And we'll come back with the answers we seek."
Tomas, eyes wide with awe and concern, looked up at his sister. "And I'll keep Ald Town safe while you're gone. Promise."
She smiled, ruffling the boy's hair. "We know you will, little bro."
As the night deepened, they finalized their plans, each of them feeling the gravity of the journey ahead. The excitement of adventure mingled with the sobering reality of the dangers they would face.