Days passed in a blur of exhaustion and hunger. The road stretched endlessly before Kamigan, his body growing weaker with each step. His throat burned with thirst, his vision blurring from fatigue.
"My lips... are so dry... I'm so hungry... I feel like... I'm going to die..." His voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper. He stumbled forward, his legs buckling beneath him.
His body hit the cold, snow-covered ground with a soft thud. The icy wind bit into his skin, numbing his limbs. "It's... so... cold..." His eyelids grew heavy, his breath slowing as the cold seeped into his bones.
Why does this... feel so familiar...? A bitter laugh escaped his lips, his vision darkening. It's... so... peaceful...
His consciousness slipped away, the world fading into darkness.
"Mom! There's a weird-looking man over here!" A child's voice echoed through the sunlit wheat field, curiosity bright in her tone.
"A weird-looking man?" The mother hurried over, her eyes widening at the sight of Kamigan's frail, motionless body. "Go get your father. He's in bad shape."
Kamigan's world remained dark as strong arms lifted him, carrying him away from the wheat field. Unaware of his surroundings, his body surrendered to exhaustion, his mind drifting into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When he finally awoke, warmth enveloped him. A soft light flickered nearby, the scent of herbs and wood smoke filling the air. His eyes fluttered open, struggling to adjust to the dim glow.
"Oh honey, the man is awake!" a gentle voice called out, filled with relief. Moments later, a man entered the room, his face kind and weathered.
"You're in Rickaron Village, in the Kingdom of Lorat," the man explained, his voice calm and steady. "You were in bad shape when we found you. Rest now... you'll need your strength."
Kingdom of Lorat? Kamigan's heart sank. He had never heard of such a place. How far from home had he fallen?
As the exhaustion pulled him back into sleep, a chilling thought echoed in his mind:
Just... where am I?
---
Kamigan opened his eyes, the faint ache in his body reminding him that he was still alive. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the wooden walls as a cool breeze drifted through the open window. He took a deep breath, letting the night air fill his lungs before slowly rising from the bed. His wounds protested, but he ignored them. He had felt worse before. Far worse.
Stepping outside, he found himself under a vast, star-strewn sky. The moon hung high, its silver light bathing the world in an otherworldly glow. Kamigan's eyes adjusted to the darkness, and then he saw him.
Aldric sat on the porch, his back against a wooden pillar, leisurely puffing on a pipe. White smoke curled around him, swirling elegantly before dissolving into the night. His silhouette was calm, unmoving, almost like a painting.
"Oh, you're awake," Aldric said without turning his head. His voice was low, carrying a warmth that seemed at odds with the cold night air. "Fortunate timing. I was beginning to feel a bit lonely. Come, sit with me."
Kamigan hesitated but eventually made his way over, easing himself down onto the wooden steps. "Thank you… Sir Aldric."
Aldric let out a soft chuckle, his shoulders shaking slightly. "Sir Aldric? Ha! I'm no noble. Just call me Doctor Aldric."
Kamigan nodded, his eyes fixed on the plumes of smoke rising from Aldric's pipe. "Alright… Doctor Aldric. I… I wanted to thank you for saving my life."
Aldric waved a hand, dismissing the gratitude. "No need for that. It's what doctors do." He took another puff, his eyes drifting toward the moon. "Besides, I'm more curious about you. Judging by your attire, you're a traveler. Where were you headed before we found you half-dead?"
Kamigan's face fell, his mind scrambling for an answer. "I… I don't remember…"
Aldric's gaze softened. "You don't have to force yourself. I won't pry." He looked Kamigan up and down, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "But you're quite the surprise. When we found you, I was certain you'd be out for at least three days. Yet here you are, up and moving."
Kamigan managed a faint smile. "I've always been told I have a strong body."
Aldric chuckled, his laughter low and gravelly. "Even so, to be in that state… You must have pushed yourself to the limit. Take it easy for a while. You should be fully recovered by the end of the week. Until then, stay here and rest. Do you have any companions waiting for you?"
Kamigan shook his head. "No… I travel alone."
Aldric's expression shifted, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. "Alone, huh? Where were you before you came here?"
Kamigan's brow furrowed as he tried to piece together his fragmented memories. "I don't really know… but… I remember snow. It was snowing."
Aldric raised an eyebrow. "Snowing? This time of year?" His gaze grew distant, his mind wandering. Snow? At this time? That would mean he was in another continent…
A cold wind swept past them, rustling the nearby trees. The air was crisp, carrying with it the sweet scent of night blossoms. Aldric took a deep breath, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Ah… There's something about the night air. It feels… purer, doesn't it? Like the world's holding its breath."
Kamigan looked up at the stars, his eyes reflecting the cosmos. "Yeah… The night feels peaceful."
Aldric smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Seems we share the same sentiment." He stood up, stretching his limbs. "That was a nice conversation. Get some rest. You'll need it."
Kamigan looked down, his voice trembling. "I… I'm on a journey… to find my home."
Aldric paused, turning to face him. "Home, huh? We're all searching for that, in one way or another. Some search for a place they lost, others for somewhere they belong… and some try to create one themselves. Tell me then, where is this home of yours?"
Kamigan's eyes lit up, a faint glow returning to his tired face. "Far to the west… A kingdom so prosperous and mighty that anyone would be proud to call it home. The Kingdom of Aethernis."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Aldric's lips curled into a wry smile. His shoulders began to shake as a low chuckle escaped his lips, growing louder until it echoed through the night. "Aethernis? Hah! What kind of fairy tale is that? I've never heard of such a place. 'The Kingdom of Aethernis'? You make it sound like something out of a legend!"
Kamigan's face hardened. "It's real! The Kingdom of Aethernis exists!"
Aldric's laughter slowed, his eyes sharpening. "If you're so sure, then prove it. Here." He reached inside the house and returned with a piece of parchment. "This is a map of the world. Show me where it is."
Kamigan took the map with trembling hands. His eyes scanned every corner, every continent, but Aethernis was nowhere to be found. His chest tightened, his breaths growing shallow. No… It can't be… It was only destroyed a few weeks ago. So why…? Why is there no trace of it?
His voice shook as he looked up. "Doctor Aldric… What's today's date?"
Aldric blinked, puzzled. "Today? It's the second week of the seventh month, according to the lunar calendar."
Kamigan's body went cold. "The seventh month…? But… the kingdom was attacked in the first month. It's only been a few weeks…" His voice trailed off as realization dawned on him. "What age is this?"
Aldric's expression grew serious. "This is the Age of Zarathia."
Kamigan's heart stopped. "Zarathia…? Not… Eryndor?"
Aldric's eyes widened. "Eryndor ? boy you get weirder by the minute"
Kamigan's mind spun. The Age of Zarathia… according to my father's study That's the age in the order of progression of the ages. But… Eryndor should be the current age . Which means… His knees grew weak. kamigan's voice left his mouth with a tint of haste and desperation ." zarathia the sixth age in the order of progression if that's the age I'm in that would mean I've traveled to the future"
His eyes darkened, his chest tightening with despair.... "to a time where the kingdom of athernis no longer exists and if so the trigger for me travelling into the future must be my death"
A gust of wind whispered through the trees, the night air growing colder. The moon watched from above, its silver gaze unblinking. And beneath its light, Kamigan's journey continued—a wanderer cursed to drift through time, searching for a home long lost to history.
The wheels of fate had begun to turn once more, weaving a story of isolation, power, and an endless journey through time.
Under the vast, star-filled night sky, Kamigan sat in quiet contemplation, his thoughts a tangled web of realization and despair. His journey, once driven by the desperate hope of reclaiming his lost kingdom, now seemed like nothing more than a wild goose chase. The weight of his curse pressed down on him—an eternal exile, forever thrown forward in time, severed from everything he once knew.
Aldric, sensing the boy's turmoil, let out a sigh and adjusted his coat. "Well, good night. You seem to have a lot on your mind, so I'll leave you to your thoughts."
Kamigan glanced up, nodding faintly. "Ah… thank you, Sir Aldric."
Aldric's lips curled into a small smirk. "It's Doctor Aldric."
"My apologies," Kamigan murmured, bowing his head.
With that, Aldric turned on his heel and disappeared inside. Kamigan remained, his gaze fixed on the heavens, the stars burning like distant embers in the cold void above. He thought, and thought, and thought—but no matter how much he tried, no answer came to him.
He exhaled slowly, watching his breath dissipate into the night air. "Well… the kingdom was destroyed over four thousand years ago. There's nothing I can do about it now. For now, I'll just wait until my wounds heal."
As if surrendering to fate, he let out a deep sigh and leaned back against the wooden railing. The night stretched endlessly before him.
Inside, Aldric paused near the doorway, his expression unreadable. "The kingdom of Athernis, he says…" he mused to himself, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I wonder… is this merely a coincidence? Or perhaps…" He chuckled under his breath. "Hmph. Let's just wait and see."
---
Three Weeks Later
Three weeks had passed since Kamigan had been taken in by Dr. Aldric and his family. The once-foreign household had grown strangely familiar, though he knew he was still just a guest. As a form of gratitude, he helped with domestic chores—simple, grounding tasks that kept his mind occupied.
(It's been three weeks since Dr. Aldric allowed me to stay. His wife, Lady Emilia, also gave her consent. She's kind—perhaps too kind, letting a stranger like me into their home. In return, I help wherever I can.)
"Big brother Kamigan! Big brother Kamigan!"
A small, panting voice broke his train of thought. Kamigan turned just in time to see Silvana, Aldric and Emilia's young daughter, running toward him with all the strength her tiny legs could muster.
(At first, she was shy—hesitant, even. But I suppose she's warmed up to me now.)
"Silvana!" Kamigan called, dropping the cloth he had been using to wipe down a wooden bench. The moment she reached him, he effortlessly lifted her off the ground, twirling her once before settling her into his arms.
Silvana giggled, then puffed out her cheeks in a determined huff. "Mummy said you should come back—it's time for lunch!"
Kamigan smiled. "Thanks for coming to get me."
She crossed her arms and grinned proudly. "No problem at all! Hmph."
"Well then," Kamigan said, shifting her slightly in his grasp, "shall we head back?"
With Silvana riding on his back, he carried her toward the house. As they arrived, the scent of warm, home-cooked food filled the air.
The moment they stepped inside, Emilia's voice rang from the kitchen. "Silvana? Is that you?"
"Yes, Mummy! I went to get Big Brother Kamigan!"
Emilia peeked around the corner and smiled. "Oh! Kamigan."
"Yes, Miss Emilia?"
She wiped her hands on her apron and gave him a warm look. "I just wanted to say… thank you. You've been a great help around here."
Kamigan hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, ma'am… I should be the one thanking you. For letting me stay here."
(She has a young daughter to care for, yet she still opened her home to a complete stranger. She must be a truly kind person… or perhaps just naive.)
They soon gathered at the table, the meal quiet at first, filled only with the soft clinking of utensils against plates. As Kamigan ate, his thoughts drifted, piecing together everything he had learned over the past three weeks.
(The kingdom of Athernis was wiped out four thousand years ago, during the Age of Erybdor. But what unsettles me isn't just its destruction—it's the complete erasure of its existence. Not a single trace remains. No historical texts, no records, no myths, no maps. I've searched the village library, spoken to researchers and historians… but nothing. It makes no sense. A powerful kingdom like that should have left something behind. It's almost as if someone—no, something—went around deliberately erasing it … No. Maybe I'm just reading too much into things. I'll continue my research when I reach—)
His thoughts were abruptly cut short.
"Kamigan?"
He blinked, snapping back to reality. Emilia was watching him curiously, her expression laced with mild concern.
"You were silent for a long time," she said, setting down her spoon. "Are you worried about something?"
Silvana looked up at him, her small hands gripping the edge of the table. "Big brother Kamigan… are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
Kamigan forced a reassuring smile and gently patted her head. "No, Silvana. I'm not worried about anything."
She beamed at his words, though a flicker of doubt lingered in her eyes.
Emilia sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, I was a little uneasy when Aldric told me you'd be staying for a while. But… I think I understand now. You're not a bad person."
Kamigan hesitated before mumbling, "Umm… thank you."
The rest of the meal passed in silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
---