(Chapter starts)
Kairo stood at the edge of the border, staring into Varinth. The moment he stepped forward, the air around him felt different.
Solmaria had grand castles and clean streets. But Varinth? It was a completely different world. Houses were made of mud, and torn tents lined the roads. The air smelled of dust and smoke. People filled the streets—barefoot children running around, merchants selling broken items, and tired beggars watching everyone who passed.
As Kairo walked, he noticed people staring. Even though his clothes were simple, they were still too nice for a place like this.
He pulled his cloak tighter around himself. "I didn't think it would be this bad..." he murmured.
He kept walking, taking in everything. Varinth wasn't just poor—it was abandoned.
"I should read more about Varinth's history when I have time," he thought.
His goal was clear: reach the border between Varinth and Eldoria. But it wouldn't be easy.
"It'll take a whole day to get there," he muttered.
Realizing he needed a place to stay for the night, he headed toward the capital of Varinth. It was the closest city to Eldoria's border.
---
A Night in Varinth
The capital was slightly better than the villages he passed. At least some buildings were still standing.
Kairo searched for a place to stay and found a small hotel. It looked old and run-down, but it was good enough for one night.
As he stepped inside, a few people turned to look at him. They were surprised to see someone like him in a place like this.
At the reception desk, a middle-aged man eyed Kairo with suspicion. "You want a room?"
"Yes," Kairo nodded and placed some coins on the desk.
The man hesitated before taking the money. "Not every day we get someone rich enough to afford a room," he muttered.
Kairo ignored the comment and took the key.
Once inside, he locked the door and sat on the small bed.
"Tomorrow, I reach Eldoria," he whispered to himself.
With that thought, he closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep.
---
The Journey to Eldoria
At sunrise, Kairo left the hotel and continued his journey. As he got closer to the border, he saw groups of people waiting at the crossing points. Many of them looked desperate to leave Varinth.
Some tried to bribe the guards. Others waited, hoping for a chance to sneak through.
"This place really is lawless," Kairo thought as he walked past them.
After hours of traveling, he finally reached Eldoria's border.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.
---
Arrival in Eldoria
The change was instant. Eldoria had paved roads, tall buildings, and a strict, orderly atmosphere.
Kairo quickly hailed a taxi and gave the driver an address near the city's government building, where the documents were stored.
As the car drove through the streets, he watched everything carefully. Eldoria was completely different from Varinth.
After a while, the taxi stopped. Kairo paid the driver and stepped onto the crowded street.
Just as he turned toward his destination, an old man approached him.
The man stared at Kairo with sharp eyes.
Then, in a low voice, he asked—
"Could you be... Kairo Solmaria?"
Kairo froze.
(Chapter ends)