Dawn- An age of Darkness

We reached the city by noon. From the outside, the walls looked as big as a three-storied building and it was made of stones. Honestly, it was a piece of architectural marvel. The guards at the gate didn't make any fuss and let us inside. The middle-aged man must have been quite influential or perhaps, this world's gatekeeping wasn't that evolved yet.

The city was marvelous. At the moment I entered through the gate, a cold salty breeze greeted me. Are we close to the sea? The background noise reminded me of my own hometown. But instead of cars, they had wagons and carts powered by large animals. It looked like a proper fantasy town. The village however had only the medieval part right, but not the fantasy part.

I couldn't think of a proper way to describe it but everything about this town was amazing. A large castle lay at the heart of the city. I could see towers from all the way here. Large pelicans floated up in the sky and chirped. It was quite the sight.

The roads were made of cobblestone. I saw different kinds of peoples there. Although it was drizzling a little, people moved around without a care. Normally you'd want to be summoned in a city like this if you fancied the fantasy element. I'd never want to be summoned ever again though: assuming I could ever get out of this damn world.

But I couldn't help but wonder about the storm that was brewing: the sky was pretty cloudy. Maybe it'd rain hard soon.

The houses were superbly aligned. Made from brick, they represented the Middle Ages (As if that wasn't apparent yet!). However there was some technology too. There was one steam powered turbines in the distance, very close to the other edge of the town. I wonder if this world made that kind of progress yet…,

"You look marveled," said Jorry. I was in fact.

Can you please stop talking to me? You're making me uncomfortable. I didn't say it out loud though. "I've never seen such a city as this," I said.

There was a nostalgic sound coming from the roofs of the houses. My grandparents had an old house made bricks and a burnt clay roof. The rain drops made a wonderful sound to my ears. And yet my heart was clouded. I could never forget those cries: the cries of those villagers, and the cries of that lone girl haunted by goblins.

"Be sure to head to the church first and then the blacksmith," said Slouder. He was staring at my torn clothes. I got the picture but he was still staring at me. Did he swing the other way or something?

"Right!"

He patted me on the back and it hurt. "I'd recommend checking out Grimp's shop. And try not to think about it too much. It's hard for me to say this but, that was normal and happens all across the world."

I didn't know how normal that was for this world, but to me that wasn't normal and it'd never be.

"I'll be sure to check it out… Thank you everyone. I really owe you guys my life." I changed the subject. I really didn't want to think about it.

Slouder kept patting my back and well, I wanted to punch him now: it hurt too damn much. "Don't mention it."

The middle aged man grinned. "Of course we'd help you. Besides thanks to you guys, we made a fortune."

I didn't know how to respond to that besides looking dumb but happy in a very awkward way. That was life I guess.

"That should be obvious. We'd never leave a boy behind. Especially a strong boy like you," Jorry said as he chuckled uncontrollably.

Although I was uncomfortable I was still very grateful. If it weren't for their kindness I'd be still lying dead, on that grassy plain. Though that kindness was bought, it was still warm. It seems not many people would help you without proper reasons. The world really is fair to only the bold and rich. And that's why I felt horrible for using Dune and the others. Or maybe it was the other way around but I still felt terrible.

"Still, thank you," I said with true gratitude.

"Anyway, we'll be taking our leave now," said the middle aged man.

"Um, sir?"

"Yes?"

"You've never told me your name…" The other three were quick to introduce themselves first thing at the party, but the middle aged man never introduced himself. But then again, I never asked anyway.

"Oh that's right! I seem to have become rather forgetful these days," He chukled and spread his hand toward me.

"Ha ha ah. I am Daarc Green," I spread my hand toward him for a handshake.

It seemed proper to introduce myself first, as I never did that either.

"An odd name. Maybe you're from the south?" He wondered before grabbing my hand. "It was nice meeting you Mr. Green. I am Ronald. I own a guild up north. If you ever come across any troubles, pay us a visit. We will surely help, for an adequate price that is," shaking my hand he said. "Oh and we have plenty of branches across the continent, be sure to visit if you're ever in need. Oh but we don't have one in Moire yet." He chuckled.

So he's a guildmaster? I was familiar with the concept since I was a gamer at heart: I didn't have enough money to play too many games though. "Up north? And that is?"

Bojang cut in the conversation. "Actually it's close to the capital."

"It's more like it's inside the capital," Jori added.

How far was that village from the capital anyway! "I see. Thank you sir and again thank you all." But then again I didn't know where the capital was in the first place. In fact, I didn't know where I was geographically speaking.

"Anytime. Be sure to visit. And don't do reckless things like that again," Mr. Ronald said.

"Take care, lad."

"See you around."

"Oh my lovely Daarc, we must part for a short while, but I'll never forget you. So please don't forget me!" Jori held my hand and made a scene. The people around us stared at us with complex looks on their faces. Actually, my face was probably the most twisted.

Slouder and Bojang dragged Jori away and waved.. I waved back.

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