The journey was long and arduous, especially with the winter chill biting at Orion’s heels. He wrapped himself in the cloak the villagers had gifted him, feeling the warmth and care they had imbued in it. The map, a parchment of detailed sketches and annotations, guided him through the frosted forests and snow-laden paths.

With each passing day, Orion felt the pull of the city drawing nearer, an invisible force urging him forward. He knew that the city held the keys to many doors: doors to knowledge, to power, and perhaps, to understanding the mysteries of the era.

As the seventh day dawned, the city walls loomed in the distance, grand and imposing. Orion felt a surge of excitement, mixed with a twinge of apprehension. This city was a new world, a place bustling with life, and vastly different from the quiet village he had left behind.

With determined steps, he crossed the threshold, entering the city of echoing hopes and whispered secrets. The city was alive with activity, people bustling about, merchants shouting their wares, and children laughing in the streets. It was a cacophony of life, a stark contrast to the serenity of the village.

Orion knew he had to tread carefully, keep his head down, and blend in. The first order of business was to find cheap, reliable lodging. With the few coins he had saved up from doing extra work in the village, he knew he had enough to sustain him for a week.

He inquired with passersby, received directions and recommendations, and after a few hours of wandering, he found a small inn at the edge of the city. The innkeeper, a stout man with a bushy beard, eyed Orion warily before nodding and handing over a key.

“The room’s small, but it’s warm and it’s yours for a week,” the innkeeper grunted, pocketing the coins Orion handed over.

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Gratitude filled Orion’s heart as he ascended the stairs, finding his room and unlocking the door. It was indeed small, but it was clean and warm, a sanctuary in the bustling city.

Once settled, Orion decided to explore the city, to learn its rhythms and secrets. He wandered through the market, his eyes wide with wonder at the variety of goods on display. He caught snippets of conversations, learning about the city’s culture and people.

It was during one of these explorations that he heard whispers of a tournament, set to begin at the end of the summer. Curiosity piqued, Orion probed further, asking questions and gathering information. The tournament was a grand event, drawing people from all across the land, a showcase of strength and skill. He also learned the name of the city, Frostbridge. Orion did not recall ever hearing a city named his but was not too surprised. After each set of Chosen wars most cities changed their name to reflect their new rulers.

In his inquiries, Orion also asked about the current Chosen ruler. The answers he received were filled with respect and a tinge of sorrow. The Chosen had ruled for over a century, bringing prosperity and peace, but was now close to death.

This revelation stirred something within Orion. The Chosen, a ruler for over a century, reminded him of the responsibilities and burdens that came with power. He felt a connection, a sense of kinship, even though they were strangers.

With a heart filled with mixed emotions, Orion returned to the inn as night fell. He climbed the stairs to his room, unlocking the door and stepping inside. The room, though small, felt welcoming, a place to rest and reflect.

He recalled the cycles of power and the bloody Chosen wars that erupted with the death of a ruler. The city, with its vibrancy and life, could soon be caught in the throes of conflict. A knot of apprehension formed in his stomach.

The Chosen wars, the tournament, the looming uncertainty of the future—it was a lot to take in. The weight of his own past, coupled with the city's impending fate, felt heavy on his shoulders.

His mind wandered back to the village, the serenity it offered, and the faces he'd come to know. While the city held the answers he sought, he couldn't help but long for the simplicity of his recent past.