We often proclaim that reality is the tether that binds us to existence. At times, it binds us with the cords of love and belonging, while in others, it shackles us with the weight of pain, hunger, selfishness, and animosity. But is this declaration always an unassailable truth? The reality we perceive through our own eyes is frequently a labyrinth riddled with gaps, uncertainties, and veiled illusions. What we often consider as the ultimate reality is fundamentally a deceptive archetype. It's conceivable that what we perceive as our own reality could be another person's aspiration, and their version of reality could be an illusion to us. It's a paradoxical interplay that we rarely question, instead we simply navigate our lives within its confines.
Zer found himself ensnared within an inexplicable and indescribable scenario, a phenomenon that defied logical explanation. He was at a loss for words to articulate his situation. He found himself in a different world where there was no technological revolution, no electricity, no lavishness of the modern era, yet a profound and inexplicable joy welled within him. Escaping the monotony of his existence on Earth seemed to have unshackled something deep within him. This world, distinct and foreign, failed to evoke any inkling of aversion within him. Instead, he experienced an unprecedented relaxation, a sensation he hadn't felt in years.
The air he breathed was untainted by the chemical pollutants he'd grown accustomed to. The rare warmth of the sunlight against the cold embrace of the mountains infused him with an unknown euphoria. It was as though he was being saturated with something he couldn't articulate a desire for, yet ached for on a fundamental level. It was a silent filling of a void he hadn't consciously acknowledged, a symphony of sensations that resonated within, crafting a reality that, for the moment, was both enigmatic and comforting.
He remained sprawled on the chilled grass by the water's edge, a passive observer of his surroundings. The lake, a modest body of water born from the union of the twin rivers, lay before him. He was oblivious to the actual nomenclature of these streams, and even the local inhabitants were equally clueless. In the local parlance, they were simply referred to as the "twin rivers" – torrents that, despite their fervor, retained their diminutive nature. Perhaps farther inland, where their flow gathered gravitas, they held proper appellations. Yet, Zer was unaware of these geographical nuances, their designations lost in the tapestry of his unfamiliarity with this land.
His gaze moved towards Saver and his companions as they engaged in a spirited game involving stones, each with the characteristic triangular shape native to this region. During the span of his stay under Victor's roof, his companionship had largely centered around Saver. With Victor and Haley engrossed in their individual commitments and Rekan's demeanor maintaining its usual distant quality, Zer naturally gravitated towards Saver for guidance and companionship.
These initial days had witnessed Zer's assimilation into this novel environment, with Saver acting as his guiding light. The young boy's amiable nature and unending enthusiasm had helped Zer navigate the intricacies of this unfamiliar world, offering insights that only a local could provide. Amidst the quietude of the mountains and the camaraderie of newfound friendship, Zer began to explore the layers of his new reality.
He rose to his feet, seizing a stone from the earth's embrace. Summoning every ounce of his vigor, he hurled it with a resolute force toward the shimmering silvery blue lake. Initial disturbances spawned a singular ripple, followed by the emergence of a secondary concentric wave. These ripples cascaded outward, traversing the water's expanse until, gradually, they waned to imperceptible frailty, eluding Zer's discernment entirely. Turning away from this spectacle, he traversed the distance to Saver, who, having concluded his playing with stones amongst companions, was now amassing his allotment of stones within a small leather pouch to carry it with him.
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"Finished playing, little boy?" Zer inquired with a smile. However, his query was met with an indignant outburst, "Who did you call 'little'? You act like a child who can't even eat properly without help from my Father," Saver retorted mischievously.
It was indeed true that Zer found it challenging to adapt to his new life here. struggling with tasks like fastening his linen pants with ropes or eating tough bread were many to count. Even the meat seemed bland without the familiar spices. In these mountains, extensive farming was difficult, and the locals relied on hunting and small-scale agriculture for sustenance, resulting in cuisine less vibrant than what he was accustomed to.
"Alright, my mistake. Please forgive me, esteemed sir. Shall we make our way home now?" Zer asked Saver, a smile on his face. With some time left before sunset, Saver agreed with a nod, and they set off toward the village. Recalling a point, Zer added, "You know, Saver, I come from a distant land. While I'm not sure if it's feasible, I'd like you to experience the food from there, if possible." He chuckled.
"Just give me some time. Once I've mastered the sword and become a hero, I can venture anywhere. And naturally, I'll need someone to carry my belongings. You can handle that. Then, together, we'll journey to your homeland and relish the cuisine," Saver replied dreamily, a grin adorning his face. However, Zer, appearing somewhat bored as if he'd heard it countless times before, responded, "Oh, what a terrible idea. And why would you assume I'd carry your things?"
"Who better than my own pupil to carry my belongings? Have you forgotten that I'm teaching you to read and write?" Saver countered, as though it were the most ordinary notion. He took immense pride in the fact that an adult had approached him to learn the art of reading and writing, a source of considerable self-satisfaction.
Intriguingly, Zer discovered a novel enigma: he could fluidly converse in an unfamiliar language as though he had practiced it a thousand times, yet he remained unable to recognize the same language when rendered in written form. Attempting to transcribe it proved futile; he lacked familiarity with its grammar, characters, and other essential components. Seeking guidance, he turned to Saver, who taught him how to recognize written texts. And he found that he could learn this new language in a normal way. Although harder, it was possible. from then, Saver assumed the role of teacher to the friend of his father, an arrangement that amused many. Yet, it wasn't entirely out of place, considering literacy was a rare skill in this world, and only a handful of commoners possessed the ability to read even a few words.
Upon discovering that Victor was counted among these literate individuals, Zer once again found himself struck by awe. Evidently, Victor had imparted the knowledge of reading and writing to Saver. Though not as adept as his father, it was the sole viable option given Victor's busy schedule.
Zer nurtured a burning curiosity about this unfamiliar realm. The questions of his purpose here and the divergences between this world and his former one gnawed at his thoughts. To delve into these enigmas, he recognized the indispensable role of reading and comprehension. Having acclimated to his new surroundings over the course of a week, he devised a strategy. Once he had grown accustomed, he resolved to embark on a journey of exploration, a venture laden with risks. In order to confront these risks head-on, Zer was determined to attain strength. Observing Victor's impressive prowess, Zer arrived at a pivotal realization: if he could attain a stature akin to Victor's, he could substantially enhance his odds of achieving his ambitions. The more he thought about it, it sounded like a plan that Saver would think of. He laughed inwardly thinking that maybe by staying with Saver these days, he had gotten similar to him. Maybe Saver’s innocent dreams of childhood were contagious. Perhaps despite their disparities, both he and his newfound companion shared a common pursuit within this unfamiliar world.