The incident at the ruins took place seven years ago, and in a couple days it would finally be Zakai’s graduation from the school. Everything had changed after what happened back then. The years had been a lot kinder to him. Perhaps out of pity or whatever, but Zakai himself did not care. He had bigger plans. He would leave Balra and go to the capital. He had heard that a mercenary group was looking for recruits. He wanted to see the world, and from what he had read and heard, joining some mercenary group would be a good idea to experience a lot of things the world had to offer.

The graduation came, a handshake and a pat on the shoulder. Not exactly a huge ceremony. It was over very quickly.

“We’ve finally graduated…” Zakai said out loud accidentally. The others around him glanced at him. Yes, they had finally graduated.

“So, Zak… got any plans what to do next? Gonna stay at the village?” Keris asked. Keris was one of those who had been at the ruins. They had become friends during the years. Not only Keris but some others too had at least become friendlier towards Zakai. Of course, Adal was still a prick but there had to be one of those around.

“I was thinking about heading to the capital… They say there’s a mercenary group looking for recruits. After that… I’m not sure where that’ll lead me.” Zakai told Keris.

“Uh, yeah… Good luck with that.” Keris said while scratching his head.

Zakai started laughing as he knew how much Keris hated exercising. “Heheh, I’ll be back at some point. You just keep studying that magic of yours and you might just make something out of yourself one day!”

“Oh, you bastard, stop mocking me!” Keris embarrassingly yelled back at Zakai. Both started laughing and they said their farewells.

Tomorrow morning Zakai would leave Balra. He had not gone outside the village since what happened at the ruins. He did not even want to, but now he knew it would be his only chance. Mercenary groups did not recruit new people often. Usually, they just brought in their own relatives or other people they knew beforehand. It cost too much resources to bring up new recruits in general.

Luckily for Zakai one of the merchants living in Balra needed to go and restock his supplies at the capital. The merchant did not mind the youth following the carriages. They had plenty of space in them currently. While bandit attacks were somewhat common, the merchant had hired ten guards to protect the three carriages.

The morning came, and the group was packing up the things they needed for the trip. The trip would take around five days to the capital.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Bahadur and Zakai both came to help with the packing. Everything was starting to be ready for the trip and they would be able to leave as soon as the merchant finishes the paperwork required.

Bahadur stopped Zakai for a moment: “Zak, my son… You have grown. I want you to have this. It is something your mother used to wear.” Tearing up a bit while handing over a pendant.

“Thanks, dad. I’ll definitely take good care of it. Don’t worry. There will be a time when I come back to visit Balra again.” Paused for a moment as he smiled, but turning serious after: “Dad, I will find that dark elf, I promise this to you, as I have already promised mom.”

“You fool, don’t bother with things of the past. Just don’t get yourself killed because of ghosts of the past. Your mother would say the same thing, goddammit, but if you do find that son of a bitch, please do make him pay for what he did.” Bahadur chuckled and turned serious at the end of his sentence.

The other guards who had seen what happened between the two were just shaking their head. ‘Definitely father and a son.’ They thought while resuming back to whatever they were doing.

After an hour, the merchant finally came with the needed paperwork, and they could finally start their trip towards the capital.

After a hug and a quick goodbye Bahadur waved his hand as Zakai climbed up into one of the carriages.

‘Damn, the kid is already an adult. Time sure flew by past these few years. Elya would have been proud of the little bugger. He never once complained even when we had harder times occasionally.’ Thought Bahadur.

Life would continue normally in Balra as if nothing had ever happened. Bahadur went back to creating whatever magical items were needed. Keris with his somewhat average magic capability tried hard to stabilize his own personal magic which was pretty much just something similar to a breeze of wind that would revitalize those who hit the breeze. If he would manage to have the magic only affect those he would want to affect, it would be very useful. Adal and Jerilyn had both graduated year earlier. They had also both left to the capital back then. They had both joined a mage’s guild. Liz and her parents had moved away from Balra after the incident in the mysterious ruins. Apparently, they had moved to a bit larger village to the south. The others that had graduated mostly stayed at Balra to help continue their parents’ work.

The trip started of very smoothly and nothing happened for the first two days. ‘It is almost too peaceful.’ Zakai thought as he was sitting in one of the carriages. One of the guards hired to protect the carriage was sitting on the opposite side of him.

“Dey say… yoo survive… agenst the… doork elf?” The guard chuckled and asked Zakai. It was pretty obvious that he was slightly “tipsy” as he tried his.

“Yes, it is true… but I’d rather not talk about it.” Zakai just replied coldly.

“Oooh… a real woorrior. KHUKHUKHU!” The guard started laughing.

‘It will be a long trip.’ Zakai thought while he gazed outside the carriage at the nearby forest. A sudden glint hit his eyes.

WOOOSH

An arrow flew past him missing his cheek only by a few millimeters. The guard instantly sobered up and stood up: “WE AAR ONDER ATTACK BOYS!” He grabbed his halberd and shield while quickly jumping out of the carriage.

‘Well, at least we had two days of peaceful traveling…’ Zakai thought as he steeled himself. He had already gripped the hilt of his short sword. He would not let anyone die this time, if he could help it.