Half an hour of enduring cold, gusty winds Rob is tired and most likely frostbitten; His long hair is wet and silky as he walks through the rainy forest with nothing to defend himself with except a soggy sharp stick and his fists. Rob comes to a halt when he spots a wolf in the distance. He starts to back away slowly when the wolf then spots him, it growls and begins to chase him as he sprints as fast as the wind.

Rob is panting in panic, with doubts about surviving this chase. When suddenly, a tall shadowy figure runs at the wolf and stabs him with the tiny dagger. No remorse is given to the wolf. Or to Rob because when he turns to thank the mysterious figure, he’s gone. Roberto looks confused as he glances at the wolf in relief and guilt.

“That poor wolf,” he blurts out as he starts to cry.

Out of the blue, he hears a howling pack of four wolves from the left of him. He looks over with a face of terror. The four wolves each take a path leading to Rob and begin to chase after him. Rob starts to run towards a village he can faintly see. Tree branches brushed against his arms. He makes it out of the forest with blood rushing down him from every which way. Inching towards the village as the wolves gain speed; He knows that once he makes it inside that village, he’ll be safe, mainly because of the massive wall keeping everything, and everyone, out. The problem is, he’s being kept out too.

It’s a life-or-death situation on his hands, and he starts to scream for help, only drawing more attention to himself from unwanted predators. Luckily for him, a guard spots him and gets up from his post. He pulls out his sword and begins to run at the wolves yelling at Roberto to get inside.

A stranger helps a stranger. What a strange scenario.

Rob gets inside the village and watches the guard attempt to fight off the wolves. The guard swings at the wolf closest to him then another wolf leaps on top of him. He attempts to stab the wolf as more pounce on him. He’s being eaten alive within seconds.

Rob screams fear creeps over him, and as the guard is being eaten alive, the other guard rushes to Roberto. The guard screams to the wolves, “Clear off! Scatter!” and cries as the wolves pranced away.

With blood all over him, the guard crawled toward Roberto in a zombie-like motion. He had chunks of his skin missing and was going to be dead within a second.

“Grankar!” The guard yells out to the half-eaten guard.

“Finisk, I need a doctor,” Grankar manages.

A medic by the name of Dr. Cook had sprinted out of his shack. “Everybody! Stay away, I can handle this!” He turns his attention to the dying guard. “Grankar, can you breathe?” Cook looks down at the decaying body in disbelief. No rise of the chest, no feeling of air out of the nose. Rob saw this coming, but Cook did not.

Cook walks over to Finisk, “I’m very sorry, Finisk. It seems as if I was too late.”

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“I know those damn wolves. That scrawny kid set him up. That kid killed him by leading those animals here.” Finisk glared at Rob as if Roberto knew what was going to happen.

“He was running for his life,” Cook shook his head. “Grankar was only trying to defend him and the town. It was a worthy sacrifice.” Cook starts to get sentimental. “So sad to see him perish in such a brutal way. He will be missed.”

“Sure, Doc” Finisk responded with a sort of resentment. “I need to sort out things with this kid over here.” He looks at Rob and starts to walk over. This man towers over Rob, and as he looks down at Rob he says, “You alright, Kid?” Almost like he’s trying to be his friend.

“I’m alright,” Roberto says hesitantly, “It’s just hard seeing that guard die because of me.” He starts to tear up as he looks Finisk in the eye. “I should’ve never left home.”

“It was never your fault. I’ll get someone to get you on your way home, just bear with me.” Finisk explains as he walks over to a local tradesman and says, “You think you could help this kid get home? He isn’t meant to be here.”

The man just sighed at him, then a second later he said, “I can get him to Kyoto, but that’s as far as I will take him. I dare not to step foot in that country.” Ernest, the tradesman, would explain.

“Just do it for the kid, the town even.” Finisk pleaded.

“You’re right. It’s as if I haven’t done enough for this town.” Ernest rolled his eyes as he talked.

“Don’t do it for me, Ernest. Do it for the kid. He’s suffering and wants to get home.”

“Fine, I’ll do it,” Ernest walks over to Roberto and sits down next to him. “Hey, Kid. Where exactly do you need to go?”

“Kyoto,” Rob said emotionless.

“You live in Kyoto?” Ernest asked.

“No, sir, there’s something there that I need to collect.”

“You’d better hope you don’t run into Master Sishu or Katashi Lee. Those old bastards won’t let you in, I tell you.” Ernest would laugh.

“Why not?” Rob grew curious.

“I’ll tell you on the way. Let me go get my wagon and I’ll come get you. Just stay here, Kiddo.” Ernest walks away and behind a crate of vegetables. His wagon was right behind them. Ernest effortlessly climbs up onto the wagon and begins to guide his horse toward Roberto. “The name’s Ernest. How about you, Kid?” Ernest asks as he helps Rob up onto the wagon.

“Roberto.”

“Same name as our mighty leader.” Ernest laughed sarcastically leaving Rob in the unknown laughing along.

“I don’t like Roberto, or should I say Konrad too much,” Rob said with a growing hatred. Father or not, Roberto didn’t want to have any connect strings to him.

“Nobody does, Kid. He’s causing poverty in all our country. I can feel some type of uprising coming soon.” Ernest looks over at Rob, “I’ve also heard about how bad he treats his son, no idea if it's true or not.” Ernest looks away. Rob stays quiet. “I mean, if I was in the kids' shoes I’d be long gone from that house and into hiding.” Ernest continues to ramble as Rob watches the village disappear.

“What’s your reason for leaving the city? “A guard asks Ernest.

“Didn’t Finisk tell you?” Ernest rolls his eyes.

The guard shrugs, “It’s my job to ask.”

“Apparently, I’m a taxi service by orders of your boss Finisk. I’m taking this young chap to Kyoto.” Ernest finally explained.

The guard moved to Rob’s side of the wagon and whispered, “Be wary of Kyoto, I’ve heard their old bastard of a duke Katashi Lee is still patrolling.” He then notices Ernest waving him off and Rob's look of fear. “Never mind, be on your way, gentlemen.” The guard opens the gate. “Good luck on your journey! Both of you.” The guard shouts as they follow the path toward Kyoto. “Good luck indeed,” the guard mumbles to himself.

The night was coming in quickly, and the air was becoming a frostbitten wave of snow. Ernest looks over and says, “Don’t worry kiddo. We’ll be nearing the closest inn soon. It’s about 5 miles away. Take a nap if you wish.” Ernest smiles at him. Rob as tired as can, places his head down on the side of the wagon and drifts off to sleep. This is going to be a long and tough journey.