Abby’s recovery was slow, each day blending into the next as she fought to regain her strength. Her room, once a chaotic testament to her eclectic life, had become a haven of calm and order under Nat's watchful care. He was always there, providing support and companionship, his presence a steadying force during her most challenging moments.
As she began to feel stronger, they decided it was time to tackle the monumental task of cleaning out her house. Abby's home was a treasure trove of oddities and artifacts, each one a fragment of her adventurous past.
"Why do you have so many of these weird trinkets?" Nat asked, holding up a strange-looking device that resembled a cross between a compass and a music box, its gears and dials clicking softly as he inspected it.
"They're from my museum days," Abby replied with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of nostalgia and amusement. "Each one has a story, though some are better left untold."
She moved through the clutter with practiced ease, her tentacles deftly sorting through piles of books, maps, and peculiar artifacts. Nat watched her with a mixture of admiration and curiosity, marveling at her ability to find order in the chaos.
As she straightened up a stack of dusty tomes, Nat suddenly turned to her with a thoughtful expression. "Abby, can you hand me the bag I made for you?" he asked.
She raised an eyebrow but complied, reaching for the sturdy, well-worn bag hanging by the door. It was a simple yet functional piece, crafted with care and imbued with a few of Nat's subtle enhancements. She handed it to him, watching as he took the bag and, with a few quick adjustments, began to enhance its properties by writing in his notebook.
"There," he said after a moment, his pen pausing mid-air as the ink dried on the page. "Now it’ll keep hot things hot and cold things cold. I also increased what you can put in it—like the weight of four hippobears."
Abby chuckled, shaking her head in bemusement. "Why the sudden interest in my bag’s temperature regulation?" she asked, her tone light but curious.
Nat shrugged, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I just thought it might come in handy. You never know when you might need to keep something hot or cold," he replied, a hint of mystery in his voice.
She studied him for a moment, her curiosity piqued. "You’re always full of surprises, Nat," she said, her voice softening. "Thank you."
They continued their work, the house slowly transforming from a cluttered labyrinth into a more organized space. As they worked, they shared stories and laughter, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment.
Eventually, they paused for a break, sitting amidst the remnants of Abby's collection. The sun had dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow through the windows. Abby leaned back, her exhaustion tempered by a sense of accomplishment.
"You know," she said, looking around at the now tidy room, "I couldn't have done this without you." Her intention not just for the room.
Nat smiled, his expression softening. "We make a good team," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
As they sat in comfortable silence, Abby's thoughts drifted to the future. She knew that this was just the beginning. The road ahead would be challenging, filled with unknowns, but she felt ready. With Nat by her side and the memory of Erik and Julie guiding her, she was prepared to face whatever lay ahead.
“You know what Nat,” Abby mentioned after a few moments. I could buy specific Arvendonian goods so I can sell them later. Use all my saved up allowance from the state to buy up some groceries. The currency here isn’t accepted outside the country anywhere. No since in keeping it. I could sell the goods elsewhere. It’s a small way to secure some financial stability while on the road."
Nat watched her carefully as she meticulously picked out items from her stash and ordered more food. "So, what’s next on the agenda?"
"I don't know," Abby admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "For the first time in a long while, I really don't know. I need to find the Eternal King but other than that I’m coming up with nothing."
The day Abby was to leave Arvendon arrived all too soon, the sky overcast as if mirroring the heaviness in her heart. The process was formal and cold, a stark contrast to the vibrant life she had built within the city. Soldiers in gleaming armor stood flanking her, their expressions impassive as they escorted her to the main square. The cobblestones beneath her feet felt unforgiving, each step a reminder of her impending departure.
In the center of the square, an official awaited with a somber expression, his presence marked by the emblem of Arvendon stitched onto his cloak, a dragon wrapped around and anchor. A medium sized crowd gathered around, a mixture of curiosity, pity, and indifference etched on their faces. Whispers floated through the air, carrying fragments of disbelief and gossip.
"Abigail Tiller," the official intoned, his voice echoing through the square with a cold detachment, "you are hereby deported from Arvendon. Your identification will be taken and destroyed as part of this process."
Abby felt a lump form in her throat as she handed over her ID without resistance. Her hand trembled slightly, but she steadied herself, watching with a mix of resignation and defiance as the official placed her ID on a small metal platform. A bright flash of light followed, searing into her memory. When it subsided, her ID was nothing but ashes, a tangible symbol of her severed ties with the city she had called home.
"Do you have any final words?" the official asked, his tone devoid of any warmth.
Abby took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the crowd for familiar faces. She saw a few sympathetic glances, but mostly, there was a sea of strangers. With a shrug that belied the turmoil inside her, she replied, "I’ve been kicked out of my home once before. Compared to that, this time doesn't seem so bad."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The official’s expression softened slightly, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes. But duty overshadowed any personal sentiment, and the process continued with relentless efficiency. Abby was escorted through the streets, past the shops and homes that had once been a part of her daily life. Each step away from the city felt like a step into the unknown, the weight of finality pressing down on her.
As they approached the city gates, the massive structures loomed overhead, their iron bars a stark reminder of the boundary she was about to cross. The gates creaked open, revealing the world beyond—wild, untamed, and fraught with uncertainty. The gates closed behind her with a resounding thud, a finality that echoed in her heart, leaving her standing on the threshold of her new reality.
Outside, the contrast was startling. Nature's embrace replaced the city's rigid structure, and the air smelled of earth and greenery. Standing there, with a bag of supplies slung over his shoulder and a determined look in his eyes, was Nat. He stepped forward, his presence a reassuring anchor in the midst of her upheaval.
"Ready for the next adventure?" he asked, his voice steady and confident.
Abby managed a smile, the corners of her mouth lifting despite the heaviness she felt. "Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and resolve.
Nat handed her the bag, his eyes meeting hers with a shared understanding. "We've got this," he said softly, his hand resting briefly on her shoulder in a gesture of solidarity.
They began to walk, leaving the imposing gates of Arvendon behind. As they ventured into the unknown, Abby couldn't help but glance back one last time. The city stood tall, a silhouette against the cloudy sky, but it was no longer her home. Ahead lay a new path, one filled with uncertainties and challenges, but also with possibilities and the promise of new beginnings.
They began to walk, leaving the imposing gates of Arvendon behind. As they ventured into the unknown, Abby couldn't help but glance back one last time. The city stood tall, a silhouette against the cloudy sky, but it was no longer her home. Ahead lay a new path, one filled with uncertainties and challenges, but also with possibilities and the promise of new beginnings.
The first days on the road were a mix of apprehension and cautious optimism. Nat had planned their route meticulously, avoiding heavily patrolled areas and sticking to less-traveled paths. The landscape around them changed gradually from the bustling outskirts of Arvendon to the rolling hills and dense forests that marked the borderlands.
As they traveled, Abby and Nat fell into a comfortable rhythm. They walked during the day, covering as much ground as possible, and set up camp at night, sharing stories and planning their next steps. Nat's skills as a Narrator proved invaluable, not just in navigating but also in conjuring small comforts—a warm fire on a cold night, or a sudden burst of fresh water from a nearby stream.
The days turned into weeks, and the journey took its toll. Abby's initial excitement began to wane as the reality of their situation set in. The physical exertion was exhausting, but the mental strain was even more taxing.
One evening, as they were setting up camp under a canopy of ancient trees, Nat noticed Abby's fatigue. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We’re officially in the Rothurdian Kingdom now we should start seeing some villages soon," he said, his voice steady.
Abby nodded, “Good.”
The next morning, they set out early, the air crisp and the sky clear. As the sun rose higher, the landscape began to change once more. The dense forests gave way to rocky outcrops and rolling plains, the signs of the Rothurd Kingdom's border becoming more apparent.
Nat paused at the top of a hill, scanning the horizon. He pointed to a distant structure, barely visible against the backdrop of the mountains. "There," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and anticipation. "That's going to be interesting!"
Abby squinted, trying to make out the details. "Are you sure you want to go there?" she asked, doubt creeping into her voice.
Nat nodded. "I've read about it. It's a carved structure, ancient and powerful. If my information is correct, it's a time portal."
The idea seemed almost too fantastical to believe, but Abby had learned to trust Nat's judgment. They pressed on, the structure growing larger with each step. By the time they reached it, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the intricately carved stone.
Abby stood in front of the carved structure, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. The carvings were intricate, depicting scenes of ancient battles and celestial events. Strange symbols glowed faintly, pulsing with an otherworldly energy.
“You’re sure it’s a time portal?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nat stepped forward, his eyes scanning the carvings with a critical gaze. He placed his hand on the stone, feeling the hum of energy beneath his fingers. “Yeah, that’s what it was supposed to be. It used to exist within a massive building protecting it, but when the Auctians couldn’t get it to work, they kind of abandoned it,” Nat said, inspecting the stonework. He pulled a panel and looked within.
“This and the portal device the Torchbearers have,” Abby mused. “We do just leave our junk around when it doesn’t work.”
“You know, Abby, I think I can get this to work! Everything is intact.” He pulled his book and quill out. “You want me to work some mojo?”
“You mean I could be the first person in history to time travel? How can I pass this up?” Abby was trying hard to hide it, but she was giddy, like a child excited for a surprise.
“You lost eight months in prison; we are on a time limit,” Nat reminded her.
“I’ll come back to this period in time, right?”
“You should…” He paused. “Maybe…”
“Well, maybe going through this could help me in finding the Eternal King and have him help the hive city.”
“Possibly… Oh, alright, here we go! Just put your tentacle on this panel here.” He motioned to a smooth metallic portion of the triangular structure. “And keep it there. A you from another point in time will more than likely touch it and those two places in time will connect.” He wrote in his book as he spoke. “It should work… now go ahead.”
Abby placed her tentacle on the panel as he asked. She closed her eyes and felt the cold of the metal. She heard birds in the distance chirping. She smelled an earthy and flowery scent. Then she heard a small buzzing sound and felt something like an electric current flow through her and into the metallic panel.
“Holy crap, that actually worked!” exclaimed Nat, slapping the book he held.
Abby opened her eyes and saw a translucent, shimmering portal that cascaded rainbow-like patterns across its surface. “Whoa.” She let out the small exclamation silently.
She placed one of her mangled tentacles through the portal. A tingling sensation met her and that was all. She looked to Nat.
“Are you coming?”
“No,” he looked directly at Abby with a smile. “Could you imagine two of me in whatever time you wind up in? I don’t know when you’ll come out—it could be ten minutes, an hour, or years from now. But I do know that two of me at one point in time is not good for any world or universe.”
He looked at the portal as it shimmered again. “Besides, I’ll probably be on the other side anyway. Have fun! What should your new title be? The Timernaut? Or Chronowalker?” His eyes widened. “Ooo, I like the second one!”
“Well, while you are thinking of that, I’ll be off.” Not wasting another moment, she jumped through the portal.
Then it shut off, leaving Nat with a book and a quill in his hand. He stood there for a moment, staring at the now-quiet structure, feeling a mix of excitement and melancholy. He chuckled softly to himself.
“Chronowalker it is, then,” he said to the empty field around him, before turning and walking away, the adventure ahead filled with new possibilities.