Caitrin slowly blinked her eyes open, disoriented by the sudden break in her slumber. "What happened?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"We've arrived at our final destination," Orano replied, his voice filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Caitrin's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious?" she exclaimed, quickly rising to her feet. She stepped out of the carriage, stretching her weary limbs and taking a deep breath of the crisp, city air. "Finally!" she sighed, a wave of relief washing over her. "My bones were starting to ache."

"We won't be needing the carriage anymore," Orano announced. "We'll walk from here."

He turned to Noah, offering a sincere thank you. "Mr. Noah, thank you for bringing us here."

Noah smiled warmly. "It was my pleasure. I'll be leaving now. Take care."

"Understood," Orano replied.

As the carriage disappeared into the distance, Caitrin took a moment to survey her surroundings. Before her lay the city of Faye, Lavinia, a place she had heard so much about but never truly imagined. Its beauty was breathtaking, a stark contrast to the rugged landscapes they had traversed.

A sense of anticipation filled her heart as she realized that their journey had reached its end. Lavinia, with its promise of adventure and new beginnings, beckoned them forward.

The city of Lavinia was renowned for its majestic Château Flora, a towering edifice that dominated the city's skyline. Not only was it the home of Faye's esteemed Knights, but it also served as a venue for prestigious award ceremonies and grand events.

Directly opposite the castle stood the ancient stone bridge, Ezekiel, a vital thoroughfare for the city's inhabitants. Lined with shops and bustling with activity, Ezekiel offered a panoramic view of the castle and the shimmering sea beyond.

On the other side of the bridge, the sea stretched out in all its glory, its vast expanse a mesmerizing sight. At the base of the bridge lay the Perula pier, a popular destination for those seeking a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. For those who preferred to avoid the bridge, a set of stairs led down to the pier from the nearby streets.

And overlooking the entire scene was a charming open-air café, offering a delightful vantage point from which to savor the city's breathtaking beauty.

As Orano and Caitrin wandered through the city, Caitrin's eyes widened in awe. "So this is Faye!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder.

She rushed to the edge of the bridge, her breath catching in her throat. Taking a deep breath of the salty air, she closed her eyes and savored the moment. "It's even more beautiful than I imagined," she murmured.

Never before had Caitrin felt so captivated by a place. The city's enchanting vista was a feast for the senses, a sight that would be forever etched in her memory.

Yet, as she gazed out at the sea, a bittersweet pang of nostalgia washed over her. "This is the city my people left behind," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Orano turned to her, his eyes filled with empathy. He understood her pain, but words seemed inadequate.

Caitrin forced a smile. "I'm okay. It's just something I'm trying to process."

She shook her head, determined to focus on the present. "Let's go find your friend. Do you know where he is?"

Orano nodded, his gaze fixed on something in the distance. "He might be closer than we think."

As Caitrin followed his gaze, she spotted a familiar figure waving at them from across the square.

Caitrin's eyes widened in astonishment as she realized the significance of the scene unfolding before her. "Wait, is this your friend?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Orano, ignoring her question, approached the man and greeted him with a casual nod. "So you finally got here," he said.

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"What do you mean? I've been here the whole time! Just waiting for you two," Yuma replied, his face splitting into a wide grin.

Caitrin turned to Orano, her confusion evident. "Hey! Aren't you going to explain?" she demanded.

"Oh, right," Orano replied, sheepishly. He turned to Yuma. "This is Caitrin Nakahara. The person I told you I was traveling with."

Yuma extended his hand, a warm smile on his face. "Nice to meet you. I'm Yuma Daisuke. Since Orano probably told you a bit about me, you probably know who I am."

Caitrin blushed slightly. "Nice to meet you too," she replied. "Actually, I don't know anything about you two. Since I started traveling with Tatsumi, he hasn't told me much about what you guys are up to."

Yuma chuckled. "I guess we owe you an explanation," he said, his smile undiminished.

Orano and Yuma exchanged a knowing glance. "It didn't take as long as usual," Orano remarked, extending his hand.

Yuma shook his hand firmly. "Yeah, as usual," he replied, their camaraderie evident.

-----------------------------------

It was four and a half years ago.

The world swam into focus as I slowly regained consciousness. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized I could move my limbs and open my eyes. However, as my vision cleared, I found myself in a peculiar predicament. I was soaked to the bone, and beside me, a man lay panting heavily.

Rising with what little strength I could muster, I surveyed my surroundings. A vast lake stretched out before me, its shimmering surface reflecting the pale moonlight. The muscular man beside me was also drenched, and a bundle of logs lay scattered on the ground.

A thought occurred to me. "Did he... save me?" I wondered.

The man noticed my awakening and turned to me, his breath still ragged. "Are you alright, kid?" he asked.

I glanced down at my hands, unsure if this was a dream or reality. "Yes, I'm... I'm okay," I replied, my voice a mere whisper.

The man had long, fiery red hair and a matching beard. He was clad in leather pants, his torso bare. As if sensing my discomfort, he reached for his shirt on the ground and pulled it on.

"Do you remember anything about why you were in Rawara Lake, kid?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Rawara Lake? The name was unfamiliar. Why was I in such a place? And more importantly, where was I?

"I'm sorry... but can you tell me where we are?" I stammered, my voice trembling.

"We're near the cities of Ether and Belimore. And this is Rawara, the most famous lake in these kingdoms," he replied, his gaze fixed on me.

He picked up the bundle of logs and slung it over his shoulder. "If you don't know any of this, it means you're not from around here."

My confusion deepened. Ether and Belimore? I had no recollection of such places. Panic began to set in as I realized I was lost and alone.

"I don't understand," I whimpered. "Where exactly is this place?"

"It's pretty obvious you're lost, kid. And you look like you could use a place to stay until we figure this out," he said, turning away. "Come, follow me."

I hesitated, unsure of who this man was or what his intentions were. But with no other options, I followed him, a knot of fear tightening in my stomach.

The man continued to walk in silence, the weight of the logs seemingly unnoticed. I followed closely behind, my mind racing with questions. As we ventured deeper into the forest, the towering trees formed a dense canopy overhead, casting the path in an eerie twilight.

Eventually, we emerged from the woods and stumbled upon a modest wooden house nestled amidst the trees. A small shed stood nearby, filled with neatly stacked logs. But it wasn't the house or the shed that caught my attention.

As we approached, I spotted a middle-aged woman standing at the door. She wore a simple kitchen apron and greeted the man with a warm smile. She had a wooden leg, a testament to her resilience. Behind her, a young boy, roughly my age, peered out from the doorway. He had short, wavy red hair and held a book in his arms.

The man set down the logs and entered the house, calling out to me. I followed, passing the woman and the boy with a nervous glance.

Inside, the family gathered around a small table. The boy retreated to his room, while the man turned to me. "What is your name, kid?" he asked.

"Orano. Orano Tatsumi," I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

The woman looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "I've never heard of a Tatsumi. Did he lose his way?"

"I don't know. I found him near Ether. He was just floating in the lake," the man explained.

"But the interesting thing was, there was a vortex in the lake," he continued. "I was returning from the lake when I saw it appear out of nowhere. Seconds later, Orano emerged, unconscious."

I gasped, my heart pounding in my chest. "Did I come out of a vortex?" I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.

"It's possible," the man replied. "Whether such a spell exists is still a mystery."

The woman pondered aloud, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Perhaps we should ask the witches in town?"

The man shook his head. "I haven't heard of any witch discussing such a spell since we moved to Idrisud. And the wizards or witches capable of casting such a powerful spell died long ago. If we asked them, they would dismiss it as utter nonsense."

The woman sighed, a gentle smile playing on her lips. She turned to me, her eyes filled with kindness. "At least you found him at the right time and brought him here. Since he has nowhere to go, perhaps he can stay with us. And maybe he'll become good friends with Yuma."

The man nodded. "For now, that will be our plan. But we won't stop searching for answers. Until then, you will follow my rules. Do you understand?"

His voice was firm, his demeanor stern. Despite the intimidating aura he exuded, his tone was more authoritative than threatening.

I bowed my head, my voice barely a whisper. "I understand."