“Oh, You’ve survived!”

I instantly got into a fighting stance, ignoring the pain from the sudden movement, with my knife in hand, turning to face the dead carcasses.

I promise to God if these corpses are the ones talking…

A grunting noise was made that gave off the feeling like the person talking was displeased that I had survived. I looked around to find the source of the mysterious voice.

“Worry not. You won't have to worry about the corpses anymore, as you are the one who killed them.”

The voice that seemed to come out of nowhere had a majestic, yet harsh quality, emanating a sense of nobility. It was powerful and vibrant, yet irregular and agitated, making you want to run from it.

Still, on guard, I finally managed to mutter a less than elegant response.

“Who are you? And what do you want?”

“Mhmm, For me to answer thoughts questions, you would first have to find me at my dwelling.”

This voice seemed sure I would try and find it.

As if knowing my thoughts, the voice continued, “If you ever want to get home I am the only one that will be able to from this place, so I encourage you to make haste.

That jerked my memory back to me. That’s right! I had to get back home! Mother! Father! Dad's party! And most of all, JACE! Are they alright? Did they reach Ozryn safely?

If the vice really could take me back home, I had no choice but to listen and trust it.” Cough, dear uhh… Mr. Voice. May I have the directions to your location so that you may accompany me in your presence?

The voice let out another grunting that gave off a displeasing feeling before replying with, “Don't you think it's a little rude to talk formally with someone of higher status? And very well, I’ll show you the way.”

Higher status? Who the hell are you?

Instantly, my vision shifted into a bird's eye view. Zooming out, a location that would be about a day’s trip to the east came into view and lit up before my vision shifted back to normal.

“I suggest you leave immediately. It would be better to travel during the day than when it's dark.” Unkindly chided the voice.

“If you insist.” I collected a few supplies from the carriage and tents before trotting towards my destination.

With each step, it became less painful and, by dawn, I was left with only aches here and there. Whatever that voice did was some powerful magic. I've heard of the long-range spell, but never of that distance. Maybe the voice knew I would arrive here? But how could it have known I would be kidnapped? Why did it choose to help me? And why now? If it could cast magic from that distance, why not just kill the men from the start? The more I tried to solve the mystery, the more questions I ended up with.

WHOOSH.

Hearing a faint whoosh sound, I headed in the direction, spotting a narrow stream.

“YES!” I exclaimed.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I was utterly filthy. My face and neck had a stench that made me want to throw up, while it was torn and caked with blood and other substances. Almost sprinting. I cannonballed into the stream, washing off every speck of dirt and blood I could find. Taking off my clothes to wash them, I laid them on a nearby rock that was in the sunlight to dry. After finishing, I walked over to the damped clothes when…

“Kukuku… how nonchalant, I can see the dangers of this world do not frighten you.”

This world?

Unintentionally, Both my hands shot down to cover my most precious area while hunching my back while trying to make my body as small as possible.

“Worry not, there isn't much to see.”

How rude! My pride!

Groaning, I wanted to tell the voice my body was developed, good if not better for this age but chose to ignore the voice and put my clothes on. I got the feeling the voice would hardly care anyway, but something I couldn’t shake off was the feeling of joy from the mysterious voice despite all the other comments.

“Mhmm… my apologies. Don't be saddened, you still have a little way to go.” the voice said with a stifled laugh.

Calm down, Quin. You're just a boy, and it’s just a voice.

After I put on my clothes, the mysterious voice seemed to go silent. Didn't matter. I scavenged through the bag from the carriage for the last of my ration. Water wouldn't be a problem since I had just refilled my water sack, But I would eventually need food; hopefully, I make it before that time comes or the voice will provide me with something.

Looking around, I started to wonder where I was. Since I was taken from the Inn towards the east, I must be near the elves’ territory. I don't think I’m in the Nelin because I’m not surrounded by fog and the mana here seems normal. Am I in the wastelands? No. There weren't any mana beasts and the terrain is normal. There were a few bunnies and birds, I have yet to see anything else. Something I noticed that was even stranger was the abundance of mana in the area. It was probably due to the richness of that mana that I was able to recover from my initial state so quickly. Also, the mana was unusually pure that you could see the mana particles floating around.

I should hurry.

Apart from there being no road, it ended up being an uneventful trip, with the slightest obstacles and terrains I had to go through. As I got closer to the location of the voice, the density of the mana became richer and thicker. Disregard the temptation to stop and absorb the surrounding mana, I processed. The training wasn't important right now. I needed to get home.

Since Mother and Father assumed I was dead and assuming they still met up with dad's party they all must assume I’m dead, I couldn't help but worry about mom and dad. I’m concerned Mother and Father wouldn't forgive themselves for my death especially Father since he wanted to protect me at all cost.

I reached where the voice had led me towards, but I was unable to see anything besides a cluster of rocks and trees surrounding the area.

“It seems you made it here with no problems.” The voice echoed confidently as if it knew I already would.

“It's an honor to finally meet you uhh… sir rocks?”

“I can assure you that I am not some mere rock. There is a crevice between the back of the adjacent rocks. That's where I’ll be.” The voice muttered.

Looking around I managed to spot the small gap, about the size of an adult, between two larger rocks that were leaning against each other making a Teepee. The slight breeze that came from the opening told me I found what I was looking for. If it weren't for the voice guiding me to the exact location, I would have never even found or noticed it was there.

“Proceed child through the crevice, but reinforce yourself with mana before you do.”

I will finally be able to meet Mother and Father soon!

Without hesitation, I slipped in through the gap easily while willing the mana to strengthen my body.

I expected to land on top of a platform but instead, I plummeted down the dark hole.

The voice didn't even try to warn me it would be a vertical fall.

I guess that's why it wanted me to use mana’ was the thought that ran through my head as I descended the tunnel screaming my lungs off.

Rubbing my butt, groaning, I slowly supported myself.

“We finally meet child.”

I felt the blood drain from my face as my mouth gaped open and my eyes widened. Feeling lightheaded as my legs failed to hold me up, I stumbled onto my aching butt, staring at the one who had been helping me the whole time.