It seems to be around mid to late afternoon, the sky has just a hint of the orange hue it is soon to fully become. A giant wall and its castle city towers in front of me. Turning around, I realize I'm in a field, a meadow with both white and yellow flowers, with a cliffside in the distance. Beyond, all I can see is the ocean stretching to the horizon and the sun reflecting off the water and waves. I use my hand to shield my eyes from the sunlight, but only just now notice them. They feel rough and calloused. My hands aren't my own, for the first time in my life they feel unfamiliar to me. Looking down, I notice my outfit has been replaced as well. I'm wearing characteristic fantasy gear made of simple brown and tan cloth and leathers. None of it is too fancy, worn leather boots, soft tan pants, a short brown skirt, a small belt and pouch, a white under shirt, and finally a dark leather vest. Well, thank God I'm not in a princess dress or something.
After getting a good look at myself, I decide I probably need to find out what exactly I'm supposed to do. Taking a look around, I don't see anyone. Maybe I should just try to enter the city? I slowly walk towards the gate engraved with silver images of heroes fighting all kinds of monsters: three characters, to the left a hooded archer firing multiple arrows into a horde of adversaries. The right is some kind of mage, with a pointy hat and long beard, summoning a wall of fire. Front and center, right where the gate is split down the middle, is a knight clad in armor looking straight ahead with a massive shield. As I get closer, the gate begins to split apart and open by itself.
The bustling city view the walls protected fills my view. The buildings inside all have this medieval European design with light bricks and darker shaded roofs. Most are one or two stories, though a few towers poke out among the roof tops. All over I see many people of different species going about their daily life, I almost feel a little intimidated by how bubbly it looks. Walking into the city I start taking mental notes of the races I can recognize. So far I spot elves, dwarves, and people with animal ears and tails, if I’m not mistaken, they are called therians here. Of course there are also regular humans as well, it appears like there is a decent mix of all of them spread throughout this place. I can also spot multiple adventurers too, weapons ready on their backs and head to toe in a wide variety of armor and gear.
Suddenly I notice some odd sounds in the distance in front of me, sounds of metal clashing followed by cheers from a healthy crowd. I quicken my pace to reach the crowd to try and see what the commotion can be about. Peeking over the bystanders' shoulders, I see what looks like a city square with a large fountain statue of a woman in the middle. The crowd is surrounding two adventurers that I assume just finished a fight considering one is on his butt while the other is pointing a blade towards him.
“See, Pack, just hand over the money you owe us; it's no use trying to get rough in public.” he smirks while making sure the blade is still pointed at his target. He is an elf with spiky blond hair and is wearing a fancy set of ornate black and gold armor that matches his sword. His face clearly showing his pride and cocky attitude from winning their duel. The other man spits on the ground in disgust and slowly rises to his feet.
“Fine, fine, I got the memo. But next time I need some smithing materials, I won't be going to your lousy clan TK!” The man, Pack apparently, is a bigger man with disheveled brown hair and a tough looking face. He uses a bulky sword to help lift himself up, noticing his leather apron in rough shape.
“Haha I knew you would see reason!” The elf knight walks over and grabs his opponent's arm to shake on their agreement. Though instead he suddenly raises Pack’s hand up like a champion. “Ladies and Gentlemen to the tavern! Tonight our drinks are on this gentleman’s tab!”
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“Huh? Wait, that's not-” It's too late to argue; the roars of the cheering crowd drown out his opposition and just as quickly stampede towards the local tavern right in my direction.
Ugh, Seriously! What is everyone's problem? I barely avoided getting pushed down and trampled with how excited they were. With the city square now abandoned ,I try to find my next point of interest and decide to inspect the fountain at its center. It is made of white marble and topped with an elegant statue of a woman with long wavy hair and dress. She is depicted holding a sword with care in her arms with a bittersweet smile on her face, almost like she is trying her best to hold back tears.
“You are looking a little new here, need any help?” I turn to see another adventurer looking at me. A human boy with fiery red hair and light blue eyes is giving me a friendly looking smile. He wears a white hooded cloak, and a sword strapped to his back. He doesn’t have much armor, the only metal being a steel plate covering his chest. Instead his clothes are black a cloth with brown leather belts and straps.
“Yeah… I guess.” Oops, my voice was a little shakier than I intended. “This is my first time here so I don't really know where to go or what to see.” I responded, a little more nervously than I intended.
“Hmm let me think…” the boy brings his hand to his chin to think for a moment before holding his finger up to show his idea. “Oh! I know what you should see with a name like that!” He reaches out and points down one of the roads connected to the square. “Keep following that road east you will find a huge building, it's the grand library. It has access to the roof which is a beautiful place to read some of the stories at night. If you want I can show you?”
“Oh, uh, no don't worry about it, I can find my way there. Thank you for the recommendation though.” I’m not really wanting to socialize or make friends. Hopefully that isn't too rude or anything, but you know Mom and Dad always said not to trust strange guys, right?
“Okay, suit yourself.” He shrugs. “Don't be afraid to let me know if you need help with anything though. Have fun!” Just like that, he raises his hand and waves bye as he walks off. Hold on, how would I even contact him? I don't even know this guy's name. Whatever, I guess I will just head to that library.
By the time I reach the large building at the end of the road the sun has almost set completely. Most of the shops are closed and people are probably sleeping in their homes but the library still has its lights on. Entering I find a massive lobby filled with shelves that each house their own books. At the center of the room is a large spiral staircase. Honestly the whole thing is a little impressive. I take a look at one of the shelves, it has books like: The First Demon’s Decent, Tale of Orion: Slayer of the Half-demon Prince , and The Goddess's Final Gift and The Founding of Silverhelm. All sounding very fantasy but here they might all be non-fiction. I take one, Tale of Orion, and start to head up the stairs. As I go up the stairs they slowly become smaller and less elegant. At the top is a small wooden ladder leading to a roof hatch. That boy did say the roof was open right?
“I don't know if I would call this open.” I complain to myself as I climb out of the hatch. Hopefully this isn't some crime I'm going to get sent to a dungeon for. Slowly I lift myself up to my feet and look up at my surroundings. As I do, my worries get abruptly taken away, my train of thought completely derailed, and the book slips out from my hand. The small empty balcony of the library and the rooftops of the buildings below are all illuminated by a soft blue glow from the large moon resting high in the sky. Stars sparkle and twinkle in shades of almost every color imaginable, almost as if they are all dancing in a ballet. Even a shooting star that trails across the sky feels like a painter stroking the finale of their perfect masterpiece. It’s all just too breathtaking for me to take in. This is exactly the type of view, the type of starry night sky I miss seeing so much. This- this right here- is what I have been waiting nearly 4 long and painful years to experience again. Past memories and emotions begin to flood my mind and I can no longer hold back my tears.