As Adrian rode into the night, his mind was consumed by thoughts of vengeance.

The faces of his fallen comrades haunted him, their lives brutally snuffed out by his own blood, Cedric Lacroix.

It was a name that had brought torment to Adrian, and now it was a name he despised with every fiber of his being.

‘That damned Cedric. My own flesh and blood…He took everything from away. And I will make him pay for that!’

Every galloping step brought him closer to the abyss of his vengeance, and the darkness he carried inside had become his only companion.

‘I won't rest until I've torn apart the Lacroix Family. I will make that entire family fall from grace!’

His grip on the reins tightened, his knuckles white with rage as he remembered the faces of his fallen comrades.

The memory fueled his determination, igniting a fire in his heart that would not be extinguished.

‘Their deaths won't be in vain. I'll gather every piece of information on the Lacroix Family, their strengths and weaknesses. I'll find allies, those who share my thirst for revenge.’

The person who had left Talbryn was not the same as the one who was riding forward. His face had lost its youthful innocence, replaced by a cold determination. He knew that he would have to embrace the darkness within him to succeed, and the prospect didn't daunt him.

~~

The city of Wynthorin welcomed Adrian with its high stone walls and bustling streets.

The city was a hub of commerce and culture in the Edenhart Kingdom, its towering spires and intricate architecture a testament to the wealth and power of its residents.

He knew, however, that he couldn't linger here for long. The eyes of the Lacroix Family would eventually reach even this place.

He headed through the labyrinthine streets, a hood pulled low over his face to conceal his identity.

The key to his next step was an acquaintance of Roland, a contact that could help him acquire the pass he needed to enter the Vulcanheim Kingdom.

The directions Roland had given him led to a small apothecary nestled in a quiet corner of the city.

Adrian stepped inside, greeted by the mingling scents of various herbs and potions. The shop was dimly lit, and he spotted an elderly man tending to a shelf of glass vials.

Clearing his throat, Adrian approached the counter, careful not to reveal his face.

"Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for someone who goes by the name of Elias. I've been told he can assist me in acquiring a pass to the Vulcanheim Kingdom."

The elderly apothecary paused his work and turned to face Adrian, scrutinizing him for a moment. "You are not from around here, young man. Who told you of Elias?"

"I have my ways of acquiring information," Adrian replied cryptically, keen on revealing as little as possible about his journey or his true intentions.

Satisfied with his response, the old apothecary nodded and pointed to the back of the shop.

"You'll find Elias in the room at the end of the hallway. Just be cautious with your words. He doesn't readily share his knowledge with strangers."

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Adrian acknowledged the advice with a brief nod and proceeded down the dim corridor to the indicated room.

There, he encountered a man who was poring over a collection of old tomes. The room itself was filled with ancient scrolls and texts, making it clear that Elias was not a mere apothecary.

Clearing his throat, Adrian approached the man.

"Elias, I assume?"

The man looked up from his reading, his eyes sharp and observant.

"Yes, I am Elias. Who are you, and why have you come seeking my assistance?"

Adrian lowered his hood, revealing his face to Elias, who studied him closely for a moment.

"My name is Adrian, and I require your help in obtaining a pass to the Vulcanheim Kingdom. I've been sent by Roland."

“Oh, I see…You are the one Roland contacted me about,” Elias spoke as he pulled out a medallion from her pocket.

He added, “Take this. It will allow you to pass the inspection of guards without any issue.”

Elias handed the medallion to Adrian, who accepted it gratefully.

The weight of the pass in his hand felt like a step closer to his goal.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of indebtedness to Elias and to Roland for their assistance on his arduous journey.

“…Thank you. I…I don’t know how to thank you,” Adrian stammered, still somewhat surprised that he'd received the pass so easily. He'd expected more resistance or conditions attached..

Elias smiled gently, understanding the gratitude in Adrian's eyes.

"Don't worry too much. I owed your master a favor. As for any requests, I don't mean to look down on you, but you still have much to learn and grow before you can assist me. For now, focus on your path."

Adrian nodded, a determined glint in his eyes.

"I won't forget this favor and will repay you in any way I can. Thank you once again."

With those words, Adrian pulled his hood back up and began to make his way out of the shop, heading towards a nearby Teleportation Gate.

The pass in his possession was his ticket to the Vulcanheim Kingdom.

Once he reaches the Vulcanheim Kingdom, he would temporarily be away from the grasps of Lacroix Family.

Adrian reached the bustling area surrounding the Teleportation Gate. People hurried to and fro, their faces bearing a multitude of expressions. The gate itself was a massive, ornate arch, intricately engraved with runes and symbols, an imposing structure that connected distant realms.

As he approached the gate, a city guard stationed there stopped him, his gaze suspiciously assessing Adrian.

"Halt, traveler! State your destination."

With his hood still obscuring most of his face, Adrian handed over the medallion that Elias had given him.

"I'm heading to the Vulcanheim Kingdom. I have the required pass."

The guard examined the medallion, nodding as he recognized the symbol etched on it.

"Alright, you may proceed. Step through the gate when it opens."

With the gate's familiar hum, he took a deep breath and stepped through, leaving behind Edenhart Kingdom.

Adrian emerged from the Teleportation Gate into the bustling heart of the Vulcanheim Kingdom's capital.

The city was grander and more imposing than any he had ever seen, with towering structures and bustling streets that teemed with life.

The guards at the gate led him to a designated room, where a group of stern-looking officials awaited him.

They were clad in formal attire, their expressions professional but shrewd.

One of the officials, a middle-aged woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, spoke, "State your name, traveler."

Adrian, having already prepared for this moment, answered confidently, "I am Adrian Grey."

The woman took his identification papers and examined them closely. Her eyes flicked over the familiar emblem of the guild that was imprinted on the document.

After a few moments, she nodded in approval.

"Very well, Mr. Grey. Your papers seem to be in order. Welcome to the Vulcanheim Kingdom. Remember, adherence to our laws is essential. "

Adrian felt a surge of relief. His decision to change his name and work with the guild in Talbryn had paid off. He thanked the official and continued on his journey into the Vulcanheim Kingdom.

Adrian decided that his first stop in the Vulcanheim Kingdom's capital would be the renowned Metal Market. It was a place that drew people from far and wide, a sprawling marketplace teeming with blacksmiths and weaponsmiths. For any warrior, it was a treasure trove of possibilities, filled with a vast array of finely crafted weapons.

As he entered the market, the cacophony of clanging hammers and the hiss of quenching metal greeted him. The numerous stalls and shops displayed an impressive assortment of arms and armor, from intricately forged swords to sturdy plate mail.

Adrian wandered through the labyrinthine aisles, the gleam of blades and the burnished finish of armor enticing him. Several blacksmiths vied for his attention, each eager to showcase their creations. He couldn't help but be amazed by the craftsmanship of the weapons on display.

Adrian approached one of the nearby stalls, where a burly blacksmith worked on a magnificent suit of armor. He wore a leather apron and had thick arms covered in soot.

Adrian cleared his throat to get the blacksmith's attention.

"Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for a fine weapon. Something strong and durable."

The blacksmith, his hands still moving with the grace of experience, glanced at Adrian.

"Ah, a discerning customer, are you? Well, you've come to the right place. Tell me, what kind of weapon are you looking for?"

Adrian thought for a moment.

"A longsword, if you have any."

The blacksmith nodded and wiped his hands on a cloth.

"I have a few fine longswords here. Let me show you."

He presented a range of beautifully crafted longswords, each with unique designs etched into the blades.

Adrian carefully examined them, considering the balance, sharpness, and craftsmanship of each weapon. Each one was much superior compared to the longsword that Adrian was using right now.

"Take your time," the blacksmith said. "Choose the one that calls out to you."

Adrian's eyes flickered across the selection of longswords, taking in every detail. He considered the price tags that accompanied each weapon, reminding himself that he needed to stay within his budget. This was just the beginning of his journey, and he couldn't afford to overspend.

Finally, his gaze settled on a longsword with a plain, yet elegant design. The blade had a subtle ripple pattern that hinted at its high-quality craftsmanship, and it had an elegantly curved hilt etched with intricate designs.

It was priced reasonably and seemed like it would serve him well.

Adrian pointed to the chosen longsword and addressed the blacksmith, "I'll take this one."

The blacksmith grinned, revealing a missing tooth.

"A fine choice, lad. It's a sturdy blade, and it'll serve you well. That'll be twenty-five gold coins."

Adrian nodded and handed over the required payment. He couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as he received the sword in return.