Chapter 1: My Destiny

Flashes of lightning crashed down onto the Earth from the heavens, illuminating the night sky with a terrifying brilliance. The ground trembled and cracked beneath the onslaught, causing ancient trees to topple like mere twigs. Bodies of knights and soldiers lay strewn in heaps, piled dozens of feet high. The landscape was a grotesque tapestry of death and destruction, with blood flowing through the lands like rivers, mingling with the rain. Explosions and screams pierced the air, contributing to the cacophony of chaos and devastation. The magic in the air was so potent that it made the ends of one's hair stand on end. Darkness enveloped everything, turning the world into a hellish wasteland.

“Yumiko!” A male voice called out from behind her, unfamiliar and urgent. “Yumiko! Get out of there! Look out! Someone is making their way towards you!”

The dark-haired woman, Yumiko, spun around to see who was calling her. A shadowy man on a horse charged toward her, spear raised and ready to strike. Panic surged through her as she reached for her bow, only to realize it wasn't there—nor was her knife!

As the rider drew closer, a bolt of lightning struck the man, the impact creating a deafening boom. The ground shook violently, sending dust and debris into the air. Yumiko was thrown to the ground by the force of the explosion, coughing as smoke filled her lungs.

“Yumiko!” The unknown man called again, cutting through the roar of screams and explosions.

Shakily, Yumiko stood up, her ears ringing from the noise. “Who is there? Where am I?” she cried out, trying to block out the cacophony of death and destruction around her.

“Run! They’re coming—by the thousands!” The voice yelled. The ground began to tremble and rumble beneath her feet as more explosions erupted around her.

In the midst of the chaos, Yumiko darted for cover, her long black hair whipping into her face as debris and shattered wood rained down around her. Her dark gray eyes, wide with a mix of terror and desperation, scanned the battlefield. The sheer scale of the destruction was overwhelming—there were too many forces at play, too much happening all at once.

Dragons the size of ships soared through the sky off in the distance, their scales gleaming ominously as they unleashed torrents of fire upon the large armies below. The air was filled with the blood-curdling screams of warriors, their cries echoing even from where Yumiko stood miles away.

“Go! They will see you!” The urgent voice cut through the din of battle, its tone edged with panic.

To her right, thousands of mounted troops charged toward her, their horses trampling over the bodies littering the battlefield. The soldiers’ cries were thunderous of rage and violence, adding to the disarray around her.

“I said, go!” the voice insisted, his urgency sharpening.

Desperation clung to Yumiko like a second skin as she stumbled through the pandemonium, her mind racing. Lightning shattered the sky once more, casting stark, blinding flashes over the chaotic scene. The once fertile earth was now a desolate wasteland, scorched and torn apart by relentless violence.

She pushed through the tangled mess of bodies on the ground, her heart pounding as she fled from the pursuing men. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw shadowy figures on horseback closing in on her, their weapons gleaming menacingly. As she turned her gaze back to the front, she noticed the ground giving way to a sharp cliff. Panic surged through her, and she skidded to a halt, nearly rolling off the edge.

“Get out of there! Jump!” The voice seemed almost to be right beside her now. Yumiko spun around, desperately searching for its source.

“Who are you?” she screamed, her voice nearly drowned by the clamor of the battle. The ground shook more violently as the conflict intensified, sending tremors through her entire body.

“Jump!” the voice commanded again, the tone brooking no argument. Yumiko looked down and saw the drop below was about twenty feet. Her heart raced as she turned to see the army right behind her, their presence a looming threat.

With a deep breath, she leaped off the edge. She fell through the air, her body twisting as she rolled upon hitting the ground. The bloody mud beneath her was cold and slick, and explosions began erupting around her, sending debris flying. Disoriented and with no clear path, Yumiko struggled to orient herself amid the disorder.

The fear and turmoil were suffocating, the air thick with the stench of blood and burnt flesh. Yumiko's heart pounded in her chest, each beat a grim reminder of the life she was fighting to preserve.

“I need to get out of here! I must live!” She thought to herself as she continued running through the battlefield. She turned around to see if there was anyone behind her.

She tripped over the lifeless body of a dead horse, crashing to the ground with a jarring thud. Pain shot through her limbs, but she quickly scrambled to her feet, her movements desperate and frantic. As she struggled to rise, a bright light from a magical attack soared directly toward her, its intensity growing with each passing second.

Yumiko’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding so fiercely it seemed ready to burst. Panic surged through her veins like ice water as she watched the blinding light approach, knowing she had no time to escape. In that instant, the chaotic sounds of the battlefield seemed to fade, replaced by the deafening silence of her impending doom.

She closed her eyes tightly, her mind racing with a flood of memories and unspoken fears. She plugged her ears, no longer wanting to hear the sounds of screams and explosions. The heat of the magical attack grew closer, the searing light burning through her closed eyelids. Yumiko braced herself for the inevitable end, her body tensing in anticipation of the impact.

Instead of the anticipated violent explosion, a serene, angelic female voice resonated around Yumiko. “Fear not now, child, and open your eyes.”

With a cautious breath, Yumiko slowly opened her eyes. To her astonishment, she found herself in a tranquil landscape that starkly contrasted with the battlefield she had just fled. The sky above was a clear, serene blue, and the air was still and calm. In the distance, a blurry figure in white stood, her presence radiating an aura of peace and warmth. Yumiko’s heart, which had been pounding with fear, began to calm as she took in this surreal, almost otherworldly scene—a vivid reprieve from the horrid nightmare she had endured moments ago.

Uncertain whether this figure was a trick, Yumiko called out to it, “You’re not the one who was speaking to me earlier on the battlefield, are you?” She squinted, trying to make out the shape of the distant figure.

“By what do you mean?” The figure’s voice sounded puzzled, its tone calm yet distant.

“Great. Another unfamiliar voice,” Yumiko thought, her confusion deepening her unease. Desperate for clarity, she called out, “Never mind that. Who are you? My name is Yumiko Hoshino.” She squinted harder, trying to discern any details of the figure in the distance.

“I know who you are,” the voice replied with gentle assurance. “This is not your first time here.”

Yumiko froze. “H-how do you know?” she shouted. “So this is all part of a dream? Who or what are you?” Her voice was tinged with frustration and urgency.

“It matters not who I am. I have brought you here to find someone who can change your life and many others,” the figure said, her voice calm yet commanding, resonating with an otherworldly authority. “Find him before he is found by fear,” she added, her tone carrying an undercurrent of concern.

“Find who?” Yumiko demanded, her fear giving way to a fierce determination. A flame of passion ignited within her, fueling a newfound hope. “Do you mean my brother? Do you know where he is?” Her voice was a blend of hope and urgency.

“I cannot speak, as his eyes will be upon us. Headwich. Go there, child. Find him before The Chosen do,” the voice instructed. “Otherwise, this will become your reality.”

A bright light came from the figure, forcing Yumiko to turn her head and shield her face. As she opened her eyes, the infernal landscape she thought she had escaped reappeared in all its terrifying detail. The sky was consumed by blackened clouds that roared with renewed fury, and lightning ripped through the darkness. Explosions rocked the battlefield once more, and the ground shook violently beneath her feet.

The sounds of swords clashing and the agonizing screams of the dying filled the air, an orchestra of chaos and despair that overwhelmed her senses. The acrid smell of smoke and blood assaulted her nose, and the heat from nearby fires singed her skin.

Desperate to escape the horror, Yumiko spun around, unwilling to witness the carnage unfolding behind her. “Why Headwich? Is my brother there—” she began, but as she turned back to the serene landscape, she found that the woman had vanished along with the peaceful scene.

“Miss? Where did you go?” Yumiko called out, her voice trembling. She panned around the battlefield, her eyes wide with horror as the screams of dying men filled the air. She barely had time to react before a large explosion blasted in front of her, throwing her off her feet.

With a gasp, Yumiko bolted upright from her bed, sweat dripping down her face. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gulps as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

The flap of her tent was suddenly thrown open, and her friend and traveling companion, Meilin, burst in. Meilin’s entrance was both sudden and striking. Her dark, straight hair was tied back in a practical, no-nonsense bun, revealing a face marked by delicate, high cheekbones and a pair of concerned, almond-shaped eyes. Her skin was a warm, rich tone, and she wore a simple yet functional outfit—a fitted tunic and durable trousers—ideal for their journey. Her gaze softened with worry as she took in the sight of Yumiko’s distressed state.

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“Yumiko~ It’s time to wake—” Meilin’s voice trailed off as she paused, taking in the sheen of sweat on Yumiko’s forehead and the rapid rise and fall of her friend’s chest. “What happened? Are you alright?”

Yumiko quickly wiped the sweat from her forehead, attempting to mask her true emotions. “I’m okay!” she said, forcing a smile as her heart still raced. “Just a really freaky dream!” She let out a nervous laugh.

Meilin's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression suspicious. “Was it another nightmare? I know before you didn’t want to say anything, but if you want to, we can talk about—”

“No! It’s fine, I promise!” Yumiko interrupted, her smile widening. Slowly, her smile faded. “I’ll tell you later… I just need a moment to get ready. But I’m fine, I swear!”

Meilin hesitated, clearly unconvinced, but she decided to let it go for now. “Alright, if you say so. Just remember, I’m here if you need to talk.”

Yumiko nodded, her smile faltering slightly as Meilin left the tent. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The dream had felt so real, so vivid. The cryptic message, the return to the battlefield... She shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering sense of dread. She couldn't let it distract her. Not now.

Pushing aside the lingering thoughts of her nightmare, Yumiko forced herself to focus on the day ahead. The journey was long, and she couldn’t afford any distractions. Yet, deep down, the haunting dream felt like more than a mere nightmare. It was a sign—one she couldn’t ignore.

Her gaze hardened with courage as she stared into the mirror, the reflections of her determination and fear mingling in her eyes. “If this dream is true… it means my brother is alive somewhere,” she thought aloud. “That figure mentioned something about members of The Chosen looking for him.” Her mind raced as she tried to piece together the fragments of her dream.

Yumiko furrowed her brow, her thoughts a tangled web of confusion and urgency. The nightmares of the bloody battlefield had plagued her every week for the past three months, each one more vivid and harrowing than the last. The only new element had been the mysterious figure who appeared in her dream, urging her to head to the capital. Was it a genuine warning or merely a trick of her troubled mind?

Despite the uncertainty, Yumiko felt a growing conviction that there was something significant awaiting her in the city. The sense of urgency was undeniable. She shook herself from her overwhelming thoughts and set about preparing for the day, her movements quick and purposeful. The path ahead was uncertain, but her determination was unwavering.

As Yumiko emerged from her tent, the first light of dawn bathed the campsite in a soft, golden hue. Meilin was already waiting outside, her presence casting a gentle shadow on the dew-kissed grass. The morning light caught the delicate strands of Meilin’s dark hair, neatly pulled back into a bun, framing her face with an almost ethereal glow. Her eyes, filled with a warm concern, reflected her deep care for her friend. “Sorry for waking you,” Meilin said softly, her voice carrying a hint of regret. “I just wanted to let you know that some things have changed…”

Yumiko, rubbing sleep from her eyes, took in her friend’s troubled expression. “What’s going on? Is it something with your family? Is your father sick again?”

Meilin shook her head, the motion slow and deliberate. “No, it’s nothing like that. If it were, I would be staying here and keep working with the Adventurers’ Guild, earning money with quests.” She paused, her gaze distant as she searched for the right words. “As you know, I planned to leave in a few days and head back home to Hwong. This was supposed to be our last quest together, and I was hoping we could spend the remaining time together by having some fun. But now… I need to leave for Headwich immediately. I’m sorry,” she added, her voice heavy with a mixture of sadness and resignation.

The mention of Headwich struck Yumiko like a sudden gust of wind, a chill of recognition seeping into her bones. The figure in her dreams had directed her to Headwich. Was this a mere coincidence or a twist of fate? She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm as she sought to understand Meilin’s abrupt change in plans. Her brow furrowed, confusion knitting her features tightly. “I knew you were planning to return to Hwong, but why the sudden shift? And why Headwich, of all places?”

Meilin sighed deeply, her expression darkening with concern. “Originally, my plan was to take a ferry from Ferloch, but this morning, while I was fishing, I overheard some unsettling news. A merchant passing by told me that all ferries leaving Ferloch have been suspended. Apparently, a ship and a small fleet from the guild were attacked by sea monsters. Because of this, I have no choice but to head to the capital.”

Yumiko’s eyes widened in disbelief. “The guild had a fleet in that area? And it was attacked? By whom?”

Meilin nodded, her face grim. “Yes, the ships were reportedly assaulted by large sea monsters. There were no survivors, and the guild is taking this very seriously. They’ve launched a full-blown investigation. With the ferries and ships from Ferloch docked and out of commission, I have no choice but to travel further south and hope I can depart from Headwich.”

A spark of determination ignited in Yumiko’s eyes. “I knew it! This must be a sign,” she declared, her voice brimming with newfound strength. “It has to be the heavens guiding me. They’re telling me my brother is still alive! Hiro must be out there! This is all too convenient, otherwise!”

Meilin regarded Yumiko with a mixture of concern and confusion. “I don’t understand how an attack on a fleet connects to your brother being alive or why it would be convenient?”

Yumiko’s eyes met Meilin’s, her expression earnest. “Do you believe in destiny?” she asked as she methodically pulled her tabi socks and boots from her tent. “When events unfold in such a series, don’t you think it’s a sign that the heavens are guiding us?” She carefully fastened her boots, her movements deliberate as she tried to ground herself in the present.

Her mind wandered back to the vivid dream that had disturbed her sleep. The enigmatic figure in her vision had urged her to go to Headwich and ‘find him,’ the words echoing with a sense of urgency that she could not dismiss. As she stretched to shake off the lingering fatigue, Yumiko’s resolve hardened. The dream felt like more than just a troubling vision—it seemed like a premonition she was compelled to follow.

Meilin raised an eyebrow, hovering near Yumiko as she finished preparing. “I do believe in destiny, but in the kind we create for ourselves. In Hwong, we forge our own paths; the gods don’t dictate our fates. They aren’t supposed to have any involvement at all… Otherwise that wouldn’t be your destiny, right?”

Yumiko nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. The same belief exists in my homeland, Jinsoku. But what if a divine force is illuminating potential pathways for us? Paths that we don’t have to follow, but are made apparent to us? Isn’t that also a form of destiny?”

Meilin considered this, her brow furrowing. “I suppose you could see it that way… But just because Ferloch’s ships are docked doesn’t necessarily mean it’s your destiny to go to Headwich. Things like this happen all the time in this country, it’s why the guild pays adventurers to deal with various monsters and tragic events. Besides, I thought your oldest brother had important information about Hiro back in Wern? It seems sudden to abandon that lead based on a dream.”

As Yumiko began to carefully dismantle her tent, removing the stakes and rope with practiced precision, Meilin’s concern deepened. “Wait, are you suggesting this to come with me to the capital? Are you worried about monsters or something? Listen, I’ll be fine—”

Yumiko shook her head, stacking the stakes into her bag neatly. “Headwich is six days closer than Wern. If I head to the capital, I can send my brother a message from there. It will be easier to reach him that way, and he can guide me on where to look next for Hiro.”

“What if he needs you to be there in person, or if there’s something specific he wants you to do closer to where he is?” Meilin asked with concern.

Yumiko continued to place the stakes into her bag, her back turned to her friend. “Then I’ll message him six days sooner and find out what he needs. If he wants me there, then I will head there.”

Meilin studied Yumiko’s determined posture. She knew how much Yumiko’s search for her missing brother, Hiro, meant to her. The fact that Yumiko was disregarding her eldest brother’s instructions left her perplexed. “Alright… So this is about your missing brother. But I’m still confused about how this situation is convenient for you and why you’re deviating from your usual plan. I want to support your search for Hiro, but I need to be sure that you’re not just making this decision on a whim.”

Yumiko dismissed her friend’s concerns with a wave as she folded her leather tent. “Everything is fine, really,” she said, her voice calm despite the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind. “I’ve thought this through.”

Meilin watched in silence, her gaze following Yumiko’s movements. The fresh morning air was alive with the cheerful chirping of birds, and the trees swayed gently in the breeze. “Does this have to do with your dream?” Meilin asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Is this where your talk of destiny is coming from, and why you’re determined to go to Headwich?” She noticed Yumiko's sudden stillness, her friend pausing mid-fold, lost in thought.

Yumiko stood slowly, looking out in the forest with a somber expression. “My dreams—no, my nightmares—have been tormenting me for weeks. They’re always the same: a never-ending battlefield, a hellish landscape.” She turned to her friend, her face still etched with unease, “It feels like I am there. I can feel the realness of it all every single time! The screams, the explosions, the decayed landscape, the bodies…”

Her voice trailed off as the vivid recollection of her dreams lingered in her mind. Meilin observed Yumiko’s gaze, now distant and troubled. “Everything was practically the same,” Yumiko continued, her tone earnest and troubled, “until the most recent dream. A figure appeared and told me to find him. It was so vivid, so natural… And do you know where that figure directed me? Headwich.” Yumiko took a step closer to Meilin, her eyes searching her friend’s face. “Then I woke up just moments ago to learn that all these events are pushing you toward the capital—the very place I was instructed to go. What else could it mean? Isn’t this a sign?”

Meilin looked at Yumiko with a skeptical expression, though her concern was evident. “I understand your belief in destiny and signs. But are you sure you’re making the right choice by heading to the capital? What if your eldest brother has found something truly significant about Hiro?”

Yumiko’s eyes remained steady, her resolve unshaken. “Sometimes, the signs we’re given are the universe’s way of steering us towards what we need to do. This dream, these events—they all feel interconnected. I have to follow this path and see where it leads. My brother’s life might depend on it.”

Meilin looked at Yumiko, her concern evident. “But what if these signs are just coincidences—”

“No!” Yumiko’s voice cut through the air with a fierce edge. “This dream was too vivid, too real to be just a coincidence. There’s meaning behind it, I’m sure of it.” Her expression, intense, left no room for doubt. Meilin watched as Yumiko returned to her task, her movements methodical and brisk as she cleaned her tent with urgency.

Meilin hesitated, her heart heavy with the weight of Yumiko’s determination. “I meant no offense… I was simply meaning to determine if this is right for you. Listen, I—” Her words faded as she tried to explain herself, but it seemed like Yumiko wished to hear no more of it.

Yumiko, her hands neatly folding her leather tent, looked up with a gaze that was both resolute and unwavering. “As I’ve said, heading to Headwich will allow me to contact him sooner. You may not see this as a sign, but I do. I’ll do whatever it takes to find Hiro. This is my destiny.” She finished folding the tent with practiced efficiency.

The atmosphere between them shifted subtly. Meilin felt a pang of regret, realizing that her concerns might have seemed dismissive of Yumiko’s feelings. She had only wanted to ensure her friend was making the best choice, but now the silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken tension.

Yumiko rolled the folded tent carefully and secured it to the bottom of her bag. Without turning to face Meilin, she spoke, her voice carrying a note of finality. “We need to get moving. Not just for my sake, but for yours as well. You want to return home, don’t you?”

Meilin sensed the change in Yumiko’s mood and understood the urgency. Rather than pressing further or risking deepening the rift, she nodded and replied softly, “Yes, I do.”