After finishing his preparations at the market, total darkness had already swallowed Sunken Arkan.
Raymond headed toward a modest inn tucked away in a quiet alley, seeking a rare moment of peace. He secured a small room on the ground floor, paying for the night in advance. As he stepped into the dimly lit foyer—flickering under the weak light of an oil lamp—a figure emerged from the shadows of a connecting hallway, leaving the room adjacent to his.
The man wore opulent, dark garments that masked his identity. A heavy black cloak trailed behind him like a shroud. Although Raymond couldn't see his face, he felt a chilling aura radiating from the stranger—a cold, invisible pressure that bit into the air.
In the narrow corridor, they passed each other slowly.
As their shoulders nearly brushed, a strange shiver raced through Raymond's bones. He dismissed it immediately, blaming the day's exhaustion, and continued to his room without looking back.
The cloaked man did not stop either. He showed no outward reaction, but as he drifted away into the gloom, he gently brushed the hem of his cloak—as if wiping away invisible dust from where his body had grazed Raymond's.
At that same moment, the cloaked man ascended to the second floor. Two hulking guards stood like statues before a heavy oak door. He ignored them and pushed the door open without knocking.
Inside, the room was bathed in luxury. A young man in fine silks sat impatiently on a velvet sofa.
young man : (With a hint of agitation) "You're late, Sorcerer!"
The Sorcerer: (Cutting him off with a cold, hollow voice) "Greetings, Prince Eric. I was not on a leisurely stroll. I was covering our tracks at the harbor after that... unnecessary commotion you caused."
Prince Eric: (Hissing with suppressed rage) "Stop reminding me of that mistake! You know this is my last chance. My father, the Emperor, was clear: whoever returns with the Kingmaker shall be the next Crown Prince."
The Sorcerer: (Calmly) "Do not forget that the Emperor appointed me to ensure your safety and success. The plan is intact. We hold the advantage; we know for a fact that Kaelen possesses the Kingmaker."
Prince Eric: (Leaning forward, eyes gleaming with ambition) "The Kingmaker is more than a symbol, Sorcerer! It is the key—the first piece of the puzzle. Once completed, our Empire will unite all continents under one rule. We must succeed before my brothers do!"
The Sorcerer paused, a predatory glint flashing in his piercing eyes.
(An arrogant fool like you will never be Crown Prince,) he thought. (The plan was to remain hidden, but your pride in that tavern ruined everything. No matter... I have found something unexpected tonight. A Soul Signature... so rare. It is exactly what I need for my own designs.)
Prince Eric: "What is it? Why have you stopped? Is everything ready for the trial at dawn?"
The Sorcerer: "Yes, my Prince. Everything is ready. My master, the Imperial Archmage, assisted in the preparations. Do not fret."
Raymond woke long before the first light of dawn. He packed his bag with surgical precision. He sharpened his blade one last time before sheathing it on his right hip, while securing the dagger on his left.
He pulled out the large map he had purchased and spread it across the floor. As his eyes traced the vast landmasses, a look of profound sorrow and a mysterious longing clouded his features. Faint, warm whispers from his past echoed in his mind:
Voice 1 (Warm): "Raymond, this is the map of the world. These are the continents you must learn to navigate."
Voice 2 (Warmer): "Look, boy. This is the world. These are the places we will go together."
He shook his head to dispel the memories and focused. The world was divided into seven major continental masses:
1. The Dawn Continent: Land of the Humans. Half ruled by the Empire, the other half split between three independent kingdoms. (Raymond's current location).
2. Sylvanus: The ancient forest realm of the Elves.
3. The Golden Valley: The mountain kingdom of the Dwarves.
4. Everest: The frozen, sleeping northern island of the Giants.
5. Blood River : The land of shadows and citadels, home to the Vampires.
6. The Raging Wilds: A desolate wilderness inhabited by sentient beasts.
7. The Archipelago of Mist: The northwestern islands. (Raymond's destination).
Suddenly, he remembered the coldness from the night before—the sensation of the cloaked man. He instinctively touched his eye patch.
(It doesn't matter,) he thought firmly. (Vengeance first. Everything else comes later. But why did that coldness feel so... familiar?)
At the northern docks, the scene was chaos. Hundreds of seasoned warriors, mercenaries in leather armor, and scarred pirates were jostling for position.
"Why are they all here?" Raymond muttered. This wasn't trade; it was a feverish competition.
A loud laugh erupted behind his shoulder. Raymond spun around, hand reflexively gripping his sword hilt. It was the smiling youth from the map shop.
The Youth: (Hands raised in mock surrender) "Relax, friend! Is that any way to greet an old comrade? I told you we'd meet again! You're looking for a way North, aren't you? You've come to the right place."
Raymond: (Sharp and low) "We aren't comrades. What is happening here?"
The Youth: (Gesturing theatrically) "This isn't just a port anymore. This is the gateway to the Journey of the Age. The Empire is tired of leaving the treasures of the Archipelago of Mist untouched. The Emperor has summoned everyone, offering massive rewards to those who can open the path to the islands."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"But there's a hidden reason. This expedition is a proxy war between the four Princes for the throne. And Prince Eric specifically has put a massive bounty on the head of a man named Kaelen. It seems Kaelen robbed the Prince and sailed for the Archipelago a month ago!"
Raymond's heart stopped. Kaelen... a bounty? (Damn it,) he thought. (My prey is being hunted by everyone now. I have to rethink everything.)
The Youth: "By the way, why are you heading to such a death trap? Looking for treasure?"
Raymond: "Death trap? What do you mean?"
The Youth: (Sighing) "Don't you know? The Archipelago is the most dangerous place on earth. Magical beasts, dense mana storms, and chaotic climates. But the real problem is the Great Barrier. In a thousand years, only nine people have ever crossed it and returned alive—the Emperor, the Archmage, and the Elven Sage among them. The rest are dead or lost."
Raymond: (With chilling resolve) "I see. It doesn't matter. I'm still going. In fact, now I must go."