Ash, Nashandra, and Yohan lived in a remote village on the western edge of the continent. It was a small settlement with a modest population. Most people knew one another, as they crossed paths almost every day.
The village market was equally modest. Simple stalls lined the paths, fitting for an isolated place such as this. Even beneath the darkness of the Everlasting Night, people continued their daily lives. Torches were placed along every road and corner, providing light and warmth against the cold. Men and women traded goods in the market, though it lacked variety. Merchants from outside rarely visited this village.
Ash, Nashandra, and Yohan wandered through the market, gathering equipment and rations for their journey to Unseen Peak. Eventually, they stopped in front of a small stall that sold iron tools and weapons. Several blades were displayed openly.
"Hey, Master Benhart. I need something," Ash called out.
The weapon seller had been gazing absentmindedly at the sky. He was a large man, his thick arms defined by powerful biceps. What stood out most, however, was his bald head, polished smooth without a single strand of hair.
"Hm? Ash? What do you need?" he replied.
Master Benhart was the only blacksmith in the village. He supplied weapons to the village guards, and Ash was fairly close to him, often helping deliver those weapons.
"I need two longswords, one shield, and one bow."
"Hmmm…"
"So? Do you have them or not?" Yohan asked impatiently.
"I do, but it'll cost you a lot." Benhart said.
"Don't worry. We've got it," Ash replied.
"You sure?" Benhart raised an eyebrow, then turned and disappeared behind the stall.
A moment later, he returned and placed the items on the counter. Two longswords, a shield, and a bow.
"The price is thirty copper, It should've been forty, but I'll give you a discount." he said.
"Alright. Thank you, Master Benhart," Ash said.
"Is it time?" Benhart suddenly asked.
"Time for what?" Ash replied.
"Time for you to climb Unseen Peak?"
"Huh? How do you know, old man?" Yohan asked.
"Of course I know, Ash never stops talking about the Sun Seekers and Unseen Peak." Benhart said with a chuckle.
"Well, that definitely sounds like Ash," Nashandra laughed, covering her mouth.
"So," Benhart continued, "are you two joining him?"
"Don't die before you reach your goal, bring the sun back to this cursed sky." he added.
Benhart smiled warmly at the three of them.
"Just wait, one day you'll step outside and be blinded by sunlight again." Ash said confidently.
"You heard him, old man," Yohan added with a grin.
"And we won't have to fear the creatures of the dark anymore," Nashandra said.
After buying their weapons, they continued through the market, this time searching for rations for the long journey from the village to Unseen Peak.
"Hey, Ash, do you even know how long the journey will take?" Yohan asked from behind.
"How would I know? I've lived in this village my whole life." Ash replied.
"Huh?! So you don't have a plan at all?!"
"Even if hope is uncertain, even if our light is small—"
"Alright, alright! My mistake for following you," Yohan interrupted.
Seeing their exchange, Nashandra burst into laughter. She felt that even if she were walking straight into hell, as long as she was with them, it would still feel fun.
Soon, the three arrived at a food stall standing at a street corner. Various cuts of dried meat hung on display.
"Hey, Aunt Helen," Nashandra called out.
"Nashandra? Ash? And Yohan? What are you doing here? And why are you carrying weapons?" the woman replied.
Aunt Helen was Nashandra's aunt and the woman who raised her after her parents were killed by creatures of the dark. Though age had touched her face, her beauty remained. She had blonde hair and blue eyes, just like Nashandra.
"We're preparing to go to Unseen Peak, Aunt," Nashandra said before Ash or Yohan could answer.
"What?! Are you crazy, Nashandra? Why would you go there? Do you want to die that badly?" Aunt Helen's expression changed instantly.
"No, Aunt, my decision is firm. I'm tired of living under this darkness and constantly fearing the creatures of the dark." Nashandra replied calmly.
"But that's better than throwing your life away at Unseen Peak!"
"No, I don't want future children to lose their parents the way I did." Nashandra said softly.
"Do you really intend to leave me behind?" Aunt Helen's eyes filled with tears.
"I know this is selfish of me, so I'm sorry… and thank you, Aunt. Thank you for raising me. Truly, thank you." Nashandra said, bowing deeply.
Aunt Helen stepped forward, placed her hands on Nashandra's shoulders, lifted her upright, and embraced her tightly.
"It's alright, I'm sorry for shouting at you. You don't need to thank me. Watching you grow has been a blessing. And you're right… I can't keep you trapped in this village forever. You're grown now. You must walk your own path. I will support you." she said through tears.
Nearby, two boys watched the scene.
"Want a hug too?" Ash asked.
"Absolutely not, damn it," Yohan replied, even as tears streamed down his face.
After gathering everything they needed, the three stood before the village gate. Two longswords, a shield, and a bow from Master Benhart, along with plenty of jerky from Aunt Helen. They took as much as they could, unsure how long the journey would be. In truth, the fact that it was free helped.
"Everything ready?" Ash asked, holding a torch in his left hand. A longsword hung at his waist.
"Of course," Nashandra replied, gripping her bow, arrows strapped to her back. Her eyes were swollen from crying.
"Why do we have to leave now?" Yohan asked, rubbing his eyes. His shield rested on his back, his longsword at his side.
The three of them wore matching brown leather armor.
"Because whether we leave now or tomorrow," Ash said, "it will still be night."
And so, their journey began.