Chapter 109: The Journey Begins

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: The Journey Begins

They walked out of the city, their footsteps carrying them through the broken gates and into the world beyond.

The gates were broken, the iron twisted and bent, the hinges shattered and useless. The walls were cracked, the stone fissured and crumbling, the defenses that had once protected the city now reduced to rubble. The guards were gone, their posts abandoned, their bodies among the countless dead who littered the streets. There was no one to stop them, no authority to question their departure. No one to question them, no curious eyes to wonder where they were going. No one to care, no one left who had the strength or the will to notice.

They walked through the gates, their footsteps crunching against the debris. They walked onto the road, the path stretching out before them like a ribbon of dust and stone. They walked away from the destruction, the city shrinking behind them with every step.

Daniel looked back, his eyes moving over the city one last time. At the city, the buildings broken and burning. At the smoke, the dark plumes rising into the sky. At the rubble, the debris that had once been homes and shops and temples. At the bodies, the fallen forms of those who had fought and lost.

He felt nothing.

He turned away, his expression unchanged. He kept walking, his footsteps steady and sure.

The road stretched out before them, a long, winding path that disappeared into the distance. It was long, the miles stretching on and on. It was dusty, the surface covered in a thick layer of dirt and grime. It was empty, no other travelers in sight. It led through forests and fields and hills, the landscape changing with every mile. It led toward the unknown, the destination uncertain but the direction clear.

Daniel walked in front, his posture relaxed and casual. His hands were in his pockets, his stance easy and unguarded. His expression was calm, his features unreadable. He looked like he was taking a stroll through a park, his demeanor completely at odds with the destruction they had left behind. He looked like he didn’t have a care in the world, his attitude almost jarring given the circumstances.

Lyra walked beside him, her steps measured and deliberate. Her guns were holstered, the weapons secured at her sides. Her eyes were sharp, her gaze scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. She was ready for anything, her body tense and alert.

Fluffy walked behind them, her steps small and quick. She was small, her form barely reaching waist height. She was quick, her movements nimble and agile. She was quiet, her footsteps barely making a sound. She was a shadow, her presence barely noticeable.

Cheeky walked beside Fluffy, her steps hesitant and slow. She was nervous, her expression uncertain. She was hesitant, her body tense. But she was there, her presence steady.

Brick Head walked at the back, his steps heavy and clumsy. He was picking his nose, his finger buried in his nostril. He was humming a tune, the melody off-key and tuneless. He was completely oblivious, his mind elsewhere.

Paul walked beside him, his steps heavy and reluctant. He was groaning, his voice low and pained. He was complaining, his words muttered under his breath. He was regretting everything, his expression filled with regret.

Brutus was not with them, his form absent from the group. He was still unconscious, his body broken and healing. Elara had taken him back to the guild, her arms carrying his massive form with surprising strength. She had promised to catch up later, her words sincere and earnest. She had promised to help with the harem hunt, her offer genuine and willing. She had promised to bring Brutus when he was healed, her commitment clear and unwavering.

Daniel had nodded, his expression understanding. He had thanked her, his words sincere. He had said goodbye, his voice calm and steady.

Now they were walking, their footsteps carrying them forward. Just the six of them, their numbers small but their bonds strong. Daniel, their leader. Lyra, his first companion. Fluffy, his loyal shadow. Cheeky, his hesitant ally. Brick Head, his oblivious friend. Paul, his reluctant companion.

The road was long, the miles stretching on and on. The sun was hot, the heat beating down on them from above. The dust was thick, the particles swirling around their feet with every step.

Daniel spoke, his voice cutting through the silence. "How long until we reach the guild?"

Paul looked at him, his expression tired. "The strongest guild? Heaven’s Domain?"

"Yes."

Paul thought about it, his brow furrowing. "About a week. Maybe two."

Daniel frowned, his expression dissatisfied. "That’s too long."

"It’s not that long."

"It’s too long. We have six months. We can’t waste two weeks walking."

Paul sighed, a long, tired sound. "We don’t have a choice. The guild is in a kingdom. It’s far away."

Daniel thought about it, his mind working. "What’s the nearest city?"

Paul blinked, his expression confused. "What?"

"The nearest city. Where is it?"

Paul thought about it, his expression contemplative. "There’s a city about half a day’s walk from here. It’s called Silverbrook. It’s a trading city. Busy. Prosperous."

Daniel nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And from Silverbrook? Can we get a caravan to the kingdom?"

Paul nodded, his expression understanding. "Yes. There are caravans that travel between cities. They’re faster than walking. We could reach the kingdom in less than a week."

Daniel smiled, his expression pleased. "Good. Then that’s the plan."

He started walking again, his footsteps resuming their steady rhythm. The others followed, their footsteps echoing his.

---

They walked for hours, their footsteps carrying them forward.

The road was long, the miles stretching on and on. The sun was hot, the heat beating down on them from above. The dust was thick, the particles swirling around their feet with every step. But they kept walking, their pace steady and unwavering. They didn’t stop, their bodies pushing forward. They didn’t rest, their minds focused on the goal. They just walked, their footsteps carrying them toward their destination.

Daniel was bored.

He had been walking for hours, his legs tired and his feet sore. His legs were tired, the muscles aching with every step. His feet were sore, the soles of his boots worn thin. His mind was restless, the boredom creeping in.

He needed entertainment, something to occupy his mind. He needed distraction, something to pass the time. He needed something to pass the time, anything to break the monotony.

He looked at Paul, his eyes meeting the other man’s tired gaze. "Hey."

Paul looked at him, his expression wary. "What?"

"Question."

Paul sighed, his expression resigned. "What question?"

"Would you rather fight a hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?"

Paul stared at him, his expression blank.

"What?" he said, his voice flat.

"It’s a question. Would you rather fight a hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?"

Paul blinked, his expression confused. "What kind of question is that?"

"A hypothetical question."

"Why would I fight either?"

"Just answer the question."

Paul thought about it, his brow furrowing. His expression was confused, his mind struggling to process the absurdity of the question.

"A hundred duck-sized horses," he said, his voice slow. "They’re small. I could kick them."

Daniel nodded, his expression approving. "Good choice."

He looked at Lyra, his eyes meeting hers. "What about you?"

Lyra looked at him, her expression curious. "What?"

"Same question. Hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?"

Lyra thought about it, her expression contemplative. "One horse-sized duck."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, his expression surprised. "Why?"

"Ducks are weak. A horse-sized duck would be slow. I could shoot it."

Daniel nodded, his expression impressed. "Smart."

He looked at Fluffy, his eyes meeting hers. "What about you?"

Fluffy tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Fluffy would fight both."

Daniel blinked, his expression surprised. "Both?"

"Yes. Fluffy would fight both and win."

Daniel laughed, a genuine laugh. "That’s the spirit."

He looked at Cheeky, his eyes meeting hers. "What about you?"

Cheeky hesitated, her expression uncertain. "I... I don’t know."

"Come on. It’s just a question."

Cheeky thought about it, her brow furrowing. "A hundred duck-sized horses. I could use my metal to crush them."

Daniel nodded, his expression approving. "Good."

He looked at Brick Head, his eyes meeting the large man’s vacant gaze. "What about you?"

Brick Head looked up, his finger still buried in his nostril. "What?"

"Would you rather fight a hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?"

Brick Head thought about it, his brow furrowing. His expression was confused, his mind struggling to process the question.

"Can I ride the duck?" he asked.

Daniel blinked, his expression surprised. "What?"

"Can I ride the horse-sized duck? Like a mount?"

Daniel stared at him, his expression bewildered. "I... I don’t know. Maybe?"

Brick Head nodded, his expression satisfied. "Then the duck. I would ride it into battle."

Daniel laughed, a genuine laugh. "That’s... that’s actually a good answer."

Brick Head grinned, his expression proud. "I’m smart."

Paul snorted, his expression dismissive. "You’re an idiot."

"I’m a smart idiot."

"That’s not a thing."

"It is now."

---

They kept walking, their footsteps carrying them forward.

The road continued, the path stretching on and on. The sun moved across the sky, the light shifting and changing. The dust swirled around their feet, the particles dancing in the air.

Daniel was still bored.

He looked at Paul, his eyes meeting the other man’s tired gaze. "Another question."

Paul groaned, his expression pained. "No."

"Come on."

"No."

"Just one."

"No."

"Please."

"No."

Daniel sighed, his expression disappointed. He looked at Lyra, his eyes meeting hers. "Lyra. Another question."

Lyra looked at him, her expression curious. "What?"

"If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"

Lyra thought about it, her expression contemplative. "Superpower?"

"A special ability. Like flying. Or invisibility. Or super strength."

Lyra nodded, her expression understanding. "I would want to see."

Daniel blinked, his expression surprised. "See?"

"Yes. I was blind my whole life. I would want to see everything. From the beginning."

Daniel was silent, his expression thoughtful. He looked at her, his eyes meeting hers. At her soft expression, the vulnerability in her eyes. At her gentle smile, the warmth in her features.

"That’s... that’s a good answer," he said, his voice sincere.

Lyra nodded, her expression grateful. "What about you?"

Daniel thought about it, his expression contemplative. "I would want to stop time."

Lyra raised an eyebrow, her expression surprised. "Stop time?"

"Yeah. So I could sleep more."

Lyra laughed, a genuine laugh. "That’s a terrible answer."

"It’s a practical answer."

"It’s a lazy answer."

"Same thing."

They kept walking, their footsteps carrying them forward.

---

The sun was setting, the light fading.

The sky was orange, the color bright and warm. The clouds were pink, the hues soft and gentle. The stars were appearing, the points of light flickering in the darkness.

They reached a hill, the incline gentle but steady. They climbed it, their footsteps carrying them upward. They looked down, their eyes taking in the sight below.

A city was below them, the buildings rising into the sky. It was large, the walls stretching for miles. It was busy, the lights flickering in the darkness. It was bright, the glow of the city visible from miles away. Lights flickered in the darkness, the windows and streets illuminated. Buildings rose into the sky, the structures tall and imposing. Walls surrounded it, the defenses strong and secure.

Silverbrook.

Daniel smiled, his expression pleased. "There it is."

Paul nodded, his expression relieved. "Silverbrook. The trading city."

Daniel started walking down the hill, his footsteps carrying him forward. The others followed, their footsteps echoing his.

They reached the city gates, the entrance looming before them.

They were large, the iron gates towering over them. They were iron, the metal dark and heavy. They were guarded, the soldiers standing at attention.

Two guards stood on either side, their postures rigid. They were armed, their weapons ready. They were armored, their protection complete. They were alert, their eyes scanning the surroundings.

They saw the group approaching, their eyes narrowing. They raised their hands, their gestures commanding.

"Halt," one of them said, his voice firm. "State your business."

Daniel stopped, his footsteps coming to a halt. He looked at the guard, his expression calm.

"We’re travelers," he said, his voice steady. "We’re looking for a caravan to the kingdom."

The guard looked at him, his eyes assessing. At his clothes, the fabric worn and dusty. At his face, the features calm and unreadable. At the others behind him, their forms varied and unusual.

"Travelers?" he said, his voice skeptical. "You look like you’ve been through a war."

Daniel shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling. "We have."

The guard blinked, his expression surprised. He looked at the others, his eyes moving from face to face. At Lyra, her guns holstered at her sides. At Fluffy, her small form barely visible. At Cheeky, her expression nervous. At Brick Head, his finger still buried in his nostril. At Paul, his expression tired.

"You’re armed," he said, his voice wary.

"We’re adventurers."

The guard nodded slowly, his expression understanding. "Adventurers. Fine. Entrance fee is one silver per person."

Daniel reached into his pocket, his hand emerging with a handful of coins. He pulled out six silver coins, the metal glinting in the fading light. He handed them over, his gesture casual.

The guard counted them, his eyes moving over the coins. He nodded, his expression satisfied. He stepped aside, his gesture welcoming.

"Welcome to Silverbrook," he said.

Daniel nodded, his expression grateful. He walked through the gates, his footsteps carrying him forward. The others followed, their footsteps echoing his.

They were in the city, the streets bustling around them.