Chapter 6 – The Journey Begins
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He looked closer and found a small handwritten note tucked beneath the equipment. The ink was slightly faded, but the message was clear:
> "An ordinary sword — but forged to endure. Clothing resistant to the harshest climates — from burning deserts to freezing glaciers. A bracelet carrying rations and healing potions. A cross-shaped amulet to stabilize your body against harmful effects.
Son, we wanted to give you more… but your human body wouldn't be able to withstand the power of the Sacred Artifacts."
Adrian's eyes lingered on the final sentence.
"So… ordinary people can't wield Sacred Artifacts," he murmured.
His gaze dropped to the sword resting on the bed. No engravings. No glowing aura. It looked plain — but something about it felt… intentional. Like everything here had been chosen with care.
As he pondered his parents' words, the diary on his desk trembled. Its cover pulsed faintly, and with a soft whoosh, it opened on its own. Pages flipped rapidly until one stopped, glowing softly.
The map appeared again — but this time, it pointed to a new location: a cave buried deep within an unmarked forest, far from the city. Adrian leaned closer. The path was almost invisible. Without the diary's guidance, he never would have found it.
His eyes narrowed.
"So this… is where it begins."
He looked out the window. The sun had long set, and stars scattered the night sky like sparks. A calm breeze rustled the trees outside. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted. The world felt... still. Like it was waiting.
Adrian gently closed the diary and whispered,
"Tomorrow will be the day that defines my destiny."
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The next morning…
"Adrian! Wake up! Breakfast is ready!" Maria's voice called from the kitchen.
"I'm coming!" he called back groggily, rubbing his eyes.
Golden morning light streamed through the window as he sat up. He stretched, feeling the weight of the day settle in his chest.
"Today… everything changes."
Downstairs, breakfast chaos was already in full swing.
"Mom, is Adrian taking forever again? I'm starving!" Theo groaned, arms crossed at the table.
"He'll be here soon," Maria replied, setting down the last plate. "Theo, Lia, Noah — be patient, please."
"I'm here!" Adrian announced, sliding into the room a little out of breath.
"You took forever!" Theo huffed.
"Sorry, sorry…" Adrian laughed, ruffling Theo's hair as he passed.
"Enough talking," Maria said with a chuckle. "Let's eat."
"Yes!" the kids chimed in unison, their voices filling the warm kitchen.
Halfway through the meal, Adrian looked up.
"Director…" he began. "I need to stay at a friend's place for a few days. Is that okay?"
Maria paused mid-bite, studying him with a knowing look.
She sighed — something in his tone told her this wasn't just a casual visit.
"Alright," she said gently. "What time are you leaving?"
"Right after breakfast."
"Then you'd better pack quickly."
Adrian smiled gratefully. "Thanks."
He rushed upstairs, skipping steps. His heart pounded — not from fear, but from excitement.
Every second felt important now.
"That boy…" Maria murmured, shaking her head with a fond smile.
---
A short while later…
"Guys, I'm heading out! Bye!"
"Bye!" Theo, Lia, Noah, and Maria called from inside.
Adrian stepped through the front door, pausing just past the gate.
The air was crisp and clean, scented with pine and morning dew.
He pulled out the enchanted map and unfolded it.
"A bus won't reach a place like that…" he muttered.
After a moment's thought, he circled around to the side of the orphanage and spotted his old bicycle leaning against the shed.
The paint was chipped. The gears stiff. But it still worked.
"It'll have to do," he said with a grin, hopping on and pedaling away.
---
The road was rough and unpaved, winding through grassy fields and dense woodland.
Hours passed. The sun climbed higher, blazing down as the trail steepened.
His legs burned, sweat soaked his clothes, and his breath grew heavy.
"Aaah… I didn't think it'd be this far…" Adrian groaned, pushing forward.
But then — he saw it.
Tucked behind a wall of thick trees and tangled brush, a dark hollow opened like the mouth of some ancient beast.
The cave was mostly hidden, camouflaged by time and nature.
Moss covered the jagged stones, and a cool mist clung to the forest floor.
It was unnaturally quiet. No birds. No insects. Only the whisper of leaves and the faint drip of water.
Adrian slowed his steps, heart pounding.
He let his bike fall beside a nearby tree.
The cave loomed ahead — vast, shadowy, like the entrance to another world.
"So this is where it all begins…"
He didn't speak the words. They slipped from his lips like breath.
The wind stirred behind him, as if the world itself was listening.
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