The sun had just begun to rise when Arriel, Lira, and Kell finished their final preparations. With disguise magic cloaking their features, the trio stood before their home in Veilden, ready to begin a journey none of them could predict the outcome of.
Lira had transformed Arriel's hair to a chestnut brown and shortened it slightly. His usual bright green eyes now shimmered a dull gray. Kell, now bearing an older and more rugged appearance with a short beard illusion and darker skin tone, looked almost unrecognizable. Lira herself had changed her twin pigtails to a straight bob and shifted her eye color to hazel. They all appeared as low-level adventurers, even disguising their status bracelets to show harmlessly low numbers.
"No turning back after this," Arriel murmured as they stepped away from the house.
Kell gave a small nod. "Let's go see what the True Heroes are really about."
Avoiding the main road, they traveled by foot, cutting through sparse woodlands and rocky terrain, taking long detours to bypass towns like Miscea. The Silver Mines loomed in the distance, but they kept wide of them, moving cautiously. Days passed under harsh sun and cool nights. They survived on dried rations and water purified by Lira's magic.
Finally, they reached Ishanvil, once Theodor's and now part of the Kingdom of Mirthea. The air felt tense with occupation, soldiers on hover patrol and merchant traffic mixed with refugees. Hidden beneath layers of illusion, the trio passed quietly through, purchasing a dusty hovercar from a back-alley trader. The machine sputtered to life, just barely, but it would get them through the desert.
The Drosan Desert welcomed them with burning heat and howling winds. Lira kept a barrier up to shield them from the worst of it. On the second day of their crossing, they spotted the oasis settlement in the distance, shimmering with promise of relief.
They parked the hovercar discreetly among desert rocks, cloaking it with illusion magic. On foot, they entered the oasis, eyes wary. This settlement was different from any town they'd visited—there were no guards in uniform, no banners of kingdoms. The people here didn't ask questions.
Following the map, they reached the edge of the settlement, where a simple stone building stood. Two men lounged near the door. One stood as they approached, eyeing them carefully.
"Show me the coin," he said.
Lira stepped forward and held out the silver coin bearing the torch symbol.
The man examined it for only a second before nodding. "Go on in. Follow the stairs. Don't stray."
They entered the unassuming building. Inside was a spiral staircase, narrow and carved into stone. They descended in silence, guided only by enchanted torches. After what felt like an eternity, the passage opened into a breathtaking underground expanse.
Kearon Town.
The vast cavern was lit by glowing crystal clusters embedded in the ceiling. Walkways stretched in every direction, connecting small buildings, blacksmiths, shops, and training fields. They could see people sparring in one area, healing spells being practiced in another. There was no sign of oppression here, no kingdom banners, only the steady hum of purpose and determination.
Arriel whispered, "This place... it's like a city built in secret."
Lira's eyes scanned every detail. "And everyone here is a Hero... pretending to be something else."
They followed the map further, moving past a healing spring and a market until they stood before a large building crafted from dark stone, etched with arcane wards. Above the entrance, a symbol of a silver torch blazed with subtle magical light.
The door opened before they could knock. A man, maybe in his late twenties, stepped out. He had light brown hair tied back, a short sword on his belt, and eyes that seemed too calm for a warrior.
"You made it," he said with a small smile. "Welcome to Kearon Town. This is the headquarters of the True Heroes."
He stepped aside, gesturing them in. "We've been waiting for you. What you learn here... might just change the world."
Arriel, Lira, and Kell stepped into the building, unsure what awaited them next. But for the first time in weeks, the path ahead didn't feel like running. It felt like the beginning of something real.