Winter stumbled through the undergrowth, his vision blurring, blood seeping from the gash across his ribs. The beast was still out there.
Winter had thought the dragon was already dead, but that was not the case. Its neck was injured, yet it still refused to give up moving.
Oh no. It's still alive. The dragon must be really irritated.
Winter tried to stand.Shit. My leg's injured as well. This is so wrong.
A flash of movement cut through his fading sight. A figure, cloaked in shadow, stood between him and the beast. The stranger moved faster than thought itself, his blade a silver arc that met the monster's charge with impossible ease.
The dragon charged at the stranger. The man stood still until the last moment, when the claw was about to hit him.
What... Where'd he go? Winter was left in awe.
Then, flashes of light swirled all around the perimeter of the oval.That stranger was moving so fast.
At the centre of the oval, the dragon analysed every step of its enemy. The man made a move from behind, swinging his blade, but the dragon was no amateur—its claws were lightning fast. Clashes of steel against bone echoed through the clearing.
Winter was shocked at the feat one would need just to put small scratches on a beast of that stature.
The dragon fought ferociously, but in mid-air, the human attacked with the same beam resembling the one that had struck the dragon before. The blue ray pierced the giant.
The stranger landed on his feet, then bent his knees as if ready to jump sky-high. Launching himself into the air, sword gripped in both hands, he came down hard on the dragon, piercing the base of its skull. The dragon's head slammed into the ground, and the stranger pulled out his sword.
Winter was baffled, scared, and amazed by the brilliance of the assassin.
The stranger closed the distance, pulling back his cloak. He was a young man. He glared at Winter."Will I not get any thanks for saving your life?"
"Oh—how did you do that? That dragon... It's so massive, I cannot even imagine handling the small ones. You made it look bloody easy."
"Well, kid, I'm someone you may call an outsider."
Winter took a good look at the man in front of him, covered in black from head to toe. Shirt, pants, eyes, and hair. everything.
"Kid? Get a mirror. You're the same age as me. Oh... outsider, you mentioned. Meaning... you are from another world. An adventurer! That's crazy. That explains why you're strong. But yeah—thank you for saving my life."
"Gratitude for an outsider? That's rare coming from you insiders."
"I always admired heroes, adventurers, and warriors. So, for me, you are a respectable personality instead of someone to be jealous of. But can you do the courtesy of stating your age?"
"Okay, you're an odd kid. As for age, it's been so long that I stopped counting. I age slowly. That's what the levelling system does to us."
"Levelling system, that is so cool! Your powers are getting quantified... You can get powerful so easily," Winter said with excitement.
"Hold your horses, kid. Nothing is exciting about that. You all underestimate what we go through. For every level breakthrough, we have to condition our bodies through pain and diseases to make it strong enough to contain new powers, else we'll explode."
"Oh, I would still like to go through all that if, in the end, I can get stronger and smash a couple of guys' faces," Winter muttered, remembering Jax and Silas's faces.
The new guy smiled. "War, pain, hunger, and suffering are glorified by the elite so the masses will follow their lead. Where I come from, these things were not as prevalent as they are here. I wish you could have known what peace feels like."
Winter tried to stand.
"Stop it. You will injure yourself."
"I have to. I will show you I can endure pain. I want to grow stronger—by any means necessary."
"I am not teaching you anything. I am happy living my peaceful life on the outskirts of this country."
"Outskirts? Wait—what? Just how far have I come?" Winter wondered. This is bad. I must do something.
"What? Where are you from, anyway?"
"I am from Eldoria."
"Damn... all the way from the capital of my enemy nation."
"What?"
"Welcome to Vorathia. Don't worry, I won't tell our king. He's been searching for me for years anyway."
"No... I came so far north in a couple of hours."
"That's dragons for you. They are giants. We build planes to replicate their body type. I'm not surprised."
"But my home..." Winter's voice trembled. "Uncle and Aunt will get so worried about me. Now what shall I even do?"
"Hmm. I would love to travel through Equatoria, and I have nothing to do except hunt wild animals. Alright, consider yourself lucky, kid, because I'm taking a vacation for myself."
"Really? Will you teach me magic as well, then?"
"No. Not that. I only guarantee a safe return to your home and nothing else."
"Huh. So I'm stuck with you. With an old geezer like you. Oh no, you're breaking my imagination of a legendary hero. Please stop talking to me."
"Oi, kid—my name's Kyle. Don't you ever call me a geezer or speak to me in that tone. I hate brats."
"Okay," Winter said, struggling to stand.
"You need help?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah... a little would do." Winter finally gave in.
Kyle grabbed Winter and slung him over his back.
Winter thought to himself, I didn't know my adventure would start so horribly... but at least I started from somewhere.
That evening, Winter was content. He slept almost immediately.
Winter woke up in a hut. It reeked of herbs and smoke. The walls were made of bamboo and clay. He looked outside—it was morning. The sound of chopping wood echoed nearby.
He stepped out and found Kyle striking a tree.
"Yo, kid."
It was Kyle's voice, but it did not come from the man in front of him.
Winter turned around.
"You started walking again. That's some good news," said another Kyle, holding a cup of tea as he approached.
Winter had not realised it, but all his injuries were gone. He touched his ribs, tested his foot. Everything was fine. He was in awe."You have duplicates?"
"Well, yeah. I am an experienced traveller—or adventurer, as you say. Does that ring a bell? Creating duplicates..." Kyle pointed at Winter's previously injured areas. "Healing those is a piece of cake for me."
Kyle walked back toward his hut, finishing his tea.
"Please..." Winter begged. "I also want to be as good as you. I want to be an adventurer. I don't want any other kid to grow up without parents."
Kyle turned to look at Winter, who was kneeling with both knees on the ground, head bowed in desperate request.
What would Kyle's answer be?