Chapter 1 | The Road Less Traveled
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As the sun rises up progressively from the eastern horizon, Kira is out of town and already traveling on the road outside the safety of his home region of Kalryn towards the faraway land of Everglades with a heavy rucksack on his back. The dirt road is a long and unforgiving journey but Kira presses on with the hope of bringing a cure to his highness Akagi-sama.
On his left are rice paddy fields stretching far beyond the horizon of what his eyes can see. On his right are soft rolling hills littered with farmhouses, barns, and cherry blossom trees. A farmer who works nearby saw Kira and approached him for a short conversation.
Farmer: Where are you heading to son?
Kira: I am traveling to the faraway land of Everglades.
Farmer: Everglades? What kind of business do you have there?
Kira: I am looking for a powerful mystic who goes by the name of 'Ellis Quinn'. Have you heard of this name?
Farmer: Ellis Quinn? Never heard of this name before.
Kira: Well, I will try to find out more about the existence of this powerful mystic once I reach Everglades.
Farmer: The road to Everglades continue to be dangerous even though Balthor was defeated by valiant heroes.
Kira: Thank you kind sir! I will be careful on the road ahead.
After a quick conversation with a local farmer, Kira continues his journey on the dirt road towards the faraway land of Everglades. A few hours passed since he continued to walk on the dirt road which led him to a crossroad. Sitting in the midst of the crossroad is a broken wagon and three suspicious men in hooded robes standing around.
Kira approached the suspicious men in hooded robes to ask for directions.
Kira: Well hello there! Which way is it to the faraway land of Everglades?
Suspicious Man: Hey you there! Are you a friend or foe of our blood lord?
Kira: Blood lord? I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
Suspicious Man: Then you are not one with the blood lord. Brothers, we got warm blood tribute for our blood lord!
As soon as the suspicious man ended the conversation, all of them took out their daggers and started charging towards Kira. Being well-trained in melee combat and lightning reflexes, Kira managed to dodge every single swing of the blades.
Kira: SHADOW STRIKE!
In just a split second, Kira whizzed past all three men in hooded robes and took them all down. At the end of the quick battle, Kira walked over to the broken wagon and took a look inside. Lying on the floorboard of the wagon is a young-looking priestess with both her hands and feet being tied up by ropes. Kira used his blades to cut the ropes free and checked on her.
Kira: Sister, are you alright?
Priestess: Thank you so much for saving my life! I thought I was already done for.
Kira: What happened? Who are these men?
Priestess: I was on my way home from the fields when these men attacked my wagon. They claimed to worship some kind of 'Blood Lord' and will capture non-believers as blood tribute.
Kira: Sounds like a cult which engages in blood rituals. I am glad that you are safe now.
Priestess: My name is Siena Everhart and I am a priestess from Namuu, Everglades. Are you heading towards Everglades?
Kira: My name is Fujikage Kira and I am a traveler from Kojun, Kalryn. Yes, I am traveling to Everglades but I need some help with directions.
Siena: As a form of gratitude for saving my life, I can show you the way to Everglades.
Kira: Thank you sister! That will be very helpful! Let us be on our way before more cultists appear.
Both Kira and Siena started to walk down the dirt road towards the faraway land of Everglades.
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Current: Chapter 1 | The Road Less Traveled
Next: Chapter 2 | Home Away From Home