Knocked Out Cold

Kael found himself alone inside the Ironhauler after Mallory left him to settle in. He clambered up onto his bunk bed, dragging his backpack along with him. The bed, while not as luxurious as the one he had in the Rusty Lantern, was surprisingly comfortable. After the everything he'd endured so far, Kael had come to appreciate any bed that wasn't the hard ground.

"Never thought I'd value a bed this much," he muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. The hint of sarcasm in his voice made him chuckle quietly. With a sigh, he started unpacking the few things he had.

First, he took out the sleeping bag that Elowen had purchased for him earlier. He spread it neatly across the bed, smoothing out the fabric with his hands as if the action brought a sense of calm to his mind. Next, he pulled out a few dried meat strips and basic bread rations he had picked up from the shop. He set them aside and stowed his other belongings to the side of the bunk.

Once his things were sorted, Kael climbed up on the bed, pulling out a strip of dried meat and biting into it. He chewed slowly, savoring the simplicity of the food while his mind wandered. What exactly was this journey going to be like? He had no idea what to expect from traveling with the Raven's Gate Caravan Company, but so far, everything felt far more organized and advanced than he had anticipated.

After a few minutes of aimlessly munching on his food, Kael's curiosity got the better of him. There was only so much sitting still he could do, and he decided it would be a good idea to explore the Ironhauler a bit more, given he would be spending so much time in it. He slid off the bunk, brushing crumbs from his shirt, and wandered into the living room and kitchen area.

The first thing he noticed was how sturdy and well-built everything was. For some reason, the idea of traveling with a "caravan" had conjured images of old wooden carts and creaky wagons in Kael's mind. But this—this was something else entirely. The Ironhauler was a beast of steel and runes, reinforced with heavy plating that made it look like it could withstand the most fearsome of attacks.

The living area had a cozy setup: two cushioned sofas and an eating area with a long table where people could sit down to enjoy their meals. There was even a small kitchen with simple but functional cooking equipment. Kael walked over to the counter, running his fingers over the smooth surface. He had no experience in cooking, but after watching Maria work her magic in the Rusty Lantern's kitchen, the thought of learning didn't seem so bad. Maybe he could ask someone to teach him during the journey—if things stayed calm, that is.

Next, Kael made his way toward the drivers' cabin. This part of the Ironhauler fascinated him. He had never seen anything quite like it, and his mind buzzed with questions. Three seats were arranged in a V-formation at the front, with the middle one placed closest to the windshield. The one in the middle had what looked like a steering stick or some sort of control jig, and Kael assumed that whoever sat there was responsible for driving the Ironhauler.

The dashboard surrounding the seats was covered with a variety of buttons, switches, and strange objects that Kael couldn't even begin to understand. His fingers itched to explore, to push the buttons and see what would happen. Maybe it was his lack of understanding of the world around him, but he found all of this technological and arcane fusion fascinating.

He was just about to reach out and touch the dash when a voice called out behind him.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You'll pass out."

Startled, Kael spun around to find a man standing in the doorway of the cabin, arms crossed and leaning casually against the doorframe. The man had striking blue hair that fell messily over his eyes and a pair of sharp, purple eyes that seemed to gleam with amusement. He looked young—maybe in his early twenties—but there was an air of confidence about him that suggested he wasn't just another average traveler.

"Excuse me?" Kael asked, still caught off guard.

The blue-haired man took a step forward, a small smirk playing on his lips as he looked Kael up and down, as if sizing him up. His gaze lingered on Kael for a moment longer than necessary, making Kael feel slightly uneasy, as though he was being judged by someone who already had him figured out.

"I said you'd pass out," the man repeated in a dry tone. He leaned back against the doorframe again, his smirk widening slightly.

Kael frowned, annoyance bubbling up inside him. He didn't know why, but something about this man's tone grated on him. Sure, Kael was inexperienced, but he didn't like being looked down on. Not by someone who looked barely older than him.

"And why's that?" Kael asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

The man sighed as if explaining something obvious to a child.

"Because of your essence, kid. That thing—" he gestured to the dash, "runs on it. And judging by the pitiful amount you've got, I'd say you'd be out cold in about two seconds flat."

Kael felt his jaw tighten. He knew he was weak—he had no combat experience and barely any knowledge about how the world around him worked—but hearing someone say it so blatantly stung more than he expected. It wasn't just the words; it was the way the man said it, like Kael was nothing more than an ignorant child who didn't know his place.

A surge of stubbornness flared up in Kael's chest. He wasn't going to let this guy walk all over him. Without a second thought, he reached out and placed his hand directly on the dash, staring the man down as he did so.

"So?" Kael challenged.

"Is that really such a big deal? You're making it sound like—"

But before he could finish his sentence, the Ironhauler's runes lit up with a sharp, bright glow. The essence coursing through the vehicle roared to life, and Kael felt a sudden, overwhelming drain on his energy. It was as though something had latched onto him, pulling every last bit of essence out of his body.

Kael's legs wobbled, and his vision blurred. His knees buckled beneath him, and the world around him spun violently.

Before he even realized what had happened, Kael collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

The blue-haired man just stood there, shaking his head and letting out a deep sigh. He took a step forward, nudging Kael's limp form with his boot.

"Told ya," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his messy hair. With another sigh, he turned and walked toward the dash, making sure the Ironhauler's systems were stable before heading back into the main cabin.