Chapter 1: Departure

The scene starts with a young boy named Zen who lives in cottage in the Windermere village (a village that has close ties to the heavenly realm). He was given a celestial core by the Fire God and now he is searching for a way to ascend to become the new Fire God.

In a cottage in the Windermere village forest :

Another day another way to try and ascend, it's been 6 months since master Inferno gave me his will and still I have nothing.

Zen then went outside the cottage and began proceeding towards the village square.

I'm almost out of food, better go get those hunting supplies if I'm gonna eat tonight, hope he's there today.

Zen then arrived in the village square and was greeted by everyone.

In the village Zen was known as the orphan boy who lives in the abandoned cottage by the forest. The villagers never treated him well but he learned to live with it.

Zen went to the local blacksmith Martin (Martin and his daughter Valarie were the only people who treated Zen with kindness) to go get hunting supplies but upon entering the shop he saw Valerie.

Hey Zen how are ya.

Hey Valerie. I'm fine just wanted to talk to your dad, I need some hunting supplies. I'm planning on hunting a rare dear I saw the other day.

Sorry Zen but my dad went to the Alberon Kingdom to go restock on some materials.

Wait are you serious. Aww man guess I better go fishing but truth be told I'm getting tired of fish.

Alright I'll see what I can find. Maybe my dad left something at the back let me go check. Today is your lucky day I just found some traps you can use.

Thanks Valerie I'll return these when I'm finished.

You better, oh and bring me some meat I need something to cook for my dad's birthday in a few days time.

Mr Martin's birthday is in a few days?

Yep.

Oh well I'll definitely bring some meat just make sure to invite me to the party.

Consider yourself a guest of honor.

(both laugh)

Zen then leaves the shop and heads towards the forest but on the way he encounters a strange hooded man. The hooded man then speaks to him.

Excuse me boy may I trouble you for a minute.

Sure, what do you need good sir?

I wanted to ask if you know where the Sawyer blacksmith shop is.

Yes I do, I just came from there actually.

Oh you did, wonderful. Could you please direct me to the place.

Of course. First you just head straight until you reach a green vegetable stand afterwards you head to the street to your left then it'll be the fifth building on the right.

Thank you young man, have a nice day.

Thanks you too.

Zen then continued towards the forest. Upon arriving in the forest he began unloading the hunting supplies and traps he had received from Valarie. He set traps and waited until he caught many animals he could eat afterwards he collected herbs and fruits and vegetables. Zen's hunting and collecting took a couple of hours until he was done. He then took the hunting supplies and the things he obtain back to the cottage.

Now that I have all I need let me just take the supplies and extra meat back to Valerie. She's gonna be mad I took this long, better hurry though it's almost night.

Zen then put the things he gathered in the backroom to preserve them. He then took the hunting supplies and the meat he gathered for Valerie and went outside the cottage, he then proceeded towards the village square and as he got to the blacksmith shop he heard crying. He dropped everything and hurried inside the shop.

What's going on! Valerie!

(crying) Zen. Why why is this happening.

Valerie what's going on?

A messenger came in this afternoon he told me that my dad went missing and hasn't been found since yesterday.

What! Mr Martin is missing.

Yes. Where is he, Zen I'm really worried what if something bad happened to him, I don't know what I would do.

Mr Martin. Wait they said he's been missing for a day right then I know what to do. Just wait here I'll be back.

Zen where are you going.

Zen then went out of the shop and headed towards the forest, after heading in the forest he went back to the cottage and gathered everything he put in the backroom. He then put those supplies in a huge bag, he then headed back out and returned to the shop.

He then put down the bag in front of Valerie.

Valerie are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna come with me.

Where did you go, what's with the bag and where are good go.

Look I know that you're worried about your dad but you can't sit here and do nothing. I'm going to the Alberon kingdom to find Mr Martin.

What that's crazy, I mean have you thought this through.

There's nothing to think about, look you and your dad have treated me with nothing but kindness when everyone else in the village considered me an outcast so I'm not gonna abandon him I'll go to the Alberon kingdom and I'll find him. I'm giving you the chance to come with me so I'll ask you again are you coming or not.

You know what, yeah I'm coming with you. You right sitting here doing nothing isn't gonna fix anything.

That's what I'm talking about. Let's go I'm ready.

Wait.

What?

We should leave tomorrow.

Tomorrow. Why?

Its night now, going in the darkness is dangerous, there's monsters and no one in the village can use magic so we would have no protection even if we were in trouble so it would be better if we just go tomorrow.

Oh that makes sense, okay then I'll head back and I'll meet you here tomorrow.

Wait can you please sleep over I don't want to be alone tonight.

Wait are you sure its okay.

Yeah I'm sure.

Okay.

Valerie then closes the shop and puts a notice board informing customers the they would be unavailable for the next few weeks. She then goes to prepare dinner for the both of them. After she's finished preparing dinner she then calls Zen to eat.

Zen dinners ready.

Zen then comes into the dining room and sits down and begins to partake in the food.

Valerie this stew is amazing I didn't know you were such a good cook.

Thanks, ever since my mom died I always made dinner for me and my dad, so I've gotten a lot of practice.

Well it shows, I can't stop eating. All I've ever eaten is grill fish or on rare occasions meat I would hunt when I had enough money to use your hunting supplies.

So Zen you've always been alone right?How was it you know not having a family?

As you can expect, it was always lonely, I always used to look into other people's windows to see their families, I would always wish for that. Though that all changed.

Really. When?

When you and your dad moved into the village. You guys became my family because you never saw me as bother or so nuisance, you guys really made me feel feel like I mattered and that's why I'm going to find your dad no matter how long it takes.

Hehe. I really admire your determination it's something I really wish I had maybe I would've went with him and made sure he didn't go missing.

Valerie you shouldn't blame yourself, you wouldn't have known that he would have went missing.

Thanks Zen.

After eating Valerie showed Zen up to Martin's room.

This is where your gonna sleep tonight.

Isn't this your dads room.

Yeah it is.

Wait, are you sure this is okay?

Yes it is, now get some sleep you dummy.

Valerie then went out of the room and closed the door. Zen then went on the bed and closed his eyes. Later in the middle of the night Valerie came into the room and slept next to Zen she then helt him tightly whilst crying. Zen could feel her touch him, he then turned around and gave her a consoling hug, they then both went to sleep.

The next day Zen and Valerie woke up and gathered their things and went downstairs into the shop ready to depart.

Well Valerie are you ready?

Wait I need to go fetch something.

Valerie goes into the backroom and returns with a sword.

Valerie is that a sword?

Yeah it is. It's my dads favorite. He always works on this sword and refines it but now I'm giving it to you.

To me.

Yeah. But just to make sure, you do know how to use a sword right?

Well I've had experience hunting with one so I'm fairly certain that I can use one.

Good then hold on to this.

Zen and Valerie then head outside the shop. Valerie then locks the shop and they head towards the village entrance. They look back then look at each other. With their gazes they indicated that it was was time to depart.