Prologue: The New Valor

"Hey there, are you awake?" a strange voice called out...

Within a few seconds, the strange boy woke up, he opened his eyes little by little until eventually he yawned and rubbed his eyeballs.

"Ahh, new adventurer? What's your name boy?" the strange old man asked.

"Akishi, that's my name" Akishi responded back.

The man smiled and he moved his right hand to his right side for the bottle of wine, "I see, the name is Hoven. I'm just your regular old merchant, hahaha." Hoven said taking a drink out of the entire bottle.

Akishi looked around and noticed two more unknown people sitting in the Caravan with them, but they didn't really look interested in talking to anyone or anything.

"Those two haven't spoken much since we started moving to Avendora. Pay them no mind, but I'd like to ask you about something child." Hoven said after he finished his 2nd bottle of wine.

Akishi had a distinct look on his face after seeing Hoven finish two big bottle of wine, yet he's still standing.

"Why are you coming to Avendora? I mean this in a kind way, what do you hope to achieve?" Hoven asked, hunching over the seat.

Akishi thought to himself, he had 3 reasons but wanted to choose 1.

The first reason was to make money, the second reason was to get stronger and the third reason was to live a normal life in Avendora.

Akishi told Hoven the second option, and Hoven laid back after hearing the answer.

"I see, well then kid you've come to the right place. Avendora is for any new comers who want to really do anything in this world."

As the caravan kept moving, Hoven hunched forward "Let me tell you about the world of Aetheria, since you're new around here I want to interest you in this story" Hoven said with a smile.

"The world that everyone lives in is called Aetheria, it's full of life and wonderful places. But also there are those who will try to destroy it. Look around, you can see monsters wandering this forest." Hoven explained.

Akishi looked around and notice some strange lizard people wandering the forest, hunting down animals or fighting humans.

"Don't worry, they won't attack us. They tend to not be violent towards a group of people. They are called the Lanax people, a lizard type of humanoid person." Hoven explained.

"But moving forward, there are three city states in the world. Avendora, Seraphis, and Drakoria. Avendora is the one we're going too, the city is full of forests and wild life, Seraphis is filled with ports and oceans, they are known to basically be sailing around the world and trading goods, and Drakoria has a strong army and an elite force. Together these three nations fought with each other to defeat the Imperial Lord, and the armored dragon named Drakon, an ancient and strong dragon that nearly destroyed the world of Aetheria, until one warrior rose up and defeated the dragon, but not without risking his life..." Hoven took a breather before trying to take another bottle of wine out from the inside of his shirt, but before he could pop it open and drink from it, the caravan shook and slightly launched everyone in the air.

"W-whoa!" as Hoven's wine spilled out of the top and landed all over him.

An arrow has been shot from the top of a tree and it barely just hit Hoven's cheeks as the arrow was stabbed in the middle of the caravan.

Akishi almost got up from the seats but Hoven grabbed his left arm

"Don't worry, I'm sure the guards are close by to help us." Hoven explained.

Akishi sighed and sat back down and the caravan moved again.

"You're in high spirits though, are you a magic user? Or are you simply a man with just a normal weapon." Hoven asked.

 "I don't really know, I don't even really know who or what I am actually" Akishi explained to Hoven.

Hoven thought for a bit.

"You don't know who you are? But you told me your name son" Hoven replied.

Akishi flashed back to when he was under water, it felt like he was in a deep slumber and he couldn't move his body. But all he could remember was that he heard a voice reach out to him, it was a female voice.

"If my voice is reaching you, then there is hope that Aetheria will be saved...You are just an empty puppet with no purpose or name..." she said softly.

"You are the chosen hero, I bestow upon you the name of Akishi, the Warrior of Valor..." 

After that, Akishi opened his eyes, and before he could even see the clear blue ocean, a light blinded him and then he woke up in the caravan where he saw Hoven.

"Oh, so you just heard the voice of Lumina, she is known as Aetheria's goddess." Hoven explained.

Akishi was shocked, and thought for a bit if the goddess really did speak to him.

"Well, it looks like we're almost arriving into the city. Once you arrive make sure you head to the tavern and talk to someone named Amelia, she'll take care of you and from there you can enjoy your new journey. Remember this kiddo, "Whatever trial awaits you, remember the flame and valor inside your heart." Hoven said with a smile as he got off the caravan.

The two strange twins did the same and Akishi followed, he arrived at the main gate of Avendora and there was a guard who stood in his way making sure no one evil enters...