Valsonr

Amethyst looked down but squeezed Atlas's hand, so he answered in her place, ''She was captured by slavers and brought all the way here to be sold in my homeland, but I will be escorting her back home to make sure she's safe.''

As the two older boys heard this, they snickered, but Adara questioned, ''How will you get so far south? It will be a long journey if you don't use an airship or train, which could take you most of the way, but that will be expensive even for your age.''

When Amethyst heard his plan, a smile spread across her face, and she scooted closer. Atlas reciprocated the gesture with a smile of his own, wrapping his arm around her tiny waist as she got comfortable.

Biric and the older girls couldn't help but smile at seeing them together, sensing their newly formed bond. Neryssa brought two bowls of delicious-smelling stew and a half loaf of bread between them.

As the aroma of the food hit Atlas's nose, his stomach grumbled, causing him to start eating, with Amethyst following suit. The family stopped watching the two and sat down at the table to eat while praying,

When Atlas saw this, he turned to the Phoenix girl and asked, ''Who are they praying to? Luxia?''

She nodded, ''Yes. She is the mother goddess who watches over all and blesses the family. Most families on Valoria pray to her.''

''Is it common to pray here?''

''Yes, Atlas,'' Amethyst answered when they finished off a mouthful of stew. ''What sort of question is that?''

He shrugged, ''I don't know much about this world.''

Atlas could tell she was looking at him, causing him to sigh, ''When we settle down for the night, I will tell you what happened to me,'' he said.

Amethyst nodded with a smile before getting back to her food, which Atlas did. He paid more attention to the stew, which was nice and hot, while the meat was soft and tender. It reminded him of chicken back on Earth.

He gobbled it all down as Biric came with two glasses, which he handed them, ''Here, kids, some Sunfruit juice.''

''Thanks, Biric,'' Atlas said as he took a mouthful and thought it tasted like orange juice. 

Afterward, he asked the older man, ''Where is the nearest train station, and how much is it per ticket?''

''There is a station in Frostguard, which is the capital of the Frostmark Kingdom,'' Biric replied. ''If I remember correctly, it's 10 gold per ticket, but only nobles and rich adventurers use it, but that is enough to line the pockets of the Morozovians, who are too greedy if you ask me.''

Atlas nodded, ''Then we will head there to take the train south while trying to level up.''

''What class are you two anyway? I've been meaning to ask you but forgot,'' Biric asked while sitting opposite them.

Amethyst answered first, ''I'm a Cosmic Mage,'' she then looked at Atlas.

He smiled before answering, ''Voidwalker.''

Biric's eyes widened at the revelation, and he muttered, "So, the ancient prophecy is true, the legends of Valsonr are real."

''Sa sem visa leid,'' he watched Biric quickly chant something with excitement building in his gaze.

Atlas was confused, ''What are you waffling on about, old man?'' he questioned.

''It's a Frostmark Legend that Valsonr is the Voidwalker. The one who walks between worlds and will fight to stop Ragnarok when it comes for Valoria.''

'Oh shit, Norse mythology in the making,' Atlas internally thought. He shook his head and commented. ''And what does that have to do with me?''

''If you don't mind, show me your status,'' Biric asked excitedly, ignoring his question.

The older man turned to the kitchen, ''Neryssa! Bring me that skillbook that's hidden in the pantry!''

''Ok darling!'' a reply soon came as Biric turned back to him, ''I hope you're not offended by my request, but I may have something to give you as a thank you for saving my life that's only useful for yourself.''

Atlas nodded before turning to Amethyst, ''Should I?''

The purple-haired girl replied, ''The old man has been friendly to us; I don't see the problem. It's not like he can snatch us.''

''Okay,'' he answered with a snicker.

Name: Atlas

Age: 13

Race: Voidborn

Class: Voidwalker

Level: 20

Rank: Novice.

Experience: 550/1000

Affinity: Void

____

Health: 216

Mana: 1044

Strength: 210

Stamina: 216

Charisma: 292

Intelligence: 214

____

Mana Core:

Core Rank: Mid Novice

Core Points: 13150/20000

Body Tempering Level:

____

Spells:

Attack: Lv-1: Void Bullet (1) Lv-1: Void Arrow (1)

Defence: Lv-1: Void Guard (0)

Support:

Utility:

____

Skills: Void Realm (0) Silent Casting (-) Void Sight (0) Dagger Mastery (1) Health Regeneration (0)

Atlas noticed Birics, and Amethyst was shocked when he saw it, causing him to inquire. ''What's wrong with you two?'' he asked in a curious tone.

''You're the Valsonr!'' Biric declared with a gleam in his eyes. ''The Valsonr has finally arrived, Neryssa! Hurry with that book!''

When he heard the man's excited voice, he was baffled, but Amethyst explained, ''Remember the Nubians call you Mteule, while the legend surrounding you has a dozen different names depending on what realm you're in.''

He looked confused, but Biric quickly explained, ''For example, the Light and Dark Elves in the south have their legends about you,'' he said while rushing to a nearby bookcase. ''

Biric continued, ''In the Thalassia Empire, you would be known as Zhaen'dor Na'drethil, while the Aethyrians know you as Ithil'maiar,'' he said.

Atlas didn't know how to feel about the information, but thanks to Neryssa, she returned holding a book wrapped in cloth. When Biric saw this, he took the book and closed his eyes before speaking, ''Ma ljosid eydileggja myrkrid.''

''Why do you keep mumbling words that make no sense?'' Atlas asked.

Biric chuckled, ''Sorry, it's a Frostmark Kingdom prayer. It means May the light destroy the dark. Our ancestors passed it down since they arrived to these lands.''

Atlas nodded, ''What was the first prayer you said?''

Neryssa answered instead of Biric, ''It means the one who points the way,'' she explained. ''It is believed the Valsonr will unite the world to fight against the coming darkness.''

'Luxia! What have you got me into,' Atlas complained. 'I have a feeling I will be dragged into something serious in the coming years.'

He shook his head, ''And I'm meant to be this Valsonr?''

''Yes,'' Biric answered. ''You could be mistaken for a high elf, but your ears are sharper, and the glowing eyes are a dead giveaway. Many people were told stories from a young age, and the main character's eyes were always prominent.''

Atlas sighed, ''Okay, I'll just have to be more careful.''

Biric and Neryssa, as the older woman suggested, said, ''Maybe you can get a disguise skill if it bothers you too much.''

''That's a good idea, Atlas! We can head to the nearest city and buy one,'' Amethyst said while getting excited.

He nodded, but Neryssa sat down and put a book before them. Atlas wondered what it was and asked, ''What's this? A skill?''

"Yes, it's a skill I bought during my adventuring days. I was down in the Argonia Kingdom down south when I was fourteen. A new dungeon opened, and everyone flocked to it because it catered to lower-level adventurers."

Atlas watched Neryssa's kind eyes glow as she took Biric's hand while smiling, causing the older man to peck her on the forehead as he continued, ''The old man I bought it from said this book will save my family's life one day, and if you know anything about us Markians then you know were superstitious,'' he said while turning his gaze to the book.

That's when Neryssa started talking, ''I remember when he brought it back to the inn, we all thought he was stupid; I still do as the thing cost 1 gold coin when we hardly had anything, but it seems the old man was onto something.''

When Atlas heard this, he said, ''What's it called?''

''Zakhiregah-e Bo'di in the Achaemenidian language, but it's known as Dimensional Storage in the common tongue.''

Atlas's eyes widened in shock as he had heard about it from the many novels he had read. Neryssa pushed the book toward him, ''Everyone we know has tried to learn it, but no one can; the Professors in the Frostmark Magic Academy couldn't determine the affinity needed to comprehend it.''

She unwrapped the cloth to reveal a beautiful azure blue book gleaming when the candlelight hit the cover. Biric took it out while examining it before handing it to Atlas, who took it with a shocked expression as if it had been a shock running through his body.

Amethyst let his hand go as he opened the book, only to see writing that resembled Farsi from Earth. For some reason, he could understand it without needing to read it. Atlas flicked through the pages until an inner click was heard, and a notification popped up.

[Dimensional Storage Learned]

Atlas's face lit up with a smile as he observed the scene. He promptly stored away the space bag he possessed. As he did so, he sensed the weight vanish from his body, reassured that only he could access his loot.

Amethyst's joy was palpable when she witnessed this, prompting her to squeal cheerfully as she hugged him, catching Atlas off guard. His cheeks flushed crimson, but he swiftly reciprocated with a hug, bringing happiness to the Phoenix girl.

Shortly after that, Biric stood up with a big smile, ''Great! My savior learned the spell many couldn't,'' he said. ''Now, let's get you to your bedroom for the night.''

Atlas nodded and stood up, followed by the Phoenix girl, but Neryssa interrupted, ''Amethyst can stay in Adara's room,'' she commented. ''It's not right for a boy and girl to share a room.''

***

[Sa sem visa leid - The one who points the way]

[Ma ljosid eydileggja myrkrid - May the light destroy the darkness]