A peaceful journey(end)

The days of travel continued at a constant pace, marked by the slow progress of the merchant caravan along the mountain path. After choosing a safer route to avoid areas infested with dangerous monsters, the group began following a trail that wound through sheltered valleys, where steep slopes softened into hills covered in moss and low shrubs. The terrain, initially rugged and challenging, began to change almost imperceptibly, and with it, the atmosphere of the journey shifted as well.

The new route, though longer, offered the travelers a respite from the more severe obstacles, and though the journey extended, the caravan was in no hurry. Occasionally, monsters appeared, but nothing that couldn't be handled by the caravan guards or by Mark and Zoe, who stepped in promptly. Each time a danger arose, it was swiftly neutralized, allowing the group to continue safely and with a certain sense of tranquility.

The towering peaks that had greeted them slowly receded, and the mountains, once menacing, became a less oppressive backdrop. The sharp, biting air of the heights was now softened by the rocky walls that served as barriers to the cold winds. In certain parts of the path, narrow, bubbling rivers carved through the rocks, creating a gentle sound of flowing water that accompanied the creaking of the wagon wheels and the rhythmic clopping of horses' hooves.

As the journey progressed, the landscape gradually changed. The jagged rocks of the alpine peaks gave way to forests of pines and firs. The atmosphere, though greener and richer in vegetation, was not without tension. The dense forests surrounding them darkened the sky in certain stretches, and the tall, imposing trunks seemed to observe the caravan's passage in a silence heavy with mystery. The paths became narrower and more winding, increasing the sense of isolation and vulnerability to the outside world.

Despite the relative calm of the new route, monster attacks were not uncommon. However, they were weak and annoying creatures, whose sole purpose was to disturb the travelers' progress. Each encounter was brief and ended without serious consequences, but these skirmishes kept the group constantly alert.

The edges of the mountains became distant images, and the landscape opened into wide, lush valleys. Here, the climate was milder, the plants more vibrant, and isolated villages began to appear here and there along the way. Occasionally, the caravan would stop at one of these small settlements, where they could stock up on supplies and exchange news. The inhabitants of these places seemed to appreciate the caravan's presence, and the welcome was always warm, despite the remoteness of civilization.

As the days passed, the bond between Mark, Zoe, and Astrea grew stronger. By now, they had formed a tight-knit little group, and each day was accompanied by lighthearted conversations and moments of camaraderie. The jokes and discussions between Mark and Zoe were a constant, often hilarious for those watching, especially for Astrea, who observed the two young people with an amused smile. It was clear that, despite the challenges of the journey, their mutual company was making the experience more bearable and, in some ways, enjoyable.

For Zoe, these moments of peace were precious. Every night, as the group camped under the starry sky, she often found herself reflecting on her recent discoveries. In those weeks, she had experienced other dreams, and though she never saw much, she somehow managed to satisfy her curiosity.

Mark, on the other hand, seemed to take everything with his usual calm. His presence remained serene, almost unshakable, even as Zoe tried to decipher the mystery surrounding him. However, she was unaware of the tension he felt.

This journey had been a relief for Mark's mind, which seemed to be going crazy with everything that had happened to him, and the energy extraction that occurred every week didn't help. Once he arrived in Orario, he doubted he would have a moment of peace, which was why, with the help of the Guide, he was trying to learn as much as possible.

And so, during that long yet short journey, the last day of the third month since Mark had arrived in that world had come.

"Hm? Are we already stopping?" -Mark asked, confused, seeing the caravan halt in a modest-sized village.

"Probably because today is the last day of the year, and they want to prepare for the celebrations." -Astrea explained.

'So, it's the last day of the year…' -Mark thought.

With few alternatives, they got off the carriage, able to see how bustling the village was as the final preparations for the evening were being made.

"I remember my village being just as energetic while preparing for New Year's Eve. I wonder what they're doing now, especially Al." -Zoe said with a small, nostalgic smile.

"You can write him a letter once we get to Orario." -Mark told her.

Zoe had spoken several times about this Al, and from what Mark had gathered, not only had he been her mentor, but he had also been a father figure to her.

"Guys, look in that direction, and you'll understand how close we are to Orario."

At Astrea's words, the two turned toward where she was pointing, and to their great surprise, they could see in the distance the silhouette of something piercing the sky.

"That's-"

"The Tower of Babel." -Mark finished Zoe's sentence.

"Exactly, the home of many gods and also famous shops. From the distance, I'd say we're about a day away from getting there." -Astrea explained.

"It seems this journey is about to end, then." -Mark said with a sigh containing both worry and a strange note of curiosity.

"Time has passed so quickly… we probably won't be able to spend as much time together anymore." -Zoe said sadly, glancing sideways at Mark.

During this journey, Zoe developed a strong bond with Mark, not only because of the dreams but because she genuinely appreciated Mark as a person and a friend. Every day with him was interesting and fun. Of course, there were embarrassing moments, but the fond memories they shared were precious to her.

"It's not the end of the world." -Mark said, ruffling her hair. -"We'll still be in the same city, so give me a big smile."

With a mischievous grin, he grabbed her cheeks and started pulling them, which made Zoe furious. She began kicking him, causing Mark to laugh even more.

Mark had also grown to appreciate her during that time. He admired and respected Zoe's diligence and seriousness in her discipline. She loved what she did and had a clear goal, something rare for people her age in his old world. Furthermore, he had to admit that seeing her react in different ways was becoming fun.

'I wonder if this is what having a sister is like.' -Mark wondered as he dodged her kicks.

The hours passed, and slowly, night fell, but the village seemed to glow due to the ongoing celebration, with a large bonfire at the center of the village.

From time to time, Mark saw people throwing things into the fire, and as Astrea explained to him, it was a tradition where old, unused items were burned in the hope that the new year would bring something better.

The crackling of the great bonfire at the center of the village was accompanied by the cheerful chatter of people, laughter, and music filled the air, creating a festive atmosphere that seemed to warm even the coldest night. Mark watched, fascinated by the village celebrating the last day of the year, immersed in a culture that was still new to him but somehow felt familiar as if something inside him had quickly adapted to this new world.

[Thinking about the Earth?]

'A little. We always celebrated with Zoe's parents. I wonder how they're doing…' -Mark thought, bitterly.

Whenever he thought of Earth, a void of regret and bitterness formed, but there was nothing he could do to change his situation.

Zoe approached Mark in silence, noticing his thoughtful gaze directed toward the bonfire. She, too, felt a mix of emotions on that night so full of symbolism, but seeing Mark so absorbed made her hesitate for a moment before speaking. She ran a hand through her hair, searching for the right words, but as often happened, her shyness held her back.

"Hey, are you okay?" -She finally said, trying to break the silence.

Mark stirred slightly as if pulled back to reality by that familiar voice. -"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine... just thinking about home."

Zoe lowered her gaze for a moment. She knew what it meant to think of a distant home and felt a certain affinity with the nostalgia Mark was feeling, but she decided not to press the issue. She wanted to bring some lightness to the evening and, at least for a while, push away those melancholic thoughts.

"You know…" -Zoe began, a bit uncertain. -"In situations like this, at my village, we always danced around the fire. It was kind of a tradition to... um, let go of worries."

Mark looked at her, surprised by the turn in the conversation. -"Really? And you… danced?"

Zoe blushed slightly and looked away. -"Well, I wasn't exactly great at it… but yeah, we all did." -She ran a hand through her hair, trying to hide her growing embarrassment. -"You know, they're doing it here too. We could... we could join them."

Mark looked down at his feet, almost wondering if they were capable of dancing. -"Me? Dance? I'm not sure that's a good idea…"

Zoe bit her lip, trying to muster the courage to insist. She felt a bit nervous. -"It doesn't have to be perfect. It's just for fun, and... and maybe it'll help distract you."

She stepped forward timidly, adding in a softer voice, -"You can do it as a favor to a friend, right?"

His words, accompanied by that sweet and sincere smile, made Mark hesitate. He looked into Zoe's eyes and saw her shy request, the sincerity with which she had asked him to join that dance. He couldn't find a good excuse to refuse, and deep down, maybe he really could do it.

He sighed, letting go of some of his resistance. -"Alright, I'll give it a try... but if I end up tripping over myself, it's your fault."

Zoe smiled, relieved and slightly amused. -"I promise, if you fall, I'll help you get back up." -She said, taking his hand and gently pulling him toward the circle of people around the bonfire.

The music became livelier, and Zoe, a little awkward but determined, began to move to the rhythm, guiding Mark with simple steps, not too concerned about doing it right or wrong. Her shyness faded as she let herself go to the beat of the music and the joy of the moment, and soon Mark found himself smiling too, realizing that perhaps dancing around a fire, in an unfamiliar village, on New Year's Eve, wasn't so bad after all.

Their spontaneous and genuine laughter filled the air, while the fire burned bright and warm in front of them, lighting up not only the night but also their hearts.