Chapter 1 The Village of Merchants
There was a small village surrounded by a dense forest. It wasn't an ordinary village; it was the Village of Merchants. A place of comfort and inhabited by kind people, but above all, a village without rulers.
The village was a place of peace, where traders from all over the world settled, free from the disputes between other countries and exempt from paying taxes.
The merchants who lived there were friendly with one another, exchanging goods and acquiring useful products from each other. After spending a few days at home, they would set out to sell their merchandise in other countries.
For years, peace reigned in these lands. There were only a few guards at the village's entrance to prevent small creatures from disturbing the tranquility of this beloved place. However, they rarely had much work to do, as the creatures remained hidden in the dense forest surrounding the village.
Among the many enchanting things about the Village of Merchants, it was undoubtedly an exceptional place for children to grow up. A river wound its way along the entire length of the village, providing fun for everyone when the weather turned warm. The houses were all made of wood, but they were far from simple. The merchants had a refined taste for the structures of their homes, which would undoubtedly make any wealthy person from neighboring countries envious.
There was a lively, expressive, and brave young boy named Arkos Uchida.
The Uchidas were one of the founding families of the Village of Merchants. Arkos's father, Mr. Ander, was a great merchant and one of the leaders of the village. His family was respected among the other residents, and Ander hadn't left the village for his trading duties since Arkos was born. Some even considered him a renegade from the merchant's life.
However, for Arkos, something was missing from his days. He only helped with domestic chores and then wandered through the village looking for something to do. He felt a calling, an irresistible attraction to the village gate, where the guards rested. Every day, that calling instigated him, but he had no permission to cross that gate, just like no young person was allowed.
- Arkos, are you staring at the gate again? - Augusto said, catching the despondent young boy once more gazing at the gate.
Augusto Vendart had been Arkos's best friend for as long as they could remember. They had been together since birth, and both of their parents were very important people in the village.
- You know, Augusto, I wish I could travel beyond these walls, just once... but...
Arkos swallowed hard and didn't finish his sentence, while Augusto sat on a nearby rock and reflected.
- Look, there have been quite troublesome rumors among the village leaders. - Augusto said, becoming thoughtful. - The adults are saying that a large army from the Country of Fire is marching north, and they want to resolve diplomatic issues with our neighbors, especially the Country of Earth.- Augusto was impatient and clearly anxious as he spoke about it.
Arkos carefully observed the signs of concern in his friend. The Country of Fire was known as the world's greatest power and for its cruel reputation. However, there was no reason to worry; after all, the Village of Merchants was a neutral place for diplomacy. The Country of Fire wouldn't have any reasons to interfere there.
- Augusto, it's not time to worry. These matters will never concern us. - Arkos said, with a wide smile on his face, trying to cheer up his friend. - Besides, we need to focus on our studies to become merchants and one day, leave this village!
Augusto let out a faint smile and cheered up again. He stood up from the rock and looked at his friend.
- You're right, it's not time to worry. I'll head back home. - said Augusto as he left.
Arkos spent the whole day wandering around the village, with a sad and disheartened expression. Nothing could lift his spirits, not even playing with the dogs that roamed freely through the streets. As the evening approached, the warm lights from the houses became the only sources of illumination on the street. The sound of crickets and creatures in the forest was all that could be heard, as the merchants tended to sleep early.
Arkos walked aimlessly, lost in his thoughts. The worries seemed to weigh on his shoulders, taking away his enthusiasm and joy. He gazed at the silent houses, feeling the absence of the vibrant energy that used to fill the Village of Merchants.
As he crossed the deserted streets, a gentle breeze blew, carrying with it a nostalgic aroma. Arkos stopped for a moment, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to capture every fragment of the essence of the village he loved so much.
However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that consumed him. There was something missing in his life, something that urged him to seek beyond the village walls, something that called him to an unknown adventure.
Arkos sat on a lonely bench, gazing at the starry sky. The stars shone brightly, as if they wanted to convey a secret message just for him. He wondered what he might find beyond the village's limits, what awaited him in the world outside.
As the silence of the night enveloped Arkos, a restlessness grew within him. A burning flame of curiosity and courage began to ignite in his heart. He knew he needed to follow his calling, explore the unknown, and discover his own path.
By seven in the evening, Arkos had already returned home. His father was absent for some unknown reason, and his mother, Bai, scolded him for being late.
- Arkos Uchida, you took too long to come to dinner. - Bai said, a little annoyed. - You and your father never learn. The food will get cold if you take too long.
The food prepared by Ms. Bai was the best in the village. She always won the annual cooking competition in the fall, and Arkos delighted in the steamed fish dumplings she had prepared. The taste was divine, filling his mouth with delicious flavors.
Time seemed to fly, and soon it was nine at night. The time had passed quickly as Arkos enjoyed dinner with his mother. Now, he was deeply asleep in his cozy room. Nothing could wake him at that moment, not even the gentle sounds of the night seeping through the window cracks.
While Arkos slept peacefully, the warm light from the lit candle cast an amber hue on his almost red, fiery hair. It was a moment of peace and serenity, a comforting haven within the walls of his home.
- Arkos, my son... - a voice whispered softly, trembling and familiar.
The young boy sat up on the bed, still drowsy and disoriented, having no idea what was happening.
- What happened, mother? I'm so sleepy. - Arkos said, rubbing his eyes.
Ms. Bai was a serene and ever-vigilant woman, and she loved her son above all else. However, that day, she had a look of despair, although she maintained a smile on her face. She didn't take her eyes off the window cracks, where she could see explosive flashes coming from outside. However, Arkos wasn't awake enough to notice.
- Son, we don't have much time. We need to leave the house now. - his mother urged, pulling his arms.
- But mother, it's still night. It's dangerous to walk through the village at this hour. - Arkos replied, still groggy.
- We don't have time to talk, we need to leave the house as quickly as possible. - Bai didn't waste time arguing. She gave an ultimatum, and Arkos, still drowsy and confused, followed his mother without questioning.
As they walked towards the back door of the house, Arkos's heart started to beat faster. He felt tension in the air and saw fear in his mother's eyes. The sweet aroma of the village's flowers had disappeared, replaced by the smell of smoke and burning that hung in the air.
Arkos gradually began to awaken and realized that something terrible was happening. Shouts and sounds of explosions echoed throughout the village, mixed with the crackling of fire. The idyllic scenery he knew was transforming into chaos and destruction.
- What's happening, mother? - Arkos asked, his voice filled with fear and confusion.
- Now is not the time for explanations, my son. We need to leave the village as quickly as possible. The forest will be safer. - his mother replied, almost in tears.
Together, they headed towards a secret exit known only to the village's founders. His mother struggled to open an old trapdoor while Arkos watched from a distance. His gaze fixed on one of the gate guards, someone he knew, being attacked by a large fireball launched by a soldier dressed in red armor. The soldier laughed as he burned the poor, defenseless man.
As Arkos and his mother desperately tried to escape the burning village, an arrogant and cruel voice echoed in the shadows. It was the red-armored soldier, accompanied by his cohorts, delighting in the destruction and chaos they were causing.
- This will be a piece of cake, the easiest conquest mission we've ever done in our careers! - laughed the soldier, his tone full of contempt and satisfaction. His friends shared the same disdainful attitude, fueled by the power and cruelty they wielded.
Arkos was horrified. The reality of the situation began to unfold before his eyes, and he felt an overwhelming mix of fear, anger, and helplessness. His mother kept struggling to open the trapdoor, and Arkos knew he couldn't waste any more time.
With his mind full of uncertainty and fear but also courage and determination, Arkos promised himself that he would find a way to resist and fight against the invaders. He knew the path ahead would be difficult and dangerous, but he couldn't shy away from the challenge.
He gathered all the strength he had and helped his mother open the trapdoor.
Upon opening the trapdoor, Arkos saw a boy with blond hair and tears streaming down his face. It was Augusto Vendart, his best friend, and he was also in the secret passage.
Arkos descended through the trapdoor and joined Augusto, but his mother didn't follow and stood watching them from the entrance.
- Son. - said Bai, already in tears. - I need to go back, your father is somewhere out there, and I can't leave him alone. I must help as many people as I can to escape... especially the younger ones.
Arkos felt his heart tighten at seeing his mother's emotional state and the desperation in her eyes. He understood his mother's need to help his father and the people in the village who were still in danger. However, he also knew he couldn't leave her to face it all alone.
Looking at Augusto, his lifelong friend, Arkos saw the same determination and courage in his eyes. They had been together since birth, sharing adventures and challenges, and now would be no different. Arkos found the strength to face the situation.
- We'll all go together, mother. - said Arkos, trembling with fear but with determination. - No matter what happens, we'll be by your side. Augusto and I will protect you and help in any way we can.
Bai, with tears in her eyes, smiled at the two young men. She felt blessed to have Arkos and Augusto by her side. Despite the imminent danger, the love and courage they shared would strengthen them.
- Thank you, both of you are wonderful young men. - Bai said softly. - You are my source of strength. But I can't allow something so dangerous for the future of our village. - Bai closed the trapdoor and locked it from the outside, clearly in tears, but it was the right thing to do.
- No! - cried Arkos, weeping, but his friend placed a hand on his shoulder to try to support him.
Augusto wiped his tear-stained face and, as always, being a young man full of wisdom and knowledge, he made the decision of what was best to do at that moment.
- Arkos... there's nothing else we can do; we need to move forward and hope that our parents will find us on the other side of the passage when everything calms down or they manage to escape...- said Augusto confidently.
- You're right, if we stay here, we might become easy targets. - Arkos agreed without hesitation.
They hurriedly descended into the darkness of the underground passage, leaving behind the burning village and the horrors unfolding there. The future was uncertain, but Arkos was determined to reunite with his parents and find answers to the chaos that had befallen his beloved Village of Merchants.
Arkos's heart was heavy leaving his mother behind, but he knew Augusto was right. It was time to act cautiously and move forward, holding onto the hope of reuniting with their parents and finding answers to the unfolding chaos. As they descended through the underground passage, darkness enveloped them, but Arkos felt the comforting presence of his best friend by his side. They proceeded carefully, using the faint light at the end of the tunnel as their guide.
The silence was haunting in that dark tunnel, only broken by the hurried footsteps and the friends' heavy breathing. Arkos felt a mixture of fear, sadness, and determination, but he wouldn't let the darkness consume him. He had a mission to fulfill and couldn't give up.
As they pressed on, he recalled the stories about the forest beyond the village. A mysterious and dangerous place, but also filled with secrets and possibilities. He hoped to find answers there, a way to help his village and bring their community back together.
The steps of the friends echoed through the tunnel, and Arkos felt strengthened by Augusto's determination. They were together on this journey, facing the unknown and trusting each other. The bond they shared was a beacon of hope amid the darkness.
With a heart full of courage and the determination of a true merchant, Arkos pressed on, ready to face whatever came their way. He knew the journey would be challenging, but he wasn't alone. Together, Arkos and Augusto were ready to face adversity and chart a new destiny.
- Augusto, you who have knowledge of many books from the library, why do you think our peaceful village was attacked? - asked Arkos, puzzled.
- Hmm... not that the books help now, but from what I've heard in recent days, the Country of Fire is preparing for a major offensive against the Country of Earth, and I believe they want to use our village as a military base, as we're located nearby. - Augusto speculated in his response.
As Arkos and Augusto continued to traverse the tunnel, the intensity of the light gradually increased. Finally, they reached a point where the source of the brightness became clear. It was an opening at the end of the tunnel, through which the soft moonlight filtered.
- Look, Augusto, it seems this is the exit. - said Arkos excitedly.
Arkos and Augusto approached the exit and, cautiously, pushed open the small wooden door. The door creaked slightly, revealing a stunning nighttime landscape.
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