NOVEL NEXT 92 - Departure (book 1 epilogue)
En woke up to the song of birds marking the beginning of spring. He turned in his bed, and, seeing that Div was already gone, he got up and stretched his arms.
A knot of anxiety tightened in his throat.
Today was the day.
He should have left last week, but something always held him back. Lingering ice on the Lien River, last-minute errands, the constant need for more provisions, there was always a reason to delay.
He had put off his departure for too long already.
However, last year's young awakened would leave for Bavacium today to attend the yearly gathering. He would join them, and part with them once they arrived at the village.
From there, the path to Kheiron would be straightforward.
En sighed, got dressed, and left his room.
"En," Belilamos greeted when the young man reached the living room. "How are you doing today?"
"Good," En said, sitting at the table and digging into the bread that was placed there. "I'm a little nervous, but I'm going with the delegation to Bavacium. Until then, it shouldn't be too bad."
"Just remember," Carmeta said. "You can always change your mind. You'll always be welcome here."
"I know," En said. "Thank you Carmeta. But this is something I need to do. I couldn't forgive myself if I didn't at least attempt it."
"En," Dubno said. He'd just woken up and walked into the room. "You're coming back, right?"
En paused for a moment.
Was he?
He and Div had talked about this a lot. In the end, it all depended on how his return to Kheiron went. He felt ungrateful, but he could see himself never coming back if he was accepted.
En quickly finished his breakfast and bade his farewells to his adoptive family. It didn't feel right, too abrupt, too soon.
But he was determined to see things through to the end.
"Where is Div?" He asked a foot already out the door.
"I'm not sure," Belilamos sighed. "But I doubt he would miss your departure. Don't worry."
"Alright," En said. "I'm going now. Belilamos, Carmeta, Dubno, thank you for everything."
Without waiting for an answer, En closed the door behind him. It was easier this way.
He made his way through the village, taking in the sights one last time. The wooden houses with thatched roofs, the massive tree growing near the center, the wall of trees.
When he arrived at the river beach where the village's boats were parked, the students were already there. Vedovessa wouldn't be joining them as a teacher this time. She had just finished teaching their year and would start over with the next batch of awakened children. Instead, the teacher in charge of this year's batch was there.
"En," Martos greeted. The tailor always joined the delegation. He had wool and clothes to trade. "How's it going?"
"I don't know, Martos. I'm oscillating between melancholy and excitement."
"It's always like that when we leave for a long time," Martos patted his back. "I felt the same back then. But after years on the move, returning home is the best feeling."
"I hope…" En said, pensively. His plan was to take his time to reach Kheiron, gathering information on the way there. He wouldn't barge into the acropolis. He'd slip into the lower city quietly and take his time. From there, he would decide his next step.
He was no longer the naive boy he'd been. Returning after banishment was risky, and he didn't intend to be captured, or worse…
But, as long as he concealed the few incriminating parts of his status, it should be fine. At sixteen, he looked very different from when he had been exiled. Unless he met a close family member, nobody would recognize him.
Furthermore, nobody would be looking for him.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"Any progress on your bloodline?" Martos asked, changing the subject.
"No," En said, shaking his head. "I'm starting to think it will only show its effect when I enter a rift. Unfortunately, I don't have time for that now."
En and Martos chatted idly as they waited for the rest of the delegation to come. This time, Theaphilia wasn't coming so Vercinetos and Brimeta would lead the expedition.
But before Gennorina's parents could arrive, Div stepped out of the forest and walked straight toward En. Martos stepped aside, giving space to the two brothers.
"You're really leaving…" Div said, putting his hand on En's shoulder.
"I am. I will send news whenever I can. About me, and what I find in Kheiron."
He made the promise anyway, though they both knew messages from Kheiron rarely made it to Camboaci. Even with the increased role the city had been taking around the Lien River, Camboaci was simply too remote.
"Did you pick your facet?" Div asked. "You can't delay anymore."
"I still have time before I reach Kheiron," En countered.
"No. You need to do it now. Even if it's just going down the river, the Wildlands are dangerous and you'd be missing months of progress. You've delayed enough."
En knew. But when he looked at his options, he couldn't help but feel dissatisfied. Nothing called to him like Facet of the Rot Mage called to Div.
Available Facets:
Facet of the Fisherman
Facet of the Explorer
Facet of the Runner
They were lucky to have so many facet options, but En had to remind himself that the average person only completed a few in their lifetime. More often than not, it was because there was no new facet available to them.
What really bothered him was that there was an argument for each of his choices. He would traverse the Wildlands, Facet of the Explorer would surely help. He was going to travel far and throw himself into danger, Facet of the Runner might grant him a speed-enhancing skill. He would need money if he was going to live in Kheiron, Facet of the Fisherman could land him a job on a fishing vessel.
"What would you take?" En asked Div.
"Facet of the Runner," Div said. "You need to think about your safety first."
En considered it once more. Facet of the Runner wasn't a bad option. But he wasn't exactly excited to pick it. However, he felt the same about the other two and that was the issue.
They'd had this argument before. At some point, thinking too much wasn't a good thing.
Remembering the thing he and Div used to do when they had to make a difficult decision, he took a deep breath, counted to three, and selected Facet of the Runner.
Skill Acquired: Endure – Basic – Lv1
"Endure," En immediately shared the result with Div. His brother had the same facet, and while it didn't guarantee the same skill, he hoped it would help Div make his choice in the future.
"That's a good skill," Div smiled. "Always useful."
"Yes," En agreed. "It's not fancy or exciting, but considering where I'm going, it can only help."
Their discussion was interrupted by Vercinetos. Gennorina's father, as energetic as ever, flashed onto the beach with the speed he was so proud of.
"Hey, kids!" He shouted. "Ready to leave?"
"Calm down, dear," Brimeta said, already looking exhausted. "You're going to scare them."
En couldn't listen to Vercinetos and Brimeta introducing themselves to the class. His eyes were locked on Gennorina who had come to see her parents off. She was walking toward them.
Behind her, were the rest of their friends. Lug, Seg, Ambi, had all come to see him off. He didn't deserve it.
He would have preferred they didn't.
It would have been easier.
"En," Gennorina greeted, her gaze locking onto his. "Stay."
He wanted to say yes.
He almost did.
But as he looked between Gennorina and the boats that the students were already boarding. Between Div and the Lien River flowing south, toward Kheiron, toward home.
He knew he couldn't stay.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, turning his back on Genno, Div, and the others.
"Go, En," Div said, voice trembling. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
"I will," En said, his tone low and steady. "I have to."
En walked toward the boats and jumped on the one Martos was leading. He didn't want to deal with Genno's parents now.
As the current took him away from Camboaci, he couldn't help but take one last look behind him.
One last look at his friends, at his brother.
For it might be the last time he ever saw them.
But as they faded in the distance, he turned forward. The river bent south, toward the Great Sea, toward Kheiron.
He had dreamed of this for three years. Through exile, through danger, through sleepless nights spent wondering if he would ever get the chance to return.
Now the path lay open.
Whatever awaited him in Kheiron, redemption or ruin, he would face it.
He had to.
Name: En
Bloodline: Rift Pioneer
Titles: Rotten Sun, Exterminator
Current Facet: Facet of the Runner
Previous Facets: Facet of the Hoplite, Facet of the Survivor, Facet of the Exile, Facets of the Self, Facet of the Veil
Skills:
Bound Genesis - Evolved - Lv1
Spear – Basic – Lv10
Shield – Basic – Lv6
Spearfishing – Basic – Lv7
Trap Detection – Basic – Lv6
The Fifth Direction – Basic – Lv7
Echoes of the Heart - Basic - Lv8
Inspect - Basic - Lv5
Conceal - Basic - Lv6
Endure - Basic - Lv1