Chapter 10
Departure
A few weeks passed, which was enough time for Tokiya's injuries to heal and for Gremory to prepare everything necessary for Tokiya's trip. It was early in the morning on the departure day when Tokiya and Berserker walked together to the edge of the town.
Tokiya was wearing his normal outfit, but with a cropped long-sleeved black jacket with yellow borders. Berserker's outfit of a white shirt, green vest, and baggy tactical pants stayed the same.
Tokiya looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. Berserker looked at him.
"Nervous?"
Tokiya turned his head.
"A bit. I've never left this town before."
"Really? I guess you wouldn't have had a reason to."
"What about you? Have you ever been outside this town?"
Berserker turned his head away from the conversation but still responded.
"Yeah, I have. I'm not even from this town. I only ended up here cause the jail in my old town was full, so they just sent me here."
That reminded Tokiya that Berserker was a criminal, a fact that he forgot over these past weeks. Berserker waved his hands.
"However, more excitingly, I lived in the capital for quite some time."
Tokiya seemed a bit surprised.
"You lived in the capital?"
Tokiya didn't mean to be rude, but it was hard to believe anyone who was in jail all the way out in the countryside once lived in the capital. Berserker was starting to be more of a mystery than himself. Berserker hit him on the head.
"Don't act so surprised idiot!"
Tokiya groaned in pain and rubbed the site of impact.
"Stop doing that! That's the fifth time this week!"
"Whatever, just look here."
Berserker pulled out a rather detailed map of Oravell. The country would have had a very circular shape if it wasn't for the giant chunk taken out of the bottom right. This made the shape of the country look like a slanted crescent. To the north of Oravell, wrapping around its circular geometry was the country of Kankara, but it was mostly cut off by the map.
Berserker pointed to the bottom left of the map.
"This is about where we are. Ardston is really far off, and there's a pretty big issue with getting there."
He dragged his finger towards the center of the map but stopped halfway where a long line of tree symbols dragged through the country.
"This is Istar Forest. As you can see, it cuts through Oravell, so there's no getting past it. It's a thick forest too, meaning the only way through is by foot. Not to mention all the beasts that live there."
Tokiya frowned.
"Sounds tough, but if we have to walk, then we'll do it."
Berserker smirked.
"Good."
He dragged his finger past the forest.
"After that, it's an easy journey, and we'll arrive at Ardston. However, it's still a pretty long trip, so it'll take about a month."
Tokiya sucked his teeth. Death and hardship would be around every corner. However, any doubt he had about the trip was completely shut down by his traumatic memories of Eien and Mors. Just then, a horse pulled covered wagon approached them. It stopped in front of them, and Gremory hopped out from the back.
"Yo, you two, what's up."
Tokiya smiled.
"Just readying ourselves."
Gremory grabbed the collar of Tokiya's jacket.
"Looks like someone got a new outfit."
Tokiya brushed his hand off.
"Yeah, I bought it a couple days ago. Berserker said he was tired of looking at my boring shirt."
Gremory adjusted his cap as he laughed.
"I can't exactly blame him. Speaking of you, Berserker, I got something I think you'll be quite excited about."
"What is it?"
Gremory reached in the back rummaged around for a bit before pulling out a giant sword. The sword was normal in design, but it truly was huge. As Gremory pulled it out of the wagon, he began to sweat, and Tokiya could see all of his strength being depleted. However, once it was out of the wagon, Berserker effortlessly took it from Gremory's trembling hands.
Gremory bent over and spoke with shaky breath.
"It's been sitting in the station's storage. I thought you'd need it to keep Tokiya safe."
Berserker smiled at the sword and proceeded to swing it around with ease. Tokiya stared at him with awe.
Gremory stood up straight and adjusted his cap.
"This wagon right here is what you guys will use to get around. Inside are a bunch of supplies including food which are kept fresh by ice crystals."
Ice crystals were tiny blue crystals produced by ice mages, which were used to keep food.
Tokiya nodded. He looked Gremory in the eyes.
"Gremory, thank you for everything you've done for me recently. I don't even know how to thank you."
Compared to Tokiya's usually sarcastic or rude tone with Gremory, this statement was obviously sincere. Gremory punched Tokiya on his shoulder.
"Don't sweat it, Tokiya."
He pulled Tokiya close and whispered in his ear.
"That's what brothers are for."
Tokiya's eyes widened. Gremory lightly pushed Tokiya back.
At that moment, a large crowd could be heard approaching the three. They turned around to see a crowd of townsfolk approaching them. In the front of the pack was Mr. Shaut who walked up to the group as fast as his old legs would allow him.
"Don't tell me you were just going to leave without saying goodbye."
Tokiya combed his hair nervously.
"Well, uh..."
Berserker snickered to himself. Earlier that morning, Tokiya told him how he didn't want to say goodbye to people in the town but didn't give much of a reason. So, although Tokiya tried to act tough, his attachment was clear. Tokiya continued stuttering.
"Don't act like I'm moving away forever, Mr. Shaut. I'll only be gone for a few months."
Mr. Shaut hit Tokiya's leg with his cane forcefully. He spoke with a stern voice.
"Don't give me that. That's a long time."
Tokiya swiftly moved his leg after getting hit. Gremory laughed and hit Tokiya on the back.
"Don't think you're all grown up just because you're going out on your own, kid. Shaut will still beat you half to death with that cane."
Gremory was swatted away by Tokiya as he died of laughter. Then Tokiya heard whispering voices. He looked down to see Justin, Kiria, and Twist huddled and arguing over something.
"You guys ok?"
The three children looked up in shock. They froze not knowing what to do next. Tokiya could see that there was something in Justin's hands. Twist swiftly snatched it from him and handed it to Tokiya.
"Here you go, Tokiya!"
Justin turned to Twist.
"Hey, I was going to give that to him! That's what we decided!"
"No, it wasn't!"
Kiria tried to make her voice heard too, but it had little effect.
"I-I wanted to give it to him too..."
Tokiya waved his hand.
"Come on guys. It's not about who gave it to me. It's about the thought."
Twist pushed up his glasses.
"You are so right, Tokiya. We have once again learned from your words of wisdom."
Justin turned his head indignantly, and Kiria looked down shyly. Tokiya looked at the gift that was in his hand. It was a colorful bracelet made of painted wood blocks. The first initials of all the children and Tokiya were engraved on four blocks. Tokiya smiled and put it on.
"It's wonderful. Thanks guys."
The children looked up at him with beaming expressions. After that interaction, many other people came up to Tokiya, wishing him farewell and giving him gifts. He also received many thanks from people who he had done various favors for in the past. Whether it was pet sitting or fixing various things, Tokiya's knack for service gained him quite the positive reputation.
Eventually, the gathering turned into a social event among everyone in the town. Tokiya and Berserker were able to slip away and put all the gifts into the wagon. Mr. Shaut came up behind them.
"Are you two about to head out?"
Tokiya turned around. He nodded.
"Yeah, I shouldn't be lagging around. The longer I stay here, the more I put myself and everyone here in danger."
Mr. Shaut gave an understanding expression.
"You sure did get a lot of gifts. The towns people sure do love you."
There was a brief silence. Tokiya then spoke in a serious tone.
"I know you told them to come out here."
"What if I did? I didn't force them to be here, and I certainly didn't tell them to bring gifts. Things just won't be the same while you're gone. We value you, Tokiya, and I think you know that."
Tokiya couldn't look Mr. Shaut in the eye. He tried to derail from the subject.
"Well, I value you guys too."
His voice became shaky. Whatever Tokiya was feeling, he couldn't process it.
"I knew it. I always knew they valued me no matter how much I tried to deny it. I just don't understand why. Why do the people in the town value me? Why didn't they value me? Why did the abandon me?"
Berserker turned to Mr. Shaut.
"We're going to head out now."
Mr. Shaut nodded. Berserker made his way to the driver's seat, and Tokiya slowly got into the wagon, hiding his face. As the pair entered the wagon, Gremory stood next to Mr. Shaut. He spoke in a low voice.
"I can't believe he's actually leaving."
Mr. Shaut did not respond. Gremory turned to the wagon and shouted.
"Hey, Tokiya! I know you're going to master this whole Divine Blessing thing. There's no doubt about that but just make it quick. I'll get bored without someone to annoy."
Tokiya had no choice but to look up at this exclamation. Mr. Shaut and Gremory smiled at him, so he naturally smiled back. It was a genuine smile.
Berserker spoke from the front of the wagon.
"You ready?"
Tokiya turned.
"Yeah."
The wagon began to slowly pull off. Tokiya waved to Gremory and Mr. Shaut. Justin, Kiria, and Twist came running up shouting and waving goodbye. It seemed like Kiria almost burst into tears. All five of them began to get smaller and smaller. Eventually, Tokiya stopped waving, and shortly after he turned around and sat comfortably in the wagon.
There was a long silence until Berserker spoke.
"There's no turning back now. You better not prove my judgement to protect you wrong. Show me that you refuse to stay weak."
Tokiya took on a serious expression. He clenched his fist in front of him with determination.
"I don't care what stupid Fate has in store for me. I won't die."