Kai and Zac walked side by side along the winding dirt road, the morning sun warming their backs. The atmosphere was quiet save for the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds overhead. Zac's face was pensive as he processed their earlier encounter with the god of time, Chronos.
Kai, however, still fumed. "I can't believe he just left us without explaining anything," he grumbled, kicking a stone along the path. "Who does that? He shows up, freezes time, poofs a beast out of existence, and then disappears like we're not even important."
"Kai, calm down," Zac said in his usual measured tone. "Do you really want to get on the bad side of someone who can make a monster vanish just by touching it? He could do the same to us."
Kai clenched his fists, his competitive spirit burning hot. "We didn't ask to be here. He should have sent us back."
Zac sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Maybe he couldn't. Or maybe there's a reason we're here. We just have to find out what it is."
Kai muttered under his breath but didn't argue further.
They continued walking, the dirt path gradually giving way to a more structured stone road. The signs of civilization became clearer—wagon tracks etched into the ground and the occasional distant sound of voices.
After fifteen minutes, they crested a small hill and saw it: a bustling town surrounded by tall stone walls. Banners fluttered atop the gate towers, and beyond the walls, rooftops and spires reached for the sky.
"Finally," Kai said, relief mixing with curiosity.
As they approached the massive gates, two guards clad in gleaming armor stood at attention. One of them, a burly man with a thick beard, held up a hand to stop them.
"Halt," the guard commanded. "Show your verification cards."
Kai blinked, confused. "What are those?" he began to ask, but Zac quickly clapped a hand over his brother's mouth.
"We were attacked by a beast on the road," Zac said smoothly. "We lost everything in the chaos—including our cards."
The guards exchanged a glance, their eyes scanning the brothers' dirt-streaked clothes and the small rips in their garments. Pity softened the bearded guard's expression.
"You look like you've been through a rough patch," the guard said. "All right, come with me. We'll sort this out." The brothers followed the guard through the gates and into a small building adjacent to the wall. The interior was simple but functional, with wooden benches and a large desk.
The guard gestured for them to sit.
"Here's the deal," the guard said. "A magician will cast a detection spell on you to make sure you haven't committed any crimes. If you're clean, you'll be allowed into Velaris.
Normally, replacing a verification card costs ten silver, but given your circumstances, we'll waive the fee." "Thank you," Zac said sincerely.
Kai managed a nod, though his frustration simmered just beneath the surface.
The door opened, and a robed magician entered. His eyes glowed faintly with arcane energy. Without a word, he raised his hands, and a soft light enveloped the brothers. The magic tingled against their skin, but neither felt any discomfort.
After a moment, the magician nodded. "They're clear."
The guard—who introduced himself as Todd—handed them two fresh verification cards. "You're all set. Welcome to Velaris. Have a nice day."
Zac bowed politely. "Thanks again." Kai muttered his thanks as well, though his mind was already elsewhere.As they stepped through the gates and into the heart of the town, the brothers were greeted by a vibrant scene.
Cobblestone streets bustled with merchants hawking their wares, children chasing each other, and townsfolk going about their daily lives. Stalls lined the streets, offering everything from fresh produce to shimmering trinkets.
Kai's eyes darted around, taking in the sights. "This place is huge," he said, his competitive nature itching to explore every corner.
Zac nodded thoughtfully.
"It's like something out of a fantasy novel. But we need to stay focused. First, we should find an inn and get some information about this world."
Kai's stomach growled, earning a chuckle from his brother. "And food," Kai added. "Lots of food."
They wandered through the bustling streets, eventually finding a modest-looking inn with a sign that read "The Silver Hearth." The warm aroma of cooked meat and fresh bread wafted from within.
Inside, the inn was cozy, with wooden tables and a crackling fireplace. A friendly-looking woman behind the counter greeted them.
"Welcome to The Silver Hearth," she said. "Looking for a room?"
Zac nodded. "Yes, please. Just for the night." "That'll be five silver," she said.
Zac's heart sank. "We don't have any money," he admitted.
The woman frowned but then seemed to take pity on them. "Tell you what—you can do some chores around here to earn your stay. How about it?"
Kai grinned. "Sounds fair. I'm good with heavy lifting."
Zac added, "And I'm good at organizing and problem-solving."
The woman laughed.
"You'll make a good team. I'm Merla, by the way."
After a hearty meal provided by Merla, the brothers set to work. Kai carried heavy sacks of grain and stacked firewood, while Zac helped with inventory and bookkeeping.
By the time they finished, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Exhausted but satisfied, they sat by the fireplace, sipping warm cider.
Kai stretched, feeling the pleasant ache of hard work. "Not a bad day," he admitted. Zac smiled. "We're figuring things out. One step at a time."
Kai's competitive spirit flared. "Still, I'm not giving up on finding a way back home." "Neither am I," Zac said firmly. "But for now, we survive. And we learn everything we can about this world."
Kai nodded, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Yeah. We've got this."As the fire crackled and the warmth of the inn embraced them, the brothers knew their journey was just beginning. Velaris was only the first step in a world filled with gods, magic, and untold mysteries.
After settling in at a modest inn owned by a kind woman named Merla, the brothers went to sleep. When morning came, they woke up to the smell of freshly cooked food.
Merla greeted them warmly. "Come sit, boys. Breakfast is ready." They sat down to a feast of eggs, bacon, and fluffy pancakes. Kai devoured his meal, while Zac took a more measured approach, thanking Merla for her hospitality. Once they finished, Merla handed them ten silver each.
"You boys were a big help," she said with a smile. "Go out and have some fun."
Zac tried to refuse, but Merla insisted. Accepting the gift, they stepped outside to explore the town.
While Kai wandered, taking in the sights, Zac entered a store to sell some of the electronics he had in his backpack.
Knowing they couldn't use them here, he decided to barter. He had a PS Vita, some mechanical pencils, and paper. The store owner tried to hustle him, but Zac, quick-witted as ever, stood his ground.
After some back and forth, he managed to get five gold for his items. Satisfied, he left the store and rejoined Kai.
Kai raised a brow. "How do you know you didn't get played?"
Zac smirked. "While you were busy doing heavy lifting, I was asking about how money works in this world."
He proceeded to explain the currency system:
100 copper = 1 silver
100 silver = 1 gold
100 gold = 1 platinum
Kai nodded slowly. "Oh… now that you mention it, that makes sense."
Zac shook his head. "You need to pay more attention to details. Also, did you notice we can understand and read a language we never learned?"
Kai's eyes widened. "Oh yeah, that is weird."
"Chronos probably helped with that," Zac reasoned.
Kai scoffed. "That bastard? I don't buy it."
Zac sighed. "It's the only thing that makes sense. Anyway, let's keep looking around."
Just then, a woman's scream echoed from a nearby alley. Kai immediately dashed toward the sound.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" Zac called after him.