It didn't take Nox too long to find a path branching out from the beach. He nearly missed it though, since it was a small, beaten trail lurking behind a bush, but managed to see it after he'd passed by. It wasn't much more than a winding trail, and it seemed to Nox that it was rarely used. Branches obscured the way every few steps, the canopy of treetops only let through small glints of light, and scurrying came from nearby bushes as animals watched him go by. He lost his way several times, finding himself distracted for a moment by a noise or a sight before noticing he had lost the small trace of dirt marking his path. His apparent prowess at controlling the shadows wasn't going to help him navigate this dark and not-so dangerous path. But he still managed to backtrack several times, and soon found himself at the end.
The small path led to a new road, this one much wider than the previous one. Walking up slowly while his eyes again adjusted to the light above, he noticed that there was various prints in the ground. They were faint, but it was easy to see that this road was taken quiet a bit, and would serve him well for now. Added to the fact that this path headed away from the ocean and farther inland, he began on his way. As he walked the more promising path, Nox swatted at the leaves that had gotten into his hair during his weaving journey through the forest, mumbling as he did. Trees still flanked both sides of his path, but it was a large improvement compared to before.
He traveled on the road for quite some time, the pains in his legs and feet that he'd originally felt when he woke up worsening as he went. The sun beating down on the back of his head didn't help too much either, and over time Nox's pace slowed from before. He felt more pressured to find something other than endless road, whether it be just some water or food, or maybe some sort of town, before he got too tired. He'd heard a lot about the Earthbender architecture, and was hoping for some of it to peek out over in the distance as a beacon of hope for him.
Up ahead, Nox saw someone walking along the road heading towards him. Nox felt anxious, hoping this man could give him some directions to a nearby town. Nox couldn't see him too clearly, but the man looked old, and was walking with a cane. Nox kept walking towards him, intent on asking him for directions. But the man stopped and stared at him when they were a few paces away from each other. Nox stopped as well, and they both proceeded to examine each other. He was wearing ragged robes that looked to be from the Earth Kingdom, with a heavy-looking medallion hanging from his neck. Nox wondered what the symbols on it meant, but moved on after a few wasted seconds of trying to read what the worn out metal said. Other than that, he had no bag, no weapon, nothing but the cane. His face was old and wrinkled, and judging from the scar that ran across the right of his forehead, he had been a fighter in his younger years. He was barefooted, something he'd heard many earth benders did.
"You aren't from here." the man began.
"Why does it matter to you?"
"Listen to what I have to say," the man said with a serious look "You are here to prove yourself. You will have your chance. But if you do not control yourself, you will just end dishonoring yourself and losing everything. This is a warning." His voice was gruff, and he spoke with a unnatural authority.
"I don't have any time for your random prophecies, old man." Nox said, moving to the side to walk by the man. The man suddenly did something with his walking cane, and part of the wood came off, revealing a blade that had been hidden inside. He pointed it at Nox's chest. Nox was impressed by the reflexes the man still possessed, but still only listened halfheartedly to what he perceived as the rambling of a crazed war veteran.
"Remember what I've said. Your people depend on it."
With that, he placed his sword back in it's "sheath" and hobbled by Nox, not making any more eye contact with him while he passed. Nox watched him as he went, waiting for him to get a few seconds out before shouting at him "You know nothing about my people!"
He didn't respond to the remark.
Nox turned, giving out an exasperated sigh. Looking up though, he saw something he hadn't noticed while he was talking to the man. A town was in the distance, one that looked well inhabited, buildings stretching all the way up the mountain behind it, with many more at the base. The way to it was a smaller road that branched from this one, a road that Nox was pretty sure he would have missed if he hadn't been stopped "Guess meeting that man wasn't all bad." Nox grumbled as he headed off towards it, filled with a final burst of energy to get there and rest. It was the afternoon at this point, but to Nox it felt like nightfall. Him and his sore limbs were ready to sleep until tomorrow.
