Where would this path lead me? I asked myself. While headed towards the labyrinth city of Orario, I couldn't decide which was worse, the anticipation, revving up my body, quickening the pace of my heart, or the occasional bump in the road. Shocking my nerves.
Bump, bump! That was the second time I nearly fell out of the carriage. That had to be the biggest one yet. Overall, the trip to Orario had been long and wry. Filled with bumps and twists like these. Not like I expected anything less. After all, there's only so much that a few thousand valis can net you in terms of transportation.
This long and arduous journey had started several days ago, in a town dozens of kilometers away from where I stood now. I contemplated if I made the right decision. As if responding to my question, my heartbeat skyrocketed. Butterflies surged through my stomach, as I felt my blood pressure increase. Would the anticipation kill me before I had the chance to even reach the city's entrance?
They called Orario the center of the world for a reason. Labyrinth city, city of Falna. The breeding grounds for adventurers and the birthplace of some of the strongest warriors to date. I could barely take a mouthful of air, as my eyes sparked off into the distance. I thought it was a myth. The streets, bustling with activity, filled to the brim with people who had the blessings of their respective gods and goddesses.
I had been wrong.
The white tower, a few kilomeders away snuffed out the flames of suspicion and doubt in the deepest layers of my subconscious. Still, I couldn't believe it. The tower that bordered on piercing the heavens was otherworldly. Almost as if it was built by transcendent hands. I blinked, then again, and again until stars shined brightly and sparkled in my eyes.
Dungeon Oratorio. A wonderful book comprising the tales of the most well-known heroes. All of them have originated from here. I always had a sneaking suspicion that maybe it was exaggerated. That maybe there wasn't a dungeon. That maybe I wasn't staring at what many would consider being the capital of the Genkai.
Of course, I didn't come here just to gawk over the sights and smells. To sniff the roses, as some might say. This was the city of adventurers after all. And I hoped to become one of them. The people of my village; my neighbors, friends, and family members had always doubted that I could pull it off. And every single time I brought it up, I disagreed with them.
But saying you'd do something and doing something were two different things. This is precisely why I started on my journey.
To become an adventurer.
"Alright kid, this is about the farthest I can take you without being inspected by the guards here. I'm simply an escort, not a merchant or an adventurer. I have no business in a place like this." A raspy and dried-up voice spoke to me, as I hopped off the carriage.
"R-Right. Thanks for the hospitality…" I scratched the back of my head, as I flashed my brightest smile at him. "If it weren't for you… I would've never made it here." The curvature of my lips lessened and blossomed into a small grin. "I can accomplish my goal now."
I walked up to the man responsible for bringing me to my destination and watched as a smile grew on his face. "No need to thank me…" He looked ahead of me and pointed towards the city gates, which were guarded by several people. "Those guys should let you in if you explain why you're here. No fees or permission slips are required. That's the beauty of this city!" The man with his ashen-colored beard and hair grinned with glee.
"Gotcha. Best of luck to your… travels sir!" I gave him one last smile as I walked up to the city's entrance.
The structure was huge. With the gates towering over me at a height of what must've been twenty or so meders in length. If anyone stood atop of these things, they probably would've viewed any passerby as if they were ants. Not that I could blame them.
"You there, halt! Are you a merchant? If so, please show us your permission slip." A permission slip…? Didn't have anything matching that description in my backpack. Fortunately, I came here looking to be an adventurer.
"I wannabe adventurer… That's pretty much why I came here…" I sheepishly averted my eyes from the soldier's, as I chuckled self-deprecatingly. There were a lot of things that forced me down the path that I walked of as now. Well, I say 'forced,' but in actuality, I just pushed myself. Regardless, this is like a dream come true.
"I see… well just go on right ahead." Huh? It's that easy…?! "The city doesn't require anyone to show any type of records, history, or even request an entry fee for anyone looking to be regular citizens or adventurers. After all, this is the center of the world. It'd be pretty counter-intuitive if we prevented people from entering."
"Interesting. G-Guess I'll just go on ahead then." I smiled and took several steps closer to the city gates. Closer to my long-time dream in the making.
"Just a fair warning," I paused my steps and swiveled my head backward. "Once you enter, there's no going back out. That is unless you get permission from the guild… Look, if you want more context on that, just ask one of Ganesha's members."
That was mildly alarming, but I didn't see any reason to venture out of the city once I registered with a familia. "R-Right understood!" I heeded their warning. It wasn't every day that I had people looking out for me from the bottom of their hearts.
They motion their spears, which guarded the entrance, away, and allowed me to pass through. I honestly couldn't believe it was as simple as that. No permission slip, entry fee… Not even a request for any records of affiliation which past nations or lodgings… unbelievable. Orario was certainly an oddity when compared to other cities or towns from around the continent.
The moment I planted my two feet among the cobblestone pathway which bleed out into the city streets, I was taken aback, utterly speechless. I struggled to even process everything which I gazed at. There were hundreds of people- perhaps even more, strolling across the city streets. Dozens of shops lined up in several plazas, and an immeasurable amount of street vendors, selling food, and other commodities.
And at the center of it all… the tower of Babel. Even if it was several dozen meders away, it still looked as if I was gazing up at a structure that pierced the heavens. Just… what type of madman was crazy enough to build such a thing? I wondered as a shiver went up to my spine.
It was a very fascinating, if not slightly intimidating structure which towered over the entire city. And if my memory serves me correctly, standing right below it, is the Dungeon. The only dungeon in the entire world of Gekai.
Every day, countless adventurers go in and out, to earn a living and etch their names in history. Some die, with their tales, cut short, some grow to be old and are forever known as legends among the city's inhabitants. I wonder if that would be me someday…?
Standing over a pile of riches, living in an expensive mansion, with every and any kind of food readily prepared to me… especially the katsudon… I could get behind that. But that wasn't the reason I was here. At least, not the main one.
A hero who saves people. Someone who the common folk and upper crust of society can look up to, as someone who protects the city from evil. That type of stuff is only heard of in legends. Many people would call it a foolish idea. But I didn't care. I had grown up, bullied, ridiculed, and mocked for my dreams. If I let doubt take over me, I wouldn't get anywhere. I would stagnate. That wasn't how an aspiring adventurer should act. At least, that's what my mother told me…
A huge dopey smile stretched its way across my mouth as I thought of the only person which believed in me. Mom never doubted me. Even when others treated me like dirt, she always believed in me. It was because of her that I was even able to stand on my two feet right now.
I slight sense of euphoria overtook me as I walked through the many streets and avenues of Orario. The architecture, atmosphere, and even the smell of the air were surprisingly refreshing, even for a country bumpkin like me. As if to say, 'welcome to the city of labyrinths.' My mouth remained agape at just how diverse the population was. One pallum seemed to be having lunch with a dwarf, while a party full of humans and several demi-humans were seemingly headed to the dungeon.
As someone who grew up primarily surrounded by people of my race, it was shocking to see so many people with animal ears on their heads. It was a rare occurrence, back in my hometown.
There was so much to process, so much to comprehend… I just couldn't take it all in. It felt like I was in a storybook, and I was the right itself. Before I could even take my eyes off of the tower a few kilometers ahead of me, I asked myself…
Was this it? Was it the start of my legend? The legend of Izuku Midoriya?!
A/N: thought it'd be fun to write a crossover between these two anime. Actually... it's less of a crossover and more of a character insert... Deku might seriously be the only MHA character that I write into this story besides... I won't say who else because of spoilers!
Write your thoughts in the reviews, please. I'd like as much feedback as possible. Even if it is negative. Good day!
