Chapter Four: Departure

Dawn had arrived, and the light slowly crept in the small cracks on the window, eventually waking up Seth from his sleep. He looked up in the ceiling realizing that the day has come. Once they start heading to Oured, their journey will begin. Seth starts to get up and starts heading downstairs. Just then another door opens. It was Luke who just woke up a couple minutes after Seth did. They both looked at each other for a moment, they both know that their lives will change. They both greeted and go their separate ways. Seth headed downstairs and Luke went to the bathroom. They each looked out the window in different rooms, but the scenery they saw is the same. A burned down village with smoke still coming out from the rubble. They see a few people starting to repair the village but they're low on supplies.

Seth notices some food placed in the table. There was ham, eggs, bread, and a bottle of milk. Gorrum must've waked up earlier to make breakfast for us in preparation for our journey. He never saw this much food at a table before. Usually he has nothing but bacon and eggs for breakfast.

A meal fit for a King eh? Thought Seth. I don't blame him though; he's got a lot to do everyday.

"Ah you're awake, just in time too" said Gorrum as he entered the kitchen.

"Yeah. Seems that you're up and ready to go huh?" said Seth.

"Yeah, well a ruler has to take care of his village, and help out his people anytime during a crisis. I took the time to make breakfast for you guys, since you're going to be traveling a lot now. Take whatever you need for the journey. When you're done meet me downstairs, I have one more thing to give to you guys before you leave."

"Ok thanks"

Gorrum smiled and went back to the basement.

Seth didn't waste anytime to start having breakfast. He grabbed a plate, took a slice of ham, piece of bread, and an egg and started eating. Luke started to come down and saw Seth having breakfast.

"You sure we're allowed to eat?" asked Luke.

"Yeah, Gorrum made it for us. He said we could take whatever we need for the journey we're taking."

"Well that's nice of him. Where is he?" said Luke as he grabbed a plate and started filling it with food.

"He's in the basement. We're supposed to meet him there once we're done, so I'd suggest you start eating and grabbing some for the road. I have a feeling we're gonna need something to eat later on."

After they ate and packed up enough food for them for a week. They both headed downstairs to meet Gorrum. Seth was wondering why, but he'll find out soon enough. When they entered the basement, they were astounded by how many types of weapons, armors there was. Each wall was categorized and sorted out evenly, there were swords placed on one side and bows and arrows on the other. They didn't know that the chief had an armory downstairs.

"Surprised aren't you?" asked Gorrum as he saw that their jaws dropped.

"Yeah, where'd you get all this stuff?" asked Luke.

"Many wars ago my friend. Some of these items are heirlooms, stuff that even my great great uncle had when he was young."

"So why'd you bring us here?" asked Seth.

"Well you're going to need something better than the clothes you're wearing and the sword you guys are using, when on this journey. It's gonna be tough out there and you need some things to keep yourselves alive."

"So what are you going to give us?"

Gorrum hands them first the swords they're using, it's a lot longer, heavier, and broader than the swords they have right now.

"You'll be using a Gala sword. It's a lot heavier than the ones you're used to wield, but in time you'll get used to it."

When they got the sword it was heavy as a steel brick. How the heck are they going to carry this thing on their backs? Still it was better than the ones they have now, their swords started to rust and lose its shape, the edges were crumpled, and can barely slice a thing. Next he handed them their dagger.

"I'm giving you guys the shape shifter. Now, depending on how you use this, it'll automatically shape shift to any weapon and will assist you in battle. Now be careful, only used it as a last resort. You may never know what the sword can create." Explained Gorrum

Seth and Luke look at the blade Gorrum was holding. A dagger than can shape shift into any weapon, is that even possible. Well one thing for sure, they don't want to use it unless as a last resort. They took it and placed in on the side of their belt. He then gave them two pieces of chain mail and handed to them.

"Regular chain mail?" asked Luke as he looked at it.

"Not just any chain mail. It's called Magna. It may look like regular armor, but not even dragon claws can pierce this. Now this should give you guys a good start on your journey. Take good care of these items, for they will become very useful to you later on. Now I suppose you guys should be on your way to Oured right now."

"Right. Come on Luke, let's see if we can get there before nightfall." Said Seth as he put on his chain mail.

"I'm right behind you" cried out Luke as he does the same. "Uhh, thanks for your hospitality. We really appreciate it." Luke bows to Gorrum as a sign of respect.

"Good Luck you two." Said Gorrum as he waived good-bye.

Seth and Luke grabbed their things and bolted out the door. The two ran on the dirt-paved road heading to Oured. They passed a sign they didn't see that indicates how far they have to go to reach it.

Oured

50 miles

It doesn't matter to them whether it's 50 miles or 500 miles; the two have been eagerly waiting for the time to come. Their journey has officially begun.

Meanwhile, a few hundred miles in the country of Arson lies the capital, Daria. And inside the capital lies the dictator and the man responsible for the attacks of Elmwood and Hori, "the Red Cross". He's at the map room with his supervisors trying to figure out where to attack next.

"Sir" said one of the supervisors. "Reports from the recent raid at Elmwood." He reads. "The attack on Elmwood was a complete success. Except for a loss of a few soldiers, the city is in complete ruins. Two-hundred people, men, women, and children, were killed and twenty soldiers from our unit were lost."

"Good, very good. Our attacks should send a message to all other countries if they chose to stop our plans." Said the Red Cross.

"Our secret weapon is putting to good use as it destroyed numerous homes and buildings." Said another advisor. "So what's our next move your Excellency?"

The Red Cross pauses for a moment, trying to figure out what is his next strategy. Finally after a brief moment, he made his move.

"Rally up every soldier we got so far, we're going to start the invasion. And we're going to start here." He draws his dagger and stabs at a specific location in the country of Paikia. "Oured. But we're not just going to invade Paikia, we're going to invade other nations surrounding us, the countries of Duz, Renuzit, and Kron. It's time we restore Arson the way it was ten years ago. Ready all troops, we're going on a full scale war against every single country in the world."

A few hours later, ten thousand of his troops stand outside the capital. He gave a speech to them before they headed out to show no mercy, kill or be killed, and they must not stop til they conquered every country in the world. The soldiers did a war cry to their leader and set forth to whatever country they were assigned. Peace was now replaced with War. And with the invasion underway, it seems that there's no one that can stand him and his goal.