Whoosh!
The cold, harsh air left Samuel pining to return home.
As he felt the carriage's wheels stumble on rocks, Samuel couldn't help but look out the large glass window.
I miss them already.
It was midday now, just a few hours after he said goodbye to the Juladee family. He spent the first few hours processing what his life would be like for the next three months.
Contrary to his parents' beliefs, Samuel wasn't remotely interested in becoming a Protector for personal gain.
His one and only motivation was to heal Heart, but he knew that the only way he could succeed was by becoming a Protector.
Once he passed the exam, Samuel would only be subjected to training by a current Protector for half a year at a time until he was ready to serve alone.
During the time that he wasn't deployed, Samuel would receive an insurmountably large salary that could prove very helpful for his family's situation.
He would also have the chance to speak with Emperor Sorin, who is often referred to as the wisest person in the Western Cradle. If anyone could help Heart, it had to be Leopold Sorin.
Of course, factoring in Sorin's current condition, Samuel knew not to rely on that method. Who knew if Leopold was even mentally stable inside the castle?
But Samuel knew that at his family's current condition and pace, finding a cure for Heart would be almost impossible.
So when he was made aware that eligibility for the role of the Protector was confirmed, it was an instant decision.
As he looked out the see-through glass window, Samuel spotted many tattered buildings, orphanages, stores, and broken homes.
The carriage was driving through one of the poorer districts of Lebrad.
Unlike the other two countries, Theales and Gliasia, Lebrad boasts of not having any poverty in its major cities. This notion, however, forces the less fortunate people to be sectioned off outside of common life.
Their 'towns,' if you even want to call them that, were threadbare and sad. He could see ragged homeless people starving to death. Empty stomachs were clutched while children wailed in the distance. Unbeknownst to when their next meal would arrive.
A little girl's shrill cry differentiated itself from the rest, ringing in Samuel's pricked-up ear. Amariel! Not helping but to make the connection, Samuel felt every fiber in his body urging him to jump out of the carriage and soothe the crying child.
Focus, Samuel. He ruffled his hair and wiped the flaxen-colored eyes, ones that pleaded to rescue the crying girl. You need to pass this exam. Heart's life depends on it! Just barely restricting his desires, Samuel looked forward and calmed himself down.
As the carriage went on, Samuel noticed that the two drivers, one male and one female, were whispering to each other.
Disregarding the careless chatter, he knew that they would not arrive in Kheelburg, the capital of Lebrad, until the next day.
As Samuel tried to rest his back carefully on the rough interior seats, the previous whispers turned louder.
Now, it was a full-blown conversation that Samuel could hear.
"Today!?" The female shuddered in fear as she posed the question to the person beside her.
"Yes. Today." The male tried to answer calmly, but his tone was filled with uncertainty.
Samuel knew it was rude to eavesdrop on people's conversations, so he tried to focus on something else. However, the pair's tones were getting louder and louder.
"We are going to need to find shelter. Fast!" The female gripped the ropes attached to the horses that were pulling the carriage.
Shelter? Samuel couldn't help but wonder.
"Of all days. That wretched landmark has to wake up now." The man, who was bald and had dilating brown eyes, showed his anger.
Finally understanding what they were talking about, Samuel quickly straightened his back and clutched his bags. A lump formed in his throat, one that Samuel struggled to swallow.
"Hya!" The female whipped the horses and urged them to go faster. The male followed suit.
"Hya! Hya! Hya!" The drivers wore black tailored suits and matching top hats. The carriage was usually reserved for the wealthier, so it made sense that their outfits were the way they were.
Samuel felt grateful that his parents spent more money on purchasing this type of carriage. They were always more efficient and faster than the common folk ones.
The interior was laced with blue and white. Despite the white couches being a tad bit uncomfortable, one couldn't refute the elegance that they held.
"Faster!" The lady beckoned the horses, who were already going at full speed. Samuel had to hold on to the railing beside him so he wouldn't slide off the seat.
As her golden brown hair blew in the wind, the lady felt her eyes constrict.
"No—"
Day had disappeared.
Night had taken over.
However, there were no stars nor the moon present. It was a calm, eerie darkness that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Samuel trembled at the sight outside the window. Pitch-black.
The horses' neighs erupted as they tried to escape the ropes tying them to the carriage. The female driver, Francesca, struggled to hold on to them as they escaped her grasp.
"Hey!" The male, Richard, screamed at both the horses and Francesca. Once Francesca's horses escaped, Richard's horses followed suit.
Samuel could hear the cries of both the drivers and the horses. Why now? Clasping his hands together, Samuel uttered prayers to the one behind this all.
Mt. Ignis had stolen the day.
Being one of the Four Divine Landmarks in Lebrad, Mt. Ignis had the most influence throughout the country.
Once every four years, Mt. Ignis will 'awaken' and steal the daylight, leaving only a pitch-black night that lasts for a full day.
Theologists have gone by the idea that the reason Mt. Ignis steals the daylight is because 'It' is slowly awakening to 'Its' most powerful and final form. Every four years, Mt. Ignis grows tremendously.
Located just behind Kheelburg, spanning countless cities wide, and scraping the sky effortlessly, you would have to be blind to not spot it.
Despite it being referred to as one of the Four Divine Landmarks, what comes after Mt. Ignis steals the day is nothing short of sheer brutality.
Monsters spawn from virtually everywhere, terrorizing citizens and wreaking unimaginable havoc.
Looking back at Samuel, Richard warned. "We are going to have to leave the carriage and find a motel nearby."
Without any further explanation, Samuel grabbed his belongings and left the carriage. He was met with Francesca wielding a silver blade.
Fixing his tie, Richard sighed.
"The next 24 hours will be madness."