My parents clung to me as I collected my things, struggling to let me go.
"I can't believe it. My son is leaving us." My Mother said with tears falling down her face.
The show of affection made me embarrassed, but I loved my parents dearly.
"It's okay, Mother," I said, pulling her and my father into a joint hug. "I'll be back to visit before you know it."
I spoke the words with conviction, and it seemed to calm down the tears. However, regardless of what I said, it didn't change the dangers that I was about to face.
Even I knew hardly anything about Hades. So how could I be so certain that I would return?
It was my youthful confidence that I seemed to always carry with me.
"Remember son." My Father said now, giving me his final parting words as I stood with the Knights ready to leave. "Always keep your thoughts in check. Remember what Ryder taught you, about handling your emotions."
I met his golden eyes and nodded my head. It had been a while since we had spoken about 'My Emotions'
But it would hardly be the last time that I would have to face them.
...
Finally, without wasting any more time, I departed from my parents.
For the first time, I would leave my family estate, with no immediate plans to return.
I would venture into the known world of Aloth, and embark on a journey to face the many dangers that lurked ahead.
But most importantly, I was headed towards Hades. One of the Zaleth Kingdom's most notorious locations.
My heart raced at the mere thought of it.
"Hey, Kid."
The guard wielding the hammer called out to me as we made our way to the carriage.
"Your father mentioned Ryder. Was he talking about Ryder Burst? The Sword of Heaven?"
...
The Sword of Heaven.
I had never heard him being referred to under that name.
It was a title fit for Legends. The type of title that parents would tell their children about in tales of the past.
The Sword of Heaven... Just how far have you climbed?
"That's him," I responded proudly. "Before he was sent off to the war, he spent some time in our estate during my childhood. He taught me the blade and philosophy."
That seemed to fill the knights with even more surprise as the man let out a sharp exhale.
"Makes sense. If anyone were to train a prodigy, it would be him." The man responded with a smile, as he climbed his way up onto the chariot seat. I still struggled to get used to being called a prodigy.
"Head on inside and make yourself comfortable." The bald knight said as he joined his partner atop the chariot. "There's an esteemed guest inside... Make sure to show them your respect."
An esteemed guest?
I had seen someone sitting inside previously, but couldn't make out any of their features to determine who they were.
I knew of a few Zalethi Nobles.
Malaken of the Feldragon family.
Tyran of the Opal family.
Zadius of the Clearheart family.
I was not personally familiar with any of them, but they were few of the names I had heard during my upbringing.
I wondered who would be waiting inside for me, since whoever it was, we would be entering Hades together.
Anxiously, I pulled open the door and climbed my way inside. As I did, I was met with a soft voice.
"Wow, I've never seen hair so bright before."
I looked up at the other end of the chariot, opposite from where I would be sitting.
The sight I was met with filled me with feelings beyond comprehension.
The woman that would be accompanying me on my journey was one that I recognised.
Like mine, her hair was beautifully vibrant, and fell to her shoulders in luscious curls. However, where mine was pink, hers was a bright light blue.
She wore white robes lined with gold. A great contrast from the black robes that I wore myself. On her waist were no weapons, yet she carried an air of confidence with her.
Her skin was white, and her cheeks were slightly freckled. Her eyes were blue as her hair, and they inspected me as she rested her head upon the window of the chariot.
The horses began to move, starting our journey, but I was still frozen in place.
"Princess Rain." I managed to say, surprisingly with no stutter.
Opposite me was none other than the daughter of King Sky. Ruler of the Zalethi Kingdom, Protector of the Human Race.
It did not make sense for her to be there.
With a smile, the woman waved the title away.
"Oh please" she started in a sarcastic tone. "Just call me Rain. For once I'd like to get to know someone like a normal human."
At first, all I could do was look at her. How was I supposed to talk to such royalty?
I wondered what the correct way to speak to a princess was.
Do I show respect and continue to use honorifics? Do I dare even speak to her at all?
"So, what's your name, Pinky?" She asked with a smile, squinting her eyes at me. "Wow, even your eyes are unique. I've never seen someone that looks like you before."
...
I wasn't sure whether to take that as a compliment or not.
"My name is Vale. Vale Cadence."
I tried to keep the nerves from my voice.
Princess Rain nodded her head, as though she had just gathered important information.
"Well, Vale. It seems we will be travelling with each other for the next few hours, so it would be good to get to know each other."
"Why?" I muttered.
...
"Umm, I believe it's because we share a birthday. We're both now eligible to embark on the Hades Project. Though I always believed sixteen to be too young..."
"No. I mean why are you here?" I corrected, trying not to seem disrespectful. "You are royalty. Daughter of King Sky. There's no reason for you to go on a journey so dangerous."
Princess Rain laughed. It was a sweet chuckle which gently filled the chariot.
Then, she looked at me again with her blue eyes.
"For the same reason that you're here, Vale. The kingdom needs fighters, and I just so happen to have awakened."