Chapter 5 – The First Ring
"What are these points?" — Adrian muttered, eyes fixed on the glowing marks scattered across the magical map hovering above the open diary. His brow furrowed as he stepped closer, studying the golden symbols. They pulsed gently, like stars scattered across a night sky, each one connected to another by fine, shifting lines of light. The air around them shimmered faintly, humming with arcane energy.
Some of the marks resembled small fortresses, others looked like cryptic symbols, ancient sigils that hinted at forgotten knowledge. The entire map breathed as if it were alive, the golden lines twisting slowly, ever-moving. The glowing network gave the sense that the world itself was shifting, revealing paths only visible to those chosen to see.
Adrian squinted. "What are these places? This is my parents' map… They wouldn't mark anything here unless it mattered."
He stared harder, and then his eyes widened as realization struck him.
"Wait... These must be equipment caches. Of course! The inheritance must be protected. Dangerous. My parents wouldn't have enchanted this diary to teleport me away unless they were preparing me for something that could kill me."
He stepped back, the weight of the moment sinking in. His breathing grew steady, controlled.
"So… if I'm going to find the location of the inheritance, I'll need to gather the gear first. Tools. Weapons. Maybe clues."
He looked back at the map, letting his gaze wander across the twisting web of gold until it landed on a familiar icon—an old tree beside a curved line that could only represent the lake.
His heart skipped.
"That tree… Near the lake we used to visit!"
Without another second of hesitation, Adrian slammed the diary shut and tucked it under his arm. He ran to the door and flung it open, sunlight spilling into the hall like a flood of warmth and urgency.
"Oh, lake!" he shouted with a grin, racing down the orphanage steps.
"Adrian!" Maria's voice rang from behind, startled by his sudden dash.
"I'm okay! I found something important! I'll explain later—I promise!"
His feet pounded the dirt path, wind rushing past him. Birds scattered from nearby trees, their wings flapping like drums of fate. He raced through fields where wildflowers bowed in his wake and soon reached the edge of the lake. The water sparkled under the afternoon sun, reflecting the sky like a mirror. It looked the same… and yet, it felt different. Charged.
The large, weathered tree still stood near the shore. Its bark was rough, its roots gnarled and tangled like the limbs of an ancient guardian.
Adrian approached slowly, reverently. He placed his palm on the trunk, feeling the cool, uneven surface beneath his skin. Then his eyes caught something—faint, but unmistakable. A single carved letter: "A." His initial.
It hadn't been there before… or maybe it had. Maybe his memory had hidden it until now. A strange sense of déjà vu gripped him.
"I was meant to find this…"
Drawing a small blade from his belt, Adrian pricked his finger. A bead of crimson welled up. With a steady hand, he pressed his bleeding fingertip against the carved letter.
A flash of light burst from the tree, blinding and brilliant. He shielded his eyes, heart thundering in his chest.
When the glow subsided, a single object hovered before him: a silver ring, floating in midair, spinning slowly. It gleamed with the same symbol etched into the cover of the diary—a perfect match.
Adrian reached out and grabbed it, clutching the cool metal in his hand. He looked around nervously, half-expecting someone—or something—to appear. But all remained quiet. Only the rustling leaves and the gentle waves whispered in the silence.
He turned and sprinted back toward the orphanage, the ring clenched tight in his hand.
Inside, the warm scent of stew filled the air. Laughter and clinking dishes echoed from the dining room. Adrian tried to sneak upstairs, but—
"Adrian!" Maria called from behind him. "You're only going to your room after lunch. Come on, everyone's already at the table."
He sighed but obeyed, sliding into his usual seat on the right.
Maria watched him curiously.
"Did you find the answer you were looking for?"
Adrian glanced down at the ring, now tucked safely in his pocket. He nodded.
"Yes."
She tilted her head. "Was it the answer you wanted?"
He hesitated. The memory of the diary's message returned—the words of his parents, the warmth of their love, their desire to protect him even in death. His chest tightened. Not from sadness, but from gratitude, fierce and deep.
"Yes," he said, a soft, genuine smile touching his lips. "I couldn't have asked for a better one."
Maria blinked in surprise. It was rare to see him like this—at peace. Resolved.
Then, suddenly—
"I'm done!" Adrian shouted, jumping from his seat and bolting toward the hallway.
"Adrian! It's your turn to wash the dishes!" Theo shouted after him.
"Cover for me, Theo! I swear I'll get you chocolate later!"
"You better!" Theo grumbled, but a smirk betrayed his annoyance.
In his room at last, Adrian shut the door behind him and exhaled. He held up the ring, eyes focused.
The air shimmered.
With a pulse of energy, items began to appear—one by one—suspended in midair. First, a set of durable clothes, weather-resistant and reinforced. Then a finely crafted sword, its hilt engraved with ancient runes. A silver bracelet with shifting symbols. A glowing amulet shaped like a teardrop. And finally, a small wooden cross, simple but emanating quiet power.
Each item hovered before him before slowly settling onto his bed or beside his feet.
Adrian stood in the middle of his room, surrounded by relics left behind by those who loved him. Each object felt like a piece of a greater story—one he was only beginning to understand.
He exhaled slowly.
His journey… had officially begun.