A Journey's Beginning

Mm...

Nn...aah!

Ah, you're awake!

Huh? When did I fall asleep?

You must have been exhausted. You were sleeping like a baby. You're a traveler, right, friend? Don't push yourself too hard just because you're young, now!

Yeah, I'll be careful...hm?

Is this yours?

No, not mine. Maybe someone forgot it here? It does seem a little bit familiar...

Is this a journal? No, more like a travel log.

More than half is empty.

Isn't that something? I bet the author is still in the middle of their travels through this wide world.

......

Damn it, I'm out. Guess I'll beg some scraps off of one of the other customers...

Oh, there it is.

Excuse me, friend. Could I have my journal back?

Oh, this is yours? Sorry about that.

Haha, don't worry about it. I'm the one who forgot it.

And, well, it's not as though there's anything too important written inside.

I'm sure, compared to your travels, there's really nothing noteworthy at all about it.

Huh?

Oh, forgive me. It's just that you seem like a well-traveled and seasoned sort. Am I wrong?

Well, I guess I have traveled around some...

Do you have some time? I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

I'm Aldo. I'm not in a hurry, no.

Aldo! Excellent. Please, call me Odysso. Would you tell me some tales of your travels? It only seems fair, now that you've read my friend's journal.

Uh, sure. I don't know if you'll believe me, though.

That's fine. A journey is little more than a dream to anyone who didn't walk those roads themselves. But that's their charm.

In that case...

Haha! Well, now! You truly have had some fascinating travels. Full of adventure and joy, no doubt.

Not all of them, I'm afraid.

Ah, I'm sorry. I have a friend who is also an avid traveler. Your tales put me right back to my time with him.

I see. What's he like?

......

He was the scion of a noble house. A house blessed with wealth, power, and fame, anything a person could desire.

What drove him to leave that life and become a traveler, then?

A mystery, hm?

But he was the fourth son, excellent neither by birth nor by any other measure, and could never inherit the house. He intended to leave, and find a place where he could truly belong, but... Such things are never easy.

How so?

Like you, he had a younger sister. She was the only one in his family who had any time for him, it seems. But she was also very sickly. He hesitated to leave home, never knowing if he might see her again...

......

In the end, she made the choice for him.

"Go out and see the world... See all the places I can't go to," she said. "And when you return...tell me the stories of what you saw there."

So, he left home, vowing to return in three years to his sister's side. With a blank travel log by his side.

Huh? You mean, that book I found wasn't written by you, but by...

That's right. My friend the traveler penned these words, not me. You see, I lost contact with him some time ago. Everyone did. The only thing he left behind was this notebook.

And you're looking for him?

...... I wonder. Maybe I've given up...

Huh?

You've gained much in your travels, but it sounds as though you've lost just as much along the way, too. Tell me, Aldo. Do you regret it?

......

......No. Not a moment.

Ha... That's just what he would say, too. I really do respect travelers like you...

...Even as your foolishness disgusts me.

Huh? What was that?

The stories you've shared with me are poorly repaid with just a look into this notebook.

Please, let me give you more. Come with me.

Huh? Hey, wait!

Hey, Odysso!

This way.

What's this?

I give to you the gift of new travels. Beyond these lights await different lands, and different times besides. You may face hardship on your way, but I hope you will not regret a step.

W-Well, I wasn't really expecting all of this all of a sudden...

It makes sense you would hesitate. How about this, then? What if I told you that there are people suffering cruelties and injustices beyond these lights?

Well, I...

It bothers you, hm? A traveler collapsed on the side of the road, a village beset by storms and strife... Travelers like you can never simply look away and walk on.

......

Ah...and here, a parting gift.

What's this? A ring?

This will guide you...when you need it.

Huh?

What was all that about?

Huh? Odysso?

Hey! Odysso!!

What is all this?

...... I can't just walk away...

I'd better have a look!