«I can't stay here any longer.»
So he would do everything in his power to make sure everything went according to plan.
— Can I come with you, please? You just have to take me with you. Please! — the boy begged, doing his best to tug at the man's heartstrings. It was the only trick he had left to use.
— No. — He shook his head, not even sparing the boy a glance as he finished counting the provisions.
— I… I can be useful! — the boy shouted, starting to realize that his chance to get out of here was slipping away.
— Oh? And how exactly?
— Well… — he hesitated for a second before answering. — I can wash your clothes, and I can butcher the meat. They taught me that at the orphanage, so you don't have to doubt my skills.
— Hm?
Seeing the disinterest in the man's eyes, the boy hurried to continue.
— I can feed the horses, and I can stand guard all night long, and, most importantly, I'll do it all for free. You just need to take me with you.
— Is that it? Is that all you can offer me?
Those words made the boy's heart go cold. He didn't know what else he could offer in return, aside from his labor. And with every second the man spent thinking, his face grew more and more bored, and the boy's hopes shrank smaller and smaller.
— Fine. I'll take you with me, but remember: don't make mistakes. I hate mistakes.
— Yes, of course!
The boy shook his head vigorously, happiness shining brightly on his face.
— Oh, and by the way, what's your name, kid?
He asked, looking straight into the boy's eyes.
— Ah, yes! My name is — Kopii!
The man's face didn't change at all, but in his mind, he wondered:
«What kind of awful name is that?»
And so Kopii's odyssey began.
The road to Oraria, however, turned out to be harsher and more dangerous than he'd imagined in his youthful dreams. The path led through dense forests where hungry predators lurked, vast steppes inhabited by nomads with dubious intentions, and majestic mountains whose sharp peaks vanished into the clouds. Every day brought new trials, during which the traders taught him how to survive. They shared their knowledge on how to read the signs of nature, how to recognize danger, and how to defend himself against attacks. Over the months on the road, Kopii learned to navigate by the stars. These lessons weren't just knowledge — they were a path to self‑defense and survival.
But trials weren't the only part of his journey. Encounters with people — wise elders who kept ancient tales, brave warriors ready to stand up for what they believed in, and cunning tricksters hungry for profit — enriched his life experience. Listening carefully to their stories, Kopii learned to tell truth from lies, good from evil. These lessons shaped his worldview and character, helping him realize that a life full of wonders requires not only courage but also wisdom.
This was the kind of adventure he'd expected from the very beginning. But his journey turned out to be completely different. Every single day, he did nothing but work like a horse.
— Kopii, wash my socks.
— Kopii, bring dry branches for the fire.
— Kopii, stand guard today, and if you dare fall asleep — I'll leave you without food for a whole day.
— Kopii! Kopii! Kopii!
Kopii could describe this journey with a single word — terrible. It was quite the ordeal for him. He got up so early to feed and water the horses, washed that stinking old man's clothes, stood guard all night, and even if it rained, he still had to stand there. That was the worst thing he remembered.
And the only thing that kept him moving forward was the fact that with every step, he was getting closer to Oraria. He already pictured the magnificent city, full of wonders and magic, a place where his boldest dreams could take shape.
Most importantly — he could finally be free.
Finally, after long months of suffering, Oraria appeared before his eyes — a majestic city bathed in the golden light of sunset.
High walls, like strong embraces, surrounded it, and against the black sky, a tower rose up. Enchanted by the beauty of the place, Kopii stood in complete awe and bewilderment, realizing that his life had changed forever and he would finally escape this hell.
As soon as he stepped into the city, his black hair, like a shadow, fell over his face, hiding the gleam that filled his eyes. The city he'd heard so much about and dreamed of was now before him — alive, breathing, pulsing. The air was rich with the scents of spices, the smoke of forges, and the sweet hint of blooming trees, creating the feeling that he'd stepped into an entirely different world.
He walked along the narrow streets of Oraria. Suddenly, his attention was caught by a small shop, tall yet hidden in the shadows. Above its entrance shone a sign with a dragon's image, and from inside came the faint smell of incense and old books. Driven by curiosity, Kopii went inside.
The first thing he noticed was a woman behind the counter, her skin as pale as moonlight, her raven‑black hair flowing freely over her shoulders. She smiled in a way that made her lips curve like the blade of a dagger.
— Hello, boy. Are you looking for something special? — she said in a low voice, like the rustle of leaves in the wind.
— I'm looking for… something that will change my life, — he said, repeating every word from his favorite book.
She laughed, and her laughter was both alluring and frightening, creating an aura of mystery around her.
— In Oraria, everyone seeks change, boy. But not everyone is ready to pay the price, — she leaned closer, her breath touching his face, and Kopii felt uneasy. — Are you ready?
Kopii thought about it. Her eyes were as dark as bottomless wells, and as he looked into them, he felt warmth spreading through his body.
— Yes, I'm ready!
He answered without hesitation, and in that same second, she handed him something that looked like an amulet.
Kopii felt magical energy fill the air between them, which made his eyes widen. He thought she was tricking him, but when he saw the amulet, he felt something strange, something that made him doubt: was this really a trick?
He understood that nothing in life comes for free. Every miracle requires a price, often far higher than one can imagine.
Even so, he couldn't hide his smile. Even in his wildest thoughts, he never imagined he'd stumble upon something interesting so quickly.
The woman smiled even wider, and a mysterious gleam appeared in her eyes. She handed him the amulet — a small one, made of dark metal, with an engraved image of a serpent coiled into a ring.
— This is the Amulet of Choice, — she whispered, and her words seemed almost magical. — It will show you the path, but the choice will always be yours. Remember, boy: every choice has consequences.
When Kopii took the amulet in his hands, his fingers instantly felt the warmth flooding him with energy. Closing his eyes, he saw flashes of images — dark alleys, gleaming swords, faces full of hope and despair. Gradually, when he opened his eyes, the mysterious woman had disappeared, and the shop around him seemed much darker and more mysterious.
«What a fool he is.»
She smirked, watching the boy until he left the shop; the boy's eyes were empty the whole time.
Just a little illusion magic — that was all. He fell for it like the biggest fool.
He clutched the amulet tightly in his hand, feeling his life turning upside down. What path lay ahead of him? What awaited him? The city hummed and lived its own life, paying no attention to the bewildered youth who now knew the amulet would open the way for him. Closing his eyes, he focused on his dreams and desires, letting the amulet guide his steps.
With every moment, the amulet began to grow warmer, and Kopii felt his heart beating in unison with his inner desires. He opened his eyes and saw a dark alley before him, reeking of dampness and danger. Without hesitation, he crossed the border of light and stepped into the depths of that darkness, full of determination and uncertainty. His adventure in Oraria was only just beginning.
Kopii walked down the narrow alley, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The amulet in his hand pulsed as if alive, guiding him deeper into the labyrinth of streets. The smell of dampness and something metallic filled the air, stirring a mix of mild unease and curiosity.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a man — tall and lean, his face hidden beneath a hood. His hands were wrapped in dark gloves, and on his belt hung a curved dagger that gleamed even in the dim light of the alley.
— Are you looking for something, boy? — he said, his low voice sounding like the creak of wood under the weight of time. — Or is something looking for you?
No matter how naive he was, Kopii felt the tension, yet he did his best not to show it.
— I…
Before he could answer, Kopii was caught off guard — the man moved forward abruptly, his hand with the dagger flashing in the air. Instinctively, Kopii jumped back, feeling danger loom over him, while the will to live overpowered every other feeling and flooded his body with adrenaline.
But the man wasn't just fast — he was also agile. He grabbed Kopii by the arm, squeezing so hard that his bones creaked, and his strikes were lightning‑fast and precise.
There was no time to do anything, and Kopii felt his body begin to be covered with wounds from the cold blade, just as the hilt of the man's weapon struck him on the head. In that same second, he felt nothing but pain.