The morning sun rose slowly over Solarys, bathing the city in a pink-orange light that reflected off the glittering towers and luminous rivers. The inhabitants began to stir: children ran through the streets, some selling herbs or handmade magical items, while mages left their towers to join their workshops or give lessons. RED, invisible, observed from a hill north of the city, analyzing every movement calmly and precisely.
Red: "Every world has its rules, its strengths, and its vulnerabilities… understanding these details is essential to protect this world and the others."
Today, his objective was clear: to visit the Adventurers' Guild, where heroes-in-training, explorers, and mages prepared to face monsters and defend the kingdom. The guild was a massive stone building, adorned with colorful stained glass depicting legendary battles and mythic heroes. Banners flapped in the wind, each representing a branch or adventurer team.
At the entrance, a young adventurer in light armor stopped him:
Adventurer: "Hello, traveler. Are you here to register or just to observe?"
Red: "I just wish to visit… to learn."
Adventurer: "Very well, but don't touch anything and stay attentive."
RED entered the guild and was immediately struck by the smell of leather, metal, and ancient parchments. The walls were covered with maps detailing known and unknown territories, monster-infested areas, and places with unstable magical flows. Weapons and armor inscribed with runes were on display, and shelves of ancient grimoires stretched endlessly.
In the great hall, adventurers trained: some fought mannequins animated by magic, others discussed strategies for tracking creatures in forests, mountains, or ruins nearby. RED noted the precision of their movements, the coordination between weapons and spells, and how magic permeated every action.
Red: "They are preparing to face far more than mere beasts…"
Near a mission board, a group of young recruits whispered.
Recruit 1: "The latest report says goblins attacked the northern caravans."
Team Leader: "Be careful, these goblins are unstable. Some use dark magic."
Recruit 2: "And the poor people in the East district? Some are disappearing…"
RED listened closely. He took note of the known monsters: goblins, crystalline creatures, corrupted wolves, and minor dimensional anomalies. But the reports also mentioned kidnappings and slave trafficking, a cruel reality the guild tried to combat.
Red: "Even in a magical world, misery and cruelty persist…" he murmured.
He observed two young adventurers training intensely:
Lyren: "We must be ready. If we fail, other children will disappear like those in the East district."
Kara: "I won't let anyone suffer needlessly."
RED memorized their faces, movements, and determination. These youths could become the heroes who would protect the kingdom one day.
After training, he explored the guild archives, where all reports on monsters and recent incidents were recorded: goblin raids, appearances of minor dimensional creatures, and kidnappings in the poor districts. RED noted the regularity of these incidents: always targeting the vulnerable, never experienced mages or adventurers.
Then he decided to visit the poor district, where kidnappings had been reported. The streets were narrow and dark, houses in ruins and poorly maintained. RED followed whispers and traces, remaining invisible.
In an alley, a group spoke quietly:
Man: "The militia never comes here… they ignore everything that happens."
Woman: "The traffickers have been targeting children for weeks… they disappear, and no one knows where they go."
RED observed every gesture, every expression. The faint smell of binding magic lingered in the air. He memorized the details without ever intervening.
As he moved, he passed children playing despite the poverty, some selling herbs or broken vials, others dreaming of becoming adventurers to protect the kingdom. RED watched, analyzing their movements, courage, and resourcefulness.
He then returned to the guild. The recruits were discussing strategies to protect vulnerable districts and respond to monster raids.
Red: "These youths… they carry the hope of the kingdom. Their courage compensates for the weaknesses of this world."
Throughout the day, RED observed:
Combat strategies against monsters
Training of young adventurers
Interactions between mages, knights, and adventurers
Efforts against crime and kidnappings
Every detail was etched in his mind. He knew that understanding these facts would allow him to anticipate threats and protect the multiverse, without ever directly intervening.
At nightfall, he climbed a hill overlooking Solarys. Magical lanterns lit up, casting dancing shadows over the streets. The inhabitants returned home, children still playing, and mages continued experiments in their towers. RED remained motionless, observing the world in silence, absorbing every detail, every threat, every future hero.
Red: "One world to understand… one world to protect. Even in the shadows, life persists."
And so, night enveloped Solarys. RED stayed on the hill, silent, an invisible guardian in a kingdom that had just revealed its first truths and contradictions.