Act - 4: "New Horizons"

My uncle and I found a quiet spot to sit amidst the bustling crowd. As we settled into our seats, I noticed a change in his demeanor. He turned to me, his face tinged with sadness. "You know, Dio," he began, his voice gentle yet serious, "Your father is here to see you off. Be nice to him. It takes a lot for a man to let his only son go like this."

His words hit me hard. I hadn't seen my father much since I arrived back in the village. Our relationship had always been strained in my past life, but hearing the emotion in my uncle's voice made me realize how difficult this must be for him. I nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation.

In my past life, I completely cut my father off. I was mad at him for a long time. He led a gangster life in his early days until his boss got wasted. Ever since then, he became a taxi driver barely making ends meet. But that's only half of it; I remember when my mom and I, just five years old at the time, went to visit his family, they treated us like we were nothing, just because of the fact me and my mom came from a poor background, i remember a ice cream truck came by one day my dad mother had bought all the kids some except for me. As I grew up, I hated him for that, for not standing up for me and my mom. I ignored his calls, feeling embarrassed of having a good-for-nothing father. I was angry and blind, clouded by ego. But this time, I wanted it to be different. No more running.

Just then, I saw him approaching. My father, with his familiar, weathered face and kind eyes that held a lifetime of hardship. He stood there for a moment, looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite read. Was it regret? Sadness? Maybe a bit of both.

"Dio," he said, his voice gruff but softer than usual. "I... wanted to see you before you go. I know I haven't been the best father, and even if we don't always see eye to eye, but... I'm sorry for everything, be a good boy and listen to your mother, okay?"

I felt a lump in my throat, struggling to find the right words. "Thanks, Dad. I... I'll do my best. I'll make you proud."

He nodded, a small, rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I know you will. Remember, no matter where you go, you're still my son. And this will always be your home."

With those words, he pulled me into a brief, awkward hug. It wasn't much, but it was enough to convey what years of unspoken words never could. As he stepped back, my uncle placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "It's time to go, Dio. Your cousin is waiting."

I took a deep breath, giving my father one last look before we started making our way to the departure gate. The reality of my departure was sinking in, but I felt a newfound resolve. I wasn't just leaving for myself; I was leaving for my family, to make them proud and to prove that I could succeed.

Then there she was, my cousin, Aria. At 17, she stood waiting for me near the departure gate, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on me. In my last life, Aria had always made me feel insecure. She became a doctor at a young age, and the family couldn't stop bragging about her accomplishments. Her intelligence and poise made her the golden child, the benchmark I always felt I fell short of.

But beneath that façade of perfection, Aria had a glaring vulnerability: when it came to love, she was completely naive and easy to manipulate. Her gullibility in romantic matters was almost comical, a stark contrast to her otherwise cunning nature. And when I struggled in my 20s, barely making ends meet, Aria showed her true colors. She threatened to kick me out if I was late with the rent, her words sharp and unforgiving. Family ties seemed non-existent to her when money was involved; she was an ego-driven person blinded by love and greed.

As she approached us, her smile was warm and genuine, the kind that could easily mask her calculating mind. "Dio! It's been so long," she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. "I've missed you!" I hugged her back, feeling a mix of old insecurities and newfound determination. "I've missed you too, Aria."

She pulled back, looking me over with an appraising eye. "You look different. More... grown-up." I chuckled, trying to hide my discomfort. "Yeah, I guess I am. It's been a while."

My uncle cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Aria, thank you for taking care of Dio. He's in good hands with you." Aria nodded, her expression turning serious. "Of course, Uncle. We'll be fine."

As we turned to go, I glanced back at my father and uncle one last time. He gave me a nod of encouragement, and I felt a surge of determination.

This was my chance to rewrite my story, to prove to myself and my family that I could rise above the past. Walking through the bustling airport with Aria by my side, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and trepidation. This was the beginning of a new chapter, and while I knew there would be challenges ahead, I was ready to face them head-on.

As we walked through the bustling airport, Aria's excitement was palpable. She kept glancing at me with a bright smile, eager to share her thoughts. "Dio, you're going to love living in Norway!" she exclaimed, her voice full of enthusiasm. "The landscapes are stunning, and the people are so friendly. It's like living in a postcard."

I couldn't help but smile at her excitement. "Really? It sounds amazing. But it's also really cold, right?" I asked, pretending to be curious. Since I had already lived a full life in Norway, I knew more about the world than my young age suggested.

Aria nodded vigorously. "Oh, definitely. Winters can be quite harsh, and the snow can get pretty deep. But it's beautiful in its own way. The air is crisp and fresh, and the winter activities are so much fun. You'll get used to it in no time." She continued, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And the summers, Dio! The days are so long, almost like there's no night at all. It's perfect for exploring the fjords and hiking in the mountains. There's so much to do and see."

I listened, feigning wide-eyed curiosity. "It sounds incredible, Aria. I can't wait to see it all." She grinned, clearly pleased with my reaction. "I promise you'll love it. And if you ever need anything, you know you can count on me."

I nodded, feeling a bit more reassured. Despite our complicated past, it was nice to see this side of Aria. "Thanks, Aria. I really appreciate it."

As we continued through the airport, Aria kept talking about all the things I could look forward to in Norway. Her excitement was genuine, and it helped ease some of my own anxieties about the move. Despite everything, I couldn't deny that having her by my side made this transition a little less daunting.

As we continued through the bustling airport, Aria's teasing smile suddenly shifted to a mischievous grin. She nudged me playfully. "You know, Dio," she began, her tone light and teasing, "you're going to have to be careful in Norway."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. "Careful? What do you mean?"

She laughed, a musical sound that echoed through the busy terminal. "All the girls are going to fall in love with you! You're going to be quite the heartbreaker."

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, and I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. "Oh, come on, Aria. I'm just a kid."

She shook her head, still grinning. "Not for long! And trust me, with your looks and charm, they'll be lining up. Just remember, be nice and don't break too many hearts, okay?"

I chuckled, trying to play along. "I'll do my best. I wouldn't want to be known as the heartbreaker from Asia."

Aria laughed again and patted my shoulder. "That's the spirit! Just be yourself, and everything will be fine.

Aria looked at me and said, "Sit and wait here. I'll go buy us some snacks." She walked off towards a nearby kiosk, leaving me to my thoughts.

As I waited, I noticed a girl about my age looking around frantically, her eyes wide with panic. She was clearly searching for someone, probably her parents. Something tugged at my heart, and I decided to approach her.

I walked up to her and gave her a kind smile. "Er du ok?" ("Are you okay?") I asked in Norwegian, hoping to calm her down.

The girl looked at me, tears welling up in her eyes. "Jeg kan ikke finne foreldrene mine," ("I can't find my parents,") she replied, her voice trembling.

I nodded sympathetically. "Det er ok. Vi finner dem sammen. Hva heter du?" ("It's okay. We'll find them together. What's your name?")

"Emilia," she said, sniffling. "Jeg heter Dio. La oss finne en voksen som kan hjelpe oss, ok?" ("My name is Dio. Let's find an adult who can help us, okay?") I said gently, trying to reassure her.

Just then, Aria returned with a bag of snacks. She looked between me and Emilia, her expression concerned. "What's going on, Dio?"

I explained, "This is Emilia. She's lost and can't find her parents."

Aria immediately crouched down to Emilia's level, giving her a warm smile. "Don't worry, Emilia. We're going to help you find your parents, alright? Come with us, and we'll find an airport staff member to assist us."

Emilia nodded, clutching my hand tightly as we made our way to the nearest information desk. Aria spoke with the attendant, explaining the situation, and soon enough, an announcement was made over the loudspeaker. Within minutes, a relieved couple rushed over, tears of joy in their eyes as they embraced Emilia. She turned to me and Aria, giving us a grateful smile.

"Takk," ("Thank you,") she said softly. "Anytime, Emilia," I replied, smiling back. Emilia hesitated for a moment, then suddenly stepped forward and hugged me tightly. When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed with a soft blush. She reached into her bag and handed me a small, intricately carved wooden charm.

"Dette er for deg," ("This is for you,") she said shyly. "Til å holde deg trygg." ("To keep you safe.")

I took the charm, feeling a warm glow of gratitude. "Thank you so much, Emilia," I said, my heart touched by her gesture. Aria looked at me with a proud expression. "You did a good thing, Dio. You're going to do great in Norway."

I nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment and warmth. As we watched Emilia reunite with her parents, I felt more ready than ever to face the new challenges ahead.

Dio Stat's Info

Lvl: 2

Strength: 20

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 5

Endurance: 7

Charm: 10