Act - 7: "Welcome to the Land of Vikings and Oil Tycoons"

As the plane descended towards the runway, the atmosphere inside the cabin shifted.

Passengers stirred from their slumber, adjusting their seats and gathering their belongings in anticipation of landing.

The once-bustling aircraft now felt subdued, the weariness of the long flight evident on the faces of travelers.

The captain's voice crackled over the intercom, breaking the silence with a soothing tone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have begun our descent into our destination. On behalf of the crew, I'd like to thank you for flying with Thai Airfly today. We hope you had a pleasant journey and wish you a pleasant stay or safe onward travels."

His words were met with a smattering of tired applause and murmured acknowledgments.

Despite the fatigue that hung heavy in the air, there was an underlying sense of relief and anticipation as the plane finally touched down on the tarmac, bringing an end to the long journey.

As Aria explained, my mind wandered, memories of Beartown flooding back.

I remembered the peaceful facade of the district, hiding the darker underbelly that would emerge in the years to come.

In a few years, Beartown would earn a new nickname: B-Town. It would become a hub for criminals, gang activity, and drug dealers.

I knew this firsthand, having experienced the harsh realities of the streets during my troubled teenage years.

Regret weighed heavily on my conscience for the trouble I caused my mom during those tumultuous times. My actions only brought her sorrow.

Now, facing the prospect of returning to Beartown, unease settled in.

Memories of past mistakes served as a constant reminder of the person I never wanted to become again.

Emilia's voice pulled me back to the present moment. Her innocent question about Norwegian waffles brought a faint smile to my lips.

"No, I haven't tried vaffel before," I admitted, shaking my head slightly.

Emilia's eyes lit up with excitement. "You have to try them! When you visit, let's have a vaffel feast. It's my favorite!"

Her enthusiasm was contagious, warming my heart at the thought of sharing such a simple pleasure with her.

"That sounds like a plan," I replied, my smile growing wider. "I'll hold you to it."

As Emilia and I lined up to exit the plane, anticipation tingled in the air.

With each step closer to the exit, my heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Finally, stepping out onto the tarmac, a rush of cold air greeted me, carrying the scent of spring.

Though patches of snow still lingered, the promise of warmer days was in the air.

The chill was invigorating, waking me up from the daze of travel. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp, fresh air.

It felt different being back, a sense of familiarity mingled with the anticipation of new beginnings.

"This time will be different," I thought to myself, my conviction firm.

With a newfound determination, I stepped forward, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

As we arrived at the checkout, I felt a reluctance to part ways with Emilia, the brief but meaningful connection we shared lingering in my thoughts.

"I'll come visit soon, Emilia," I promised, my voice carrying a hint of determination.

"We'll have that waffle feast you talked about."

Emilia's face lit up with a smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"I'll hold you to that, Dio," she replied eagerly.

As Emilia moved to join the Norwegian citizens' line, I caught Mr. Big Dalen's eye, Emilia's father.

With a subtle hint in my gaze, I conveyed a message of potential opportunity.

"I think you should really consider the hotel business, Mr. Big Dalen," I suggested with a mischievous smirk, my tone innocent yet suggestive.

Though my words seemed playful on the surface, there was a glint of something more behind my eyes. Mr. Big Dalen caught the implication and regarded me with a thoughtful expression, recognizing a spark of ambition and insight in my demeanor.

In that moment, my words echoed in Mr. Big Dalen's mind, a foreshadowing of things to come.

"De skal kunne si at pappa gjorde noe mer enn å bygge hoteller, at han tok ansvar for samfunnet."

("They should be able to say that dad did something more than just building hotels, that he took responsibility for the community.")

Years later, those words would hold profound significance, a testament to Mr. Big Dalen's legacy beyond the realm of hospitality.

As I walked off to join Aria, Mr. Big Dalen watched me with a thoughtful expression.

"Nine years old, huh?" he mused to himself. "That boy's future might be brighter than the sun."

"Is something on your mind, darling?" Mrs. Big Dalen asked, her voice laced with concern as she observed the fire in her husband's eyes.

Mr. Big Dalen's expression softened briefly before the determination returned, intensifying with each passing moment.

"Nothing of importance," he replied, his tone cryptic yet purposeful. "Let's head home. There's a business opportunity waiting for me."

His eyes locked onto a nearby airport billboard adorned with a vibrant advertisement for hotels, his grin widening as if he saw beyond the surface, into a realm of boundless potential.

As we finally made our way through the passport checkpoint, relief washed over me like a wave.

The journey had been long, and the anticipation of arriving in a new country was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating.

Aria turned to me with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Are you excited to finally be arriving in this country, Dio?" she asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

I couldn't help but return her smile, feeling a surge of anticipation coursing through me. "Absolutely," I replied, my voice tinged with excitement.

"Is Mom waiting for us?" I asked, unable to contain the hope in my voice.

Aria glanced at me, her expression softening. "I'm sorry, Dio. You know she has to work," she said reassuringly. "But let's focus on getting settled in together first, okay?"

Aria's smile faltered slightly at my question, but she quickly regained her cheerful demeanor.

"We can do so many fun things together once we're settled in! We'll explore the neighborhood, find the best ice cream shop, maybe even visit the nearby park," she suggested, her voice brimming with optimism.

But despite her efforts to lift my spirits, I couldn't shake off the weariness that weighed heavily on my shoulders.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm, Aria, I really do," I replied with a weary sigh. "But right now, I'm just tired. I just want to go home and rest."

Aria's expression softened with understanding.

"Of course, Dio. I understand. Let's get you home, then. We'll take it easy for the rest of the day," she said gently, offering me a supportive smile.

As we made our way through the airport, my mind was already racing with plans for the future.

Dio Stat's Info

Lvl:3

Strength:20

Agility:13

Intelligence:5

Endurance:7

Charm:15