Threads of Divergence: A Path Beyond

As dawn's first light brushed the vast expanse of the Durandaya Region, the heartland of the Freedom Confederation of Sandigsal, Judio stirred from slumber.

The laughter of his family, the warmth of friends gathered together in Kabunlawan—it had been a momentary reprieve from the harsh realities of their world. But that brief joy was now behind him, replaced by the heavy awareness of the journey ahead.

Today, he would leave the safety of Kabunlawan, crossing into a world far bigger and more complex than the village they had called home.

Beyond the shelter of their town lay the vast expanse of the Southern Kingdom, the Freedom Confederation of Sandigsal.

It was a world of wealth, power, and danger, far removed from the simple life he knew.

Rising early, Judio moved with a quiet purpose, preparing for the day. His barong was carefully laid out before him, its intricate weave a testament to the craftsmanship of his people. He slipped it on, feeling the weight of the day settle on his shoulders. He adjusted the bakya on his feet, the rhythmic click of the wooden soles grounding him to the earth.

His fingers lingered over the bali-og—the armband Nena had gifted him the day before. Its leather was smooth and worn, and he felt the quiet promise it carried. Along with it, he wore other small gifts—tokens of friendship and remembrance, symbols of the bond between him and those he was leaving behind. Carried his packed bayong as he headed outside.

Lena waited for him, and together they made their way to the town plaza, where the transport would soon arrive. The sun had risen high enough to cast a golden hue over the cobblestones, and the bustle of the plaza was already in full swing.

A few students had gathered, their faces filled with nervous anticipation. The most striking sight was the procession of Karomata carriages—a display of wealth and luxury. Their polished wood gleamed in the sunlight, the horses that drew them sleek and powerful. The noble students would ride in these, each carriage a symbol of status, with their drivers and mercenary escorts standing at the ready.

Judio's eyes widened as he took in the polished wood and sleek horses of the Karomata, but he was not the only one struck by their splendor. The other students, too, stared wide-eyed at the sight. Even Nena and Amon, usually so composed, exchanged looks of longing.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to ride in one," Nena murmured, her voice laced with quiet yearning.

Amon nodded, though his expression was more reserved. "It would be a comfortable ride, at least. The Karitela is... practical, but it doesn't have the same flair."

Nena's lips twisted into a wry smile as she glanced at the opulent carriages. "The flair is nothing but a waste. Everyone could ride in a Karitela and maximize the transport. Why bother with all that extravagance? It's a shame, really."

She said the words with a casual shrug, but there was something in her eyes—an unspoken frustration at the inequality that such displays of wealth represented. Judio caught it, and though he said nothing, the weight of her words hung in the air.

In the end, the comfort and luxury of the Karomata meant little to them. They would ride in the common cart, just as they always had, and they would make do. That was the way of things—at least for now.

"Someday," Amon added, his tone determined, "we'll earn a future where we don't have to settle for less."

Judio nodded, but his thoughts lingered on Nena's words. Yes, the world outside Kabunlawan was bigger, more complicated—but it was also a place where they could carve their own paths. No matter the cost.

The horses began to stir, and the moment of departure had arrived. The students, their faces a mixture of excitement and trepidation, climbed into their respective transports. Students are saying their last goodbyes to their parents.

For some, it was the beginning of a dream. For others, it was simply the next step in the journey that had already been laid before them.

His mother, Lena, approached, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and sorrow.

"The time has come, Anak," she said, her voice steady yet tinged with emotion.

"I will make you proud, Ma," Judio replied, his resolve firm.

"Remember, the world beyond Kabunlawan is vast and unpredictable. Stay true to yourself and the values we've instilled in you.

"I will carry your teachings with me, always," Judio assured with a smile.

Lena embraced him tightly, the urgency of the moment compressing their exchange into a profound silence. As they parted, she placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, a final benediction.

"Go now, Judio. Your journey awaits," Lena said as her embrace loosens.

With a final nod, Judio turned and boarded the Karitela, the path ahead now illuminated by the love and wisdom imparted in that fleeting farewell.

The remaining commoner students, including Judio, boarded the Karitela along with Amon and Nena, ready to embark on their journey to the Union Academy in the heart of the Freedom Confederation of Sandigsal. As the wheels began to turn, the promise of new horizons awaited.

The long journey from Kabunlawan to the heart of the Freedom Confederation had been an eye-opening experience for Judio and his companions. As the wheels of the Karitela rumbled across the well-paved roads, the landscape outside seemed to change gradually, revealing the vast beauty and stark contrast to the isolation they'd known in their village. The further they traveled, the more the towns seemed to come alive, each one thriving with its own vibe.

First, there were the rice fields, endless stretches of golden grains swaying gently in the breeze, their fragrance rich and earthy. The scent of fresh rice filled the air, mixing with the warmth of the sun on the earth. It was a stark contrast to the heavy, stagnant air of Kabunlawan's borders, where the remnants of fallen villages still lingered in the memories of those who survived.

The fields beyond the gates of Kabunlawan were alive with the sounds of children laughing and playing in the distance, their carefree voices carrying over the hills. In this world, there were no monsters lurking in the shadows, no dark energies festering within the hearts of the land. This was a world at peace, or so it appeared.

As the Karitela ventured deeper into the vast last of the Durandaya Region, the beauty of the towns grew ever more enchanting. The forests—lush and green, with trees stretching high into the sky—were alive with the chatter of birds and the rustle of leaves. Children, oblivious to the dangers that lurked in other parts of the world, ran freely through the woods, weaving through trees and laughing without a care.

The grassy plains, dotted with families enjoying simple pleasures, filled the air with the scent of wildflowers and fresh herbs. Here, people gathered under the shade of trees, sharing simple meals of fruit and bread, their lives not yet touched by the threats that plagued distant lands.

It was a world of comfort and serenity, a world Judio had never known in the quiet confines of Kabunlawan.

Amon, Nena, and Judio sat quietly in the back, the vast scenery unfolding before them.

The air felt fresh and pure compared to the heavy, polluted winds that had clung to the borders of Kabunlawan.

Amon, who had traveled these roads before, couldn't help but marvel once again at the beauty of the region.

"Every time I come through here, it's like seeing it for the first time," Amon said, shaking his head in disbelief. "The rice fields, the rolling hills, the endless skies... there's something about this place that never gets old." His gaze wandered over the landscape, the green of the fields stretching endlessly into the horizon, and the distant mountains that stood like sentinels on the edge of the world. He ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to push the beauty from his mind. "It's too... peaceful."

Nena, sitting beside him, was staring wide-eyed at the open expanse before her. Though she had visited Level 2 towns before, nothing had prepared her for what lay outside the small circle she once knew. "I've never seen anything like this," she whispered, almost as if afraid to break the spell of tranquility. "This… this is beyond anything I could imagine."

She leaned closer to the edge of the carriage, her eyes bright with wonder as they passed through towns where children played on wide streets and families gathered in the open air, their voices like music on the breeze. The roads were well-maintained, the buildings sturdy but welcoming, and the sky above was so clear it seemed to be carved from sapphire. "The beauty I saw in those towns... It's nothing compared to this." Her voice was tinged with awe and a little envy. "I never knew such peace could exist."

Judio, on the other hand, was quieter, his eyes distant as he stared at the horizon. As they passed through town after town, his thoughts drifted back to Kabunlawan—to the images of his mother, his family, the lurking dangers, and the monsters.

His heart tightened as the contrast grew clearer between his world and the world beyond him.

"Everything I've known," he said softly, his voice heavy with unspoken pain, "feels like a nightmare.

A nightmare untold to many. But it's real. It's real for only a few of us." He looked at the peaceful land that stretched before him, the calm villages where people lived in harmony with their surroundings.

His thoughts weighed heavily on him. "It's a world I thought was only in stories… one I'd never see."

The vibrancy, the color, the sense of security—it all felt almost too good to be true.

The journey pressed on, and the closer they got to the Capital City, the more vibrant and bustling the towns became. The roads widened, and the buildings rose in grandeur. As they passed through a village nestled in the shadow of a mighty Weaver Pillar, Amon pointed toward the towering structure, its base standing strong like a natural part of the landscape.

"See that? That's one of the Weaver Pillars. That's what protects the people here. It's a little different than what you'd see back home," Amon added, his voice tinged with familiarity.

As they neared the edge of the Southern Kingdom, the bustling energy of the Union Academy beckoned. After over eight hours of travel, the destination loomed ahead—the City of Alunsina, the capital, the heart of the Kingdom.

The towering walls of the city came into view as the last stretch of road wound around a series of hills. As they approached the gates, the sheer scale of Alunsina struck them.

Alunsina was not just a city—it was a symbol of everything the Freedom Confederation stood for: wealth, power, and unity. The weaver pillars stood tall in every corner, large and imposing, casting shadows over the streets below. But none were as awe-inspiring as the towering central weaver pillar, a majestic structure that rose higher than anything Judio had ever seen. It shimmered like a beacon of light in the sky, its layers of magical barriers creating a shimmering aura that rippled through the air, as if the heavens themselves had come to rest upon the city.

The moment they entered the city, the air changed. It was fresh, crisp, and scented with the faintest trace of magic, a reminder that they were in the heart of the Freedom Confederation, a place where the threads of magic wove through every aspect of life. As the weaver pillars loomed above, they felt as though they were walking in the presence of the divine.

Each pillar was not just a monument of stone and steel, but a representation of the Weavers—the Guardians of the People—who protected and guided the Kingdom. These pillars were the vessels of their will, the source of the magical barriers that shielded Alunsina from external threats, both mundane and magical.

As they entered Alunsina, the first thing Judio noticed was the strong-looking people strolling through the streets. Men and women alike carried themselves with an air of quiet power—shoulders back, heads held high. Their postures spoke of confidence, of strength honed by years of training and living in the heart of the Kingdom. Some walked with purpose, heads down, no time to waste, while others enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, relaxing on benches or gathering in the plazas.

They exuded an unspoken authority, as if the city's very pulse ran through their veins.

Judio couldn't help but stare at the sheer physicality of the people. The contrasts were impossible to ignore.

Where he came from, the townspeople had been thin and gaunt from years of suffering, their faces hardened by loss and desperation. Here, in the capital, it seemed as though vitality and strength were inherent, as if the city itself nurtured its people into beings of remarkable endurance.

"I've never seen so many strong people in one place," Nena whispered as they moved deeper into the city. She stood straighter now, a little more self-conscious of her own physicality. But it wasn't just the sheer muscle or skill that struck her. It was the confidence, the sense of security in their very being. It was a far cry from the people of Kabunlawan, who had been shaped more by fear and caution than by pride or self-assurance.

"Yeah," Amon agreed, his voice lowered in awe. "This is a place of power, a city that's built on the sweat and strength of its people. You can feel it in the air."

The Union Academy, the grandest institution in the region, sat like a jewel at the city's center. Students, scholars, and visitors from across Auralis gathered here, seeking knowledge and mastery over the power of the Threads. The guilds, some founded by ancient lineages and others by powerful merchant factions, lined the streets, each representing a different aspect of the Kingdom's thriving economy and political landscape. Some guilds controlled trade, while others focused on the study of magic, technology, or military strategies.

Their presence was felt in every corner of the city, each guild holding a level of influence that could sway the balance of power in the kingdom.

The Government of the Freedom Confederation was unique in its decentralized nature, designed to balance the power of the individual regions while maintaining unity through shared values and goals. At the top was the Sovereign Weaver, a title passed down through a chosen family with the bloodline to command the highest threads of magic. The Sovereign Weaver served as the figurehead of the Confederation, ensuring the security and prosperity of the Kingdom, while the Council of Guilds—a collective of guild leaders—held sway over day-to-day governance, making decisions on trade, law, and foreign relations.

This was a nation ruled by both the wisdom of its Weavers and the strategic power of its guilds, where the balance of wealth, magic, and military might kept the regions in a delicate harmony.

Unlike the more humble Kabunlawan, Alunsina exuded a richness that could not be denied. The weaver pillars rose on each corner of the city, each representing the stronghold of a powerful guild or a district. But it was the central pillar, the tallest and grandest of all, that held the heart of the kingdom. At its peak, a shimmering barrier of threads formed an impenetrable shield that encased the entire city.

These threads danced and shifted, their glow pulsing with energy as if they were alive, woven together to form an intricate tapestry of protection, a testament to the power of the Loom System and the Guardians who wielded it.

Judio stood at the city gates, his eyes wide in awe. The air felt charged with magic, and the city was alive with the hum of activity. For the first time, he realized just how small Kabunlawan had been in comparison to this vast world.

The gleaming towers of Alunsina stood like beacons in the distance, and the towering pillars that marked the city's boundaries seemed like the very threads of fate itself, holding everything together in an intricate weave.

As the Karitela made its way through the streets, Judio could feel the pull of destiny, the weight of the future pressing against him. The city had its own heartbeat, its own rhythm—the weaver threads that shimmered in the air above Alunsina seemed to whisper to him, their magic alive, as if guiding him to a new reality. There was something about the city—the energy, the security, the power—that made it feel both overwhelming and comforting, a place where anything seemed possible.

"This is it," Judio whispered as they stood on the edge of the bustling city streets. "The heart of everything." The weight of the city's significance settled upon him like the threads of a loom weaving together his fate.

And as they moved deeper into the city, he couldn't help but think of the journey ahead.