An Unknown Path

Ch 1- The Beginning of a Long Journey

Here's the first chapter everyone! Hope you enjoy!

Welcome to Zyphorge. A prosperous country renowned for its rich and vast land. Zyphorge is one of 12 different countries throughout the land of Avel. Out of all the other countries, Zyphorge has the largest population around 120 million. The largest capital built there is Trion la Avel.

(You can say Avel however you want. It gets too confusing trying to type down how to say it properly).

It's a fancy name just for a capital but since it was named after the first ruler (who also happened to unite the 12 countries) most people didn't mind. Almost in the centre of the capital is a grand castle which stands at around 250 feet tall.

(I actually calculated that... On Google).

Around two hours horse ride from there is an academy which looks almost as tall as the castle. This academy is known for its talented graduates who became heroes and served Trion loyally. It also happens to be that it is strictly ONLY for BOYS. No girls were permitted to enter school grounds. However that was about to change.

"Mia! It's time to wake up."

Those words slowly drowned in my ears as I opened my eyes, only to meet a brilliant array of sunlight coming in through the window. As I was heaving myself up, a yawn escaped from my mouth. After rubbing my cheeks lightly to wake me up fully, I gently dropped from the soft, comfortable bed, onto the cold wooden floor. It felt slightly chilly this morning.

Pain suddenly spread throughout my entire body as I suddenly remembered the events that happened yesterday. Oh, no wonder my body felt slightly sluggish today. While walking barefoot I made my way towards the opposite end of the room. A face with eyes wrapped in bandages appeared before a rather large mirror. A girl with raven black hair who had bangs just above her forehead was seen staring at the mirror. Pieces of hair were starting to fall onto my face and I swiped it back to hang on my ear. To be honest, the outlines of myself were all I could see. I haven't witnessed the details of the world with my eyes as everyone else probably has.

Although the bandages were able to be taken off, I didn't want to. It was something inseparable from me, I guess. And besides, father told me not to take them off whenever I was outside. Father never told me the reason not to take the bandages off but since it seemed like an important matter, I always kept them on. Thinking of father made me realise something... No matter. I'll think about it later. For now, it's time to get prepared for the big day.

Looking through my wardrobe, I found my favourite pair of clothing below small piles of shirts and pants. It was a plain denim short with an oversized sweater. Others might not think of it as fashionable, but because it felt so comfortable, I wore it most of the time.

After quickly brushing my hair until it felt smooth, my hands worked swiftly, making double braids in no time. Packing some of my belongings into a large suitcase, I wore black combat boots with a golden zipper, that was a present from my neighbour. Closing the door behind, I made myself downstairs.

"Good morning, Mia. I hope you had a good sleep last night. There are pieces of freshly baked bread on the table if you would like to eat now."

Hearing that there was Alex's special baked bread just waiting to be eaten, I nodded immediately. Racing to the kitchen table, I stuffed my face full of the softest most heavenly bread I have ever tasted.

Alex giggled when she saw me eating. "Slow down mistress. You look like a chipmunk when eating like that. Tap on my shoulder if you would like seconds, okay?"

Nodding my head again, I went back to munching on the bread. If you haven't realised yet, throughout the entire story, I haven't spoken a word once. I wasn't born without a voice. When I was five, my classmates bullied me for a reason I do not know. My memories were vague when it happened. Since then, Alex tutored me at home and trained me to be able to fight for myself.

Dad was always busy with work. I still don't know what job he has (it was really weird of him not to tell me). He never came home... not even on my birthday... And I've never seen my mother. Dad said she died when I was only a baby and when I tried to dive deeper into that matter, he didn't respond. He only told me that I was like her in every way and that I had the features of him except for my eyes.

Alex is the one who I know best and has taken care of me ever since I can remember. She has always been by my side wherever I went. She's kind of like an older sister and a maid. Her name is actually Alexis but she told me to call her Alex. She has beautiful blonde hair that was done in a twisted crown braid and tends to wear the same thing most of the time. A plain, white long sleeve top with a dark blue skirt that reached just above her knee.

We lived just on the outskirts of Trion where it was rather peaceful. Many merchants could be seen travelling towards the markets and sometimes as I walked by, they would give me something for free. They were ever so nice. I even thought about being a merchant if not for the fact that I have to partner up with a company and take care of literally everything that I own. It felt quite bothersome to do all that, and besides Alex would never let me go travelling like that.

While my thoughts were lost in thinking about this, I heard a shout near the front door. A few seconds later, Alex came rushing up to me and dragged me away from my seat. "Mia, they're here! Come on, you're going to be late if you dawdle any longer. I left your suitcase near the door so hurry up!"

Giggling to myself, I let Alex push me outside while grabbing my suitcase. The driver saw me and took the suitcase out of my hand (rather gently) and heaved it onto the carriage.

Suddenly, two hands were on my shoulders and they spun me around to face them. Of course, it was Alex. Who else would it be? "Now Mia, one, don't forget to eat and sleep every single day, and I know I have to remind you of this because you usually forget as you're so infatuated in your books. Two, if you ever see that man while in the academy, do me a favour and kick him where the sun doesn't shine as revenge for not even visiting us once. And three, don't forget to have fun and make new friends. After all you are still a teenager."

I smiled after hearing all that. Giving her and okay sign, I hugged her for what might be the last in a year. She felt so comfortable and warm. I was going to miss her so much. Looking at her one last time, my feet automatically walked towards the carriage and stepped inside. It was very luxurious. The seats were cushioned and everything was a red velvet colour with gold trims. Looking out the window, I could see Alex waving to me and I waved back. I just kept on staring at her until she was a dot in the distance and that was when I snuggled myself in the seats.

If you don't know yet, I'm going to be attending the most famous academy in Zyphorge. Star Heaven Academy. The director of the academy was a high ranking noble and he sent me a message saying I got accepted into the academy. At first, it was exciting as the Star Heaven was one of the most prestigious academies known throughout Avel but there was just one problem. The academy was only for boys! A girl has never once attended Star Heaven and guess who's going to be the first.

Sighing heavily, my eyes started to feel heavy and before I knew it, I was sleeping while leaning against the wall, dreaming about something that happened years ago. It was something that I would never forget.