The carriage jolted along the dirt road, kicking up dust in its wake. Fein looked out the window, admiring the beauty of the dense forest. "This is it, guys," he exclaimed. "We're on our way to the legendary Kraken Island!"
Sofia leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I can't wait to see what adventures await us there!"
As the carriage approached a giant gate, Williams, the driver, brought it to a stop. "Welcome to Shogu Country," he said. "Home of the Samurai. This is our first stop before heading to Kraken Island."
Fein stepped out of the carriage, stretching his legs. "This looks like a good place to start our adventure," he said, looking up at the towering gate. "Let's go explore!"
The group made their way through the gate and into the heart of the Samurai country. They walked along the cobbled stone path, admiring the beautiful cherry blossom trees lining the sides.
Aoi stopped to take a closer look at a tree. "This is a Sakura tree," she said. "It's known for its beauty and symbolizes new beginnings."
Voli looked at her with admiration. "Wow, Aoi, you really know your stuff."
As they walked, they noticed the Samurai guarding the streets. The group greeted them respectfully, and they responded with a nod.
Fein approached one of the Samurai, eager to learn more about the history of the country. "Excuse me," he said. "Can you tell us more about Shogu Country and its rich culture?"
The Samurai looked at him skeptically. "Why do you want to know?"
Fein smiled warmly. "We're just passing through and want to learn more about the places we visit."
The Samurai nodded, understanding Fein's intentions. "Very well. Follow me."
He led them to a temple in the heart of the city. Inside, he showed them ancient artifacts and explained their significance. The group listened intently, captivated by the Samurai's storytelling skills.
As they left the temple, Sofia turned to Fein with a smile. "That was amazing! I never knew Samurai culture was so interesting."
Fein grinned. "That's what I love about traveling. You learn something new every day."
The group made their way back to the carriage, ready to continue their journey to Kraken Island. They waved goodbye to the Samurai, grateful for the hospitality they had shown them.
As the carriage pulled away, Fein looked out the window, taking in the scenery. "This is just the beginning," he said to himself. "I can't wait to see what else this adventure has in store for us."
...
As the group continued their journey towards Kraken Island, they soon found themselves in Drake Country, a land shrouded in darkness and haunted by ghosts. The eerie silence of the night was only broken by the sound of their carriage wheels crunching over the rocky road.
Fein looked out the window, his eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of interest. "I've heard stories about Drake Country," he said. "It's said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who died here in battle."
Sofia shivered at the thought. "I don't like the sound of that," she said, pulling her coat tighter around her.
Aoi rolled her eyes. "It's just a bunch of superstition," she said. "Ghosts aren't real."
Voli, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, spoke up. "Actually, ghosts might be real," he said. "I read a book about them once, and it said that some people believe that when we die, our spirits can stay behind and haunt places."
The carriage driver, Williams, chuckled nervously. "Well, whether they're real or not, we're passing through their territory now. We should keep our voices down so as not to disturb them."
As they continued down the road, the darkness grew thicker and the air grew colder. Suddenly, the carriage came to a stop in front of a looming castle gate. The gate was rusted and ancient, its metal creaking as the wind blew through it.
Fein leaned out of the carriage window and peered up at the castle walls. "This must be the haunted castle I heard about," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sofia swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously around. "I don't like this," she whispered.
Suddenly, the gate began to creak open, and the group gasped in unison. A figure appeared from within, shrouded in a long cloak and holding a lantern. As the figure approached, they could see that it was an old man, his face etched with wrinkles and his eyes twinkling in the dim light.
"Welcome to Drake Castle," he said, his voice hoarse and gravelly. "I am the caretaker, and I will show you to your rooms."
The group followed the old man into the castle, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As they walked, they could hear whispers and footsteps following them, but whenever they turned around, no one was there.
Finally, they reached their rooms, and the old man bid them goodnight. As they settled into their beds, they could hear the distant sound of ghostly moaning and the creaking of old floorboards. But eventually, the sounds faded, and they all fell into a fitful sleep.
...
The next morning,
The old man led them to the castle to explore, and the group noticed the strange decor. The walls were adorned with bizarre paintings that seemed to watch them, and the furniture looked like it belonged in a museum.
As they sat in the parlor, waiting for dinner, the room grew colder and the candles flickered. Aoi shivered, hugging herself. "I have a bad feeling about this place."
Voli scoffed. "It's just an old mansion with a weird caretaker, nothing to be afraid of."
But then, the chandelier shook, and a portrait fell off the wall, landing on the floor with a loud thud. They all jumped, and Williams, the carriage driver, stood up, ready to bolt.
The old man entered, carrying a tray of food. "Dinner is served," he said with a toothy grin.
As they ate, the group tried to make small talk, but their fear was palpable. The old man watched them, his eyes gleaming with a strange intensity.
Suddenly, Fein's spoon clinked against his plate, and he frowned. "What's this?" he asked, holding up a small bone.
The old man shrugged. "Just a little seasoning. It's from an old family recipe."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, but they continued eating, too afraid to refuse.
After dinner, the old man showed them to their rooms, and they settled in. But strange things kept happening. Doors opened and closed by themselves, and eerie whispers echoed through the halls.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶