After two hours of travel, the group was finally nearing their destination. A soldier at the front raised his hand and called out loudly:
— Get ready, everyone! We're almost at Valora!
The dirt road wound through golden rice fields, where gentle breezes made the reeds on both sides sway softly in the fading light of day. In the distance, the stone towers of the city began to emerge faintly through the heat haze, standing tall like steadfast warriors guarding the land. Above, a few birds glided slowly across the deep blue sky.
Uncle Bart stood next to Mari, staring silently at the city ahead, his brow furrowed as he observed.
Mari widened her eyes, sparkling with awe:
— Oh... is that really the Kingdom of Valora? It looks so grand...
Silas looked at his daughter and smiled gently.
A young man from the group, seemingly a guide named Hugh, approached them with a friendly tone:
— That's right, that's Valora. One of the strongest and most modern fortresses in this region. Though it's still relatively new, it has become a symbol of prosperity after many years of war.
Hugh continued, his eyes gleaming with pride:
— The outer walls are built from blue stone, a meter thick. Watchtowers are evenly placed, and the defense system is tightly secured. But that's not all — this place is also a hub of trade and culture. People call it "the new heart of the southern lands."
Mari gazed thoughtfully at the city that grew clearer with every step:
— Then... there must be more places like this in the world, right?
Hugh nodded, his gaze distant:
— Yeah. This world is vast. Every land has its own story. Any place could be someone's home — we just haven't known it yet.
Noise stirred ahead as the group neared the city gate. Hooves struck rhythmically against the old but sturdy cobblestone road. Wheels creaked, children chattered excitedly, and villagers gasped in wonder at the towering walls.
A massive gray stone wall stretched across the horizon, adorned with crimson flags fluttering in the evening wind. The city gate stood wide open, with soldiers in gleaming armor lining both sides.
One of the guards stepped forward and greeted them:
— Welcome to Valora! The journey must've been tough.
He turned to another soldier leading the group:
— Your assignment is to escort the villagers and goods safely into the city, correct? The reception area is ready. Please take them to the designated holding zone.
The leading soldier nodded:
— Understood. We'll carry out our duty.
After passing through the gate, the group was guided to a holding area designated for newly arrived villagers. From a distance, it didn't look like a temporary camp or makeshift shelter as many had feared — it was a proper residential zone, with rows of solid tiled-roof houses, greenery, paved paths, and full access to water and lighting.
When they arrived, the guide Hugh stepped onto a stone platform and raised his voice:
— Welcome once again to Valora. A few more villages have yet to arrive, and official housing arrangements for each family are still being finalized.
He glanced around and smiled reassuringly:
— For now, everyone will stay in this holding zone so we can organize you by village. We call it a "holding zone," but these are fully constructed houses within the city — with full amenities, perhaps even better than the homes you had before.
Several villagers murmured in surprise, their eyes curiously scanning the area.
Hugh pointed toward the houses ahead:
— Each house has been prepared in advance. There will be personal guides to help you get familiar with the facilities and how to live here. Oh, and everyone will receive a small colored outer cloak for easy village identification — it'll help us organize and support you better later on.
Mari looked around — at the charming houses, the clean surroundings, the friendly smiles of passing Valora citizens. She gently squeezed her father's hand and whispered:
— I think... everything's going to be okay, right?
Silas nodded gently:
— Yeah. Everything's going to be okay.
Then, each family was led to their assigned home within the holding zone. Every house had red-tiled roofs, freshly painted walls, new wooden doors, and a small yard in front — a far cry from the humble homes of their old village.
As they stepped inside, many villagers couldn't hide their surprise and curiosity. Each home was already equipped with tables and chairs, blankets, stoves, and even items they had never seen before.
An elderly woman exclaimed:
— Oh my, are these really for us to live in?
A child ran over and touched the faucet by the sink. Cool water flowed out, making the child squeal with delight. Another old man sat down on a cushioned chair, leaned back, and chuckled:
— Never thought, after decades in the village, I'd finally get to sit on something this soft!
Hugh stood in the front yard and called out:
— Feel free to look around and get some rest! If anything's unclear, someone will come to each house to help. These things might seem strange now, but give it a few days — you'll get used to them!
Mari entered the house with Silas. She looked around the small but cozy room, her eyes bright with excitement:
— Dad, this house... it's even nicer than the one we had in the village!
Silas chuckled:
— Yeah. Nothing's missing here. Maybe... this is a new beginning for all of us.
Seeing everyone in the group beaming, eyes wide with wonder as they explored the area, the guide Hugh stood with arms crossed, a satisfied smile on his face.
He slowly walked along the stone path between the houses, watching each villager discover their new home. One elderly man lit a lamp inside and marveled at its glow. A few children chased each other around the sink, laughing. The men gathered in the front yard, enthusiastically discussing the tiled roofs and the pipes running along the walls.
Hugh nodded slightly and murmured to himself:
— So all the effort put into this... was worth it after all.
A young soldier stepped up quietly and asked:
— Is everything going well, Guide Hugh?
— It is. Look at them — for many, this might be their first time living in homes like these.
Hugh looked toward the far end of the path, where the houses still glowed warmly, ready to welcome the next wave of villagers.
— Even if it's just a temporary holding zone... at least tonight, they have a place that's safe, clean, and complete — a place they can call "home."
---
(End of Chapter 0.1C)
✨ Thank you so much for reading!
This marks the end of Chapter 0.1C of The Rift Calls Those Who Draw Near.
In this chapter, our characters take their first steps into the city of Valora — a place of safety, order, and perhaps, new hope. I wanted this moment to feel like a quiet breath after a long journey. Did it come through?
If you've been following the story so far, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Even a short comment would mean a lot — it helps shape the next parts of the journey.
Thank you again for spending your time here.
— Vodanh2254
(Original title in Vietnamese: "Khe nứt gọi tên những kẻ hướng tới")