League Of Legends/Arcane: Earthbound

After days of travel through the rugged wilderness, Adam finally caught his first sight of the place Ashe and Tryndamere had been guiding him toward. The Freljord had been relentless in its biting cold and harsh conditions, but now, he stood before a different landscape—one that, while still desolate in many ways, seemed far more welcoming. The village stretched out before him, nestled in a small valley surrounded by towering peaks, their snow-covered tops shimmering in the early afternoon sun.

In the distance, Adam saw a figure riding a giant boar, the massive beast snorting and pawing at the ground. He couldn't help but stare at the creature, its size and strength leaving him in awe. Back on Earth, Adam would never have imagined such a sight—humans riding boars as if they were horses, the bond between beast and rider both primal and mystical. It was a reminder of just how different this world was from his own.

As they approached the village, the people stopped what they were doing and watched them closely. There was a tension in the air, a hesitation when they saw Adam—a stranger in their midst. They exchanged wary glances, their eyes narrowing in suspicion. Adam instinctively felt his hand reach for his bow, though he quickly reminded himself that this wasn't the time to appear hostile.

"Stay close," Tryndamere muttered, his voice a low growl. "We'll get through this."

Adam did as he was told, walking behind them as they made their way into the heart of the village. The people here were large, strong-looking warriors, their faces weathered and hardened by the cold winds and the harsh life they led. There was a lingering wariness, but it slowly gave way to curiosity as they recognized the two figures leading him.

Once they reached the center of the village, a large bonfire was lit, and the people began to cheer. There were drums beating, and a sense of celebration filled the air. Adam watched, confused, as he was ushered toward a large wooden table that had been set up for a feast. Ashe and Tryndamere were greeted warmly, their friends and family offering them food and drink. Adam, on the other hand, was left standing awkwardly to the side, unsure of where to go or what to do. It was the first time since he'd arrived in this strange world that he truly felt out of place.

"Come, boy," Tryndamere called out from his seat at the table. "You're part of the family now. Sit with us."

Adam hesitated but obeyed. He walked over to the table, where Tryndamere patted the seat next to him. As Adam sat down, he looked around at the faces gathered around him. Most of them were familiar with Ashe and Tryndamere, but to Adam, they were strangers. The table was filled with food—heaping platters of roasted meat, bread, cheeses, and bowls of fruit and vegetables. His stomach growled at the sight of it all, and for the first time since he'd arrived in the Freljord, he didn't have to worry about rationing his food. He could eat his fill.

Tryndamere introduced Adam to the group, explaining how he had come to travel with them. He spoke of their journey, how they'd found Adam in the wilderness and how he'd proven his worth by helping them survive. The villagers listened intently, nodding in approval, though there was still a lingering hesitation in their eyes.

"This is Adam," Tryndamere said, raising a mug of mead in his hand. "He's no enemy to us. In fact, he's shown great strength in the face of adversity. He's earned his place here, just as any of us would."

Adam nodded awkwardly as the villagers murmured their agreement. He was grateful for Tryndamere's words, but he could sense that their wariness hadn't entirely disappeared. It wasn't easy being the outsider in a village like this, especially when you didn't belong to their world.

As the feast continued, Adam found himself talking to the others, though the conversation was mostly polite and surface-level. They asked him questions about where he was from, and he told them as little as he could without lying outright. The truth about Earth and his strange arrival in this world was too complex and dangerous to explain in full. Instead, he stuck to vague answers, saying that he had come from a distant land and didn't remember much of his past.

The feast was a welcome break from the constant grind of survival, and Adam found himself enjoying the food more than he expected. The meat was tender, the bread warm, and the mead surprisingly strong. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to indulge, stuffing his face as if he'd never seen food before. The warmth of the fire, the music of the drums, and the laughter of the villagers made him forget, if only for a moment, the uncertainty that lay ahead.

Later in the evening, after the feast had settled into a more relaxed atmosphere, Adam sat down with Ashe and Tryndamere, a map spread out before them. The fire flickered, casting shadows across their faces as they began to discuss his next move.

"So, you've learned a lot about survival, but now it's time to think about what comes next," Ashe said, looking over the map. "You need to get to the heart of this world. You need answers about your magic."

Adam nodded. "That's what I've been thinking about too. I need to know if there's anyone who can help me control this power. Or at least teach me what it is."

Tryndamere grunted, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "Lonia's your best bet if you're looking for magic users. It's a land of mysticism and spiritual power. The people there are deeply connected to the magic of the world, and their monks and sages might be able to help you."

"But if you go there, you'll need to be careful," Ashe added, her voice low and serious. "You can't just walk into Lonia without being prepared. The magic there is dangerous, especially if you don't know how to wield it."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "And what about Demacia? I've heard of it. Is that a good place to go?"

Tryndamere let out a short laugh. "Demacia? It's a place of law and order, but they don't take kindly to magic users. They hunt them, imprison them, and sometimes even execute them. It's a place where only the purest of bloodlines are allowed to practice magic, and even then, they are watched closely."

Ashe leaned in, her tone growing more serious. "But Demacia has its uses. If you want to learn more about controlling your power, it might be worth a visit. But remember, they'll be watching you closely. You'll need to be discreet. Their mages are considered noble, and they're treated differently from other magic users."

Adam nodded, absorbing the information. "So, if Demacia is too risky, then Lonia it is. But... what about Noxus?"

Tryndamere's face darkened at the mention of the empire. "Noxus is a place of blood and iron. They're an empire bent on conquest, and they'll use anything to further their cause. Mages are no exception. They value magic and will recruit anyone with power, whether they're willing or not. Noxus is not a place for someone like you. They'll try to use you, to control you."

Adam shuddered at the thought. "So, Demacia first, then? I'll try to find someone who can help me there. If they can't, I'll head to Lonia."

"That's a good plan," Ashe said, nodding. "But be careful, Adam. We may not be able to help you once you leave. You'll be on your own."

"Don't worry," Adam said with a small smile. "I've learned a lot from both of you. I'll be fine."

The next morning, after gathering his supplies and saying his goodbyes, Adam set off on his journey. Tryndamere and Ashe had given him a map, showing him the best route to Demacia, which would take him six days to traverse. He had learned to ration his food carefully, as there was no guarantee he would find more along the way.

Before he left, Tryndamere pulled him aside, his voice low and serious. "Listen to me, Adam. You've learned a lot, but the world outside this village is dangerous. Keep your head down. Stay out of trouble, and remember what we've taught you. If you get into a fight, don't hesitate. Trust your instincts."

Adam nodded, clapping Tryndamere on the shoulder. "Thanks for everything. I won't forget what you've done for me."

Ashe hugged him tightly, her arms strong but warm. "Take care of yourself, Adam. And if you ever need us, don't hesitate to reach out. We'll be here for you."

With one last look at his newfound family, Adam turned and walked away, his heart heavy with uncertainty but filled with determination. The path ahead was long and uncertain, but he knew one thing for sure: He wasn't alone anymore. And that gave him the strength to keep moving forward.

The journey ahead would be hard, but Adam was ready. He had a destination. He had a purpose. And maybe, just maybe, he would find the answers he was searching for.