Time passed ever so swiftly, and finally, the day of the Solstice had come.
At this time, a profound silence spread across the entirety of Pangea as families gathered together to wish their family's teenage boys and girls who had turned thirteen or about to turn thirteen a safe journey.
Regardless of whether they liked it or not, the majority of them would be sent to a dangerous world to partake in a challenge that would either result in their survival or death.
Thirteen didn't know what kind of qualifications or conditions must be met for a person to become a Wanderer.
The only thing that would guarantee a teenager to be spirited away was if their parents were both Wanderers.
As for the rest, they would either be taken to that world randomly on a whim or by Fate.
The night of the Solstice was always a moonless night.
It was the longest night of the year, and it held a solemn meaning to the world of Pangea, for this was when their children would be spirited away to embark on their First Wandering.
The moment the clock hit midnight, the loud tolling of a bell would peal across the Heavens.
After the tolling of the bell ended, Laplace Demon's voice would reach the ears of the chosen ones, and he would tell them, "Your first journey is about to begin. May you find your place amongst the stars."
Ironically, when a Wanderer died, a falling star would be seen in the sky.
This was why whenever people saw many shooting stars in the sky, they'd be worried. Because it could only mean that a calamity had befallen countless Wanderers, wherever they might be.
This was never a good sign.
Unfortunately, before the long night would be over, countless shooting stars would be seen falling from the sky, never to be seen again.
Thirteen and his family had a sumptuous dinner. They didn't want to prepare a feast since that would make it seem that it was Mikhail's last supper.
The atmosphere was quite lively—happy even, as if it was any other ordinary day in their lives.
In the warehouse, Gerald had prepared the best weapons and equipment for his children.
However, they were unable to equip it at this time because "The One" wouldn't allow anyone to cheat on their First and Second Wanderings.
Any type of support would not be tolerated.
The teenage boys and girls had to survive their First Wandering on their own.
Thirteen had given Mikhail and Shasha all the information he had on Solterra, raising their chances of survival.
Although it didn't show on his face, he was slightly worried as well. Even so, he had to keep the confident look on his face to ensure that Mikhail wouldn't feel anxious.
"Mikhail, you're strong," Thirteen said. "Come back to us safely."
"Yes, Brother," Mikhail nodded. "I promise."
"Brother, be careful," Remi said as she hugged Mikhail tightly.
The youngest of their family was already teary-eyed.
Young as she was, she was already aware that in a few minutes, her brother would disappear from their home.
Mikhail hugged his little sister fondly and told her that everything was going to be okay. He even said that he would bring a souvenir back for her when he returned from his journey.
Alessia wasn't able to stop herself and also hugged her son tightly. As a mother who loved her son deeply, it was impossible for her not to feel anxious.
The only reason why she survived her First Wandering was due to a stroke of luck. Gerald happened to save her from being eaten by a Monster, and he only passed by because he got lost in a forest.
Shasha was also quite anxious, but she didn't show it on her face. She was their family's cold beauty, who would eventually become a head-turner several years in the future.
She had been Mikhail's sparring partner and understood that her brother wasn't weak. He had also fought against real monsters in the Leventis Stronghold in preparation for this day.
Even so, she still hugged Mikhail tightly and told him to be safe and always watch his back.
Seeing that they seemed to have no intention of letting his eldest go, Gerald smiled faintly and joined the family hug.
Thirteen was not someone to feel overly emotional, but the familial love in front of him reminded him of the time when his previous hosts were happy and holding onto the people they cherished and loved.
Remi's call broke Thirteen out of his daze. The little girl was reaching out her hand toward him as if asking him to join them.
'Humans sure are troublesome creatures,' Thirteen thought as he walked toward his family and joined the group hug.
A minute later, the tolling of the bell resounded in the sky, making Gerald's and Alessia's bodies stiffen.
It had been many years since they had their First, Second, and Third Wanderings, but this night would always remind them of when they were still young and didn't know what awaited them in that dangerous, strange, and yet, beautiful world of Solterra.
When the tolling of the bell ended, Thirteen heard a voice whisper in his ears.
"Your first journey is about to begin, my Unfilial Son. I bet you didn't see this coming, did you?"
Thirteen's eyes widened in shock when he found himself turning into particles of light just like his brother, Mikhail, who was also looking at him in surprise.
Gerald, Alessia, and Shasha looked at him in disbelief because they never expected something to happen.
Simply put, this was something impossible!
That was the last thing that Thirteen had said before he, and his brother, Mikhail, were both sent to Solterra to start their First Wandering.
Remi, who suddenly lost her two brothers, looked around her in panic.
A moment later, she started crying.
Remi called out to her older brother, Zion, whom she didn't think would also leave her side like her older brother, Mikhail.
Feeling helpless, the only thing she could do was cry, while Gerald and Alessia panicked because their youngest son had just disappeared without a trace.