Varian and the Seven Kingdoms (Varian's Seven Trials)

Next Stop, Vlamudia

The next morning, Varian awoke early after a long night when the sun shone on his face. He pulled a lever by his bed and sat up as two mechanical claw-like hands pulled the blanket off of his legs. Other hands moved his slippers to the side of the bed and brushed his hair. Varian put the slippers on then petted Ruddiger, who was sleeping at the end of his bed.
"Morning, bud. Today's the day." Varian stood up and stretched, Ruddiger climbing up his arm and onto his shoulder as he yawned.
When Varian walked into the kitchen, his father was preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, Varian." Quirin handed a plate of food to his son.
"Morning, dad." Varian sat at the table and poured a glass of water.
"So, you'll be leaving this morning."
"Yeah...Next Stop, Vlamudia." Varian laughed and his father smiled and sat at the table with him.
"If only your mother could see how much you've grown..."
"I'm so sure she's not gone, dad. I'm going to meet her." Varian smiled and Quirin looked unsure but nodded at his son,
"If you do, tell her I miss her; every single day."
"I will."

Varian began packing, now dressed in a white blouse and a blue collared waistcoat with gold trimming, his trusty goggles on his head as always. He wore a belt that once belonged to his father, the buckle was the brotherhood symbol. It held a few colourful orbs and two test tubes of glowing substance. Leaning against the side of the caravan was a new-and-improved extendable staff that Varian had put together the night before. It was rounded at the top with a few chemical-orbs fitted into it.
While Varian packed his bags into the caravan his friends had given him, his father walked over with Rapunzel, Eugene, Angry, Red and Lance.
"That's the last one." Varian smiled, closing the caravan door and looking to Rapunzel.
"You're all ready to set off on what could be the most exciting journey of your life!"
"And potentially the most dangerous- I mean, am I the only one who feels intimidated by 'The Fire Kingdom?'" Eugene added and Rapunzel nudged him.
"But I'm sure, of course, you will be perfectly fine." Eugene looked to Quirin then Varian, clearing his throat,
"You're a tough kid, very smart."
Rapunzel gave a small laugh and placed a hand on Varian's shoulder,
"You've got this." She smiled reassuringly,
"Which reminds me," She reached for her bag then pulled out a thick envelope,
"If you're ever feeling lost, or unsure of where your path is leading you, open this." She handed the envelope to Varian, "It's from all of us."
Varian took the envelope and nodded.
"Also, I've left a little...house-warming- or caravan-warming gift inside." She laughed, gesturing to the caravan.
Varian gave a smile which said all thanks necessary and Rapunzel gave him one last goodbye hug, Catalina and Angry joining. Varian felt his eyes tearing up again. This was it. He would leave Corona minutes from now for who knows how long. He moved away and looked to his dad who seemed to be denying tears to come. Varian walked over to his father then embraced him.
"I'll really miss you, dad. But when I return, I'll tell you all about the- the trials; the kingdoms- mom- everything." Varian sniffled and his father laughed softly,
"I look forward to that day," He moved away to place a hand on his son's cheek, "I know you'll make me proud, Varian."

After a few more tears, hugs and goodbyes, Varian climbed onto the front of the caravan and grabbed Prometheus' reins, twisting them around his hands and looking at the path ahead. Miles and miles of hills, trees and sky stretched out before him. Ruddiger climbed onto the caravan beside him and they exchanged a look for a moment before Varian looked ahead again. He pulled on the reins and Prometheus started to trot. The boy looked back at his friends and father and waved. They slowly shrunk and disappeared over the horizon, leaving him alone with his donkey and raccoon. The boy pulled a map from his backpack and opened it up, letting Prometheus trot along on his own.
"Ok, Ruddiger...Prometheus, we're headed East. Straight to Vlamudia." He rolled the map up and put it in his pocket before taking the reins again.
He gave a short, shaky sigh and looked over the horizon.

It was a long ride to Vlamudia. Varian passed through many villages and towns similar to his own. It made his stomach ache with home-sickness as he watched a father and son pile pumpkins into a cart. He looked ahead and took a breath,
"No problem, I got this." He said to himself. He sat still momentarily then reached into his backpack and pulled out his mother's journal.
"Alright mom, let's see if you have any encouraging information in here." Varian flicked further in the book than he previously had done, scanning for words about the trials.
"First trial...fire kingdom...maybe a use of heat, burning away to reveal?" Varian sighed then looked to Ruddiger, "It's alchemy, right? If there's one thing I can do, it's alchemy." He laughed in a smug way,
"I've got this!"
A group of kids he was passing looked at him strangely.