1 Setting Out For Adventure

Welcome to a peaceful town, in a peaceful kingdom, on a peaceful island. This is Wolksburg, Redon. Where humanity can rest easy, knowing they are safe from the dangers of the outside world.

Wolksburg is the place many people call home. Including one very special boy, who wears a top hat and tuxedo wherever he goes. His name is Lo, and he loves to go on adventures with his best friend, Squiggle.

Lo and Squiggle are the two bestest of friends you will ever meet. Since they met, they have gone on kazillions of adventures. Their bond has strengthened from bright sunny days, all the way through dark stormy nights. But no matter what, they'll always be there for each other. They get the same haircut, wear the same clothes, and even live in the same house. This is all just to give you a good idea of their friendship. Moving on...

Today, Lo had gotten up bright and early in the morning. He and Squiggle had found a map to a far off island, the island of Reefance. The map had been lying in a sunken treasure chest that they had found on their last adventure. It must have been left behind by the ancient Redonese back when they first stepped foot on the island.

On one side, the map detailed how to get to the island of Reefance. It was a very secluded island that would be on the edge of any other world map had it been discovered and documented by the public eye. However, it would seem that all knowledge of the island had been lost to time. Only now found by Lo and Squiggle.

On the other side, the map detailed the locations on the island. On the shore, was a land of breezy gemstone rock beaches, valleys, and deep plunging waterfalls. After that, was a hellscape of fiery volcanoes and sulfur-filled ravines. Further on was a city with an inexplicable existence, full of casinos and taverns. Then, a freezing cold dungeon where only the worst of monsters lurked.

But finally, after all that, there was a field of green grass and beautiful flora. Untouched by even the smallest of sentient lifeforms. The sky reflected the same color as the gold that covered the haven. Those that survive their journey to this part of the island were guaranteed a life of prosperity and riches. So that's why Lo and Squiggle had to go as soon as possible. They just couldn't pass this up!

Lo tiptoed down the stairs at an accelerated pace, pulling off his pajamas to reveal a tuxedo and dress pants underneath. He looked around the house for Squiggle. His best friend would always wake up before him. He needed to find him before setting off. After all, what good is an adventure if you don't have a friend to share it with?

Lo, going into the kitchen, found Squiggle. Lo's pint-sized friend with a similar fashion sense was lying down on the table, coloring. Lo went over and tapped him on the shoulder. Squiggle hardly looked over, though kept his seemingly permanent smile. Lo gestured for him to get moving. Squiggle nodded, and hopped onto Lo's hat.

Lo carefully inched towards the door. But before he could reach the handle, he felt something grab his hand. Something invisible. Then, seemingly out of thin air, a young lady with short, pastel green hair became visible, almost as if they had been moving too fast to be seen before. Uh oh… Lo's mom!

"Where do you think you're going?" Lo's mom asked, smiling and holding Lo up high in the air by his sleeve with one hand. Squiggle held onto Lo's hat for dear life. "You just woke up! You haven't had breakfast, you haven't even done your chores."

"Moooom…" Lo groaned. "I don't have any time for that! I'm going on an adventure with Squiggle."

"Well, that's too bad," Lo's mom sighed, full of loving snark. "You know what we say…"

"... Every adventure starts with a good meal," Lo sighed. "Fine. I'll eat. But don't expect me to do my chores!" Lo's mom put him on the ground.

"Whatever you say, kiddo," Lo's mom chuckled.

…

Lo and Squiggle were walking home from the Blackberry Forest, slight pokes in their fingers and scratches all over their bodies (somehow) from the sharp blackberry bushes. They carried baskets of blackberries in their aching hands. "Yowch…" Lo sighed. "Picking blackberries sure does hurt. But we did good work, right, Squiggle?" Squiggle nodded from atop Lo's head.

Lo could hear the sound of an orchestra of handbells in the distance. The sun was beginning to set, and so it was time for the children to come indoors. Except them. Because with their chores done, it was time to set out for adventure! Together, they would fly off into the sunset in their plane. Towards the island of Reefance.

"Bo-oooys!" Lo's mom called, ringing a handbell of her own, standing outside while it was still warm out. Lo sped up, Squiggle clutching onto his hat as the wind blew into their faces. Lo skipped forward and hugged his mom. The two laughed as Lo's mom spinned him around. Squiggle looked dizzy once they stopped.

"Are you ready to go?" Lo's mom asked, digging through his backpack he had prepared in the morning. Lo nodded. "Toothbrush? Phone? Nightlight? Funny hats?" Lo and Squiggle both nodded as Lo's mom patted him on the hat. "I won't even ask you to bring a spare change of clothes," Lo's mom mumbled. "I know you never change them."

Lo hopped into the orange biplane and started the engine. Both he and Squiggle put on their flight helmets, and the rotor began to spin rapidly. "Lo!" Lo's mom cried out over the sound of the loud engine. "You can come home any time you like! Be careful! I love you!"

"I love you too, mom!" Lo exclaimed happily. He began to move the plane forward. He gathered speed as he whisked off into the fields, leaving the town far behind him. Lo's mom smiled as she watched the plane take off into the sky.