The Gate Traveler

Chapter 11: Preparing for the Unknown

A quick call to the photography store revealed that they held a three-day workshop on film development and photo printing—both black-and-white and color. Excited, I signed up for the earliest available session and continued my preparations.

A quick online

Color film was trickier, requiring precise temperature control, but the results were worth it. By day three, I wasn’t a pro but no longer intimidated. We tested different papers and toning techniques, and Ansel pushed us to think beyond just capturing images—using photography to tell stories.

By the end of the workshop, I felt like I’d learned a lot about the technical side of photography and developed a deeper appreciation for the art form. And the best part?

You have learned the Skill [Develop Negative]

You have learned the Skill [Print Photograph]

After the workshop, I went on a bit of a shopping spree, clearing out their entire stock—chemicals, photography paper, film, and everything needed for wet printing. The staff tried to talk me out of it, warning me about expiration dates, but I wasn’t worried. My Storage would keep everything fresh for years. Hanna (according to her name tag), a young woman with a pixie cut, looked especially concerned, her brows knitting as she rang up the total. Beside her, an older man with a ponytail and glasses watched but didn’t comment.

“Are you sure you need all this? These chemicals won’t last forever,” she said.

I just smiled. “I’m sure.”

She didn’t look convinced but didn’t push it.

I also searched for more cameras like mine, which turned out to be more challenging than expected. Most vintage cameras I found could work without a battery but had the option for one, which I wasn’t too sure about. My phone had died in the first Gate, and I didn’t want the cameras to fail, too. But I found five that worked. The cameras were beautiful, each one with its quirks and features. I hit up other photography stores and bought all their chemicals, paper, and film, plus another three sets of equipment. At one store, I even found a portable darkroom tent—a compact, lightweight setup perfect for developing photos outside.

The tent got me thinking about camping gear. Practicalities had to be considered—where would I sleep? How would I cook? What kind of clothes would I need? Thinking through these details made my future journey feel more solid, more real.

The first outdoor store I visited was an adventurer’s dream—a massive warehouse packed with gear. They had tents in all sizes for any weather, with or without canopies. I bought several—a small, lightweight tent for quick setup, a larger one for extended stays, and a massive glamping tent. At first, I wasn’t sure about that one. Why would I need this monstrosity? But then I told myself, You have the space and money. Live a little. The thought was almost foreign. For so long, I’d been drowning in pain, from Sophie’s illness to her death. The idea of living again felt inconceivable. Still, I made myself do it. I had to.

I picked up fire starter kits with flint and steel, waterproof matches, and a compact, folding stove that used coals. Next up were hammocks and mattresses. I found a double-sized hammock made of durable, weather-resistant fabric and a self-inflating mattress that promised a good night’s sleep even on rocky ground. Lightweight pots, pans, and various utensils entered my Storage. The store also had all kinds of gadgets for showering in the wild. Folding chairs and tables were another great find, making it easy to set up a comfortable campsite. Buying all those everyday necessities kept me grounded and pulled me back whenever my thoughts started drifting to places I didn’t want to go

Backpacks were a must. I found a rugged leather one with an Indiana Jones vibe—something that wouldn’t look out of place in a fantasy world or on Earth. I bought five, figuring I’d still want to carry a backpack even with my Storage. Every adventurer needed one, and it would look less suspicious.

I also checked out touring bikes, picked a model, and bought five with plenty of spare parts to keep them in good shape. The bikes were sleek and sturdy, built for long-distance travel over rough terrain. I picked up spare tires, chains, and a comprehensive toolkit to make sure I could keep them running smoothly on the road.

The seller insisted I needed a bike trailer to carry all the gear. At first, I dismissed it—Storage made it unnecessary. After some thought, I did buy one. Sometimes, a secluded spot to store things wouldn’t be an option, and a trailer might solve that problem.

The store carried a wide variety of clothing—shoes, hats, vests, jackets, socks, and more. I picked up a few pairs of durable hiking boots, some moisture-wicking shirts and pants, a weather-resistant coat, and a wide-brimmed hat for sun protection. I also stocked up on warm socks and thermal underwear for colder climates.

After the insurance cleared, I had over $350K in my account. Knowing I wasn’t coming back, I went all out and bought multiples of almost everything. My account balance took a hit, and my Storage was almost full.

I need more Storage space and more ability points.

Two days before my flight home, I checked the other Gate to see where it led. I drove there and stopped at three more pawn shops and a gaming store on the way. The pawn shops yielded more jewelry, and the gaming store more copper coins. Almost all the pawn shops had musical instruments, so I bought a guitar—or three—and extra strings, just in case. The guitars were a mix of styles: two different classical acoustic guitars and a steel-string acoustic. I noticed skills for playing instruments—again, I needed more ability points.

For a brief moment, the thought of actually learning to play the guitar crossed my mind instead of just buying the skill. But then I remembered the frustrating piano lessons a foster parent once forced on me. That was enough to shut the idea down.

When I got to the Gate, I checked the destination:

Travelers Gate #468217258

Destination: Shimoor

Status: Integrated

Mana level: 17

Threat level: Very low.

That was unexpected. I’d assumed it would lead somewhere else, but even the Gate number was consecutive. Raising the binoculars, I scanned the area—no houses, no smoke, no signs of people. Just mountains, dense trees, and a river snaking through the valley below. I paced the mountaintop, searching for a way down. The slope wasn’t a sheer drop, but it was steep, littered with jagged boulders and loose rock. Climbing gear might be necessary, just in case, though my plan was still to cross over near Frankfurt. Or maybe one of the other Gates I planned to visit for leveling would also lead to Shimoor.

A few test shots with the camera confirmed it worked, and I hoped the pictures would come out. Satisfied, I drove to the rental agency, returned the car, and headed to the airport. It was time to go home and handle my affairs.