Without spoilers, how far am I in the game and how do I do these new "side" quests (early-mid game spoilers here)

[DarkPhoton]

I just finished Alfeim and gotten the "light" to remove the black breath on the path to the top of the mountain, went back removed it and entered the giant caves. Loving the game so far, without spoiling it how far am I into the game? Am i half way already? I feel like its been forever but at the same time it feels like ive only been trying to get to the top of the mountain.

Secondly, I finally got actual side quests from the two dwarf blacksmiths after finding the light, one to go the a cave another to a secret workshop or something. They gave me an item to go into these places but for the life of me I can't figure out how to use the mystic gate or item to get to these places. Do I have to physically run to these places? Then whats the item for and how is this workshop for example a secret lol.

[Crimsomrider]

You are about... 20-25% I'd say.

As for the 2nd question, yes you have to go there on foot. You can unlock fast travel gateways as you explore Midguard, but you have to find them first in order to use them. They're not automatically available to you.

[DarkPhoton]

Got it, thanks for the help!