Leaving the Village

Amukelo's return to the village was like stepping through the pages of an old book that had remained unopened for years, each corner and crevice filled with memories of a life he had left behind. As he walked the familiar paths, the sights and sounds of the village evoked a deep sense of nostalgia, but his training had prepared him not only in the ways of combat but also in harnessing his emotions for strength.

Arriving at his old home, Amukelo paused at the threshold, gathering the courage to enter. The house was largely unchanged, frozen in time just as he had left it. Stepping inside, his eyes were immediately drawn to the bed where his mother had spent her last months. The pang of grief was sharp, a clear reminder of why he had embarked on this journey. Yet, his resolve steeled him against the pain, transforming it into a solemn dedication to honor her memory.

He quickly checked the hiding spot where he had stored his savings. To his relief, everything was intact. He gathered the coins, feeling their weight as a reminder of his past life and the resources he would need for his adventures. Leaving the rest of his belongings behind, he carried only the essentials, knowing that the path ahead required agility and freedom from burdens.

Next, he made his way to Eagor's home, hoping to find his friend and bid him a proper farewell. On arrival, he was greeted by Eagor's mother, who initially didn't recognize the tall, muscular figure with long white hair standing before her. "Excuse me, where can I find Eagor?" he asked politely.

Her response was cautious, her tone edged with suspicion. "Who are you? And what do you want from my son?"

But as she stepped closer, recognition dawned, softening her features. "Amukelo?" she asked, incredulous. "I didn't recognize you. You've changed so much, where have you been?"

"I was training to go on the adventure," Amukelo explained, his voice carrying a mix of pride and wistfulness. "I'm leaving the village today; I just came to say goodbye."

Understanding flickered in Eagor's mother's eyes. "Eagor is in the field, but if you wait, he should be back shortly."

Choosing to conserve his energy for the journey ahead, Amukelo decided to wait. Eagor's mother, perhaps moved by the impending departure of one she had known as a boy, extended an invitation. "In that case, you should stay for dinner. It will be a long time before we see you again."

Feeling a surge of nostalgia for Eagor, his parents, and the village life he was leaving behind, Amukelo accepted.

As dusk began to settle over the village, casting long shadows and painting the skies in shades of orange and purple, Eagor and his father returned home from the fields. Eagor greeted his mother casually, unaware of the special guest waiting inside. His mother's voice held a hint of excitement as she informed him of the surprise. "We have a special guest today," she hinted, her eyes glinting with a mixture of joy and nostalgia.

Eagor, curious and slightly puzzled, looked around and his expression transformed into one of delight upon spotting Amukelo. "Amukelo!" he exclaimed, rushing to embrace his long-lost friend. "So you are leaving today?" he asked after the initial pleasantries, his tone mixing happiness with a tinge of sadness.

"Yes," Amukelo responded, his voice steady yet reflective of the monumental change about to take place in his life.

"But promise that you will visit us from time to time," Eagor pressed, needing the reassurance that this farewell wasn't permanent.

Amukelo nodded, understanding the weight of the promise. "I will," he affirmed sincerely.

As they settled down for dinner, Eagor's mother brought out the food, filling the room with inviting aromas that Amukelo hadn't realized he'd missed until that moment. The meal was a stark contrast to the basic, often bland fare he had grown accustomed to with Syltar. As he took his first bite, a rush of flavors reminded him of what a home-cooked meal tasted like, cooked with care and seasoned with familiarity. He ate with gusto, each mouthful bringing back memories of his childhood spent in this very village.

Throughout the meal, Eagor and his parents peppered Amukelo with questions about his plans. He explained his intention to live in the wilderness, a continuation of his training under Syltar's guidance, to better understand and conquer the natural challenges of the wild. "Once I am comfortable with the wilderness, monsters, hunting, and surviving, I plan to grow in some bigger city as an adventurer," Amukelo detailed. "From then, I don't really know what to expect."

Everyone at the table listened intently, captivated by his ambitions and plans, though Amukelo himself harbored some uncertainties about what lay ahead. His goals were vast—perhaps as vast as the legends he hoped would one day be told about him.

When dinner concluded and the time for departure finally arrived, a heavy silence fell over the group. Eagor, struggling to keep his composure, had tears glistening in his eyes as he hugged Amukelo tightly. "Be safe, and promise to visit us," he managed to say, his voice thick with emotion.

"I promise," Amukelo assured him, his own heart heavy with the weight of leaving yet driven by the purpose that called him forth.

Stepping out of Eagor's home, Amukelo felt the familiar tug of nostalgia, the pain of parting mingling with the excitement of the unknown. As he walked away from the village, the place that had shaped him, the place of his childhood and his deepest losses, he knew that to grow, he had to embrace this new path, however uncertain.

The journey ahead would test him in ways he could not yet foresee, but Amukelo was ready. Ready to face the wilderness, ready to forge his path in distant cities, and most of all, ready to fulfill the promise he had made to his mother. With a final look back at the village that had been his world, Amukelo turned and stepped into the wild, his steps resolute, his heart alight with the promise of adventure.