Heartwarming Reunion

"Mommy…I'm scared…" 

"It will be alright honey. Don't worry."

"When will papa come back?" 

"He will be there soon after fighting the Orcs."

Beneath the earth's surface, the air was filled with whispers and murmurs, tinged with anxiety and fear. Deep within the safety house that had been constructed underground a few years prior, the villagers sought refuge from the impending threat of Orc attacks.

For years, these Orcs had been a constant menace to their village, leaving behind a trail of loss and sorrow. Despite their best efforts, the villagers found themselves powerless against the overwhelming might of the Orcs. It took a coordinated effort of at least five individuals just to subdue a single Orc, and facing more than that could spell disaster for the entire village.

In anticipation of such dire circumstances, the villagers had constructed the underground safety house, stocked with provisions to sustain them for up to a week in the event of a breach of their defenses. Now, as the rumbling of the ground above them sent tremors through their shelter and dust filtered down from the ceiling, women, children, and elders huddled together in the confined space, their voices hushed in an effort to remain undetected.

Although hiding underground was not a new experience for them, this time felt different. The presence of Orcs within their very village heightened the sense of urgency and peril, casting a shadow of apprehension over their already fragile sense of security.

"Mommy…" Rufus clung tightly to his mother's leg, his wide eyes betraying his fear. 

Colette, though equally afraid, knew she had to be strong for her children. With a forced smile, she gently patted Rufus's head. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll be okay."

Meanwhile, Colette's daughter, Anastasia, appeared to be handling the situation with a bit more composure, though her anxiety still shone through.

"You shouldn't go," Agnes pleaded, gripping Anastasia's arm tightly.

Anastasia's words stumbled out, her voice trembling with fear. "N-No... Arthur, bro-brother, he's there!" The thought of losing Arthur, the one semblance of family she had left, filled her with dread. The void she had felt before his presence would only deepen if she were to lose him as well.

"He'll be fine," Agnes reassured, though even she couldn't entirely convince herself of the truth of those words.

In reality, Agnes harbored doubts about Arthur's survival. She feared he had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect them, and she couldn't bear the thought of Anastasia facing danger again betraying Arthur in the process. Arthur's last request had been clear: they were to safeguard Anastasia at all costs, and Agnes was determined to honor his wishes as he saved them.

Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, Arthur had displayed an unexpected fearlessness when he had shared his plan and departed. There was no dramatic farewell, no request for them to look after Anastasia—it was as if he fully expected to return unscathed. Agnes found herself astonished by his lack of fear and unsettling composure, despite his tender age.

"If you leave again and something happens to you, your brother will be devastated, Anastasia," Agnes said. "You will only be burden to him if you are in danger. He only wishes for your safety, do you want to betray his words?"

Anastasia was on the verge of tears as she heard Agnes' words. She couldn't retort to any of her words as they were true. But then she could only stay hidden wishing for Arthur's Safety?

All of that because she was too weak to help Arthur in any way. 

"I-I…" Anastasia just fell on her knees unable to say anything. Agnes knelt as well and embraced Anastasia softly. She was also scared but she was doing her best to not show it outwardly just like her mother. Anastasia's face was overlapping with her own face when her father left her and in the end, he never came back.

…

…

…

The echoes of the sounds lingered underground for another hour before abruptly ceasing, leaving behind a tense silence that hung heavy in the air. No one dared to speculate on what the sudden absence of noise might signify.

In the worst-case scenario, the men who had bravely faced the Orcs had been vanquished, and now their assailants were scouring the area in search of survivors. The villagers remained motionless, their eyes fixed on the ceiling above, sitting in a circle of hopeful yet apprehensive expressions.

Then, faint footsteps echoed from above, barely audible at first but steadily drawing nearer. As the hidden trap door creaked open, a collective gasp filled the underground chamber, and every heart skipped a beat.

But the tension dissolved into pure relief as a familiar face peered down at them, a grin spreading across his features. It was Alan. "It's over. We've defeated them," he announced triumphantly.

A chorus of "Ohhhhhhh!" erupted from the villagers, a wave of joy washing over them as they cheered and hugged one another.

Led by the men who had fought bravely, they emerged from the safety of their underground refuge one by one. Though some bore injuries, their spirits remained high, buoyed by the victory they had achieved.

Colin, the village chief, approached his son. "What happened?"

"We managed to fend off the attackers without any casualties, but some of us need medical attention," Alan explained, his voice tinged with exhaustion yet filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"Good work," Colin nodded, offering a reassuring pat on his son's shoulder. No words were needed to convey his gratitude and pride.

As they emerged into the daylight, they witnessed the men already hard at work rebuilding the damaged walls, hastily but efficiently. There was no time to waste in strengthening their defenses further, as the threat of another Orc attack loomed overhead. Plans were made to reinforce the walls further under the cover of night, once they had all had a chance to recuperate.

Tears of joy flowed freely as families were reunited, embracing their loved ones with overwhelming gratitude and relief. Sons, husbands, brothers, and fathers returned home, their safe return heralding a new dawn of hope for the village.

Denis and Giles remained at the walls, working alongside other volunteers to rebuild the fortifications. Outside the village, the bodies of the Orcs lay charred after they were brought out by the men.

Colette's relief was visible as she watched families reunite, her smile reflecting the happiness of others. Though she had once wished for her own husband's safe return, now she found happiness in the joy of those around her, gently patting Rufus's hair as he clung to her hand.

Amidst the celebrations, one figure stood apart, unable to share in the jubilation. As Anastasia emerged from the underground shelter, her eyes searched desperately for her brother, Arthur, but he was nowhere to be found. Overwhelmed by the dread of what his absence might signify, she retreated, seeking shelter beneath the shadow of a tree, her expression vacant, her silver-white hair clinging to her face.

Agnes, understanding the depth of Anastasia's despair, joined her, silently offering her support. Though bitter with sorrow for her plight, she remained by Anastasia's side, knowing she couldn't leave her alone in her time of need.

"What?!"

Just then, Alan's exclamation broke the stillness, but Colette quickly silenced him with a hush, mindful of Anastasia's fragile state. Whatever news they had to share, it could wait until she was ready to hear it.

"Why did you let him go?!" Alan's voice rang out with shock and disbelief upon learning that Arthur had sacrificed himself to divert the attention of an Orc.

But as Alan scanned the area, he found no trace of another Orc, leading him to the grim conclusion that the Orc had killed Arthur and escaped in the chaos that followed.

"I tried, but Arthur insisted on diverting the Orc's attention himself. What else could I have done? I had my hands full with three children to protect, and Arthur entrusted Anastasia's safety to me…" Colette said.

Alan was at a loss for words. The thought of Arthur's sacrifice weighed heavily on his conscience.

"Can you move away?" A voice interrupted their conversation, dripping with irritation.

Alan turned to see Marek standing behind him. Bruised and bleeding from his wounds.

"A-Arthur?!" Colette's cry of disbelief filled the air, drawing the attention of those nearby.

"Y-You're alive!" Alan exclaimed, a flicker of relief crossing his features. He couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility for the two children he had brought into the village.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Marek replied nonchalantly, seemingly unfazed by the commotion around him.

Ignoring the bewildered stares of onlookers, Marek turned his gaze forward. Before he could comprehend what was happening, his vision was obscured by a cascade of silver hair as Anastasia enveloped him in a tight embrace.

"A-Arthur!!" Anastasia's voice cracked with emotion as she flung herself into Marek's arms, her tears of relief and joy flowing freely. Unable to contain her overwhelming emotions, she sobbed uncontrollably, her cries echoing louder than the collective happiness of the reunited families.

The entire village fell silent, their attention drawn to the poignant scene unfolding before them. 

"B-Brother... brother! Brother! Brother! A-Arthur! I-I was so scared... awhahaah!" Anastasia's voice wavered with each word as she clung to Marek, her tears staining his shoulder.

Marek's smile remained gentle as he comforted her. Despite the chaos and uncertainty that surrounded them, his gaze was filled with an unmistakable tenderness, catching everyone off guard with its warmth and sincerity.

The villagers watched with soft, warm gazes, forgetting their own reunion.