CH15 The Village of Eldermere

The village of Eldermere was a place untouched by the chaos of the outside world. Nestled in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests, it was a haven of peace and simplicity. The cottages, with their mossy roofs and ivy-covered walls, looked as though they had grown out of the earth itself. The air was filled with the scent of wildflowers and the sound of the river's gentle murmur. It was the kind of place where time seemed to slow, and the worries of the world felt distant.

Kael, a towering figure with a chiseled jaw and eyes that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand battles, was a familiar sight in Eldermere. The villagers adored him. He was their protector, their hero. Whenever bandits or wild beasts threatened the village, Kael was there to drive them away. He had a way of making people feel safe just by standing near them. Children followed him around, pretending to swing swords made of sticks, while the elders nodded in respect as he passed. Kael was more than a resident; he was a symbol of hope.

As Kael leaped onto a rock overlooking the village, Ryo followed, though with considerably less grace. He stumbled slightly, catching himself with a dramatic flourish that earned him a raised eyebrow from Kael.

"Graceful," Kael remarked dryly.

"I was going for 'artistic,'" Ryo shot back, brushing imaginary dust off his tattered clothes. "But I'll take graceful. It's a step up from 'clumsy oaf,' which is what my last traveling companion called me. Of course, he was a donkey, so his opinion was questionable at best."

Kael didn't laugh, but the corner of his mouth twitched—a small victory for Ryo. The two of them stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of the village. Ryo's usual grin faded as his eyes scanned the familiar scene. It was too peaceful, too perfect. It made the darkness inside him stir uncomfortably.

"Welcome to Eldermere," Kael said, his voice deep and steady. "It's not much, but it's home."

"Not much?" Ryo echoed, his tone dripping with mock offense. "Kael, my friend, this place is like something out of a fairy tale. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to impress me. And let me tell you, it's working. I'm already planning my retirement here. Do you think the villagers would mind if I set up a little stand selling questionable potions and life advice?"

Kael gave him a sidelong glance. "They'd probably run you out of town before sunset."

"Fair point," Ryo said with a shrug. "I'll stick to questionable potions, then. Less liability."

As they made their way into the village, the residents greeted Kael with warm smiles and waves. A group of children ran up to him, tugging at his cloak and asking if he'd teach them how to fight. Kael knelt down, his stern expression softening as he spoke to them. Ryo watched, feeling a pang of something he couldn't quite name. Envy? Longing? He wasn't sure.

It was then that a little girl, no more than six years old, approached Ryo. She had curly brown hair and a smudge of dirt on her cheek, and she looked up at him with wide, curious eyes.

"Why do you look so lonely?" she asked, her voice innocent and direct.

Ryo blinked, caught off guard. He crouched down to her level, putting on his best smile. "Lonely? Me? Nah, I'm just… contemplative. It's a big word, I know, but it basically means I'm thinking really hard about important things. Like why birds don't wear pants. Or why cheese smells weird but tastes amazing."

The girl tilted her head, unimpressed. "You're smiling, but your eyes are sad. And there's something else… like you're mad at the whole world."

Ryo's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Wow, you're good. Are you sure you're not a tiny wizard in disguise? Because you just read me like a book. A really boring book, but still."

She giggled, but her gaze remained piercing. "You should talk to Kael. He helps people when they're sad or mad."

"Does he now?" Ryo said, standing up and ruffling her hair. "Well, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the tip, kiddo. Now go on, shoo. Go play or something. And stay away from questionable potion stands, okay?"

As the girl ran off, Ryo's smile faded again. He could feel the psyche stirring in the back of his mind, its voice low and mocking.

 "She's not wrong, you know. You're a mess. But hey, at least you're a charming mess. That counts for something, right?"

Ryo ignored the voice, focusing instead on Kael, who was now walking toward him. The serious look on Kael's face told Ryo that their little village tour was about to take a detour.

"Come on," Kael said, gesturing for Ryo to follow. "We need to talk."

---

Kael's house was a modest but sturdy structure on the edge of the village. It was filled with simple furnishings—a wooden table, a few chairs, a fireplace, and a shelf lined with books and trinkets. Ryo made himself at home immediately, flopping onto a chair and propping his feet up on the table.

"Cozy," he said, looking around. "Very 'heroic recluse.' I like it. Though I'd add a few more decorative skulls. Really tie the room together."

Kael ignored the comment, sitting down across from him. "Where are you from?"

"Oh, you know," Ryo said, waving a hand dismissively. "Here, there, everywhere. I'm a wanderer, a free spirit, a—"

"You're injured," Kael interrupted, his eyes narrowing. "And not just physically. You've got the look of someone who's been through hell. So cut the act and tell me the truth."

Ryo's grin wavered, but he didn't let it drop entirely. "Wow, tough crowd. Fine, fine. I'll give you the abridged version. I come from a place you've probably never heard of, I got into a bit of trouble with some… let's call them 'displeased deities,' and now I'm here. As for the injuries, let's just say I had a disagreement with the concept of gravity. Gravity won."

Kael leaned forward, his expression unyielding. "Why were the gods after you?"

Ryo's smile finally slipped. He looked away, his fingers tapping nervously on the arm of the chair. "Let's just say I made some choices they didn't approve of. And now I'm paying for it."

Kael studied him for a long moment before leaning back. "You're not telling me everything, but I'll let it go for now. Just know this—if you bring trouble to this village, you'll answer to me."

Ryo held up his hands in mock surrender. "Message received, oh mighty protector. No trouble from me. Scout's honor."

Kael didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further. Instead, he stood and walked over to the fireplace, tossing a log onto the embers. "You can stay here tonight. We'll figure out what to do with you tomorrow."

Ryo's grin returned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Gee, Kael, I didn't know you cared. Does this mean we're roommates now? Because I have to warn you, I snore. Like, really loud. It's been described as 'a bear fighting a chainsaw.'"

Kael didn't respond, but Ryo could have sworn he saw the hint of a smile. As the fire crackled and the shadows danced on the walls, Ryo felt a strange sense of unease. The village was peaceful, but he knew better than to trust peace. Especially when he knew what happened to this place before.

And in the back of his mind, the psyche whispered, its voice a constant reminder of the darkness he carried.

"Don't get too comfortable, Ryo. This isn't your home. You don't need to save these mortals."