The Villager's Trusted Protector

Uravis' felt his head ache from the excessive cheers and chants of the villagers, that grew louder. He struggled to break free, but it was no use, he was at the mercy of the crowd that continuously celebrated Drakonis appearance.

The old man lumped closer, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. "Thank you, young hero," he uttered, his voice low and filled with his joy. "We will never forget the good you have done to us."

Uravis' discomfort grew. He hated being the center of attention, he was a popular gamer, yes. But the idea of calling for attention or running away from fans was frustrating.

Despite not liking the attention, he was proud of himself. If only, Arkeia paid more attention to his skill or helped him use it, then he would have been on his way for preparation fro the Ascender Games.

As the villages continued their celebration, that had become grand quicker than he imagined. At first he thought they would just jubilate and return to their activities, instead, they set up a feast.

The women brought food and fruits from their house, probably what they were to have for dinner. The men started a bonfire that, children roasted under; marshmellows with crackers and then meat.

A small celebration had become a grand feast, but Uravis still, could not understand why they celebrated so much.

Mere bandits that couldn't fight for ten minutes straight.

However, he knew he had to escape, there was always a downside to using ones skill and he was not one to forget about that. He couldn't stay as Drakonis for long, because he had to return to Claire's house and find an excuse to give her.

As he thought about her, he began wondering why she did not join the villagers with their celebration. Lucky for him, the men who held him up, put him back on the ground to join the others in the feast.

He sighed out in relief when they did and slipped away from them quietly, he traced his way back to Claire's cottage and then made his way to the back.

Once there, he shifted back to his human form, the Sword, build and everything vanished along with Drakonis.

"It's such a relief to be in my body," he exclaimed, holding his cold palms together. The night cold breeze immediately sank into his skin, despite the layers of clothing his wore, causing him to shiver.

Then his stomach growled lowly, reminding him he had not had dinner since he left and he was oddly more famished than usual.

Without hesitating or thinking twice, he walked back to the entrance of the cottage and placed a gentle knock on the door.

Five seconds did not passed when Claire opened the door, worry and concern covering her beautiful face, tired green eyes from waiting for him and cooking.

Uravis scolded himself extremely for making her worry, he could see that she was about to leave the house, because she had a jacket in her arms and her hair tied in a messy bun.

"Uravis, where have you been? I was worried sick!" she said, her eyes scanning him from head to toe for any injury or something strange on him.

The fact she was barely seven years older than he was, but was as caring as a mother made him smile within. He gave a small smile and gently took the Jacket from her. "I just went for a walk and stumbled upon some trouble. But I am fine now," he told her, sounding as convincing as he could.

Claire's eyes then narrowed, she knew something was not right, especially when there was so much noise around and knowing that it had something to do with a stranger made it unsettling for her.

"What kind of trouble?" she asked, her eyes searching for a subtle switch in his expression.

Uravis hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal to her, he could not tell her he stopped bandits with his skill, But something about how she looked at him and her kind face made want to tell her the truth.

"I will tell you everything when the time is right," he promised. "For now, I am just glad to be home."

And he really was. Yes, It was a strangers house, but the stranger cared for him like family.

Claire smiled and pushed open the door for him to go in, when he did, she closed it behind her and turned on the lights. She watched him peel off the sweater and the cloak, and rubbed his skin, succumbing to the warmth of her home.

"Do you want to take a bath, or eat first?" she asked while taking the clothes away from him.

"A bath first."

_____

The Appearance of Drakonis and his defeating the bandits was not forgotten, even after days passed. Everywhere Uravis went to he could hear them talking about 'The Mysterious hero that freed them.'

Although as Uravis, no one seemed to pay attention to him, but as Drakonis he was the center of attention, everyone came to him for advices, battle wise and mostly questions about himself.

He used his knowledge from gaming to help them protect their village and improve their defenses. He showed them how to build effective traps, create barriers around their homes as well as the village and also develop a warning system to alert them of potential threats.

The village he once thought was underdeveloped, had everything, only that they did not know how to use them. They made use of basic materials and forgot others.

But there was an advantage to being a hero, he could switch back to Uravis when he wanted and no one paid attention to him.

To them he was a member of their village like everyone else, except that he looked different... modern is the word.

While Drakonis, looked like them, he was an avatar that no one could ever figure out, unless he got careless.

And then Claire had not one single clue. She was not even a fan of celebrating, she was like him. A simple lady who minds her business unless it is necessary.

Uravis sat in front of her cottage, his eyes closed as he thought about what had been happening since he arrived in the village.

The peaceful village.

His new home

He had even forgotten about everything that happened before he arrived, the rejection he faced at the Grand hall and then his home.

"Uravis," he heard Claire call, he snapped ope his eyes and turned to the entrance of the house. She stood there, holding a small purse and a scarf tied around her hair. "I will be heading to the market for some supplies. Is there anything you want me to buy for you?"

"You can't be serious," he answered, "You know I am only here as a visitor, You can't keep giving me things, Claire."

"I am not complaining, am I?" he shook his head then she smiled, "Good, now tell me, what do you want me to get for you?"

"Chocolates maybe, Chocolate cake something soft and moist," he uttered, imagining the cake melt in his mouth.

She gave him a smile and turned around, waving good bye till she vanished in a corner leading to the market. Uravis smiled, taking his gaze to his palms, he thought of the message, the Old man that thanked Drakonis, sent.

He took a quick look around and joined his palms together, "Login, Drakonis," he whispered, channelling his energy through his body. In an instant, he switched to Drakonis, hair strands falling over his forehead.

He rose up from where he sat, and made his way to the center of the village where four elderly men stood, conversing among themselves.

He approached them, slightly anxious about what they wanted to tell him, he did not want a mission that would be Impossible since he was just getting familiar with his skill.

The old man from earlier turned around, his eyes warming up when he saw Drakonis, "Drakonis, welcome, I was already doubting that you would show up."

Uravis bowed slightly, "Apologies, I had to take care of something. You sent for me?" he answered, raising himself to his full height.

"It is nothing serious, The elders of the village and I have had a meeting and taken the opinion of the villagers and we have come to a conclusion that, We would like to make you an honorary member of our village and our own Hero."

He was taken aback by the offer, He never expected the villagers to want to accept him fully, talk more of making him an honorary member. He felt glad, at the same time relieved and bowed. "I am honored"