Lucas_Willian

Velho do Cangaço

Velho do Cangaço is a journey through the backlands of the Northeast, where the harsh reality of life intertwines with the wisdom of a man who has seen it all. With just one eye, the old man sees more than most — he sees the soul of the backlands and carries with him the stories and scars of a life lived on the margins.

In this work, the protagonist crosses arid landscapes and forgotten cities, resolving conflicts and unraveling mysteries wherever he goes. His slow, firm steps tell a story of resistance, strength and the weight of the past, in a land that does not forgive weakness.

Get ready to enter the world of a simple but profound man, where each decision echoes the struggles of a people who, even in the face of the greatest adversities, do not bow down.

The old man of the cangaço

Dona Maria led the group to the heart of the village. The dirt streets, lined with simple houses, were almost deserted. The few people they met kept their distance, whispering as they watched them. The atmosphere was tense, and the village seemed a shadow of its former self.

"The war took everything from us," Dona Maria began as they walked. "The young men were drafted, the crops burned, and worst of all, those who tried to resist... disappeared."

Rodrigo felt a tightness in his chest. He remembered how vibrant this village had been, full of life. The last time he had been there, there had been laughter and parties at night, lights and the sound of forró music echoing through the central square. Now, all that remained was silence and the shadow of a better time.

"I left because I thought there was nothing left to do here," Rodrigo confessed, his voice low, as if he were speaking more to himself than to her. "I went in search of something greater, but I left behind people who needed help."

Dona Maria stopped in front of a small house with cracked walls and old wooden windows. "Maybe you left the village, but the hearts of the people who stayed still carry the hope of better times. Your return means more to them than you can imagine."

Sebastião, who had been observing everything with analytical eyes, finally broke the silence. "This village is abandoned, but the signs of destruction are clear. The men who passed through here left nothing to chance. This was more than a simple passage of war."

"Exactly," Dona Maria replied, with sadness in her voice. "Soldiers from a mercenary guild. They didn't come just for resources... they were looking for something."

Rodrigo frowned. Mercenary guilds were not uncommon in recent wars, but something in Dona Maria's tone indicated that their interest was specific.

"What were they looking for?" he asked.

She hesitated, then pointed to the small chapel at the end of the street, its walls covered in bullet holes. "Something that's hidden there. Something that could change the course of the war… if it falls into the wrong hands."

Rodrigo felt a chill. The war he had thought was a conflict of power and territory might have much deeper and more dangerous roots.

Chapter 103: Reckoning with the Past