The Quiet Winds of the New World

I walked along the streets, my hands stuffed deep into my pockets. The winter wind carried a chill, yet it wasn't unpleasant. It felt...gentle. The winds carrried my hair, as my mind was collectively observing the things around and adapting to it. 

Early morning, Hina woke me up and left for her knight academy, her enthusiasm never goes away for even the most boring thing of all i.e: Attending classes. 

Now, with hours stretching endlessly before me, I was left with more than enough time and freedom of mind.

What now? I wondered. The city was alive in its own way—vendors called out their wares, children played along the sidewalks, and carriages clattered through the narrow streets—but none of it caught my attention as I came out to explore and figure out the twisted energy thats been continuously flowing in this world. 

Eventually, I found myself drawn to the lake, the salty tang of the air growing stronger with each step. The sight of the stream line blue was both calming and humbling. As I walked along the edge, something weird caught my eye. 

A creature lounged by the water, its long, fluid body shimmering faintly in the sunlight. It resembled a dragon, but its smooth scales and gentle eyes made it appear like a snake. The few people nearby gave it a weird look and whispered something before walking away. 

Curious, I approached slowly. The creature turned its head, its eyes locking onto mine. There was no malice, only curiosity. Without hesitation, I reached out a hand and touched its smooth, cool scales. 

"Hey there," I murmured, stroking its neck. The dragon-like serpent made a low rumble, almost like a purr. I chuckled softly. "Guess you're not as scary as they think, huh?" 

The serpent made a fast circle before going inside and splashing the loads of water on me.

"That's why they all walked away..." I muttered, few girls from behind started laughing at me. 

Sighh* I stood there for a moment, watching the ripples fade. From there, I wandered near the area where there were less people around. The sound of flowing water was soothing. 

I crouched down, pressing my fingers to the wet earth. Closing my eyes, I focused on the energy beneath me, searching for something...anything. 

"Umm... not here," I muttered, standing up. 

My feet carried me further, away from the river and toward a small village on the outskirts of the city. The air here was different—cleaner, fresher. The village felt untouched by the industrial growth of the city, its natural beauty preserved. 

I paused beside a large tree, its branches stretching skyward. Placing my hand against the rough bark, I sent a small pulse of energy through it, hoping for a response. But there was nothing—just silence. 

"Not even here," I muttered, stepping back and letting out a Sighh* 

Suddenly, a white ball came hurtling through the air, striking the side of my head. "Ouch!" I rubbed my head, looking down at the ball. 

"Mister... can you pass our ball, please?" A young boy in a red t-shirt jogged over, his face flushed from play. 

I picked up the ball, brushing off the dirt. "Here," I said, handing it to him. 

More children appeared, gathering around him. One of them tilted his head curiously. "We haven't seen you here before. Are you new?" 

"I'm just a tourist," I replied, turning to leave. Better not waste time with kids, I thought. 

But as I walked away, the red-shirted boy called out again. "Mister! Wanna play with us?" 

I stopped, glancing over my shoulder. He held up the ball, his grin wide and hopeful. For a moment, I hesitated. Then, before I knew it, I was holding the bat, the kids cheering me on as I faced their pitcher. 

We played for hours, laughter and excitement filling the air. It had been a long time since I'd let myself relax like this. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange, the kids gathered around me, their energy still boundless. 

"Thanks for playing with us, mister!" one of them said, their faces filled with gratitude and happiness.

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "It was fun." 

The red-shirted boy stayed behind as the others dispersed, sitting on a bench by the lake. I joined him, the quiet of the evening settling over us. 

"You're really good at cricket," he said, swinging his legs. 

"Thanks," I replied. "You're not bad yourself." 

He grinned. "But I can never hit like you. How do you do it?" 

I leaned forward, clasping my hands together. "It's all about timing. Watch the ball, wait for the right moment, and then swing. Don't rush it." 

He nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with determination. "I'll try that next time." 

"So," he continued, "where are you from? What do you do?" 

I hesitated. "I'm... just a traveler," I said, keeping my tone casual. "Nothing too exciting." 

He didn't seem convinced but didn't press further. Instead, he asked, "Do you like it here?" 

I glanced at the lake, its surface shimmering in the fading light. "Yeah. It's peaceful." 

The boy looked up at me, his eyes shimmering with determination. "You know mister, I want to become the best cricketer in the world," he declared, his voice steady yet filled with passion. 

I leaned against the wooden fence, watching him clutch his battered bat like it was a sword destined to conquer the world. "That's a big dream," I said, my tone light but genuine. "I wish you luck." 

He nodded fervently. "I've been practicing day and night for it. Right now, no one my age can beat me." There was no arrogance in his words, only pure, unshakable confidence. 

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is that why you asked me to play with you?" 

"Yes," he replied without hesitation. His gaze didn't leave me. "You're older, so obviously you know more about cricket. Playing with you will make me stronger." 

For a moment, I studied him. The light of dreams danced in his young eyes, so vivid it almost reminded me of Hina who declared of becoming a Queen. 

For this kid, It wasn't just a game to him—it was his future. 

I couldn't help but smile. "I see." 

A voice called out from the distance. "Jake! Come home, it's time for dinner!" 

The boy—Jake—jumped up. "Coming, Mom!" he shouted back before turning to me. 

"What's your name, mister?" 

"Esther," I said simply. 

He grinned. "Mister Esther, let's play again tomorrow!" He held out his fist for a bump. 

I stared at his hand for a moment before bumping it lightly with my own. "Sure." 

With that, he ran off, joining his mother as they walked away. I watched them go, his small figure growing smaller in the distance. 

The lake reflected the fiery orange of the setting sun, its waters calm and serene. I sighed, leaning back against the bench. 

"This new world is peaceful of all times," I muttered to myself.