Chapter 5 - eye of the moon

You force yourself to move despite the pain in your left eye, which is now a pulsing throb. You check the bodies for any information but find nothing but the standard mercenary gear and a few gold coins. It seems their employer didn't want them to be traced back easily. You sigh, wiping the blood and sweat from your brow, you contemplate the implications of your encounter. Who was this mysterious employer, and what did they want with the artifacts?

As you struggle to deal with the aftermath of the battle and the grim revelation of the bounty hunters' purpose, Moon, your white horse, trots over to you. She nuzzles you gently, her eyes reflecting your own distress. You reach out to stroke her mane, taking a moment to gather your thoughts. Sun's presence is a comforting constant in this chaotic world, a reminder of your life before you fell into this game.

"Moon," you murmur, your voice thick with exhaustion and pain. "Looks like we've got more trouble than we bargained for." Her ears flicker back, and she whinnies softly, as if in response. You know that the horse can't understand you, but the bond between you feels almost sentient in this moment.

Moon seems to sense your need for comfort and companionship. She nuzzles closer, allowing you to lean on her for support. Her presence grounds you, reminding you of the friendship and loyalty that exists within the chaos. Despite the grisly scene around you, her gentle whinny brings a small measure of peace to the moment.

You pat Moon gently on the neck and murmur, "It's okay, girl." She responds with a comforting whinny, nuzzling you again. As you straighten up, the pain in your eye sharpens, serving as a grim reminder of the battle you've just survived. The bodies of the bounty hunters lie around you, a stark contrast to the serene beauty of the landscape. You're aware of the gravity of the situation and the potential danger lurking in the shadows, but for now, you're safe with Moon by your side.

You remove the eyepatch with trembling hands, revealing the horror you've been trying to ignore. Your left eye is gone, replaced by a gaping socket filled with blood. The pain is intense, but you manage to stifle a scream, not wanting to give away any more of your vulnerability. The world around you is now forever changed, with everything to your left appearing as a blurry mess. The reality of your situation hits you like a ton of bricks; this isn't just a game anymore, where you can respawn or load a save. This is your new life, and you've just suffered a grim and permanent injury.

Panic starts to set in, your heart racing as the full weight of your loss sinks in. You stumble backward, leaning heavily on Moon for balance as waves of dizziness wash over you. You've read about the gang members' personalities, but you never expected to become a part of their world so fully. The line between game and reality has blurred beyond recognition, and now you're living in a world where every choice has real consequences.

"What the...?" you murmur to yourself, your voice shaking. "This isn't... this isn't right."

Moon, sensing your distress, whinnies anxiously and presses against you, offering what comfort she can. You lean into her, trying to slow your racing heart, to no avail. This isn't a game glitch; this is real, and you've lost an eye. Your mind reels as you try to grasp the permanence of your situation. In the game, you could always heal with a few tonics, but here, there are no such luxuries. You're a living, breathing, bleeding part of this world now.

The scarlet stain on the ground around you serves as a stark reminder of the battle's reality. Your hands shake as you tie the eyepatch back in place, the fabric sticking to the drying blood on your forehead. The pain is a constant throb, a grim reminder of the price you've paid for your new life. You look around at the bodies of the bounty hunters, their lifeless forms a testament to the danger that now follows you like a shadow.

You take a deep breath and force yourself to focus. You can't afford to lose it here. You need to get back to the village and warn the others about what you've learned. The thought of the artifacts' true power and the unknown enemy on your tail sends a shiver down your spine. You know you're not ready to face whatever is coming, but you have to be for Juan and Pure's sake.

Moon seems to understand your urgency and stands firm, allowing you to mount her with one eye. As you ride back, the pain in your eye socket throbbing with every bump, you try to piece together what happened. Who was their employer? Why did they want the artifacts? And how did they know about your gang? The questions swirl in your mind like a tornado, leaving no room for anything else.

When you arrive at the village, the sight of Honata and the other villagers waiting for you at the entrance brings a flicker of relief to your heart. You dismount Moon, your legs wobbly from the ride and the adrenaline wearing off. Honata's eyes widen when she sees your blood-soaked clothes and the patch over your eye. "Raven," she says, her voice filled with concern. "What happened?"

You swallow hard, the gravity of your situation finally starting to sink in. "We had company," you reply, your voice strained. "They were after the artifacts. I had to..." Your words trail off as you look down at your blood-stained hands.

Honata's eyes narrow as she looks you over, assessing the situation. "You must come with me," she says firmly, taking your arm and leading you toward the village. "We need to tend to your injuries and prepare for what's to come." Her grip is surprisingly strong, and she seems to sense the turmoil in your soul as well as the pain in your body.

The villagers part as you walk through the dusty streets, their expressions a mix of awe and fear at the sight of the yellow-clad gang member who has returned from battle with a grim souvenir. You're aware of the whispers that follow you, the way they look at the patch over your eye with a mix of pity and respect. The village elder, a wise old woman named Tall Trees, emerges from a nearby hut, her eyes filled with a knowing look. She nods solemnly at you, and you can see the understanding in her gaze—she's seen this kind of horror before, the kind that follows those who wield power.

Juan sprints towards you, her eyes wide with worry. She notices the patch over your eye immediately and the state of your clothes. Without saying a word, she rushes to your side, her hands moving rapidly in sign language, trying to convey her concern for your well-being. However, due to the blurry vision in your remaining eye, you struggle to interpret her signs accurately. The chaos of the fight and the shock of your injury have made communication difficult, leaving you both frustrated and anxious. She grabs your arm, her grip firm but gentle, and tries to guide you toward the hut. The villagers you pass look on with a mix of fear and awe, their whispers echoing in the air. The tension is palpable as the reality of the danger you all face sinks in.

The interior of the hut is dimly lit, the smell of herbs and burning sage filling the air. The elder, Tall Trees, is already waiting inside with a bowl of steaming water and a cloth. She nods to Juan, who helps you sit on a makeshift chair. The village healer, an older man named Two Feathers, approaches with a serious expression. He begins to clean your wound with the cloth, his movements precise and efficient despite the shaking in your hands. The pain is intense, but you grit your teeth and bear it, not wanting to show any weakness in front of the others.

As the pain from your injury reaches a crescendo, the world around you starts to swirl into darkness. Your legs give out, and you crumple to the ground. Juan's grip tightens around your arm as she calls out to you, her face a mix of fear and concern. The last thing you see before everything goes black is her signing frantically and the worried faces of Honata and Tall Trees hovering over you.

---

When you come to, you find yourself lying on a makeshift bed with a clean bandage wrapped around your head, covering your left eye. Your yellow shirt has been removed, and you're now wearing a simple white undershirt. The air is thick with the smell of herbs and antiseptic. The room is dimly lit, and the gentle murmur of villagers outside the hut filters in. You sit up gingerly, the pain in your eye now a dull throb, and realize that you're in the village's medical hut. The cool evening breeze whispers through the open doorway, carrying the scent of an approaching storm. You hear Juan's footsteps outside, pacing back and forth as she keeps vigil, her concern palpable even through the walls.

You push yourself up from the bed, your body protesting with a symphony of aches. You make your way to the door, feeling your way with one hand as your vision is still compromised. As you step outside, the cool air brushes against your skin, and you're hit with the stark reality of your situation once again. You see Juan's silhouette, outlined by the flickering light of the torches that line the village's main path. She stops pacing when she hears the door creak open.

Juan's eyes widen when she sees you, and she rushes over, her hands moving rapidly in sign language. "Raven, are you okay?" she signs, her voice a frantic whisper. You nod, gingerly touching the bandage over your eye. "I'm alive," you reply, your voice hoarse. You know Juan can't hear you, but you feel the need to reassure her. Her expression relaxes slightly, and she signs, "i was so worried."

You take a deep breath, the cool evening air filling your lungs. "We need to talk," you say, your voice firm despite the tremor in your chest. You gesture to the bench nearby, and Juan nods, taking a seat next to you. She watches you intently, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. You lean in close, speaking in a low voice. "Juan. Those men... they were after us. After the artifacts."

Juan's eyes widen with understanding, and she nods fervently. You can see her mind racing, piecing together the events that unfolded. She signs quickly, her movements agitated. "They... they know about us?" she signs, her eyes flicking between your bandaged eye and the hut behind you.

You nod, the weight of the situation pressing down on you like a heavy cloak. "Yes, they know. And they're not the only ones. We've got to figure out who's after us and why." You pause, considering your next move. "We need to gather everyone and tell them what happened."

her eyes darting back to the hut where Pure is resting. She signs, "pure js still unconscious. the elder says he needs rest. we can't move him yet." The urgency in her signing is clear, but so is the worry for their comrade. The storm clouds gather above, casting an eerie glow over the village as the wind begins to pick up. The villagers move about, securing their homes and possessions in anticipation of the coming rain. The tension in the air is thick, and you can feel it in every step you take as you consider the gravity of the situation. The nightfall seems to amplify the shadows of doubt and fear that now loom over your gang.

With a heavy sigh, you nod in understanding and lean back against the rough wooden wall of the hut, feeling the first drops of rain begin to fall. "We'll have to stay here for now," you say, the words heavy on your tongue, You look around the village, noticing the way the villagers watch you and Juan with a mix of awe and fear. You know that your presence here has brought danger to their doorstep, and the responsibility weighs on you heavily.

Juan, still beside you, signs, "We must be careful. The village is safe for now, but we cannot stay here indefinitely." Her eyes scan the horizon, as if expecting the enemy to appear at any moment. You nod in agreement, the gravity of your situation settling in your gut like a lead weight.

The rain starts to patter on the dirt path, creating a gentle rhythm that seems at odds with the turmoil in your hearts. You sit in silence for a while, listening to the rain and the distant whispers of the villagers preparing for the storm. Your thoughts race with plans and possibilities, but the exhaustion from your injury and the adrenaline crash leaves you feeling drained.

Finally, you break the silence, speaking to Juan despite her inability to hear you. "We need to get stronger," you say, your voice low and determined. "We need to find a way to control these powers and protect ourselves. And we need to find out who's after us." Juan nods, her eyes never leaving yours as she understands your words through your mouth movements and the occasional gesture.

You stand, the rain now coming down in a steady stream, and the thunder in the distance a reminder of the storm brewing within and around you. "We'll talk to Hawk and Lopez when we go back," you continue, "We have to be ready for whatever's coming."

You decide to rest and recover, and over the next two days, you regain some of your strength. The villagers are kind and attentive, bringing you food and water. When the storm has passed and the sun rises on the third day, you notice a small package at the foot of your bed. It's a black eye patch with a golden ball in the middle. Tall Trees approaches you with a gentle smile and signs that it's a gift from Honata. The patch is well-crafted and surprisingly comfortable. You put it on, and it covers the bandage over your left eye perfectly. The golden ball seems to gleam in the morning light, giving you a sense of confidence despite the grim reminder of your loss.

Once you're dressed and feeling more like yourself, you step outside to find Juan waiting for you, her yellow eyes filled with a quiet resolve. She notices the patch and nods in approval, signing, "You look like a true bandit now." You can't help but chuckle at her attempt to lighten the mood, and a small smile tugs at the corners of your mouth. It's clear that she's been keeping an eye on you while you've been recovering.

You both walk through the village, the mud from the recent storm sticking to your boots. The villagers give you a wider berth than before, their whispers following you as you go. You can't blame them; you're strangers with strange powers, and you've brought trouble to their doorstep. But as you pass the children playing in the puddles, you feel a twinge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there's more to this world than danger and death.

As Juan tells you she wants to check on Pure, she leaves you standing outside the medical hut. You can see the concern etched on her face as she signs her intentions to you. She's been a strong pillar of support during your recovery, and her dedication to the gang is clear. With a nod of understanding, you watch her hurry off to the hut where Pure has been resting. The rain has turned the dirt paths into a series of small rivers, and the sound of rushing water and distant thunder reminds you of the storm that recently passed. The village is coming back to life, with people tending to their animals and repairing any damage from the storm. The children's laughter echoes through the air as they splash in the puddles, a stark contrast to the tension that has settled over the Bandidos.

You decide to take the opportunity to explore the village. Your movements are slow and deliberate, as you're still adjusting to the loss of depth perception with your one eye. The buildings are simple and made from wood and mud, with thatched roofs that sway slightly in the wind. Each hut has a small garden with various herbs and vegetables growing, a testament to the villagers' resilience and resourcefulness. As you walk, you notice the villagers eyeing you with a mix of curiosity and wariness, whispering to each other as you pass. Despite their fear, they offer nods of respect, acknowledging your status as a member of the gang that brought a sense of excitement and danger to their otherwise quiet lives.

The village square is a hive of activity. A group of children are playing a game of tag, their laughter piercing the silence like a beacon of hope. The adults are busy with their own chores, but they stop to watch you with a mix of fascination and trepidation. You nod to them in greeting, and they return the gesture tentatively. You can feel the weight of your new reality pressing down on you, but you refuse to let it consume you.

You make your way to the stables where the horses are kept, the mud squelching under your boots as you go. The smell of damp straw and the comforting presence of the animals provide a moment of peace amidst the chaos. Moon, your trusty steed, whinnies softly as she recognizes your approach. She's been well cared for by the villagers, and you stroke her mane gently, feeling a connection to her that seems to transcend the game's reality.

You lean in and murmur a gentle "thank you" to Moon, patting her neck. She snorts contentedly, and you feel a sense of comfort from her presence. You tighten the black eye patch, the golden ball reflecting in the dim light of the stable. The two days of rest have done wonders for your body, though the memory of the battle and your injury still lingers in your mind. The rain has cleared, leaving the village clean and vibrant, but the air is charged with tension as you know the peace is only temporary.