Chapter 59 – What Matters Now

As time went on, the feelings raging in Ren's chest became more intense.

Some part of his heart told him to chase the truth.

But another part, no. The stronger part, reminded him that these people still had to live first.

They had to be stable.

No one to talk to. No one to share the weight with except those three and Tobren.

Ren hadn't eaten his breakfast.

Sera came up, knocking on his door.

"Ren? You there?"

Ren got ready, straightened his clothes, ran his fingers through his hair. He didn't want everyone looking at him and seeing misery.

"Yes. Wait a second."

He stepped out of his room.

"Sera, what happened?"

"You skipped your breakfast. What do you mean what happened?"

"Oh… yeah. I'm just too tired."

"Everyone here is tired too. I'm not saying you can't be, but who else should they rely on if not you?"

"I just need a little time to straighten my head. Give me an hour."

Ren closed the door. Sera didn't argue. She knew he needed space to clear his mind.

Inside the room, Ren sat on the ground, leaning his body against the bedframe.

His hands rested on his folded legs. He stared up at the ceiling. Let his mind go blank. Nothing to think, nothing to plan.

Thinking ahead is strength. But thinking too far is a trap.

Sometimes, the mind needs silence more than solutions.

When he felt it was enough, he shifted, sitting cross-legged, eyes closed.

He drew a deep breath, held it for four seconds, let it go slow. Did it again. And again.

Then he slapped both cheeks with his hands, hard enough to leave red marks.

Okay. Enough. Take care of the immediate, the fundamental. That comes first.

***

That late afternoon, Ren walked the village.

Just walked, meeting the villagers, giving a nod when someone called his name.

The sun hung low, casting long shadows between the huts. The air smelled of earth and woodsmoke.

His thoughts were heavy, his heart torn between duty and the unanswered questions pulling at him.

Then he heard a small voice.

"Mister Ren!"

He turned.

A little girl ran toward him. Six, maybe. Straw-colored hair tied in two messy pigtails. Dust on her cheeks.

In her hand, she clutched a few wildflowers, their petals bent and bruised.

Ren crouched so she wouldn't have to look up so far.

"What is it?" His voice softened without him meaning to.

She held out the flowers, her small hands trembling just a little.

"Mama said you work hard. This is for you."

Ren stared at the bundle. The flowers weren't much, but to her, they were something.

A gift for the one trying to keep their world from falling apart.

The sting behind his eyes surprised him. He took the flowers carefully, like they might fall apart in his hands.

"Thank you," he said, rubbing her head. "You're kind."

The girl smiled and ran off, calling for her friends.

Ren watched her go. Then he looked at the flowers, fingers curling around them.

This… this was why he couldn't lose himself chasing shadows. These people. Their simple hopes. Their small kindnesses. They needed him now.

He straightened. The wind tugged at his coat, and his steps felt steadier.

Ren kept walking. The wildflowers stayed in his hand. His eyes scanned the village with new purpose.

He spotted a broken fence near the livestock pens. Without a word, he strode over.

"Hand me that hammer," he called to a boy struggling to fit a plank.

The boy blinked, then passed it to him.

Ren set the flowers down on a post, rolled up his sleeves, and went to work. The first blow of the hammer rang out. Then another. And another.

The villagers began to notice. Some stopped their work to watch. Ren drove the nails fast, clean, his face set. Sweat ran down his brow, but he didn't stop.

When the fence held firm, he moved on. Helping lift beams for a roof, dragging a cart free of the mud, showing a young man how to brace a wall so it wouldn't fall in the wind.

The sun sank lower, red light spilling across the village. Still, Ren didn't stop. His hands dirtied, his clothes marked with dust and sweat. Task after task.

Sera saw him from a distance. She'd been searching for him, worry on her face.

But when she saw him now. Shoulders set, jaw firm, eyes bright with focus.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"He's back," she murmured.

And quietly, she joined the work. The whole village did, pushing on into the night alongside their leader.

Ren kept going. Helping wherever he could. Even lifting the washing for a mother rocking her crying baby.

He did it so he wouldn't forget, this choice was his.

To protect them.

To keep them smiling, even if only for another day.

***

Dinner time. Everyone gathered.

But Tobren, Henda, and Berreth weren't there.

Ren looked for them.

He found them in one of the five large houses near the tower. Inside, papers were everywhere. Three of them sat at a table, faces drawn in tired lines.

"Hey," Ren said, stepping in. "Stop. Eat first. You can't work properly if your stomach's empty."

He strode to the table, gathering the scattered papers.

"Wait. Just a moment," Tobren said.

"No. No waiting. Go." Ren's glance swept to Henda and Berreth. "You two. To the tent. Now."

Henda and Berreth hesitated, but then left without another word.

Tobren stayed a moment, helping Ren pick up the papers.

Ren lowered his voice.

"I know you work hard. I want to double my speed too. Make this all go faster. But we can't. Even in this magical world, there's no instant. Just take it easy. Don't get sick. The village needs you standing."

Tobren didn't answer. He didn't have to. The silence said enough.

They walked out together.

They ate, laughed with the others, shared the warmth of the meal.

And once more, Ren set his heart. This is the first priority.

Until this is done, I won't look away.