Welcome home

"He's wounded! Carry him inside," said one guard.

Clanking metals were heard as they approached. Troan felt glad as he knew that his struggles were not for naught.

Two guards with chest armor carried him on their shoulders. They entered the gate and Troan's vision was once again clearer. The fog's presence was not present currently and Troan felt glad to see people like him.

As he looked up, there was a citadel that brought light to the village. It was shining bright with a ball of gleaming rays that was seen as a potential overlooking the place of the entirety of the village. What view can it offer as you were on the top of its grandeur?

It was a landmark that anyone saw at their younger ages. Even the oldest elders saw that it was there since their childhood.

As their elders have said to the villagers, it was a Spell Crystal that inhibits Warding Spell. It was maintained by a Mage every day to ensure that no monsters will enter the village.

It was clear to Troan's memories that it was there since his childhood and was looking above every day on the said tower.

Several people were seen walking in random directions. Houses were lined up and streets had street lamps and roads were made of bricks. A neatly arranged houses then lined up, making it have a sign of a decent and greatly organized village. A well-planned infrastructures and constructed with great thought to the ones who established it. Troan can only praise their ancestors.

Nearby, there was a platform they used for hanging criminals. As they entered, Troan ushered them to walk by himself and said that it was okay.

"You are the first to survive the forest of trials. But it doesn't change the fact that some villagers still hold a grudge. Your verdict will soon be announced as the elders will arrive," said one guard.

"Thanks, will I wait for him, right?" Troan replied.

"Yes, the conclusion of your crimes will be decided. Be ready," the guard replied.

"Okay," Troan replied.

Troan then ripped his shirt and then bandaged his wounds, he then searched for a straight object and found a stick. He then snapped it to two and then made it support his broken arm. Wrapping it with a cloth as he was wincing from the pain he felt.

It was then, that one man approached him and then cracked his knuckles. He was wearing an apron and has a towering build.

"So you lived huh? Thief?"

He clenched his fist and landed a hook on his face. The world spun and Troan rolled to the ground three times and several others went to kick him while on the ground.

Others stomped their feet while Troan was covering his broken arm from any possible dislocation.

"You whore's son! Pay me back for what you've stolen! I needed that money to cure my wife!" he shouted.

It was then, that the guards arrived and grabbed all who persecuted him. Troan didn't know what his reaction could be. He can only feel bitterness and sorrow.

The pain he felt inside his heart was more than the pain he felt in his wounds. His eyes were welling up tears before he noticed it.

"Are you okay? We will protect you for now before the trial." said one of the guards.

"Okay," Troan said in a lonely voice.

Troan waited on the small platform where the guards were standing on his side, facing the crowd. Hands were bonded with handcuffs.

His items were stripped from him and were wearing sackcloth. He will be meeting the village elders about the crimes he made.

Soon, numerous people arrived and the elders arrived without delays. The inhabitants were looking at him with a cold glare. The others were spitting when Troan looked them in the eyes.

Troan didn't feel happy about what will be the result of his trial. His heart was racing in distress.

Alas, the time he has waited for has arrived. The elders have gathered and will proceed to decide his fate. One elder then started the trial.

"The offender and criminal Troan has survived the forest of trial and so the case has now come to an end. Anyone who objects, please raise your voice,"

"We wanted him dead!" shouted one man.

"What about the things he stole? He will just get away unscathed with it? He must pay or he will die!" shouted one lady.

It was then, that the elders talked a bit about the final decision.

"His sentence now has been decided! His crimes were paid by the forest of trials!" the judge said.

The crowd then went clamoring after they heard the decision. They felt it was outrageous to hear such a decision.

"But he will pay the price of all he has stolen and public execution by stoning! If he survives this, then his criminal status will be lifted and he will live a commoner's life!" the judge added.

It was then, that they hastily grabbed stones at their feet. Others who felt their resentment was unquenched, made haste and were excited to let it all out. Troan knew that it would be a tough ride.

No more turning back and he faced it with courage. He knew he had to pay the price for all he had done. At least he was happy that they will find justice for what they will do.

It was then, that he was then put on a plaza, and there, the guards removed his handcuffs. His feet were bound in chains and he couldn't run away at any moment.

"You are free to defend yourself but nowhere to run." the guard said to him.

"Thanks," Troan said to him.

"You must survive," he added.

Troan felt relieved to hear it from him. But he felt it would be impossible. Maybe just to let him have hope at the moment.

"Okay! All who want to stone him! Stone now!" shouted the elder.

It was then, that they all threw their stones in their hands. Young and old, even children participated in their event. Troan was hit in the face, making him knocked out immediately.

He slammed his head on the brick tiles he was on and covered his face with his uninjured hands. Still, the raining of stones didn't end there.

His back, head, feet, and all parts of his body were hit with stones. Troan wailed as he was assaulted with more and more stones. It was not stopping anytime soon.

The pain intensified with his past wounds was hit. Especially when a spot was hit twice. Even a spot that was hit for the first time, was still painful.

His back was thudding as the stones hailed at it. There was even a boy who grabbed a huge stone and while being unsteady, he smashed it to his head.

Troan was knocked out this time. All he wished was for it to end soon. He passed out even without noticing it. It was then, that he woke up while having a red potion near his hands.

"Drink it, it is my last health potion. Don't waste it as health potions are scarce. Do not disappoint me in your second chance." said someone on his back.

Troan's breath was weary and pained, it means he was at death's door. His eyes were lifeless and his head was bleeding.

Following the command of the stranger, he crawled towards the potion with only his uninjured hands to claw on the bloodied tiles.

Chains clunked as he tried his best to go after it. After several attempts, he managed to grab the potion and drank it.

With it, he thought that it was a potion to end his suffering. He thought that it was a suicidal potion. Made to end one's life without pain and was at peace in his last breath.

But it's not, his wounds were healed and his broken bones attached again. His energy and health were revitalized with just one bottle. Troan tried to stand up and the guards saw him survive.

"He survived!" shouted the guards.

Troan then saw that the man who helped him was gone. Even the empty bottle was nowhere to be found.

"I am glad you survived. We guard felt at a loss when someone dies every public stoning. Well, that means you are a free citizen now and your criminal status is gone,"

Troan then saw several silhouettes emerging from the shadows.

"You survived! Well, that's it. Your crimes are lifted. But what you stole is still needed to be repaid. You can think of it as a debt. And they can be repaid if you have money while working," said the elder.

"My wife is on death's door! He needs to repay me!" the man on the apron said.

"I will repay it, as for my other debts. I will pay them all." Troan said to them.

They were all happy about it. Troan handed them his gold pouch and his other belongings. His backpack, his Ranger robes, everything even the sword.

He was hesitant to give the Ranger skill books but eventually gave them to one sickly old woman and several others who had a hefty price in his debts. She even thanked him for his generosity.

The sword was demanded given to the stranger as he said it was his brother's sword. As for his debts, he has paid them all.

Luckily, his belongings were enough and he only stole several medicines and just some food to eat. It was then, that he was grabbed on the collar of his sackcloth by the man who has his sword.

"Where did you find this sword? Answer me!" he demanded.

"To the forest of trials,"

"So you found my brother?" he asked.

"He died, as for his body. I buried it,"

He was utterly shocked. He felt silent for a moment and then tears went out of his eyes. Still, he was a tough guy. He wiped his tears and then breathed deep.

"Oh, I see. Well, thank you for burying him. Alas, giving you a health potion is worth it,"

"It's you?" Troan was surprised.

"Let us talk in the tavern more about this. I may want to hear more of your story." He said to him.

"Sure!" Troan replied, watching the stoning plaza for the last time. Alas, he was a free man. But paying the price was not easy. It left a scar deep inside his heart that was beyond repair.