RETURN TO THE VILLAGE

Chapter Twenty: Return to the Village

Aryan Sharma had always known that the city life, with its bustling streets, constant demands, and the ever-present threats, was no place for his family, especially after the tumultuous events they had endured. He had watched as his parents, Anita and Rohan Sharma, struggled to rebuild their lives in Mumbai, and he longed to give them a sense of peace and tranquility in their twilight years.

One evening, after a family dinner, Aryan broached the subject that had been on his mind for a while. He sat down with his parents in the cozy living room of their ancestral home, the place that had been the epicenter of their family's history.

"Mother, Father," he began, "I've been thinking about our lives here in the city, the challenges we've faced, and the constant threats to our family and our legacy."

Anita Sharma exchanged a knowing glance with her husband, Rohan. They had both seen the toll that city life had taken on their son, even though he had emerged from his coma with a resolve to protect them.

Rohan nodded, his expression grave. "Aryan, we've endured a lot, and it's been hard on all of us. But what are you suggesting?"

Aryan took a deep breath, his resolve unwavering. "I'm suggesting that we return to our hometown, to our village. It's where we have deep roots, where we can live a simpler life, away from the chaos of the city."

Anita looked at her son, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Aryan, we've spent our lives here in Mumbai. Our jobs, our friends, everything is here."

Aryan understood their apprehension, but he believed that a return to the village was the best course of action. He continued, "Mother, Father, I've been researching our family's history and our ancestral home. The Crest of Guardians has always been associated with our village. It's where our roots lie, where we can find solace and a sense of belonging."

Rohan considered his son's words carefully. "Aryan, it's a big decision. What about your training, your mission as a guardian?"

Aryan had thought about this extensively. "I'll continue my training, Father, but it doesn't have to be in the city. I can find ways to keep our family safe, no matter where we are. And as for the mission, I believe it's something that will lead me back to our village in the end."

Anita placed a hand on her husband's shoulder, a silent gesture of agreement. "Rohan, I've missed the tranquility of our village, the simple joys of tending to our ancestral fields and connecting with nature. I think it's time for a change."

Rohan looked at his wife, then at his determined son. "Very well, Aryan. We'll give it a try. But it won't be easy."

Aryan smiled, his heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Mother, Father. I promise you won't regret this decision. We'll find peace and happiness in our village, and we'll live our old age in harmony with nature."

The decision to return to their village was met with mixed reactions from their friends and acquaintances in the city. Some couldn't fathom leaving the fast-paced life behind, while others admired the Sharmas' courage to seek a simpler existence.

In the weeks that followed, the Sharma family prepared for their move. They packed their belongings, said their farewells to friends, and made arrangements for their ancestral home in Mumbai to be looked after in their absence.

The day of their departure arrived, and as the Sharma family made the journey back to their village, the sense of homecoming filled the air. The familiar sights and sounds of the countryside greeted them—the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the scent of earth after a rain.

Their village had not changed much since they had left, and as they settled into their ancestral home, Aryan felt a profound sense of peace wash over him. It was as if the village had been waiting for their return, a place where their family had deep roots and a connection to the land.

Days turned into weeks, and the Sharma family embraced their new life in the village. They tended to their ancestral fields, sowed seeds, and watched as the crops grew under the warm sun. The simple act of farming brought them a sense of fulfillment and a connection to their heritage.

As they sat together under the starry sky one evening, Aryan looked at his parents and smiled. "Mother, Father, this is where we belong. Our family's legacy is here, and so is our future."

Anita and Rohan Sharma exchanged a contented glance, their worries and anxieties from city life slowly fading away. "You were right, Aryan," Anita said. "Our roots are here, and it's in this village that we can find true peace."

Rohan nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Our son has brought us back to where we belong. Here, in the embrace of nature, we can live out our old age in harmony and contentment."

And so, the Sharma family found solace and happiness in their village, far from the chaos of the city. Aryan continued his training as a guardian, knowing that his mission would eventually lead him back to their ancestral home. But for now, they enjoyed the simple pleasures of life—farming, connecting with nature, and cherishing the bonds that tied them to their heritage.

The Crest of Guardians, though no longer a physical relic, remained a symbol of unity, strength, and justice in their lives. Aryan Sharma had awakened from his coma with a guardian's resolve, and he was ready to face the challenges that lay ahead—no matter where his journey took him, whether in the mystical realm of the Crest or in the tranquil fields of their village.