To:Mirage glen(ch20)

ANGELS AMONG US : BOUND BY FATE

Chapter 20

"To:Mirage glen: part 1"

[Outside of the Oasis kingdom; Eastern nations]

The sun bathed the village in a warm glow, casting long shadows that danced alongside the children as they played. Their laughter and shouts of make-believe battles filled the air, a testament to the innocence and dreams that thrived even in a world touched by chaos. These children, with their wooden swords and boundless imagination, were the heart of the village, a reminder of what everyone was fighting to protect.

At the edge of this lively scene, a couple walked hand in hand, their pace leisurely as they made their way up the hill towards their home. The village, nestled within the Eastern nations, lay just on the outskirts of the Oasis Kingdom. The kingdom itself was a marvel, an island fortress surrounded by imposing walls and the vast, unending ocean. Yet, it was here, in this small village, where life's simpler pleasures unfolded.

As they continued their ascent to their home nestled among the houses on the hills, the woman's gaze lingered on the village children below, their energy undiminished by the day's end.

"It's wonderful to see them so full of life," she mused, her voice tinged with warmth.

Her husband, a man whose past as a hunter lent him a certain aura of strength, nodded in agreement.

"Yes, it is. Makes me wonder how Ryan's doing right now," he said, his thoughts turning towards their son.

"He's probably lost in another book," she responded with a knowing smile.

"You know how he is. Unlike the other children, he doesn't seem too keen on running around outside. He much prefers the company of books and information."

"That's true," the man conceded, a hint of wistfulness in his voice.

"I had imagined he might follow in my footsteps, become a hunter, protect our nation. But Ryan... he's charting his own path." A touch of pride replaced the wistfulness as he spoke of their son's unique interests.

The woman chuckled, her tone playful. "Oh, please. Says the man who retired from hunting to spend more time with his family."

"Hey now, don't tease," he replied, joining in the laughter. Their banter was light, a testament to the deep bond and mutual respect that anchored their relationship.

As they reached their home, the simple yet profound joys of their life together in the village were evident. In a world where the role of a hunter was revered, their son, Ryan, represented a different kind of strength. Through his love for books and learning, he was a reminder that there are many ways to contribute to the safety and prosperity of their community. In their laughter and easy conversation, the couple embodied the resilience and hope that defined their village, a place where every individual, regardless of the path they chose, was valued and cherished.

Their home, filled with the warmth of familial love, echoed with the playful banter that marked their return. Ryan, their ten-year-old son, emerged from his nook, a book clutched in his small hands, his brow furrowed in mock disapproval.

"I was starting to worry, you know. You both were gone longer than usual," Ryan declared, trying to muster a scolding tone that only made him sound more endearing.

His father's response was swift and teasing, a gentle ribbing that spoke volumes of the affection between them.

"Ah, we did invite you, but you chose your loyal books over your boring old parents," he said, sticking his tongue out in a playful gesture.

His mother, ever the peacemaker, smiled softly at the exchange.

"Don't mind your father, Ryan. He's just jealous he doesn't have a book as interesting as yours to keep him company," she said, winking at her son.

Ryan couldn't help but smile, the earlier pretense of annoyance melting away in the warmth of his family's love.

"Well, this book is quite fascinating," he admitted, holding it up as if to showcase its worth.

The room was filled with laughter, the sound a testament to the joy and understanding that permeated their home. In this small house, nestled in the village of the Eastern nations, books and banter wove a tapestry of love and learning, a sanctuary where a young boy could dream of worlds beyond and a retired hunter and his wife could find fulfillment in the simple pleasures of family life.

With a firm but gentle ushering, the woman propelled both her husband and son out of the door, her voice light but resolute. "You two should go outside; I need to clean the house," she announced, her tone leaving no room for protest.

Outside, under the vast expanse of the sky, Ryan and his father found themselves atop the rolling hills that bordered their village. They stood close to the edge of a cliff, the vast ocean stretching out before them, its waters shimmering under the touch of the sun. The scene was tranquil, a stark contrast to the bustling life within their home.

Breaking the silence, the father turned to his son, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and self-reproach.

"Say, Ryan, since it seems that you don't want to become a hunter like your old man, what do you want to do? Or do you want to become a famous writer, or take up jobs that focus on books perhaps?" He paused, his gaze still fixed on the undulating waves below.

"I am a bit ashamed; I'm your father, but I still don't know what you want to become one day."

Ryan remained silent for a moment, absorbing his father's words. He too watched the ocean, its vastness mirroring the myriad possibilities that lay before him. The wind picked up slightly, sending a cool breeze that played with their hair. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying a weight of contemplation.

"I wonder,"

he said, his eyes still locked on the horizon, pondering the future that lay beyond the ocean's embrace.

The father's words seemed to drift over the cliffside, carried away by the wind as he revisited a conversation from years past.

"I see, but you once asked me something years ago, about creating harmony among the four nations of the world, how divided they are. Weren't you pursuing to be some sort of individual who creates that harmony?" he inquired, a note of reminiscence in his tone.

Ryan's response was measured, a reflection of his matured thoughts.

"Yes, I do remember asking that, but still, it doesn't mean anything. I was just being curious," he replied, dismissing the weight of his earlier curiosity with a shrug.

"I understand," his father nodded, though a hint of concern lingered in his voice. "Well, anyway, at this point, it seems the four nations won't create harmony among each other. I even suspect that a war is coming soon," he mused aloud, his gaze returning to the distant horizon.

"Really?" Ryan's interest piqued, a spark of concern in his eyes.

"No, I wasn't saying there will be a war. I was just suspecting it's possible, but not certain," his father clarified quickly, wanting to assuage any fears.

Their conversation was interrupted by the woman's voice echoing from the house, her figure visible as she waved her hands, signaling their return. "Hey, you two, I'm done!" she called out, her voice carrying the warmth of home.

"She's done already!?" The man expressed his surprise before calling back, "Come inside!"

Ryan, however, hesitated, feeling a pull towards solitude. "I think I'll take a walk for a while. I'll be right back," he said, his feet already turning away from the path home.

"Let's go togeth—" His father's offer was cut short as Ryan interjected firmly, "No thanks, I just need to be alone for a moment," his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

His father watched him go, a mixture of understanding and concern in his eyes. "O-okay, I guess. I'm in the house if you need me," he called after his son, his words trailing into the vastness of the sea and sky.

[5:30 AM; At the Stable Yard]

The first hints of dawn were barely touching the sky when Caleb found himself roused from a fitful sleep by the distant sounds of movement and life stirring within the stable yard. In the haze of awakening, fragments of a dream lingered—images of a room bathed in the soft glow of crystal and gold, a ceiling so impossibly white it seemed to merge with the light. But as his eyes fluttered open, the rustic wooden beams of the stable's roof came into focus, and the dream receded into the shadows of his mind.

"Oh right, I'm at the stables," he murmured to himself, a gentle brush of his hand through his hair as he tried to dispel the last remnants of sleep.

The soft nickering and shuffle of hooves on straw filled the air, a comforting reminder of where he was. But as he scanned the room, a question formed in his mind. "Hmm, where's Oliver at?" he wondered aloud, his gaze wandering in search of his companion.

Deciding to venture outside, Caleb stepped into the cool, early morning air, the sky a tapestry of soft blues and pinks heralding the new day. "I wonder what he's up to," Caleb mused, his curiosity piqued.

It wasn't long before he spotted Oliver, the man in motion, his body glistening with sweat from the exertion of his morning workout. Dressed in simple attire suitable for exercise, Oliver had a white cloth wrapped around his neck, his upper body bare, revealing the dedication and discipline etched into his physique.

Noticing Caleb, Oliver approached with a curious tilt of his head. "Caleb, what are you doing here at this hour?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and amusement.

Caleb, his eyes heavy with sleep, managed a half-hearted glare. "I could ask you the same," he retorted.

Oliver offered a faint smile, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards.

"Just my usual morning workout. You'll soon find the stables empty when you wake; I tend to start my day early."

Caleb, acknowledging the dedication, nodded. "Fair enough. Just don't forget we've got a journey ahead to Mirage Glen. It's no short trek, I'll have you know."

"Nothing's going to get in the way of my training, not even that. I've got a long road ahead, in more ways than one. Don't fret, I'll be ready," Oliver reassured him, his tone firm yet light.

"Alright, suit yourself. I'm heading back for some more shut-eye. See you at sunrise," Caleb conceded, turning on his heel to head back to the comfort of his temporary quarters within the stables.

Oliver watched him go, a smirk playing on his lips, before turning back to the path ahead. He resumed his jogging, the day's first light beginning to creep across the horizon, heralding the start of a new chapter in their adventure.

The time of departure had arrived.

The ground was a blur as Oliver's knees gave way, his body succumbing to the overwhelming exhaustion. The thud of his fall was muffled by the numerous bags he'd ambitiously packed, their contents spilling around him—provisions for their journey, and his newly acquired sword, a testament to his aspirations, lay beside him, gleaming faintly in the dawn.

"Erhh,"

Oliver grunted, the pain manifesting not just physically but in the frustration of his overzealous efforts. His desire to grow stronger, to hasten his progress from an F-rank hunter, had pushed his body beyond its limits. The regimen he'd imposed upon himself, intense and unyielding, sought to expedite his strength and agility but had only led to this moment of collapse.

Caleb, standing a short distance away, watched with a mix of concern and I-told-you-so evident on his face.

"You see, I told you so but you didn't want to listen," he remarked. His voice carried a note of reprimand, yet it was softened by the understanding of Oliver's ambition, however misguided it might have been.

Despite Oliver's condition, there was no turning back. Their journey had already begun, the stables behind them a fading memory as they ventured forward. Helping Oliver to his feet, Caleb redistributed the weight of their supplies between them, ensuring his friend could manage.

Their steps were measured, pacing themselves as they made their way to the rendezvous point. There, their transporter awaited—a sturdy cart that promised to carry them away from the familiar confines of their world and into the uncertainty of adventure. As they approached, the reality of their quest began to settle in, the weight of their bags a tangible reminder of the journey ahead and the trials they were bound to face together.