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PROLOGUE
???'s POV
The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the land of Huitztlan, a place I was all too familiar with . The couriers swung between the ropeways delivering packages and news throughout the settlement. Sounds of young warriors and friends exchaging their stories and laughter while planning to go for drinks
It never fails to make me feels nostalgic about my own youth.
The children playing their made up games before dinner time , the distant soft roars of Yumkasurs , the distant sound of the market place , and so on.
My sandles thumped softly against the wooden floor as I walked away from Trinidad 's home after a pleasant little chat . When suddenly, what can I best describe, a bundle of happiness passed by me from behind . My gaze automatically followed it—three kids playing with one of them riding on the back of a Yumkasur welp and other two keeping the pace behind it , probably racing. Their laughter cutting through the constant hum of the surrounding .
Being a teacher of young kids its nothing new , along with other kids' stuffs like tantrums and all , but no matter how many times I hear it , it never fails to spread a warm feeling in my chest and gracing my lips with a smile.
Though their race was cut short as one of the tribesmen scolded them to not run around near the potted plants . I couldn't catch the words because of the distance but i could tell that he wasn't really angry at them – just wanted to make sure neither the pots break nor any of them gets hurts . But it seems like his sonorous voice was enough to make the kids and the little Yumkasur scrambled away with the fear of getting an earful .
And the poor young man was left alone with regret for accidentally using the same tone that he uses to bark orders while fighting, which i must admit really suits for a warrior like him , on kids like that ..... yet again.
I smiled sympathetically as resume making my way towards my home . That young man might have a voice that could send shiver through anyone 's body on the battlefield but he is anything if not a gentle and kind soul . Well, being a Surian-crowned warrior does makes that tone habitual. Hope this break of his will help him to get his much needed rest .
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As the porch of my home came into view I noticed a figure standing by the main door. The figure seems to that of a male and although he looks like a kid , I didn't assume so as height and looks can be quite deceptive.
I, firstly try to remember if I was expecting a visit today but none came . So then I assumed that he is a messanger , noticing his satchel, but he wasn't knocking on the door. Moreover, it also dosen't seem like he was waiting after knocking but rather he seems ... hesitant.
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END OF ???'s POV
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For the uncountable time he asked himself ' should i really go with it ?' or ' is it really ok to bother him?' as he stared at the wooden door like it will somehow tell him the right direction .
His right hand's fingers stopped drumming over the top cover of his crossbody satchel as he reminded himself that he has a job to do here— the sealed paper roll held in his left hand, a message he was assigned to deliver to this house's owner ( which he definitely didn't volunteer for, just so he could have a valid excuse to come here rather than just to ask for a personal favor–)
His hand had already raised for about twice,by now , to knock on the door only to paused just few millimeters away from even brushing the wood before again falling back to his side. Honestly, the delivery was neither the new nor the part he was hesitant about. It was the part that he debated weather to follow up after that .
'This is the last message i need to deliver today , and maybe then carry on to ask for it ', he repeated in his head , silently scolding himself for being so coward from such a silly thing. He is a warrior, a young warrior in making, but one nevertheless. And yet here he was cowardly just standing there at the porch.
So with that he raised his hand for the third time , determined to knock and face it this time–
" Looking for me..?"
–only for all that to be deflated like a balloon when the sudden voice from behind caught him off guard. He whipped his head around , his shoulders tensed up and fingers around the paper roll tighten slightly , looking at the owner of the voice .
The young eyes met up the older one and he recognize the owner of the house. He could feel heat creeping over his cheeks as he quickly straighten up himself , trying to appear casual after that embrrassing moment .
" uh ... yes . Yes I was " He replied in a polite and firm tone–but not before clearing his throat softly , trying to brush away the embarrassment and focus on the task in hand.
" Good afternoon , Elder Leik. "
" Good afternoon. " Elder Leik greeted back (confirming that the one infront of him is indeed a kid , judging by his voice and tone ) with a friendly smile. His voice calm and warm .
" Here.... " the yonger one muttered as he extended the message towards the elder , finally delivering it where it was meant to be.
"Thank you , young man", came from elder as he took the rolled paper from his hand, which was slightly wrinkled either due to the younger one's hold or while delivery, but it wasn't a problem at all .
Glancing back up towards him, he remembers that he almost seemed hesitant earlier to knock on the door of his house. Although he could have assume that it because the message contained something important or personal, but the boy didn't seem to show any kind of signs for either of the possibilities.
" Is there something else you need from me ?"
" Yes." The answer left his lips before he could think twice this time. But he knew that there is no point in cowering away. He has a favor to ask.
That was the main reason he was here in the first place.
....Though first, he need to start properly.
" uh..by the way, i am Kaax..... you remember? I was one of your student few years ago "
Upon his introduction the elder studied his facial features, trying to recognize him. Well, he has mentored many young kids by now and his memory is not as sharp as before . Even so , he tries to remember a boy name Kaax who looks similar to the one infront of him.
"... you remember? Kaax?.... Me and my cousin Tades were together in your lessons "
A beat of silence.
" Ah! Yes, Kaax ...." the elder nodded to himself as he faintly recalls . The corners of his wrinkled eyes crinkled at the corners as a smile almost unconsciously spread across his lips , realizing that this was a reunion between him and one of his old students.
" I remember. How have you been ?"
" I have been..fine . It's good to see you in good health too"
Elder Leik couldn't help but chuckle softly upon the polite yet somewhat shy reply. Now that he is really looking at him, he can see how Kaax has changed over the course of years. He has grown taller , his hair has grown , his features seems to have matured ever so slightly , he also seem to learn how to use a grappling hook ,upon noticing the launcher strapped over his left hand . And if Leik's memory is good enough, he would be around 11 or 13 years old now.
'Ah , time sure flies fast .' Getting himself out of nostalgia , Elder Leik goes back to the earlier question.
" So what brings you at my door steps , Kaax?"
' Here goes nothing .....' , Kaax thought as he started carefully, though trying to appear natural.
" Well, I know this is all so sudden of me ... but I needed a favor from you. "
Elder Leik 's face turned that of curious as he nodded , silently encouraging him to continue.
" I...I actually want to become a hero , you know like almost everyone else, but ..... I am not really sure what are the requirements to be a true hero ...." Kaax continued while holding up elder's gaze.
" So, I..kinda wanted your guidance on that..."
After hearing the request Elder Leik’s face didn't showed any kind of judgment( which Kaax honestly worried about earlier) . Infact , his expression softened noticeably while still holding its usual warmth, the same one Kaax remembered years prior. In Kaax's eyes he didn't seem to age even a day .
" I.. I know that I am asking a rather big favour but.... you were the first person that came in my mind for this . " Kaax added quickly , before Elder Leik could reply .
" I promise I will pay back whatever amout of fee is required. "
Throughout Elder Leik’s life , both professional and personal , many kids and youngsters had asked for his guidance, even outside what he generally teaches . And he is always more than happy to help as much as he can.
Though it's only a few times that a kid has made this specific request to him . More specifically the way Kaax had - determined but with an underlinig desperation .
And just like previously , Elder Leik can't say no , can he?
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To Be Continue.....
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