**A/N For the past few chapters I've wanted to switch between using the names Lin/Alvar for MC, since his memories and personalities are blending.
However I decided this would make my writing more confusing, so no switching names for this. If you think it would be a good idea please tell me, otherwise just remember that when I describe Lins memories as Alvar/Alvar memories as Lin**
A couple of months had passed since Lin started training. By keeping up a steady routine he had managed to be surprisingly fit for a 9 year old. Of course, he still looked young and was not in any way 'buff', but he felt proud of his accomplishments regardless.
The days had been getting a bit cooler and the season was slowly changing to fall.
Leaves were turning rich shades of orange, yellow, and reds and animals seemed to prepare in haste for the winter.
During his time training, he began making a habit of talking to the other villagers and had become quite a favorite in the crowd.
Often he would stop by a bakery owned by an old woman named Carrie who everyone, no matter their age, called 'Auntie Car' (Pronounced like care in day-care).
She would give him a couple of slices of bread for his training whenever he stopped by, telling him to grow big and strong.
As if in exchange for the food, she often roped him into doing her favors, but Lin didn't mind. What else would he do? Say no to this old woman who managed a bakery mostly by herself, and was beloved by everyone in the town? Absolutely not.
Alvar wasn't too outgoing before his accident, so people tended to be pleasantly surprised by his visits and change in attitude.
It seemed a lot of people warmed up to him easily. His old position of 'kid everyone knows of, but doesn't know' slowly started to drift away.
"Auntie Car!! I'm here!" Lin carefully pulled open the door to her shop with his foot, trying not to spill the firewood he was told to deliver.
As soon as he looked up he saw a couple of strangers standing at the counter, talking to Auntie Car. They seemed to be travelers, since two of them were carrying bags that seemed to hold tents, supplies, etc.
The third seemed to be powerful, a leader of the others. He was not carrying anything and wore clothes that sparkled in comparison to his peers.
Gold and silver sparkles on his shoulders, and his crimson hair was clean and well kept.
The other two however, wore plain leather and cloth clothes with some fur. Their hair were both different shades of brown, one being much darker than the other.
The darker haired one seemed to be looking out of the corner of his eye at Lin, before blending into the background.
Lin looked down at his own clothes, noting the difference between them. He grabbed a piece of his shirt and sniffed it before recoiling and going back to his task.
He nodded to Auntie Car, and headed towards the back. She gave him a gentle smile, and showed the travelers different selections of items with a brighter, but faker smile on her face..
The leader of the travelers watched Lin with a furrowed brow, sliding his eyes across the room with an aggressive curiosity.
Ignoring this, Lin quietly closed the door leading to the kitchen behind him and dropped the pile of logs he had been carrying. He began stacking them, and thought about making a wood animal charm for Auntie Car.
After he was done he waited for Auntie Car to finish up so they could talk, and began picking at some hugs that had been living in the bark and crawled on him.
As he was debugging himself, a commotion came from the front room, and Lin jumped to his feet to go running to the rescue.
Slamming the door behind him, he was confronted with an infuriating scene. The leader was holding Auntie Car by the collar over the counter and his two servants stood behind them, weighing their thoughts on what to do.
Panic gripped Lin, and he felt a hot sensation overwhelm his senses. All of his hairs stood on end.
His chest felt like it was full of cobwebs, and a slight glow came from him. He wasn't breathing, but was so in focus he didn't notice,and didn't feel the need to.
Before he could realize what he was doing he ran to separate them. The leader turned and had a look of slight amusement and surprise on his face before Lin punched his jaw.
With an amount of strength more powerful than he should be capable of, Lin sent the leader almost flying, moving him almost 6 feet back.
A feral and desperate sense of urgency gripped Lin as he stood guard in front of Autie Car, who was recovering behind him.
The other two travelers got into their respective stances, and eyed their leader as if asking what to do next.
As soon as the leader got up, he straightened his collar and started walking towards Lin.
His footsteps seemed like earthquakes, the amount of pressure and danger Lin felt was surreal.
Standing only a couple inches apart, the leader looked down on Lin with squinted eyes. It was then Lin noticed the difference in their height and stature, the leader seemed like a dangerous mountain in front of small Lin.
"Tch."
Just as it seemed the two others were getting ready to attack, the leader relaxed his stance and scoffed, walking out the door without a word.
It seemed even the leader's companions were confused by this reaction and the people in the bakery stood in an awkward silence, before the two lackeys bowed and mumbled an apology before tossing a bronze coin their way and leaving.
Lin stood on guard until the door closed behind them. Finally he snapped out of his trance when he heard Auntie Car groan.