The little gang continued on their way to Mr. Ridge, realizing the local guard wasn't present at home. Following their path, they were led to one of the local guard stations, the one stationed on the east gate.
Mr. Ridge was one of the local guards, the only form of security in such a remote village like this one. Their duties and responsibilities varied from maintaining peace and order, to restraining and suppressing external threats like wild beast and frenzied monsters that proved to be a dangerous harm to the villages' peaceful way of life.
It was a small remote village situated in the mountains, outside and away from most of the rest of the world. This directly meant, there was a significant influx of prowling beast and monsters all year around, as the mountain range was brewing with such creatures.
But over the course of many years, perhaps centuries even, the mountain ranges have been relatively tamed and made adaptable to living for it's human inhabitants. But this still doesn't stop the continuous prowling of frenzied Beasts and Monsters from getting too close, as these creatures have been known to be attracted to the gathering of a large sum of groups.
And that's where the local guards step into play. Their stations placed around the perimeter of the village, these guards fend of any dangerously approaching beast from getting too close. During weekly intervals, the surrounding forest is periodically purged of all beast and monsters in a hunt carried out by the guards.
This dedicated action is why the village has been able to thrive so peacefully within the confines of their walls despite being situated in such a dangerous place.
And among these guards was Mr. Ridge.
It didn't take too long, and eventually, the kids arrived at the guard station by the east gate.
Reo stepped forward among the group to absorb in the sight. This was relatively his first time here, as he literally had never truly been around the village before.
He looked around and ahead, noticing a decently big building constructed of mostly wood and a few other materials quite similar with the ones used to make and reinforced the many other houses and buildings lining the village.
The guard station was atop a sloped cliff hill on elevated ground. Approaching the cliff's edge, he gazed out at the swell view of the whole village drowning in the warmth of the morning sunlight spread before him.
For a moment, Reo was mesmerized and fell prey to the sight. The village was small, but wide. The plains and farmlands added a breath taking allure. From this point, the people — the villagers —looked like tiny ants —cute tiny little ants going at their whole daily business in peace and serenity.
Right outside the guard building was a massive wide space which served as a form of courtyard. When Reo forced himself out of his momentary trance, and ripped his gaze off the sight, he noticed a few number of guards — armed men engaging in small leisure activities with each other. Some pulled out their weapons and trained and practiced their skills. Some others were gathered neatly and lined up in order, as they were briefed by who Reo could only assume was a senior officer.
Then among his gaze was Mr. Ridge engaged in a small discussion with some of the guards.
Among all others, his big burly build and short white hair stood out almost distinctively. The small micro-gestures he made further accentuated his neutral stoic demeanor. His presence, as always, overflowing with an almost intimidating charisma.
Reo couldn't miss the man among the crowd.
Seeing him like this, Reo's eyes darkened a little, a hint at a coldness his friends had only see once before, as he thought back to the events of the previous day. The only reason he was still there was to give Mr. Ridge the benefit of a doubt. He had experienced his skill firsthand, maybe he really could get stronger under his ways.
Almost as if feeling the gaze, at the same time, Mr. Ridge dismissed the younger guards and turned around. His gaze meeting that of Reo's dark ones immidiately.
"I see all of you are here." The massive old man, approaching the kids said, squaring an even gaze among them, and a meaningful side glance at Reo.
"Of course we are. Didn't you ask us to meet today?" Don posed, tilting his head to the side lightly.
Mr. Ridge only mildly nodded in response. And at the same time Reo quickly spoke up.
His dark pools for eyes remained cold and neutral.
"You said you can make me stronger," he cut to the chase, "since I lost the spar, I should at least seek out your mentality."
At the same time Leon stepped up to quickly retort his words but bit his tongue as soon as he met Reo's cooly dreary gaze.
Mr.Ridge squinted at his words then looked away from the dark haired boy and squared a glance at all the kids present.
"You've all come at a good time. I was just about to patrol a round or two around the village. And now I'll have you six come with me."
The kids exchanged meaningful looks at each other for a short seconds, then shrugged.
"Sure." They exclaimed in unison.
Reo nodded.
"Mmh. Give me a moment." Mr. Ridge said before turning around and walking towards the guard building. And as soon as he returned, they all departed into the village, beginning what would be some of their first guard patrol.
***
From Reo's observation, the village was ultimately cheery and peaceful, warm and welcoming. They spent over an hour slowly and carefully walking through the streets, fields and optimistic neighborhood filled with the warmth of smiles and gazes of villagers, well satisfied and glad with their current lives.
It didn't take long for him to discern it was an ultimately friendly place.
It would be an understatement to say, Reo was relatively left gaping at such a society. The earnest feelings of warmth and amicable behavior and nature of the village almost felt so... different to him. Reo had been around the village only a few times before. And during those times were with Don and the rest of the other kids.
He had experienced just how peaceful the residence was. Not the plain quiet and boring nature, but quite the contrast. The village despite the small size was bustling with activities. Cheers, warmth and smile buzzed all around from the tiny little rascals running around the place, to the abled seniors working in their feilds.
It was only now he ultimately realized this, only from his current point of view. From the view of a patrolling 'village guard'.
Throughout the entirety of his childhood, Reo found solace within the familiar walls of his home. It wasn't until a recent turning point that he finally ventured beyond, eager to embrace the world outside.
However, this newfound freedom was marred by a sequence of events and incidents, casting a shadow over his ability to fully relish the flourishing neighborhood that lay just beyond his doorstep.
Consequently, the unfolding events left an indelible mark on him, cultivating a cold, bleak, and detached outlook on life. The vibrant world that existed just beyond the walls of his home transformed into a backdrop marred by the shadows of unforeseen challenges, shaping Reo's perspective in ways he had not anticipated.
Suddenly, as everything hit him at once, he felt overwhelmed and out of place, as if he didn't belong.
The villagers weren't dark, cold and grim like him. They weren't haunted by the many dark prospects that existed in the fabric of their reality and ultimately life around them. They weren't cold and detached, they weren't wary. Traumatized. Paranoid. And if the case was they just weren't showing it, then Reo concluded they were all masters at hiding it — amazing actors.
In a twist of irony, their collective behavior actively contradicted his own perspective. It was as if they rejected, scorned, and trampled upon his gloomy outlook. Instead of embracing the shadows, the villagers seemed to repudiate Reo's somber worldview, leaving him feeling out of place in a community that exuded positivity and resilience.
The warmth was simply too... dazzling, for a moment Reo was almost convinced this was possibly all a spell. Yes, it had to be! Maybe he was still in that dark cave, spiralled on the cold marble altar, the presence of the little girl laid lifelessly with hollow eyes and a gaping hole forming an empty carving where her heart once used to be.
'No!'
Once Reo realized his current existence actually, regardless of whether subconsciously, consciously or intentionally, rebuked the nature of the village, it was only then Reo soberly realized he was far gone.