In some far away secluded small island.
A man and a woman stood overlooking the churning waters.
"My sister, I've taken care of the two to the point we agreed on, now is the time to tell them the truth?" The man said.
"We could have already told them earlier, but see how this world is volatile. It might just harm them rather than bring them any good, let's wait for a while?" She said.
"The situation in the village back there is a bit unfavorable for them, can they come and stay here with you, they can gain some experience in the process, you know?"
She stayed silent for a while before heaving a sigh of relief.
"The young master should not be involved in all of this, but let them stay here then, you can bring them with you next time!"
"Okay!"
They stood at the shore for a while before going their ways.
The man took a boat and departed while the lady went back to her island.
Just then, the island disappeared from the view the moment the two departed.
---
Ascension Island.
This was a secluded island on the deep sea waters of the Tale Sea.
A group of selected men and women stayed in there with a purpose.
To rebuild Terminus and reclaim its long-lost glory.
The lady was addressed as baroness. She was the one who led the whole operation.
It was more of a vigilante group.
Basic training and all other staff were taught here.
---
A few hours later, Ye Chen's heavy eyelids fluttered open.
The dim light of the room revealed three familiar faces standing by his bedside: His father, Don, his sister, and the old healer.
"Hey kid, you are awake," his father's gruff broke the silence. "Daddy is here."
Ye Ling with worry still etched on her face leaned closer, "Brother, how are you feeling?"
He managed a weak smile, touched by their concern.
"Thank you both, am fine I guess!"
"Mm-hmm, you should try to be more careful next time, you are the one supposed to take care of her, not the other way round…"
"Dad, it was just an accident, you don't need to worry much. Despite, it is over already."
The three talked and laughed forgetting the event in the process as they made jokes while their father narrated to them some stories of his adventures.
---
"Moving out?" They asked in unison with faces filled with surprise.
"Yes, we will be going to a more good place where a friend of mine lives, it's more comfortable there than here!" Don Giovanni said with a serious expression.
The two exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Their father's announcement caught them off guard.
They had spent their entire lives in this sleepy River Village, where the days flowed as lazily as the water itself.
Leaving? It seemed unthinkable.
"Dad, are you for real?" They ask him once again.
"Yeah, and we are moving out in the morning." He chuckled as he took the two in his arms.
"Eeh, let's pack up then." Ye Chen's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I can't wait to leave this shabby place!"
Ye Ling nodded vigorously, her ponytail bouncing.
"Mm-hmm, me too! Let's pack up then!"
---
The gossipy villagers stood out in groups discussing in the morning.
"Eeh, you haven't heard? Don is moving out!"
"Really, when is that?" This was Mrs. Higgins, a baker of the village.
Wiping her flour-covered hands on her apron she continued.
"But why would he leave now?"
Another joined in from the sides, "Maybe he has his reasons, but I'll miss those two, they always make us cheerful, sigh!"
Johnson who was a carpenter asked, no one in particular, "Where is he moving to? Does any of you know?"
Don and his family left their house with a few belongings as they bid farewell to the other villagers that they had lived with.
"Bon voyage!" They waved their hands at them.
"Safe travels!"
"Bring us back a postcard!" Someone shouted from the back.
And so, with laughter and well wishes echoing in their ears, the little family set off.
The River Village watched them disappear around the river bend, their hearts lighter than feathers on a hummingbird's wing.
"They are gone!"
---
The three looked back, their hearts heavy as the village faded into obscurity. The familiar houses, the winding paths, the laughter and cheers all blurred together like a watercolor painting left in the rain.
"Don't worry kids, we will visit them again but for now, let's slide!"
"Bro, do you think we will ever see them again?"
"Maybe," he replied softly. "Life is full of uncertainties and surprises!"
As the sun rose from the East, the river swallowed them carrying them along its currents.
Traveling by the river was safer as it did not have any mutated beasts, unlike the woods.
But the river too had some rapids in some places and they would therefore have to go to the woods occasionally before making it to their boat once again after a while.
This would go on for hours as they discussed along the way and what place they were going would look like.
It was a bit tiring to crisscross all these rough terrains and vast landscapes with no life.
But their luck was good as they did not encounter any danger for days.