Following the end of their long journey Gonzo and his mother arrived at the entrance of a village made up of several communities where they were dropped off by the merchant.
carefully placing Gonzo at her back his mother lifted him away from the furnished wood of the carriage he was placed to sleep. Gonzo was still new to the changes that occured after his death and found himself mesmerized by the seemingly strange design the entrance had.
His curiosity didn't falter for a second as he averted attention from his mother and the merchant feasting his gaze on what seemed unfamiliar meanwhile his mother and the merchant saying their last goodbyes.
"Well then I guess this is the end of our fun adventure. I enjoyed having the two of you as passengers" The merchant told her but slowly started to frown as tears dwelled up in his eyes and his face lost composure until suddenly he burst out In a state of sobb
"I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss you guys, this was the most fun I've had in years after a long time of loneliness and self regret I never thought this one journey could bring me this much joy." He continued as his eyes colour changed to a deep red and snot st down his nose.
The merchant tried his best to maintain his composure but his emotions refuses to keep in check, continuously displaying the sadness he tried to bottle up within him. The sounds of his sobbs disturbed the peaceful demeanor of the gate entrance chasing away the the wild life and rodents feeding on the grasses, weeds and doing other things"
"I feel the same way though this isn't goodbye forever" she replied optimistically trying to cheer him up as she placed her hand on his shoulder and patted him gently. "You know where we live now so feel free to visit us anytime and don't be shy. You can even tell us stories about your journeys like you did before!".
Her positivity and Bright glow shone on him, the feeling of being wounded in his chest started to desipate with his eyes drying up and his frown reversed. Her words went deep and he seemed pleased.
"Before you go mind if I give you a small parting gift?" He asked with a twitching smirk hanging on his face.
"There's really no need sir, the memories are the only thing I'd like to keep with me" she replied maintaining her positive composure.
"I'm afraid this time I won't listen" The merchant instantly leaped into the carriage seat and brought out a key from his pocket which he used to open a small square object resting at the rear edge of the window.
After a few seconds of twisting the small object was eased from it's tightened state and a few rods clenching tightly to the seat became loose revealing a secret boot where many jewels were hidden. Their glow was intense and caused heat resembling that of a sauna with the merchant stacking as much gold coins into a bag as his hands could gather.
Gonzo's mother stood in jaw dropping awe while trying to block her at the sight of the jewels yet Gonzo himself couldn't care less as he was used to more extravagant things from his past life so the merchants stash failed to peak his interest.
Immediately after he locked the secret boot and stretched out the large stack of gold towards her "Take this as a gift from me!" His smirk widened into a smile and his eyes fired up
"I'm sorry but I can't take all this you'll have to forgive me"
"Huh!why not?" He started to shake and shudder with his mood dullen
"This is too much money sir! And I don't even deserve it because I didn't do anything to earn it not to mention it would be selfish of me to just take your earnings like some greedy their. That's not how I am at all!" She conjured
"But..." The consistent bickering became exaggerated to the extent Gonzo was to devoid his attention any longer
(Alright that's enough!if this goes on any longer we'll never go any further on time) Gonzo concluded with annoyance (I'll have to interven as best as possible)
"Waa....aaaah! Waa...aah!"Gonzo burst into tears.
"Oh my Gonzo's crying. He must be tired the poor thing"
"Alright then if you won't do it for me then do it for Gonzo at least. He'll need something to for when he matures a bit, call it a gift from his uncle"
No longer able to deny his logic she let out a short "sigh." "Alright then I guess I have no choice but to accept"
(It was about friggin time damnit)
The merchants carriage set a path for the opposite direction and the horses raged at top speed meanwhile Gonzo and his mother watched another person they grew fond of drift into the distance but such was life.
(We only travelled together for a short while but I can tell for sure that your a good person. I hope you stay safe on your own path) Gonzo thought up his last remarks as well.
Finally there were no more delays and his mother carried him passed the entrance and the security gates swiftly. After some formalities were completed Gonzo's mother was at a loss for words with her body overcome with joy at the sight of her home.
Gonzo on the other hand was stunned and puzzled at the sight of homes built like those in the capital but with more furnished and sturdy structure work not to mention the various alignment of many long poles with wires attached and stretching out from them seemingly intertwined with each other.
What left his brain at the edge of burning out was the various tools the villagers were using like the small piece of constructed glass that brings light out of nowhere (probably magic) he thought though that was one of the many things that had changed during his life as a hero.
The people were obviously living peaceful and easier lives which gave him a sense of relief that "His efforts against the demon king weren't in vain"
(I can't believe just how much things had changed or could it just be this village? though when I think about it that merchants carriage didn't have a horse.) (I thought he was using some sort of magic spell but I might have been wrong)
"Huh? No way... Looks like little miss pretty is back"
"Wait who are you talking about and why are you making such a big.....no way it's her"
"Hmmm? Looks like one of our own has returned I wasn't expecting it to be her though"
"It looks like she's back and she brought a kid with her?"
"Scoff!" "I told you all her dreams were big talk and now she went and got herself pregnant"
"I wonder who's ba****d child that is What a sl*t"
After being spotted by the few of the residents not even a second flew by before the news of her return spread like wild fire with some already slandering her behind her back.
To top it all of the existence of Gonzo was evidence dreams she boasted proudly about was nothing more than a bluff she failed to accomplish.
The people gathered and increased with the glares of the crowd growing more intense and malicious as well as the incessant murmuring which continued to spread throughout the farthest reaches of the area. She became a spectacle to ease the boredom of the jobless and hateful making her feel uncomfortable.
Her resolve crumbled bit by bit, and the crowds taunts rang unbearably in her ear. She was on the verge of breaking completely yet she continued to avert her gaze from them staring intensely at the ground trying to endure for her child's sake but she could only endure so much.
"Stop... please just...stop" she uttered underneath her breath maintaining her calm yet it continued to dwindle.
Until.."Alright that's enough everyone!" a crackling yet demanding voice spoke in the distance.
It was a rather old yet surdy thin man wearing casual clothing with shades to match accompanied by 2 tall slender yet stacked young women
"I believe everyone here has something better donig and if you don't do tell the cows have been feeding too much lately and the rearers could use some assistance"
His words made people bow their heads and leave with no one daring to make a sound. This display made the spectating Gonzo weary the old man must have been of high rank.
"Than.....Than....Thank you... sir"
"Don't worry about that just get that child somewhere safe and comfy"
"Yes pappy it will be done as you wish" she replied in a shrill tone and twitching face as puddles of sweet dripped down her face.
"That's Good! Alright ladies come follow pappy"
Gonzo's mother took him to a secluded place and broke down in silence tightly squeezing him in her arms.
"I'm so glad you're still safe my baby!"she said insecurely her body shuddering like she was struck by a cold while kissing him in his forehead consistently
(I don't know what happened in my so called mothers past but it seems like there's a bigger picture than I was expecting) Gonzo speculated raising his guard and awareness to it's maximum