Elara approached Kael, a gentle smile on her face. "Kael, I think it's time you met the people of the village.Your wound healed overnight, but…You've been asleep for six days, and everyone is excited to meet the hero who has come to save us. They've been praying for your recovery regularly.
"Six days?" Kael repeated, his confusion deepening. He still couldn't wrap his mind around everything that had happened, but he nodded, trusting Elara's calm demeanor. "Alright… let's go."
As they left the room, Kael stepped into the fresh air, and the world that greeted him was like nothing he had ever seen. The sky above was a vibrant shade of blue, but it was different from the sky he knew—deeper, more intense, as if it held a magic of its own. The village was quaint, with old houses made of stone and wood, their thatched roofs giving them a timeless quality. It felt like stepping into a world from a storybook.
Kael's eyes widened as he saw strange creatures fluttering about. Tiny, glowing fairies darted between the trees, their wings shimmering with soft light. In the distance, he caught sight of a large beast, something like a cross between a horse and a dragon, grazing peacefully in a meadow. He couldn't help but whisper to himself, "This… this is like something out of an anime or manga. I can't believe I'm actually in another world."
Elara noticed his awe and smiled warmly. "It must be overwhelming, I know. But this is your new reality, Kael. And these people… they believe in you."
As they walked through the village, the residents began to notice them. One by one, people started to gather, their eyes wide with excitement and reverence. Whispers spread through the crowd—*"The Hero is awake!"*—and soon, they were surrounded.
Men, women, and children all pressed closer, eager to see Kael. Their faces were filled with hope, some even with tears of joy. People reached out to him, some asking questions, others simply offering words of gratitude.
"Thank you for coming to save us, Hero!" one villager exclaimed, bowing deeply.
"Will you truly defeat the Demon King?" another asked, eyes shining with expectation.
Kael could only stare in disbelief as the crowd surrounded him. He didn't know what to say, how to respond. He was just a normal guy from a normal world—how could they place so much faith in him? He didn't even know how he had ended up here, let alone how he could help them.
"I… I'm not sure why everyone is counting on me so much," Kael muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the excitement of the villagers. His mind was still reeling from everything he had seen, and now, the weight of their expectations pressed down on him.
Elara placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, sensing his unease. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed, Kael. You've been given a second chance at life, and with that comes responsibility. But you don't have to carry it alone. We're all here to help you."
Kael nodded slowly, trying to absorb her words. The village continued to buzz with excitement around him, and while he still felt confused and unsure of himself, a small part of him began to believe that maybe—just maybe—there was a reason he had been brought to this world.
As the villagers continued to greet him, Kael found himself standing a little taller, trying to push past his uncertainty. If they believed in him this much, then maybe he could find the strength to live up to their expectations.
Just as Kael was starting to gather his thoughts, a deep voice broke through the noise of the crowd. "Step aside, everyone! Give the Hero some space!"
The crowd parted, revealing an elderly man walking towards Kael. His presence commanded respect. He wore simple robes, but the weight of leadership was clear in his posture. His long gray beard, weathered face, and kind eyes made him appear wise and strong, like someone who had seen much of life and carried the burdens of many.
When the elderly man reached Kael, he bowed deeply, tears welling up in his eyes. "Hero… I am Eldric, the leader of this village. We have waited so long for your arrival. The prophecies spoke of a hero who would come to save us from the darkness, and now… here you are."
Kael shifted awkwardly, still unsure how to handle the overwhelming reverence from the villagers. "I… I'm just Kael," he said, trying to sound humble, but the words felt inadequate. He didn't feel like a hero, just a confused young man thrust into a strange new world.
Elara stepped forward, placing a hand on her father's shoulder. "Father, perhaps we should invite the Hero to our home. He's only just woken up and still needs time to adjust."
Eldric wiped a tear from his eye and nodded. "Yes, yes, of course, my daughter. You're right. After so many years of waiting, the Hero has finally come back to us… It's overwhelming."
He looked at Kael with deep emotion in his eyes, then turned to the villagers. "Let us allow the Hero some time to rest. We will celebrate his arrival properly later."
The villagers, though still excited, respected Eldric's words and began to disperse, their faces filled with hope and anticipation. Kael followed Elara and her father, feeling the weight of their expectations with every step.
As they walked, Eldric spoke softly. "I've led this village for many years, and in all that time, we've faced countless hardships. The darkness is growing stronger, and hope has been fading. But with your arrival, Hero… we believe that light will return to our land."
Kael didn't know how to respond, so he simply nodded, trying to take in everything he was being told. Soon, they arrived at a large house at the edge of the village. It was simple but sturdy, built from stone and wood like the other houses, but with an air of warmth and comfort.
"Please, come inside," Eldric said, opening the door and motioning for Kael to enter.
Kael hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The interior was cozy, with a large hearth in the center of the main room and wooden beams overhead. The scent of herbs and freshly baked bread filled the air, and Kael felt a strange sense of peace despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him.
As he entered the house, Kael glanced back at Eldric, who wiped another tear from his eye. "Thank you… for coming," the village elder whispered, his voice filled with years of pent-up emotion.
Kael swallowed hard, still unsure of what lay ahead, but knowing that this place—this village—needed him. And somehow, he felt that this was where he was meant to be.
End of Chapter 2