Chapter 10 - Awakening

"Lyla," Keel said evenly, his voice carrying a calm authority that cut through the chaos. "Say these words: 'I want my profession.'"

"What?" she snapped, her head jerked towards him. "What are you talking about? This isn't the time for games!"

"Just trust me," Keel said, his gaze locking with hers. There was a gravity in his tone that left no room for argument.

Lyla hesitated, her mind racing. Then, with a desperate glance at the bleeding man, she relented. "Fine. I… I want my profession."

The words hung in the air for a beat before a golden light burst forth, engulfing her. Lyla yelped in surprise, her body instinctively curling inward as warmth and energy coursed through her. When the light faded, she stared at her hands, now pulsing with an unfamiliar glow.

"What… what just happened?" she whispered, trembling as she turned to Keel.

"No time to explain," he said sharply. "Check your skills. Look for something called Healing Aura and use it."

Confusion flickered across her face, but she did as instructed. Moments later, her hands hovered over the dying man, a soothing green light pouring from her palms. The wound began to close, the ragged edges knitting together as color returned to his cheeks.

Keel stepped back, his eyes narrowing. 'If she's not the reincarnation of the god of healing, she's something close,' he thought, unease settling in his chest.

As the glow subsided, Lyla collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. "You knew," she said between labored breaths, her exhaustion laced with accusation. "You knew this would happen."

"I had a hunch," Keel replied, his voice measured.

Her glare was piercing. "You planned all of this, didn't you? The profession, the light, this moment! Who are you, Keel?"

Keel sighed. "This isn't the time"

"No," she interrupted, pushing herself upright. "You don't get to dodge this. Not now."

He hesitated, torn between deflection and the truth. Finally, he relented, offering a carefully curated explanation. "There's something bigger going on—something connected to Axion. I'll explain more when we're safe, but for now, trust me."

Lyla stared at him, her jaw tight with suspicion. "Fine," she said at last. "But I'm not leaving. You clearly can't handle this alone."

Keel frowned, irritation flashing in his eyes. 'This wasn't part of the plan,' he thought, but there was no time to argue. He gestured toward the injured man. "Then stay out of my way and make sure he lives."

He hoisted the unconscious man onto his shoulders and began the trek back to their makeshift village. Lyla followed in silence, though the tension between them was palpable.

Once they reached the village, Keel deposited the man in what served as their infirmary. Lyla busied herself tending to him while Keel, satisfied that they were stable for the moment, stepped away. The weight of their situation pressed down on him as he activated the exit portal.

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Exiting the portal, Keel found himself back on Lyla's porch. The cool evening air greeted him as he let out a deep sigh, turning to walk back home. He prayed he wouldn't run into anyone; explaining his sudden disappearance wasn't something he was prepared for.

As he quietly slipped through the front door of his home, he kicked off his shoes and tried to move silently down the hallway.

"Where have you been?" his mother's voice called from the kitchen, warm yet curious.

Keel froze, the calm moment he sought slipping away. He peeked into the kitchen to find her wiping her hands with a dishcloth, her gaze fixed on him.

"Where's Dad? I need to talk to both of you," Keel said, his tone steady but grave.

His mother frowned slightly but nodded. "He'll be home in about an hour. Go freshen up. We'll talk over dinner."

The hour passed quickly, and Keel soon found himself seated at the dinner table, his parents on either side. Their expressions ranged from mild curiosity to concern as they noticed the tension in his posture.

"So," Keel began, choosing his words carefully. "Have you heard of Axion?"

His parents exchanged glances. His mother's brow furrowed. "Of course we've heard of it, but it's just a rumor, isn't it?"

"It's not," Keel said, his voice firm. Taking a deep breath, he began to recount the events, carefully crafting the narrative to avoid exposing his reincarnation. His explanation stretched from the reality of Axion to the village he had claimed and the importance of what lay ahead.

Their faces shifted as they listened—shock, confusion, worry, and finally, pride. When he finished, silence hung in the air for a moment before his mother spoke.

"But is it safe?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Keel offered her a reassuring smile. "I'll make it safe. I promise."

His father leaned back, folding his arms, his gruff voice breaking the quiet. "Are you serious about this, son?"

Keel met his father's gaze without hesitation. "More serious than I've ever been."

His father gave a curt nod. "Then you've got my support. But remember, this family comes first."

Keel nodded, relief washing over him. For now, the hardest part was over. But deep inside, he knew the challenges ahead were only beginning.

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Back in Axion, Keel set to work immediately. The incident with Darius weighed heavily on him, a stark reminder of how quickly their situation could deteriorate. Every second mattered. The defensive perimeter was of utmost importance.

Alex, ever diligent, had been tirelessly collecting resources with the small crew he had managed to assemble. The earlier materials Keel gathered now came into play as they worked side by side to barely complete the first layer of a stone wall. 

"Finally done," Keel exhaled, his voice strained. Sweat dripped down his brow as he surveyed their work, a crude but sturdy barrier that circled the core of their settlement.

He adjusted his gear and prepared for the trek back to the village. As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Keel arrived to find Darius waiting for him at the entrance. The middle aged man's face was grave, his usual demeanor replaced with something more severe.

"We have a problem, Village Head," Darius said, his voice low and tense. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.

Keel nodded, already anticipating the weight of the conversation. "Troubled times are upon us," he muttered.

The bandits. This wasn't the first time Keel had faced them, in his prior life. The skirmish with Darius was usually a prelude, he knew what came next.

"Not here," Keel said, glancing around at the villagers going about their business. "Let's talk somewhere private."

He gestured toward Alex, catching the young man's attention. "Alex, join us. This concerns all of us."

The three of them gathered in a small, dimly lit room within the central structure. Keel sat at the head of the table, his arms crossed as he addressed Darius. "Tell me everything."

Darius leaned forward, his voice hushed but firm. "The bandits we fought were a scouting party. They've been moving south, picking off smaller settlements. Our village… it's next in their path."

Keel's mind raced, sifting through the fragments of his memories. In his previous life, bandits unless stopped, would leave nothing, but ruin in their wake. But this time, he had time to prepare.

"How many?" Alex asked, his voice betraying his nerves.

"At least fifty," Darius replied grimly. "But they've got a leader—a real monster. Calls himself Ravager. He's not your average brute."

Keel leaned back, tapping his fingers against the table. Fifty was a manageable number, but Ravager posed a real threat. A skilled combatant with a knack for strategy. 'There is nothing more dangerous' 

"We need to bolster the defenses," Keel said after a moment. "Alex, can we gather enough stone and wood to reinforce the wall?"

"Barely," Alex admitted. "But we'll need everyone to pitch in."

"Good. Start on that tomorrow. Darius, I need you to train the villagers. Even basic drills will make a difference."

"And you?" Darius asked, his brow furrowed.

"I'll take care of the bigger picture," Keel replied, his voice steady. "We're not just going to defend—we're going to ensure they never set foot in this village."

Darius and Alex exchanged glances before nodding. The resolve in Keel's eyes was unshakable, and despite their doubts, they trusted him.

As the meeting concluded, Keel lingered, his thoughts drifting to the days ahead. The bandits were a threat, but they were also an opportunity, a test of the foundation he was building. This time, he would be ready.