The meadow was still, the soft rustle of leaves and distant chirping of birds providing a tranquil background to the scene.
Adam exhaled heavily, a long sigh escaping his lips as he watched his brother Eric and George, Sophia's older brother, continue their exaggerated battle stances.
Their movements were dramatic, their hands slicing through empty air as if fending off invisible enemies.
Each swing of their arms was accompanied by a loud grunt or shouted instruction. It was clear they were fully committed to their imaginary fight.
Adam shook his head, running a hand through his disheveled black hair. His dark eyes narrowed in exasperation as he muttered to himself, "Why am I surrounded by idiots?"
Next to him, Sophia sat cross-legged, her green eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and embarrassment.
She tucked a strand of her blond hair behind her ear and glanced at Adam.
Just behind them, leaning casually against the large tree that had been Adam's resting spot earlier, stood Yami, Adam's older sister.
Her arms were crossed, and a wry smile played on her lips as she watched George and Eric.
Finally, Adam had had enough. With a huff, he pushed himself to his feet, brushing off the dust and grass clinging to his brown leather pants.
He cast a pointed glare at the two boys, who were still engrossed in their antics.
"You've officially ruined my nap," Adam declared, his voice cutting through their mock battle. "I'm going home."
The words seemed to hang in the air for a moment as everyone turned their attention to him.
Adam started walking toward the village, but an unsettling thought crossed his mind. He faltered slightly, his steps slowing.
Wait… do I even remember the way home?
His brows furrowed, but before panic could set in, a series of memories surfaced in his mind.
He saw flashes of narrow village paths, winding lanes that he instinctively recognized. The route to his house was clear, as though his feet had walked it a thousand times before.
Adam exhaled, relieved that at least his muscle memory—or the lingering memories of his new life—hadn't failed him.
As Adam took his first steps toward the village, Eric and George finally stopped their antics, jogging to catch up with him.
"Don't worry, Adam!" George called out, a broad grin on his face. "One day, when I'm the greatest warrior this village has ever seen, you'll be able to brag that you know me!"
Adam turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow at the statement. "Yeah, yeah," he replied dryly, his tone dripping with skepticism. "We'll see about that."
Sophia and Yami exchanged knowing glances before following behind, their steps quiet on the soft earth.
Eric brought up the rear, his tall frame casting a long shadow over the group as they made their way toward the village.
---
As they walked, Adam let his gaze wander. The open field around them was slowly giving way to the outskirts of the village.
On his left, the grass stretched endlessly, a sea of green rippling in the breeze.
But it was what lay to his right that caught his attention—a small cremation ground, nestled just beyond the large tree.
Adam's steps faltered for a moment as a chill ran down his spine. His black eyes lingered on the site, and his thoughts turned inward.
Was I really lying so close to a cremation ground? What kind of person does that?
He shook his head, trying to dismiss the uneasy feeling. It doesn't matter now. Just focus on getting home.
Eric, noticing Adam's distraction, picked up his pace and walked beside him. A mischievous smirk tugged at the corners of Eric's lips as he gave Adam a sidelong glance.
"You do remember, don't you?" Eric asked, his tone teasing.
Adam frowned. "Remember what?"
Eric chuckled, the amusement clear in his voice. "Mom's waiting for you at home. You know what that means, right?"
Adam's expression remained blank, his confusion deepening. "And what exactly is going to happen?"
Eric's grin widened, but he didn't elaborate. Instead, he quickened his pace, leaving Adam to stew in his growing curiosity.
The group soon reached the edge of the village. The open meadow gave way to a wide dirt path that led directly into the heart of the settlement.
The village was bustling with activity, its residents moving about with purpose.
Wooden houses lined the roads, each one sturdy and practical, their designs simple yet charming.
The faint scent of fresh earth and woodsmoke filled the air, mingling with the sound of distant chatter.
Adam's dark eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in every detail.
Each house had a garden in front, where rows of vibrant vegetables grew in neat rows. Some yards also had small coops, with chickens clucking and scratching at the ground.
The entire village had a self-sufficient charm, a testament to the hard work and cooperation of its inhabitants.
As the group walked further into the village, they were soon stopped by a middle-aged man with a wiry frame and sun-weathered skin. He looked at the group with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Oi, you lot!" the man called out, his tone sharp but not unkind. "Back from playing near the fields again, are you? How many times do we have to tell you not to wander that far?"
Before Adam could respond, Eric stepped forward, his grin sheepish but confident.
"Uncle Krish, it's not what it looks like. We didn't mean to go that far. It's just… this huge beast attacked us, and we had to fight it off to protect the village!"
Krish raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. But instead of scolding them further, he let out a hearty laugh.
"You've got quite the imagination, Eric," he said, shaking his head.
Adam observed the exchange in silence, his gaze fixed on Krish. Memories bubbled to the surface, revealing the man's identity.
Krish was a merchant, one of the few villagers who traveled to nearby towns and cities to trade goods.
His work was dangerous, involving long journeys through unpredictable terrain, but he was a respected figure in the village and a close friend of both Adam's father and Sophia's father.
After exchanging a few more words, Krish waved them off, allowing the group to continue their journey.
As they walked deeper into the village, Adam let his gaze wander again. The dirt roads were wider here, accommodating carts that carried goods between houses.
The houses themselves were surprisingly large for a village, their wooden frames sturdy and well-maintained.
The sight of the gardens intrigued Adam. Each one was meticulously cared for, bursting with green leaves and colorful vegetables.
The air was rich with the scent of fresh produce, and Adam could hear the faint clucking of chickens from several yards.
"This isn't bad at all," Adam muttered to himself, his voice tinged with admiration. "They've got everything figured out here."
Despite the simplicity of the village, there was an undeniable charm to its organization and efficiency.
The slower, steadier pace of life felt like a stark contrast to the chaos of the modern world Adam had left behind.
As the group continued walking, Adam couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging, even as he wrestled with the strangeness of his new life.
The warmth of the sun overhead, the laughter of his companions, and the bustling energy of the village all combined to create a sense of peace that Adam hadn't felt in a long time.
And with that, the chapter came to an end, leaving Adam with a newfound appreciation for the world he now called home.
---
End of Chapter Eight