I considered myself an ordinary man.
Most days, that was enough.
But the world I live in, you see, is filled with mysteries. Creatures with unimaginable strength, terrains that defied logical thinking, people born with extraordinary powers.
Yet... none of it concerned me, for I was already content with my new life.
Right now, I am on a night watch, working as a guard for a small town of fewer than a hundred people. It is a nice and quiet place for the likes of me.
tap tap
"Who's there?!"
The guard jolted upright bringing the rusty tip of his weapon to my neck, stopping just short of it.
Didn't faze me as I answered in a low and even voice, "Easy there. It's my shift now"
With my hands up in the air, the slumbering guard gradually came to his senses. Observing the surroundings as he does so. Judging by how quickly he reacted, it's clear that the guard had just drifted off a moment ago.
'Glad to see your quick hibernation didn't dull your reflexes.'
...
Of course, I didn't say that out loud. Instead, I politely asked him to hand over the weapon on his grip.
The jolted guard spoke in a groggy mumble, his eyes snapping open wide.
"My apologies for the way I reacted, didn't mean to cause you trouble. I should get some proper rest now that my shift is over."
He said, handing me the spear, while simultaneously brushing past me.
"Have a nice day ahead... and sorry again"
I nodded as the guard walked off and soon disappeared completely around the corner of the street. A weathered wooden sign hanging above a nearby bakery swayed lazily, its rusty chain letting out an occasional creak reaching my ear.
Most of the homes here had already gone dark.
"So much for an apology, it isn't the first time he has been slacking off", my voice drifted through the empty street, before fading into the night.
"Time for work... I guess"
Since the town wasn't big, only a small amount of light was present to brighten the darkness. The lantern street lights on the crossroads, some smaller lanterns here and there, and occasionally, the full moon such as now.
Walking along the stone path, the moonlight made the surroundings visible enough that I didn't need to carry a lantern of my own.
On the brief moment my shift started, nothing had changed. It had always been that way for as long as I remember. Although, I got to admit, being a guard isn't really a rewarding career.
Both financially and mentally.
That's why only the bad apple take upon this job.
'Not saying I'm one, of course'.
On this silent night bath in the full moon, the stars really do look lovely.
Before I even know it, I already reach the aged wooden gates at the end of the stone path.
Another fellow guard was positioned beside the gate.
Catching sight of me, he gave a hand signal to the guards above, who were responsible for opening and closing the gate.
Just as I got to them, the gate slowly ground open, its loud creaking drowning out all other sounds.
This aged gate is also the only real thing that keeps the town safe at night.
Stepping my foot outside, the gate behind me slowly closed and with it followed by a small reminder from the guard inside.
"Be careful"
the last words spoken to me, as the gate closed shut. Shortly after, the sound of insects began to creep in.
Resting the spear head on my shoulder, I speak out in ridicule amuse.
"As if I need such remark"
But oh well, I shouldn't be criticising on people concern of me. With weapon in hand, I began walking along the stone wall.
My fingers slowly drag upon the rough surface of it.
Everything seems in place so far. The familiar silence of the night, the moving shade of the forest and the howling of cold wind.
My only complaint at the moment was how boring it can get. Nothing really sparks the interest living here, but that also the side effect of my own wanting.
'New life, another normal me.'
Speaking of interest, my earlier statement wasn't entirely true. The countless mysteries of this world had nothing to do with me. And that was exactly how I preferred it
Except, for one particular thing.
At some point following the cold stone wall, I reach a clearing from the foresty area into a vast grassfield rolling downward into a deep valley before surging upward again toward the distant mountain.
At the very same moment, the grass started to rustle and I was hit by a strong gushing wind.
That's a pretty normal occasion.
What caught my attention though, was how warm the air is.
"That's not right"
I said looking at the far distance of the clearing grassfield.
This small oddity had stirred my dull senses, and I haven't had such feeling for a long while.
'interesting'