Ananke whispered as he looked at the kid sleeping 'Ironic isnt it… One who could understand emotions of other just by looking at their face… forgot to look at the mirror for his own'
It had already gotten windy and cloudy. Ananke picked Smiley up and started to head back.
It was raining as Rhina looked outside and Ananke was walking through the muddy soil. After some time, they had reached the tavern and entered it. Rhina noticed them coming in from the rain and said "I have put out a spare set of dry clothes for—" but paused mid sentence.
She saw Ananke and Smiley who was on his back, both who surely came out of the rain yet were completely dried. As if not a single drop of rain had fallen on them despite the rain which flooded her with questions but seeing the kid sleeping, she let it be for it was Ananke after all.
Ananke went up and put him back into the bed and walked out of the room to see the leader leaning against the wall. He had a paper in his hand and said "I guess we both thought the same thing"
Ananke said 'what about the report?'
He gave Ananke the papers and said "It was like I was chasing a ghost when finding these. I was only able to access records under your name and that gem." as he handed it over to Ananke with a crystal like gem colored red after his eyes attached to a string.
A gem given by the king as a sign of acknowledgement as a hero or someone of high worth. The color varies according to the eyes of the one whom it is given to and is rarely given out. One can count the number of living people who have it one a single hand.
"With this, we are even." said the leader and Ananke went to the room next door to the Smiley and started reading it carefully. It was the report of the incident on how everything went off and the history of the kid.
How the soldiers reached the village just to find the scout party that should have returned hours ago never returned. How they found the blood bath near the tree and a single young man who was wounded but was almost healed and looked as if they were from days ago and had nothing to do with the incident. Ananke thought to himself 'No wonder he was interested in him…'
But one thing stood out from the rest. Smiley background. Only a single record was found of his, he was found near a burnt nameless village later known as 'The Forgotten Village' whose traces were just erased from existence as if it ceased to exist in a single day and next morning, all they found was burnt and ruined.
People were able to recall seeing a village but had not many memories of its existence and slowly forgot the memories of it. Even the village ruins disappeared afterwards leaving behind no trace as if it never existed and was destined to be forgotten by all. Even those who know about the story soon forgets it.
The kid was rescued by mercenaries and he had vague memories of his past and any records before that were empty. No birth record or identity. His existence was of a ghost itself. And was declared the title of 'A Child Of No Origin'.
The more he looked into it, the more mysteries he was left with. Ananke recalled how this new void came so suddenly without any warning, how he stopped by arean in the mid way, the veil that was stronger than any other, his sword was not with him when he noticed, he barely made it on time at the void gate just for it to be harder to force open than any other he had done in past and even after all that, one soldier tried to kill the kid who barely escaped his death.
It was a miracle how many times he had cheated death itself to live on and how he even survived up till now. Almost as if fate itself wanted to erase him just like his village.
'Another kid had to grow up too fast once again' thought Ananke and had a serious look on his face as he was reading it. Ananke shifted his eyes towards the door and said 'You still there?'
The leader replied "yea… Mind if I come in?"
'Sure. Just don't steal my food'. The food in question was bread that was left out for days as he forgot to eat it before leaving.
The leader said "There were no records on the village people either. It's like existence itself want us to forget something. It feels like I walked into something that I was never supposed to know existed"
Ananke sighed 'I guess that makes the two of us… Whatever it may be. I might need to go ask her next time… But what is your real reason for staying?'
"I am just making sure you do not kidnap him."
Ananke looked at him and said 'I guess you are interested in him too'
Another thing that was on papers was the kid who woke up crying claiming that he was from that 'Forgotten Village' and even once claimed he was crying it was his fault for not listening to his father or not being able to call for help. The leader wondered if he was blaming himself for Redibo actions. After all, everything he loved was crushed before his eyes twice.
Soon it stopped raining. Smiley woke up feeling refreshed as if a huge burden was lifted off him.
He went down stairs and saw Ananke sitting on a table. Smiley was about to say something but Ananke just smiled back with a cup lifted, welcoming the kid to drink.
Smiley just smiled back as he thought 'I guess it will be better not to say anything' as he went and sat beside him.
Ananke gave him the cup with a drink in it as he said 'Did you make up your mind?'
Smiley just looked at Rhina lost in thought for a few seconds. 'Yea… I guess I will go with you since I have more questions than ever.'
Ananke replied 'Very well then. Lets drink'. Smiley stared at the cup and drank it. With just a sip, it tasted strange and just after a second, he started coughing as he said 'What is this?'
Smiley peeked into the Ananke cup and found it had Apple juice in it while his cup had Malt Drink which looked identical to apple juice. It is made from cereal grain, no alcohol and has a thick bitter taste to it with bad after taste at the end. It was famous and only served at this tavern. Young people used it as punishment games and some elders drink it for health.
Ananke said 'Its good for your health, dont be like that'
Smiley with doubtful eyes looked at Ananke and said 'You switched them didn't you?'
Ananke acted dumb 'I have no idea what you are talking about'
'Only outsiders order this in curiosity to regret it. I have been in this village for years.'
Smiley sighed and said 'You know you are making me reconsider it now… I thought you would be some strict adult but you are more childish than me'
Ananke responded 'Do you prefer a strict one?'
'Not really' said Smiley as he stared at Rhina.
'Better say goodbyes while you still can'
Smiley walks up to her as he said 'Umm, uhh so you see. I… I want—' but was not able to find the right words and struggled on what to say.
"I know" as she just smiled "Take care of yourself"
Smiley was confused as he thought she would be the one to reject his proposal the most but Rhina had already made up his mind to respect his wish.
While Smiley was not his son, she treated him like one and she did not want to be the chains that held him back from doing what he really wished for as he was already old enough to decide for himself so she simply smiled as he continued to grow towards his goal.