The next morning, Kai, still feeling a slight ache throughout his body, walked through the village streets. It no longer bore any resemblance to the ruins he had found upon returning from the Merg jungle. Now, the village truly felt like a home, a refuge for everyone. People could be heard working to finish building the houses, and children were already running and playing, even at this early hour. Everything was perfect, he was actually making it happen. And although this village still had a long road ahead, the present was wonderful.
As he walked, Kai thought of Lyla, who had stayed in the central building to finish organizing several provisions. She was giving Kai some personal space, trusting that he wouldn't do anything too strenuous. With a silly smile at the thought of her, he began heading toward his first destination: the forge area, where Bram and Grom would surely be.
