A soft breeze drifted in through the wooden window.
Aarav sat at the edge of the bed, quietly staring outside.
The village stretched out before him—small wooden houses, green fields swaying gently, and distant hills glowing under the afternoon sun.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
"…Two days," Aarav muttered.
He leaned his head back against the wall.
"It's already been two days since I woke up here."
His hand moved to his chest.
The pain was still there, but faint now—manageable.
*I can probably walk…*
He glanced at the door, then back at his bandages.
"…Worst case, I collapse dramatically."
A pause.
"…Actually, let's not do that."
Still—
Curiosity won.
Carefully, Aarav pushed himself up.
A small jolt of pain hit his chest.
"…Okay. Still hurts."
But not enough to stop him.
Step by step, he moved toward the door.
Slow. Careful.
He reached out and opened it.
The moment it creaked open—
Cool air brushed against his face.
Fresh. Light.
"…Finally."
Aarav stepped outside.
He took a deeper breath this time.
The air felt… real.
Not heavy. Not suffocating.
Nothing like—
For a split second, the ruined city flashed in his mind.
Dust. Silence. That strange pressure.
"You shouldn't be here yet."
Aarav blinked.
"…Yeah, no."
He shook his head slightly.
"Not ruining this moment."
He stepped forward and stretched carefully.
For the first time since arriving—
He could properly see everything.
Fields spread out endlessly.
Villagers moved calmly in the distance—working, talking, living.
Strange birds with long wings circled high in the sky.
"…This place is actually beautiful," he said softly.
And he meant it.
Not far from the house, someone was working in the field.
Daren.
He was digging into the soil when he noticed Aarav.
He immediately stopped and walked closer.
"Aarav?"
His eyes quickly scanned him.
"You shouldn't be outside yet."
Aarav scratched the back of his head.
"I feel better now."
"That doesn't mean you should push yourself."
"I've been stuck in that room for two days."
Daren studied him for a moment.
Then sighed lightly.
"…I suppose a little fresh air is fine."
Aarav nodded, satisfied.
Small victory.
He looked around again—the fields, the sky.
Everything felt… calm.
Too calm.
"…I can't stay here forever though," he said quietly.
Daren raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Aarav kept his gaze forward.
"This isn't my world."
He said it casually—but his voice dropped slightly.
"I can't just… live here like nothing happened."
For a moment—
Daren didn't respond.
Then—
He smiled.
Not dismissive. Not forced.
Just calm.
"You worry too much."
Aarav blinked.
"You can stay here as long as you want."
Simple. Direct. No hesitation.
Aarav looked at him.
"…Really?"
Daren nodded.
"You remind me of someone."
"My younger brother."
Aarav tilted his head.
"Your brother?"
Daren looked out toward the fields.
"You have the same look."
"What look?"
"…Like you don't know where you belong yet."
Aarav didn't reply.
Because that—
Was accurate.
Before he could think more—
"AARAV!"
A small voice broke the moment.
Rian came running across the yard at full speed.
"You're outside!"
Aarav sighed.
"…You found me already."
Rian grabbed his arm excitedly.
"Are you really from another world?"
Aarav paused.
Then shrugged.
"Yeah."
"Do people fly there?"
"No."
"Do you fight monsters?"
Aarav hesitated for a second.
A faint image flashed again—
That creature. Those eyes.
"…Sometimes."
Rian's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's amazing!"
Aarav smirked slightly.
"Yeah. Very fun. Would not recommend."
Rian blinked.
"Why?"
"Because I lost."
"…Oh."
Before the conversation could continue—
"What are you doing here?"
Both of them froze.
They slowly turned.
Meera stood near the house door.
Arms crossed. Expression unchanged.
"…You were supposed to be resting."
Aarav straightened slightly.
"I was just getting some fresh air."
"Fresh air does not require leaving the house."
"…Technically, I'm still in the yard."
Meera pointed toward the house.
"Go back."
Aarav sighed dramatically.
"Yes, commander."
Rian laughed.
Meera's gaze shifted.
"…And you."
Rian immediately stopped.
"…I was just—"
"Inside."
"…Yes."
Aarav turned and started walking back.
Slowly. Carefully.
As he passed Meera, she spoke quietly—
"You're still injured."
"…I know."
"Then stop acting like you're not."
Aarav scratched his head.
"…I'll try."
Meera didn't respond.
She simply walked back inside.
Aarav followed.
But before stepping in—
He paused.
And looked back.
The village. The fields. The sunlight. The quiet life.
For a brief moment—
He felt something unexpected.
Comfort.
A place that wasn't his…
Still felt warm.
And somewhere deep inside—
The question faded again.
*Where do I belong?*
Not answered.
Just… quieter.
For now.
---
End of Chapter 8