As the dense jungle path ended, a small valley opened ahead. Old wooden houses stood on either side of a dirt trail. In the sunlight, their brown color and the dry leaves resting on their rooftops spoke of an ancient, peaceful place. The air carried the scent of drying leaves and wood—the kind of smell that instantly reminded Aarya of the comfort of home.
Riya slowed her steps. Her face looked softer than ever; a sparkle lit up her green eyes, as if she were revisiting some piece of her memories. "This… feels like home," she said softly, her voice carrying a tenderness Aarya had never heard before.
Aarya looked at her face and a small smile bloomed on his lips. "You look happy," he said in an almost teasing tone.
Riya glanced at him, her lips still holding a faint smile. "Crimson Village… this is the place where I first felt like I was just a human. Not a Rakshak."
Feran growled, "Hearing this soft tone from you feels weird."
Riya gave him a half-smile. "You always ruin romantic moments, Feran."
Aarya stifled a laugh and said, "This village is more than just a place to you."
Riya simply nodded, the warmth still glowing in her eyes.
---
As the three of them walked along the dirt trail, some children who were playing with stones stopped upon seeing them. Their eyes first filled with disbelief, then lit up with excitement.
"Riya didi! Riya didi is back!" a little boy shouted and ran barefoot inside the village.
Within moments, more people began to come out of their homes. Their faces showed relief, but traces of fear lingered as well. Most villagers wore simple cotton tunics, worn but well-kept. Their skin was tanned from the sun, and both exhaustion and hope were written on their faces.
An elderly man stepped forward in front of Riya—his beard was white and his body slightly hunched, but his eyes held warmth. "Riya… you've come back," he said, genuine comfort in his voice. "We thought you'd never return."
Riya bowed her head slightly in respect. "I always come back, uncle. This place always calls me."
Aarya observed all this; the villagers' eyes held both respect and affection for Riya. Her calm expression now looked even softer.
---
"No matter how long you take… you always return."
The voice was deep and confident, and everyone turned slightly to look behind.
Riya immediately turned around, and her face lit up. "Grace!"
A man stepped out from the crowd. His tall body looked strong and perfectly trained. The sun had darkened his skin, and his face carried a confidence that was also friendly. Around his neck hung a leather strap with small beast claws—proof of years of hunting. His brown eyes held a warmth that contrasted with his sharp hunter's gaze.
Grace smiled as he stopped near Riya. "You still look the same… just a little more serious now."
Riya gave a slightly sarcastic smile. "And you still talk the same. You'll never change."
Grace shrugged. "Why should I change? Among people like you, someone needs to stay normal. No matter how great a Rakshak you become, to me, you're still the same girl who first came here."
Aarya stood a bit behind, but his attention was on Grace and Riya's interaction. Riya, who usually seemed composed and slightly distant, now looked almost relaxed—like a normal friend.
---
Grace's eyes then landed on Aarya. His expression turned serious for a moment, and he walked straight up to him. "And him?" he asked directly.
Riya answered calmly, "This is Aarya. He was with me in the Heart Zone of Bloodthorn. If it weren't for him, I might not have returned."
Grace stepped closer and examined Aarya. His sharp hunter eyes stared directly into him. "You saved Riya from the Heart Zone? Then let me be clear—this village means everything to us. I expect you to protect it just as she does."
Aarya looked directly into his eyes without blinking and said calmly, "I will."
Grace studied his face for a moment, then gave a small smile. "Alright… I believe you'll stand by your word."
Feran growled telepathically, "I like him. At least he speaks straight."
Aarya gave Feran a small smile and remained quiet.
---
Amid all this, a little girl quietly walked up to Riya. Her brown eyes were filled with big tears, and her small feet were muddy. Her slightly torn frock reflected her innocence and the village's simple life.
"Riya didi…!" she said softly and immediately clung to Riya's legs.
Riya bent down at once and lifted her into her arms. A rare soft smile appeared on her face. "Rina… you've grown so much."
Rina held tightly to Riya's neck. "You'll bring papa back, right? You promised before that you always save everyone…"
For a moment, Riya's calm smile slightly wavered. She ran her hand through Rina's hair. "I'll try, Rina… as much as my strength allows."
Aarya looked at Rina; in her small tears, he saw the same hope he had felt in the Heart Zone. His face grew slightly serious. Feran growled in a telepathic tone, "That look's back on your face—the protector one."
Aarya replied softly, "The hope in her eyes shouldn't die."
---
The villagers stood around them, their faces filled with both hope and fear. Riya gently set Rina down and looked at Grace.
"Tomorrow morning," Riya said in a firm tone, "we'll go to the west ridge. Your people will return."
Grace nodded. "I'll come too."
Aarya looked at him and said softly, "Me too."
Night slowly descended upon Crimson Village. Old stone lamps along the dirt paths began lighting up one by one, their yellow glow casting a soft shine on the mud and wooden houses.
Grace looked at Riya and said, "Everyone's waiting for you. Come to the hall—people want to hear you speak."
Riya nodded and gently let go of Rina's small hand. Rina held on for a moment longer, as if she didn't want to let go, but upon seeing the trust in Riya's eyes, she slowly stepped back.
"I'll come back to see you tomorrow morning," Riya said, running a hand through her hair.
Rina whispered just one word, "Promise?"
Riya took her small hand and replied, "Promise."
Aarya was watching everything; his face was calm, but that same protector's determination shone in his eyes.
---
The hall was built of old deodar wood. On its walls hung old hunting marks and a few hunter spears. The only light came from a large iron lamp placed in the center, casting a soft yellow glow.
As Riya entered, all the villagers stood up immediately. Their faces were filled with both hope and fear.
Grace introduced them, "This is Aarya… and this is Feran. Both are Riya's companions. We've all heard what they did in the Heart Zone."
Aarya nodded respectfully. The villagers' eyes held curiosity; his Granthnishaan and calm expression impressed them, but they remained cautious.
---
A woman stepped forward. Her long black hair was tied in a bun, and her body looked slender but strong. Her face had tanned from the sun, but her eyes carried a mischievous energy.
"I'm Meera," she said in a slightly loud but friendly voice. "I was part of the west ridge hunting group… but I was called back to take care of the kids."
As soon as Riya heard her name, she gave a small smile. "You're still the same… always complaining."
Meera laughed. "And you're still the same, always serious."
Grace interjected, "Keeping Meera in your group was necessary, or this village would've been finished without kids."
Aarya looked at Meera for a moment; her body language carried the speed and confidence of a hunter—this character would surely be important in the future.
---
Another man then stepped forward. His tall, broad frame reflected that of an experienced hunter. His greying hair and small beard were proof of years of hunting. His face was quiet, but his eyes held sharp observation.
"I'm Rudrak," he said in a simple yet heavy voice. "Two of my men didn't return… and I'm ready to leave tomorrow morning."
Grace placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rudrak is considered the oldest tracker we have. Without him, finding anything in the west ridge will be tough."
Riya nodded at Rudrak. "With you, the mission will be easier."
---
Grace stood at the center and looked around the hall. His body looked even more shadowed under the lamplight, but his voice carried a confidence that calmed everyone.
"Our five people went to the west ridge three days ago. They went to clear the remaining threads of Bloodthorn… but never returned."
A woman's voice rang out in the hall, "Grace… we hear sounds from the ridge at night… beasts. What if something happened to them?"
Grace looked at her and said firmly, "Whatever happened, we will bring them back. Either alive… or their bodies. But no one will be left behind."
A heavy silence spread in the hall. Villagers looked at each other, hope and fear on their faces.
Riya then said in a calm but firm tone, "Tomorrow morning, we head for the west ridge. Me, Grace, Rudrak, and Aarya. Meera will stay back to protect the village and the children."
Meera simply nodded. "When you return, I'll have a full dinner ready. Or else… you know I'll come after you."
Riya gave a small smile. "You're still the same."
---
Rina, who had been sitting quietly in the corner of the hall, slowly approached Riya. Her brown eyes still held the same hope. "Riya didi… bring papa back."
Riya bent down and held her small hand. "I'll try my best to bring him back."
Aarya stood a little behind. He saw that same hope in Rina's eyes and thought quietly, "I won't let this hope die."
Grace took a deep breath and looked at Aarya. "Tomorrow morning… we all go. Are you ready?"
Aarya looked straight into his eyes and said calmly, "I'm ready."
And for the people of Crimson Village, tomorrow morning would decide—whether hope was worth holding on to, or just another dream.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…