Everyone was busy doing something. Some were making the roof and others were cleaning the house.
Some were cutting the grass and someone had already cut the orange tree and it was what they had been using as firewood.
Women were busy cooking and others washing the utensils. Some men were making the walls and others were bringing in new wood.
The children were the idlest probably just waiting for the meal and because Lyren was among them, he was also playing with them on their request.
But it appeared that it was just another interrogation because the questions were mainly focused on where he had been and they also wanted to know how he was able to survive the forest.
Some had wanted to know what powers he had awakened and Lyren had been forced to show them his flames.
This had caused everyone to pause whatever they were doing as they watched one of their own actually manage what they usually thought was a big lie.
Lyren ended up flexing his flames the entire day because that was what they were all interested in.
Adults got tired of the scene and continued with their task and Lyren was asked to burn things in order to test if the fire really worked.
By the time the feast started, Lyren was already tired and he could not believe that these were the children he used to play with.
They appeared too dumb all of a sudden but he did not want to alienate them or himself so he blended in with them.
Still, he stood out. His hair had gotten accustomed to covering his eyes and they kept telling him about it. His only response was that he could not control it.
Some suggested that he tied it but he said that it was a drag. Every part of him wanted freedom to do and be whatever and however it wanted. He was not going to take away that freedom.
It was later in the day that they finished their tasks and it was the perfect time for the feast.
The furniture had been returned to the house and looking at the house, it really gave the vibe it used to.
Well, that was only in terms of appearance and they had done a very good job of making sure that he saw this sight again. That was something to be grateful about.
"I am forever going to be indebted to you all for choosing to stand with me. I was not sure where to start and you guys just made sure that I did not sleep on the floor once again.
"This alone is enough. The furniture and utensils are a good gesture from you all because the home feels no longer empty. I just cannot thank you all enough."
Lyren's words were music to their ears and the fact that he was indebted to them made them feel like that was the best thing they could ever do.
They all listened earnestly at his words and they nodded. That was exactly how a grateful person sounded.
"You are still the good boy I remember you were. Very humble and respectful. Your mother really did raise you well. I believe she was not a failure for loving her son too much.
"Not many would remain hopeful and you see, it shows that she was right all along. You were alive and you came back. It's just so unfortunate."
Again, it was the old lady and her words were heartfelt and even the crowd nodded. They all agreed with her and in the midst of the crowd, a familiar face made its way through.
The middle-aged man Joe.
"I apologize for my words. I realized that I hurt you further and that is why I went to our mother here and told her the events that prevailed.
"I swore that I was going to apologize if given the chance and I sincerely hope you forgive me. I am the one who funded the renovation and the feast. This is a small gesture and I hope it erases the bad blood between us."
Joe's words were sincere and his actions showed just how important the apology was and how much he was invested in it.
The fact that he was bowing spoke volumes. Well but that was not enough to woo Lyren.
Instead, he was laughing in the inside as this Joe guy was a really good actor. But there was no way to hide the bitterness in his eyes.
It appeared that he was not doing this out of goodwill but because someone had forced him. Lyren could only think about the old lady who seemed to be the only genuine one in the crowd.
She was called the mother of the village by the adults and the children all called her grandmother. It was likely that she was the one who had mobilized everyone.
Lyren sighed because it was going to hurt her good will but Lyren preferred the raw story he had heard from Joe rather than a sugarcoated one form someone like the old lady.
If she told him what happened, his resolution might have wavered. He bowed too at the old lady and with that, the feast was about to start.
Everyone was served and there was more than enough for everyone to get seconds. Joe was probably bleeding in the inside when he saw how his money was wasted in food.
Still, this was what brought the village together once again.
Lyren ate five rounds of the food. They had made rice, bread, meat stew, soup, and roast meat.
It turned to be more of a celebration than a farewell they had come to attend.
Wherever alcohol came from was forever going to be a mystery and by dusk, everyone who could drink was drinking.
People and kids were dancing. Mothers seemed to throw him glances and some were actually gutful enough and they approached him with their daughters next to them.
"This is Daisy, do you remember her? She told me that you guys used to play together back then. She said that she wanted to speak to you but she was afraid and so I decided to help her.
"Please, have your time," she said and left the two. Lyren had been standing at the entrance and when the mother left, they both sighed.
"Hi," it was Daisy who spoke first and Lyren waved back. "Don't mind her. I know we used to play back then but I think we are no longer the same, right?"
Lyren was impressed. She was more intelligent and even when she was being pushed to him, she still maintained her composure and distance.
Also, she did not try to romanticize their childhood friendship. This was maturity he was sure only she among the girls waiting in line with their mothers to come speak to him had.
Lyren was not going to entertain such nonsense and since there was someone who had a clear conscience, he was going to talk to her until the feast was over.
"Well, I think you are right but that does not mean that we can't catch up. If you don't mind, come in with me and let us talk more in private."
Lyren did not try to do the same either and she seemed to understand his intention. After all, it was overwhelming that all those mothers wanted their daughters to speak to him.
She took his hand and pulled him into the house and they closed the door behind everyone's eyes.
For a moment, they were dumbstruck as their brains fried themselves. Had they hooked up already? What was this generation turning into?
This was unacceptable and they could not contain their curiosity as they went near the house and pressed their ears to the wall and they listened to whatever was to come next.
They could only hope that the two knew their limits. Daisy's mother was the most flabbergasted because she might have just given her daughter to the devil.
But they were later proven wrong when they heard what the conversation was turning into. They saw a lantern had been lit up and rays escaped through the holes.
The topic they were talking about was about matters they did not know about. It appeared that the two were really into history because that was what the conversation was about.
They heaved a sigh of relief and left one by one because the topic was a boring one. The other mothers and daughters gave up for the day and they were going to find a day of their own to introduce their daughters.
The old lady watched with disappointment but she could not stop them. It was part of human nature anyway. The desire to always rise up…
As for the men, they were all drunk and Joe was like a fish as he led them in a chorus that turned out to be sang by the entire crowd. Even Lyren and Daisy came out and joined in the dancing and singing.
The patterns were there,
Golden the color.
The patterns were bad,
Everyone was dead
Arrays…
Array masters the wilders,
The killers of generations.
And who are we?
The survivors we are!
The eradicators of evil,
We make the world pure of evil.
We are one…