The return to village of Eidenweld was triumphant.
Reynar trudged down the forest path with a child clinging to each arm, while Liora led the way, her blade still sheathed but stained with battle. The other rescued children followed closely behind, wide-eyed and exhausted, but safe. The golden dusk filtered through the trees, casting a halo over the ragtag group — the heroes and the rescued.
As they emerged into the village clearing, a collective gasp erupted from the villagers.
"By the stars… they did it," whispered a woman, dropping a basket of herbs. Another villager broke into a cheer, then another — and soon, the whole village was alight with celebration. Parents wept as they embraced their children, while others rushed forward to welcome Reynar and Liora back like returning champions.
A party was quickly organized. Tables were brought out, fires lit, and the square filled with laughter and music. Steaming dishes of spiced root stew, roasted river fish, and sweetmead passed hand to hand.
Reynar sat stiffly at first, overwhelmed by the attention. Not long ago, he had arrived here as a stranger — a half-dead boy dragged out of the forest by a wary swordswoman. Back then, whispers had followed him. A weakling. An outsider. But now? Children ran up to thank him. Men clasped his shoulder. Even the village mage, old Master Arven, nodded in approval and poured him a drink.
Liora watched from beside him, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Seems like they like you now," she teased.
Reynar laughed nervously. "Yeah. Weird, huh?"
"You've earned it," she said, her voice quieter. "You've changed."
He didn't respond immediately. He just stared into the firelight, the warmth washing over his battle-sore body. It felt… good. Not just the praise, but the sense of belonging. Something he never had in his past life.
But the warmth didn't last.
A familiar chime rang in his ears.
[System Notification]
Void Distortion Detected
A Class B Void Rift will appear near Eidenweld in 21 days.
Warning: Estimated Threat Level — Catastrophic.
Recommend Preparation and Pre-emptive Response.
Reynar's heart plummeted. The party, the cheers, the laughter — it all faded into a low hum in his ears.
He turned to Liora, leaning closer so only she could hear. "The system… just warned me. Another Void Rift. It's coming. A big one. Near the village."
Her expression immediately turned grim. "How long?"
"Three weeks. Less, maybe."
Liora glanced around at the celebrating villagers, her jaw tight. "If it's a Class B, then this village—"
"—won't stand a chance," Reynar finished.
There was a long pause between them.
"We have to stop it," he said. "We need to get stronger. Fast."
Liora looked at him carefully. The boy who once cried in the forest. The one who begged for strength. Now, his voice was firm. Steady. Determined.
She nodded. "Then let's start tomorrow."
Their drinks sat untouched as the celebration continued around them. Only they knew what was coming. Only they could stop it.