The Next Element

Max's POV:

"Alright, with just a few more steps i should arrive at the very entrance of this village" i mumbled to myself, with my map being tightly held by my hands.

Looking at the area before me, I noticed a wooden sign, curious enough, I decided to check what's written on it.

Slowly taking a few steps, I was finally able to read the words that were written on it.

"Faroer... What an odd name for a village" I thought.

Looking on to the village, it seems peaceful as well, it had trees surrounding the area giving it a rather cold breeze, wonder how they sleep at night?

Stopping with the questions, I soon proceeded in entering, the village was very quiet, in fact, very quiet.

Is it their day off or something?  Possibly, I see no worker doing their job, nor children playing, this place is very peaceful in my opinion, they must have very strict rules.

At least that is my one and only guess, but that thought was proven false when I saw a young man about to pass me by.

"Hello!" I called him politely and gave him a wave to gain his attention, he got startled for a second but his eyes turned to me.

The way he looks into me is kind of bizzare, like he's seen some sort of ghost, but he's not running away, their probably not used to visitors too.

"Hi? Are you a traveler?" He asked.

"Yes, pardon me but can I have a moment of your time? I would like to ask you some questions if that's possible" I went straight to the point.

Fortunately, he was a good fella and allowed me to ask him.

I asked him first about where the other villagers are and to my surprise, my thoughts from earlier was correct, they were all on a day-off because they were overworked yesterday, he had also told me that there were only a few people that live here so I'm guessing that's the reason why they were worked to the bone.

"But there are some people here who are currently at the cottage hospital" the man added.

"Hm? Why?"

"Well, I heard there was a girl who received a huge wound from being attacked by a demon!"

"Demon?!" I was alarmed that I accidentally shouted at the man.

"Sorry about that... Did you say demon?"

"Yes, for the past few days we've been seeing sights of unidentified beings, we're all afraid we might get killed suddenly, but fortunately we have a guardian that protects us, he's very good at wielding a lance!"

Guardian? Lance? Who is this man referring to?

"Can you tell me what's the name of your guardian?"

"Yeah yeah, his name is "Shadow Lonewolf"

Shadow Lonewolf?! Shadow?

"Shadow Lonewolf you say? Can you tell me where he is now?" I asked him not showing that I am surprised for he might suspect something.

"He's in the hospital as well, just right there" he pointed at the nearest building, just a few distance away from us.

"I see, thank you" I nodded at him as I waved good-bye.

I then made my way towards the hospital where the man said shadow is right now.

Entering the premises, there were some doctors going left and right with a lot of tools in hand, probably for the girl who were said to be injured.

Some of the doctor's gaze turned to me and was quickly surprised, seriously have they never seen any beastmen likeme before?

Turning my eyes in one of the hallways I heard distant chatter.

"That voice" I thought, it sounds like him.

Soon the male whom I heard speaking finally came out into the hallway I was looking at.

"Shadow?" I called him, he really changed.

His eyes turned to me, his smile faded and changed into pure shock.

We stared at each other for what felt like minutes.

"M-max?" He stumbled between words.

"Shadow.. It is you!" I smiled as I rushed to him and gave him a tight hug, he returned the hug back as we both let out chuckles.

"It's been a while man!" I laughed.

"Yeah.. It has been" he replied.

"Look at you shadow! I almost didn't recognize you!"

"You too max! Say, how about you come with me, it's been awhile since we talked"

"Sure shadow but don't you have some other business to take care of?"

"Oh? I was actually about to leave, just finishing up, so, wanna come with me?"

"Of course" we both left the hospital.

Shadow waved farewell to the man he was talking to, we then headed to a cafe, but I thought everyone's on a day-off?

Hm, better ask him.

-- End --