Chapter 7: Forgotten Noise, Rustling leaves

“Agi!”

The hunter turned his gaze to the origin of the voice, Randal was huffing as he released a heavy pile of lumber.

“How…” He breathed heavily between breaths, his hands resting on his knees, “Can you carry all that?”

Agi felt the tension on his shoulder, could this be considered heavy? He had to cement his position, the merchant was unreliable, and he had barely gained respect amongst the workers.

Agi shifted his shoulder slightly, there was a slight heft to it, but he didn’t feel like it was exaggerated, “If we take long, Auntie will nag us.” He huffed, carrying the bundle into the distance.

It was more of an excuse than anything, a fragile attempt to fit in, in all honesty, he felt the concept of being told off utterly ridiculous.

Just… For some reason, he didn’t want to linger in these conversations, what changed?

Some part of him may have wanted to ask that question, but he knew better, delving deep was almost always a mistake.

Randal looked down and sighed audibly, “Why would he willingly prepare for the festival? I don’t think I’ll ever understand.”

Perparing for the festival was practically a hell for him, he had to wake up earlier than anyone else thanks to his aunt, and he spent the entire time before daylight chopping heavy logs.

Agi even joined him for that, he couldn’t help but wonder, How long does he plan on staying…?

William walked by with a dull look on his face saying, “He’s from a different place than the rest of us.” On his shoulder was a small bundle of lumber, marginally less than both Agi and Randal.

It wasn’t a particularly abrasive thing to say, after all it was true. Agi didn’t belong in this small place, he drew attention, and he disrupted the fragile balance in place in the village.

Would there be a need for guards when you have a legendary hunter? William disliked the idea, he hated the idea of his daily rest being interrupted, and whenever he thought of his fellow slacker, Evans, he felt like biting his tongue.

“He’ll be back at the gate when he gets tired.” William would tell himself, but even he didn’t truly believe this.

Looking on the light weight on Williams shoulder, Randal felt indignation in his heart, Was the world so unfair? He lamented in his heart, He would need to get the others to put in a bit more work, or he really might collapse.

Trudging himself up he grunted as he thrusted the heavy bundle over his shoulder, “Don’t get ahead of me William!” He called out quickly catching up to the boys slow pace, “It’d look terrible if you of all people got there before me.” He shivered at the image of his Aunt.

By this point, the sun had barely begun to shine through the dense foliage, maybe she wouldn’t nag him too bad… Even if he delayed a bit.

Leaving them long behind Agi took long strides, the bustle of the village center was a sight he never seemed to get tired of.

Though he found his gaze lingering, Were these really the same people? The stories he had been told just didn’t match up.

Humans must truly be sinister creatures.

At the town center was a large stone, all alongside it sat stone carvers, chipping away and bickering loudly, “You–How could you hit there?! Do you want to restart?!” The bald headed, burly stone carver was practically shivering with anger.

How many times had he explained to them, only strike the lines!

“You old fogey, just sit back and let us do our job!”

The one who spoke unsurprisingly, had a full head of hair. He was younger, likely around Evans age, he had clear eyes, and calloused hands.

The old stone carver, Joseph, had a stern gaze, and an even sterner voice, “If you want this damn throne done in time, you’d be better off listening to your elders.”

Thomas, the younger stone carver nearly threw down his tools, “I’m tired of your rambling you old bastard…!” The young man had a sharp glare.

But before Joseph could flare up in response a large hand rested on Thomas’ shoulder, “We’re all busy, Don’t waste your morning fighting with an old man.” Agi stated calmly before walking off.

He pondered internally, should he had let it run its course? He’d have liked to. But alas, he had made the decision, he couldn’t idly watch the villagers anymore, he had to be involved.

Thomas grumbled sitting back down and grabbing his tools, meanwhile joseph had a smug look, “Young people should be more like that Agi,” He shook his head, “Goodness, they just don’t make em’ like that anymore.”

The other stone carvers almost felt like they had a vein popping out of their foreheads, “Give it a rest already damn it!” They practically yelled in unison.

Joseph gave a awkward smile scratching the back of his neck, “Hehe, sorry, sorry.”

Agi continued on his way, the neighborly Miranda, her face smeared with paint as she focused heavily on the large board.

It had already been three days since she begun her work on it, it looked… finished? He could tell easily enough what it was meant to be… but it seemed a bit off.

He didn’t pay it much mind, intending to pass by quietly.

She looked up as Agi walked by, “Agi, you’re a big guy, if you don’t mind could ya hand this off to Silvia.”

Seeing her wide smile he could only pick it up reluctantly, it wasn’t much trouble, in all honesty. Once again he just… Hesitated.

It’s unlike him. And that was dangerous.

Shaking off his loose thoughts he continued on his way, passing off the large sign to the short young lady known as Silvia he intended to go on his way, of course she didn’t let him off easily.

Silvia was of course notoriously extroverted, perhaps too much.

She took the sign giving it a good look, “Uh… Are you sure you weren’t the one who made this?” She gave him a strange look.

“I can’t say I’m the type.” He just responded bluntly.

She titled her head, “Thought so… Doesn’t it look a bit… well off, to you?” She asked spinning it around for him to see.

Agi examined it closely, or at least pretended to, “Hm… I can’t say I see it.” He replied.

He wanted to leave by now, strangely, he wanted to return to that empty little house on the outskirts.

Silvia pushed it toward him, “Just look at it! Its completely lopsided!” she huffed, “I knew I should have checked on her… Damn it.” She was practically pulling her hair out by this point, “Oh, you probably don’t know this, but Miranda has an irritating habit, you see she likes to flip her canvas sideways. Usually its not a problem, but when you give her anything sizable… well.”

Agi nodded silently, shifting the bundle of lumber on his shoulder, taking the hint Silvia smiled awkwardly, “Ah… Sorry, you’ve probably got a lot going on.” She shifted slightly, “But hey, You don’t happen to be busy during the festival, right?” She looked at him with wide eyes.

Busy during the fesitval? There was only a week until the festival begun, he would likely spend the day training Evans, but it was an odd question.

It didn’t take long for him to respond, “I’ll be busy.” Silvia seemed a bit put down, but continued smiling, “Well… Alright, let me know if you change your mind!” She exclaimed pushing him off.

Agi didn’t let his mind linger, already carrying himself further into the distance.

The people in the village had mostly avoided speaking about the festival near him, but once he began to assist them in setting up, they slowly opened up about it.

The closer the festival came, the more thoughts bubbled up from beneath. He thought of the temple, his escape… and what came after. Slowly a pair of azure robes surfaced within his mind, and the silver eyes that were glossy like a mirror, those eyes that reflected all too much, he immediately felt sick to his stomach.

“Why’d I have to think of her…?”

He lamented internally, perhaps the last person in this world he wanted occupying his thoughts was that vile Oracle.

Time was an accursed foe to face. It’s ruthless push forward never stopped, it gave you no time to look back, and it certainly gave you no time to forget.

Perhaps in this world filled with horrors, the only true enemy Agi had was time.

The pile of lumber was set down gently, He only gave the Auntie a small nod before going in his way, He had no intentions of loitering, unlike Randal, he still had a lot to do.

“I’m doing it! I’m doing it!”

Hearing the voice of his unruly disciple, Agi set his gaze toward an odd scene.

Stacked on top of Williams shoulder was Evans, he had the lopsided sign in his hands trying to hold it up against a wooden board.

Williams seemed to be trembling under the weight, “When did you get so damn heavy…!” He breathed quickly and unsteadily.

Evans kicked his legs like a child, “Keep it down, I’m focusing… Also it’s muscle.” He said, conveniently ignoring all the snacks Mireille had bribed him with.

On a ladder on the other side a carpenter held two thick nails and a hammer. “You two… I told you to get a ladder!” He was completely appalled.

These youths affirmed him repeatedly they do this every year, and yet he can’t even put in a single nail. He had told them repeatedly to go grab a ladder and they just wouldn’t listen.

Evans turned his head slightly, “Oh! Master, come look, impressive isn’t it?”

Agi stared blankly, ultimately deciding, it’s okay if I ignore this one… right? He nods internally and begins to walk past.

“You promised to help!”

Evans cried out before William fell backwards bringing them both tumbling down, “You… Didn’t I tell you not to move?” William grumbled laying on the ground, it seemed he did not want to get back up.

The carpenter, Dylan, pointed to a ladder across the way, “Agi, please grab that ladder, these brats can’t do even a simple job.” Dylan had actually been amongst the wood cutters when Agi worked with them, so it was no surprise he put a bit more trust in the hard working hunter.

A while later Agi was walking with Evans following closely beside, “Master, do we really have to train today? I mean, we already worked so hard.” He complained.

Agi paid it no mind, “Stop being noisy, what makes this day different than any other.”

Evans grumbled and continued to ramble, but Agi was already focused on something else.

Across the way he saw someone familiar, the shopkeeper of the clothes store, Agi had to hold back from glaring at him, “What’s he doing?” he pondered seeing him hunched over.

When the shopkeeper finally stood Agi realised he was helping someone up, only hearing as he walked by, “Haha, don’t worry about it, It’s only natural to help each other out.”

For some reason it felt biting. Such a simple concept, he couldn’t hold back his piercing gaze, his murky green eyes pinned on the man.

Feeling a shiver the man turned around, “Whoa, what was that.” He held his arms and rubbed them up and down, “Well, anyway I’ll be on my way.”

Just like that the man went off on his own, and Agi could only look forward, just like he always had. Yet this place kept trying to pull him back, the longer he stayed the worse it became.

But he’s too invested. He had to know its secrets, he had too–He had to what?

Why am I so invested?

Once again, he had a question he couldn’t answer.

While they walked Agi remembered something, “It’s already been a good while, don’t you think its time to tell me anything?”

Agi believed he made his intent clear, he had wanted to know why Evans seemed to believe everything was his fault.

Evans nearly tripped before looking up, “What brought this up?” He questioned, hoping to avoid the situation.

“Is it relevant?”

Evans looked around a few times before, “Oh, look its William! hes waving and everything, I should probably go.”

William was in fact not waving, but Agi had told mireille not to push, so he decided to follow his own advice, “I’ll have plenty of time to ask later.” he sighed.

Agi continued to walk, perhaps Evans had needed a rest, his body was not yet accustomed to the intense training.

To the hunter that thought almost felt comical, he had never known rest, but his master in the past had often forced him to sit still, typically after he lost consciousness from exhaustion.

He faintly remembered how his master would refer to him as a handful, a pain in the ass of disastrous proportion.

Agi held no smile on his cold face, there were many fond memories of his master, but he wonders from time to time, if he hadn’t been so lazy back then, would his master still be around?

Perhaps he would have stayed with the tribes for the rest of his life, living and dying as one of their own.

“I should go back…”

He had always avoided such an ill-fated adventure. Going back was… all to easy.

Some part of him was worried, worried they’d accept him back with open arms, that they’d forget that time.

Agi already realized, this place was making him complacent. He had lost his drive long ago, how long has he been here already?

Was it really as bad as he’s been making it out to be?

Petty conflict ruled his current life, small mysteries evaded him, he had a disciple, and… somewhere to return to.

He furrowed his brows in confliction, being indecisive was unlike him, but recently he had been plagued by his own mind.

He was only brought out of his introspection by the approaching feet of the chief.

“I find myself lost in thought, you behave in a truly strange manner.”

The chief stopped a safe distance away, “I can’t trust you, I can’t understand you, and you are dangerous.”

The chief rubs his forehead wearily, “But as much as I find myself wanting rid of you, My daughter insists on staying by your side.”

The normally composed chief even clicked his tongue, “Even that unfilial son of mine prances around trying to please you. Truly, I have never experienced such an irritating situation.

Agi listened silently, but he found himself caring less and less for the hostile chief.

It was true what he was saying, Agi even hardly understood himself right now, Mireille had recently been trying to get him to get along with her father, it was a request he had no intention of going out of his way to fulfill.

The chief grumbled and begun on his way making a motion for Agi to follow, “As much as I want nothing to do with you, and would like you to be gone before you invite calamity, you have a purpose here.”

It seemed the chief had come to his own conclusions, thought they were likely wrong, Agi had no reason to clear those misconceptions.

“So what?”

Agis intent rang clear, so what? did it matter? it changed nothing, and confronting him like this when he was such a perceived threat just seemed directionless.

“It seems you have your own purpose to fulfill.”

The chief furrowed his brows in irritation, yes… he truly disliked Agi. “That’s right. You don’t seem to know much about the festival of the emperor, despite being from the temple.”

Agi almost scoffed, “The traditions of that place hold no weight in my mind.”

The chief gave a curt nod,

“The temple is such a place. It should be escaped, completely. But now you are as good as returned, so you who has crawled into the tigers maw should at least count its teeth.”

Agi didn’t pay the strange anoligy any mind only contemplating his meaning.

“Perhaps theres a much deeper connection between the temple and this village than I initially believed…”

Agi found himsef seated across from the chief within the dimly lit, unadorned hut known as the village chiefs house.

“That girl, Mireille, shes a troubled thing.”

The chief seemed different as he began to speak of his daughter, softer, perhaps vulnerable wasn’t the right word, just less guarded.

“She has had no easy life, and as a father, I feel I could not fullfill my role. My only son is playing guard and mingling amongst the villagers forgetting his duty.”

It seemed the chief had no end to his family troubles.

“My wife she… I am not sure where she went.”

The chiefs eyes held a sweltering pain, billowing beneath the composed surface, it glistened like a mirror under the sun.

Agi merely listend in silence, as he always had.

“You have been good to my daughter so far. The villagers are begining to accept you, and for once I see a way out for the little girl who has suffered so much.”

The chief seemed reluctant as he clasped his hands together slowly, “You are a cruel and ruthless person, with a life forged atop the corpses of enemy and ally alike. A truly sinister man.”

His head lowered as he poured out his true thoughts,

“When the festival begins, those from the temple will arrive, and I will find myself tremendously busy entertaining the guests. Traders and merchants from afar will arrive.”

He issued a warning for the man who he was forced to put his faith in,

“You must not be recognized, if you are… Even I do not know what manner of conflict will take place. If not to protect then to repay my daughter who has shown you kindness.”

He had been shown kindness, so it was his duty to return it.

Was that such an important rule in this world?

It wasn’t, it was mocked, scorned, and ridiculed.

and yet he had been asked to do just that.

It was in his best interest to not get recognized, that much was true. He wouldn’t be doing anything out of consideration for the chief.

Agi nodded, “I’ll keep it in mind.”

He rose, planning to leave before he heard an awkward cough from the chief.

Ahem…

“If you happen to have some time, I’d like to hear about my children if possible…”

Seeing his awkward expression, Agi pondered if this was his real goal.

“What do you want to know?”

He sat back down with some reluctance, he might be here for a while…

Agi sat there sharing the stories of the unexpected village life, how Mireille would drag him around with a mischievous smile, or Evans would eat besides them laughing about this or that.

By the time he was leaving the chief was sitting with a satisfied smile, “I see, I hope for both our sakes, that I’m wrong about you.”

Agi ignored his remark taking the opportunity to make himself scarce.

As the day dwindled some returned to their work, while others kept preparing for the festival.

It seemed it wouldn’t be long now.

Avoiding the gaze of the temple was of minor importance, but in his opinion there was a more pressing matter.

He had already let it sit for a week, any more is dangerous.

Arriving at the door step he knocked calmly, and from behind the creaking hinges a small man looked up, “You… what do you want?”

Dorian had a scowl etched deeply into his expression. This man had previously assaulted his grandfather, he was a dangerous person with little morals.

Agi regarded the young merchant, “Where is old Michael?”

Dorian scoffed, “Do you think I’d tell you? I don’t know what kind of deal the two of you have… but its pretty obvious he’s disposable to you.”

The hunter felt a pang of irritation,

“This is important.”

Doriant furrowed his brows, “I don’t care.”

Agi could feel within the home, somewhere inside the beating of a heart, “So he’s here.”

“Dorian! Who’s that at the door?”

Old michael called trailing to the room.

Dorian gave Agi one last glare shutting the door in his face, “It was nothing important.”

Agi felt his eye twitch, it was rare that he experienced such blatant disrespect.

He just opened the door, ignoring the lock he simply pushed through it.

Seeing Dorians dazed expression and Old Michaels shock he locked onto the elderly merchant, “We need to talk.”

Dorian began scrambling, “Wha-You can’t be in here!”

Old Michael shot Dorian a familiar glare, “Did you try turning him away? Bah! Don’t interfere uselessly.”

Ignoring the tension, Old Michael sat Agi down, “What is it?”

Agi tapped his finger on the table, “The festival begins soon.”

“The fool in your shadow, bring him out.”

Old michael felt a shiver at the intesity of his gaze but merely put on a forced smile, “Let’s not become too unreasonable, I don’t have much command over him.”

Agi tilted his head, “Then what if I just kill you? To be honest, I don’t see why I need you anymore, this village only has small issues I can handle in time.”

Old Michael gritted his teeth, it was true, he had been of barely any use.

Dorian seemed to want to say something but getting another glare he stomped off to another room.

Old Michael sighed, “He’s willing to communicate through me.”

Agi scoffed in indignation, “A coward. Fine, What does the order intend to do with this village?”

Thinking for a moment, the reply he received was this, “The orders plans run deeper than a wounded beast like you can fathom.”

Old Michael winced as he said it, repeating that it was the hunters words and not his own.

Agis eyes narrowed, “You sure love your games.” At that answer he realized, he can’t trust that mans words, especially since he had no means of attacking him now.

It was a pointless attempt to deal with the hunter, in his prime perhaps it wouldn’t be an issue to target him, even in the space he hid, but as he was now it wasn’t possible.

He switched his gaze to Old Michael, “How many hunters will arrive during the festival?”

“There will be quite a few, from my experience the amount that comes grows larger each year.”

Agi nods, “Very well. For the time being lets not meet. Unless you have something worth my time, our deal is off.”

It was a considerable detriment to Old Michael, Agi provided more pelts than the village can acquire in a year, and for almost nothing at that.

However instead of arguing he only sighed, “Alright.”

On his way out he took another glance at the weary old man, “Oh, and keep that kid under control, I don’t like being obstructed.”

The air felt particularly chilly that night, and Agi found himself wandering.

The village gradually grew quiet under the darkening canopy, an eerie void encompassing the sizable village.

The decorations for the festival hung high and scattered, and as his pupils become elongated and he regained his perfect vision, the village had an entirely different atmosphere.

To him who had personally raised multiple of the decorations himself, a small part of him felt as though the festivities of the day were seeping through, not enough to have any real effect on him however.

In the quiet and misty night he allowed himself to seep deeper into his thoughts.

He had learned quite a lot, the temple had an undeniable connection to the village and in some ways it seemed to have an even greater influence than the order.

The chief had received The Gift, and that was a potent power. It was unlike the inheritance, something that imparted a change upon you, rather it was more of a perfection of what is.

It could be described as humanities attempt to gain a monsters physique, it had its benefits, though not to the extent of even an entry level inheritance, it was enough to survive.

Strangely, The Gift put a warrior level initiate at around the level of an adorned beastman.

Agi did not hold fear toward anyone of the temple, even the advanced knights were nothing more than a stronger gust amidst a storm.

Of course, the coordinated knights may pose a fatal challenge, but he was confident in evading them, if it came to it the knights would be little threat.

The problem that lay with the temple is the chance of the Emperor appearing.

He was a truly dangerous being, and Agi didn’t know if he could beat him, even in his prime.

If the emperor became aware Agi has become sealed and was hidden amongst a village he held considerable influence… No, Agi truly couldn’t predict that man.

He does not think by the logic of others.

However that too is perhaps only a potential issue, Agi was more worried about the machinations of the order.

What could they possibly want with a little place like this?

It’s strange in the first place for hunters to arrive at the temples festival, warriors and knights of the temple are known to look down on hunters as monsters.

Something was working behind the scenes, and Agi didn’t like it, but with the festival rapidly approaching he had no time to prepare, no time to pry deeper.

He would have to deal with the challenges as they appear.

One thing, however, Agi knew for a fact, there was going to be an unavoidable conflict, and he would fight his way to the center.

The slit eyes took on a ferocious glean, he would never be used by others again.

That was his resolve.