As the chief called everyone back inside, the villagers slowly gathered. The room felt heavier than before. No one spoke. It was as if even the air had stopped moving.
Every eye was fixed on the chief. Every ear waited… desperate… restless.
Just as the chief was about to speak, one man stepped forward from the crowd. His head remained lowered, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"Whatever your decision is…" he said quietly,"…it will be ours too."
A soft murmur spread—but no one disagreed.
The chief looked at them. Really looked.
He could see it clearly—They weren't just thinking about themselves.
They wanted a better life…But more than that—they wanted it for their children.
For a brief moment, the chief closed his eyes. Silence deepened.
Then—
"I have made my decision."
The room stiffened.
"We will follow Leo's plan."
Shock.
It moved through the crowd like a sudden wind.
Some looked at each other. Some couldn't believe it.
A boy…?
But slowly… that shock melted.
Into relief.
Into hope.
Into something they hadn't felt in a long time—a future.
Maya turned toward Leo and smiled softly.Leo returned that smile, a little unsure… but proud.
"Chief," Maya said, "Ragnar and his men will arrive the day after tomorrow."
The chief nodded once.
"Then we leave tomorrow morning," he said firmly."The moment the first ray of sunlight touches the ground… we move."
His voice grew sharper.
"No one will be late. This is my order."
"YES!" the villagers shouted together.
"Go," the chief said, softer now. "Prepare yourselves."
Within moments, the hall emptied.
This time, when the chief looked at Leo…there was no doubt left.
Only trust.
Only hope.
Leo turned to leave.
Before he could take more than a few steps—thak!
Kio and Alex slapped his back.
"That was amazing!" Alex laughed.
Kio puffed his chest, "Obviously. He's my friend."
Alex snapped, "What nonsense—he's my friend too!"
They started arguing instantly.
After a second, both turned—
"Leo! Tell us—who's your better friend?"
Silence.
Leo was gone.
He had already walked ahead with Maya and Nyra.
"HEY! WAIT FOR US!" Kio shouted as both of them ran after him.
Night fell quietly.
The village, once filled with life, now felt still… almost like it was holding its breath.
The moon hid behind thin clouds, its light faint but enough.
Inside a broken house, Leo and the others sat around a small fire. The flames danced, casting long shadows on the cracked walls.
No one spoke.
The silence wasn't empty—it was heavy.
Kio finally broke it.
"I'm starving…"
Alex immediately nodded, "Same…"
Nyra frowned, "Will you two stop? You think you're the only ones?"
Just then—
Knock.
Everyone froze.
Another knock followed.
The air changed instantly.
Maya slowly stood up and walked to the door.
She opened it.
An old woman stood there.
Her body slightly bent. White hair moving gently with the wind. Her eyes—deep, endless… like they had seen too much.
A worn bag rested on her shoulder.
"I don't have money," she said, her voice soft but carrying weight."And I have nothing else to give…"
She looked at them, one by one.
"But… I can offer you this."
She took out pieces of bread.
Warm.
Fresh.
Kio moved without thinking—but stopped.
His hand tightened… then slowly dropped.
He looked away.
Nyra stepped forward, "You don't have to—"
But Maya gently helped the old woman sit.
"I have no family," the woman said calmly."My husband… my son… both died in a war. The same day."
Silence filled the room again.
"Since then… Zorath has taken care of me. And you children… you're helping us."
She held out the bread again.
"Please."
This time… no one refused.
The bread was soft.
Still warm.
"Eat," she whispered.
They all took a bite.
And almost at once—
"It's… so good…"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"I made it just a little while ago… for you."
Kio took another bite.
His eyes watered.
But he didn't stop eating.
After a while, the old woman stood.
"I should go now."
"Thank you…" they all said.
She smiled.
A simple… warm… beautiful smile.
And then she left.
Morning came.
The entire village stood at the entrance.
No one was missing.
Everyone was ready.
Zorath stepped forward. From nearby bushes, he pulled out an old wooden board. Dust covered it.
He wiped it slowly.
Words appeared—
"Village of Woodsleaf."
His hand rested on it.
He looked at the village.
Memories flooded in.
He tried to hold himself together.
But tears slipped through.
He lifted the board.
Turned.
"Let's go."
And just like that…
They began to leave.
Step by step.
Still… they kept looking back.
Again.
And again.
Leo watched them quietly.
"This place…" he murmured,"…means everything to them."
Slowly… the village faded behind them.
Disappearing into silence.
And at that exact moment—
The first ray of sunlight touched the ground.