Soon they reached the gates of Status, the town where the leader was going to stop.
At the checkpoint, their cart was stopped and the guard checked the back to see who was inside to find a boy staring right back at him.
'Umm— What's your name and reason for visiting?' asked the rookie inspector.
'Smiley and… to drop off an old man?' Smiley said confused while still staring at him dumbfounded.
'Drop who now?' asked the confused inspector as he looked toward the two adults to see who this old man in question was. Just then a voice appeared 'Hey kid, I am not that old'
The inspector looked inside shocked. A man with red hair like those of nobility, crimson red eyes like they were bathed in blood. His eyes widened and smile brightened 'Ananke?' like a child meeting their hero.
Ananke smiled as he waved his hand at him followed by the coughing sound of another man. The inspector looked to the side and instantly straightened up as he noticed the leader of town who he completely ignored and said 'Oh, Captain?!'
Ananke laughed out 'Hahaha, I guess you missed another shot' to which the leader sighed 'You really had to mention that…' then looked at the inspector, 'State my name with title, it can be confusing otherwise.'
'Oh, Yes sir? I will be careful next time sir.' to which leader said disappointed 'Carry on with the inspector'
Both the inspector and Smiley were confused. The inspector who maintained a poker face was in reality overthinking it in his own mind if he had made a mistake or was rude as he ignored the captain while Smiley who was tired and lost in his own thoughts.
'Open the Doors, Captain is here.' the man yelled as he signaled the others to open the pathway for them to cross and the cart entered the town. The inspector went to the other two questioning his seniors 'Didn't the captain say he does not prefer formal?' to which they replied 'Yeah, he doesn't… he does not even care most of the time unless it's an official meeting, saying it's a pain.'
The rookie inspector seemed puzzled and conflicted. 'Huh?'
Meanwhile Smiley asked Ananke 'How famous are you really?' to which he responded 'Just enough. After all, no one is as amazing as me.'
The leader taunted back 'Amazing at being annoying', Ananke raised eyebrow and yet again made a foolish smug face 'Just because he used my name does not means you have to be grumpy about it'
This made the leader furious. 'Hey at least I am not remembered by a title of the "Great Mad Hero."'
Ananke backed down 'Fair enough, lets call it a tie for now.'
Smiley looked outside, a town he already had been in yet it looked different as he was used to quiet instead of busy streets. He could see more people in a single sight than the people he met in a single day at the village.
The leader said with pride "How is my town?". Smiley thought for a moment before responding 'I am not sure… this is the only town I have been to' as he scratched the back of his neck 'Sorry?'
The leader laughed "Atleast you are honest, I like you even more now" while also warning him "But be mindful of who you say that to. After all, there are people would would take offense to that"
The carriage soon stopped moving as the leader stepped out "I guess this is my stop, good luck you two." and started heading back to the station waving back at the kid.
Ananke wondered 'but why was he so friendly towards Smiley like a dotting grandpa…'
Ananke questioned the rider 'Can you do till the Town of Paria?' who had brown hair wearing a Pakol hat wearing on top which started to go trending recently.
The rider just gave a thumbs up without a second thought and started to ride off into the unknown as knowing well nothing can go wrong. He was with them after all. The man who was rumored to have never taken a carriage in his life. For his speed and stamina, a mere carriage would only hold him back.
Leader stood out and saw their cart going away as he spoke to himself 'Fariz, I know you said to take care of the boy when you die but I guess he found someone better than this grumpy old man' for the letter Fariz send him revealing hint towards Smiley's past had also a final request stating to help out the boy if he dies.
He sighed 'If only that idiot had not stolen him away… But still, he will live a better life than here'
…
His Smiley dropped and became visibly annoyed at Fariz, 'But you could have taught him how to ask someone's name.'
Anthenee came from behind asking the leader "Hey, I know you just came back but do you have some work for me at Paria?"
The leader looked at him 'Again? You sure you don`t got a secret wife and children there?'
…
Leader coughed 'It was a joke'
Anthenee proudly responded 'I might be handsome but I am just abiding my time till someone just for me comes in.'
'You really remind me of a certain cocky idiot.' No doubt, that idiot was Ananke.
Smiley ears slightly rang before he looked outside to find a stone statue in the center of the road. Ananke noticed and questioned 'Interested in those?'
Smiley nodded 'Yea… what is that?'
There stood a stone statue of a man with one knee on ground, hugging a child against the chest with his right arm and wings behind his back spread apart, enveloping the air around them, whose feathers were injured. The child was wearing an unhooded cloak of heroes.
The child held onto the man's clothing tightly and his face was pressed against his chest as the man was smiling peacefully, consoling the child.
Ananke spoke the words written on the base of the statue, 'Everything is going to be alright… when I uncover your eyes…'
Ananke said 'These are called hero statues, every town usually has one which they make in honor of heroes who gave their life protecting the town or people from dangers, the town where we are headed also has a statue from around a century ago. If I am correct, this statue has outlasted most statues of its time and is multiple centuries old. It just shows how much people care for it'
Smiley said 'So those are the heros'
Ananke said 'They call him the "The man who gave his heart for the tears of children. The Hollow Guardian"'
He shifted his gaze towards Smiley who was looking at it from afar and astonished like a curious child.
Ananke smiled as he spoke 'I have not told anyone but he is one of the few heroes I am inspired by him as well.' as he Ananke jokingly patted the kid and pointed at the statue 'Haha, one day you might be up there as well'
Smiley looked at Ananke's pointed finger then shifted his gaze towards the sky.
'Sounds like too much work'
Smiley looked drowsy which Ananke responded and said 'It is alright, if you are tired, you can go ahead and sleep. You might have not been completely healed. Besides, it's going to be a peaceful trip either way.'
Already exhausted, Smiley laid down and closed his eyes. Not even after a few moments, he had already fallen asleep and his ears ringing went silent.
Ananke looked at Smiley sleeping peacefully and let out a yawn as he finally eased up 'I guess I will relax a bit' as his smile faded and soon closed his eyes, leaning backwards, ready to rest as well as the kid leaned against him.