Xabe was sure that he was not hallucinating. He looked into the grass to see if there was anything, but found nothing. “She even took Red with her,” he mumbled. “And didn’t even share her name.”

Shaking his head, he hopped on to his red mommy bike and rode down his way to the Wooded forest. Nothing happened to his cross-country trip, it’s best that way. There were no other “weird” things in the Wooded forest aside from the weird old lady in fact.

The other weird things that Xabe had seen in his life so far were the kids. He biked his way across the dirt and passed by the colorful meadows that were dazzling beside him with incredible speed.

Like always, he was once again be reunited with his family in the Meadow Orphanage- a place for young orphans with special gifts. Most of these poor souls were fortunate enough to have a new home and a new family after it was all gone, no thanks to the Dragon war that’s for sure. Some were given away at the place with unknown reasons. And a few who were a bit older, happily living and being the older guardians and playmates for the younger ones.

For them, it was their happy place. Where at least they felt accepted. The building was about three-stories high. Despite the tall appearance, its beige stoned walls, stone chimney, white windows, crimson tile rooms, and almost the entire exterior wrapped around with vines and flowers made it looked like a very comfortable, peaceful home after all the hellish occurrence from the past. The place was more vintage than the Berrygerwd house.

“Oh shit, here we go again.” He marched to the front door and entered. The first thing that Xabe saw was the huge room. The first floor was an area for where the adults kept themselves busy: there’s the library (or the study room as Holly would like to call it), the kitchen, the dining area, the laundry, the clinic, the class area, and the living area (Rose and Pansy’s favorite room to get themselves busy).

In the middle and far ahead was a staircase, probably the kids and the twins were still having their fun. He heard screaming, yelling, and laughing. Xabe wanted to cover his ears, not that it was noisy, but because he could hear them from up here.

After he put his mommy bike inside the living area, Xabe immediately rushed into the kitchen. He glanced at a round clock hanging on a wall to see it was eleven. He glanced at the entrance as he began to hear footsteps. The boy was like a speeding bullet.

He quickly put down his bag, pulled out the damned food pyramid of the groceries and stack them on the wide, rectangular, brown wooden table precisely. After that, Xabe finally sat on the chair as the moment Holly and two other cooks arrived.

They were the Bert couple. Diligent and kind people who volunteered to serve at the orphanage. The two were one of the best in Yardsville and Xabe will be fortunate enough to have nice meals for a week.

Holly jumped at the sight of her brother. “Sweet angels, you scared me.” She put her hand on her chest to catch her soul before it escaped. The couple were wearing their usual attire.

Brandon Bert chuckled, “Just in time as usual, Xabe.” Tall, muscular, brown skinned, preferred a faded haircut and wore his white long sleeves with red checkered designs, black pants, brown shoes, and red suspenders. A total hard worker and a father figure to all with his assuring and cheery attitude.

Allanda Bert smiled, “And you’re not even sweating.” Slightly shorter than her husband, short, puffy hair, also had brown skinned, wore her light green dress and light brown coat. Kind, smart, a very close friend to Elise, and a great support for her husband’s handiwork.

Xabe lifted his arms. “There’s always a saying, ‘I am speed’.”

“Whoa,” Brandon Bert’s eyes widened. “You went almost all out in Holly’s food pyramid this time.”

“Essentials,” Holly sang as she prepared the utensils in the stove.

Allanda Bert couldn’t help but giggle. “I’m mean, this will last more than a week. So yeah, it is essentials.”

Holly glanced at her. “My god, thank you.”

Mr. Brandon Bert patted the boy’s shoulder as he passed to join his wife. “Alright, while we prepare lunch, why not you go take a break for a while, kid. I mean, you should while it lasts.”

Xabe smiled, “Couldn’t be better than that.” He quickly stood up and exited the kitchen. While he was far away from the hall, he shouted, “I’ll see you guys later!”

Brandon Bert couldn’t help but wonder when he starred the stack of food. “Do you think it’s kind of odd that he got all of these stuff fast?”

Allanda shrugged, “Maybe he had friends who helped him. Does he, Holly?”

Holly put the chicken near the stove. “Xabe has only one friend. He doesn’t go out with others.”

“How about in school?”

“Apparently, my three siblings shared a new era of online class.”

“Oh,” nodded Allanda. “Which means the only explanation is that he may have magical powers.”

“Maybe,” repeated Brandon. He smiled to his wife. “I’m not going to be surprised.”

Deep down, Holly wanted to believe as well. If so, then why keep it as a secret?

Outside the garden of the Meadow Orphanage, there was no better feeling than relaxing on a brown hammock tied between two large trees. While sitting, he watched the large lake as it took the shimmering reflection from the sun. Xabe couldn’t help but admire the view of the tall mountains, the tiny bits of the Yardsville architectures, and the forest.

Something began to bother the young man, he heard a buzzing sound and his eyes couldn’t stop following the black dot moving incredibly fast. With a blink of an eye, Xabe clenched the annoying fly with his right hand.

As he opened his fist, the fly was still in one piece. The small creature immediately flew to another direction where it could no longer disturb him.

“It continues to amaze me how you manage to do that,” said a female voice. Xabe turned around to see a woman smiling and dressed in sky blue, loose dress and a white headpiece. She looked like she was around her early fifties, much older than his mother’s age.

“Oh, good morning, Mother Flora.” Xabe sat up straight. Mother Flora walked beside the left side of the tree.

“Same to you, MaXabiere.” Mother Flora nodded slightly. The both of them gazed the view. “I can’t blame you. No matter how many times you look at it, it radiates calmness, joy, and life.”

“You’re right.”

“Have I told you about the time when I used to sit in that same spot- before I hung that hammock.”

He looked at her as she's still watching the view. “No.”

“I was a Healer back in the Dragon war- very young and naive, almost the same age as your sister Holly if I recall.”

Xabe lifted his eyebrows. “No way.”

“Mother Flora chuckled, “Oh yes way. A Healer’s job was never easy, but I dedicated my life to healing and serving the public at the best of my ability. But, there were times that I was at my limit- for the war was too grand and too great for its own good. Then, I was sent here to be a nurse- but I ended up being a nun instead. ‘You can’t achieve things without the Lord’s help,’ I told myself.”

“Words to live by, I suppose.”

“That’s what I always say,” she smiled. “The Healers and I settled camp here, for Yardsville wasn’t the town it is right now yet. During my break, I used to seat at that very spot as I found it relaxing. Hung a hammock many years later, and I could finally relax to know the fact Devastrigon was slain.”

Xabe leaned back. “Courtesy of the Dragonslayer. I can relax for a while before going back to baby-sitting.”

There was silence. Mother Flora simply nodded as a response, until she spoke, “What do you think of him, young man?”

Xabe turned to her. “Huh?”

Mother Flora’s blue eyes looked at him. “The Dragonslayer. What do you think of the unknown avenger?”

Xabe tossed his hand. “Well, like the Flash guardians, he’s a hero to all. But unlike the Flash guardians, he’s different.”

“How different, exactly?” she asked.

“For starters, he’s the only one capable of dealing with Devastrigon. Not to mention the Darken clan.”

“I see,” she nodded. “Do you think that he’s The Champion?”

“The one who defeated The Darkened One and his demons? Hmm, actually, I never thought of that way. Now that you mentioned it, I think the Dragonslayer is more of a spiritual reincarnation of the mighty Champion. That would’ve been extremely cool.”

“Ah, that is a very good thought,” Mother Flora nodded. “Kind of different yet one and the same. Obligated to fulfill his duty, guiding the mortal heroes, and leaving the world until the right time comes for his return. What a tale for the children to role-play.”

Xabe scoffed, “And they keep seeing me as the dragon.”

“Oh please, Xabe, I keep seeing how you like playing with them. In fact, deep inside you like their shenanigans.” She winked at Xabe. “Come, lunchtime won’t start without us.”

He watched as she gestured him back inside. Before he even went to her as he got up, Xabe abruptly stopped and listened as out of all the noise, he focused on a rumbling sound. The boy glanced back at the horizon. His perspective zoomed in on the birds of the sky hurriedly flapping their wings (to get away from something?), then it zoomed in further to the mountains (is it coming from there?). Even though the strange sound came from far ahead of him- or them, Xabe felt that it was nearer than what he sees at this very moment.

“Is something wrong?” asked Mother Flora.

Xabe turned to her and shook his head, even giving her an assuring smile. “No, no, I just, you know, want to look at this view one last time.”

Mother Flora smiled back. “Okay, dear, I’m certain the children are very excited to see you back as well.”

“Mhm,” he said. They both walked at the back door of the Meadow Orphanage. Xabe went in first, bracing himself from the orphans. As for Mother Flora, she looked back to try at least see what the young boy saw earlier. That’s when her concerns grew bigger.

In the dining room, it’s like a cafeteria here. Six long, light brown tables were arranged in four rows horizontally. The beige walls, white windows, and white chairs brought a lighter mood to the area. Lady Flora and Xabe looked around. There were plenty of plates and utensils, enough for everyone here. “Strange,” Xabe said. “I thought everyone-”

“XABE IS HERE!” He got jump-scared from the booming voice of a young boy. Followed by storming voices of children. Xabe and Mother Flora quickly turned around to see a tsunami of children.

The nun winced at the sight of Xabe as he had been washed away from the orphans. “XABE IS HERE! XABE IS HERE! XABE IS HERE! XABE IS HERE! XABE IS HERE!” chanted the orphans as they wrestled above him. As a matter of fact, the impact didn’t even hurt Xabe, unlike before. Ever since he started feeling strange, all the previous hardships that he endured before had never felt more… tolerable.

At the entrance, Holly and the twins chased after them. Pansy made a smug face. “Oh, what do you know, Xabe is here,”

Rose waved her hand with an innocent smile. “Hi Xabe.”

Holly shooed the kids to see Xabe flattened on the ground. “Alright, kids, get off of your big brother Xabe, poor dude can’t breathe. They grab your red scarf so fast.”

The Bert couple entered the room as well, together with Mr. Carry and Elise Berrygrewd. Brandon hoisted Xabe up from the ground, while Mr. Carry couldn’t help but laugh as he was holding a huge tray of meals and drinks.

Allanda gestured them to the table. “Alright, you kids, go to your chairs, lunch won’t eat itself.” The children couldn’t be more excited as they all sat properly with perfect sync as usual.

Elise held Xabe’s back. “Seems you already got used to their way of greeting,” she giggled.

Xabe wrinkled his nose. “Eh, kind of.”

“What can we say,” Brandon brought his usual smile. “The boy is really growing up.”

Exciting as it sounds, they could finally dine in. Mother Flora, Mr. Carry, and Elise were at the first table with the older kids. Holly sat on the second table with the well-behaved ones. The twins dealt with the more playful (more like chaotic) children on the third and fourth table. Lastly, thank God, Xabe was with the quiet few in the fifth table.

They had fried chicken, hot dogs, crab and corn soup, and that sweet four-season juice. “Alright, everyone,” called Mother Flora. “Let us first give thanks.” Everyone shut their eyes and closed their hands. “We give another thanks for this wonderful day, our growing health, and for our blessed meal.”

Xabe opened his eyes. There it goes again, the uncomfortable, strange feeling. He was sure that it was still far away. And that deep, rumbling sound, it was unsettling to him.

One quiet boy opened his one eye to see Xabe looked wary- very wary. But he shut his eyes again to avoid getting caught, but Xabe’s eyes glanced at the young one who looked at him. But it was best for Xabe to join in the prayer.

“We thank you again for making the Meadow Orphanage a wonderful home where we share our gifts to flourish our family and the community through our lord. Amen.”

“Amen,” they said in unison.

There was nothing more peaceful than tucking themselves in the large bedroom in nighttime. The Meadow orphans decorated the room with rainbow mixed glow in the dark stars wall stickers on top of the ceiling and on the walls- courtesy of Xabe.

Each of their beds were build with D.I.Y tents with more variety of blankets- courtesy of the twins.

The toys were displayed neatly as if it were resembling as an adorable, inanimate town: doll houses were placed in a specific spot where toy roads and train tracks were perfectly intertwined. Dolls, stuff toys, action figures, animals, and even robots were displayed with a specific role- courtesy of Holly (just for the sake of organizing and decorating).

Most of the younger children were put into sleep, tired from all that playing and messing with Xabe around. And of course, since the bedroom was so enormous, the twins couldn’t bring themselves to sleep in another room without them. Holly was an exception, though, since she rather wakes up to get busy. Xabe wanted the same thing, but there was no other choice but to deal with the beasties, not to mention when the way they wake him all the time.

Rose tugged her Quacky ducky book, while Pansy freely spread her arms and legs to stretch her limbs. Both of them laid on a big mattress on the floor with the other kids.

Xabe was sitting on the large white window. He leaned his left elbow on top of his left knee. Couldn’t help but to keep staring at the lights of Yardsville. The full moon shone like an angelic guardian, but that was not enough to make Xabe relaxed even by a bit.

He then sensed the quiet boy standing on his right. “Is something out there?” the kid said in a weak voice.

Xabe replied, “Just a typical and peaceful town of Yardsville, Elliot.” Elliot didn’t like combing his black hair, he rather let them be messy. He liked to stare at things a lot with his brown eyes. The quiet boy mostly wanted to dress in dark clothes as it “calms” him, just like he was wearing his gray pajamas. And unlike the other kids, Xabe could sense that this one was… peculiar.

“I’m referring to the one over Yardsville.” Elliot sat on the other side of the large window, so the other kids wouldn’t hear them.

Xabe said, “There’s always something out there, whatever it is, it’s best to stay close in here, where it is safe.”

“You actually listened to Ma’am Elise’s safety lessons earlier?”

“She taught us exactly everything she teaches you when we were kids,” Xabe raised an eyebrow. “And yes, I listened.”

The two stayed quiet to continue watching the view. Until it was time for Elton to speak, “You met with the weird old lady, again?”

“I knew you're going to say that?” Xabe smirked. “Yes, I did meet her.”

“What did you two talk about?”

“We did the tarot cards thing. As expected, it shows that I’ll have a great future.”

“Does it?” Elliot leaned closer. “You look like someone who’s just competent at things.”

Xabe yawned, “Well, do I? My sisters say otherwise.” He stood to up and said, “The weird old lady even knew my name while didn’t even bother to tell me hers.”

Elliot commented, “That’s just bunkers.”

“And then she was gone by the time I turned around,” Xabe added. “Sad to admit that I'm going to miss her weird antics.”

“You should’ve at least ask her to keep the tarot cards she’d show you.” Elliot jumped and went straight to his bed, which was layered with a black blanket as a tent. “Anyway, good night,” he lastly said before closing the blanket.

I should’ve asked her more questions, Xabe thought as he turned to the window. Perhaps a good night sleep will ease me from thinking too much. The boy finally evaded his gaze out the window and laid on the mattress on the floor.

The Meadow Orphanage always had playful mornings, proactive afternoons, and peaceful nights. The same goes with Yardsville. Though, at the other side of the humungous mountains of Mt. Pike, a mysterious cloaked man was sitting on a log at the center of a dark forest. It was not a necessity, but a bonfire was enough to keep him company.

Tall trees had surrounded him. Despite the sound of the crickets, the mysterious cloaked man’s eyes closed but ears opened. Not to the sound of the insects, but to that deep rumbling sound.

His sense of hearing dug deeper into the sound, until he heard a deep growl. The mysterious cloaked man opened his burning eyes. He stood up with his heavy boots and stomped the bonfire. Luckily, this area was extremely far from the large town. Where he is. With a grunt, he marched on to the returning doom.