I mean myself. Nothing could get the bitter taste out of my mouth.

  “I must thank you for helping my people, but I must bring up that it was rather foolish to go in without any backup,” the old man said.

  “Sorry to worry you. I just wanted to keep all your people safe and not to carry the sin of combat.” I said.

  “Well, all’s well that ends well. We are going to have a feast as a celebration for all who have returned. You should join us,” the old man said.

  “Sure,” I said.

  I had to stay anyway because my shotgun wasn’t finished yet, but there was no reason to bring that up.

  “And you should also take a bath because blood never feels good,” the old man said.

  “Yeah,” I said.

  The old man pointed me to a free bathhouse. It was always nice washing the blood away. Even if most of the blood was my own this time instead of my enemies'. The cauterized wound looked as good as a cauterized wound looks. The smell of burning flesh will stay with me till my dying days, but that was the worst wound I had. I had little cuts all over me from the constant little injuries I took over the months. My clothes were cleaned and repaired themselves. I had a bit of a drink and soaked in the bath.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I left after a good, long soak and a good, long drink. It was still early when I left the bathhouse. And I saw the old man sitting and smoking his pipe. I saw friends shaking hands and family members having fun. I decided to head to my bike and sleep for a bit till the feast began…

  “Hey, the feast is about to begin, kid. Wake up.” The old man said,

  I opened my eyes to the sight of him.

  “ I’m up. I’m up.” I said.

  “Looks like you are now, kid. Now let's join up with the rest.” The old man said.

  “Yeah, yeah, don’t get your knickers in a twist,” I said.

  The two of us walked to the camp and get to the feast.

  “Here’s to those who came back, and here’s to the man named V who saved our people,” Faelon said.

  “Here’s! Here’s!” The village said.

  The feast was a great party with the whole village celebrating. Drinking, eating, and telling tales about life. The old talking to the young and friends bickering about simple things. All were having fun. I always forget that life isn’t as grim as I make it out to be. Just always remember to make the best out of times like these. When everything wrapped up, it was late in the night, with only a few still up. I saw the old man sitting alone and decided to talk to him one last time before I leave in the morning for the next place.

  “You’ll be leaving up in the morning, won’t you, Sunny?” the old man said.

  “Yeah, I never like staying anywhere too long, but this place is truly nice. If you ever need help again, I will make my way back like a bat out of hell.” I said.

  “Well, I keep that in mind, son. Just remember to have a fun life because that's all we can do with our lives. To have fun.” The old man said…

  "Someday I'll wish upon a star, Wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where trouble melts like lemon drops High above the chimney tops that's where You'll find me, oh somewhere over the rainbow” —Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

  I rode away once more to some land far away.