Looking for your path "2"

A wall of wind crashes against the windows of the inn.Announcing the arrival of the first storm of the season. black clouds covered the morning sun that was yet to rise .Thunder sound could be heard getting louder each time.

In the old inn hall , a young elf ate her breakfast in silence.Next to her plate was a fresh cup of tea that the old innkeeper woman brought. "I hope you liked our food ,we don't have that variety in the menu compared to a big city like orario"

" it was delicious ,thank you ." Ryu looked to tea cups that the woman brought "but I haven't asked for tea"

The old lady smiled and sat on the other side of the table " its alright , its on the house, you can take it as an apology for the disturbance my grand daughter did "

Ryu:" she really did nothing of that sort , its alright "

The old woman sighed , then held the cup of tea between her hands and looked at it , like she was lost in memories. " like I said , we really don't have that many adventurers around here , but an Elf on top of that , that's new , so what brought you to this town my child ?"

Ryu looked down , thinking about what happened in last few months. How Mia ordered her to look for a path for herself, but was she really looking for one now

Ryu:" I am , I am looking for someone "

" so milly told me " the old woman replied then her eyes narrowed " but your exrpessions are telling a different story my child"

Ryu body shivered , the fact this old woman saw through her impassive face made her feel unsecured , was she really an open book in front of this innkeeper .she narrowed her eyes to the innkeeper

In reaction, the old woman smiled and sipped from her cup of tea " don't give me that look my child , your expressions are clear as the sun ,I ve also been an adventurer myself decades ago"

Ryu looked at the old lady who now , had a big smile that reminded her of the old giant woman who she used to work for.

" back then I was an ambitious girl ,filled with determination and motivation . when I first stepped into the city of adventurers , I was like a lost kid . I wanted to go in adventurers myself , enjoy that lifestyle. Make friends" then her words slowed down " and maybe .... Fall in love"

The innkeeper watched every expression on Ryu's face while she kept talking " Zues and Hera familias were the rulling powers in the city . They never really cared about that , all they wanted to was to explore the dungeon , and kill whatever threaten the peace of people in this world , they were real heros , Everyone admired them , me included "

Ryu kept her gaze down while listening to the woman story

" I joined a small familia , but it probably no longer exists now , we were 5 members , but we were a real family " the innkeeper felt nostalgic as she remembered those days . they were the best memories she had in her life

" we were a  foolish party , we always got in tight situations , but we managed to survive .We laughed and celebrated our survival at the end of the day " then she sighed and looked to the window as the first drops of rain started falling , Her eyes looked far away , as if she was looking behind the Dark clouds and reaching heaven , reaching those who were no longer on this world

" however , our luck run out , one day we got overconfident in our strength and we went too deep in the middle floors, we lost 2 of our members and the third died on its way back to the surface , I still remember every expression they had , they never wanted to die In that place"

Ryu tightened her grip around the tea cup when the old woman mentioned the expressions of the dead, she was herself suffering from nightmares for months now. She blamed herself because she wasn't there with him.

" I am sorry my child , I didn't want to make you remember bad memories , I can tell you ve lost some people close to you too , I know the feeling because I ve been there , but unlike you . I gave up , I didn't honor their death and I runned away , turned my back to who I am and came here to continue my life , sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice back then, but looking at my granddaughter milly filled me with peace and happiness , and that's what keeps my nightmares away "

A long silence took place in the inn, with only the sound of wind and rain on the windows. The innkeeper sighed again. "I am sorry my child , I made you listen to this old woman's whining while you already had your issues"

Ryu:" no its fine ,.." and she couldn't continue words as the old woman spoked again:" it doesn't really matter what path we take , in the end we will have to live with consequences of our choices, you can run away from the past and live as a coward like me , or you can live to expectations of those who are no longer with us and honor them in your own way "

Ryu eyes went wide , up until now , she never really knew why she was looking for her goddess , was she trying to seek guidance ? or salvation, or was she trying to run away from her past . Now the old woman in front of her told the words that Mia hadn't spoke back then " find your own path"

Ryu stood up , picked her wooden sword. " I see you ve made your choice "

Ryu replied :" thank you very much , for everything"

The old woman smiled :" don't worry my child ,  go find your future "

" the village you are heading to is located east from here , I don't need to warn you about the mountains beasts "

Ryu stood by the door ," farewell , give my thanks to milly"

" don't worry ,just visit us again , she will be happy to see you"

The young elf put her long green cap back on and went out , to forge a new beginning for herself