12 Returning to the Hamle (1/2)

As his mind and heart finally calmed down after a few minutes, Aaron took a deep breath and recalled everything he had learned today.

So far, his life had been simple. Eat, run and try not to get eaten. That was it.

Now, with so many complex elements entering it abruptly, he just needed a breather.

His mind just wasn't wired for anything other than an instinctive lifestyle at the moment. Yet, Aaron was ready to change. If anything, he was adaptable.

First, he decided on his motive. The question about his identity had haunted him for too long. So, he decided that he would tread this Path, whatever it was.

Yet, he remembered that he hadn't asked Woof.

So, using his thoughts, Aaron tried to convey to Woof his intentions.

Woof's mind was simple: it understood direct thoughts, but complex sentences were a no-go.

So, he tried to string together three ideas: first, he sent the image of a small family of Crocodrills that they had seen when they witnessed the fight between the two dominant leaders of those tribes.

Aaron had learned this trick of sending images after a long time. It had come in handy loads of times, especially when there was something that couldn't be conveyed using just thoughts.

Using the image, he tried to get the thought across that he was referring to his identity by making the parents stand out.

”Wowooow?”

As soon as Woof understood, it made a questioning sound after raising its head. It also knew about Aaron's quest, as it had often seen him enter melancholy periods of silence during which it had felt his emotions of wanting to find out where he came from.

Next, he focused on the picture of the baby Crocodrill, isolating it in the process before joining it with the full image again. Instantly after that, he sent the image of the Hamlet they had just visited.

Through this string of thoughts, Woof understood that if Aaron wanted to find out more about his parents, or identity, then he needed to spend more time in that place with those strange structures.

Well, that was fine by it.

With delight, Aaron felt the thought of acknowledgment enter his mind, which meant that Woof was ready to follow him.

However, when he saw what it sent next, he burst out into laughter.

It was the image of that plate of steaming buns which they fought over.

Promising Woof that he would definitely obtain many more buns for them to snack on, Aaron got up.

Determination shone on his face. With Woof by his side, he was confident that he could accomplish anything.

He knew that his life was going to change he could never have imagined, but he fixed his goal in his mind: he would get to the top of the Path to the Stars, no matter what it took.

Whatever he encountered along the way, he would just take it in stride and carry on instead of getting overwhelmed and running away like this.

Once Aaron became fixed on something, he knew that he would definitely see it through to the end.

Patting Woof, he took one last look at his home, before heading in the direction of the Hamlet.

It was time…to move forward.

…

On reaching the gate, Aaron saw that Edmond was actually leaning on it and looking around.

Spotting him, he waved, saying, ”So you did find your way back. Come on! The Chief asked me to bring you to him the moment you arrived.”

Nodding stoically, Aaron followed after Edmond, remembering the expression he had seen on the man.

Well…why not ask?

In the forest, if he encountered something he didn't understand, he would just ask Woof. There was never any need for thinking twice.

So, Aaron just went with it.

”Why are you so sad? Did you lose someone?”

Hearing his question which was asked in a straightforward tone, Edmond stumbled and almost fell on his nose.

Straightening himself, he chuckled nervously and said, ”Wh-what do you mean? I'm not sad!”

Oh. So he was wrong.

Shrugging, Aaron just assumed that maybe, he had been mistaken.

The man said he wasn't sad. So, Aaron had no reason not to believe him.

Nodding, he replied, ”Ok. I thought you looked sad when the Chief stopped you before.”

Putting it out of his mind, Aaron followed Edmond, but the latter's mind was in turmoil.

How the hell had this guy managed to figure out that he lost someone just by his expression? Was he one of those who were said to be able to read minds using Energy Manipulation?