Soon they reached the gates of Status where the leader was going to stop.
At the check out, their cart was stopped and the guard checked the back to see who were inside to see a kid there.
"What's your name and reason of visit?" asked the inspector.
'Smiley and… to drop off an old man?' confused Smiley looked at them.
"Drop who now?" asked the confused inspector as he looked toward the two adults to see the old man in question as a voice appeared "Hey kid, I am not that old"
The inspector looked inside shocked. A man with red hair like those of nobility tied to his back, 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…" looked at the inspector "State my name with title, it can be confusing otherwise."
"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 had a poker was in reality overthinking it in his own mind if he had made a mistake or was he rude as he ignored the captain while Smiley who was tired and lost in his own thoughts.
"Ah yes sir" as he signaled the others to open the pathway for them to cross and the cart entered the town. The inspector went to other two questioning his seniors "Why did no one told me that captain preferred his name with title" to which they replied "but he doesnt… he does not even care most of times unless its an official meeting"
"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' which made leader furious "Hey at least I am not remembered by title of the great mad hero".
Ananke backed down 'Fair enough, lets call it a tie'
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 stopped and thought for a moment before responding 'I am not sure… this is the only town I have been' 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 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 him 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.
Smiley ears started to ring and he instinctively looked outside to see a stone statue in the center of the road. Ananke noticed and questioned 'Interested in those?'
Smiley nodded 'Yea… what is that?' looking at 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 and enveloping them, whose feathers were injured. The child was wearing a cloak, holding onto the man's clothing tightly against his chest expressing fear as the man was smiling peacefully consoling the child and his thumb tip pointing upward.
'Everything is going to be alright… when I uncover your eyes… it will all be over' were the words written at the base of the stone with "The man who gave his heart for the tears of children. The Hollow Guardian"
Ananke said 'Those are hero statues, every town usually makes them in honor of heroes who gave their life protecting the town from dangers, the town where we are headed also has a statue from around a century ago. If I am right, this statue has outlasted most statues and has lasted many centuries. It just shows how much people care for it'
Smiley responded 'Yea…" and asked once again 'But what is that purple thing?' to which Ananke looked closely and found nothing and replied 'You sure you are getting enough sleep?'. Smiley looked at Ananke's face and then once again at the statue as he said 'Never mind… maybe I am seeing things again'
Ananke said 'It's alright, if you are tired then go on, you can sleep. It is 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.
He looked at Smiley sleeping peacefully and let out a yawn as he finally eased up. His smile vanished as he soon closed his eyes, leaning backwards, ready to rest as well.