Upstairs, behind a desk, sat a middle aged man. When we entered the room, he asked without looking at us "What is it Tina?". She smiled, and said "I brought a guest for you. You guys should talk". He looked up, and asked "A guest?". He then looked at me, and asked "What is the purpose of your visit stranger?". Tina was still smiling, and said "Go on, tell him". I nodded my head, and said "I"m Nex".He was shocked when he heard that name. He asked "Are you playing a trick boy?". I shook my head, and said "That is the name I have. Nex Wintersteed. Son of Raz Wintersteed". He looked at me in disbelief, and asked "Tina, is this real?". She nodded her head, and said "Apparently yes". Finch stood up, and walked over to me. He asked "Can I examine you?". I didn"t know what he meant exactly, but I replied "Sure". He lifted my long hair up, and had a proper look at my face. After a while, he nodded, and said "You do resemble your father. You must be Nex".
Tina said "I will leave you guys to talk", and left the room. I stood there with Finch in awkward silence. After a while, he broke the silence and asked "So how have you been?". I smiled, and said "Just act normal around me. It seems we are a family". He smiled as well, and said "Your father was similar. Yes, I"m your uncle Finch. I"m Raz"s brother, Tina is your aunt, and my wife. We searched for you for so long, yet we couldn"t find you".
He then hugged me. I was a bit confused at what to do next. I was used to people being cold and without feelings, but these people seemed to be my real family. The moment they found out who I was, they showed affection and care. It was something, I didn"t feel for a long time. He let me go after a while, and said "What happened? We didn"t find Raz, nor Lily. You were gone too". I shook my head, and said "Father and mother are already gone. They died a long time ago. I don"t know how, but I intend to find out, one way or another. I left the village we lived in, after I lost the Moon Blade. Someone stole it from me, but fortunately, she didn"t belong to Trek"s people".
He became angry, and said "So you know about Trek?". I nodded, and replied "Yes. He tried to sacrifice me, in order to gain his life back. Unfortunately for him, I didn"t have that Moon Blade with me, and I managed to get away". Finch said "That b.a.s.t.a.r.d! I should go and finish him off right now!". I said "There is no need. I already visited him not too long ago. He is a dying man, and has at most a few days of life left".
He nodded, and asked "You didn"t go for revenge? Even though he was dying?". I said "No. He understood his sins, and although I didn"t forgive him, he at least apologised for what he did. This alone means something. I also found you guys, thanks to him. I didn"t know where my father"s village was". Finch nodded, and said "It"s good that you are back. This is your home Nex. This is where your real family is".
I nodded, and said "You must be the Village Chief now. That means grandfather is no longer around, right?". Finch nodded, and said "Yes. He pa.s.sed away about 10 years ago. He fought with Trek in the past, and used a lot of his strength to stop him. This exhausted his lifespan, and he became weaker. Until he pa.s.sed away". I nodded my head, and didn"t really know what to say anymore.
Finch took another look at me, and said "You are strong indeed. Just like your father. You should be almost 29 years old, right?". I nodded my head, and said "Yes, I will be 29 in Summer". He asked "Where is your wife?". I was a bit confused, and asked "Wife? I don"t have a wife". He asked "So you didn"t propose to your girlfriend yet?". I shook my head, and said "I don"t have a girlfriend. I"m just me, and no one else".
He became quite shocked, and said "You are almost 29, and you don"t have a wife or a girlfriend? How did this happen?". "It"s not like I was going around, looking for women to marry though. I don"t know why he expects for me to have a wife now" I thought. I said "Well, it"s a long story". He sat down, and replied "I have time". I sighed, and sat down as well. I started narrating the story of how I became a traveller, and how my past years went by. I didn"t mention anything about Frosty, and a load of other things. It seems Frosty was hiding from something now, or really became absorbed into my arm, and would never appear again.
With my story done, Finch said "You"ve been through quite a lot. Breaking through your Inner Limits before the age of 30, is a praise worthy achievement. Actually it"s even greater, because you did it all by yourself, without anyone"s help. I wouldn"t be able to break through that easily, if not for the teachings of your grandfather. It still took me 45 years to reach that stage". He then asked "So what about that woman, who stole the sword?".
I replied "I don"t know where she might be, or what happened to the sword. I wasn"t concerned by it. After all, I just viewed it as a simple sword. It seems, it"s not that simple anymore". Finch nodded, and said "Yes, it is something you should get back. Not because it belonged to Asturb Village ancestor, but because of its value. That blade is something special, as far as I know. We also have an Ancestral Weapon, and it is currently in my possession. These weapons are not simple, I can tell you that much. If you can get it back, be sure to do it". I nodded my head, and said "I will look for it".
Finch then said "Come Nex. Let"s announce your return to the whole village. Maybe we can find you a girlfriend too. Many of the younger girls here, would love to become wives to a Wintersteed. Hahahaha". I had no words for that, but followed him anyway. This experience was different, than what happened in Asturb Village, when I first visited. These people behaved like the real family, that found me after so many years. I could feel the warmth from these people, while my instincts never acted up. I never felt anything wrong with this village. "This is my real home. This is my family" I thought a bit emotional.