Chapter 12: Walk 2.
Kopii, gracefully and unhurriedly, walked along the long, crowded, and bustling street of Orario, through the colorful, vibrant market hubbub, where every merchant, with enthusiasm and zeal, touted their wares, promising unheard-of benefits and a uniqueness that supposedly couldn't be found anywhere else. But Kopii, accustomed to these tricks, didn't succumb to the enticing cries and continued his journey, past this hustle and bustle that had become commonplace for him, a part of everyday life. Tired from walking, he sat down on a bench, closed his eyes, and tried to feel the fleeting tranquility of a rare day off, when you could simply rest and not think about anything, just enjoy a moment of peace.
Kopii sat, inhaling the warm and enticing aroma of roasted chestnuts coming from a nearby stall, and felt life swirling around him. A light breeze played with his hair, carrying away the remnants of the day's hustle and bustle. He felt the tension accumulated in his body leaving him, dissolving into the warm air, filling his lungs. Somewhere in the distance, he heard the melody of a street musician, gentle and sad, as if telling a touching story about lost love, about the bitterness of parting.
Suddenly, next to him, as if from nowhere, sat an elderly woman with a wicker basket in her hands, filled with a variety of products. Her face, like a map of ancient lands, was covered with wrinkles, each of which seemed to hold its own story, its own life experience, and precious memories. She silently took a ripe, juicy apple from the basket and offered it to Kopii, as if offering a piece of her warmth and kindness.
"Take it, young man," she creaked with a kind smile, "Today is a good day to enjoy life and everything it has to offer."
Kopii looked at her in surprise but accepted the apple with a grateful smile and a slight sense of wonder. He took a bite, and the sweet juice filled his mouth, refreshing him with its taste. At that moment, he felt something special, as if the warmth and kindness of this stranger were transmitted to him through this simple but curious treat.
He closed his eyes again, but now his soul was filled not only with peace but also with some inexplicable, pleasant feeling of joy. Life, he thought, is full of unexpected encounters and small surprises that make it so beautiful and unpredictable. And today, thanks to a chance encounter on the street of Orario, he felt it especially acutely, as never before.
Kopii decided not to linger and move on, continuing his journey through this amazing city. He got up from the bench, thanked the old woman for the apple, making sure to wish her a good day. Kopii pulled up his mask, hiding the smile that suddenly bloomed on his face. Gratitude to the old woman overwhelmed him, and he wanted to do something good in return, to give back some of this light, but he decided that the best and most correct response would be to simply keep this feeling of warmth and share it with others around him. He strode further through Orario, no longer noticing the noisy trade and hustle and bustle. His gaze slid over the faces of passers-by, trying to catch a glimpse of the same joy that he felt within himself.
Kopii didn't understand why he was so happy, but he didn't want to find out. Walking down the street, he felt unusually light, as if he had shed an unbearable burden. Even the familiar mask, concealing his true face, seemed less burdensome and heavy today. Kopii walked, inhaling the smells of the city, which before seemed to him only an irritating noise and aroma. Now, in them, he heard some kind of melody, echoes of life, bubbling around and filling him with energy.
He turned into a narrow alley, where small, secluded craft shops, creating amazing things, were hidden in the shadows of old houses. There was silence here, broken only by the quiet tapping of a hammer and muffled, whisper-like conversations. Kopii stopped at the window of a workshop, where an old master, with a concentrated expression on his face, meticulously carved a dragon figurine from wood. Mesmerized, he watched his work, feeling a forgotten admiration for the beauty and skill invested in every detail awakening in his soul.
Suddenly, the master looked up and, noticing Kopii, greeted him with a friendly nod. "Do you like it?" he asked, pointing to the dragon, which was not just a toy, but a true work of art. Kopii silently nodded in response. "It is a symbol of strength and wisdom," the master continued, explaining importantly. "But most importantly, it is a symbol of life, which beats in every scale, in every turn."
Kopii pondered his wise words. Life… It really beats around, in every moment, in every meeting, in every apple offered by a stranger. And today he, Kopii, felt this life especially acutely, persistently, and deeply. He smiled under his mask and went on, carrying in his heart a new, bright feeling. A feeling of gratitude for this wonderful day and for all the little miracles it had in store for him.
Kopii thought that he should rest more often from everything around him. From all the problems and worries. Kopii walked down the streets, not even suspecting that he was using his skill. Kopii involuntarily smiled, recalling the wise instructions of the merchant with whom he had traveled the world, who insisted that even the most experienced warrior needs a break, a moment of silence and tranquility, to rethink the past path and gain strength for new achievements. He always considered it a waste of time, a luxury he could not afford under any circumstances. But today, walking the streets of Orario, he felt the true meaning of these words for the first time.
His steps became more confident and faster, his gaze - sharper and more observant. He began to notice details that had previously escaped his attention: intricate patterns on the doors of houses, the play of light and shadow on the pavement, inconspicuous and bright smiles on the faces of passers-by. The world around him seemed to play with new, much brighter colors, filled with sounds and smells that previously seemed to him only part of the city noise.
As evening began to fall, Kopii decided to rest in the shade. He watched the people passing by: elves and dwarves filling the streets. He often saw children happily spending time with their parents. Kopii watched this for a long time and wondered: where are his parents, why did they abandon him, or did someone force them to leave? Kopii didn't want to admit it, but he envied these children because they had something he would never have. He also wanted to have parents, but he quickly pushed aside these sad thoughts, not wanting to spoil his good mood.
The sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in crimson and golden hues, giving it a magical feel. Kopii sat in the shade of an old tree, watching the bustle of the day fade away with a slight sense of nostalgia. There was a kind of thoughtfulness in his gaze, as if he were trying to unravel the mystery of the universe hidden in the faces of passersby, in every glance. Elves, dwarves, humans – they all rushed about their business, not noticing the beauty of the moment, not realizing its value.
His gaze fell on a little girl playing with a wooden horse, as if it were the best toy in the world. Her ringing laughter echoed around, making Kopii involuntarily smile, awakening warm memories. He remembered his childhood, full of hardships and dangers, of long-lost dreams. He had never played with toys or felt the warmth of parental love, security, and care. The thought of his parents caused him a sharp pain in his chest, but he immediately banished it, not wanting to plunge into a whirlpool of memories and sadness.
He got up, shaking the light dust off his clothes. The cool evening air pleasantly refreshed his flushed face. Kopii decided to walk to the edge of the city to admire the sunset and enjoy the beauty of nature. He strode along quiet, almost silent streets, inhaling the scents of evening flowers and herbs that the wind carried. There was a sense of peace in his soul, as if he had found his place in this world and finally realized his belonging to this amazing space.
Reaching the outskirts, Kopii stopped, mesmerized by the magnificent view of the setting sun. A huge fiery orb slowly sank below the horizon, painting the clouds in incredible shades of red, orange, and violet, as if an artist were painting on the canvas of the sky. He stood motionless until the last rays of the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving behind only a slight afterglow on the darkening sky and a sense of completion to the day.
He stood for a long time, lost in his thoughts, until the cool night wind made him shiver. It was time to return to the city, back to his normal life. Kopii turned and headed back, his steps quiet and confident, as if he already knew where to go. He walked through the dark streets, enjoying the silence and peace of the night city, which was preparing for sleep.
Approaching the Blue Pharmacy, he noticed that it was already closed. He went inside, thinking that Naaza and Miya were already asleep, as usual. He went up to the second floor and stopped in front of his room's door. He took a deep breath and entered. His room was simple and modest, but it had everything necessary for life, for comfortable existence. He lit a candle and looked around the room to get used to the surroundings. Kopii took off his half-mask and looked at it curiously for a long time. The mask hid his face, but it also protected him from the outside world, from prying eyes and questions.
Kopii put the mask aside and went to the window to admire the night sky. The stars shone brightly in the sky, reminding him of the vast expanses of the universe and how immense the world was around him. He looked at the stars for a long time, reflecting on his life and his dreams. He was not alone; he had Miya and Naaza, who cared for him. He had found his place in this world and was content with what he had, with the small joys and happiness in ordinary things.
He lay down in bed, burying himself in the pillows, and closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest. Bright memories of the day flashed through his head: the old woman with the apple, the master with the dragon, the magical sunset on the outskirts of the city. He smiled, remembering each moment, and fell asleep, filled with a sincere sense of gratitude for this wonderful day, for everything he had seen and experienced.