Life of Maverick: In the Land of Giant Man Eaters

-Chapter 22: The New Shiganshina-

Inside a small remote village, in the Southeastern area of Wall Maria

It was the crack of dawn in the lands of Wall Maria. Inside this small and isolate village the locals arose from their slumbers to perform their early morning tasks and chores, alongside their newest three additions. A few months back some local hunters stumbled upon an encampment near the outskirts of the village, possibly the hideout of the thieves responsible for the village's current troubles.

For some time now people had noticed some of their foodstuffs going missing, with some playing the blame game trying to find out the culprits. To the surprise of the party, their would-be thieves were revealed to be nothing more than children, all alone, with one of their number cloaked in stolen robes.

When questioned they told their story of how they resided in the district at the time of the attack. An attack that left not only their fellow severely injured, but claimed the lives of their families. Soon they found themselves having to fend for themselves, doing anything they could to survive. With grief in their hearts the hunters bought their story and took them back to the village to have this problem assorted.

Upon hearing the tale, looks of pity formed on the faces of the villagers. Understanding the awful situation they found themselves in the children were permitted to stay, though on a condition. Like many they would have to pitch in and do their share of the work, to which they agreed.

So here the two children were toying away at some chores, while their third remained inside recovering. Though many had learned to be cautious with him, for he was prone to bursts of anger and sorrow, sometimes waking up the village with his screams.

As the two worked the sudden shouts from near the front gate alerted the villagers. Many, including the two rushed to see what all the commotion was all about. It revealed to be one of the merchants that would occasionally come by a few times a month. Though today it seemed he had something different to offer the village. That being news.

"They've done it! The gates been repaired!" He exclaimed loudly to the surprise and confusion of the people, especially the two children.

"Oh, did they now?"

"Hmph, only took like what? A year?"

"Thought they plugged it up already.."

"How much of our taxes went to it again?"

These were but a few reactions to the news, while the children simply looked to one another with worry in their eyes.

"Even more my friends! They plan to hold a reopening ceremony of the District today! All are invited to partake in the merriment!" This certainly got the villagers talking as the goods seller continued. "I'm sure I don't need to explain what such a ceremony entails, eh?"

Their eyes widened. No doubt such an occasion would be complete without an assortment of all manners of delicious food and drink and other such luxuries. With this in mind the villagers went about to make plans to depart to Shiganshina, deciding amongst themselves who would go and who would stay. Meanwhile the two children retreated into the background, their thoughts not as merry as the villagers.

"Great...just, great..." Said the shortest of the two in a hushed tone, weary of anyone else listening. Her tall companion simply pulled his hair back in frustration.

"*Sigh* What are we gonna tell him?" The young blonde looked up to him with her usual cold gaze.

"Doesn't matter. He's still gonna act up..." The dark haired boy couldn't help but agree. Since that day their comrade's behavior hadn't improved. Always either muttering to himself of just going into a fit, at times he'd simply shut himself off from anyone, his still good eye staring down at the ground or at the malformed thing that used to be his left arm.