Little Hammer and Flower are the first to run up to me, throwing their survival toys aside when they see me stumble out from the deeper woods. Their headlong rush slows a bit when they hear the blasphemous curses I'm delivering at Box, but the innocence of childhood allows them to ignore my vile imprecations as misheard mutterings.

"Memoriam Sky!"

"We thought you were dead!"

They cling to my legs in that unbreakable grip young children possess, and I tousle their hair before leaning down to gather them into a comforting hug.

"I'm so glad to see everyone again. Last night sure was scary, huh?"

"There was a big fire in the sky," Hammer says, face serious. "I thought it was going to burn us all up."

"Too many loud noises," Flower complains. "My ears still hurt."

"And Door's foot got broken," Hammer adds. "Mister Window Doctor had to fix it."

The mention of Door causes me to release the two little ones, my attention turning to my friends. I need to check on Door and Rifle, let them know I'm okay.

...I need to find Wires' uncle and let him know what happened.

At this point more villagers are making their way over, exclaiming in surprise at my reappearance. Pretty soon a crowd has gathered, wanting to know where I was and what happened. Apparently Rifle or one of the other teenagers must have informed them that Wires and I were going to investigate the crash after they returned from the hilltop. Just as the tumult of voices is becoming overwhelming, silence starts to spread from the back of the crowd, everyone quickly falling quiet. Villagers step aside to make an aisle, and three figures make their way down it - an old man in a wheeled chair covered in blankets pushed by a tall woman in forest-stained leathers, a middle-aged man with a bushy brown beard walking alongside.

Great Grandpa Axe, Broom Idiot, leader of their clan, and River Builder, Wires' uncle. I take a deep breath.

"Great Grandpa Axe Memoriam," I greet him formally, then turn my attention to the other two, "Missus Broom Idiot, Mister River Builder. I..."

My voice trails off, mind at a loss as to what to say.

"Is Wires with you?" River Builder asks anxiously. "He didn't come back last night."

"I..."

Tears start sliding down my cheeks, and his face scrunches up in pain.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't... he's..."

Wires' uncle simply steps forward, gathering me into a rough hug, pressing my face against his chest. I let myself feel the hurt once more, our bodies shaking in alternating sobs. Eventually he pulls back, hands still clasping my shoulders.

"Did... did he die for a reason? Some knowledge an Idiot would be proud to pass on?"

"He saved my life," I respond bluntly. "We were attacked, and he tried to protect me so I could flee."

Hushed gasps rise from the crowd, people casting worried glances at each other, but Wires' uncle simply wipes a sleeve across his. "Fool boy," he mutters, shaking his head slightly, but there's now pride behind the sorrow in his eyes. "Told him not to be a hero too many times." He releases his other hand from my shoulder and steps back to Great Grandpa and Broom Idiot.

"...do you know what you were attacked by?" a concerned voice calls out from the crowd. "A crabroach? A Glowbeast? Were they stirred up by that fireball?"

"Is the village in danger?" another voice asks, and I open my mouth to speak.

You should tell your Great Grandpa and Broom in private first, Sky, unless you want to start a panic. Based on your memories, they are in well-respected positions of power, and will be better suited to relay the news as needed. Your village is currently still undetected by either Wutan-Weylan or reality's manifestations, so there is some time. Not much, but some.