The sun rose gently over Pazhani, casting golden light across the fields and rooftops.
The village had gathered again—but this time, not in fear.
This time, they came to say goodbye.
The Farewell They Never Expected
Dhira stood at the edge of the village path, adjusting his satchel and checking his mango stash.
Beside him stood his five loyal shadows—Team Dhira: The Chappel of Goats—trying very hard not to cry.
It wasn't working.
The villagers brought gifts.
A basket of dried tamarind.
A pouch of herbal balm.
A handwoven scarf.
And then came a small girl, no older than six, clutching a handful of wildflowers.
She walked up to each of the five and placed a flower in their hands.
"I don't have anything fancy," she said. "But these are for you."
The five stared at the flowers.
Then at the girl.
Then at the sky.
Then at each other.
And then—
"I got dust in my eyes," said the first, sniffling.
"Same," said the second. "Very dusty morning."
"It's raining," said the third. "That's why my eyes are wet."
"But the sky is clear," said the fourth.
"Exactly," said the fifth. "Invisible rain. Very rare."
Dhira raised an eyebrow.
"You're crying."
"No, Boss," they said in unison. "We're just emotionally hydrated."
The Bond Deepens
The villagers didn't laugh.
They smiled.
They knew.
These boys—once thieves, now protectors—had changed.
Not because they were forced to.
But because someone had treated them like family.
And now, others were doing the same.
The girl waved.
The elders bowed.
The warriors saluted.
And the storm walked on.
Training on the Road
The journey south continued.
Dhira trained every morning—staff drills, terrain reading, goat mimicry, and mango-core meditation.
The five watched.
Then joined.
They practiced spear throws using banana stems.
They sparred with sticks dipped in turmeric.
They tried to mimic goat calls.
They failed.
But they kept trying.
"Why are we training?" asked one.
"Because Boss trains," said another.
"And if Boss trains, we train."
"Even if we're bad at it."
"Especially if we're bad at it."
Dhira didn't say anything.
He just handed them mangoes.
And they trained harder.