"I don't know-" He says, and it's so truthful. Part of him wants to stay, but part of him... the responsibilities he's left behind weigh on him. "I don't know if there's anything to go back to."

But is it worth taking the risk? He's under the assumption that everyone is dead, and in his mind, he's likely correct. The sand pest has probably taken everything from him. But wouldn't it still be his responsibility to go back to start everything anew? To rebuild his town?

It sounds like a lonely existence, but no one ever said duty wasn't lonely.