The town of Eldoria bustled as usual, its people going about their daily lives, unaware that death loomed just beyond the horizon. At Wanderer's Bite, the savory aroma of grilled meat filled the air as Alex weaved through the midday crowd, serving steaming plates of food to hungry patrons. Liz sat at a corner table, ledger in hand, carefully balancing their dwindling supplies against the recent earnings. Business was steady, yet her brows furrowed in thought. Even with their success, the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders.
Outside, Lily ran through the marketplace, her laughter bright as she played with the other children. She clutched a book to her chest, freshly borrowed from school, recounting lessons to anyone who would listen. The sun bathed the town in golden light, and for a moment, it seemed like nothing could disturb this peaceful afternoon.
Then, the peace shattered.
A bloodcurdling scream echoed from the eastern gate, cutting through the midday chatter like a blade. A moment later, flames erupted into the sky, thick plumes of smoke curling over the rooftops. The ground trembled beneath the thundering hooves of galloping horses as the first wave of bandits surged into the town, steel flashing and voices roaring.
Garrick the Redfang led the charge, his crimson blade slicing through the helpless with merciless efficiency. His men fanned out, tearing through the town's defenses like wolves among sheep.
Shops burned. Streets ran red. Innocents pleaded for mercy, only to be met with cold steel and cruel laughter.
Lily, clutching her book tightly, froze as panic erupted around her. The marketplace turned to chaos, people pushing and shoving in desperate attempts to flee. She turned toward the restaurant, her heart pounding in her chest. The laughter and games had stopped; the other children had scattered, screaming. She took a step—
Rough hands grabbed her from behind.
"Well, well," a sneering voice drawled. "Look what we have here. A little mouse caught in the open."
The surviving bandit, his face battered and bruised, recognized her instantly. Rage flickered across his features. "Because of you and your brother, my group died," he spat, tightening his grip around her arm.
Lily screamed, kicking and thrashing, but the man was too strong. He slung her over his shoulder like a sack of grain. "You'll fetch a nice price," he chuckled darkly. "Or maybe I should just make your brother suffer first."
Alex, having heard her cry, dashed out of the restaurant. His blood ran cold at the sight of his little sister struggling in the bandit's grasp. Without thinking, he grabbed the nearest object—a wooden stool—and charged.
He swung with all his strength. The stool shattered against the bandit's back.
The man barely flinched.
Amused, he turned, his eyes glinting with cruelty. With a swift motion, he struck Alex across the face, sending him sprawling onto the cobblestone street. The air whooshed from Alex's lungs as pain exploded through his skull. He gasped, vision swimming.
"Let her go!" he rasped, forcing himself up, only for another bandit to step forward and plant a boot against his chest, pinning him down.
"You've got guts, kid," the first bandit sneered. "Too bad it won't save you."
The bandit raised his sword, ready to finish Alex off—
A bolt of energy shot through the air, slamming into the bandit's side and sending him reeling. A commanding voice rang out.
"Enough!"
The Town Lord, a seasoned warrior draped in steel armor, strode into the town square, flanked by his personal guard. His silver spear gleamed in the flickering firelight. "You dare attack my city?" he bellowed. "You will find only death here!"
Garrick stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, the famous Town Lord of Eldoria," he mused. "They say you're the strongest in these parts. Let's see if you live up to the reputation."
With terrifying speed, Garrick lunged.
The Town Lord barely had time to react before Garrick's blade clashed against his spear. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows, each strike shaking the earth beneath them. The guards rushed forward, only to be cut down by Garrick's men, their screams lost in the chaos.
The battle raged, but the difference in strength became clear.
Garrick was a monster. His strikes carried the force of a raging storm, his speed unnatural. The Town Lord, though experienced, was slowly being pushed back. A misstep cost him dearly—Garrick's sword found an opening, slashing across his shoulder. Blood sprayed the ground.
The Town Lord gritted his teeth, refusing to fall. With a desperate roar, he lunged forward, thrusting his spear toward Garrick's heart.
Garrick smirked.
With inhuman reflexes, he sidestepped, grabbing the spear's shaft. With a single devastating strike, he shattered the weapon in two. Before the Town Lord could react, Garrick drove his sword through his chest.
Time seemed to stop. The once-proud defender of Eldoria staggered, coughing blood. Garrick twisted the blade cruelly before yanking it free, letting the man collapse onto the blood-soaked streets.
The townspeople, who had clung to the hope of their leader's victory, now watched in horror as their last defense crumbled.
Garrick turned to his men, his voice carrying through the burning town. "No survivors."
The bandits unleashed hell upon Eldoria. Men, women, and children were slaughtered without mercy. Some tried to flee, only to be run down. Others barricaded themselves in their homes, only for fire to consume them. The streets became a nightmare of screams and blood.
Alex, still reeling from the earlier blow, watched helplessly as Lily was carried away into the night. His fists clenched in despair. He had failed her.
Then, amidst the carnage, a shadow emerged.
Harvis stood at the town's entrance, his eyes blindfolded, sensing the devastation in the screams of people. His usual carefree expression was gone, replaced with something far colder.
The storm had arrived.