RUN NOW!"
Haise heard the shouts of his parents, and he turned just in time to witness their home consumed by flames, a catapult strike impacting the building.
"No!!!"
Haise yelled in despair, but before he could act, an adult pulled him away.
"Let go of me! Please!"
he begged, his hand extending outwards, powerless to stop as he was dragged away, destined never to see his homeland again.
....
....
....
"You're finally awake, huh?"
A voice cut through his muddled thoughts. Haise blinked, clearing the fog, and focused on the rugged man in front of him. Both of them were in chains.
Haise chuckled bitterly."Just my luck"
he muttered under his breath. He looked around, noticing the snow-capped peaks of Aeloria.
I wonder where they'll be taking us, he contemplated, his mind racing with questions.
"You, you're not from around here, are you?"
the guard managing the carriage inquired.
"Why? Do you have feelings for me?"
Haise replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Tch, don't act all arrogant, kid. You attempted to cross the border into Aeloria; you're going to face execution as soon as we get to Helgen,"
the guard stated, leaving Haise completely unsatisfied.
"You're quite the bold one, aren't you?"
the rugged man remarked with a smirk.
Haise merely nodded before glancing down, searching for a way out of this situation. In the distance, he could make out the small town of Helgen. It was only a matter of time before his execution arrived.
"Tch, to think my life will conclude like this,"
he muttered to himself, the feeling of dread finally hitting him as they neared the small town. The carriage came to a halt as several guards approached to inspect them.
"New prisoners, I see?"
one of the guards remarked.
"Off with their heads."
Haise simply scoffed, thinking,
What a pack of murderous jerks. All I did was cross the border; what's wrong with that?
As they continued into town, he could hear the crowd's murmurs.
"Oh my, another one?""Another execution, huh? This is spiraling out of control.""Father! Father! Let me see, please!"
Haise glared at them bitterly as the carriage rolled through the town, his fate growing clearer with every passing moment.
The carriage halted in the center of the town. Haise took in his surroundings. He noticed the man gripping a large axe. Most likely the one who will be cutting off my head, he observed, seeing the guards preparing for the execution.
"The five of you, get down!"
a guard commanded.
They opened the carriage while each of them exited.
"Fall into line!"
As they fell into line, Haise scanned his surroundings, attempting to find an opportunity to escape. The leading guard began to declare their offenses.
Murder.Stealing.Assault of a Guard.
"Earl Simon, you are hereby executed due to your crimes of rebellion against the kingdom of Aeloria."
"Earl Simon, huh?" Haise thought to himself while glancing to his left.
"And lastly, Haise Sasaki. You are hereby executed for crossing the borders of Aeloria,"
the guard declared, his voice resolute.
The first to die was the murderer, laughing as his head was severed from his body. The second to die was the thief.
"No, I can't die like this! I only stole a loaf of bread!"
the man screamed as he attempted to flee.
TCHK!
He was struck down by the guards' arrows.
ROAR!
As Earl Simon positioned his head on the chopping block, a sudden, loud roar rang through the town.
The guards looked around, completely taken aback by the unanticipated roar of an unknown creature."That was nothing! Off with his head!"
a guard commanded.
A powerful gust of wind suddenly swept their way, causing them to lose their balance. Haise turned to see a huge dragon hovering above them. Its eyes fixed on him.
Is it grinning?
Haise remained frozen, awestruck yet frightened by the enormous beast.
"ATTACK!"
one of the guards shouted as the town was thrown into utter chaos.
The dragon roared again, its echoes resonating throughout the town. Haise was abruptly brought back to reality as Earl severed his bindings.
"Let's go!"
Earl directed.
Haise nodded as they fled; one of the guards attempted to obstruct them, but the dragon suddenly swooped in, utterly dispatching the guard in question. As they ran, Haise glanced behind, watching the town become engulfed in flames, his mind wandering to the fate of his homeland.
He shook his head—there was no time for that. He needed to survive and escape from this town for now."Over there is the gate!"
Earl pointed when they spotted the town's entrance.
The two rushed toward the gate when the dragon crashed into it, sending both of them flying. Haise blinked and glanced left to see Earl's crushed body. His eyes widened as he looked straight ahead. The dragon was coming closer, and he could clearly see that the dragon was smirking at him.
Haise shut his eyes as the dragon's head lunged forward, growling, and he could feel its scorching breath.
"Haise Sasaki," a deep voice rumbled.
Haise opened his eyes in disbelief,
"Did the dragon just talk?"
The dragon was staring at him."Ye-yes?"
Haise responded, entirely fumbling his words.
How could this be? A dragon engaging him in conversation?
"Isn't dying by beheading a bit amusing?"
the dragon growled, its amusement clear.
"What do you want?!"
Haise replied, his tone filled with anxiety.
The dragon growled even more profoundly,
"For you to prevent me."
Haise's eyes grew wide. What on earth does that imply?!
"You possess the blood; you're merely squandering it,"
the dragon placed its claws on his heart."If you don't stop me, I'll target your heart and obliterate this land."
The dragon began to back up before taking flight, leaving Haise in a burning town, with thoughts swirling about the events that unfolded.
...
.....
.....
Haise's eyes fluttered, his nose scrunched as he smelled something delicious.
"What's that smell?"
Haise arose, his head still fuzzy. Soft, he mused internally. He glanced around to realize he was in a bed.
What happened?
He exited his room to hear a pair of voices.
"Dear, it's unfortunate to see what transpired in Helgen. That town always seemed so peaceful."
"And I didn't anticipate you would bring home an unconscious young man, Matilda."
"Matilda? She brought me here?"
Haise attempted to slip away, but—
CREAK!
Haise bit his lip."Ah, you're awake, young man,"
an elderly man's voice called out to him.
Haise had no option but to head to the living room. He observed them before speaking.
A red-haired woman, who looked more a noble than a commoner. That must be Matilda. A rugged-looking old man, that must be her father, Haise contemplated to himself.
"I'm Haise Sasaki."
"Quite an unusual name you have there. You're not from around here, are you?"
Matilda inquired, her voice brimming with curiosity.
"Yeah,"
Haise responded swiftly, not wanting the situation to escalate further.
"Look, I need to leave. I have places to go and answers to obtain"
Haise quickly added while trying to depart from the two.
"I saw your mark, kid"
the old man replied.
"I know you Sasakis."
Haise halted in his tracks.
How does he know about my family?
he wondered, his heart sinking.