That night, when everyone else in the village was fast asleep, Alice lay awake, her heart fluttering with excitement. Tomorrow was her birthday, and she couldn’t stop thinking about the books her father had bought for her earlier that day. She imagined herself flipping through their pages, learning everything she needed to know to one day become more than just a princess in her daydreams.

Unable to sleep, she paced around her room, thinking about tomorrow. As she wandered near the window, something strange caught her eye a small, flickering light outside. It seemed odd, especially since it was the middle of the night and the village was usually peaceful at this hour. Even Kevin, the merchant, had left earlier than usual, which was strange in itself. He normally stayed a couple of days longer.

Curious, Alice crept closer to the window and peered outside. Her eyes widened as she spotted eight shadowy figures on horseback. They were cloaked in dark robes, each one holding a burning torch. Her curiosity quickly morphed into a knot of fear in her stomach. Who were these people? What were they doing here?

She watched, her breath catching in her throat, as one of the figures dismounted and approached a nearby house. The figure didn’t hesitate they lifted their torch and set fire to the house with a swift motion. The flames caught quickly, turning the peaceful home into an inferno.

Panicked, Alice bolted from her room and rushed to her parents' bedroom. She shook them both awake, her voice trembling as she tried to explain what she had just seen.

Sara, still groggy from sleep, sat up and rubbed her eyes. “Alice, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”

Before Alice could fully explain, a piercing scream echoed from outside, cutting through the night air like a knife. Sara and Duncan immediately snapped to attention, their sleepiness replaced with sudden, grim urgency.

Without another word, they followed Alice to her room. From the window, they could see the terrifying scene unfolding before them houses were being set ablaze, and the figures were no longer just burning homes. They were slaughtering anyone who got in their way. Flames lit up the sky, casting eerie shadows over the village as the robed figures moved swiftly, methodically destroying everything in their path.

Duncan’s face went pale as he realized what was happening. Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed Alice, pulling her close to him. “Sara, take Alice and run. Now!” His voice was low, filled with urgency.

“Duncan, no! We should go together” Sara protested, but Duncan cut her off.

“There’s no time. Go out the back. I’ll hold them off.” He was already pushing them toward the stairs.

The front door of their house suddenly burst open with a violent crash, and one of the robed figures stood in the doorway, their silhouette framed by the burning village behind them.

“Go!” Duncan shouted, shoving Alice into Sara’s arms. He grabbed the axe that hung by the door, his eyes filled with grim determination. “I’ll hold them off.”

Alice tried to break free, screaming for her father, but Sara tightened her grip and bolted for the back door. They ran into the dark night, the sounds of crackling flames and distant cries of terror filling the air around them.

As Sara sprinted toward the forest, Alice craned her neck to look back at their home. From the trees, she could just make out the silhouette of her father standing tall in the doorway, axe in hand. For a brief moment, hope fluttered in her heart. Maybe he could stop them. Maybe everything would be okay.

But that hope was shattered when she saw her father charge at the intruder, only to be effortlessly cut down. The figure moved with unnatural speed, slicing through Duncan as though he were made of paper. Alice’s father collapsed, his body falling to pieces, and the sight of it was too much to bear.

Alice let out a scream, but Sara didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. She knew that if they hesitated for even a second, they would both meet the same fate. Tears streamed down Sara’s face as she held Alice tightly, forcing herself to keep running despite the weight of her grief.

The forest was dark, and the sounds of the village burning behind them grew distant. Sara didn’t stop until they were deep within the trees, far enough that the lights of the fires were no longer visible.

Sara ran as fast as she could, carrying Alice in her arms while the sounds of screams and laughter from the attackers echoed behind them. Her heart pounded in her chest, each step filled with urgency and fear. The forest around them was dark, the shadows playing tricks on her mind, but all that mattered was keeping Alice safe.

Suddenly, Sara’s foot caught on a root, and she tripped, tumbling down a small hill. She hugged Alice tightly, trying to protect her from the impact. They rolled down the hill, dirt and branches scratching against their skin. When they reached the bottom, Sara felt a sharp, searing pain shoot through her leg. She knew instantly it was broken.

Alice, disoriented, scrambled to her feet. “Mom, are you okay?” she asked, her voice shaking.

Despite the pain, Sara's first instinct was to check on her daughter. “Alice, are you hurt?” she asked, her voice soft but strained.

“I’m fine,” Alice whispered, her eyes wide with fear. But before she could say anything more, they both heard movement in the bushes at the top of the hill. The sound of footsteps heavy, deliberate was getting closer.

Sara’s heart raced. She grabbed Alice’s hand, her eyes filling with tears. “Alice, you have to hide,” she urged, her voice trembling. “Go, please. Leave me here.”

“No, I’m not leaving you!” Alice shouted, her voice breaking. She clung to her mother, refusing to go anywhere.

Tears streamed down Sara’s face as she begged. “Please, Alice. You have to” But her voice was cut off as the footsteps grew louder. Whoever or whatever it was, was nearly on top of them now.

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They held each other tightly, preparing for the worst. Sara whispered a quick prayer under her breath, tears flowing freely now. This was it. They had run as far as they could. There was no escape.

But then, a familiar voice called out from the top of the hill.

“Is everything alright down there?”

Alice froze, recognizing the voice instantly. “John?” she whispered, disbelief and hope creeping into her voice.

John appeared at the top of the hill, his silhouette barely visible in the dim light. His new metal sword gleamed faintly in the moonlight, still strapped to his wrist. He carefully made his way down the slope, moving quickly toward them.

“Alice! Mrs. Sara! Are you okay?” John asked, rushing over to them.

Alice, her eyes filled with tears, tried to explain the situation. “My mom’s leg… it’s broken. She can’t walk.”

John glanced at Sara, his face serious as he assessed the situation. Sara, despite her pain, looked up at him with a determined expression. “John, listen to me,” she said, her voice strained but firm. “Take Alice. Get her out of here. You have to go. Now.”

Alice, still refusing to leave her mother, clung to her. “No! I won’t leave you behind! I won’t!”

John looked between the two of them, his jaw clenched. He understood exactly what Sara was asking of him, and it tore at him, but there was no time to hesitate.

With a heavy heart, he crouched down and gently pulled Alice away from her mother. She fought against him, tears streaming down her face as she screamed for him to let her go. “John, no! Don’t take me away from her!”

John’s face was pale, but his resolve was strong. He knew that if they stayed, none of them would survive. “Alice, I’m sorry,” he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. He lifted her into his arms despite her protests, holding her tightly.

Sara, tears in her eyes, gave one last look at her daughter. “I love you, Alice. Go. Be safe.”

John stood up, Alice still struggling in his arms, and began running deeper into the forest, away from the village and away from Sara. He didn’t look back, knowing that if he did, the sight of Sara left behind would break him completely.

As they fled, the screams from the village grew fainter, but Alice’s sobs filled the night air. She pounded her fists against John’s chest, begging him to take her back to her mother, but John kept running, his grip on her unyielding.

Alice’s world had just fallen apart, and now all she had left was the boy who had promised to keep her safe—even if it meant tearing her away from the person she loved most.

John’s heart raced as he sprinted through the forest, every muscle in his body aching from the strain of running while carrying Alice. He could hear her quiet sobs as she clung to him, still shaken from everything they had witnessed. The horrors of the village, the loss of their families everything was too much. Yet, John knew he couldn’t stop. Not yet.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he slowed down, gasping for breath. His legs trembled with exhaustion as he carefully set Alice down. They were deep in the forest now, hidden beneath the thick canopy of trees. John pulled Alice into the cover of a large bush, hoping it would hide them from any pursuers. Alice, still crying softly, sat beside him, her eyes swollen and her body shaking.

“I shouldn't have left her,” Alice whispered between sobs. “I shouldn't have left my mother behind...”

John, his own face pale with fear and exhaustion, placed a hand on her shoulder. “You had no choice, Alice. Your mom... she wanted you to live. She wanted you to be safe.”

Alice shook her head, unable to stop the tears. But before John could say anything more to comfort her, both of them froze. The sound of movement came from a nearby bush heavy footsteps and the rustling of leaves. It was coming closer.

John and Alice instinctively held their breath, their bodies tense with fear. They didn’t know if it was another one of the mysterious attackers or perhaps one of the villagers who had escaped. They kept their eyes fixed on the bush, their hearts pounding in their chests. John clutched what was left of his broken sword, ready to defend Alice, though the odds were against him.

Suddenly, something emerged from the bush.

It was Lucas, one of the kids from the village. Relief washed over both John and Alice as they saw his familiar face. Lucas looked disoriented, but alive. Alice let out a small sigh of relief, her heart calming down.

“Lucas!” John whispered urgently. “Over here!”

Lucas turned toward them, a confused but relieved expression on his face as he began walking in their direction. But before he could take another step, John and Alice’s relief turned to horror. From behind Lucas, a dark figure appeared a man clad in black robes, one of the attackers, emerging silently from the shadows.

“Lucas, behind you!” Alice cried out, her voice trembling.

But it was too late. The mysterious figure drew his sword and, with one swift movement, pierced Lucas through the back. Lucas gasped, his body tensing for a moment before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Alice screamed, but John grabbed her, pulling her up as he started running again. Panic surged through both of them as they fled deeper into the forest. The mysterious man laughed, his footsteps echoing behind them. He was toying with them, letting them think they had a chance at escape, when in reality, he could have caught them at any moment.

John ran with all the strength he had left, but it wasn’t enough. The man was closing in on them, his dark figure looming behind like a shadow of death. The trees began to thin out, and suddenly, John and Alice found themselves at the edge of a cliff. Below them, a river raged with sharp rocks jutting out from the water. There was no way forward, only down a fatal drop into the river below.

John set Alice down, breathing heavily. He turned to face the man, positioning himself in front of Alice, his broken sword raised in a desperate attempt to protect her. The man laughed as he approached, drawing his own sword and twirling it menacingly.

“You really think that toy can save you?” the man sneered.

John said nothing, but his eyes were filled with determination. He charged at the man, swinging his broken sword with everything he had. But in one swift movement, the man slashed at John’s weapon, cutting it clean in half.

“That’s what a real sword feels like, boy,” the man mocked, kicking John hard in the chest. John flew backward, landing near Alice. She rushed to him, tears streaming down her face as she knelt beside him, shaking him, begging him to get up.

The man, now standing just a few steps away, lifted his sword high. He was toying with them, enjoying the fear and pain on their faces. Alice looked up at him, her voice trembling. “Why are you doing this? Who are you?”

The man smirked and pulled back his hood, revealing his face. His armor bore the emblem of a snake with a single, menacing eye. It was the same man Kevin had encountered in the forest the one who had saved him from the Geath.

“We’re the One Eyed Snakes,” he said, his voice icy. “A group of professionals, hired to do the kind of ‘cleaning’ the nobles and people in power don’t want to get their hands dirty with.” His smile widened as he took another step forward, his sword raised high above Alice. “Just know,” he added, a cruel glint in his eyes, “someone really wanted this village to be destroyed.”

The blade glinted in the moonlight as it came down, but at the last moment, John pushed himself up, throwing his body in front of Alice. The sword struck him instead, slicing deep into his back. He cried out in pain, but even in his weakened state, John refused to let Alice die. With the last of his strength, he grabbed her tightly and, in a desperate move, threw them both off the cliff and into the raging river below.

The man stood at the edge, watching as they disappeared into the water. He sneered, confident that no one could survive a fall like that. He kicked the broken remains of John’s sword into the river after them and turned, walking back toward the burning village, satisfied with his work.

John and Alice were gone, swallowed by the dark, roaring waters below...