20 years ago...

The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air as young Gabriel skipped through the bustling market square. The sun hung high in the cloudless sky, bathing the village of Briarwood in a golden glow. The cobbled streets were alive with the chatter of merchants and villagers, each going about their daily business. It was a typical day in the peaceful village, a place where everyone knew each other and the troubles of the wider world seemed a distant concern.

Gabriel, just ten years old, was a wiry boy with bright blue eyes and a mop of dark hair that refused to stay tamed. He wore a simple tunic and breeches, his feet bare as he darted between the stalls, occasionally snatching an apple or a handful of berries when the merchants weren’t looking. His laughter rang out as he ducked under the arm of a burly blacksmith, narrowly avoiding a playful cuff to the ear.

“Gabriel!” a voice called from behind a stall piled high with flowers. He turned to see Elara, the florist’s daughter, waving at him. She was his age, her hair a cascade of golden curls that framed her freckled face. She held up a daisy chain, grinning. “Look what I made!”

Gabriel bounded over, taking the daisy chain from her and placing it on his head with a mock bow. “Does it suit me, my lady?” he asked with a grin.

Elara giggled. “You look ridiculous! But it’s perfect.” She reached out and adjusted the flowers, her smile fading slightly as she looked past him. “Isn’t your father going on patrol today?”

Gabriel’s smile faltered. His father, Cael, was the captain of the village guard, a stern man with a kind heart who was always vigilant about the safety of Briarwood. Gabriel admired him more than anyone and dreamed of one day becoming a hero like the ones his father spoke of in his stories.

“Yes,” Gabriel replied, his tone more serious now. “He says there have been rumors of orcs in the forest. But he always says that. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Elara nodded, but the worry didn’t leave her eyes. “I hope so. I heard my mother saying the same thing. She says there’s darkness in the air.”

Gabriel laughed, trying to brush off her concern. “Mothers always worry. My father can handle anything. He’s the bravest man in the world!”

They spent the rest of the afternoon playing near the river that ran through the village, their laughter mingling with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. For a while, Gabriel forgot about the rumors, lost in the simple joys of childhood. It wasn’t until the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the village, that he remembered his father’s warning.

“Gabriel!” a voice called, sharp and urgent. He turned to see his mother, Lena, standing at the edge of the square, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. “Gabriel, come inside, now!”

He ran to her, sensing her fear and feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. “What’s wrong, Mama?”

She grabbed his arm, pulling him towards their home. “It’s your father. He sent word from the forest. There’s something out there, Gabriel. Something dangerous. We need to get inside.”

They reached their small cottage, and Lena bolted the door behind them. The house was dim, the shutters closed, casting the room in shadow. Gabriel could hear his heart pounding in his chest, a drumbeat of fear.

“Where’s Father?” he asked, his voice trembling.

Lena knelt before him, her hands on his shoulders. “He’s with the other guards, Gabriel. They’re out there, protecting us. But I need you to stay inside, do you understand? No matter what happens, you stay here.”

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Gabriel nodded, his eyes wide. He had never seen his mother so scared. She hugged him tightly, then stood, moving to the window to peer outside. The light was fading fast, and with it, a sense of dread seemed to settle over the village.

The first sound came just as the last light of day slipped below the horizon—a distant, guttural roar that sent shivers down Gabriel’s spine. It was followed by another, then another, until the night was filled with the chilling cries of creatures Gabriel had only heard about in his father’s tales. Orcs. The very name was enough to make his blood run cold.

A scream echoed through the night, followed by the clash of steel on steel. Gabriel’s heart raced. He moved to the window, peering out into the darkness. The village square was lit by the flickering light of torches, the shadows shifting as figures moved beyond his sight.

Then he saw them—hulking shapes moving through the streets, their eyes glowing with malice. Orcs and goblins, their grotesque faces twisted in snarls as they swung crude weapons. Villagers ran in panic, some falling under the creatures’ blades, others trying to fight back with whatever they could find.

Gabriel’s breath caught in his throat. His father was out there, fighting those monsters. He turned to his mother, who was now by the door, holding a kitchen knife, her face pale but set with determination.

“Mama, we have to help them!” Gabriel cried, his voice high with fear.

“No, Gabriel!” Lena said sharply. “We stay here. Your father will find us. He will keep us safe.”

A loud crash came from the back of the house, and the door shuddered as something heavy slammed against it. Lena gasped, her eyes wide as she turned to the source of the noise. Gabriel’s heart pounded in his ears, his body frozen with fear.

“Gabriel,” Lena whispered, her voice trembling, “I need you to hide. Now.”

He hesitated, his eyes locked on his mother’s terrified face. She moved towards him, but before she could reach him, the door burst open, splinters flying as a hulking figure loomed in the doorway. An orc, its skin mottled and green, its eyes glowing with a cruel light. It grinned, revealing sharp, yellowed teeth.

Lena screamed, brandishing the knife. The orc laughed, a sound like grinding rocks, and swung its club. Gabriel watched in horror as his mother was thrown against the wall, the knife falling from her hand as she crumpled to the ground, blood staining her dress.

“No!” Gabriel screamed, a surge of anger and terror overwhelming him. He looked around frantically, his eyes landing on the knife. He snatched it up, the handle slick with his mother’s blood, and turned to face the orc.

The creature laughed again, stepping towards him, its club raised. Gabriel’s heart hammered in his chest, his hands shaking as he held the knife. The orc lunged, and Gabriel moved without thinking, ducking under the swing of the club and driving the knife into the creature’s side.

The orc roared, more in anger than pain, and backhanded Gabriel across the room. He hit the wall hard, the breath knocked from his lungs. Dazed, he looked up to see the orc pulling the knife from its side, blood oozing from the wound. It snarled, stepping towards him, murder in its eyes.

Gabriel’s vision blurred, his head spinning. He heard a shout, a familiar voice cutting through the haze. The orc turned, and Gabriel saw his father standing in the doorway, sword drawn, his face a mask of fury.

“Get away from my son!” Cael bellowed, charging at the orc. The creature turned to meet him, but it was too slow. Cael’s sword flashed in the dim light, slicing through the orc’s neck. The creature gurgled, blood spurting from the wound, and fell to the ground, its head rolling to a stop at Gabriel’s feet.

Cael rushed to Gabriel’s side, pulling him into a tight embrace. “Gabriel! Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice thick with worry.

Gabriel shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “Mama...” he choked out, looking over at Lena’s still form.

Cael’s face tightened with grief, but he forced a smile. “We’ll get her help, Gabriel. We’ll make her better.”

Gabriel clung to his father, his small body trembling. Outside, the sounds of battle continued, the night filled with screams and the clash of steel. Cael pulled away, looking into Gabriel’s eyes.

“Listen to me, son,” he said, his voice firm. “You need to be strong now. I need you to be brave. Can you do that for me?”

Gabriel nodded, swallowing his sobs. “Yes, Father.”

Cael smiled, ruffling Gabriel’s hair. “That’s my boy. Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

He stood, moving to his wife’s side, his hand gently touching her face. He looked back at Gabriel, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and pride. “I love you, Gabriel. Remember that.”

With that, he turned and ran back into the night, his sword gleaming in the torchlight. Gabriel watched him go, his small hands clenched into fists. He could still feel the knife in his hand, the resistance as it had plunged into the orc’s flesh. He had killed a creature, saved his own life. But at what cost?