Many years had passed and Jake was coming back to the village after his daily training in the nearby forest.

As Jake trudged back to his village, his mind was filled with happy memories of his childhood. Life had flowed like a dream, peaceful and serene. But as he got closer, the stench of burning wood and ash filled his nose, and his heart dropped as he saw the destruction before him. His once beautiful village was now nothing but smoldering ruins.

Panic set in as he searched for any survivors, calling out for his mother, father, and sister. But all he heard were the screams of the dying and the cackling of the fire. This was no dream, it was a nightmare, and it was all too real. Jake couldn't believe that everything he had known and loved was gone, reduced to ash and rubble. As he collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face, he couldn't help but wonder what could have caused such destruction. Was it a monster attack or an enemy invasion? All he knew was that his once peaceful life had crashed harder than any horror story he could have ever imagined.

How naive.

As Jake stumbled through the ashes and rubble of his once-peaceful village, he could hardly believe his eyes. The once-thriving community was now nothing but smoldering ruins and screaming residents. Panic set in as Jake realized that this wasn't some kind of nightmare. This was reality.

As he searched desperately for his family, Jake's mind raced with confusion and fear. How could this have happened? He had been away training to become a warrior, to protect his people from the dangers that lurked beyond the village's boundaries. But it seemed that the true danger had come from within.

As the screams of his fellow villagers filled the air, Jake could only think of one thing: he had to find his family. He pushed through the smoke and debris, calling out for his mother and father. But there was no answer. Just as he was about to give up hope, he heard a faint voice calling his name. It was his mother, her face blackened with soot and her clothes singed, but alive.

You know this is reality.

The familiar homes and shops were now engulfed in flames, and the screams of his people filled the air. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, it was like a nightmare come to life. Panic set in as he searched for his family, his heart pounding in his chest. He found his mother, injured and lying on the ground. He tried to heal her with his magic, but it was not enough to fully mend her wounds. The fire continued to ravage the village, destroying everything in its path. Jake felt helpless and alone, unsure of what to do next as he watched his home and loved ones being consumed by the inferno.

This is not a fantasy, didn't you said so Jake?

"Mom, don't cry," Jake said, tears streaming down his face as he looked at his mother lying on the makeshift bed. "What caused this?"

"There are some people," Mary replied, her voice weak and strained. "Bandits."

"Bandits? What do they want from us?" Jake asked, anger and frustration welling up inside of him.

"They wanted everything, they take whatever they want and burn the rest." Mary replied sorrowfully

"I'll make them pay, I'll make them pay for what they did to you, to our village" Jake said with determination as he grips his sword with all his might.

"No, no, you have to be careful. You have to survive. you have to stay alive" Mary said with a soft and sad tone.

Jake felt a surge of anger and sadness wash over him as he stood there, his mother's frail hand in his own. The village, his home, was burning down around them, and his sister, Jenna, had been taken by bandits. He couldn't comprehend how something like this could happen, how their peaceful life could be shattered in an instant. "Where's father?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. His mother hesitated before answering, her voice filled with pain and fear. "I don't know, Jake. I don't know where he is."

Of course, who would want an old and weak lady when there is a young and beautiful one. The naivety that Jake had all this time was crashing down as reality sets in. This is a real life. Nothing goes right.

The thought that everything must be alright. The thought that everything was going to be okay. The sheer ignorance that he is going to have a peaceful life. Everything is going happily ever after.

Oh how I admire that ignorance.

Jake's mother lay on her deathbed, her breath becoming weaker and weaker with each passing moment. As her son sat by her side, tears streaming down his face, she reached out and grasped his hand tightly. "Find and protect your sister," she whispered hoarsely, before taking her final breath. Jake let out a heart-wrenching wail, his tears falling unchecked as he mourned the loss of his beloved mother.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

The following days were a blur of grief and despair for Jake. As he struggled to come to terms with his mother's death, her final words kept ringing in his head. "Find and protect your sister."

Jake couldn't find his father anywhere, and the thought that he could be one of the burnt bodies in the village made his heart ache with despair. He knew that his father would have fought fiercely to protect his family, but it seemed that in the end, it wasn't enough. Jake couldn't shake the feeling of overwhelming dread that settled in his stomach as he surveyed the destruction around him. The once peaceful village was now nothing but ash and ruins. He couldn't understand how something like this could happen. It was like a nightmare, but unfortunately, it was all too real.

The darkness loomed over Jake as he realized that this was no dream. The cold sweat on his skin, the pounding of his heart, the overwhelming feeling of dread that consumed him, all pointed to the terrifying truth that this was very real. He had been so naive, believing that everything would be alright and that he would lead a peaceful life. But now, as he stood there trembling with fear, he couldn't shake off the feeling of impending doom that had taken hold of him.

Jake's mind raced with thoughts of regret as he realized that he should have known better. He should have seen the warning signs, the subtle hints that something was not right. But he had ignored them all, blinded by his own optimism and desire for a happy ending. Now, as he stood face to face with the horrors of reality, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of remorse for the paths not taken and the opportunities missed. It was a regret that would haunt him for the rest of his days.

But he quickly learned that ignorance was not bliss. He had been too naive, too emerged in the thrill of discovery, to see the true nature of this world. The bandits, once a distant threat, had become a constant presence, reminding Jake that the reality of this world was far from idyllic. He should have been more aware, and he regrets not being more cautious. And it's too late now. As he lay on the ground, bleeding out, he realized that his obsession with this world of magic had cost him everything. He realized that true horror and regret that he had not heeded the signs and now paid the price with his own life.

Jake's mind was filled with regret, what if he had just paid more attention, what if he had just been more aware of the dangers of the world. The reality hit him hard, he should have known better, he should have been more prepared. But he wasn't, and now it was too late. The villagers were trying to salvage whatever they could from the rubble, but the fire had been too fierce, too destructive. Jake couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt, it was his job to protect his family, but he failed. He couldn't help but wonder, what if he had been there to fight off the bandits, maybe then his sister would still be here, safe and sound. But he wasn't and now she was gone, and the weight of that realization was crushing.

It was all his fault. Jake should have remembered the stories his father told him about the bandits. He should have been more aware of the dangers in this world. But instead, he let his guard down and now his sister Jenna was taken by the bandits. She was probably going to be sold, because human rights were a concept that didn't exist in this world yet.

It was too much to bear, the weight of guilt and regret crushing down on him. Jake should have protected his family, but instead he let them down. How could he live with himself knowing that his sister's fate was sealed because of his negligence? The thought of Jenna, alone and afraid, consumed him with a horror he couldn't shake.

Regret consumed Jake as he sat beside his mother, watching the village burn to ashes. He couldn't shake off the feeling that this was all his fault. He should have been more aware, more prepared for something like this to happen. He should have listened to his father's stories and taken them more seriously.

The thought of his sister Jenna, taken away by bandits, was a constant torture in his mind. He couldn't imagine what she was going through right now and the mere thought of her being hurt or killed made him want to scream. He couldn't help but blame himself for not being there to protect her, for being too naive to think that they could live a peaceful life. He didn't know what the future held but all he could feel was a deep sense of regret.

The feeling of emptiness crept in as Jake walked through the charred remains of his village. What was he doing? He had promised himself to not treat this world as a mere fantasy, yet he had taken it for granted. He should have known better. He should have been more prepared for the reality of living in a world filled with danger and peril. He had failed to protect his sister, his village, his family. Now, he was left with nothing but regrets and the feeling of being utterly alone.

As Jake walked through the remains of the village, the familiar face of his childhood friend Anna caught his eye. She was crying uncontrollably in front of a burned corpse, and as he approached, he realized it was her mother, Aunt Anne. The woman who had arranged for Jake and Anna to be engaged. Jake's heart sank as he realized just how much loss and devastation had occurred. He walked over to Anna, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. He didn't know what to say, but his presence seemed to offer some small measure of solace.

Anna looked up at him, her tears streaming down her face. "I-I don't know what to do, Jake," she stammered, "My mother, your parents, Jenna. Everyone is gone." Jake couldn't think of anything to say that would make things better, so he just stood there, holding Anna as she cried. He realized that for the first time in his life, he was truly alone, and the weight of that realization was crushing. He didn't know how to pick up the pieces and move on from this tragedy.

As Jake walked through the ashes of his village, holding hands with his childhood friend Anna, he couldn't bring himself to cry. His emotions were numb, as if they had been shut off. All he could do was stare blankly into the distance, lost in his own thoughts.

Anna, on the other hand, was inconsolable. She wept and clung to Jake, her sobs shaking her body. Jake could only hold her, his hands gently stroking her hair as she cried. He felt empty and hollow, unable to process the grief and devastation around him.

As they stood there, surrounded by death and destruction, Jake couldn't help but feel a sense of overwhelming emptiness. He had lost everything he had ever known and loved. His family, his home, his sense of safety and security - all gone in the blink of an eye. All he had left was Anna, and even that felt uncertain in the face of such unspeakable tragedy.