Eiran toiled in the fields, the warmth of the sun kissing his skin as he worked. His mind drifted to the future, filled with uncertainty and the weight of his responsibilities. He pondered the path that lay ahead, wondering if he could truly fulfil the promise he made to his parents—to protect Lira and ensure she lived a happy life.

As his thoughts swirled within his mind, Eiran's attention was unexpectedly drawn to a peculiar raven that had perched itself nearby. Its jet-black feathers shimmered in the sunlight, and Eiran couldn't help but find it unusual.

"A strange raven... What brings you here?"

The raven cawed softly, as if in response to Eiran's curiosity. Its presence held an air of mystery, but Eiran remained unaware of any deeper meaning behind its presence.

As Eiran fixated his gaze on the enigmatic raven perched nearby, his attention became momentarily diverted by a subtle, low growl that reverberated through the air. The sound was barely audible, a faint warning that stirred an instinctual unease within him. His senses sharpened, and he strained to identify the source of the growl.

His eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings, searching for any signs of imminent danger. The mysterious raven's presence seemed to heighten his awareness, as if it, too, sensed the lurking threat. Eiran's heart quickened, his curiosity turning to caution.

Then, breaking through the silence, the bear emerged from the woods, its form imposing and powerful. The low growl had originated from this massive creature, serving as an auditory prelude to its appearance. Eiran's breath caught in his throat as he comprehended the potential peril before him.

The sight of the bear, with blood staining its mouth and fur, sent a chill down Eiran's spine. Primal instinct warned him of the danger it possessed.

The bear's low growl echoed once more, its intent clear. Eiran's instinctual fear surged, recognizing that a confrontation with this bloodstained predator would prove disastrous.

He mustered his courage and adhered to the wisdom imparted to him: be still, motionless.

The bear's slow, deliberate movement brought it closer to Eiran, its powerful presence casting an imposing shadow. Eiran's body tensed, his breath caught in his throat, as he locked eyes with the bear. He mirrored the stillness of the trees and the hushed whispers of the breeze, hoping to elude the bear's attention.

Moments stretched into eternity as the bear closed the distance. Eiran's inner turmoil battled against his resolve to remain motionless. His trembling limbs ached with the tension, his heart pounding in his ears.

As the bear steadily advanced towards Eiran, its intention to attack became unmistakable. The sense of impending danger shattered Eiran's resolve to remain motionless. With adrenaline surging through his veins, he knew he had no choice but to defend himself. In a swift and desperate manoeuvre, Eiran rolled out of the bear's path, narrowly avoiding its lethal strike.

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With his heart pounding and his survival instincts kicking in, Eiran's trembling hand grasped the closest weapon within reach—a pitchfork. He realized that he must fight for his life, despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him.

As the bear lunged at Eiran, its savage claws and razor-sharp teeth tore into his flesh with a ferocity that defied comprehension. Agonizing pain erupted throughout his body as the beast's attack left deep gouges in his chest and arms. The crimson flow of blood mingled with the dirt, staining Eiran's skin and clothing.

Chunks of torn flesh hung loosely from his mangled arms. Every breath Eiran took seared his lungs with searing agony, his chest cavity a battlefield of torn muscle and shattered bone. He fought to stay conscious, his vision blurred by the red haze of pain.

Eiran's body trembled uncontrollably, a mix of adrenaline and shock coursing through his veins. The metallic tang of blood coated his mouth, mingling with his own laboured gasps for air. Each movement sent waves of excruciating torment radiating through his battered form.

Eiran's spirit remained unbroken. His grip on the pitchfork tightened, his determination flickering like a defiant flame amidst the darkness.

Eiran fought back against the overwhelming force of the bear. Summoning every ounce of strength, he swung the pitchfork with desperate determination. The metal tines sliced through the air, aimed at the bear's vulnerable spots.

The clash between man and beast became a whirlwind of motion. Eiran's muscles strained as he dodged the bear's powerful strikes, his reflexes honed by a primal survival instinct. He parried the bear's swipes with the pitchfork, pushing back against the massive creature's strength.

The battle intensified, a primal symphony of grunts and roars. Eiran's movements became a dance of agility and resilience, as he delivered calculated strikes against the relentless beast. With each blow, he fought to protect his own life.

But the bear, driven by a primal rage, retaliated with renewed fury. It lunged forward, jaws snapping menacingly, aiming to crush Eiran's defense. Despite his valiant efforts, the bear's sheer strength overwhelmed him, knocking the pitchfork from his grasp and sending him sprawling to the ground.

Eiran's body screamed in pain, his wounds throbbing with fiery intensity.

But in his weakened state, Eiran found himself unable to evade the bear's final, devastating charge. The beast's massive weight bore down upon him, crushing his broken body further into the soil. Waves of pain washed over him, threatening to steal away his consciousness.

As Eiran lay there, his life hanging by a thread, a profound sense of regret washed over him. In the face of his own mortality, the weight of his unfulfilled promise to his deceased parents pressed heavily upon his heart. The realization pierced his soul with a bitter truth—he may not have the chance to protect Lira in the future, to shield her from the trials and dangers that lay ahead.

The injustice of his circumstances gnawed at his soul. How could the gods, in their supposed wisdom, allow such tragedy to befall him and his family? The loss of his parents, the hardships they had endured, and now his own impending demise—all felt like cruel twists of fate orchestrated by divine hands.

The flames of bitterness flickered in his eyes as he cast his gaze skyward. His voice, hoarse with anguish, trembled with a mixture of anguish and defiance. "Why?" he whispered, the question laden with a lifetime of pain. "Why must we suffer? Why must we endure the agony of loss and the weight of broken promises?"

His words hung in the air, carried away by the wind, unanswered by the heavens. The silence only deepened his resentment. It felt as if the gods revelled in their distant thrones, indifferent to the struggles and hardships faced by mortal beings. The unfairness of it all, the arbitrary nature of their power and influence, fuelled the fire of his wrath.

In that moment, he vowed to defy the gods' designs, rise above his fate, and challenge the very foundations of their existence. With a newfound resolve, he embraced the unfairness as fuel for rebellion, determined to tear down the gods' veil of indifference and reshape the world according to his own will.

In that fleeting moment, before the bear's teeth could claim his face, a surge of scarlet energy erupted from deep within Eiran. The raw power, fuelled by his seething hatred towards the bear and the gods, unleashed itself in a cataclysmic burst.

The impact was immediate and devastating. Shockwaves of scarlet energy rippled through the air, tearing through the forest with an otherworldly force. The ground trembled beneath the onslaught, while the surrounding trees swayed and creaked as if caught in a tempest.

The bear, caught unaware by the sudden eruption of power, was no match for the sheer magnitude of Eiran's unleashed energy. Its colossal form was hurled through the air like a discarded toy, crashing to the ground several meters away in a crumpled heap of broken limbs and shattered bones.

As the dust settled and the echoes of the explosion faded, Eiran's scarred and battered body lay still on the ground, his chest rising and falling with shallow, laboured breaths. The scarlet energy that had once enveloped him now receded, leaving behind a trail of ethereal wisps that dissipated into the surrounding air.