Magic? I heard of it before but didn't quite know what that was.

Relieved that the man tittering on the doorstep was alive and not a threat. I used my remaining strength to get on my feet. Staggering slowly , I managed to assume the semblance of a more respectable posture.

“What happened? "I inquired as the man mended his broken armor straps together, tying the once cut leather into a knot.

“Mhh kid , why are you on an active battlefield? “ he ask with genuine unease

Shaking my head in ignorance he took it as a green light to continue

“Of course , why am I not surprised that the royal types would leave a third world village out here to get devoured . A few months ago Chasm creatures started invading the western Continent. Their queen Mother Abbess has killed one of the Divine Watchers declaring the west continent hers.”

That was quite the heavy load to take in but I still didn’t know where to go from here. I needed guidance from someone more experienced ,an adult to lead me.

Keeping my composure I asked “Ok, so what do I do? Should I tell mom and dad ?”

“Mom and dad?” he said wrapped in a hysteric voice.

Making a decision he picked me up lugging me over his shoulder like a potato sack , leaving me with no room for protest.

“Kid what direction, NOW!” He barked an order, raising my anxiety levels. Unable to fluently communicate, I pointed back to the way I came from. Abandoning his dead companion he began charging towards the direction of my village. The knight was practically flying each step covering a few meters in each stride . In the matter of 15 minutes we were back at the forest edge.

Immediately a symphony of wailing entered my ears .Even at the edge of the forest I could smell the undeniable smell of blood in the air. Its metallic ting tainted the follicles of my mouth leaving a rotten aftertaste. I knew what this meant in the back of my mind but I didn’t want to think those bad thoughts.

“Oh no , oh “ the mans wailing brought me out of my thoughts

“The town square “ I yelled

I knew my parents' schedule well and one place they loved to go was the town square.

“Are you telling me to run into a town center full of chasm creatures” he asked me trembling through pent up emotions .He was scared and i could tell .

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He didn’t owe me this , filling myself with resolve I said “Its ok mister I'll handle this by myself” while transporting a big smile

Eyes widening he laughed a little

“You’ll handle this yourself?” he said in amazement

Taking a deep breath he stood taller than before showing me his confidence was rekindled

“ kid I'm going to take you there just to show you your parents are dead , once that happens we're leaving . NO discussions “

I wanted to argue back but I didn't have the authority , under normal circumstances and especially in times of crisis.

“Ok” I said with a whimper

One moment we were at the edge of the forest the next we were in the town square .I didn't catch wind of any monsters scurrying about but there were mutilated bodies of combatants disemboweled on the ground. Using a building as cover to first survey the surroundings ,we laid witness to the villagers huddled in a circle that was encased by unholy creatures.

These were no magic animals but twisted monstrosities .Some were devoid of eyes sporting only a gaping maw filled with hooked fangs. While others were only eyes sprinkled with limbs sweeping every corner of the shadows for escaped victims.

In the midst of the sea of nightmares were 3 humanoid looking Chasm creatures. In the middle was a wasp like a woman with purple hair and black skin. She had four clear wasp wings and four arms to match. Her abdomen was a very dark tone of purple and had no stinger.

Beside her a taller dark brown wooden armored figure with no head. Though there was no lack of heads as each plate of this abomination's armor was covered in what looked like intricate designs of demise as carved faces were littered about his physique.

Lastly there was a black spider-like squid creature with an elongated head and a wrinkled abdomen with dozens of eyes on it. It had no pinchers but underneath where its face should be was a toothed mockery of a feeding hole.

These were the most horrific nightmare inducing animals I have ever seen. I opened my mouth to scream but it was covered by a much bigger hand.

“At times like these it's better to stay calm “ The older male whispered in advice

Closing my mouth I nodded and once again looked into the crowd. Scanning left to right , There!

I saw my parents trembling together in fear . Focusing on the faces of all the captives, I was hit with a sudden realization.

Life was far from a paradise. The vision of adults who seemed so strong and dependable came crashing down before my eyes. Cowering together in their mass grave I could see crows already gathered on the tree branches waiting patiently for their chance. Though for some reason everything happening at once was starting to give me unknown clarity.

After a few seconds of trying to strongarm myself out of my accomplices' grip he realized and unleashed me .Unfurling the dagger I was carrying on my chest I drew it. Throwing its dark blue sheath to the ground. I was going to save my family no matter what even if it meant dying today.

“Kid are you- “ he reached his hands to grab me once again but I turned the blade towards him, halting him dead in his motion. This caused his generally calm demeanor to turn bad. This wasn’t part of the deal but i had no inventions on running.

“Rest in peace kid “ he said turning his back on me and making way for the forest leaving me to fend for myself. Unfazed, I emerged out from behind my cover directly into the square.

The attention of all things in the vicinity turned towards me.

“Oh? “ The living wooden armor made its way a few meters in front of my position .

“ Why not leave with your friend? , we gave you the opportunity too ” it asked in curiosity

His voice alone produced cold shivers down my spine, roots and wooden slabs formed to produce an artificial esophagus. Seemingly ignoring any type of threat I may have posed, the trio of malformed monsters waited for my answer.

When words could not suffice my body did. Heart hardened I raised my short dagger to the foe in front of me in challenge.

In a time faster than I could blink I saw my vision rise and fall.

Thump

My world slowly rotated as my head was severed from my body.