A spark had flown, giving life to blazing flames along straw topped huts within a small village. Countless bodies, adult and children alike, were thrown about the dirt roads that were sprayed red with the blood of innocents. Black smoke from the burning flames slowly escaped to the already darkened sky. It was clear that what had happened was a raid of some sort, however the ones responsible for the devastation were nowhere to be seen.
There was but only one visible survivor who could be seen along the border, where the wilderness met the rural community. A lone child, whom seemed to be around the age of eight. He stood there, stunned, watching as the plundered remains bathed in the flames. He had just returned from collecting berries for his mother from the nearby forest. It had taken much longer than he had anticipated, for he ventured off from his usual route in order to find the more developed and 'juicier' one.
He was surprised when he returned and finally noticed the bright orange glow in the sky. He had assumed that it was just a simple hut fire that had broken loose, so for him to see the entire village up in flames was unbelievable. “W-Wha..?” half whispered the bewildered boy, whose blue eyes were wide with shock.
Parts of village shacks and homes could be heard falling apart as the fire overwhelmed the area. “What happened!?” the boy yelled out, hoping to be heard from anyone within or around the village. However, the only reply was silence, silence and the flames crackling as the village burned. He wasn't able to completely see past the fire, so any chances of anyone seeing him as well were quite low.
Images of his mother flew to the front of his mind as he stood there, demanding he quickly find her. Being without a father all his life, she was his only family and so he ran into the burning abyss without hesitation. The flames radiated an incredible heat outside the village, but actually being surrounded by them seemed to increase the temperature tenfold. The boy began sweating as soon as he entered and the flames seemed to try and deter him from proceeding as one of the buildings closest to him collapsed, its supports unable to hold up any longer. However, he paid little attention to it and when his eyes finally adjusted to the scene that was before him, he felt that he would barf.
The sight of the countless bodies littering the main dirt road struck him hard. The previously awoken tears now began to pour out the sides of his eyes. The townsfolk, whom he had grown up knowing, were lifeless shells on the ground. Most had fatal wounds to their chests and backs, some had their extremities cut off, while others had their throats slit and were left to bleed out in their own pool of blood.
From where he was standing he was able to quickly recognise a few children he called friends, their parents not far from them, and elderly folk whom he’d happily greet and help as he ran throughout the village. Memories of the laughter and kindness that they had all shared with him took hold in his mind. They weren’t just random neighbors he shared the same village with, they were like family to him.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Engulfed in his thoughts, the boy was brought back to reality by the horrid stench that snaked its way into his nose. Some of the bodies were aflame and were emitting an inconceivably atrocious smell. He instinctively clasped his hand over his mouth and tightly clenched his nose, leaving just enough room to draw breaths from his mouth. His mother's image flashed once again into his mind, instilling the fear that she could be injured or worse. He quickly drew up his courage and began carefully hopping over the bodies as he dashed towards the direction of his home.
Following the mental map in his head, he quickly closed the distance between himself and his home. Just thirty meters from a corner that led to his house, he silently prayed and hoped that his mother had somehow taken refuge and hid away within the house from danger. However, the unending terror had already ripped this hope away, for every house that he had seen thus far was alight. He struggled to keep his footing as he turned the corner and focused on his own house, which had caved in and resembled little more than a very large bonfire.
Shocked at the scene, he quickly noticed that there was a figure lying in front of his home. “No…”, he barely managed to cough out as he lashed out sprinting towards the body. “It’s not her... it’s not mom…”, he silently repeated to himself. He couldn't feel the heat anymore, couldn't hear the wind howling, nor the smell of burning flesh. He could, however, see the bracelet he made for his mother weeks before in the palm of her hand.
He quickly slowed and fell to his knees beside his mother's body. One of her legs was bent in a weird position, broken. Blood stained her left shoulder. “Mom..?” the boy softly spoke, his eyes wide open, staring at the dead, pale blue eyes of his mother. 'Darus', he played his mothers voice in his head, calling back his name to him. His mouth closed and opened again, yet nothing came out. Tears streamed. His mouth and cheeks moved, yet the boy couldn’t think nor say anything. Words were not enough, tears were not enough, he couldn't quench the emotions that were rising within him. He drifted in and out of a light headedness state. His mind was blank and the only thing that he could see was the lifeless blue eyes of his mother, the lady whom had single handedly raised him.
Forcing himself to examine her, Darus quickly noticed her clothes were ripped and small cuts branded her arms and legs. He clenched his teeth. He could see the dirt and dry blood caked in her distressed brown hair. He began to have difficulty breathing. He could see the bruising on her beautiful face and blood on her bottom lip. His vision blurred from the tears and hate slowly filled his pure heart. The harsh reality of what had unfolded forced its way into his mind. She was beaten and killed. Probably toyed with, until death took her. Like a cat playing with it’s prey until it could take no more.
Everyone he loved, everything he owned, it was all gone just like that. It was in that moment of realization that a radical change within Darus occurred. He simply just... Closed his eyes and took a deep breath. An action his mother had taught him to calm himself when he threw tantrums. Fury and sadness overwhelmed him to the breaking point, but he tried his best to remain calm. For a lone child to hold in such complex emotions was incomprehensible. The aura of a vulnerable child slowly faded away and was replaced by something new and unknown to him as he reopened his darkened eyes. "Goodbye, mother." he said as he slowly kissed her forehead and stood up to escape what was his home.