The day passed like grains of sand sliding through an hourglass, precisely marking the passage of time. Erik and Eamonn stood side by side, gazing out at the vast expanse of the village. The sun painted the scene in warm colors and cast long shadows that stretched toward the horizon.

Their feet led them along the familiar road, winding through the heart of the village until they reached a place where memories were intertwined with the ground beneath their feet. Here stood a tall, solitary white tree, its branches extending in all directions, as if tenderly embracing those seeking solace under its shade.

In this world, every family had its sacred tree, a living testimony to the life that blossomed and withered in its presence. These trees held the collective memories of ruling families, buried generations, and fueled the cycle of life and death.

Beneath Erik's family's white tree rested their father, a man whose influence on their lives remained indelible. As they stood before his grave, Erik felt a deep sense of reverence wash over him. Memories of his father flowed into him like a waterfall of emotions and images, a constant companion since childhood.

Erik knelt in front of the grave, his hand touching the cold ground. The scent of jasmine flowers and an unfamiliar fragrance blended together, wafting through the air—a unique scent of this sacred place, a combination of memory and embraced nature.

With his eyes closed, Erik immersed himself in the memories, allowing them to completely envelop him. He could hear fragments of his father's words, soft and reassuring, as he shared their cherished story.

"Remember, son," his father had said, gently patting Erik's head, "Kindness... is more............than.......humanity... essence........gods. Don't let fate determine your destiny."

Erik unconsciously repeated the lesson, a whisper escaping his lips: "Don't let fate determine your fate," accompanied by a gentle smile that radiated determination and undying hope.

Before Erik could snap back to reality with those words, Eamonn, who had been quiet as he contemplated the white tree, felt his heart swell with respect for his father. His memories were distant, fading with time. He struggled to recall even the smallest details, torn between the desire to remember and the reality of fading memories. However, he concealed this turmoil, serving as a silent tribute to their father's enduring legacy.

Eamonn understood Erik's words and replied, "Isn't this the story our father used to tell us about life? I'm surprised you remember it."

Erik chuckled, raising his hand to ruffle his brother's hair. "You know me, I loved this story."

Their conversation continued under the watchful gaze of Erik's white family tree, the memory of their father's words lingering, leaving the brothers with a glimpse of the fate that awaited them.

As the sun descended toward the horizon, casting long shadows over the village, Erik and Eamonn ventured into the forest to find their evening meal. Eamonn turned to his brother and said, "Erik, it's late. We should catch a silver rabbit on our way home. Mom will be in for a pleasant surprise."

Erik nodded, determination clear in his eyes. "You're right, Eamonn. Let's make this evening special for her." They set off into the forest, prepared for their hunting trip.

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As they ventured deeper into the forest, the brothers felt the encroaching chill of the night. The rustling leaves and dim light added an adventurous edge to their quest.

"Tomorrow is Destiny Day," Eamonn commented expectantly. "I hope something wonderful happens."

Erik smiled at his brother's optimism. "Who knows, Eamonn? Maybe fate has something extraordinary in store for us."

Their conversation came to an abrupt halt when they heard a sudden rustle in the bushes. Erik and Eamonn both froze, their senses on high alert. Before they could react, a creature emerged from the shadows.

Nocturne, a massive creature with the body of a bear and the head of an owl, covered in black feathers, emerged from the shadows after sunset, its movements as silent as death. Its steps were soundless as it approached the brothers.

"We need to make a loud noise so someone in the village can come and help," Erik whispered to Eamonn.

Eamonn hesitated briefly, then replied, "No, Erik. We have to split up. If Nocturne goes after one of us, the other can call for help. Remember what we learned in school about survival."

With that, they made a split-second decision. Erik headed toward the nearest cave with a small opening to take shelter inside, while Eamonn quickly went in the opposite direction to seek help from the villagers. Nocturne, driven by predatory instinct, pursued Erik relentlessly.

Desperate to put distance between himself and Nocturne, Erik soon found himself ensnared in a cunning trap set by hunters to capture elusive creatures. The menacing creature's panting grew louder in Erik's ears, causing his heart to race and his concentration to falter.

In a moment of desperation, Erik triggered the Hunter's Trap, hoping it would slow Nocturne down. Unfortunately, Erik became ensnared in the trap instead, leaving him vulnerable to the approaching danger.

Nocturne no longer had a reason to hide while hunting, having spotted Erik hanging from a rope on a tree trunk. Erik's fate seemed bleak as the monster approached. However, Erik instinctively shouted in a feminine voice for help. In that second, as he screamed, Nocturne lost sight of him. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a tree breaking as Nocturne struck it from behind. Fortunately, the trap was destroyed in the process, and the force of the strike sent Erik airborne. His heart pounded like war drums.

As he fell, Erik found himself near a massive tree, inside its hollow trunk. Hastily, he sought shelter within its protective confines, while Nocturne, frustrated and cruel, attacked the tree in an attempt to reach his prey.

Just when Erik thought he was doomed, Ossoff, the skilled hunter from their village, arrived at the right moment. With a quick command, Ossoff unleashed his skill "Rock Crush!," creating a barrier of rocks that surrounded Nocturne. The rocks transformed into rock swords that pierced the monster, ending its menacing existence and saving Erik from a dire fate.

With Nocturne defeated, Ossoff turned to Erik and said, "You're lucky. I happened to be passing by when I found your brother. It seems you found yourselves in big trouble trying to confront Nocturne."

Erik, still catching his breath, couldn't contain his curiosity. "Is this your skill, Ossoff?"

Ossoff laughed, amusement sparkling in his eyes. "You know my name?" Erik smiled sheepishly. "It's my business to know the names of everyone in our village, even if they don't know me."

As Ossoff prepared to leave, they brought Nocturne with them to the village for further use. Erik remained amazed by the unfolding events. Nocturne, once a serious

threat, was now incapacitated.

On the journey back to the village, they encountered Eamonn, who had gotten lost in the forest. He rejoined them after the two brothers checked on each other. The scent of a delicious meal began to fill the air, drawing them closer to home.

Eamonn couldn't help but comment on the delicious smell, saying, "It's the smell of Mama's cooking." Erik's smile widened. "Yes, it is. Let's find out what's going on. Who's getting married tonight?"

Sensing a misunderstanding, Ossoff bluntly corrected them, saying, "Erik, my girl, did you forget the festival? It's the big day tomorrow."

"I totally forgot about that. It's been a long day," Erik admitted with a hint of embarrassment.

Eamonn was curious about an earlier remark, so he asked Ossoff, "Why did you call him 'my girl'?"

Ossoff responded with a laugh, highlighting the previous situation, "Well, I heard your brother screaming as Nocturne approached him."

Erik's cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and he turned and ran away, with Eamonn chasing after him.

Suddenly, Ossoff felt aggressive gazes watching him from behind as he lowered Nocturne's body to the ground. He turned to inspect the matter with cautious steps, his focus so intense that he drowned out the sound of festive music behind him.

Someone approached him from behind and said, “Everyone is waiting to see what you're doing here. Please don't tell my mother what happened in the forest.”

Ossoff chuckled, a wry smile forming on his lips, "Don't you know it's not wise to startle hunters? They need to be aware of their surroundings for their own safety. And did you return to ask me not to tell your mother, after she thought you cared about me? Oh poor me." He patted the person on the head and continued, “I'll keep it a secret if you show me your girl tonight.”

Erik replied, slightly annoyed, “I only love one woman, and that's my mother.”

So they joined the party, and Ossoff soon forgot about the curious glances he had received earlier. The laughter of the villagers filled the air, mingling with the joyful voices of children singing. Everyone enjoyed the festivities until the morning breeze swept them away.