Colim stood before the graves of his wife and children, his heart heavy with grief.

The sun had not yet risen, and the sky was shrouded in thick, dark clouds.

The air was cold, and a light drizzle began to fall, soaking into the earth that covered his family.

He knelt down, his fingers tracing the rough, newly placed stones that marked where they lay.

The memories of happier times flooded his mind—Cynde’s laughter, Rodi’s boundless energy, Marhea’s innocent smile. But those memories now brought nothing but pain.

He whispered their names, each one a dagger to his heart, but he forced himself to say them aloud.

He wanted to remember every detail, every moment, before the man he once was disappeared completely.

As the first light of dawn began to break through the clouds, Colim heard footsteps approaching.

He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Colim,” Captain Bernan Rhaynan Tures’s voice was low, filled with regret.

“I wanted to check on you. To see how you’re holding up.”

Colim slowly rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving the graves.

“I’m alive,” he replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

The captain stepped closer, his gaze falling on the graves.

“I failed you, Colim. I failed your family. If we had arrived sooner—”

Colim finally turned to face him. His eyes were cold, but beneath them lay a storm of pain and anger.

“It’s done,” he said sharply.

“They’re gone. What matters now is what happens next.”

Captain Bernan paused, straightening his posture as though delivering a formal report to a superior.

“After the attack, we pursued the men responsible.

They were soldiers in Torian uniforms, but their leader was particularly elusive. We engaged them at the foothills, but they had a significant head start.

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We managed to cut down several, but many escaped, including their leader.

One of our men captured a straggler, but he was killed during interrogation—left us with nothing to go on.

”The captain’s voice wavered slightly, though he kept his tone measured.

“The man who warned us… he arrived too late. We were returning from patrol, already weary from the night’s duties, Just before we arrived to camp a man on horseback came, shouting that he saw a large group of unknown soldiers heading toward the town from the side of the mountains. As soon as I heard that, I ordered my men to prepare for battle, and we rode off as fast as we could.” By the time we made it back here, the damage had been done. I take full responsibility for not being here sooner.

”Colim’s expression didn’t change.

“Responsibility?” he echoed, his voice a bitter whisper.

“Responsibility doesn’t bring them back.

It doesn’t erase what’s been done.”

Captain Bernan studied him for a moment, noticing the cold, hard resolve in Colim’s eyes.

“What will you do?”“What I must,” Colim replied, his voice firm.

“I will find those responsible, and they will pay.”

The captain nodded, sensing there was no dissuading him.

“If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

Colim didn’t respond. He simply turned back to the graves, dismissing the captain with his silence.

After a moment, Captain Bernan sighed deeply and stepped back.

His boots sank into the soft, rain-soaked earth as he looked at Colim one last time.

“May you find justice, Colim,” the captain said, his voice low.

“And may you find peace, if it’s still possible.”

Without waiting for a reply, Captain Bernan turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the distance, leaving Colim alone once more.

As the captain’s presence disappeared into the mist, Colim made up his mind.

He couldn’t stay in Eldoria any longer.

This place, once filled with life and warmth, now felt like a tomb.

He would leave, but not without preparing himself for the journey ahead.

He returned to his home—or what was left of it.

The walls had been reduced to rubble, the roof caved in, and everything inside was either destroyed or looted.

But there was still one thing left, hidden beneath the floorboards in what used to be his workshop.

He uncovered it carefully—a small chest, untouched by the flames.

Inside were tools of his trade, a few personal belongings, and a sword he hadn’t wielded in years.

He took the sword in his hand, feeling its weight, and knew it would soon be stained with the blood of those who had taken everything from him.

He packed what little he had left into a worn leather bag and slung it over his shoulder.

As he walked through the village one last time, the few remaining villagers watched him in silence.

They understood the look in his eyes and knew there was no stopping him.“Colim,” an old man called out, stepping forward.

“You don’t have to do this. You can stay, rebuild—”Colim shook his head.

“There’s nothing left for me here,” he said, his voice hollow. “My family is gone. I have no home.”

The old man’s shoulders sagged in defeat, and he stepped back, allowing Colim to pass.

The villagers offered their condolences, but Colim didn’t respond.

He didn’t look back.

When he reached the edge of Eldoria, he paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the village one last time.

The memories of his past life were already fading, replaced by a single, burning purpose.With one final breath, Colim turned and walked away, the dark clouds overhead beginning to part as he set off on his journey.

His path is clear now, and nothing will stand in his way.

To be continued...