Nightmare

The night was dark and silent, a cloak of shadows enveloping the small village. In one humble dwelling, a young boy lay asleep, his dreams taking him to a place of terror and despair.

The nightmare began innocently enough, with images of a simple family meal. The boy, frail and impoverished, found solace in the warmth of his family's presence. They sat together, sharing meager portions of food, but their laughter and banter filled the room with joy.

Yet, the tranquility was shattered by a sudden cacophony of screams and shouts. Panic gripped the village as chaos erupted outside their door. The boy's father, sensing danger, hurried outside to investigate.

Returning with a sword in hand, the father's face was etched with fear and determination. Blood trickled down his brow as he urged his family to hide. With trembling hands, the mother ushered the boy into the basement, urging him to remain hidden.

But curiosity got the better of him, and the boy peered through a crack in the door. What he saw next would haunt him forever.

His father returned, wounded and bleeding, yet his resolve unbroken. With tears streaming down his face, he embraced his wife and daughter, urging them to flee. But before they could escape, a shadowy figure emerged, wielding a deadly weapon.

In an instant, the father's life was taken, his head severed from his body in a gruesome display of violence. The boy watched in horror as his family's sanctuary was violated, their screams echoing through the night.

As the assailants descended upon them, the boy cowered in the darkness, helpless to intervene. He heard his mother's desperate cries, the sound of struggle and pain echoing in his ears.

And then, silence.

Alone and trembling, the boy remained hidden, his heart pounding with fear. Hours passed like an eternity as he waited in terror, until finally, the first light of dawn began to creep through the cracks in the door.

It was Grayson who found him, the gentle knight rousing him from his nightmare-induced slumber. With a comforting smile, she offered him solace and reassurance, guiding him into the light of a new day.

But the memories of the night's horrors lingered, haunting the boy's thoughts as he prepared to face the unknown journey that lay ahead. With a heavy heart, he followed Grayson into the morning light, leaving behind the shadows of the past as they set forth on their quest for Caledon.