Chapter 1: The Weight of Ashes

Eryndel Hills, Year 641 After the Big Pandemic

The air was heavy with an awful stench—the smell of burned bodies. The small town of Eryndel Hills was eerily silent. But no one could blame them. The town had suffered terrible losses—elders, children, and others who were too young to leave this world. It was a painful wound for the tight-knit community. Yet, in the midst of pain, people found strength in unity.

After the attack, a unit of the army arrived to defend the border. This was the first time orcs had ventured so far into human territory since the Big Pandemic. The orcs had outsmarted their human opponents, building rafts and following the river under the cover of night. In this way, they bypassed the fortified borders and struck deeper into the land, with the small town of Eryndel Hills becoming their first victim.

On the day following the attack, the governor of Eryndel Hills stood before the grieving townsfolk and addressed them:

"Today we gather together because we are human. We endure both good times and bad as one. May every victim find peace in the lands of our ancestors."

The marketplace, where the bodies were burned to ashes, was filled with mourners. Tears and cries of sorrow echoed through the air as people said their goodbyes to family, friends, and children. A solemn prayer was whispered:

"May your ashes bear fruit for this town."

Though nearly everyone was at the marketplace, Sebastian was nowhere to be found.

He was in the farmhouse.

It wasn't the same anymore. The warmth and laughter that had once filled the house were gone. The joy that once bound them had been replaced by silence and sadness. Sebastian had been in a state of shock since Allice's death, and for a week, he had barely spoken. He sat there, murmuring the same words over and over:

"It's my fault… it's all my fault."

The memory hit him like a blade, sharp and sudden.

A warm summer day. The sound of the river.

"Come on, Sebastian! You're always thinking too much!"

Allice had laughed as she dragged him into the water, splashing around without a care in the world. She was always like that—pushing him out of his comfort zone, making the world a little brighter.

Then, a sound. A scream.

"OOORCS!"

The laughter stopped. Chaos erupted.

He remembered running, Matt's voice shouting orders, the farmhouse door slamming shut.

Almost in time.

Almost.

Allice lay before him, an arrow through her chest. Her lifeless eyes stared at him, still filled with the joy of just moments ago.

Sebastian had screamed, but no sound could bring her back.

Weeks passed. Slowly but surely, he began to recover. But the bright smile that used to light up his face was gone. In its place was a look of unshakable determination.

He had made up his mind.

He needed to become stronger. Strong enough to protect the people he loved.

One evening, the family sat together for dinner, preparing for Matt's departure. After the attack, Matt had joined the army and had quickly risen in the ranks. He was praised for his bravery during the battle and had been rewarded with a position defending the border near their hometown.

The table was quiet except for the sound of spoons scraping against bowls of stew.

Suddenly, Sebastian broke the silence.

He looked his father in the eyes and declared,

"Teach me how to use a bow. I want to hunt. I need to find a way to move forward…"

He clenched his fists.

"I need to get stronger."

His father studied him for a long moment, then gave a slow nod.

Tomorrow, his training would begin.