the decision

The sun was dying behind the horizon, drowning the sky in the color of blood. A heavy silence hung over the village, broken only by the distant cawing of crows.

Darius stood at the river's edge, staring at its murky waters. His reflection was barely visible, distorted by filth and the remains of dead fish. Fishing had once been the lifeblood of this village, but not anymore—the water had turned toxic, the fish had died, and hunger had begun to consume everyone.

Darius was not alone. At home, his mother and younger brother depended on him. His father had died years ago, and now, with no money and no food, he felt as if the world was closing in on him.

Since the royal decree, everything had changed. Villages that failed to pay their taxes lost their soldiers and were left defenseless against monsters and Shadows. Everyone knew the end was near, but no one dared to say it out loud.

He could endure hunger, but he could not bear to watch his mother and brother wither away before his eyes.

Then came the screams.

At first, they were faint, but soon, they grew louder. Darius turned toward the village square and saw people running in terror, their faces twisted with fear. Behind them, black creatures moved soundlessly, yet their attacks were merciless.

The Shadows.

One of them lunged at an old man, tearing him apart as if he were nothing. A woman fell to the ground, trying to crawl away, but a dark hand pierced through her body before she could even scream.

Darius froze. His legs wouldn't move. His eyes wouldn't blink.

Then he heard the voice that snapped him out of his shock.

"Darius!"

His mother's voice.

He ran with all his strength toward the house. Soldiers were fighting everywhere, some falling without even having the chance to scream. He pushed the door open and saw his younger brother hiding under the table, while his mother struggled to block the door with a broken wooden plank.

When she saw him, she whispered in a trembling voice: "Don't go out!"

But it was too late.

Minutes later, it was over. The Shadows had been wiped out, but dozens of bodies lay scattered across the streets. The air was thick with the scent of blood, and the surviving soldiers could barely hold their swords.

Darius stood among the ruins, his hands trembling. This place… his village… would never be the same again.

Something stirred deep within him—something stronger than fear.

A desire for power… a thirst for vengeance.

He was weak and poor… but he would not remain that way forever.