The First Step

Two months after the fall of Rhöem, Conrad and Dante have undergone relentless training, sharpening their combat skills day after day. In this time, Conrad has turned 13 and mastered the basics of hand-to-hand combat, while Dante has refined his swordsmanship, wielding his blade with newfound precision. Their journey has only just begun, but the first step toward vengeance—and survival—has been taken.

After traveling for days through barren forests and along muddy roads, Conrad and Dante stumbled upon a small village nestled between the mountains. It looked abandoned, the walls of its homes crumbling, and the once-vibrant market now silent and lifeless. Smoke curled from a few chimneys, but there was no sign of life.

Dante, always keeping an eye on his surroundings, squinted at the stillness. "Yo, this place feels weird," he muttered, his hand brushing against the hilt of his sword.

Conrad scanned the village, his gaze lingering on empty windows and tattered clothes hanging from lines. "Could just be deserted," he said, trying to stay calm, though a nagging unease gnawed at him.

As they walked deeper into the village, the only movement they saw was a small group of people huddled near a well, their faces gaunt with exhaustion. A few children kicked at the dirt, their laughs hollow and far too quiet.

The two approached cautiously, keeping their distance until a woman with weary eyes locked onto them. "Who are you?" Her voice was low, cautious, and full of suspicion.

"We're travelers," Dante said, grinning like it was a simple thing. "Just passing through. But hey, if you need anything, we're happy to help."

The woman eyed them, clearly not trusting their sudden appearance but desperation written all over her face. "There's nothing you can do," she said, her voice breaking. "The soldiers came. Took everything... Our crops, our children... Now, we have nothing. And those thieves... they've been stealing from us too, taking what little we have left."

Conrad's hands curled into fists at his sides, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Thieves? Soldiers? Where are they?"

The woman hesitated before pointing toward the east, where a narrow trail wound into the woods. "They have a camp there. Been terrorizing us for weeks. We can't protect ourselves... not anymore."

Dante's grin faded as his eyes narrowed. "We'll handle it," he said, a touch of steel in his voice.

The woman took a step back, her expression even more guarded. "But you're so young," she said, her voice tinged with doubt. "What can you even do?"

Dante didn't flinch, just shrugged like it was no big deal. "We're not that young. Trust me, we've dealt with worse."

Conrad nodded, though his words were more measured. "We'll be fine. Stay here and stay safe."

"Lock in Conrad," Dante said, in a serious but somehow playful tone.

The woman looked at them, still doubtful but unwilling to stop them. She didn't speak another word, but the hesitation in her eyes lingered as they turned and sprinted down the forest path.