The Seeds of Defiance
The crimson tide swept onward, leaving behind a trail of ash and despair. Each village they razed brought Skull Mountain's warriors closer to their ultimate goal—though what that goal truly was remained shrouded in mystery. Red-Eye spoke little of the prophecy that drove them, offering only cryptic fragments during brief moments of reflection. "The threads will weave themselves," he would say, his voice heavy with portent. "All we must do is ensure the loom remains unbroken."
But for Eira, the weight of those words felt hollow compared to the screams of the innocent she had witnessed—and participated in silencing. Her nights were restless, plagued by dreams of burning villages and pleading faces. By day, she masked her turmoil beneath a stoic exterior, moving mechanically through battles and raids as if sleepwalking. Yet within her, something stirred—a quiet rebellion against the monster she had become.
---
The next target lay nestled in a valley surrounded by jagged cliffs, its isolation making it both a sanctuary and a trap. Known as Ember Glen, the settlement was larger than the previous ones, its cobblestone streets lined with sturdy stone buildings. Unlike the others, Ember Glen had not waited idly for doom to arrive. Scouts reported seeing patrols of armed villagers, barricades reinforced with iron plates, and even crude catapults positioned atop the cliffs. It was clear that news of Skull Mountain's atrocities had reached them, and they were prepared to fight—or die trying.
Red-Eye surveyed the village from a ridge overlooking the valley, his scarred face unreadable as always. "They think they're ready," he growled, his crimson eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Let's see how long their courage lasts."
Kael stood beside him, studying the defenses with a critical eye. "Their numbers are greater than before," he noted cautiously. "And the terrain favors them. If we charge recklessly, we'll lose men."
"Then we adapt," Red-Eye replied, his tone dismissive. He turned to Mira, who leaned casually against a boulder, twirling her dagger absently. "Take half the group and circle around to the north. Scale the cliffs under cover of darkness and strike from above. We'll draw their attention here while you cut off their escape."
Mira smirked, clearly pleased with the assignment. "With pleasure, my lord." She gestured to Lira and several others, signaling them to follow as she melted into the shadows.
To Kael, Red-Eye added, "You lead the frontal assault. Keep them pinned down until Mira's team is in position. Once the signal is given, we crush them."
"And me?" Eira asked suddenly, stepping forward despite the knot of dread tightening in her stomach. All eyes turned to her, but it was Red-Eye's gaze that held her captive, burning into her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.
"You stay close," he ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "I have plans for you."
Eira swallowed hard, forcing herself to nod. Whatever those plans were, she knew better than to question them—not here, not now. But the unease gnawing at her grew sharper, a reminder that time was running out.
---
As night fell, the attack began. Torches lit up the valley as Red-Eye's forces surged forward, their crimson eyes glowing like embers in the darkness. Arrows rained down from the cliffs, striking true and sending warriors stumbling back. Catapults launched boulders that shattered barricades and crushed attackers alike. Despite the chaos, the defenders held firm, their cries of defiance ringing out across the battlefield.
Eira fought alongside Kael, her blade flashing as she parried strikes and countered with brutal efficiency. Yet with each swing, her resolve wavered. She saw fear in the eyes of the villagers—not just fear of death, but fear of losing everything they held dear. It mirrored her own fear, buried deep within her chest, and it fueled a growing sense of shame.
Amidst the carnage, Kael noticed her hesitation. "Focus!" he snapped, deflecting an arrow meant for her head. "If you falter now, you'll get us both killed!"
"I'm fine!" Eira retorted, though her voice lacked conviction. She forced herself to push forward, cutting down another villager who lunged at her with a pitchfork. But as the man fell, clutching his wound, she hesitated again, her blade trembling in her hand.
Before she could dwell on it further, a deafening roar echoed through the valley. From the cliffs above, Mira's team descended like vengeful spirits, their weapons gleaming in the firelight as they cut through the defenders' rear lines. Panic spread among the villagers, their ranks breaking as they scrambled to regroup.
"Now!" Red-Eye bellowed, raising his axe high. With a thunderous cry, the warriors surged forward, overwhelming the remaining defenders. The battle shifted swiftly in their favor, the tide of crimson washing over Ember Glen like a flood.
Yet amidst the chaos, Eira spotted a figure darting through the shadows—a young woman carrying a bundle in her arms. She moved with purpose, slipping past the fighting and heading toward the edge of the village. Something about her urgency caught Eira's attention, and without thinking, she followed.
---
The woman ducked into a small stone cottage, slamming the door shut behind her. Eira hesitated outside, her heart pounding wildly. She glanced over her shoulder, ensuring no one was watching, then slipped inside.
Inside, the room was dimly lit by a single candle. The woman crouched near a hidden trapdoor, whispering soothing words to the bundle in her arms—a baby, no older than a few months. When she noticed Eira, her eyes widened in terror.
"Please…" the woman begged, clutching the child tighter. "Don't hurt him. Take me instead, but spare my son."
Eira froze, her blade hanging limply at her side. For a moment, all she could hear was the distant clamor of battle and the soft whimpers of the infant. Then, slowly, she lowered her weapon.
"I'm not here to hurt you," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you can't stay here. They'll find you."
The woman stared at her, disbelief warring with hope in her tear-filled eyes. "Why are you helping me?"
Eira didn't answer immediately. Instead, she glanced toward the trapdoor, motioning for the woman to open it. "Go," she urged. "Take your son and run. Don't look back."
"But—"
"There's no time!" Eira interrupted, her tone sharp with urgency. "Trust me, or don't, but leave now!"
The woman hesitated for a heartbeat longer, then nodded, pulling the trapdoor open and disappearing into the darkness below. Eira watched her go, her chest tight with conflicting emotions. She had just committed an act of betrayal—one that could cost her life if discovered. But for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a flicker of control over her fate.
---
When Eira returned to the battlefield, the village was in ruins. Bodies littered the streets, and flames consumed the remnants of homes and shops. Red-Eye stood in the center of the devastation, his axe dripping with blood as he surveyed the carnage. His gaze landed on Eira, narrowing slightly as he studied her expression.
"Where were you?" he demanded, his voice cold and suspicious.
"I… I was clearing the outskirts," Eira lied, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Making sure none escaped."
Red-Eye stared at her for a long moment, his crimson eyes boring into hers as if searching for the truth. Finally, he nodded, seemingly satisfied—for now. "Good. Gather the survivors. We leave at dawn."
As the warriors regrouped, Eira lingered at the edge of the ruins, her mind racing. The seed of defiance she had planted earlier had taken root, sprouting fragile tendrils of hope. She knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but she also knew one thing for certain:
She couldn't keep following Red-Eye blindly. Not anymore.
And somewhere in the shadows, unbeknownst to anyone, the young woman and her child fled into the night, carrying with them the faintest glimmer of resistance against the crimson tide.
The nightmare continued—but so did the dream of freedom.