Dreams on the Green Grass

Leora stood still, her small fists clenched,

watching the dreams that had just begun to fade.

Her happiness was gone, and the safety she once lived in had completely shattered.

The laughter of her family and the places she loved most were now reduced to ash.

She kept asking herself. 

Why has Moraliska become like this?

Is this really the end?

The ten-year-old girl collapsed to the ground, broken.

She was just a child, one who should have been crying over a broken doll.

Instead, her heart had started to understand things no child was ever meant to face.

Leora held her face in her hands and screamed.

Why… why is this happening?

Mom… Dad… don't leave me!

Her voice trembled, then grew louder.

Where did Riven go?

Don't leave me here alone, 

I'm scared.

She slowly raised her head, her blue eyes brimming with tears.

Just a few steps away, she saw the monster. Its terrifying face was twisted, and a foul stench clung to the air, thick and heavy like the smell of rotting eggs.

Leora shut her eyes, surrendered to the moment, and whispered.

Ah… it's my turn now.

My end has come.

I really wanted to win that race against you one day, Riven…

Twelve hours before the catastrophe…

On one of the hills of Moraliska, little Leora stood as the wind played gently with her midnight-blue hair.

She gazed up at the clear sky, her smile radiating a quiet warmth.

From behind her, that naughty boy appeared. His silver hair, and his golden eyes gleamed with playful energy.

He suddenly leapt in front of her, a sly grin spread across his face.

"Boo!"

Leora screamed, startled.

"What ? Riven, when will you stop scaring me? You're such a spoiled brat!"

He laughed, completely unbothered.

It's always a joy to see that frightened little face of yours."

And with that, he dashed off across the green hills, butterflies fluttering around him like confetti in celebration.

"Yahooo! Leora, I'll race you to the riverbank! Last one there becomes the other's servant for a whole day!"

Leora sighed in frustration, then broke into a run behind him.

"Riven, that's not fair! You didn't even count down! Hey! Wait, you idiot!"

Their laughter echoed through the hills, bright and unrestrained. The villagers nearby paused, glancing up in curiosity at the noise. Then someone chuckled knowingly and said,

"Those two again… Always raising a storm wherever they go."

One of the elder women, her steps slow and shaky with age, approached the fence near the hill. Her eyes shimmered with nostalgia as she leaned on her cane, watching the two with a soft smile.

She murmured to herself, 

"They remind me of the old days ,when laughter still meant peace.

Meanwhile, Riven reached the riverbank first. He turned around, still running, and called out smugly,

"Leora, you're my servant for the day! Get ready!"

Leora stopped in her tracks, panting and glaring at him.

"Only in your dreams, Riven! .

Leora came to a halt, hands on her hips, visibly annoyed.

"That's not fair, Raven! You started running before even saying go! I'm not racing you again!"

Riven collapsed onto the grass, laughing until tears filled his eyes. He couldn't stop teasing her.

"Just admit it you lost I'm the fastest in all of Moraliska"

Soft footsteps approached, and a gentle voice followed:

"Leora… Riven… you're here again, as usual."

Leora smiled and turned toward the small girl who had arrived. She rushed to her, pointing accusingly at Riven.

"Mia! Look at him he cheated me again and still thinks he won"

Riven grabbed Mia's hand, looking around.

"Where's Obi? He should be proud of his victorious friend."

A voice cut in mockingly:

"You call that victory, Riven? Starting without warning? You really are a handful."

Riven smirked and pointed behind Mia.

"There he is! Obi, hurry up!"

Obi, a boy their age, arrived, placing his hands on his head as he stared at the sparkling river under the sunlight.

"You guys do this every day ،don't you ever get bored?"

Mia walked up to him and "thwack!"hit him gently on the head.

Obi winced, rubbing his head.

"Miaaa! Why?!"

She grinned mischievously. 

"Oh… did that hurt? Maybe stop acting like a grumpy old man, Obi the silly."

Riven and Leora shivered. They exchanged a whisper in unison:

"Scary…"

Mia blinked innocently.

"Did you two say something?"

They both waved their hands frantically.

"N-no! Not at all!"

And they quietly scooted away from the scary Mia.

By then the sunlight began to shift with soft golden rays descending gently over the hilltops. The group lay back together watching the sunset as it painted the river in hues of fire and peace.

Obi looked up at the sun, then turned to his friends.

Do you guys have dreams?"

I want to become a skilled sorcerer travel the world and tell people about our beautiful homeland

Riven raised his hands enthusiastically.

Me too I wanna be the strongest mage ever protect everyone and punch all the bad guys"

Mia laughed and added:

My dream is for us to sit like this again someday watching the sunset after a long journey"

They all turned their eyes to Leora, faces full of innocent curiosity. Riven leaned forward:

What about you, Leora? What do you want?

Leora tapped her head, pretending to think.

Hmm my dream I guess I just want us to stay together protect each other and laugh a lot. 

Obi lifted his hands high.

Alright then lets all make our dreams come true"

Their voices rang out in perfect harmony:

"Yeah!"

Everyone returned to their homes that night each one holding a tiny dream and a quiet hope close to their heart. Their minds drifted with thoughts of tomorrow how they would laugh more live better and grow stronger. There was a sparkle in their eyes as if life itself had whispered something beautiful is waiting beyond the next sunrise.

_Six hours remained before the catastrophe