**INSIDE THE COTTAGE**
Mark's eyes widened as he processed Yui's pleading voice in his dream:
"Big Brother Mark... HELP ME!"
His mind racing, Mark threw off the covers and approached the window.
He pulled back the curtain, peeking into the night...
The moon cast faint light, but fog swirled around the village, obscuring views.
However, Mark could make out two figures standing near the cottage...
One was definitely Kael – Mark recognized his height and posture.
The other figure wore a hood, casting their face in darkness...
They seemed to be engaged in an intense, whispered conversation.
Mark's instincts screamed warning – what were Kael and this mysterious person discussing?
Mark retreated from the window, still suspicious but trusting Kael enough to give him benefit of doubt.
He decided to casually ask Kael about the meeting instead of confronting him.
Mark positioned himself by the front door, trying to appear nonchalant.
As Kael entered, he looked surprised to see Mark standing there:
"Hey, Big Brother Mark – what are you doing up?"
Mark smiled casually:
"I was thirsty – saw you outside talking to someone. Everything okay?"
Kael's eyes flickered – a brief flash of shock – before he regained composure:
"Oh yeah... that was just Old Man Jenkins from the next farm over.
He had a question about borrowing some tools for tomorrow's harvest festival...
preparations – aka your welcome party!"
Mark raised an eyebrow slightly – Kael's explanation seemed rehearsed.
But Kael added with a warm smile:
"You're really making me feel like family – worrying about me talking to neighbors at night!"
Mark chuckled and clapped Kael on the back:
"You're right, I'm just getting too used to looking out for you and Lila like family."
Kael's smile widened, seeming relieved:
"Exactly – we feel the same about you, Big Brother Mark!
Now, back to bed – tomorrow's celebration prep starts early."
Mark nodded, trust partially restored – Kael's explanation seemed plausible...
But as he turned to head back to his room, he caught Kael glancing nervously towards the window...
As if ensuring no one – or Old Man Jenkins – was still lurking outside.
Mark's mind flickered with doubt again...
Mark yawned and said,
"Night, Kael – looking forward to tomorrow's celebration!"
Next morning, after a hearty breakfast, Kael exclaimed:
"Time to prepare for your welcome feast – let's get started, Big Brother Mark!"
Mark followed Kael and Lila outside, expecting scene of culinary chaos...
Instead, he saw:
* Villagers gathering firewood and stacking it around the village square
* Others constructing a large, circular platform in the center
* Many empty carts lined up near the forest path – at least 20-25 of them
Mark's confusion deepened:
"Kael, I thought we were preparing food for the feast?
And what's with all these carts – is that for harvesting crops?"
Kael's smile seemed forced:
"Yes, exactly – for harvesting... excess crop bundles to be donated to neighboring villages."
Mark did the mental math – their harvest yield wouldn't fill even 5 carts...
Mark tried to brush it off –
"Cool idea about donating excess crops – very generous of the village!"
He continued helping with preparations, trying to shake off growing unease.
As night fell, torches were lit around the village square, casting flickering shadows.
Kael approached Mark with a warm smile:
"Time to celebrate your official welcome, Big Brother Mark!
Let me offer you a special drink – our village's traditional welcome brew."
Mark accepted the mug eagerly:
"Thanks, Kael – I'm honored!
He raised the mug and drank the entire contents in one joyful gulp.
"Wow, this is amazing – sweet honey notes with a hint of bitter spice – perfect for celebration!"
Kael and the villagers smiled and cheered, their faces aglow with torchlight.
At first, Mark felt only warmth spreading through his chest...
But slowly, his words began to slur, and legs started to feel heavy...
His vision blurred slightly – he stumbled forward, confused...
Kael caught him by the arm, a horrifying smile spreading across his face...
Head Thorne stepped forward, eyes gleaming with sinister triumph...
Mark's mind reeled – something was terribly wrong...
Mark tried to speak, but words came out slurred –
"K-Kael... what's... happening?"
The villagers hurried around him, their faces twisted in horrifying smiles.
They swiftly tied his wrists and ankles with thick ropes, securing him tightly.
One of them exclaimed:
"We finally have fewer offerings this harvest season...
But we have something BIG in return – the king will be ECSTATIC about our delivery!"
Another villager cackled:
"The Castle Outcast himself – worth more than 10 harvest sacrifices combined!"
Mark's blurred vision scanned the crowd, horror mounting...
Then he saw Lila – her big brown eyes usually full of affection and trust...
Now they sparkled with malevolent glee, her tiny face twisted into a horrifying smile.
Lila giggled and said:
"I had to act so nice to you for so long, Big Brother Mark...
It was REALLY hard pretending to love you until the sacrifice day arrived!"
Mark's knees buckled further, even though he was already tied down – his mind reeling...
He collapsed backwards, his head hitting the ground with a dull thud...
Kael leaned over him, voice low and menacing –
"Time to send you to the altar...
A gift to seal our eternal pact and grant our village dark prosperity."
Mark's blurred vision locked onto Kael's twisted face, horror escalating...
He tried to speak, but only faint whispers escaped his lips:
"Why... Lila... why did you pretend to care?"
Lila's giggles stopped abruptly, replaced by a cold, distant tone:
"You were always just a sacrifice, Big Brother Mark...
Our village's most valuable offering."
Kael signaled the villagers, who tightened their grip on the ropes binding Mark...
They began to drag him away, his body scraping against the ground...
Towards the carts he had questioned earlier – now likely his doomed transportation...
Mark's fading consciousness saw:
Head Thorne standing beside a cart, a dark hooded cloak draped over his shoulders...
His eyes locked onto Mark's, gleaming with sinister satisfaction and a hint of ritualistic fervor...
Mark felt his vision fading to black, horror and betrayal frozen in his mind...
His body went limp, ropes still binding his wrists and ankles...
The villagers dragged him closer to the cart, Head Thorne's eerie gaze still fixed on him...
Then, everything went black.
**MARK'S WORLD HAS GONE DARK**