On the day Alacryan forces completed their northern campaign, the fall of the Sapin Kingdom's northern settlements marked a decisive turning point in the war. One by one, the agrarian towns of Ashber, Valden, and finally Marlow, inhabited largely by working-class families, were overrun.
"WAHHHHH! WAHHHHH!! WAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
It was raining loudly, nearly becoming a storm, but even that couldn't cover the cry.
"WAHHH! WAHHHHH!!"
Hidden beneath the forest, beyond bramble and fallen stone, the remaining townsfolk huddled inside a hidden shallow cave.
Day and night, the Alacryans were frantically searching the entire forest near the Marlow for the remaining people who were lucky enough to escape the invasion's massacre.
"WAHHHHH! WAHHHHHHH!!"
"Shhh. It's okay now! Daddy will be back with milk and food, alright, love?"
Most of the men are either killed or went missing after volunteering to go out to find food.
"WAAAAHHHHHH! WAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!"
As time went on slowly, the Alacryans still couldn't find the people's cave shelter, so they frantically circled and expanded the searching area. They wildly swept up every meter of land and every blade of grass, firing spells at every small cave and cliff they found, turning the once green and healthy forest into what can only be called a plain of war.
No Lance to save them. No hope to be expected.
"WAAAAHHHHHH! WAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
"The Alacryans are close! Will you make that baby stop??!" A frightened old man hissed at the mother carrying her crying baby in her arms.
Besides enduring hunger for days in the cave, the entire town had to remain as quiet as possible to avoid being discovered and killed by the Alacryans. But right now the hunger of hundreds of people is not as important as having to keep absolutely silent.
"He hasn't eaten in days!" the mother shot back in a broken whisper. "He needs milk!"
"Look around you! Everyone is starved, and if you don't make that baby shut up, we all will soon be dead!!!"
"..."
"WAHHHHH! WAHHHHHHH—AHHH!! AHHH!!!"
Despite the mother trying her very best to cover her baby's mouth, it was no use at all.
"Please, love! Please!"
The baby just kept on crying and couldn't be stopped, making the others fear that they would soon be found.
"WAAAAHHHHHH! WAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!"
They couldn't tell whether it was night yet, and the sky was still raining. The sound of footsteps and the chanting of spells grew closer and closer to the ears. The crying was still echoing loudly out of the cave's hidden entrance.
Hundreds of haggard faces, exhausted and terrified, stared in a daze at the mother and her sobbing baby.
"If we don't sacrifice that child, there's no way for everyone here to escape death this time..." A woman murmured.
Hearing this, the mother immediately embraced her child closely, protecting the baby in her fragile arms. "Please, I—I beg of you, I only had this child left... If anything happens to him, I won't be yearning to live anymore." Her voice went tiny as she broke down quietly.
"WAAAAHHHHHH! WAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
"..." No one said anything more.
"HEY! I THINK MY F*CKING DOG FOUND SOMETHING OVER THERE!! SEND MORE PEOPLE TO SEARCH THERE QUICKLY! "
Everyone could feel the Alacryans and their destruction were still out there, getting closer to their hidden cave with each passing moment.
The mother knew she must do something.
After a short yet at the same time very long moment, the mother's voice choked in tears, "I'm sorry, love... Please forgive Mommy... I never wanted this. I would never leave you… I'm sorry..."
Her hand rose.
It hovered.
Shook.
Pressed.
The baby's cries were muffled beneath her palm.
Salty tears couldn't stop streaming down her face. Her hands would sometimes freeze, loosening their grip, hoping that the baby would stop crying on his own, but he would only cry louder.
"...I'm sorry..."
After many instances, the crying became whimpers.
Then gasps.
Then nothing.
Looking at her, her son's tiny hands clutched at her shirt as it slowly fell down.
She tried her hardest to stay quiet.
"...I'm sorry..."
Hours later—or perhaps only minutes—she removed her soaked shirt and wrapped it around him carefully, as though he were merely sleeping.
With her bare hands she clawed into the damp earth and dug up the cold dirt.
Only when the grave was deep enough, she placed him down.
"...I'm sorry..."
***
Delsin Novak
"...I'm sorry..."
"Mrs. Mason, please try this out." I said softly, holding the spoon near her lips. "I promise it doesn't taste that bad."
She stared out the window.
I sighed and lowered the spoon. "She won't eat, Berk."
"Uhh... leave it to me, little bro. Just give me a second." Berk, at the far side of the tent, waved dismissively, crouched beside a skinny kid. "I'm teaching this genius how to write his own name."
"I'm not stupid!" The kid protested, crossing his arms.
"What's nine plus ten?"
"...Twenty one."
"You stupid."
"Make it quick. She hasn't eaten anything all day." I set the bowl down.
"Here, let me," the nurse interjected gently, taking the bowl from me. "You've done more than enough today, dear. Go rest."
"No, it's fine, I can help more." I insisted.
She offered a faint smile, lines of weariness etching her face. "Hehe... There's really nothing left but keeping those rowdy kids outside from stirring up trouble."
"Then sure, I'll handle that."
"Thank you, dear. But don't forget to rest yourself."
"I won't." I stood up and walked to the window.
Outside, people were rebuilding what little they could. Charred beams were lifted into place. Rubble cleared. Corpses already taken away.
These past days were insane.
Numerous riots broke out when Commander Vrion Eralith decreed to the public that three Alacryans—Seris Vritra, Caera Denoir, and Cylrit Vritra—were being allowed to serve Dicathen as its people's soldiers.
People believed that their commander had been brainwashed and controlled by the Alacryans. Things only cooled down for the most of it when General Leywin stepped in and reassured his people. It made most feel safe and assured because it was the Lance Godspell's words.
However, as for the remaining few, they believe that even Lance Godspell was also being controlled.
Nevertheless, for now, things have been under control.
"Delsin."
"Huh?" A familiar voice tugged me from my reverie. A cloaked figure stood in the doorway.
"So this is where you have been helping the injured?" She entered as she had a look around the infirmary tent. "Everyone here sure is busy."
I couldn't tell who she was because of the hood. "I'm sorry—do I know you?" I frowned, stepping closer.
"..." She didn't answer. Instead, she lifted her hood up—not removed it, but lifted it up just enough so I could see her face and especially... her horns.
My breath hitched, a mixture of fear and inexplicable calm twisting in my gut.
"Oooo, you looked..." My eyes bulged, but I managed to stay cool and act normal, or so I thought. "You looked... awfully familiar, ma'am." I took my chances and tried to play stupid.
"Awfully familiar..." She glared at me.
"...Hi, Caera..." I surrendered.