"Luna! Wait up!"
She heard Reuben called her but she did not allow herself to slow down.
She noticed him stumbled on a root earlier, he probably had a slight sprain.
She's usually the first one to rescue him from his troubles, he's like a younger brother that you can expect to be in trouble every time.
Yet this time is a bit different.
The sun is covered by trees but the extending tree shadows told her that it's about to get dark soon.
Something might go wrong if the village is not informed immediately.
She could imagine the hunters catching people and taking them to who knows where.
And the first people they would catch?
She turned a meaningful glance towards Reuben.
Probably the old and injured ones.
"Tsk"
She schooled her face, covering her frustration as she stopped and waited for Reuben to catch up.
He was drenched in sweat and could barely breathe.
"You… You were going too fast"
She nodded. "We don't have a choice"
She took his arm and supported his weight on her shoulder. They slowed down a lot but this way, at least his injury would not aggravate.
They manage to walk some more distance before the sun fully sets, enveloping the forest with the darkness of the night.
The village is still some distance away, but she could already see the lamp lights and hear faint sounds of boisterous laughter and lively music coming from the village.
She frowned.
"I remember, yesterday my father told me to help prepare for the celebration." Reuben murmured.
"Tsk"
It's the worst timing. Panic could easily ensue if words accidentally slip out.
That's the last thing they need right now.
"W-what if we were wrong?"
"Then all is well, but you know that guy's predictions rarely miss."
Reuben nodded.
She needs to find Gol, George's father, he's the current village leader so he'll definitely know what to do.
With plan in mind she moved faster, ignoring the strain from supporting someone heavier than her.
By the time they arrived, it was completely dark.
The celebration is placed at the center of the village where everyone is gathered.
Lantern lights surround the village, food at the center while people are either dancing, eating or conversing.
In front of the villagers is a silver dagger seemingly put on display.
It's probably gonna take a bit of time looking for Gol.
"Luna? Where have you been?! Where are your-"
"Zip it old bat!"
It's old Sally, it seems she's still mad from the events from earlier today but she doesn't care at the moment. There's a more pressing matter at hand.
"What did you say?!"
"There he is!"
"Good work Ben!"
She ran leaving behind the indignant old lady.
"Gol!"
"Luna? Reuben? What happened? You look like you went through hell."
She took a moment for some air.
"Hunters, we've seen signs in the dark forest"
There was a tense moment, the old men accompanying Gol looked at her with apprehension.
"Are you sure Luna? You should not be speaking things like that lightly."
"I-It's true! Selena got hurt with one of their traps!"
Reuben's words seem to affirm them.
"If that is the case then we need to warn the village gua-"
"Aahh!"
The sound of a horrified woman reached the center of the feast.
"W-what's that?"
"Move!"
Gol was already moving before she could think of a response. Pushing his way to the crowd.
"Come on Reuben!"
She pulled him, he shook his head.
"I'm not sure we should go"
"What are you talking about? We need to-"
"Ughk!"
The sound came right from her, she froze at the sight.
The old man talking with Gol earlier lay dead with an arrow piercing his left chest.
"Ruuuuuuuuun!"
Gol's voice rang through the village.
Chaos erupted. People scattered in every direction as arrows rained down. The joyous music twisted into screams.
"Ah!" Reuben was knocked down by someone fleeing blindly.
She hauled him back up, her mind already busy at work.
"Stay still."
Like everyone else they are at the center of the village.
Running without proper direction would be the worst idea.
Arrows and daggers are killing the villagers one by one from every direction.
Shadows deliberately moved at the edge of the lights.
Some village guards attempted to fight back but the attackers were too fast, they could not even defend themselves.
The only thing she could see was their silhouettes.
"Wait here!"
The silver dagger still glinted on its stand. Luna sprinted for it, grabbed it, and returned to Reuben.
"A-are you going to fight?"
She shook her head. "Come with me."
Leaving the village would be suicide now.
She pulled Reuben just behind a house where she remembers a possible hiding spot.
She moved a huge block showing the connected sewers of the village where she jumped without hesitation.
She looked up to see Reuben seemingly hesitant. "What are you waiting for?!"
She could imagine hearing him audibly gulp before he nodded and clumsily jumped beside her.
The walls are too tall, blocking her from seeing outside the sewer. Fortunately, she was tall enough to reach for the lid.
She could hear the pandemonium slowly coming to a halt just as she shut the sewer back.