The once-peaceful village of Oakhaven was cloaked in chaos and despair as the Knights of Ketergia, led by Flient and Arthen, descended upon it. Flames roared into the sky as arrows, tipped with fire, rained down on the wooden homes. The villagers screamed in panic, some trying to flee while others fought valiantly against the invading knights. But their resistance was futile; the Cloud Knights forces cut them down with ruthless efficiency.
Flient stood at the edge of the inferno, his expression cold and detached. The reflection of the flames danced in his eyes, but he remained unbothered by the destruction. Arthen, by his side, surveyed the burning village with a quiet smirk.
Amid the chaos, a young elf with green hair struggled against the grip of a knight. His tear-streaked face was a picture of terror as he squirmed to free himself.
"Let me go!" he cried, his voice hoarse with desperation.
Flient glanced over, his voice calm but laced with disdain.
"Leave the boy. He'll die anyway."
The knight released the boy, who fell to the ground with a thud. Scrambling to his feet, the boy ran as fast as his legs could carry him, tears streaming down his face.
"Mom, Dad…" he thought as he sobbed, his chest heaving with exhaustion and sorrow.
He didn't look back, running farther and farther from the hellscape that was once his home. Eventually, his small frame gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The dense forest was quiet save for the crackling of a nearby fire. Youth's group had set up camp under the canopy of towering trees.
Schneizal was gathering wood for the fire when he spotted something in the distance.
"What the… It's a kid!" Vriede exclaimed as she rushed over to the boy's limp body.
"He's unconscious," Schneizal said, carefully picking the boy up and laying him on a cloth.
Vriede draped a blanket over him, her expression softening.
"What do you think happened to him?"
The group exchanged uneasy glances as they sat around the fire. The flames flickered, casting shadows on their tense faces.
"We'll find out when he wakes up," Youth said, his voice low and controlled.
The boy stirred after some time, his eyes fluttering open. Panic flashed across his face, and he let out a terrified scream.
"Calm down," Schneizal said gently, holding up his hands to show he meant no harm.
"We're the good guys."
The boy's breathing slowed as he took in their concerned faces. He sat up, clutching the blanket tightly around himself.
"The village…" the boy began, his voice trembling.
"They killed everyone…"
"What village, kid?" Vriede asked, her tone soft but insistent.
"Oakhaven," the boy whispered, his green hair falling into his tear-streaked eyes.
"They burned everyone… the Cloud Knights....."
Youth's body stiffened, and a dangerous red glow emanated from his eye. His jaw clenched as the words sank in.
"What's your name, kid?" Sequana asked, crouching beside him.
The boy looked up at her, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Sfilt…"
Sequana gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, Sfilt. We'll protect you."
Youth stood abruptly, his fists trembling.
"Those assholes… will pay," he growled, his voice filled with rage.
Schneizal's grip tightened on his sword as he stood beside Youth. The firelight gleamed off the blade, reflecting the anger in his eyes. "This ends now," he said firmly.
The group exchanged determined looks, the unspoken vow to avenge Oakhaven binding them together. The flames of their campfire seemed to burn brighter, mirroring the fury and resolve that now coursed through their hearts.