Warmth spreads out from the horizon as the sun began its routine morning climb. Sunlight spanned over the woods until it reached a small village nestled at the foot of a mountain chain. The smell of morning dew breezed through the village as the people were rising and starting their day of labor.

The few village vendors were already prepping their daily displays, from the blacksmith to the general merchant. As the baker was putting out his daily bread, he bellowed with laughter as his first customer approached him.

"Morning mayor! Fancy a sweet roll, or are you in the mood for something savory?" asked the baker.

The mayor nodded, "You know me too well! I'll take the usual."

"Two sweet rolls coming up!" The baker strolled from the open, canopy display and through the open door of his shop. Before long, the baker was back with a parcel of wrapped butcher paper. "Here you are!"

Exchanging it for a silver drit, the mayor happily accepted the parcel. "Keep the change for tomorrow's order. Unless you've got anything to drink?"

"Sorry, my entire stash has run out…" The baker shook his head with disappointment. But his eyes lit up with hope for a moment. "Today's the day, isn't it?"

"That's right," replied the mayor, who was already opening his order and biting into the first roll. "The adventuring party arrived yesterday night and they set out maybe an hour ago. Despite the cost, the guild request will help us all. Give it a few days and our village should be a bustling checkpoint for trade yet again."

Sighing in relief, the baker asked, "So it's official? The guild in Emor accepted the job?!"

"Yup. Please, take care of them during their stay. I even recommended your famous sandwiches, so you'll probably see them around closing time when they return to rest," stated the mayor.

"Ohhh, I wish you had told me sooner! I would've offered them a free breakfast!" the baker playfully complained.

Waving off the remark, the mayor laughed as well, "Don't worry, they get free meals at the inn as part of the contract."

"Ah, so they'll be after my sandwiches for meals on the road?"

"That's correct." The mayor nodded proudly, wrapping up the second roll to save for later. "Alright, I should get back to work and let the others know about the accepted request. I want to make sure the party feels at home here. Who knows, with enough hospitality we may convince them to stay in the village and help us grow!"

"You're always up to your schemes… but I like this one! I'll do whatever I can to help, including free sandwiches!"

The mayor said a few more words before heading toward the blacksmith next door, letting the baker finish setting up his morning display. As the mayor spread the good news, the entire village breathed its first breath of hope after their drought of trade and loss of business. Just like the warmth of the sunrise, the people felt an ember of warm security returning to their everyday lives.

"AAAAAHHHhhh–"

"NO! PLEASE–"

"RUUUU–"

Five jromes away from the village, the hired adventuring party lay on the ground. They were in the woods not too far from the beaten path, unable to be heard or seen by anyone able to rescue them. Three party members were already dead, killed simultaneously. Only two party members were still breathing and staring in silence at their killers.

Standing before the stumbling adventures were three figures. Holy light emanated from their bodies and shined through the crevices of their armor. This added a shimmer to the blood that had sprayed across them and their surroundings. One's foot rested inside the shattered chest of the party leader, while the other two had the blood of their victims on their hands and swords.

Before remaining adventurers had fallen back in shock. The older, middle-aged adventurer stammered, trying not to raise alarm or call for help, unlike those that were killed instantly, "... A… Angels…?"

"Good, at least one of you understands what's going on," chuckled the man with the bloodied foot, tapping the gold emblem on his chrome armor. "In that case, we don't need the other."

Another angel speedily lunged forward and immediately slashed through the other adventurer's neck, not even letting the other captive react. The lone survivor tried to swallow his nerves but to little avail. "Um… may I ask… something?"

"You may. Thank you for being polite, as you lower beings should be," mocked the leading angel.

"What… are you doing here?"

"Great question. But I won't be answering that, or any of your questions," the lead angel replied, turning away from the shaken adventurer. "Come. You'll follow us. You'll be meeting our leader and god."

"I–" Catching his tongue, the man narrowly avoided shouting and watched the two swords stop midswing a breath away from his neck. "... I'll follow."