As the first rays of sunlight touched the horizon, the undead creatures began to falter. Their decayed forms attempted to escape and hide from the sun's light, but none succeeded. Their rotten flesh smoked and sizzled, unable to withstand the pure light of day. Growling moans filled the air as the undead burned to a crisp under the blazing sun.
The sun rose higher in the clear blue sky, ending the nightmare and bringing peace to those who survived the night. One by one, survivors emerged from their hiding places, moving forward to rebuild in the days to come.
Amidst the survivors' rebuilding efforts and the gathering of the fallen, Hiro stood in the middle of the chaos, watching the new day unfold. His strength finally gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, feeling the cold earth press against his rosy cheek.
Beyond Carowa village, a meeting was being held in a room filled with suffocating air. The walls were decorated in silver and gold, while the ceilings were painted with images of four goddesses, cherubs, and angels. This was the church, an influential and powerful organization that worshipped the goddesses. The meeting hall was occupied by the king, the pope, knights, mages, and paladins, all discussing the undead threat and the impending war.
The king, a stern man with a furrowed brow, stood at the head of the table. His voice echoed through the hall as he addressed the assembly, "We cannot afford to ignore this threat any longer. Reports of undead attacks are increasing, and our borders are no longer safe."
A murmur of agreement spread through the room, but it was clear that tension was high. Knights shifted uneasily in their seats, mages exchanged worried glances, and paladins gripped their weapons tightly.
Amidst the discussion, a twenty-nine-year-old man named Alistair stood out. His eyes were clear and blue like the sky, and his hair was golden like the sun. He stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute, "Your Majesty, I bring urgent news. A large group of undead has recently attacked in the middle of nowhere, causing unimaginable devastation. This situation must be investigated immediately."
A knight, skeptical and grizzled from years of battle, leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. "Excuse me, sir, do you mind if I ask? Is your source verified? We've had false alarms before, and we cannot afford to be misled now."
Alistair responded with a confident grin, "You seem to doubt my word. Allow me to provide evidence." He gestured, and a woman dressed entirely in black stepped forward. Her dark skin was complemented by long ears, giving her an otherworldly appearance. This was Reba, known for her keen intelligence and unwavering loyalty.
Reba presented a set of photographs, laying them out on the table for all to see. The images depicted a scene of horror: bodies torn apart, buildings reduced to rubble, and an overwhelming sense of death and decay. The room erupted in gasps and whispers, and some even turned away in disgust.
"Oh God," a priest said, horror evident on his face. He clutched his holy symbol tightly, as if seeking comfort in the face of such atrocity.
"See, that's what I meant," Alistair said, rising from his seat. "We should send paladins to investigate this matter thoroughly. The evidence is undeniable, and we must act before it's too late."
A mage, his robes shimmering with enchantments, stood up. "But sending paladins alone might not be enough. We should consider deploying a mixed unit – knights, mages, and paladins together. We need to be prepared for anything."
The pope, an elderly man with a serene countenance, nodded thoughtfully. "A wise suggestion. Unity is our strength. We must face this threat together."
Silence fell over the room until the king spoke, his voice decisive. "Then send those paladins, along with a contingent of knights and mages. We cannot delay any longer."
The meeting hall erupted in agreement with Alistair's proposal, ending the long discussion. As the attendees began to disperse, the king turned to Alistair, his eyes filled with both gratitude and concern. "You have done well, Alistair. But be careful. The path ahead is fraught with danger."
Alistair bowed respectfully. "I understand, Your Majesty. We will do whatever it takes to protect our kingdom."
The king's gaze hardened. "And may the goddesses be with you."
Back in Carowa, Gin and his family went to find Hiro. They headed to the central plaza, where debris and fallen undead littered the ground. Anxiety gnawed at Gin's heart as he scanned the rubble-strewn plaza, the morning sunlight casting long shadows over the deserted square. He strained his ears for any sign, any faint breath or whisper that might lead him to his friend.
Sasa, equally worried but maintaining a calm exterior, continued the search with determined precision. They overturned debris, peeked into shattered homes, and traced every path that might have seen Hiro's steps.
As they rounded a corner near the central square, Gin's father suddenly halted, his eyes narrowing. "Sasa, Gin, over here," he called softly, pointing to a pile of fallen undead.
Sasa and Gin rushed over, their hearts pounding. Amidst the fallen figures in the central square, Hiro lay still, his body battered but his expression peaceful in sleep. Sasa and Gin knelt beside him, tears of relief streaming down their faces.
"We found him," they whispered, looking up at their father, their voices trembling with emotion.
"Let's get him back to safety," his father said, lifting Hiro gently.
They carried Hiro back to Elder Helga's house, where the morning light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Elder Helga's home was a modest stone house nestled in the middle of Carowa village. The thatched roof and stone walls gave it an air of rustic charm, and the scent of herbs and freshly baked bread wafted from the kitchen.
Inside, the main room was filled with the cozy clutter of a life well-lived. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with jars of preserved fruits, dried herbs, and various trinkets collected over the years. A large, worn wooden table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by mismatched chairs. In one corner, a fire crackled in the hearth, its warmth adding to the room's inviting atmosphere.
Elder Helga, a stout woman with a kind face and eyes that twinkled with wisdom, rushed over as soon as Gin and his father entered with Hiro. Her gray hair was tied back in a neat bun, and she wore a simple dress covered by an apron stained with the day's work.
"Thank goodness, he's fine," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with concern as she motioned them to place Hiro on a cushioned bench near the hearth.
Gin's father replied, carefully laying Hiro down, "We found him in the central plaza, amidst the debris and fallen undead."
Elder Helga nodded, her expression serious. She quickly gathered a basin of warm water and clean cloths, then knelt beside Hiro to tend to his wounds. Her hands were steady and gentle, and she hummed a soothing tune as she worked.
Sasa and Gin stood nearby, wringing their hands nervously. "Will he be okay, Elder Helga?"
The elder woman glanced up, offering a reassuring smile. "He's strong, this one. With some rest and proper care, he'll be back on his feet in no time. But he needs to stay warm and hydrated. Gin, fetch some blankets and a jug of water from the kitchen, would you?"
Gin nodded eagerly and hurried to gather the items, grateful for something to do. As he moved through the house, the familiar surroundings offered a sense of comfort. The kitchen was small but well-organized, with bunches of dried herbs hanging from the ceiling and neatly arranged pots and pans. He grabbed a stack of thick blankets from a shelf and filled a jug with fresh water before returning to the main room.
Elder Helga draped the blankets over Hiro, ensuring he was snug and warm. "There, that should help. Now, let's see about getting some broth into him once he wakes up."
Gin's father placed a hand on Sasa and Gin's shoulders, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "You two have done well. Hiro is in good hands now."
They nodded, their anxiety easing slightly. "Thank you, Father. And thank you, Elder Helga."
Elder Helga waved a hand dismissively. "No need for thanks. We're all family here, and family takes care of each other. Now, why don't you both sit down and rest for a moment? It's been a long night for all of us."
Sasa, Gin, and their parents took seats at the table, the warmth of the fire and the comforting presence of Elder Helga's home providing a much-needed respite from the horrors they had witnessed. As the morning light continued to filter through the windows, casting a golden glow over the room, a sense of peace settled over them.