A man stood by a large window, watching the deceased bodies that lay on the street with their grieving families. It was Chief Elder Rolf Olka. Deep lines of sadness and guilt etched his face, and his eyes bore the weight of countless regrets.
The village, once vibrant and full of life, now seemed shrouded in sorrow. The consequences of Olka's decisions haunted his every thought.
Turning to his retainer, Erik, he commanded, "Inform everyone to gather at the central square immediately. I have an urgent announcement to make." His voice, though steady, was tinged with sorrow, the gravity of the situation clear.
Erik bowed slightly, his expression reflecting a mix of concern and determination, and swiftly descended the wooden stairs. The creak of the steps echoed the burden they both carried.
Erik moved quickly through the village, his footsteps swift and purposeful. Villagers exchanged worried glances as he passed, sensing the urgency. Children clung to their mothers, wide eyes mirroring the unease in the air.
At Helga's house, the inhabitants were busy repairing damages and replenishing supplies. A sharp, urgent knock came at the door. Helga, her silver hair tied neatly, her deep-set eyes showing years of wisdom, opened it to find Erik standing there.
"Oh, Erik! What brings you here?" Helga asked, her voice calm but curious.
"Elder Helga, Chief Olka requests everyone's presence at the central square. He has an urgent announcement," Erik replied.
Helga nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Then I will be leaving now," Erik said, responding to the Elder's nod.
As he left, Gin asked curiously, "What's this all about?"
"It must be something important," his father replied, worry evident in his voice.
"I hope it's good news," his mother added, her tone hopeful yet uncertain.
"Well then, you three come with me," Helga said, her voice steady and commanding.
"We're going, Sasa. You stay here with him" Sasa's mother instructed, firm yet gentle, addressing the young man beside her.
"Okay, Mother," Sasa replied softly, her eyes showing concern for the events unfolding.
Erik continued to knock on doors, informing survivors with the same blend of urgency and sorrow. Each door he knocked on was a reminder of the price they had all paid, and the weight of his task grew heavier with each step.
Back at Helga's house, the Elder, Gin, and his parents prepared to leave with deliberate, composed movements.
"We'll be leaving," Sasa's father muttered as he told Sasa to take charge of the house and watch over the unconscious Hiro.
"I will, Father," Sasa replied, waving to her family and the Elder.
At the central square, Chief Olka prepared a pyre, the flames a stark contrast to the cold morning air. The crackling wood seemed to whisper accusations, each spark a reminder of his failure. He paused, reflecting on his decisions and the lives lost due to his actions. The scent of pine and the sharp bite of smoke filled the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze.
The villagers, drawn by Erik's call, gathered around, eyes reflecting sorrow and expectation. Olka began his announcement, his voice steady but laced with sorrow. "I am sorry for everyone's loss. If I had heeded our Elder's advice, this disaster could have been avoided. Because of my failure as a leader, I am stepping down."
Whispers and murmurs enveloped the plaza, the weight of his words sinking in slowly. Faces filled with grief and confusion turned toward one another, seeking understanding in this moment of collective sorrow.
A man in the crowd stepped forward, his face red with anger. "And what good does stepping down do now, Olka? My wife and son are gone because of you!" His voice trembled with rage and grief.
Another voice rose from the crowd, a woman clutching her child. "We trusted you to protect us, and you failed! Why should we listen to you now?"
Olka took a deep breath, his gaze meeting each angry face. "I understand your anger and pain. I failed as your leader, and I cannot undo the harm that has been done. But we must choose a new leader who can guide us through this."
"Then who's going to be the Chief?" the woman with the child asked, her voice trembling with anxiety.
Olka took another deep breath. "I would like to nominate Helga. She is wise and has the respect of our people."
A shout came from the crowd. "Why me?" It was Helga, her eyes wide with shock.
"Because you are wise and have always been a voice of reason and guidance," Olka replied, his tone firm yet gentle.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, some voices in agreement, others in doubt. "But can she protect us?" a young man questioned. "We need someone strong to lead us, not just wise!"
Helga stepped forward, her expression resolute. "I may not have all the answers, but I promise to listen to your concerns and work together to rebuild our village. We need unity and strength, and I believe we can find that together."
Meanwhile, Hiro woke from his slumber, his body aching. The dim light filtering through the window cast a pale glow on his face. Sasa sat beside him, her expression a mixture of relief and concern.
"Hiro! You're awake. Thank goodness. Don't do that again; we were really worried about you, especially Gin and I," Sasa said.
"I'm sorry. Where is everyone?" Hiro asked, his voice groggy but tinged with worry.
"They're at the central square," Sasa replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Chief Olka has an announcement."
"I need to be there," Hiro said, attempting to rise, his muscles protesting.
"You're not fully recovered yet," Sasa protested, gently pushing him back down. "You need to rest."
"Just a little," Hiro insisted, eyes reflecting determination despite his fatigue. "I need to hear what's happening."
Sasa hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, but take it slow. We don't want you getting worse."
As Hiro struggled to sit up, Sasa helped him, her touch careful and supportive. Together, they made their way out of the house, moving slowly toward the central square.
The villagers gathered around the pyre for the deceased. Elder Helga stepped forward to address them.
"Today, we honor the memory of those who died. Let their spirits guide us in the days to come." Her voice was steady, a pillar of strength in this time of mourning.
As the pyre was lit, the villagers watched in silence, flames reflecting in their eyes. The heat was intense, a necessary ritual, a symbol of resilience and unity. The smell of burning wood filled the air, mingling with the scent of pine and the faint tang of smoke.
As the flames roared higher, the villagers began to sing a haunting melody, a lament for the lost. The song, carried on the wind, reached every corner of the village, a testament to their enduring spirit. Hiro and Sasa joined in, singing as they grieved for the dead.
The fire crackled and danced, casting long shadows over the solemn faces. Each note carried their pain and hopes, intertwining with the smoke rising to the heavens. The ceremony, though filled with sorrow, was a unifying moment, a shared expression of loss and resilience. As the final notes faded into the cold morning air, the villagers remained in silent reflection, drawing strength from one another.
After the ceremony, the new Chief Elder Helga gave an order. "Everyone, gather wood. We're going to build a wall in case there's another undead attack." Her voice was firm, resonating with authority and resolve.
"Before nightfall, we need everything to be done," she added, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.