A gentle wind cascaded through the seemingly endless valleys of emerald green, dotted by a myriad of flora and fauna. In the heart of this picturesque landscape lay the village of Meadowbrook, a haven of simple cottages and cobbled paths. For years, this serene corner of Eldoria had been untouched by the monstrous shadows of the past.
The tranquil meadows were alive with the sounds of children gleefully playing and villagers diligently tending to their crops, their daily routines harmoniously synchronised with the rhythms of nature. Eldoria's history, once rife with ancient legends of monstrous creatures, now seemed like a distant memory, a long-forgotten chapter of the past.
The streets in the village were marked out by the dusty dirt path and guided by ancient drystone walls that snaked across the entire town, dwarfed only by the wooden walls surrounding it, keeping the tranquil village safe.
Toby slowly began to awaken from his deep slumber, feeling as though he had been asleep for an eternity. As he opened his eyes, he glanced around the dimly lit shack that he called home. The tiny bed he lay in was barely big enough for his lanky frame, and the rough wooden walls of the shack were lined with cracks that let in the faint light of dawn. Despite the shabby conditions, Toby felt comforted in the familiarity of his meagre surroundings. Stretching his arms and yawning, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and took a deep breath, ready to face the day ahead.
Many years ago, the residents of a small village stumbled upon a surprising discovery - a newborn baby boy, left abandoned in a basket. The villagers were unsure of the baby's origins, but their kind and compassionate nature led them to take the child in and care for him as their own. They built a small hut for him and took turns looking after him, ensuring that he was fed, clothed, and loved. This act of kindness and generosity from the village as a whole highlights the strength of their community and their willingness to help others in need.
In the idyllic village, Toby seemed like a lively and carefree young lad, not even old enough to be called a man yet. His tousled and radiant golden hair gleamed in the warm sunlight as he strolled around the quaint streets, his infectious laughter ringing through the tranquil air.
That day, the skies were a clear azure, the meadows a vibrant green, sprinkled with an assortment of brightly coloured wildflowers. Roaring laughter and the soft murmur of conversations filled the village square, where the locals wielded their daily trades. The peaceful routine of Meadowbrook was comfortingly predictable.
However, that day was fated to be unlike any other.
Amidst the serene village, numerous candles were placed strategically to emanate a warm orange glow that provided a sense of comfort and security to the villagers. However, as dusk approached, an eerie silence fell over the village as the flickering flames of the candles suddenly changed their hue to a cold blue. The villagers' whispers turned to gasps of shock, for they all knew the implications of this sudden change. The blue light was a warning - a signal that a monstrous presence was lurking perilously close to the village, threatening the peace and safety of its inhabitants.
A monstrous shape oozed out from the depths of the neighbouring woods, its form grotesque and fluid. It was a slime, a foul creature known for its caustic body, a monster unheard of in Eldoria for centuries. The village fell into a panic as the adults scrambled to protect their children, their homes, and their lives.
The young Toby, full of courage and determination, stood among the frightened crowd. With a fierce determination in his bright blue eyes, he broke free from his mother's grip and charged forward towards the slimy creature, brandishing a stick as his only weapon. Defying all fear, Toby was determined to face the danger head-on, with a heart full of bravery and a spirit that refused to back down no matter what.
Toby bravely charged towards the horrifying beast, channelling the courage of a knight. His high-pitched battle cry echoed through the air, piercing the silence. The slimy creature attacked, splashing Toby's arm with its corrosive body. Suddenly, Toby's cries of bravery turned into painful shrieks as his arm burned with excruciating agony. He dropped his weapon, forgotten in the heat of the moment, as he tightly clutched his burnt arm. Tears streamed down his face, smudging the grime that covered his features.
The villagers could only watch in horror as their boy hero fell to the ground.