The sun lazily rose above the horizon, dispersing the shadows of the night and bathing the landscape in warm golden light. In the tranquil village of Oakhaven, the first rays of morning heralded a new day of chores and tasks. Wooden houses stood in neat rows, with smoke curling from chimneys and the murmur of everyday life floating in the air.
Eren woke to the sound of birdsong filtering through the slightly open window of his room. He stretched lazily and sat up in bed, allowing his eyes to adjust to the daylight. The morning promised to be beautiful, but it was also filled with duties. As the eldest son of his family, it was his responsibility to help with the farm work and ensure that everyone had enough food on the table.
After washing his face and dressing in his work clothes, Eren descended the stairs and headed to the kitchen, where his mother was already busy preparing breakfast. The tempting aroma of freshly baked bread and freshly brewed coffee filled the room, whetting his appetite.
"Good morning, son!" greeted his mother with a warm smile. "Ready for another day of hard work?"
Eren nodded eagerly as he sat down at the table and accepted the cup of coffee his mother offered. As he savored the first sip, he heard the familiar sounds of village life drifting in from outside: the clip-clop of horses' hooves, the murmur of conversations, and the tinkling of church bells.
After breakfast, Eren rose from the table and bid his mother goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. With an empty basket in hand, he made his way to the barn to gather the tools needed for his task of the day: gathering berries and mushrooms in the nearby forest.
The Oakhaven forest stretched eastward from the village, covering vast stretches of land with ancient trees and dense undergrowth. It was a mysterious and sometimes unsettling place, but it was also a source of food and resources for the villagers.
With determined steps, Eren crossed the village and ventured into the forest, following a trail he had known since childhood. As he made his way among the trees, the fresh forest air filled his lungs and the tension of farm work began to dissipate.
He soon reached his destination: a sunny clearing in the heart of the forest, where he knew the best berries and mushrooms grew. With skill learned from years of experience, he began to search through the undergrowth, picking ripe berries and tasty mushrooms and depositing them in his basket.
Time passed quickly as he worked, and soon the basket was filled to the brim with the forest's abundant harvest. Satisfied with his collection, Eren decided to take a brief break before returning to the village.
He sat on a large rock beside a bubbling stream, enjoying the warm sun on his face and the soothing sound of running water. He closed his eyes and let his thoughts wander freely, without worries or responsibilities for a moment.
But his peaceful rest was interrupted by a sudden crunching sound behind him. Eren stiffened and quickly turned his head, searching for the source of the noise. What he saw left him breathless.
Emerging from between the trees, like dark shadows moving in the filtered forest light, were humanoid figures that seemed to be made of pure darkness. Their eyes gleamed with a malevolent light and their forms twisted and contorted in a way that made Eren's skin crawl.
A chill of fear ran down his spine as he realized he was alone, in the middle of the forest, facing the unknown. Yet, a sense of determination ignited within him. He couldn't back down now. He had to face whatever lurked in the darkness.
With trembling hands, Eren stood up and prepared for whatever came next. However, what happened next would leave him stunned and change his life forever.