In the embrace of the green mountains and amidst the fertile wheat fields, there lies a small village basking in tranquility and serenity. Narrow cobblestone streets wind through the village, lined with small mud and stone houses adorned with colorful flowers and flags. The surrounding fields are lush with fruit trees and various crops, adding a touch of natural beauty to the scene.
In this enchanting village lives Neyrouz, a 16-year-old boy, kind-hearted and cheerful. Neyrouz spends his days in the fields and streets, helping his father with agricultural work and taking pride in his skill in caring for the animals. He gathers with his friends in the village square to play and have fun, sharing laughter and conversations until sunset.
The spirit of simple living and camaraderie fills the village, where the inhabitants share joyful celebrations and support each other during difficult times. Everyone knows one another, bound by close family and community ties.
Neyrouz's life was full of simplicity and joy until that day when everything changed.
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On that day, as the sun was setting, something unexpected happened in Neyrouz's village. The villagers were taken aback by the appearance of a group of thieves at the outskirts of the village.
As the darkness began to creep into this charming corner of the earth, the villagers were stunned and fearful. They could not have imagined in their worst nightmares that such evil could reach the doorstep of their peaceful village.
Panic quickly spread throughout the village, and the narrow streets adorned with spring flowers turned into dark passageways filled with the sounds of screaming and terrified cries.
"Oh God, we're going to die!"
"I don't want to die!"
"Where is the village chief?"
"Yes, where is he? Call for him!"
At this moment, a middle-aged man with a strong build and a stern face emerged, speaking in a loud voice.
"Silence! I will talk to the thieves. If they want money, we will give it to them."
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At the village gate, about forty men on horseback, armed to the teeth, were laughing menacingly. A tall man, about 1.75 meters with a light beard and round face, raised his right fist, silencing the group behind him.
"Listen up, men! This village will give us the money when the chief comes, and then…" He laughed wickedly, looking back over his shoulder.
"We don't want just the money. We want the women and the blood!"
"Hahaha, the boss is the best!"
"Yeah, man, I haven't touched a woman in 10 days."
"Hey, what did you do with that hot blonde?"
"Got bored of her and fed her to the dogs who were hungry."
"Damn you! Why didn't you sell her to me for a bottle of drink?"
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At this moment, Pete, the village chief, returned home. As he entered, he found his wife and son Neyrouz huddled in a corner of the house. Neyrouz threw himself into his father's arms, crying in fear.
Pete patted his son's back, speaking to his wife, "Kina, you and Neyrouz will hide in the cellar while I give the money to the thieves."
Kina nodded with fear in her eyes, knowing her husband would face the thieves.
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While the villagers were gathering to discuss what to do, Nick, the leader of the band of thieves, advanced confidently towards them, holding a broad sword in his hand.
"Who is the chief here?" Nick shouted in a voice that shook the ground. The villagers froze in place, stunned by his sudden appearance.
"I am," Pete replied in a firm voice, stepping cautiously towards the thieves with a group of villagers carrying sacks of money behind him.
"Where's the money?" Nick demanded loudly.
"Here it is," Pete said, taking the money from the villagers.
Bam!
But Nick struck Pete's hands, scattering the sack. At that moment, another thief declared, "We don't just want the money, but the women and the blood!" His words incited wicked laughter from some of his companions.
At this moment, Pete swiftly tackled one of the thieves, throwing him forcefully to the ground. He used a large wooden stick he had skillfully hidden behind him to fend off another attack while the village men joined the fight, using any weapons they could find.
A fierce battle ensued across the village as the brave villagers clashed with the thieves in a relentless confrontation, with screams and cries filling the air.
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As chaos and conflict continued, the village was engulfed in violence and fervor. The clashing swords and cries of battle echoed in the air, and fires erupted in some homes, adding a sense of terror and destruction to the scene.
As the village sank into chaos, Pete cautiously made his way through the dark, burning alleys. He could hear the sound of clashing swords and continuous screaming, knowing that time was running out. When he reached his house and saw the cellar door still closed, he felt some relief. He bent down and cautiously opened a part of the door.
Suddenly, bam!
A strong blow from above struck him, knocking him unconscious instantly. Pete fell to the ground motionless, blood seeping from a wound on his head.
Kina heard the sound of the person who struck her husband, her eyes widening in terror as she clutched the cellar door tightly. She knew the thieves were getting closer.
"Who knew the village chief was a coward running from the fight? Hahaha!" The thief said with a malicious laugh.
The man turned back and saw the cellar door closed, smiling viciously.
"Ha, what pretty bird is hiding here?" He said, advancing heavily towards the door.
Kina felt the terror but remained steadfast. She tightly held Neyrouz's hand, whispering to him, "Stay quiet, no matter what happens, don't move or make a sound."
The thief slowly opened the cellar door, his eyes searching the darkness for his prey. At that moment, Neyrouz knew they had to act quickly. He whispered to his mother, "We have to stay here; we can't go out."
As the thief approached, Kina grabbed a wooden stick placed in the corner of the cellar, holding it firmly. When the thief was close enough, she struck him hard on the head. The thief fell unconscious to the ground, his voice not loud enough to attract the others' attention.
Kina knew it would be some time before he was discovered, so she firmly looked at Neyrouz and said, "Neyrouz, stay calm no matter what."
"Mom, I'm scared. Where are you going? Don't go out."
She held his face, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Neyrouz, remember, mother loves you very much."
As Kina tried to distract the thieves from Neyrouz, her heart pounded faster, and her emotions grew more turbulent. She knew this was the only way to protect her son, so she rushed out of the cellar, drawing the thieves' attention.
"Look! Someone is still alive!" One of the thieves shouted, pointing at Kina as she ran down the dark street.
The thieves quickly rushed towards her, trying to catch her. At that moment, Kina began screaming as loudly as she could to draw the thieves' attention away from the cellar where Neyrouz was hiding. Kina ran with all her strength through the narrow alleys, trying to get as far away as possible from where her son was hiding.
Meanwhile, Neyrouz watched through a small hole in the cellar door, his eyes filled with tears. He felt scared and helpless, but he remembered his mother's words and realized he must stay quiet and hidden.
As Kina moved away from the cellar, she encountered some villagers hiding in their homes. She urged them to stay hidden until the danger passed and continued running until she could no longer go on. The thieves hesitated for a moment, torn between continuing their chase or returning to plunder the village.
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As Kina ran, trying to draw the thieves away from Neyrouz, darkness enveloped the village. The savage thieves pursued her relentlessly, but she knew that sacrificing her life was the only way to ensure her son's safety.
In those crucial moments, the final battle between the villagers and the thieves intensified. The sound of clashing swords and battle cries filled the air. The villagers fought bravely, trying to protect what remained of their village. As time passed, the thieves outnumbered the villagers, and the villagers' numbers dwindled alarmingly.
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As the thieves wiped out the last of the defenders, Kina faced her fate. They finally cornered her in a narrow part of the village. Despite her bravery and resistance, the overwhelming numbers and brutal force overcame her. Kina fell in the end, a victim in the hands of the thieves, her last words reflecting her deep love for her son.
At the same time, Neyrouz listened in silent, profound sorrow to the events unfolding outside the cellar. Tears streamed down his face, but his heart was filled with determination to stay strong as his mother had told him.
After the thieves finished looting the village and burning the homes, only destruction remained. They left behind a horrific scene of ruin and death. Once Neyrouz was sure they were gone, he cautiously opened the cellar door and stepped out to find the village in ruins.
Neyrouz wandered among the debris, searching for his parents. He found his father, Pete, lying lifeless on the ground. He continued searching until he found his mother, Kina's body, and knelt beside her, weeping bitterly, clutching her last memories.
In the end, Neyrouz stood alone among the wreckage, the only survivor of the village.