From afar, the world was besieged by storms, with natural disasters occurring centered around the ocean. Gigantic waves shook the seas, and the sky was filled with thunder and lightning. Fierce winds and torrential rain darkened the earth. Yet, amidst all this chaos, there was one ancient land that maintained its tranquility. This mysterious place seemed to be protected by something, keeping it safe from external calamities. However, even in this land, human cruelty could not be avoided.
One day, a tragedy that would shatter their peaceful daily life arrived. Under the setting sun, the village was already engulfed in flames. The blazing fire shot up towards the sky, and the air was filled with hot ash and smoke. Breathing itself became difficult. Screams and cries echoed from all directions.
The invaders ravaged the village, laughing like beasts. Their eyes were filled with madness, and their hands were stained with blood. They trampled over the village's peaceful daily life in an instant. The villagers tried to flee in panic but were mercilessly struck down.
"Leave no one alive!" The leader's sharp voice rang out. His command was merciless and cold. All that lay ahead was looting and destruction.
"Plunder everything and burn it all!" The soldiers' cries followed. Their voices were filled with madness and excitement.
Those trying to escape were brutally killed, and their screams tore through the cold night air, reaching far and wide. The cries of children and the screams of mothers mixed together, creating a horrifying orchestra. The shadowy figures visible through the flames were reminiscent of scenes from hell. As people struggled and bled, the ground became stained with blood and tears.
A group of soldiers attempted to enter a forest path when the leader suddenly warned them.
"Do not go in there!"
The soldiers halted. An experienced old woman approached, looking at a map. Her eyes were filled with fear.
"That is a sacred place. We do not know what will happen if you enter."
Her words made the soldiers recoil in fear. Numerous terrifying rumors surrounded this place. Disappeared people, mysterious incidents... People called this place the 'Sanctuary'. It was a mystical place that no one dared to approach.
However, filled with curiosity, the leader pointed to one of the captured villagers and gave an order.
"Throw that one into the Sanctuary."
The captive, in a daze, desperately resisted and cried out.
"No! No! Don't go there... A calamity will occur... Everyone will die!"
His voice trembled with despair and fear. The captive, terrified, flailed his arms and legs. But the soldiers coldly pushed him into the Sanctuary. Everyone held their breath as they watched. The soldiers, too, nervously pushed him in. But nothing happened. The soldiers murmured in astonishment. The leader sneered.
"So it was just a superstition after all... Foolish ancestors..."
His voice was cold, with a mocking laugh. The old woman cautiously suggested.
"Let's wait for about three days and see what happens."
Her voice was trembling. The captive, trying desperately to escape the Sanctuary, bit his tongue and killed himself before the soldiers could push him back in. His death caused a momentary shock but soon the invaders returned to their cold expressions.
Three days passed, and nothing happened. The old woman asked the leader.
"What will you do?"
Her eyes were filled with anxiety. The cautious leader, believing that the ancestors' tales were not mere stories, decided to return to their base. His decision instilled confidence in his subordinates. In the meantime, most of the villagers were either killed or taken away. The streets were strewn with blood-soaked bodies, and only charred remains were left.
"Everyone has been dealt with." "Everything you ordered has been completed."
The soldiers reported in cold, mechanical voices. The leader laughed heartily and said.
"Let's go back!"
His laughter seemed to celebrate their victory. The soldiers cheered as they left.
After they left, only ashes remained in the village. Bodies were scattered everywhere. As they departed, the sky darkened, and it began to rain. The rain washed over the village, cleansing the blood from the bodies. The ground turned into a sea of blood, and a horrifying scene spread out. Blood and rain mixed, making the ground sticky, and the bodies looked even more gruesome.
The invaders felt an eerie presence as soon as they reached their base. A sense of foreboding crept over them. They discovered something strange at their base and were horrified. The surrounding trees had withered, and the air was heavy with an unidentifiable foul smell.
"What... is this..."