Running helped the boys ease their minds. It was always their pastime activity, so it brought a sense of peace.
Kaiser lost like usual but he was still happy this time. Maybe it was because they hadn't raced in over 2 months.
When they stopped to take a breath and figure out where they could help out. They saw it.
In the distance, near the trees, someone was floating in mid-air.
His heart tightened and worry could be seen on his face, but what could anyone do?
The person was too far to make out details, but no one in the village could fly. Not that they knew at least. It was at that time that more people started noticing the floating stranger.
No one was happy though. Their enemy was whatever came from the forest, meaning that was the opponent.
'I mean, my weapon can shapeshift. I guess it makes sense for more weird things to happen. I still don't like it.'
He began to hear the people around him speculate how to fight such an opponent. Morale was dropping, fast.
The Chief, Daren, arrived with Kaiser's dad following right behind him. Daren started speaking, but then, the world went dark.
Sounds couldn't be heard, sight was black, and the only thing you could smell was blood.
Each person entered their own hell.
The weaker-minded people started breaking down immediately. Their cries were not heard by anyone as they experienced the same thing.
A moment later, their senses returned.
The ones who weren't a mess recovered fast and checked the surroundings. To the villager's horror, Chief Daren was standing where he had been, but without a heart.
He promptly fell to the ground with wide eyes. Blood spread across the platform, even falling off the front.
Next to the dead body stood a 7-foot-tall being with 2 horns coming from its head.
It didn't have a shirt on and was pale in color. Its eyes were black and slit, like a cat. Half his body was covered in the Chief's blood and his hand held his heart.
Most who got through the blackening felt sick and scared. How was this person so strong?
Kaiser's dad took a few steps back, disbelief in his eyes, and unintentionally slipped off the platform and hit his head on a wooden pallet, rendering him unconscious.
Kaiser was terrified. His uncle had just died in front of his eyes and they couldn't even try to stop it.
He wanted to cry but he couldn't. Not right now, It wasn't the time. All he could do was stare at the lifeless body.
'Where… where did dad go? He was just behind Uncle Daren. '
A horrible thought reached his brain, but he pushed it out as fast as it came in.
'There's no saying he was killed too. Maybe the demon person took him away or something. Yeah, that sounds about right. I have to get him back.'
Delusion struck the boy's mind. He was lost now, he cared about the village, but his dad and uncle were the only blood family he had. Thankfully he still had Jak, who was like a brother to him.
Jak was also horrified but decided to bring his brother back.
Therefore, he slapped Kaiser across the face. Crisp and clean.
The victim of the slap looked at who did it and a little light found its way into his eyes.
'Jak.'
'Right, I still have Jak. We should leave before we die too.'
New determination found its way into his eyes.
However, at that time, the devil started laughing.
It sent chills down his spine while a terrible feeling gripped his chest. Something bad was about to happen.
Before anyone could say anything to the devil, it waved its arm out, and said, "Turn."
Kaiser was worried that this was when something bad was about to happen, but the only thing he felt was the ring burning his skin. It didn't scorch him, but it was unpleasant.
He waited for a moment and turned towards Jak. Kaiser was going to try and sneak away with him.
However, Jak's eyes suddenly dimmed, and his posture changed slightly.
Jak clenched his fist.
"What are you doing Jak?" Kaiser whispered.
Jak didn't respond.
Instead, he raised his arm and punched.
This was the last thing Kaiser expected and so it landed right on his jaw. Knocking him to the ground.
The power an 11-year-old could output wasn't large, but the amount of damage a 10-year-old could take was even less.
His brain spun, forgetting for a moment what happened. He looked around and saw his fellow villagers all fighting each other. Some had spears that pierced through flesh. A piece of someone's shoulder even flew and landed next to Kaiser, slightly touching his hand.
Bladed weapons were being used and blood spilled so effortlessly. Meanwhile, the devil looked at it all with happiness. As if it was his birthday.
Kaiser woke up when another fist was thrown at his head. This time he got his arms up in time.
Though it did sting and made him wish he could sleep, and it all go away.
He was confused. Why were his people killing each other? Everyone was so nice and considerate. This can't be right.
'There's so much blood.'
"Kaiser!" Jak yelled. His eyes seemed to be pleading something.
Perhaps it was the real Jak that gave him the warning, but it appeared to take a lot of effort.
Kaiser secretly thanked his friend, now he knew to take this more seriously. Or he would die next.
He was already distraught, but what was he supposed to do? Kill his friend? Nonsense.
He took another hit.
'I can't kill him.'
Kaiser secretly pleaded to the gods.
'Please help us.'
No one answered, but the punches of his friend.
His arms were getting bruised, and his head spun even more.
All he could do was take hits. He couldn't win against his brother. He'd never won against him in anything physically related.
Randomly, the hits stopped, and Kaiser opened his eyes, trying to find out why. Jak had walked away towards where the adults were killing each other. Jak's willpower affected what was taking over his mind and forced it away. That was all he could do; the rest would be left to fate.
'Is he leaving me alone? I can't let him die by the adults though. Do I, go for the devil instead?'
Perhaps killing the devil would free his friend.
With a body feeling like crap, Kaiser stood back up and started something of a run. It was improper because his body was slowly failing. His friend's hits hurt more than he thought.
He wasn't too far from the platform, so he made it quick. The devil spotted him from earlier and looked intrigued more than anything.
His spell didn't work on this child, but why?
Kaiser climbed the stairs and started his run again. He willed the ring to transform into the dagger and charged toward the devil. Dagger in front. A pitiful attempt it was, but the devil was having the time of his life.
The devil sidestepped and slapped Kaiser's body off the platform, landing on the ground harshly.
With an evil glint in his eyes and a big smile, the devil spoke again, "Turn."