The woodcutter, a man of modest means and unassuming nature, ventured into the woods with his usual diligence, his thoughts focused on the day's work. Snow crunched beneath his boots as he approached an unfamiliar clearing. Though he heard a strange rustling, he dismissed it as another ordinary sound of the forest. What he didn't know was that the noise came from the nest of the Omens—a place he had never encountered before.
Driven by curiosity, he moved closer, and stumbled a little too close, unwittingly disturbing the delicate balance of the nest. The ground beneath him shifted, and the unsettling energy he had felt became all too real. Large, menacing insects crawled through the earth, their ominous forms emerging from the shadows. Panic surged through him, but before he could flee, the Omens erupted from their hiding place, their exoskeletons glinting in the dim light.
His screams were swallowed by the cacophony of the Omens. The woodcutter was quickly overwhelmed, his body torn apart by the voracious creatures. The once-idle nest was now brimming with activity, and the sound of the woodcutter's death echoed through the forest, heralding the terror that would soon befall the village.
Back in the village, the air buzzed with urgency and tension. Grennyn had already set out, riding swiftly toward the sub-guild with a determined resolve. Meanwhile, the Yorgirs had made their way to the village chief's house, their faces etched with concern as they relayed the gravity of the situation.
"Chief Bergyn," Arwolt began, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his eyes, "we've identified the nest. It's a threat to the entire village. The Omens are coming, and we must prepare immediately. Every able-bodied person needs to assist in fortifying the village. We have to act quickly."
Chief Bergyn, an elderly man with a humble demeanor, nodded solemnly. "I understand. We will mobilize the villagers and take every precaution. I trust you to lead us in this. Do what you must."
"If the situation worsens, we must evacuate everyone to the village hall," Arwolt added.
Meanwhile, Arnolt was at the heart of the village, his spear at his side as he coordinated efforts to barricade doors, reinforce windows, and raise makeshift palisades. His earlier doubts had been replaced by focused determination as he moved from task to task, rallying the villagers and ensuring everyone was accounted for.
"I need everyone here! Call those still in their homes or outside the village to return immediately!" Arnolt ordered.
"What's going on, Arnolt?" a villager asked, his tone laced with skepticism. "Is this just another one of your drills, or are you just trying to stir up trouble?"
Arnolt's expression hardened. "This is no drill. There's a monster's nest in the woods, and we need everyone to stay in the village in case of an emergency."
Hingr Wynd, a quaint village nestled between the valleys, had been spared from danger for centuries, its residents blissfully ignorant of the perils beyond their borders.
The tension eased slightly as one of the hunters spoke up with enthusiastic tone, "Wait, the woods? You mean that big hole we found yesterday? So that was a monster's nest…"
The relief was short-lived. "Wait!" another villager shouted, "Someone's still in the woods—Grem, the woodcutter. He went in to gather firewood just an hour ago."
Arnolt's face darkened with worry. "What? Which part of the woods?"
"The area across the river, the same place you went before," the villager replied.
Arnolt's expression grew grim. He remembered the foreboding nest and feared the worst if anyone got too close. "Change of plans. Everyone, evacuate to the village hall and fortify it immediately!"
The villagers, though confused, followed Arnolt's instructions. He then rushed to warn others and headed straight for Xiona's house.
Xiona, who had ran back to her home, found her parents, Erleed and Meredynn, tending to the chicken coop. They hadn't yet heard the news, and her urgent scream took them by surprise.
"Mom, Dad!" Xiona yelled, breathless. "We need to help Uncle Arwolt and Arnolt right away! The village is fortifying—we need to—"
"Whoa, slow down and take a deep breath," Meredynn said soothingly, trying to calm her daughter.
"Yeah, we can't understand you if you're out of breath," Erleed added with a touch of humor. "Now, what's going on? What did your uncle and cousin find? We saw you leave for the woods earlier—were you training?"
"And what's this about fortifying the village?" Meredynn asked.
"We found a monster's nest in the woods," Xiona replied earnestly. "We need to board up the windows and doors, and help evacuate everyone if things go south."
Erleed tried to lighten the mood. "That's a lot to take in, Xiona. Are you sure you didn't hit your head while training with Arnolt?"
"Dad, Mom, please… I'm serious. There's—"
Before she could finish, Arnolt burst in, breathless and urgent.
"Uncle Erleed, Aunt Meredynn, you need to get to the village hall. Now!" Arnolt panted.
"Arnolt, what's going on?" Erleed asked, his confusion deepening. "Xiona said you found a monster's nest. Is that true?"
"Yes, Uncle. It's true," Arnolt replied quickly. "Warn everyone, grab food and clothes, and head to the village hall."
Xiona looked puzzled. "I thought we were supposed to barricade the houses. Are we changing the plan?"
"There's someone still out there," Arnolt explained, his voice tight with urgency. "I'm worried they might get too close to the nest. I need to bring them back."
"What? All by yourself? I'm coming with you," Xiona declared.
"No, stay here with your parents. I need you to help protect the village," Arnolt insisted.
"No fair! I want to be in the action too. Didn't I tell you I want to help?" Xiona protested.
"Xiona, listen to your cousin," Erleed urged.
"Xiona, I don't have time to argue. People's lives are at stake, so just do as I say, or—"
Before Arnolt could finish, a deep rumbling echoed from the woods. The sound was unmistakable—the Omens were coming