In the small village of Hallow's Bend, nestled in the shadow of great mountains, lived a boy named Ren. His family was poor but kind. His parents worked tirelessly on their little farm, and his cousin, Lila, was his constant companion. Despite their poverty, Ren's heart was full. He knew nothing of the cruelty of the world outside their small home.

That cruelty, however, was on its way.

One cold morning, Ren went into the woods to hunt, hoping to bring back food. The government had raised taxes, pushing the already struggling village to the brink. His father had pleaded with the tax collectors, explaining that they had nothing more to give. But the government showed no mercy.

While Ren hunted in the forest, soldiers came to their home. Unable to pay the outrageous taxes, his parents and cousin were condemned as traitors. The soldiers drew their swords, and in one swift, merciless action, they slaughtered his family.

When Ren returned to his village, he was greeted by a terrible silence. His heart pounded as he approached his home, feeling something was wrong. When he opened the door, his world fell apart. His father and mother lay dead, their bodies cold. Lila, too, had been killed, her face frozen in horror. Blood stained the dirt floor, and Ren fell to his knees, his cries of anguish echoing into the empty sky.

He wept until he could cry no more, clutching their lifeless bodies, begging the heavens to return them. But nothing happened. They were gone, and so was the life Ren had known.

He left the village that same night, no longer caring where he went. There was nothing left for him there. As he wandered, grief gave way to anger, and anger to hatred. The world was unfair, he thought. The weak were crushed beneath the weight of the strong. He vowed that he would never be weak again.