Far from the palace, in a small, peaceful village near the forest, Jou was busy with his daily chores. He lived a simple life, taking care of his mother and younger sister, Arri. Though timid by nature, Jou was known for his kindness, always willing to help anyone in need.
As the sun rose, casting a soft glow over the village, Jou was preparing to head out for his daily work.
"Mom, I'm going to work now," he called as he strapped his axe to his back.
His mother, a gentle woman with warm eyes, smiled at him from where she sat by the window.
"Alright, son, but don't forget that today is your sister Arri's birthday. Come back early."
Arri, a lively girl no older than eight, ran to her brother, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yes, brother! Don't be late. I won't eat until you're back!"
Jou chuckled, ruffling her hair.
"I'll be back soon, don't worry."
With that, Jou left the house and headed into the forest to chop wood, his mind filled with thoughts of Arri's birthday. He wanted to get something special for her, so he decided to cut more wood than usual.
"Since it's Arri's birthday, I should work harder today," he thought to himself. "That way, I'll earn more money and buy something nice for her."
As he ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew colder, and a thick fog began to settle over the ground. The trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches twisted and bare. Jou found a dried-up tree and began chopping it, the sound of his axe echoing in the stillness.
Suddenly, a soft growl broke the silence. Jou froze, his heart pounding as he turned to see a wild dog staring at him, its teeth bared, eyes fixed on him. Instinctively, he gripped his axe tighter, but his body trembled with fear. The dog took a step closer, growling low in its throat. Panic seized Jou, and without thinking, he turned and ran, plunging deeper into the forest.
Branches scratched at his arms as he sprinted through the thick fog, his breath coming in short gasps. Behind him, the wild dog gave chase. His foot caught on a root, and he fell hard to the ground, his axe slipping from his hand. The dog was upon him, ready to attack.
But before the dog could reach him, an arrow whizzed through the air and struck the animal, killing it instantly.
Jou, still trembling, slowly got to his feet, looking around in confusion.
"Who... who saved me?"
His question was left unanswered as he turned and saw a horrifying sight. Bodies of soldiers hung from the trees, their limbs twisted and mutilated, their mouths stuffed with their own severed parts. The ground beneath his feet was slick with blood, and as Jou took a step back, he realized he had stepped on someone's intestines.
Horrified, Jou stumbled away, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't stay here. He needed to get home.
He ran through the forest, not stopping until he reached the edge of the trees. But when he finally reached his village, his heart sank.