In the midst of a vast rice field, brimming with crops ready for harvest, the golden hue of the stalks shimmered like precious gold under the warm autumn sun. It was late October, and the air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of ripe grains ready to be plucked from their beds.
Along the field's narrow path, a figure called out, her voice floating over the expanse with a cheerful lilt. "Little Torin! Little Aeliana, lunch is ready, come and eat!" Her words, warm and inviting, danced across the breeze, reaching the two young figures who were diligently cutting down the rice plants with seasoned ease.
The pair looked up from their labor, their faces lit by the soft afternoon light. "Okay, mom!" they replied in unison, their voices carrying a blend of respect and playful defianc+e.
Torin added with a grin, "Also, we're not little anymore!" His comment sparked a burst of laughter from Aeliana, her joy echoing back to the woman who had called them.
The laughter was infectious, and even their mother, standing at a distance, couldn't help but laugh along. She watched them for a moment longer, pride swelling in her chest as she admired the young adults they had become, so dedicated and full of life, thriving like the golden crops around them.
"Alright, alright, come on, let's eat while it's hot," the mother called out, her voice floating warmly over the sunlit fields as she began her walk back towards the distant cottage.
"Race you there! Whoever loses will have to wash the pots!" Torin declared, bundling the last of the harvested rice before dropping his sickle and sprinting off.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Aeliana protested with a pout, quickly placing her tool down and rushing after him.
Their laughter filled the golden fields as they raced each other, a light-hearted competition under the broad, open sky.
As Torin took the lead and passed his mother, his mother shook her head but smiled, her voice carrying behind him. "Hey, hey, hey, careful! You don't have to run! There's enough food for everyone!" she laughed.
"Sorry, Mom, but I won't be washing the pots today!" Torin called back jubilantly, glancing not at his mother but at Aeliana, who was lagging significantly behind with flushed cheeks.
Their mother laughed heartily, turning to see Aeliana finally catching up to her, gasping for air.
"Huff...huff..."
Seeing her future daughter-in-law on the brink of defeat, she whispered a playful tactic into Aeliana's ear. Energized by the whispered words, Aeliana's eyes sparkled with mischief. As Torin was just a few meters from the cottage, she gathered all her strength and called out, "BROTHER TORIN! IF YOU LOVE ME, STOP MOVING!"
Torin stopped dead in his tracks, as if an imperial edict had been declared, his feet planted firmly in the soft earth.
"Wahahaha!!!!! She got you good, kid!" The onlookers at the cottage burst into laughter.
"HAHAHA! I used to use this trick too when I was young!" echoed through the crowd, as they watched the scene unfold with amusement.
Despite the laughter and the red flush of embarrassment on his face, Torin remained motionless. Soon, his mother, with Aeliana at her side, caught up and passed him, reaching the cottage first.
"I win!" Aeliana proclaimed triumphantly, exchanging high-fives with the gathering before turning back to Torin, who was still frozen in place.
"You can move now," she said with a playful smile, her voice laced with victory.
"Guess I'll be washing the pots again, hahaha!" Torin said to Aeliana, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he laughed and pulled her into his embrace. Truth be told, he had been planning to "accidentally" trip on something anyway.
"Brother Torin... Stop..." Aeliana's face turned a deep shade of red as she lightly pushed him away, her voice a whisper. "Everyone's watching," she added, her eyes darting around nervously.
"Who's watching? I don't see anyone," Torin replied with a playful grin, closing his eyes and planting a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Wahaha, atta boy!" Behind Torin and Aeliana, a group of elders chuckled approvingly at his antics. They began to settle down into a large circle around the dishes, their laughter echoing warmly across the fields. "It's truly good to be young, hahaha."
At this, Aeliana's cheeks flushed even redder, warmth spreading throughout her body and heart as she was swept up in the moment's joy and embarrassment.
"Let's eat," Torin said softly, taking her hand and leading her towards the gathering. Together, they joined the elders, ready to share in the meal and the day's light-hearted spirit.
In front of the group was an array of meals freshly prepared by some of the elders and Torin's mother. The spread included fish soup, grilled fish, wild herbs, vegetables, fruits, and even chicken dishes—ample food for everyone.
"Since everyone has been working so hard in the fields, I couldn't skimp on the food, could I?" Torin's mother announced cheerfully. "Let's eat, everyone," she added as they began to distribute rice and portion out the dishes. Laughter and lively conversation filled the air as everyone tucked into their meal with gusto.
With the sun high in the sky, pouring down its intense light, the group decided to seek shade and rest. They planned to resume work once the sunlight became gentler.
As the sound of pots and dishes being washed resonated, Torin, having lost his bet, began to fulfill his duty. "Torin, let me help you," Aeliana, the winner of the bet, offered as she joined him to clear out the pots and dishes. Her gesture warmed his heart, and he smiled. "Thank you, baby," he said. They sat side by side like lovebirds, washing and chatting.
From afar, a group of elders watched them with smiles. These elders, hailing from either Torin's or Aeliana's families, knew their love story well. They had witnessed the couple growing up side by side, confessing their love, and facing challenges together. The joyful atmosphere was palpable, as after the harvest season, on the first of December and before the onset of winter, Torin and Aeliana were set to marry.
As they finished their chores, the couple walked back towards the field. "Kids, it's high noon; you'll be sick if you work in the sun for too long," an elder called out, noticing their activity.
"Don't worry, uncle! We're going to find a spot to stay cool," Torin replied as he and Aeliana made their way to one of the mango trees that planted in the field. These trees, spaced throughout the field, planted by their grandparents years ago, not only provided shade during hot days but also bore fruit in the summer, making them perfect rest stops.
Beneath the mango tree's shade, the couple lay down, a light breeze filtering through the leaves, offering them a cool respite from the heat. They talked about many things—dreams for their future, cherished memories from their past, and the joyous present. Side by side, their laughter mingled with the soft rustle of the mango leaves. As their conversation deepened, their closeness grew, leading to a tender kiss. Their breaths warmed in the quiet seclusion of their shaded retreat, luckily, no one would bother them here.
As the sun began its descent from the zenith, the heat of the day started to wane, casting longer shadows across the fields where Torin and Aeliana had spent a peaceful afternoon. They walked back to the spot they had left earlier, feeling the cooler air settle around them as the intense heat of the day ebbed away. The landscape, bathed in the golden hues of late afternoon, seemed to hold a quiet promise of the coming evening.
In the distance, the group of elders also trudged back towards the fields, their movements slow but determined. Winter was only a few weeks away, and the urgency to finish the harvest infused their steps with purpose. They exchanged nods and quiet words of encouragement, each one steeling themselves against the fatigue of the day's earlier labors.
"Ready?" Torin asked Aeliana, his voice carrying a mixture of resolve and warmth as he picked up the sickles and other tools they had carefully laid on the ground earlier. The tools felt heavier now, a reminder of the work still ahead.
"Un," Aeliana nodded affirmatively, her eyes meeting Torin's with a loving smile that spoke volumes of her support and shared commitment. "Let's finish this," she said, her voice steady and encouraging. She stood beside him, ready to face the remainder of their task together.
As they positioned themselves to start cutting the remaining stalks of rice, the serene atmosphere was abruptly torn apart. It was as if the very air around them fractured—a colossal, thunderous explosion sounded terrifyingly close, so loud and deafening that Torin felt his senses reel. The ground seemed to vibrate under his feet, and the air shimmered with the force of the sound. "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!"
In that split second, everything turned chaotic. Torin's vision blurred, and his ears rang sharply. The world around him dimmed, slipping into darkness, his consciousness faltering. The last thing his mind grasped onto as he succumbed to the darkness was the image of Aeliana's smile
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Time became a nebulous concept as Torin drifted in and out of consciousness, unaware of how long he had been lost in the void. When awareness finally clawed its way back to him, it brought with it a torrent of pain unlike anything he had ever endured. Agony coursed through every part of his body, a relentless tide that threatened to rip his sanity apart.
"Ugh...argh..." His groans filled the air, raw and ragged. His fingers twitched involuntarily, and his eyelids fluttered in a futile attempt to open. Each movement was a torture, sending fresh waves of excruciating pain that ultimately dragged him back into darkness.
After what seemed like an eternity, a jolt of urgency snapped Torin's mind awake once more. The pain had ebbed slightly, but it was still an overwhelming presence, pulsing through him with each beat of his heart. Clenching his teeth against the searing pain, he realized the grim truth—if he allowed himself to lose consciousness again, it might be for the last time. He might never awaken.
"Ugh...UGH...ARGHHHHH!!!!" He roared, channeling all his remaining strength into the effort to open his eyes. Slowly, painstakingly, his vision cleared, and light trickled into his sight, but it was not the light of relief or comfort.
"Argh...argh..." he moaned again, each breath a labor, each sound a testament to his suffering. But the pain of his body was momentarily forgotten as he took in the scene before him.
His world had indeed turned upside down. Gone were the golden hues of the ripe rice fields, the comforting presence of his friends and family, and the loving smile of Aeliana. Instead, Torin was greeted by a vista of utter devastation. The landscape around him was unrecognizable, transformed into a grim tableau of destruction. The fields were scorched earth, and the air was thick with the stench of smoke and ruin.
Destructions was everywhere.
It was as if he had awakened into a nightmare—a nightmare from which there was no escape, an unending nightmare.