"Why are you doing this?!"
I heard my father's voice shouting outside the house. I had just woken up from a nap after helping him plant seeds for the season. Confused, I quietly sneaked out, hiding my presence as I watched what was happening.
A man in a black robe stood in front of my father. His face was mostly covered, only his mouth and a few strands of white hair visible. He didn't say a word.
"What did my family do to you?! We're just farmers! Why are you doing this?!" my father yelled, his voice trembling with desperation.
The man didn't answer. He glared at my father, drew his blade, and stabbed him in the neck. My father's body fell, pinned to the ground like an animal slaughtered for meat.
The man slowly turned his head, his gaze locking onto mine.
My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed. My entire body shook, my mind refusing to believe what I had just seen. "This isn't real… it's just a dream," I whispered, pinching myself hard. But the pain told me the truth—this was no dream.
"I need to help Father!" I mumbled, forcing myself to stand despite trembling legs. But when I got up, the man in the black robe was gone.
I rushed to my father's side. He was lying in a pool of his own blood, his lifeless eyes staring into the distance.
"Father…" My voice cracked, tears spilling from my eyes.
I stumbled back toward the house. "Mother! Mother! Father needs help!" I called out, my voice breaking. But there was no reply.
Then I noticed it—flames. The whole town was on fire. The streets were empty, no signs of life anywhere.
I ran inside. "Mother! Where are you?! Please answer me!"
A faint cry reached my ears.
I followed the sound and found my baby sister lying in my mother's arms. My heart sank. My mother was on the floor, blood everywhere, her lifeless body holding my crying sister.
I froze. My mind broke.
I fell to my knees, biting my nails, scratching my head, and digging my nails into my face. Nothing made sense. Why was this happening? What had we done to deserve this? And then—everything went black.