The city, once teeming with life, was now a heart-wrenching ruin. The boisterous noise of merchants and the energetic footsteps that adorned the streets were now replaced by an oppressive silence, scattered debris, and traces of blood. Black smoke rose into the sky, shrouding it in darkness and obscuring its lost color. In the distance, screams of fear echoed, mingling with the hurried steps of those fleeing the merciless destruction.
Amid the wreckage that bore witness to the savagery, Ian stood frozen. His eyes were fixed on the ruins of a house that had once been filled with cherished memories. It was here that he had grown, surrounded by the tender affection of his mother, Gaia, and the steadfast protection of his father, Gram. Now, all of that was reduced to a shadow, erased by the cruel hand of reality. Both his parents were gone, snatched away by the riots born of the Veldron Kingdom's brutality—a power that had long since lost its moral compass.
Ian's heart felt hollow. The loss was like a wound that refused to heal, gnawing at every corner of his being. His parents, who had always taught him courage and kindness, had become victims of senseless injustice. Caught in the crossfire of a corrupt power play, they had paid the ultimate price. Yet, amidst the suffocating grief, something stronger began to take shape within Ian—a burning desire for revenge. He swore to himself that the kingdom would not escape unscathed for what it had done.
But Ian was not alone. Beside him stood Gerude, his sister—a resolute woman whose sadness lingered faintly behind her determined gaze. Gerude was the only reason Ian had not succumbed entirely to despair. She radiated not only courage but also the hope that there was still something worth fighting for.
"Hold on, Ian," Gerude said in a calm but firm voice. "We have to go. There's still something we need to fight for."
Ian turned his head, his eyes filled with confusion and anguish. "But... Father and Mother... they..."
"There's nothing we can do for them now," Gerude interrupted, grasping Ian's hand tightly. "We have to carry on—for them. For the future."
With no other choice, Ian followed Gerude. They ran down streets turned into fields of devastation. Smoke and embers swirled around them, and the sounds of nearby clashes grew louder. But their flight came to an abrupt halt when a woman emerged from the shadows of the ruins ahead. She was dressed entirely in black, her long hair cascading down her back, and her eyes exuded an aura of mystery.
It was Elara, the witch they had met before. Ian froze at the sight of her amidst the chaos. Elara had been a guest at one of their family dinners only months ago, during one of the final peaceful nights before the Veldron Kingdom's descent into madness. Gaia and Gram, despite their modest life, were known for their hospitality and often hosted special guests.
"I came because your family is important," Elara had said back then, her voice soft but weighted with meaning. "There is a great power seeking to destroy the balance of this world. You need to be prepared."
At the time, Elara's warning had seemed like a distant, ominous tale. Now, it was all too real. The Veldron Kingdom, long a looming threat, had unleashed its wrath in a devastating onslaught.
"You can't stay here," Elara said now, her voice low but resolute. "The Veldron Kingdom has lost all sense. They won't stop until they've claimed more lives."
Gerude nodded silently, understanding the weight of Elara's words. Ian, however, was still trying to process the chaos. "But... where can we go? There's no safe place beyond this city," he said, his voice tinged with desperation.
"I'll take you somewhere safer," Elara replied without hesitation. "But you'll need to trust me."
Without delay, the three of them left the ruined city behind. The road ahead was desolate, the echoes of destruction fading into the distance. Yet, even as they moved forward, the shadows of tragedy clung to them. Ian understood that this was not the end but rather the beginning of a much greater journey.
The hope within him flickered but had not been extinguished. Ian and Gerude realized that while their loss had shattered them, they still had something worth fighting for—their lives and the future they could rebuild. The world around them had become a cruel place, riddled with threats, but they refused to give up. Their path was now clear: to survive and to rise against the empire that had torn their lives apart.