Kael turned cautiously toward the sound. In the darkness, a tall, savage troll, covered in blood, its eyes blazing like fire, was focused on him. The troll grabbed Aue's head and crushed it. Aue was dead.
Maria tried to speak, but her voice was caught in her throat. She stammered and screamed. The children woke up with a sudden cry, but their awakening was the same moment they fell into eternal sleep. The troll mercilessly tore them apart with its club, slaughtering them. The cave had turned into a pool of blood.
Only Maria and Kael, drenched in cold sweat, remained in shock. Kael didn't know what to do. What had just happened? Was he having a nightmare? No, that was impossible. Only real life could bring such pain. Words were not enough to describe what he felt.
The number of survivors in the cave was dwindling by the second. Kael reached for his sword, but no… No, he couldn't do it. He was afraid. He was afraid to die. Even though his hand was on the hilt, he couldn't draw his blade. Instead, he grabbed the priestess's hand and ran out of the cave.
Behind them, Maria cried out desperately, "Help! We need help!"
Kael kept running without looking back. There was nothing he could do against that creature. A short while later, the last sound from the cave faded into silence.
Outside, Kael collapsed onto a tree stump and looked at the priestess, who was staring at him strangely.
"Turn around," he said. "It's going to rain."
The priestess, confused, asked, "What do you mean?"
Kael wiped his eyes with his hand and lowered his head. "See? I told you. It's already started," he murmured.
The priestess didn't know what to say. Kael had always seemed calm and strong, but now… Now, in her eyes, he was nothing more than a child.
After a brief silence, Kael wiped his face again and whispered, "Let's go. There is nothing here but sorrow. The trees will mourn in our place."
He started walking slowly. With each step, he moved even slower, his strength fading. Eventually, he lost his balance and collapsed to the ground.
The priestess caught him tightly and, in a gentle voice, said, "You can sleep now, Kael. Just close your eyes. Leave the rest to me."