Humans are dead, most of them, and the remaining are suffering. Even when Gods have guided them far away from the dead lands, the current island lacks too much resources.
Humans and other remaining animals are barely surviving in this land. And as to give people punishment for their deeds, a portion of this new land is covered in heavy snow, tormented by snowstorms too often.
There are a group of people that are stuck in this snowhell and are trying to escape and reach a better area.
They have made small huts as homes and are surviving with minimum materials.
In one of the huts, 3 men are having a meeting, sitting in a circle with a wooden table in the middle.
"25: The area lacks water, and the only source of water is next to that creepy forest."
One of the men said, staring at the person in front of him.
"29: I know that, I also know that the path to that lake could be filled with threats."
The man replied, while reading a book.
"25: So you understand that the area is dangerous?"
The first man asked the second man.
"29: yes"
"25: Then why the hell would you send him there!?"
The first man said, loudly enough to make the second man close his book and listen.
"29: I didn't, he may have heard our previous conversation and ran there with a barrel to store water."
Hearing this, the first man got angry and said.
"25: How can you be so irresponsible, huh?"
Sensing the flow of the conversation turning violent, the third man joined in.
"27: Oh come on! You know he is much stronger than us elders, I would even say he is exceptional."
"25: Stronger or not he is just a child, as adults how can we send children towards danger?"
"27: oh come on you know he has done such things before, and it's just 30 minutes till he has gone, nothing will happen to him."
"25: yes! 30 minutes you heard me 30 whole minutes. It should take 10 min to reach there and with the jars it might take 15 min to return so he should have returned five minutes ago, but he hasn't."
"27: 30 minutes ain't no big deal he would be finding some fruits to eat right now."
This conversation was making the first man angry, the third man annoyed and the one in the middle… he just didn't care.
"25: you just don't understand I don't want him to get hurt he is my only child."
"27: he isn't completely yours we have decided that he is the village's child."
"25: yes but I don't want him to get hurt because I have taken care of him till now I have done everything for my chil-"
Just as he was about to complete his sentence, a sudden sound of the door opening made him silent.
"Pumpkin: I am back! With the water."
Said the boy in a black jacket with a t-shirt inside and wearing jeans with a large barrel on his back filled with water. The boy had fair skin and black hair and brown eyes.
…
The group of three men was sitting in silence as if they had been turned to stone.
"Pumpkin: 29 I was trying to find you, what are you guys doing here? Is this some kind of secret meeting to stop me from stealing your food?"
Not reading the mood, Pumpkin started talking silly.
"29: Oh… you are back, we were talking about you."
29 said, as he smiled at Pumpkin.
"Pumpkin: I see… Ok talk I am goin-"
"29: Close the door and sit next to my chair. Right now."
Being scared of what is going to happen to him, Pumpkin sat next to 29, an old man with a beard only.
The old man was wearing a white jacket and military pants, he looked like a hunter.
"29: Now, who told you to do this?"
Being asked this question, Pumpkin stood up slamming the table and said,
"Pumpkin: nobody I did it so that we can-"
Doing chores is a hassle, Pumpkin said while washing clothes.
"Pumpkin: why give punishment when I helped? Geez."
Seeing the pitiful sight, another old man wearing the same kind of clothes as 29 approached him.
"27: oi pumpkin enjoying yer time? Haha."
Pumpkin stares aggressively at the old man with his deep brown eyes.
"27: Oh come on don't do that or I might tell 29."
Hearing that, Pumpkin focuses on the work at hand so he doesn't get more.
27 sits on the rock next to him, silent for some time and then asked,
"27: you know that place is dangerous right?"
Pumpkin's gaze shifts towards him as he answered with confidence.
"P: I do. But no one here is more capable than me. So I had to go."
"27: well I appreciate your efforts but you should know that we were worried about you, especially 25."
Pumpkin looked in disbelief and said,
"P: Like I would believe you, teacher would never be worried about such a thing after all the time he tortured me."
25, a young man with black hair and brown eyes, was responsible for Pumpkin's education, therefore Pumpkin called him as teacher or master.
"27: He didn't torture you, he trained you so that you can be strong enough to not get hurt while doing your shenanigans."
Trying to believe what this old man was saying, Pumpkin asked hesitantly,
"Pumpkin: was he really worried about me?"
Hearing this, a smile appeared on 27's face.
"27: Believe me when I say this, he was dead worried about you. He was crying that you were gone and scolding 29 for letting you go."
Believing that the old man was playing around, Pumpkin exclaimed,
"P: You are definitely lying, there is no way he would do that."
Trying to prove that he is, indeed telling the truth, 27 blabbered on,
"27: I told you, it's true, he was acting like a baby-"
Just then, a hand approached 27's shoulder, which was 25's. Pumpkin avoided eye contact.
"25: come with me."
25 said, his eyes filled with anger as 27 stared in horror.
It was dark, and the moon was hiding behind the clouds, its light dull.
The land was already covered in snow and snowflakes coming from the sky were resting on the ground. The air felt chilly and the wind rustled the trees.
A snowstorm was approaching…
In a hut made especially for the village to sit together and enjoy their lunch or dinner, were sitting the village's people.
Two to three candles were given the task to brighten up the place.
Some were eating, some talking, and some doing both.
Some were joking and some laughing.
It was a light warmth that filled the room letting these people forget about the snow outside for some time.
"18: I know it was dangerous but the reward is worth it, now we don't have to worry about water for a whole month."
A man with white hair said, praising Pumpkin.
Everyone in the room or rather the whole village wore the same white jacket and military jeans, with the only exception as Pumpkin, who was everyone's favourite as the youngest.
Outside the hut, 29 was standing in the dark night, staring far away at precisely nothing.
"27: hey! 29 whatcha doing there isn't it cold."
…
29 could hear 27's words, just chose to remain silent for some reason.
"27: Answer me did cat take your tongue."
"29: I don't like night time, snow already is a nuisance and the moonlight barely provides any light, it feels dark."
"27: of course! Nighttime is for sleeping, it's hard to sleep when the lights are on."
"29: stop joking."
They talked for some more time about the night, about darkness and about life before the snowstorm approached and they decided to head back.
"29: it certainly is cold out here, let's head back. Even the storm is approaching."
Just as they were heading back, 29 saw something far away but visible approaching them, it was some weird lights and it looked like people holding lamps.
From closer view, however, it looked like some strange people approaching, they looked like a shadow of a human wearing a black gown and the only thing in light was something at the middle of their chests.
Behind this group was a giant yeti-like creature with bright shining eyes and the shine on the chest.
Seeing such a sight would terrify anyone, 27 and 29 were no different. They immediately started running towards the hut.
As they entered the hut and closed the door trembling, everyone looked at them in confusion as to what had happened.
Not taking any time to relax, 29 said, his lips shaking.
"29: It's the shadows. They are approaching us."
Everyone who heard this got shocked except Pumpkin, who was confused as he had no idea what they were talking about.
"25: They haven't approached us in years so why now all of a sudden?"
Hearing this, 27 replied,
"27: I don't know, but we can't fight them, there are some with three souls."
Pumpkin's confusion increased even more as he tried to understand what was happening.
"29: We have to make a run. Everyone! There is still time for their arrival, quickly take everything which is necessary and prepare to flee from here."
Hearing this, 25 asked,
"25: But, where will we go?"
"27: I have heard that people made cities in the north, we should head there."
27 answered, almost immediately.
Hearing this, 25 got more hesitant.
"25: But that forest, we will have to go through that forest!"
"29: We don't have a choice, it's better we find a way other than fighting them. We will have to go through that forest."
Pumpkin's patience finally broke as he asked loudly,
"P: What are you saying?! Why do we have to flee, what shadows?"
Ignoring him, 29 continued,
"29: Pack the remaining food somewhere and the wet clothes, take them too."
"P: Please tell me what is happening I don't understand a thing-"
"25: Pumpkin! We don't have time for all this, just listen to me, get your items from the house."
Listening to his master obediently, Pumpkin headed towards his hut, took his items, and filled them in a big black backpack.
After getting everyone prepared, they started heading towards the forest which was on the opposite side of the mob of shadows approaching.
They were moving stealthily as to not get the mob's attention.
Even then, the yeti-like shadow was able to sense the group which was trying to run away and escape with his shining eyes.
Just then, 25 looked back and saw the bright-eyed yeti shadow preparing something like an energy ball to throw.
"25: Get down!"
The ball was thrown and it caused considerable damage to the village and its people, sending the snow flying.
It was already hard to move in the snow, and the storm made it even worse. Still, 25 tried his best to stand up and approached the others.
"25: Is everyone okay! Pumpkin, where is he?"
"Pumpkin: I am fine, no bruises."
Pumpkin replied, looking at the shadows approaching in full speed.
"Pumpkin: We will have to run faster, I am going to carry you master, you are injured."
Hearing this, 25 said angrily,
"25: That is not possible now Pumpkin, running away I mean. Almost all the people got injured by the attack, we cannot leave them."
"Pumpkin: We can carry those who are unconscious; I can carry three people at once."
"25: There are thirty of us Pumpkin! And almost all of them are injured and unconscious, we cannot carry them all, and I am not going to leave anyone."
"Pumpkin: Then what do we do?"
"25: We cannot run and escape, but you can… Pumpkin."
Hearing this, Pumpkin stared at 25 with wide eyes.
"25: There is not much time, Pumpkin, you know the way to the forest from here right? Just hea-"
Not letting his master talk further, Pumpkin said aggressively,
"Pumpkin: Are you kidding me master?! You want me to run away while you guys die here? And what do you mean by 'we' and 'you'? Am I not one of you? Huh?!"
"25: That is not what I meant, I am just saying-"
"Pumpkin: I don't want to hear you talk, if you guys aren't going anywhere then neither am I!"
25 had nothing more to say… he just stood there… smiling.
Just at this moment, another energy ball approached, this time directly hitting 25, injuring him heavily and sending him flying.
The shadows have reached the place and escape now is not possible.
27, 29, and the others were fighting the human-like shadows, avoiding the yeti shadow, while Pumpkin was staring blankly at 25… his master.
"27: Pumpkin! Watch out!"
27, who was fighting the shadows with an axe, called out for Pumpkin.
Hearing this, Pumpkin looked at 27, and tried to understand the situation, but his mind went completely blank, everything slowly went silent.
Just where Pumpkin was standing, another energy ball, much larger, approached.
Not being able to move, Pumpkin stared at the bright light with tears in his eyes.
Right before the impact, 29 grabbed Pumpkin and jumped further, saving the two of them.
"29: Pumpkin! Don't go blank now, now is not the time."
29 said, slapping Pumpkin's cheeks.
Before getting a chance, Pumpkin and 29 were blown away by another ball of energy, which sent them flying.
Pumpkin's head hit a rock, causing his eyes to become blurry.
Blood was flowing through his head and his consciousness was slowly fading away. The only voices he heard before going unconscious were of the village's people screaming in pain, crying, and then he heard a faint, gentle voice,
"25: Pump-kin find your *****"
That is all he heard before closing his eyes…
…
After attempting to kill everyone, the shadow mob watched as all the village's people turned to crystals, which were shining brightly in the night.
The yeti-like shadow approached the crystals but was stopped by a ray of sunlight.
Looking at the source, the shadow saw the slowly rising sun. For some reason, after seeing the sun approaching, the shadows started heading back in the direction to where they came from.
The yeti-like shadow also left the crystals in their place and left with the shadow mob.
…
...
A faint ray of sunlight aimed at Pumpkin's face,
Slowly gaining consciousness, Pumpkin opened his eyes and sat up.
Looking in front, he saw the sun rising through the mountains, wherever the sunlight approached it made the scene feel heavenly…
It was a beautiful sight.
Pumpkin's gaze shifted towards the scattered crystals and he remembered the things that occurred before him going unconscious.
Quickly standing up, Pumpkin started running towards the crystals.
It was hard to move in the snow, running was even harder.
After falling once or twice, Pumpkin reached the crystals, and he immediately realized that they were the souls of his fellow villagers scattered around.
He immediately started picking every soul in his hands, but there were too many of them.
He tried again and again and again but failed to keep all of them in his hands.
Finally, Pumpkin fell on his knees and started smashing his head on a rock in the snow.
Blood started flowing through his head, tears started flowing through his eyes, snot started flowing through his nose, and his body was trembling.
Remembering the place where his master was blown up, he looked there and saw master's soul which was turned into a crystal.
His legs were numb and he was unable to walk, so he used his hands to slowly make his way there.
Blood, tears, and snot were all over the snow near him, but he didn't care.
As he reached the crystal, he grabbed it and pulled it closer to his chest.
Grabbing it tightly, Pumpkin started crying even more.
It was a pitful sight, it was a sad sight. It was the worst day to have eyes for seeing this scene and ears for hearing his cries.
…
Just as he was despairing and cursing over this fate, Pumpkin heard a rustle behind him.
He reflexively looked behind him and saw another shadow.