"Why are we stopping?" Someone in the crowd asked. Perytos wondered the same thing. They had been traveling for hours; the next stop should be soon; this was too early.

  Usually, a runner would announce the stop, now though only silence greeted the travelers at the back. Nervous chatter erupted like wildfire, people wondering and speculating. Were they under attack? Was it the beasts, just what exactly was happening up there?!

  Perytos felt cold sweat run down his back, from where they were standing he couldn't see anything; just the back of the many chaises and a forming crowd of villagers. The guards standing at bay never failed them before, even in the face of the strongest beasts. Never before had they have to stop so suddenly. Surely they would prevail even now. Right? Perytos convinced himself repeatedly, with each repetition he only grew more nervous.

  "I can't take it anymore!", the tension gnawing at him broke. He had to see, find out the cause less he went insane. His parents' worried voices couldn't stop him. "I'll be right back!" His voice carried by the wind.

  Passing other passengers, he saw them growing rowdy. Already the less patient ones hollered and shouted in confusion and fear. The atmosphere was thick like smoke, guards tried to ensure everyone all was fine; the act convinced no one, their eyes masked by doubt.

  When he got to the front, his breath hitched. Blood gushed out in streams. A man, furnished in leather armor was lying, bleeding on the ground. A steel bolt jutted out of his jugular, raspy pleading for help slammed into perytos like a physical force. They remained unanswered, no one rushed out to help him. We have healers in the caravan, so why is no one helping?! The stoic adventurers and monster hunters hired for the trip just stood there with no remorse. Perytos’ thoughts raced, fueled by insomnia and tension. Would he be abandoned the same way, by the people meant to protect him?

  A heavy arm stopped him from tending to the victim. "He's not one of us kid" a voice, seemingly powerful enough to crumble stone, barked out. Even so, Perytos couldn't hear it in his fixation. Trying to get free- The sight of seeing a person, a living intelligent human, bleeding out shocked him.

  Guilt overtook him as tears streamed down his face in apology to the man.

  "For god's sake, stop crying" The strong figure sighed, not used to crying children. Because that was what he was, just a kid. Unable to care for himself or others.

  The stranger's arm moved to his shoulder, trying to offer comfort. "I know the first time is hard, but he wasn't a good person- Just bandit scum shooting his shot." The growl at the end finally shook him out of the trance. As if in a haze, slightly uncertain he asked: "W- what do you mean, was that guy a bandit?" A grunt responded. "He jumped out the bushes and demanded money..." He rubbed his neck and pointing at a rough adventurer nearby, added. "So, Thomas over there shot him."

  Unblinking, the experienced mercenary flatly summarized: "Guy was so weak a single bolt put him down, barely even tier 2…" As if thinking of something intensely both the giant man and the arbalist stilled. Their eyes widened. An epiphany made seconds too late, still they tried. "SOUND THE ALARMS, INCOMING!!!" The tree line EXPLODED in chaos.

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  The guards at attendance snapped into attention, caught inattentive. Desperately preparing arrows and spells with shaky arms. Civilians cowered in terror as cloaked men burst from hiding. Bandits and thieves flooded the narrow road, blocking most avenues of escape. It began- Guards fell in torrents as the enemies unleashed their opening salvo.

  They didn't hesitate to take lives; their weapons parted flesh again and again. This isn't their first time orchestrating a slaughter. He noticed offhandedly, like it wasn't him being moments away from death.

  Everything blurred. The iron stench of blood mixed with sweat and fear. Shrieks of agony and clangs of metal overwhelmed him. All he could see were people dying left and right, a bloody massacre.

  He stood there, in place. With fists white from bewilderment. Like a statue, frozen by the atrocities of humankind happening before him. Only

  by miracle no stray projectile ended him.

  Blood splattered on his mouth and tunic- A headless guard collapsed in a macabre tune. Like a spell, it freed him. The executioner looked at him now, grinning. He licked his lips hungrily; his clothes stained with blood. Eyes full with madness. He approached the stumbling Perytos like a wolf would it's chosen prey.

  Perytos was hyperventilating, his heart was almost out of his chest. He run without looking, whatever it took to get out the madman's grasp.

  He ducked and weaved under chaises and trough the battlefield. His knees were scraped so only flesh remained, his tendons were hanging on by a thread. The pain focused him, guided him. Other fighters didn't concern him, just the man on his tail.

  More guards were dead than alive now; the tormentor realized this and stopped. Screaming something inaudible at Perytos he left, deciding to look for easier pray.

  It wasn't so easy to stop once he started moving. His feet took him to where his parents should be. Where they are. He corrected himself, with certainty build on confidence.

  When he arrived his breath turned from slightly shaky to rasping. His gaze slipped from a lack of oxygen. He almost lost his footing on the blood and gore- stained ground. No one was waiting for him, no familiar figure. Perytos' already frayed nerves threatened to break like old and frayed rope. This would be too much. His whole world was his family. His sight and hearing strained as he desperately looked through the battlefield.

  During his search he didn't see, couldn't see. A mage, from what side no one knew, weaved a monstrous spell. WHOOSH, the spell loosened from scarred hands.

  Huge swaths of flame fizzled and crackled in contact with human skin. The bitter stench of burned hair, along with animalistic screams, caught everyone's attention. The shrieks rose like a monstrous symphony. Smog blanketed everything instantly. Only Perytos didn't look back. Didn't care. His attention was already busy.

  "PERYTOS OVER HERE". A familiar voice, one he could recognize everywhere. He desperately pushed through the smoke and burned remains.

  He had to see them, even if one last time. Burns covered his body; his pace slowed to a crawl. Too slow. Still, he didn't give up, didn't despair. They are still shouting. Still there. Just a few more steps. Thump… Thump… Thump… Every step threatened to be the last, steel will prevailed.

  Metal glinted. Sharp pain flooded. Looking down, a curved dagger sticked out his stomach. The madman laughed with glee. "Not running now, are you little rabbit?". Perytos' own raspy, quiet voice surprised him "No… I need to find- them". His strength waned, he slipped to the ground. "schh little rabbit go to sleep now" almost gently the bloodied man caressed his cheek. Dancing on the edge of unconsciousness Perytos saw his whole world go up in flame. He failed, all was forsaken.

  The boy died, trying to save his family in a world too cruel for mercy.