A blinding flash and ear-splitting bang from high above interrupted the gentle rays of the crimson sunrise.As the flame-engulfed object fell from the heavens, Alex turned his head away from the farm.He leapt as his father's powerful hands grabbed him from behind, held him close, and carried him across the green field in stunned silence."Dad, what's going on?"Alex inquired.He was looking intently at the sphere of flame that was about to explode."Not much good."I took aim after cautiously emerging from behind the foliage and pulling back on my father's bow.When I thought about bringing Bambi back to my sister, I gave myself the tiniest grin because, at least from the tan fur to the strange, forking horns, it resembled the animal in my mother's stories.That was all I thought it had been, a story, up until this point.Yet, fantasy or not, the monster would end up being a truly necessary wellspring of food.I was warmed by the sun beating down on my back and I had a perfect view of my t
A young woman, not much older than I was, was leading the knights in a finely crafted white silk dress.She was tall, had raven hair, and her skin was pale.I knew she was in charge because of her long, confident strides.Despite the fact that she led my friend and his mother to unknown terrors, I resented myself for being swept up in her beauty.I looked around to see if any of the residents of the town would intervene.No responses were received.Everybody forged ahead with their exercises imagining that nothing was going on.They went so far as to avoid looking at the hotel where the woman and her nights were now congregating.They were insecure.Why then?What had transpired in my community?The knights immediately began pounding their metal-shod fists against their chest plates when the woman made a gesture.It was a warning.The group gathered in front of the inn, consisting of both adults and children.I heard knights' chests clanging like a death knell all over the town, and soon people
I carried only my father's knife and bow, a water canteen, and a small pouch of dried food in the cloth pack I carried on my back.I needed as much speed as I could get because anything else would have slowed me down.I had a maximum of two days to find a cure.I had to return to camp by the third day.Evan would pass away on that day.When I emerged onto the plain through the last of the trees, the sky was still dark, but sunrise was not far off.I could have seen Woodford even from the tree line if it had been light out.A short walk away was a large town that was practically a city.It was also my first and probably only stop because it was the only place where people lived for several days.Between Aurumburg, the capital of the Melior kingdom, and the shores to the east, the exotic southern kingdoms, Woodford was located next to the great Eldin River.Before the plague, the town typically saw at least one trade caravan pass through it every week.I could only hope that the plague would hav
Evan went on to say, "We were never like them."Because of Mom's lessons, we weren't even able to talk like them.After their deaths, we grew up even faster.Especially you.You felt responsible for both their and my deaths.She looked at me with compassion.Because there is nothing you can do, I did not tell you.Alex, I know you.I realize that no Alexer what I say you'll wind up assuming a sense of ownership with my demise, very much as you did when Mother and Father passed on.I simply desired for you to be spared some of the agony.It was significantly more clear now that Evan was major areas of strength for the.She was correct.That was clear enough from the nightmares I had.I already held myself responsible for the events.I couldn't help but think that none of this would have happened if Evan hadn't gone foraging so far from camp.She was also dying at this point.What I would dream about in a few days was all I could imagine.I shuddered in terrible anticipation of the concept."What exact
As I leaned closer, I compared my bare wrist to hers.My world collapsed around me as soon as I did.I couldn't think straight.I couldn't believe that things had come to this after all these years.The distinctive green was visible to me even in the dim light.She owned it.The plague abruptly turned in the direction of the farm just seconds before the flame-encased object was to hit.It's coming, warned Alex.His father increased his speed, but it was in vain.There was no way to escape it.The object's heat burned their skin as they were forced into a crouch as it flew inches above them.Then it was finished in the same short amount of time as it began.The object changed its course once more and flew straight up until it was far above the clouds and out of sight.They both stood looking up with a mix of fear and amazement as they let Alex down.Which one was it?Alex inquired.As if on cue, the sky burst into light as hundreds of objects entered the atmosphere, each engulfed in flames and lea
However, we didn't really need to talk.As perfectly as two people could know each other.Speaking to break the silence was more of a formality."Did anything get killed?"She inquired.I gave a head shake.However, while I was hunting, I discovered some new tracks.As long as you feel better, I'll pick up the trail tomorrow.She didn't respond to say she would be fine, which surprised me a little, but I assumed it was because she was so tired.I can't even tell you what animal I saw today.A "kangur?"Shaking my head, ILarge, shy Kangurs had thick brown or black fur, were massive, and could walk on two or four feet."Then what was it?""Do you recall what Mom told us about Bambi?"Did you see Bambi?The rest of our walk was filled with questions about the deer and speculation about what else our mother had told us that might be true. Her eyes were filled with wonder.Did penguins exist?Did firearms ever exist?It took us a long time to return to camp;Evan did not appear to be getting better.I
A blinding flash and ear-splitting bang from high above interrupted the gentle rays of the crimson sunrise.As the flame-engulfed object fell from the heavens, Alex turned his head away from the farm.He leapt as his father's powerful hands grabbed him from behind, held him close, and carried him across the green field in stunned silence."Dad, what's going on?"Alex inquired.He was looking intently at the sphere of flame that was about to explode."Not much good."I took aim after cautiously emerging from behind the foliage and pulling back on my father's bow.When I thought about bringing Bambi back to my sister, I gave myself the tiniest grin because, at least from the tan fur to the strange, forking horns, it resembled the animal in my mother's stories.That was all I thought it had been, a story, up until this point.Yet, fantasy or not, the monster would end up being a truly necessary wellspring of food.I was warmed by the sun beating down on my back and I had a perfect view of my t