The Gathering
Chapter 25: The Gathering
The sun rose gently over the small village, casting a golden hue across the modest homes and vast fields that surrounded the area.
In the center of the village, Sam stood before his large wooden house, a structure that dwarfed the other homes nearby.
A wide dirt road stretched in front of his home, flanked by simple houses on either side.
The villagers had gathered here in numbers, their voices buzzing with concern and curiosity.
Sam raised both hands in the air, calling for attention. "Please, everyone, quiet down and listen to me!" His voice carried over the restless murmurs, and gradually, the crowd settled into silence, their anxious gazes fixed on him.
Sam took a deep breath before continuing. "I know it's early, and I'm sorry for pulling you from your homes like this. But what I have to say is important."
The crowd murmured softly, exchanging uneasy glances. A woman near the front stepped forward. "Sam, who are these people? Why are there bodies lying here?" Her voice trembled, reflecting the unease shared by the others.
Sam nodded solemnly and raised a hand to calm the whispers before replying. "Earlier this morning, while we were returning from our hunt, we found these people in the forest. They were dead."
A wave of shock rippled through the villagers. Gasps and murmurs filled the air as they began to speculate among themselves. Sam raised his voice again, trying to regain control. "Quiet, please!"
When the crowd fell silent, he continued. "The way these people died... it doesn't seem natural."
From somewhere in the crowd, a man called out. "Maybe they were killed by animals?"
Sam turned toward the man, his expression grim. "At first, we thought the same thing. But their injuries don't match any animal attack I've ever seen. Something else is going on here."
The villagers began whispering nervously once more, their fears evident. Sam could see the anxiety spreading like wildfire.
To calm the rising panic, Sam raised his hands again. "I understand your concern, but I assure you, we'll handle this. We've faced many challenges before, and we've always found a way through. This incident is no different."
One of the villagers voiced the fear on everyone's mind. "Sam, but this isn't like anything we've seen before! This is happening now, not during the Emergency Days."
The mention of the Emergency Days—an event tied to a dangerous annual phenomenon—sent a chill through the crowd. Sam addressed the concern.
"That's exactly why I've decided to take action. I will travel west to meet with the members of the Sword soku Clan. They are powerful warriors, and I'm certain they can help us."
The crowd fell silent, digesting this information. Adam, standing near the edge of the gathering, furrowed his brow. "Sword soku Clan?" he thought. "Why would Sam seek help from them? Shouldn't he go to the king or the noble families? Isn't this their responsibility?"
Adam's confusion deepened as he noticed the growing fear in the villagers. The name "Sword soku Clan" seemed to evoke a mixture of reverence and trepidation. Adam couldn't quite understand why everyone seemed so unnerved, but he decided to keep listening.
Sam took another deep breath and continued. "I know this isn't an easy decision, and I don't expect everyone to understand. But I believe the Sword Clan can help protect our village. This is why I'm asking for volunteers—people brave enough to join me on this journey."
Before Sam could finish, a man in the crowd raised his hand. "Sam, you know what happens to people who leave the village and travel through the forest. Half of them never come back!"
The statement sent a ripple of unease through the crowd. Adam's mind raced. "Half of them die? Then how do people travel between cities? How does trade even happen?" These questions swirled in his head, but he kept his thoughts to himself, focusing instead on Sam's words.
Sam acknowledged the man's concern with a nod. "I won't force anyone to come with me. This journey is dangerous, and I understand if you choose not to volunteer. But I need brave souls who are willing to take this risk for the safety of our village."
The crowd grew eerily quiet. The fear of the forest was deeply ingrained in the villagers. They knew of the magical beasts and feral creatures that roamed the woods, making any journey perilous.
Sam's heart sank as he scanned the crowd. Not a single hand was raised. He had hoped for at least a few volunteers, but the villagers' fear was palpable.
Just as despair began to creep into his thoughts, a single hand shot up. It was Ricky, Adam's father.
Sam's eyes lit up with relief, and a small smile crept onto his face. "Ricky," he thought, "I knew you wouldn't back down." Ricky's courage seemed to spark something in the others.
Slowly, more hands began to rise. One by one, villagers stepped forward, until ten volunteers had committed to the journey.
Adam watched his father with a mix of admiration and concern. "Dad..." he thought, unsure of what to feel.
Beside him, Yami's eyes filled with tears. Adam noticed her trembling and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Yami, what's wrong?" he asked gently.
Before Yami could respond, Sophia spoke up. Her voice was soft but carried a note of sorrow. "Didn't you hear, Adam? Half of the people who try to cross the forest never come back."
Adam's heart sank. He finally understood why Yami looked so distraught. He glanced at Eric, who was standing nearby, his face equally clouded with worry. Adam clenched his fists, a storm of emotions brewing within him.
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The chapter ends with the villagers staring at the group of volunteers, their hearts heavy with fear and hope. Meanwhile, Adam grapples with the weight of the situation, knowing that his father is about to embark on a perilous journey.
End of this chapter here.