In this Gauntlet of Life

The ploughs churned the soft earth, the soil rolling gently as the grooves gradually formed, ready for sowing. With every few movements of the plough, a new seed was dropped into the soil and gently pressed in. The first fallen leaves of autumn blew in the breeze, the patterns of brown breaking up the endless blue skies.

In this moment, all was calm and peaceful for the Suchi family. The small but tight-knit family had toiled on these lands for centuries, working hard at the humble farm in the borderlands of the kingdom. It was a rather meagre living, but it was never mundane. To the family, every seed counted. It meant more food and money, more prosperity and ability to provide each year.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, young Pako continued dragging the plough across the soil. At just 6, this was his first year working on the farm. Not an ideal life for a child, but in these lands, it had to be done. Pako was the youngest of the family, a boy of 6, like most boys his age. His hair was a scruffy mess of black, his eyes green like a field. Whilst his father moved through the field with relative ease, his small body strained with each pull of the plough. As he and his father worked the field, his mother and elder sister Mairi worked the house, preparing dinner for the family as the sun began its return trip past the horizon.

After several more hours of hard work, once the sun had begun to vanish beyond the field. The family gathered around the small table. It was a special treat for the family, as last harvest had been fortunate enough that they had been able to be able to by a few new things, like some new chairs, and even some decent food. Most days it was but bread and perhaps some meat, but today the family was able to enjoy a nice, large pie, filled with pork, carrots, leeks and more. Pako savoured each bite of the tender pork and soft vegetables. He even ate from the crumbly pastry, it was so delectable. It was felt amongst the family that they had a little bit of fortune.

But fortune is so often fleeting.

The night was dark, not one star dotted the sky, only the endless void of black. Young Pako slept on some straw gathered into a small messy pile. Quite uncomfortable, but still softer than the floor. The only sounds heard on the farm were the sweeping winds and the hoots of owls.

Then another noise broke through. People were talking and bawdy laughter was being exchanged. 'But who'd be out now' young Pako thought to himself, rousing from his slumber.

Then there was a light. It started gentle, but soon began glowing brighter and brighter. Soon enough the light was as bright as the sun, as crackling penetrated the boys eardrums.

Then there was the smoke, slithering through the windows, slow grabing hold of his throat and pressing the air from his lungs.

If young Pako was awake before, he was now in a full panic. He lept from the straw and ran as fast as his little legs could carry him.

A hand grabbed him by the hand and pull him back. It was his mother.

"Pako! Stay in here!" His mother cried terror clear upon her face

"Ma, w-what's-" Pako whimpered, the words catching in his throat.

"I don't know, baby." Was his mothers only response

It made no sense to young Pako. His mother always had the answers. Why was she unable to now?

Wild laughter and sorrowful screams .erupted as the crackled became primal roars. Flames poked out from the other sides of the windows. A cacophony of noise as calm had so quickly become chaos.

"Get back to your room and hide" his mother ordered.

Young Pako was ready to follow without question, turning back. A loud bang echoed around the house, the door almost flying right off as a demon of steel stood just beyond the door. His mother screamed, as Pako ran. Turning back one last time, the door flew off and the demon stepped through, seizing his mother by the arm. As he ran into his room, he heard the demon shout, "There's another one in here!"

Pako was in full panic now, he had to get out or he was going to be grabbed. As he reached his window, he saw more demons, at least a dozen, some of them on horses. Some were burning the land, some with stashes of food in their arms. His sister had been caught, and his dad was lying on the ground, blood around him.

Pako rammed into the window, trying to free himself. It took two more hits, but the window finally gave way, allowing Pako to slip through.

The demons spotted him instantly, quickly giving chase. Pako ran, hoping beyond hope his little legs would carry him to freedom.

It was futile.

It did not take long for them to reach him. One grabbed him by the collar, easily lifting him into the air.

"Caught the little bastard!" The demon yelled to his friends.

Pako had to do something, anything to try to escape. Seeing his hands were exposed, he turned in his clothes, biting down as hard as he could. The demon yelled in pain, releasing Pako got his grasp.

"The little shit bit me!" The demon yelled in frustration.

Pako started to run, maybe he had a chance after all. Maybe he could escape them. His efforts were rewarded with a kick slamming into his back, sending him straight to the dirt. He felt dizy from the sudden impact, it was as if he wer submerged in water.

"Little shit!" The demon spat as it kicked him hard in the chest. Pain shot through his torso, feeling as if his heart were about to give out.

Another demon approached, "Fiesty one" it said "Perhaps the fighting pit would appreciate this one"

It grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him along the farm. He tried weakly to resist, but he was utterly powerless to do anything.

"Stop struggling" the Demon said in a low voice, "Prepare the carts!" He shouted to his friends.

In his last moments of consciousness, he saw his mother and his sister being dragged into large boxes with great steel bars, his father's lifeless body, and his home finally catching fire.