Prologue

Somewhere, in a land far far away lies a town. A town full of happy villagers and a generous lord. They lived safely in the mountains, with plentiful of fruits and vegetables growing wild around them. They had festivals full of laughter and joy that went into the midst of the night. None of them knew that this paradise wouldn't last forever. None of them were ready for what was to come next. They were simply happy and nearly carefree. They never saw it coming.

On one meticulous night, the blow of a warhorn and sounds of horses stomping on grass played like a hellish soundtrack. Blades clashing sounded into the night. Blood sprayed onto dirt floors, and miserable cries were heard. They lost everything. Their farms, some of their families, and most importantly - their way of life. That day, the villagers learned something about the outer world. That the world was often cruel and unjust, and never quite always happy. With this seed of doubt planted into their minds, they despaired. Who knows how they might end up?

-

"Come on, hurry up. The sun is setting," Idra said, glaring accusatively at Ari.

"Sorry, sorry.." Ari muttered back sheepishly. Ari hadn't wanted to come along with these trips to scrounge for fruit. It made her incredibly sad, reminding her of golden days where the village never quite worried about getting food. They were getting desperate, and several of her village were sick from the diseases that soldiers had brought. They had lost their lord in the battle, and now the village was simply doing whatever it could to survive. She sighed, picking the last of the berries and putting them gently in her amber wood basket.

Idra looked back at Ari, giving a gentle nod. "I know it must be hard on you," she said apologetically, "..you haven't been outside the village in ages."

Ari shook her head. "No, it's fine," she muttered, "I haven't done much for the village, anyway. It's not your fault that Jayce is sick. I'm happy to fill in for him."

Idra looked quizzically at Ari. "Are you sure?" She said, looking into Ari's eyes with those turquoise-green eyes of hers. Ari had a vague feeling that Idra was staring directly into her soul.. it was an unsettling feeling.

"Yeah," Ari replied nervously.

They walked silently in the forest for a while. The wind blew gently, swaying green leaves into the air as the sky turned warm colors. The sound of their feet brushing through bushes sounded softly. Eventually, they came to a cliffside, overlooking the town below. Idra stopped and stared at the town.

"It's been so long," she muttered. "..do you ever miss those days, Ari?" Ari nodded, even though Idra couldn't see her.

"I do."

"I do, too." Idra sighed. Ari didn't know what to say- they both had lost their parents and were now the village orphans of the town. Idra spoke again before Ari could think of anything.

"I feel like our efforts are getting more helpless and hopeless. I really wish something would happen- at this rate, things won't be looking too good for us." Ari nodded again, not trusting herself to say anything.

Idra stared up at the orange-glow sky, reaching one hand up as if to grab something from the heavens. Ari watched quietly, holding her basket of fruit sadly. The attack had been hard on them all- but it had been hardest on Idra, who had been the joy of the town. The centered joyful and optimistic girl that everyone knew and loved.

Ari heard sniffling from somewhere. She looked around, before realizing. Idra turned to Ari, brushing her own tears off.

"Let's go," Idra muttered with a crack in her voice. Ari wanted to comfort her, somehow. She just didn't know what to say.

"Are you oka-" Ari started.

"Shh," Idra interrupted. "..it's nothing. Don't worry about me," Idra said, giving Ari a small, sad nod before turning around and walking towards the town. Ari followed her in silence, cursing herself.