Harbringer of Death

A Dream

His village is not special in any way. Its just a normal small village, and he loved it. The people are nice, the air smell fresh, green luscious field as far as eye can see, and the sound of leaf rustling accompany him to sleep every night. At early morning, he would help his father work in the field and in the afternoon, he would play with his friends. In particular, he would play with a girl he has been friend for quiet some time.

One day, he is helping in the field when he hears someone call his name. The voice he could never forget. She stands on the edge of the field, waving toward him.

"Eh? Ara?" he approach the girl. He was just done with work anyway.

"You have been working hard!" she grin as she cross her hand on her back.

"Yea, its seem to be going to be a prosperous harvest. How about your farm?"

The two walk together back to the village as she explain.

"It was so busy! Some cow was sick and it made me go back and forth to get herb in the forest! Though, i'm glad they will be fine in the end. OH, and..." she continue to ramble. Instead of focusing on her ramble, he focus more on her face. How her brown hair fly on the breeze of wind and her beautiful brown eye that always captivate him.

"Let's have a picnic!" She suddenly burst out, clapping her hand together.

"E-eh?" his sudden burst surprise him.

"It will be fun! I know the best place!" she grab his hand and start pulling him. They rush past the village, up a hill, until they arrive at a small lake. It is surrounded by forest. The water is so clear that you could see the bottom, which is around only their waist deep. He has seen this place once when he was hunting in the forest, but he didn't know it was this beautiful.

"I found it earlier when i was searching for herb" she pull him to sit down at the bottom of a tree nearby.

"You said picnic, but we doesn't brought any food"

"I'm prepared for that!" turns out, her other hand is holding a small cloth bag the whole time. Inside is two piece of bread.

"I made it myself, so you better eat them all" she said as she give him on of the bread.

He could feel a bit of threatening tone in her voice. He nod vigorously before taking a bite. Its a bit hard outside, but very soft in the inside. And it tasted sweet. Since it turns out to be a not life-threatening food she sometime managed to create, he finish it all. She smile when he finish.

"Do... you like it?" she ask nervously.

"So far, i think this is the most successful ones" he grins. His words bring a smile to her face.

"I'm glad..." she said as she lean her head on his shoulder. He blushes at the gesture. Mustering all of his courage, he circle his hand around her. He had expected she would push him or something, but instead she snuggle on him more. He could feel her warmness on his shoulder, as warm as the fire of a blacksmith.

"Are you still going to be a Paladin?"

"Yup. How about you? You are pretty good with halberd. You can become a Crusader"

"Maybe..." he has think about it. Ever since the Holy Army pass their village, Ara has been obsessed about joining them. Who doesn't? To be wearing shiny white armor, blessed by Princep to fight for Him, and to be adored by almost all kingdom. Though for him, its not for any of that. He wants to protect her.

The soft sound of leaf rustling and the breeze of wind accompany them to sleep. When they wake up, the sun has set and firefly is flying around the lake. The calm lake water reflect the moon perfectly. It is almost like a scene out of their wildest dream.

"Ara, i..." he turns around to face her. He could feel this is the best moment for him to confess. The scene, the mood, its all more than his wildest dream could provide.

But to his surprise, she kiss him. It is a brief but sweet kiss on his lips. When she pulls back, both of their face redden. Their eye meet and even without saying anything, each of them know what the other want to say.

I love you

And from here, everything goes downhill. Suddenly, there's sound of scream from the village. Something must have happened.

"We need to get back"

He nod, and the two run back to the village. Something indeed happened. Houses are on fire, there's sound of metal clashing and screaming, and some soldier on horses are running around. They are under attack.

"Mama! Papa!" she scream before he cover her mouth

"Its dangerous. Wait here, i will find our parent"

She was about to protest but realize she will only be a burden if she follows him.

"Just be careful" she give him another brief kiss.

And with that, he rush back to the village. The street is filled with bodies of people he know. It enrage him. He want revenge. But he must resist it. The dead can't be helped, but the living can. He sneak around, hoping someone survive. But he find no one. Not his family. not hers. He just arrived at his home when he see the soldier burning bodies in front of it. There is his dad, and hers. Some tear dropped from his eye as he sneak into his house. As much as he want to grief them, avenge them, it would endanger both him and Ara. For now, he need his weapon and remember the soldiers flag. A black raven.

With weapon in hand, he sneak out of his house. He must get back to Ara. The soldiers are starting to search the forest around the village. He can't risk her getting founded.

His worst nightmare happen.

Two soldier is dragging her toward the man leading the attack. He froze. What is he gonna do now? Its pretty obvious they wont kill her, they would have done that in the forest if they want to. When he think about it, he hasn't see much female villager. The leader must have held them hostage instead of killing them.

There's only three of them. He can do it. He has the element of surprise. The two soldier could be taken down easily, but the leader is not so. Even so, he must do it. Or he probably won't see her again.

Gripping his makeshift halberd tightly, he charge the soldiers. He stab one in the end, pull it before the other two realize what is happening, and slice off the other soldier's head. He is glad he had sharpen them everyday. If he had wasted even a second, he would be the one dead right now.

When he turn toward the leader, he has already pull out his rapier.

"A rebel huh? Impressive move for a peasant" He jump off his horse.

He thrust and swing his halberd. But the leader just deflect and evade.

"Take this!" he thrust his weapon with all he got. Its much faster than the attacks before. He had hoped the leader would be surprised, but he is not. He sidestep and pierce his heart. Ara watch is horror. Her hand and leg are tied, and her mouth is covered. Tear fall down her eye as she watch the man he love fall to the ground.

"What a wasted potential" the leader sheathe his sword.

Did he... just lost? He could feel his body turns cold. His vision turns blur, and he can't move his body. He could only watch as the leader put Ara on his horse. His heartbeat slow down, and his consciousness slowly fade.

Do you wish to save her?

A voice... but who?

Give me what i want, and i will give you the power to save her.

As his consciousness fade faster, he must make a decision. With nothing left he hold dear other than Ara, its an easy choice. Whatever he must sacrifice, he will save her

"I... accept"

Then everything turns black