In the heart of Meldivia, the Tree Clan's village stood as a testament to the devastating battle that had ravaged their lands. The once-lush grasslands now lay barren and withered, the dry earth cracked and fissured. The village, once a thriving hub of activity, now seemed worn and weary, its structures weathered and worn. The forest that surrounded the village was drying up, its ancient trees struggling to find sustenance in the parched earth.
Despite the struggles they faced, the Tree Clan's inhabitants lived in harmony with one another, their community bound together by a deep sense of resilience and determination. In a small wooden hut on the outskirts of the village, four elderly members of the Tree Clan gathered to discuss the matters that weighed heavily on their minds.
Arin, the eldest amongst them, was filled with wisdom and worn by age. Thoroid, the second eldest, had a face lined with wrinkles, white hair, and frail skin. Blackwood, though not as old, possessed wisdom that spoke otherwise. Thorne completed the group.
The four elderly men sat in a circle, their faces etched with age and experience, their eyes clouded with concern. "Friends, the time is near," Thoroid said, his voice frail but resolute. "King Ryker's tenure is coming to an end, and we must prepare to take over the kingdom."
The others nodded in agreement, their faces somber. "But who among us is fit to lead?" Blackwood asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "We have struggled for so long, and our people are weary. We're old and can't expect the other clans to accept us as leaders. What do we do?"
"There's still time to discuss these things," Thorne said. "For now, let's worry about the village. Our ancient forests are drying up every single day. Our people are suffering, and we're losing touch with nature."
"That's an important issue," Blackwood replied, "but we also need to discuss leadership. I know we still have a year, but we need to make a decision now."
"Both issues are urgent," Arin said, "but we don't have a solution for either of them. We're the only experienced people left in this village, and we're well-stricken with age. We can't lead a whole kingdom. We also can't leave leadership to the young lads of our village. The others won't accept it. Coming to the matter of the village, it's not something we can handle. This problem has been with us ever since that fight. Our lands are drying up, and there's nothing we can do about it."
"Our sacrifice was forgotten," Thorne said, his voice filled with bitterness. "Our people gave up their lives to keep all clans together, but what did we get in return? We got neglected. When has King Ryka or any of the other kings who have ruled visited this village? Aren't we part of this kingdom anymore?"
"Don't say it like that," Arin replied. "It's not their problem to worry about our lands and our people. While it's true that a king worries about his subjects, it's also true that it's the subjects' duty to take care of themselves."
"That's not right at all," Blackwood said. "Right from the beginning of age, the ruler of Eldrida always worried about all his subjects, and that's the way it should be. We never acted the way they did when we ruled. We did well to check up on every single village."
Just as the discussion was heating up, a boy burst into the hut, his face flushed with worry. "Grandfather!" he exclaimed, out of breath. "It's Mother! She's passing out again!"
Arin's face contorted with concern, and he quickly rose to his feet. "Verde, what's happening?" he asked, his voice laced with urgency.
Arin quickly followed Verde out of the hut and rushed to his daughter-in-law's side. When they arrived, they found her lying on the floor, pale and clammy. Arin's face fell, and he quickly knelt beside her.
"Get the healer," he told Verde, his voice firm but controlled. "We need to get her help, now."
Verde nodded and took off, running to fetch the healer. Arin stayed with his daughter-in-law, his hands moving gently over her face and body, trying to revive her. He placed his hands on her head and whispered, "My dear, nothing will happen to you. Be strong."
Marla groaned, smiled slightly, and said, "Pa, take care of Verde, please support him." Her voice was filled with pain as she struggled to speak.
"No, my dear, don't say these things," Arin shouted, his voice filled with pain and worry. "We both need you to be strong. Fight it."
No...pa, my time has come...., take care of my son.." Marla said, giving up the ghost. He faint smile withered away , her hands turned cold and her body became stiff. Arin hands trembled, he closed her open eyes and tears dropped down his cheeks.
Verde returned, he rushed into his house, his breathing was heavy and he was sweating. " Grandpa, she's on her way, she'll be here soon.." he said rushing to his grandfather's side. He sees him crying and then looks at his mother, " Mom.., Mom...", he cried out, shaking her lifeless body. " Grandpa why isn't she moving.." , he asked, his voice was shaky and his breathing increased.
"Son...., she's no more, she's dead....." Arin said, as tears fell down his cheeks, he couldn't hold them from falling heavily.
" No..., Mum you can't leave me , mum no ....." Verde said, he trembled and he started crying.
Arin pulled him closer to his side and the two wept sore. Verde's heart was shattered, both of his parents were gone, he was now an orphan, what else could life offer him, what else was he living for.
He felt like killing himself on the spot but he couldn't, he looked at his grandfather and then looked at his mother. His heart was filled with pain and anger, his thought drifting back to the stories of old, if the demon didn't arise then there wouldn't have been any battle, my parents would still be alive and my Village would be the way it was..., but they didn't kill that demon but I will, I will find it and finish it off. That demon has snatched away everything from me and I must finish it off, if it's the last thing I do.
Verde took another look at his mother, he could still feel her presence around him, her light laughter, her comforting hug and her warm kiss. He would never experience them again.