A caravan of slaves was advancing by a narrow road, bordered by a thick forest that was extending until losing itself in the horizon.
The trees, tall and of dark contours, were standing with imposing presence on both sides of a narrow and dust-covered path that was curving through the uneven terrain.
The treetops were joining at the top, creating a natural ceiling that was barely allowing the passage of the silvery rays of the moon, projecting long and diffuse shadows over the path.
The air was cold, and the silence of the forest was breaking only by the sound of dragged steps and chains that were moving with each advance.
A constant and deep pain was emanating from the bloodied feet of Atom, who was trembling due to the intense cold and his worn shirt was not offering any protection against the icy wind.
The wrists, marked by open wounds, were the main source of suffering. The iron shackles, upon touching the damaged skin, were provoking stings that were repeating with each movement.
Atom observed around him. On both sides of the path, a long chain was extending, uniting dozens of people with faded faces and sunken eyes. All were slaves, chained at short intervals.
In front of Atom, a man of broad shoulders and back covered with bleeding wounds was advancing with slow and heavy steps.
Behind, an individual of cunning appearance, with piercing eyes and an expression of desperation, was murmuring curses in low voice.
Occasionally, riders with ancient armors were passing beside them, casting threatening glances without stopping to the slaves.
The circumstances, from any perspective, were resulting extremely unfavorable.
After the kidnapping of Aurore by part of the Holy Church, Lord Percy decided to sell Atom to the mines that same day. The decision, although cruel, was having sense within the logic of Percy.
Atom had lost everything: his family, his home, everything disappeared after the awakening of Aurore, an event that marked a turning point in his life.
The work of Atom in the estate of Percy was including tasks like cleaning the stables, feeding the cows, and caring for the horses.
However, his presence in the estate became a burden after what happened with Aurore.
Percy, upon considering him a load, opted for selling him to the mines to recover part of the losses caused by the intervention of the Holy Church.
Aurore, with barely five years, was possessing an extraordinary beauty that was standing out even at her young age. With time, her attractiveness would accentuate, converting her into a target for many.
Atom, in his interior, was knowing that he never would have been able to protect her, no matter his efforts. If the Holy Church had not taken her, another would have done it, whether it was Percy or some noble who had noticed her presence.
In this world, the weakness was constituting an unforgivable error for a man, and the beauty was representing an equally grave defect for a woman.
Upon thinking in this, Atom lost the rhythm of his steps. He tripped, and his weight pulled on the chain.
"Damned idiot! Watch where you walk!"
The cunning man who was walking behind him shouted with fury.
Atom tried to recover the balance. A moment later, he resumed the step, although he pulled on the chain again without realizing.
"Little imbecile! I am going to kill you!"
"What is the point of wasting time with a child? Anyway, that brat will be dead by dawn. The mine will kill him."
The man of broad shoulders in front of Atom let out a low laugh without turning the head.
"It will kill you and me too, only it will take a little longer. I do not understand what the guards think by forcing us to live in this cold."
"Speak for yourself, fool! I plan to survive!"
The slippery slave stopped talking for a moment. His breathing became irregular.
Atom shook the head in silence and concentrated on maintaining the balance to not fall again.
"What a peculiar group," he thought.
"I want to go home… Have we not arrived yet?"
A third voice, bored and lazy, resounded from a place further away in the chain.
"Just give up, Aruka. The home remained far behind, and no one will protect us here."
The man of broad shoulders turned slightly the head to respond.
Atom inclined the head with discretion and listened to the conversation between the two men.
"Listen, where are they taking us? Why do you seem so convinced that we will die?"
"They are directing us to a mine of magical crystals in Muville."
"Magical crystals?"
"Yes. It is one of the materials used to manufacture enchanted weapons. They were very useful in the last war."
"I understand, but what is dangerous about that? Why so much fear of dying?"
"The magical crystals attract certain monsters of the area. They are highly addictive to them."
"What is happening here?"
A young soldier, mounted on a horse of elegant bearing, interrupted the conversation. He was wearing a light leather armor, was carrying a spear in one hand and a short sword at the belt. His appearance was dignified, almost noble.
"It is nothing, sir. We are only tired and cold. Especially our young companion. This journey is resulting too harsh for someone so young."
The slave of lazy voice responded when all kept silence. The soldier, however, ignored his words and looked at Atom with compassion.
With a sigh, the soldier unhooked a flask from his belt and extended it toward Atom.
"Have patience, little one. Soon we will make a stop to spend the night. For now, take, drink water."
Atom hesitated, unsure about how to react or what to say. The thirst was consuming him, but he was not knowing if to accept.
Just when he was extending the hand toward the flask, a whip cut the air with a snap. An unbearable pain crossed the back of Atom, who tripped and pulled the chain again, provoking another curse from the cunning man behind him.
An older soldier, with hardened face and furious gaze, stopped his horse a few steps away. The whip that had wounded Atom, leaving a bleeding mark, was belonging to him.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Without looking at the slaves, the older soldier fixed an intimidating gaze on his younger companion.
"I was only offering water to the child."
The face of the young soldier darkened.
"He will receive water with the others when we camp!"
"But…"
"Silence! These slaves are not your friends. Understood? They are not even people. Treat them as such, and they will start to believe themselves important."
The young soldier looked at Atom with sadness, lowered the head, and kept the flask in his belt.
"Do not let me catch you again trying to fraternize with slaves, rookie. Or the next time it will be your back that feels my whip!"
To emphasize his threat, the older soldier made the whip crack in the air and passed beside them, radiating threat and anger. Atom observed him move away, hiding his resentment behind a neutral expression.
Suddenly, the slaves began to shout, moved by panic. A monstrous creature, of fierce and supernatural appearance, appeared from nowhere.