Thomas was deep in thought on his way home.
He passed a stretch of beach, the enchanting golden fields of sand on Eucadia — the magical island that holds humanity.
Eucadia sits surrounded by endless water called the Sea. It's a vast, donut-shaped island with a massive lake at its center, named Valentina. Most of the island remains unexplored. Anywhere that wasn't travelled by humanity was a rich rainforest brimming with untapped resources.
Beyond the Sea lies a monster called the Ocean, which devours all travellers who stray too far. Beyond the Ocean is the world's end, where nothing grows, nothing lives.
Thomas entered his brick house situated at the edge of a humble town without greeting his grandmother, who lay in bed. He dropped his sword in a corner, grabbed a book from the shelf, and headed to his room.
"Tommy…" a frail voice called.
"What?"
"I think… I think my time has come."
"Oooooooh my god... YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THAT SINCE LAST YEAR!" Thomas argued with an irritated frown.
"I'm serious, this—" coughs interrupted her.
He paused at the door, annoyed but still worried. His face stayed sour as he turned back to her.
"Tommy…"
"Yes?"
"I'm hungry. Get me a bowl of porridge."
"IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!" The pot sat within reach of her bed.
"I CAN'T—" She coughed again, hoarser now.
Thomas shook his head and pressed his lips, the reaction of frustration and concern mixed. "Alright! Alright! Fine!" He stomped over and scooped her a bowl. "Here!"
"Thank you, Tommy." She accepted it with trembling hands. And Thomas turned to head back to his bedroom almost immediately.
"Tommy…" she called again before he could reach the door.
"What?"
"Open the window."
"THAT'S ALSO RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!" Thomas gestured exaggeratedly at the closed glass window right above his grandma.
"I'm... drinking... porridge," she said firmly, taking a dramatic sip while glaring at him over the bowl.
"Ugh. Fine." He walked over unwillingly and pushed the windows open.
Just when Thomas thought he could finally get to his book,
"Tommy…"
"Oh my fuckin' god, what now?"
"Go to work, you lazy prick."
"WHA— How dare you?!" Thomas shouted, his arms moving animatedly.
"You heard me…" She took another calm sip of porridge.
"LAZY?! LOOK WHOSE OLD ASS BEEN LYING IN BED FOR A YEAR, BARELY EVEN ABLE TO MOVE! AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN SICK!" His arms flailed and gestured everywhere, his feet paced aimlessly on the wooden floorboards.
"I'm old, Tommy. Old and frail… and weak."
His sympathy kicked in. He sighed, gave up, and put the book down, stomping to pick up a pickaxe instead.
"Tommy." She stopped him at the door, the front door this time rather than his bedroom's door.
"WHAT?!" Thomas whipped around with his arms held out.
"When I'm gone…" She pushed the bowl aside and picked up a small circular metal plate. "Listen to this…"
"Listen to what?"
She shook it. "This!" She raised her voice, followed by another cough.
"Listen to what?! Clink clank clink! I'm a round flat metal plate?"
She rolled her eyes. "Just... Just listen to it when I'm gone… Where are you going?"
"… Mining. With Tyler." Thomas slammed the front door behind him.
Inside, his grandmother smiled faintly as she finished her porridge.
———
The woods of Eucadia were truly enchanting. Dense foliage surrounded every corner, and the evening's orange glow bathed the forest in warm light. It was a magical place, a paradise for wildlife to wander freely, like this carefree snow-white bunny, who—
THUMP.
—was brutally pierced through the heart by a sharp arrow, its final sound was an agonized squeak that would upset any teenage girl.
"Yes!" Wilhelm clenched his fists in celebration.
"Your aim has improved," His mother said approvingly.
"It's still nothing compared to yours, though." Wilhelm explained while looking at his mother with nothing but admiration in his eyes. A wide grin etched on his face like he didn't just brutally murdered a bunny.
"Yeah, well…" She took his arms, adjusting his archery posture. "Your shoulders need to be more squared, and hold the arrow a little higher."
"Ah…" Wilhelm chuckled awkwardly. "Same mistake as last time. My slouched back really is a big problem, huh?"
"It's your confidence." She tapped his chest with a wry smirk. "Do everything with your whole chest, you know?" Nicole Grimmer, his mother, teased.
"Alright…"
Nicole picked up the dead rabbit and dropped it into their basket. "Come on then, let's find another target."
After a while of traversing through dense woods,
"Shh…" Nicole gestured for Wilhelm to stay quiet. She had heard something rustling in the bushes up ahead.
They crept closer in careful steps, making sure not to make a sound that could startle their prey.
"Oh, hell yes…" Nicole whispered when she spotted a lone deer. Venison wasn't easy to come by in Eucadia. Wilhelm's eyes also gleamed, but then his lack of confidence kicked in again,
"You take this one. I don't want to mess it up," Wilhelm offered, handing her the bow.
"No way, Will. You're taking it. I'll guide you." She said firmly with a confident smile.
"… Okay…" He was reluctant, but he did eventually agree with a somewhat firm 'okay'.
He drew the bow carefully as Nicole adjusted his posture again. He steadied his aim. One shot to the heart would drop the deer instantly, anywhere else and it would run.
A bead of sweat slid down his face. He swallowed a mouthful before closing one eye.
"If you're confident with the aim, release it," Nicole whispered. Wilhelm took a deep breath, then—
THUMP. WHOOOSH. THUMP.
The deer cried out. It wasn't dead, the arrow had missed its heart.
"Shit," Wilhelm hissed as the wounded animal stumbled forward in a frantic attempt to flee. Nicole wasted no time.
She grabbed an arrow from Wilhelm's quiver and sprinted after it. Moving with practiced skill, she leapt over roots and bushes. And with one powerful jump, she caught up and rammed the arrow straight into the deer's throat.
The deer let out a final cry before collapsing.
"Mom! You okay?" Wilhelm called out concerned as Nicole rolled off the animal with a bloodied face.
"Hahaha… YESSSS!" Nicole shouted with glee. "WE'RE EATING GOOD TONIGHT!"