The war did not arrive with warning.
It arrived with fire.
The peaceful farming village of Ravenglen had never seen armored soldiers before. That night, they saw hundreds.
Six-year-old Ash clung to his mother's dress as flames devoured rooftops.
His father — once a general of the kingdom of Eldoria — stood alone at the entrance of the village.
He had left the army years ago.
But the army had not left him.
Steel clashed. Sparks flew.
Ash watched as three soldiers fell before his father. Then five more.
Then an arrow pierced his shoulder.
Then another.
Then a blade through his chest.
His father fell.
His mother covered Ash's mouth to stop his scream.
Moments later—
A soldier found them.
Ash watched his mother fall.
He did not cry.
The sky burned red.
And something inside the boy turned black.