Morning quietly arrived, but tomorrow never came for some.
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The moon glows fiercer than the sun, a sudden flush of blood rouses the village from their peaceful slumber, tons of pairs of eyes stares enchanted by its vile beauty, bewildered as the sparks of pure terror slowly ignite.
She spun around at the first call of drowsiness slowly lulling her. A first step towards her bed- her heart furiously throb, her eyes widened, frozen at her stand.
The first beat. An unusual thing. For once, her heart became alive. However, it wasn't a flutter of warmth and good. It is a beat resonating to something so ominous.
Danger. A reminder screaming at her.
They're here. A throb. They're here. The second throb. They are here.
"Big sis, is it morning already?" Anton, sat up while rubbing off the drowsiness. "Why are you up so early?" Ruina stood rooted to the ground. Her fingers curled stiffly at her sides as she stared at Anton.
For a heartbeat, his figure twisted before her- blood soaking his clothes, flames licking at his motionless body, his eyes glowing hollow and lifeless.
A sharp gasp tore from her throat as a sudden chill raced down her spine.
No, it can't be! She dashes to the window, lifting her gaze to the reddened sky. The same bloody moon that destroyed her homeland. How?!
A tag from beside her called her attention. His finger pointing above. "Big sis, the moon... it's bleeding." Anton stammered, his voice coated with fear.
The word death spelled through her mind, bringing the phantom metallic scent of blood.
Ruina hauled Anton onto his feet. In a single leap she reached her door, threw it open, and stormed across the corridor. She burst into the old couple's room, shattering their sleep. "Mr. Degget. Mr. Degget. Mrs. Degget. Wake up. Wake up. Please, wake up. We have to run. Now! We need to run!"
Disturbed from their wonderful sleep, the old couple raggedly opened their eyes and sat yawning. "What's the matter, dear? Why do we have to run?" Mrs. Degget rubbing her eyes from falling asleep.
"They're here, Mrs. Degget. They're here." Tone in rush and pleading.
"Who's here?" Mrs. Degget, still half-asleep, asked.
A distant explosion ripped through the night, the ground trembling beneath it.
Somewhere in the darkness, a shrill screech followed, cutting through the air before everything fell into an eerie stillness.
They held their breath, listening.
A woman's scream suddenly ripped through silence, tearing through the peaceful night and snapping the old couple fully awake.
"Beasts." A warning she blew like a whisper. One word brought them to direness.
Another monstrous shriek tore through the air.
Mrs. Degget grabbed her husband's hand, her grip desperate. Beside them, Ruina seized Anton's wrist, her grip firm not intenting to let go. "Let's get the hell out of here." Mr. Degget's voice carried a grim seriousness.
They ran for the door, stepping straight into a hellish nightmare. The village is already burning. Screams, smoke, and fire destroying everything they have.
Ruina tightens her grip more. "Listen, Anton. No matter what happens, do not let go of my hand."
A firm nod was Anton's only answer.
Panic broke the village apart.
Villagers scattered in every direction, fleeing the chaos. Some stood their ground holding their weapons with trembling hands against beasts, some grabbing whatever they could to protect themselves as cries rang out as mutilated bodies hit the ground.
Mothers clutched their children, fathers pulled their family closed, dragging themselves towards the trees, disappearing into the forest in desperate hope of survival that it was impossible to exist.
The Degget family hurried through the blood-soaked ground, their steps quick and uneven, avoiding stumbling on debris. Heat licked at their skin, each step growing harder to bear, yet none of them slowed down.
Is this a dream? Am I still asleep? This has to be a dream, right?! This can't be happening. This can't be real. We have the blessing. Father said we're fine. If I'm still sleeping and this is a nightmare, please somebody wake me up! I want to wake up!
A spark leapt from the fire and bushed his skin. He jerked. Why can't I wake up?! A sharp breath escaped from his lips as the heat bit deep. His fingers trembled where he touched the burn.
His gaze darted around- the fire, the screams, the running- it was too vivid. He wasn't dreaming.
Are we gonna die tonight? No. No. NO! I don't want that! I don't want to die! I'm still a kid. There are so many things I still want to see, many things I wanted to do, I never even learned how to wield a sword. I don't wanna die! Not here! Not tonight! No! NO! The thought struck him and stayed. He sank his teeth into his lower lip, hard enough to sting, his eyes widened as something unspoken flickered within them.
Ruina caught his fear, spraying the air, becoming thicker by second. "It won't happen." She tried to overrule the fear he was feeling. "I won't let it happen." She sternly told him without looking at Anton.
"Then, why are the beasts here? Father said the blessing is strong, that we are fine." He repeated the words of his father. "How can this happen?" His eyes distorted in terror of chaos evoking before his eyes as they crossed their burning village. Tears began forming at the corner of his eyes.
How can this happen? Indeed. The same question playing in Mr. Degget's mind. The blessing despite being weakened should still be able to block evil from destroying homes. The blessing was applied to the houses. It wasn't encircling the village like a dome. The blessing should have blocked the beasts from entering the village.
Ruina froze.
The air shifted monstrously, It is tingling her senses. Something is coming, heavy and hungry.
Ruina instantly pulled the chain of holding hands, halting the other three in their tracks. Her head snapped at Mr. Degget in the front. "Mr. Degget, stop!" She called out. "Something's coming." She knew that aura too well to be unrecognised. That familiar horrible atrocity of a presence oozing deadly bloodlust that alerts everything in the area. "Follow me." She led them hiding behind a pile of boxes sitting between two ruined houses.
They remain still like a statue, their hearts beating loud in their ribcage, as their hands cover their sealed lips holding their breath while listening to the heavy step of a four-legged beast the size of their house roaming in a circle for its next food.
They waited.
And waited.
Their breathing silently hitched when the beast looked in their direction, sniffing human flesh. Ruina immediately grabs a handful of herbs from the boxes spreading it on their body.
A thin leaf made its way to the beast's nostrils, tickling it causing for the beast to sneeze loud, almost toppling the boxes had not Ruina and Mr. Degget quickly held them.
Failing to find food, the beast passes the road.
Their loud breath puffs in sync with the burning air as they sink in relief. That was close! Their thoughts unite.
However, Ruina held her ears and head hearing the loud sound of hearts as if they're throbbing within her eardrum. She shook her head trying to shut them off.
The screams of agony, the cries for mercy and savior, the sound of hearts fading, the scent of death winning, blood and fear accumulating in the air, all at once, in each second that passes, they all flood her senses.
Mrs. Degget trembled violently, tears streaming down her face, her gaze unsteady. "Bimer, where do we go now?" her eyes darted towards the burning village before them, searching- hoping- for somewhere they could run and hide. Her grip tightened on her family. People are dying brutally and horribly. She couldn't lose them. Not like that.
"The Church. We'll be safe there." Mr. Degget responded, eyes watchful of beasts in the area.
"How? Is it not destroyed already?" Anton asked. "Those beasts are circling the entire village."
Before Mr. Degget could answer him, Ruina spoke. "The Saintess Miracle is stronger there. Her blessing of protection is centered there." She answered between heavy pants, sweat soaking her clothes.
Mr. Degget turned her way. How did she know that? No one beside me, the Chief, and the Priest know about that secret...
A crack.
No one seems to notice it.
But something's... felt wrong...
Then, another crack. Followed by a movement.
Ruina flinches like how a dog lifted its ear tall. She heard it. She is not mistaken.
Her head snapped upward, the house— the house is crumbling!
In a single moment, she separated both herself and Anton from his parents, with great force, she shoved Mrs. Degget further away while pulling Anton to her body.
The next second, a big rock crashed where they stood, cutting them apart. Mrs. Degget and Anton sat there pale, legs shaking, unable to move, staring wide painted with horror at what could have been their death. That huge rock could easily crush them.
"Mr. Degget, get away from here! The house is falling!" Ruina shouted at Mr. Degget while hauling Anton to her shoulder. He reacted instantly, grabbing his wife's wrist.
"Wha- No! Anton!" Mrs. Degget screamed, her voice breaking as her husband pulled her away from their son.
"Mother!" Anton cried in terror, twisted in Ruina's firm hold, arms reaching forward as the distance grew between them.
Stone rained down around them, fragments crashing trying to bury them. A window suddenly exploded, vomiting fire. Ruina dropped instantly, carrying Anton with her as she slid through the mud. She pulled him close, throwing an arm over Anton, shielding him as they passed beneath the roaring flames.
Her breath hitched as the heat seared her skin.
The passage is getting narrower- we will not make it! Quick! MOVE!! Lost in the turmoil of chaos, Ruina's heart unconsciously beats a sudden life of red glowing in her peridot eyes.
Anton squeezed his eyes shut, clutching at Ruina's shirt.
Ruina tightened her hold, drawing in sharp breath, bracing her footing- then pushed! They surged forward in a single leap, breaking free from the crumbling row of houses. They hit the ground hard, dust rose around them as the wreckage collapsed behind.
They haven't escaped yet. Flames surged outward violently, chasing them. She hurriedly pushed herself up, reaching for Anton. A painful gasp escaped her lips as the fire struck her back like a heated iron whip. Her whole body convulses intensely, mouth agape at the scream trapped in her throat, it burns! My back hurts! Her breath coming in sharp, buds of tears forming at the corner of her eyes as sweats beaded along her skin.
No. You can't stay here. Danger is still hunting. Get up. Pull yourself. You're not safe yet. She clenched her teeth, gasping air deep between uneven breathing steadying herself. Gathering her strength, she forced herself forward as she dragged themselves farther away from the sparks.
Struggling to maintain balance, Ruina loses her footing as they collapse on the ground. "Big sis!" Anton cried. He saw the mark, the fire burnt through her ragged shirt.
Tears began to flood Anton's face, he desperately looked at his surroundings for somebody, for someone, for anybody that could help his sister. He landed his gaze at the wound sizzling in steam and wet from blood. He hugged her wounded body, and cried hysterically. He never learned how to treat wounds. He doesn't know how to help her. Oh gods in the sky, I beg you, please help my sister and I. Please make the pain go away, and let us survive tonight. I promise, I will listen to my mother from now on and stop being mischievous, just help my sister. I beg you.
"Ruina! Anton! Can you hear me? Please, answer me!" They both heard the calling of Mr. Degget from the other side. A ray of hope and relief ignited inside Anton knowing his parents were still alive.
"We're here, father! Please come here quickly! Big sis is- Big sis is in-!"
No- Don't! Don't call them here!
"We're fine, Mr. Degget!" Ruina hurriedly interrupted Anton. "We're fine." She said between pants. "I'm fine, Anton." She reassures him with a ragged yet soft smile. A fake smile that is pleading.
"Don't worry. We're coming!" Mr. Degget yelled back.
"No!... No, don't go... Just stay there… please." She whispered the last.
"But..." Why won't you let them come here?!
As if reading his thoughts, Ruina answered. "Mr. Degget… you must not go here. The fire... the fire is catching and spreading too fast. You'll put yourself in danger." She stated between pants, making them look at their environment that is similar to hell.
Wreckage lay between them- twisted beams and broken stones, while a wall of fire roared in the gap, heat pulsing outward. They cannot cross. They cannot wait too.
If I go alone, I'll make it. Despite the burns she'll gain, it's not a big deal. The wounds will just heal slowly later.
Her gaze dropped to Anton. His grip on her sleeve was small. Fragile.
However, he won't. He'll die. She stayed where they were.
'A debt must be paid.' Those words are engraved deep in her existence, all she has ever done are favors of help. She owes them her life.
She swallowed hard, gathering her strength. "Mr. Degget, you must go first to the Church."
"And leave you two here? Hell, no!" He firmly denied while rummaging through wreckages licked by small flames searching for a passage to get through. "Just stay there. I'll come and get you."
"No, you must listen to me! You cannot cross the fire." You must not or everything else will repeat! "And we cannot wait here. There are beasts near this area and they are all looking for food."
His hands weakened from gripping the charcoaled woods, his lips flattened. He wanted to answer with refusal, but it caught somewhere deep, unmoving. His gaze drifted to their village and listened to the howling of beasts, as he stayed quiet for a moment longer than necessary weighing the decision he'll have to make.
He breathed in. Then out. His fingers loosened at his side. She's right.
"We'll follow behind. I promise." She swears in her life, ready to lay it on the plate of death if it offers for the safety of Anton.
"Bimer, no, we can't leave them alone. They are just children, they cannot... They cannot protect themselves!" Mrs. Degget desperately pleaded with her husband.
Damn this! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!! Mr. Degget gritted his teeth in anger and frustration.
"Mrs. Degget, it's fine... It is fine." She repeated. "I am strong, I can protect Anton and I will bring him back to you, I swear that on my life... Will you trust me?" She asked them with all her being.
Silence settled between the Degget couple. Mr. Degget glanced at his wife, his brow tightening.
Mrs. Degget didn't speak- only held his gaze, her expression unsteady biting her lower lips showing great distress of the internal dilemma. But they both understood that it was the rational way for them to survive.
Mr. Degget's face turned calm but stern. "Listen carefully, both of you, get to safety. Do not do anything reckless. Do not help anybody else. Prioritize yourself. Do you understand?" He sternly ordered them.
"Yes, sir." Ruina answered. An order.
"Whatever you do, wherever you go, do not fight. Run, hide, and run straight to the church." He added.
"Yes, sir." Ruina responds again.
"Then… Be careful." Mr. Degget gave their direction one last look before gripping his wife's hand and pulling her away. Neither of them looked back.
When their footsteps faded, Ruina exhaled deep and long.
She reached for her sleeve, tearing the fabric with a quick pull. Another tear followed. She bound the strips together and wrapped them tightly around her torso.
The cloth pressed against her wound, she winced and hissed at the stinging contact, but didn't stop until it was secure.
She approached Anton and lowered herself, offering her back to him. "Let's go, Anton. We need to meet them at the Church."
"But your back..." Anton mumbled, his words lingered with worries.
"It's fine. It won't hurt me, I already covered it, see? Besides, aren't I the strongest? A wound like this won't weaken me." She smiled faintly, her eyes warm and gentle, to quiet his fears.
It's true, she is the strongest. The strongest person he knows. A wound that size will not weaken her. He trusts her. After all, she is his big sister. Anton latched on her back, wrapped her arms to her neck.
Ruina plastered a soft smile. "Here we go."