A sudden shift in pressure sends dozens of birds flying in the air and scattering into the clouds. A faint scent of gunpowder and burning wood carries through the light breeze. Above the forest canopy, plums of thick smoke snake into the sky. A tinted red hue blankets against the evening atmosphere, emanating an ominous area of haze.

“Oh my, this doesn’t look good.” Finn wears a worry expression. He steps down onto the grass. “Axel might be in trouble in trouble this time.

Uneasiness fills Ryo’s chest at his words. This man in front of him didn’t stop Axel and emits a calmness even when his town is under attack. A feeling of experience and insight that a normal human doesn’t possess. He observes Finn from the bottom of his cane up to the ridge of his nose. Each expression, word and movement signal the same thing, an elderly man who can see something no one else can. Finn returns his stare with a smile.

“I heard about you from Doc. A man of mystery with not many memories.” Finn’s eyes pierce through Ryo’s defenses, reading him like an open book. Ryo shifts down a few steps. Though Finn’s next words surprise him. “So, what are you going to do?”

What to do? This doesn’t concern me, but now something calls to me. These images and words nag me. This is what I need to do. Those thoughts pull Ryo forward with his stride already carrying him down the dirt path. An urge to battle bubbles up deep within. At the forest edge, Ryo peeks over his shoulder back at the house. Finn’s silhouette remains unchanged with both hands resting on his walking cane. Ryo disappears into the forest shadows.  

Wild flames ravage through several homes and wooden structures in the small town. Intense heat drives out residents into the streets. Small groups form to try to get the structure fires under control with little water they can get. Besides the threat of fire, residents also defend themselves against the attacking bandits overtaking each area. Metal clashes against wood and steel as people tried to defend their homes. Enemies unopposed break into untouched houses to ransack them for valuables and money.

In the center of Remure, a dilapidated carriage sits in front of the fountain. Bandits make small trips to it with their stolen goods, shattering and breaking several of them. In front J stands guard with his arms crossed. A creepy smile smears on his face, the amount of destruction satisfies his enjoyment. Dozens of people litter the ground with gashes and multiple burns on their bodies. He catches glimpses of small skirmishes on nearby streets from a growing resistance. Deep frustration boils under his skin.

“We are here for your payment! Stop this foolish resistance!” His voice bellows over the noise.

“That wasn’t the agreement!” James  stumbles forward, clutching his blood-soaked right arm. “You were only supposed to take the payment and go!” Behind him, a few workers arm themselves with worn out swords.

“Well, I happened to visit your town hero, and our boss didn’t like his response. So sorry about that.” His sarcastic words make James blood run cold.

A prideful rage washes over his face. From behind James brandishes a spear, pointing it at J. “I was a fool thinking this would be better. You’re trampling on our pride, and I’ve had enough.” Both feet dig into the ground.  “We’re done hiding!”

“Aggghhhhhh” He erupts into a run, charging at J. The attack easily gets deflected by J’s short sword. “Fine, have it your way. You can be an example for the rest.” J forces James back and a split appears on the spears handle. Laughable at best, J swiftly turns his upper body then strikes James wounded arm, breaking it. He screams out in agonizing pain, falling backwards onto the ground.

“You dirty snakes! Gah!” He manages to shout back through his severe pain. His friends come to his defense, bringing their swords up against J’s.

“No matter how many there are, we will wipe the floor with you!” J he brings his weapon down.

Theresa, avoiding the battles, leads a group of kids from the shadows. She carries a young girl in her arms, the rest remain gathered around her. One of the largest structures still intact provides cover for them to hide. A cubby space large enough for most of the group opens under a bunch of broken floorboards. The workers scream draws her attention to the fighting. Her breath catches in her throat.

“Raggggghhhhhh” A loud roar echoes across the town. The ground trembles from the sheer volume. A huge man steps out from behind the carriage. His reddish-brown hair covers the massive scars all over his face. Bulging muscles lay beneath his leather armor and steel cover boots. His massive ax hangs from a drawstring tied across the chest. Deep intense eyes scan from one direction to the next.

“Raull the executioner is here! Finish up men! Kill anyone who puts up a resistance!” Raull orders his followers.

His orders given the bandits a renewed push to round up resisting residents in the center of town. Large groups of residents are brought to their knees. Next to the fountain James lays motionless at J’s feet. The others slumped on the ground against the fountain’s foundation. Raull glances at the unconscious man and points to him.

“Hm…this is what happens to you vermin who don’t listen to what you are told.” Unhooking his ax from his back, he takes massive steps towards the residents, but the group of children to his left catches his eyes. An evil glint sparkles in his eyes. “How about we sell off some of the extra mouths they feed.” Raull stops a few feet away from their hiding spot.  “Then I’m sure you can avoid this…’situation’ again.”

Theresa jumps to her feet, throwing her arms wide open like a barrier. “I won’t let you touch these children.” Her defiant eyes betray the striking fear coursing through her legs.

Amused, Raull snickers at the pathetic sight. His large hand grips Theresa by her shirt’s collar, yanking her into the air. On the ground behind her, the children weep, their cries grow louder. Other residents struggle to their feet to intervene, but their efforts fail when their captors block their way. A few draw their swords.

“You, a lowly peasant, think you can talk to me like that?” A deep red glint flashes in Raull’s eyes with his stare piercing through Theresa’s chest like a dagger.

His ironclad grip tightens on Theresa’s collar, cutting off her airway. She struggles, fighting to get fresh air into her chest.  The ax moves just inches away from the left side of her face. Its blade draws closer completely obstructing her left side view with silver steel.

“I’m going to use you as an example, just like that weak man.  It’s about time you people know what happens when you defy the superior to you.” Raull whispers to Theresa. Her eyes overwhelm with tears streaming down her face. Unmoved, Raull raises his ax back then releases it in a sideways swing.

Clang!

A large chuck of metal plating flies in from the left, smashing into the ax. The force throws the ax off its course and causes Raull to stumble sideways. Another piece comes at his hand, just barely scratching his knuckles. Surprised, Raull releases Theresa from his grasp. She lands on the ground coughing and wheezing.

“I thought I told you to stay away from this town.” Axel growls at him. His figure appears just between two burnt houses. In his left hand, his bronze sword glistens from the surrounding flames. A few of Raull’s henchmen lay sprawled out, unconscious at his feet.

“Hmph.” Raull snorts returning Axel’s gaze with a glare of his own. “So, the would-be hero comes out to play again. You never learn.”

Without warning, he heaves the ax into the air right in Axel’s direction. Determined, Axel lowers into a defensive stand, bringing his sword upwards to counter the ax’s blade. Sheer brute force chips away metal from the sword causing him to fall sideways avoiding direct contact. The ax continues its path, shattering a charred wall behind Axel. Wood splitters fly past his head when he glances back. Small wounds appear on his cheek and just below on the side of his neck. Blood trickles down, mixing with sweat.

“I heard that you have been giving my men a hard time. It’s because of you that I needed to make this trip out here.” Raull smirks, holding out his hand, palm up, mocking Axel.  

Axel’s impatience grows from his foe’s taunting. “Cocky for someone who left themselves defenseless.” He sprints at Raull, sword raises for a direct slash attack. Mere inches away from contact, a cold wind chill rushes from behind.

“Look out!” Theresa’s weak voice rings out.  

The handle from Raull’s ax slams in the center of Axel’s back. Pain rushes through every bone, temporarily constricting his air way, causing him to let out a wheezing gasp. His body pulls forward, slamming onto the ground. In front, a confident Raull grips the ax, swinging it in a circle above his head. Axel gasps for air, trying to get his bearings to stand up again. He pushes himself to his knees but his arms given out. Collapsing on his side, he can only look up at Raull paralyzed from the pain. The bandits snicker at Axel’s pathetic form, while residents shield their eyes unable to watch.

“An ax…that…comes back?” He coughs out the words.

“To be honest I am surprised. From what they have told me, you gave them a run for their money time after time. Your nothing but an impudent child with laughable sword skills. Now due to your interference again this whole town is getting a punishment. And how about the suitable punishment of…death?” Raull’s words turn the air icy. Through the pulses of pain, Axel lifts his head up. From the corner of his eye,  he sees the residents try to hold back their fear, even farther away others choosing to fight, continue their resistance. He notices James laying close to the fountain severely wounded. His eyes shift back up to Raull, an unwavering glare covers them.

“It’s my…fault?” The fighting, the fear, and the destruction it all comes at him like a waking nightmare. The guilt he tried to hide from himself threatens to consume him.

“I like that expression, those eyes. It makes breaking you worth it as you watch everything get striped away. The guilt of failure will be all that’s left.” Amusement washes over Raull’s face. Pleased by his words, he raises his ax over his head.

In a moment the world around Axel slows to a standstill. All the shouting, fires and sword clashes fade out. A crescendo ringing fills his ears, accompanied by the deep pounding of his heartbeat. A numbness spreads over his arms and legs. Adrenaline fills his veins and his muscles scream out for him to move.

Raull’s maniacal laughter fills the air. He motions his ax downwards, aiming for Axel’s lower neck. Anticipating the blow, Axel’s clenches his eyes shut. Around his wrist, the bracelet that Thersea gave him emits a faint green glow.

“No! I can’t die here!”