"The poison effect works wonderfully on villagers!" VenomStrike exclaimed with perverse delight. "Look at how quickly it weakens her. That's far more efficient than just striking them."

"Good to know," LordChaos nodded appreciatively. "Make a note of that for our visit to Riverton next week. Their population is much larger—we'll need efficient methods."

Lydia sank to her knees, visibly weakened to near collapse. Still, she maintained her composure, her eyes scanning the chaos for any newcomers who might need direction to safety.

"Any last words, village guide?" LordChaos asked, towering over her fallen form.

Lydia looked up at him, her face showing neither fear nor anger. "You may destroy this body, but you cannot destroy what we represent. Woodhaven will endure. We will continue to serve and guide long after you have gone."

LordChaos seemed momentarily taken aback by the response. "Huh. That's actually quite profound. Almost sounds like defiance." He raised his blade. "Let's see if you return with the same spirit."

The sword fell in a glittering arc, and Lydia's form crumpled to the ground before dissolving into particles of light. Cain felt something twist inside him—a pain unlike anything he'd experienced before. He knew, intellectually, that his mother would return to life, that this death was temporary, but watching her fall under the blade of someone who saw her as nothing more than an amusement awakened something primal in him.

"Are you satisfied now?" A new voice rang out across the square. Standing at the entrance to the village was VanguardProtector, the level 42 Adventurer who had intervened at the forge the day before. This time, he wasn't alone. Behind him stood at least twenty Adventurers of similar level, their weapons drawn and expressions grim.

"Well, well," LordChaos straightened, turning to face the newcomers. "If it isn't the self-appointed village protection squad. Come to defend your precious villagers, Guardian?"

"You know the boundaries, Chaos," VanguardProtector replied, his voice steady. "Harassment of newcomers violates the covenant. Systematic disruption of sanctuary villages interferes with others' journeys. You've had your amusement—now leave, or we'll force you out."

The Crimson Grins regrouped around their leader, sizing up the opposition. Though similar in level, they were outnumbered.

"Make us," LordChaos challenged, dark energy swirling around his blade.

VanguardProtector didn't hesitate. With blinding speed, he charged forward, his shield glowing with golden light as he slammed into LordChaos. The impact sent the raider staggering backward, his companions scattering. VanguardProtector's allies followed, engaging the Crimson Grins in combat.

The clash of weapons and flash of spells filled the square. Despite being outnumbered, the Crimson Grins fought with vicious efficiency. Yet it quickly became apparent that VanguardProtector was on another level entirely. His sword moved in blurs of light, striking three raiders in rapid succession.

"Guardian's too strong!" shouted VenomStrike as she narrowly avoided a devastating blow. "Level 42 is no joke!"

LordChaos, recovering from the initial assault, growled in frustration. "Recall stones! Now!"

"Running away?" VanguardProtector advanced, his armor barely scratched despite taking hits from multiple opponents.

"We were just leaving anyway," LordChaos said with a dismissive wave as he pulled a glowing red crystal from his belt. "The villagers here don't provide much entertainment once you've bested them a few times." He raised the stone high. "Crimson Grins, we're moving to the next location on our tour."

VanguardProtector lunged forward in an attempt to stop him, but it was too late. The raiding party activated their recall stones, disappearing in flashes of red light just as the guardian's blade cut through empty air. The village fell suddenly, eerily quiet in their absence, the only sounds being the moans of injured villagers and the confused questions of new Adventurers emerging from hiding.

VanguardProtector sheathed his weapon, frustration evident on his face. "They'll be back someday. They always are." He turned to his companions. "Help the villagers and newcomers. Restore what order we can."

His group dispersed throughout Woodhaven, helping to right overturned stalls, guide disoriented newcomers, and tend to the injured. One of them—a robed figure named "HeartMender"—approached the spot where Lydia had fallen.

"The village will undergo a renewal soon," she announced. "The Divine Laws will restore everything, including your guide. In the meantime, I can answer basic questions for newcomers."

Cain finally found the will to move, stepping fully out of the forge and into the devastated square. He walked slowly, taking in the destruction—not permanent, as LordChaos had said, but shocking nonetheless. Villagers who had survived the attack collected scattered produce and merchants attempted to reclaim their wares, while the bodies of the fallen had simply vanished, awaiting the village-wide restoration.

He made his way to where his mother had fallen. There was nothing there now, not even a mark on the cobblestones to indicate what had happened. When the New Dawn came, she would return, with no memory of the pain she had endured or the dignity with which she had faced it. But Cain would remember. Somehow.

"You shouldn't be out here," VanguardProtector said, approaching Cain with a concerned expression. "The village is waiting for the renewal. Best for surviving locals to stay in their usual places until The Divine Laws complete their work." 

"My mother," Cain said, the words feeling strange in his mouth. "I saw her fall."

VanguardProtector's expression softened. "The healer? She'll be back when the New Dawn comes. Everyone who fell returns after the renewal."

"But why?" Cain asked, suddenly finding his voice. "Why must we wait for the New Dawn while Adventurers like you return immediately at the shrine?"

VanguardProtector shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard by the directness of the question. "That's..." he hesitated, searching for words. "That's just how The Divine Laws work. Adventurers and villagers are... different."

"Different how?" Cain pressed, a new boldness in him born from grief and anger.

"It's complicated," VanguardProtector said, looking relieved as one of his companions called for assistance across the square. "I should go. You should return to the forge before nightfall."

With that, he turned away, clearly avoiding further questioning. Cain stood there, unsatisfied and more confused than ever.

With a numb nod, Cain finally turned and walked back toward the forge. His father stood in the doorway, expression unchanged, as if the chaos had been nothing more than a passing shower.

"She'll return with the New Dawn," Edric said as Cain approached.

"I know," Cain replied, his voice hollow. "But she still suffered."

"Suffering is temporary. Service is permanent." Edric turned back to his anvil. "We continue our work until the renewal comes."

As the evening shadows lengthened across Woodhaven, signs of the coming renewal were already visible. Small motes of blue light appeared around damaged structures, and a faint humming filled the air as The Divine Laws prepared to restore order. New Adventurers continued to arrive, now greeted by VanguardProtector's group until the guides would return.

From the window of the forge, Cain watched as the blue light grew more intense throughout the village. Questions churned in his mind: Would his mother remember what happened when she returned? Would she feel the phantom pain of that poisoned blade? Would she harbor fear of the Crimson Grins if they returned?

Or would she simply resume her duties, the entire ordeal erased from her consciousness as if it had never occurred?