The morning air was crisp and the breeze fresh. Trees had begun to rust and cast their leaves from their gnarled wooden fingers. Edge finished brewing his morning coffee over the fire he had built the night before, smiling as he took in his surroundings. Overly keen, he poured his coffee and took a sip, burning his lips as he done every morning.
Once the caffeine kicked in, he deconstructed his canvas tent and smothered the fire. The walk back to his village would take a couple of hours if he set a good pace over the mountain path.
Every month he would travel to the mountainous forest and train for days, moving to a different area each day. Sometimes the higher he went, the tougher it got. He finally felt good enough to challenge his long-time rival, Aaron, who admittedly had been far too strong the last few times they duelled. This time he thought as he made his way through falling leaves.
He made good pace to get onto the trader's path, which would lead him right into his village. The view was spectacular. Green Harmonian plains stretched out as far as the eye could see. Further ahead was a cluster of wooded hills, and behind them lay the sleepy village of Wyvis, where a plume of black smoke snaked its way up into the clear skies.
Without thinking Edge began running as hard as he could. The stony path made it difficult and risked turning his ankles. His body ached from the days of training but an adrenaline pushed him hard. He threw his bag and tent to the ground and drew his sword. Bandits had always bothered the village but there were plenty of good fighting men, young and old, that they never really posed a problem. His father would keep his mother and sister safe, he knew it. He had to.
Wyvis came into view and he made short work of the final decent off of the hill. Flames had engulfed the village and the palisade walls where fully ablaze and toppled. His dark eyes scanned for any sign of life, but he couldn't make out any movement. Fear struck him. Was he too late?
He leaped over the smouldering wooden gate, screaming for his family. The smoke stung his eyes and overwhelmed his lungs. Spluttering, he made his way through the heat and black haze. Shadowed figures appeared ahead.
'Mother, Father! Izzy!' He shouted, before coughing hard again.
The shadowed figures moved closer. They were groaning and he prayed they weren't injured. He halted as they emerged from the smoke. The three of them had blood dripping from their sallow skinned faces. Two had large slices across their throats and the insides of the other were spilling out like noodles. In amongst his shock, Edge thought they looked somehow familiar.
'Stop! You are unarmed, I don't want to hurt you.' Edge shouted, his sword at the ready. He had never used it before on humans. But were they human?
One reached out as it got closer and he swung without hesitation. The hands came off and with it a spurt of blood onto his yellow jacket. It kept moving towards him, without ever squealing out in pain. 'Stop!' Edge called out again. Blood gargled in the throat of thing in front of him. Edge swung and removed its head, which rolled to his right. Still its mouth and eyes moved, snapping its teeth together. He stood in disbelief for a moment, forgetting the other two which came onto him quickly. His sword fell and he stumbled back, tripping over himself. A sharp pain erupted in his head, and his vision blurred. He was coughing but couldn't hear anything. Two blurred images in front of him got closer before he blacked out.
