169 Death & Promises (1/2)

\”Caw! Caw!\”

A bird with grievous eyes and ink-stained wings flew above the forest with the swift movement of its wings. It landed on the branch and cawed once again. The emotionless black crow stared down, its dark pupils reflecting the raging flames below.

The once silent night was overcome by the anguishing and deafening sounds of human screams. The flames danced and sprang in the air, reaching hungrily for anything that they can consume to fuel their wrath.

Aiguo ran and finally reached the mountain pathway to his home, his heart pounding out of his chest. When he overheard the voices of the bandits nearby his feet ran even faster.

As he approached the pathway to his home, he stopped. He raised his head and sniffed the air.

It was the overpowering smell of blood.

An ominous premonition swirled in his heart. Without a moment's hesitation, he ran in the direction of his home with the sound of his heart pounding in his ears, numbing the sounds of screams behind him.

When he arrived in front of his home, he stopped, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.

The door to his home was wide open.

\”J..Jia…\” His voice trembled.

The scent of blood was even stronger. Gritting his teeth, he ran to the door.

\”Jia!\”

The sight before him caused his throat to tighten and his world turned into a blur. He couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't want to. The adrenaline flew over his veins, but he couldn't move a single muscle, not even to scream.

He opens his mouth, but not a sound comes out, his head violently quivering as if there is a drill to the back of his skull. His eyes see nothing; they have lost all sight of what is, and what could have been.

His sister lay there, still in the center of the room, covered in blood. In the bright moonlight, it was indecently red, as red as any flower in bloom, but for Aiguo that moment would be forever grey.

\”Jia!\” He broke himself from his trance and rushed over to his sister. \”Jia, what happened to you?!\”

He kneeled with trembling, bloody hands. Her hair tumbled over her face, and so he swept it back, feeling the coldness of her skin.

\”Jia, please wake up!\” He shook her body. \”Jia! Jia!\”

\”Ngh…\”

At that moment, he heard a slight noise come from below him. In shock, he looked down at his sister's brows furrowed. A burst of hope erupted within his chest.

\”Jia! Jia! Was that you? Come on get up, we need to leave!\” He reached for his sister's cold, bloody hand.

\”G..Go…\”

\”W-What?\” Aiguo stilled, his expression turning blank.

\”Go…find Rin and leave…me.\” Jia voiced in a feeble tone that Aiguo could barely hear.