Einar : The forsaken

As I struggled to breathe, the acrid smoke burning my lungs, Father's strong arms wrapped around me, carrying me away from the danger that lurked behind. Mother's hand grasped mine, her eyes wide with fear, as we stumbled through the desolate village square. The once-thriving market stalls now lay in ruins, the church reduced to a smoldering skeleton. The air reeked of char and death.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"We have to keep moving," Father replied, his eyes scanning the horizon.

But as we walked, the ground opened up, a giant mouth yawning from the soil, threatening to consume us. Father quickly pulled us to safety, his reflexes lightning-fast.

"What's happening?" I cried, my mind reeling.

"We'll figure it out later," Father said, his voice calm, but his eyes betraying a deep concern.

We found a small home, still intact, and rested for a moment. Father went outside to scout the area, while Mother's mental state began to unravel. I had never seen her like this, her eyes vacant, her body shaking. I tried to comfort her, but she pushed me away.

"I'm powerless," I thought, feeling useless. "If only I were stronger, like Father."

Just then, four flashes of light illuminated the sky, followed by Father's frantic cry. "Get down!" he yelled, covering us with his body.

But it was too late. We were lifted into the air, the oxygen rapidly depleting from my lungs. I saw Father's face, his eyes locked on mine, and then...nothing.

"Am I going to die...again?" I wondered, my heart racing. "Is this my judgement?"

As I slowly open my eyes, I'm met with an unfamiliar ceiling. I'm lying on a cold, hard ground, and I can feel the chill of the night air seeping into my bones. I try to remember how I got here, but my mind is a blur. I vaguely recall the sound of screams, the smell of smoke, and the feeling of being lifted into the air. But everything else is a mystery.

I sit up, my head spinning, and look around. I'm in a forest, surrounded by tall trees that seem to stretch up to the sky. I see no signs of civilization, no buildings or roads. Just trees, and the eerie silence of the forest.

I try to stand up, but my legs feel like jelly. I stumble and fall, my hands scraping against the rough ground. I cry out in frustration, but my voice is hoarse and barely audible.

As I struggle to my feet, I realize that I'm alone. Completely alone. I have no idea where my parents are, or if they're even alive. I'm scared, and I don't know what to do.

I start walking, my feet carrying me forward on autopilot. I don't know where I'm going, but I know I need to keep moving. I need to find help, find shelter, find safety.

As I walk, the forest seems to grow denser, the trees closing in around me. I hear strange noises, the snapping of twigs, the hooting of owls. I feel like I'm being watched, and I keep looking over my shoulder, expecting to see someone or something lurking in the shadows.

But there's never anything there.

I keep walking, my heart pounding in my chest, my senses on high alert. I don't know what's going to happen next, but I know I need to be ready.