The sun slowly rising to its rightful place in the sky, bringing warmth to a forest littered with blood, corpses and body parts scattered around. As light protrudes through the leafs, there he stands, bloody knife in hand, bloody knuckles, smile on his face, scars on his arms and back and happiness in his eyes. Hippos couldn’t believe the thrill that had waited for him in this journey north. The elderly, most of them dead or dying, as they tried to protect the children. Others disfigured or had lost a limb in the battle with the creatures of mother nature. Children torn piece by piece, spread across the ground like a morbid painting of a madman and his perfect little fantasy, laughing at this tragedy.

Adpetentia on her knees, crying, broken, exhausted with the husk of a body that was left of her mother in her hands. She gave her life to shield her daughter from the perils and Adpetentia can’t help but feel that the fault befalls on her and her inability to protect herself. With all the training, with all the strength she thought she had to be relied on by those around her, she had failed, miserably. Her mother had to sacrifice herself in order for her to live, and this weight felt crushing to her heart. Hippos turns towards her, noticing the carnage he runs to her. Embracing her, holding her tight in his arms, like she did when his parents died. He too felt at fault, he let the adrenaline rush take over his body, fighting, killing, but forgetting to protect what’s dear to the love of his life. Together in arms, they started crying…

The people slowly struggled to get back on their feet. The noise of the mess that was left behind the carnage was a hard thing to try to make sense out of. Grandparents, dead or dying, as they tried to shield as many children as possible, giving themselves up to the beasts. Children torn limb from limb, spread across the ground like the painting of a madman, laughing at the tragedy that just took place. Guts, tears and blood all around. They started debating whether they should bury the corpses of their loved ones or leave everything as it is. The had to move before the attracted more danger their way. Hungry, tormented and broken they came to the conclusion that they should leave everything as is, since it might deter others to follow in their footsteps.

They slowly started moving again, now Adpetentia had to leave her mother behind, just like all those that just lost a grandparent, parent, aunt or uncle in this vicious battle with mother nature. They stopped at the edge of the forest to eat, drink and try to recharge. The light and warmth of the sun was upon them, but it was all just a juxtaposition to what had happened.

And in Creetus…

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