The sun peeked over the hills, bathing the village in a golden glow as Thomas loaded the last sack of potatoes onto his cart. His two little boys, Martin and Samuel, played with a wooden horse nearby, giggling as they chased each other.
"Pa! Can we go with you today?" Martin asked, his eyes bright with excitement.
Thomas ruffled his son's hair. "Not today, kiddo. Got to make a quick delivery to the inn. Behave for your ma, alright?"
He gave his wife, Eliza, a kiss on the cheek before setting off. The cart creaked as it rolled along the dirt road. The village was already waking up—blacksmiths hammering iron, women hanging laundry, the familiar bustle of everyday life.
As Thomas neared the village gate, he spotted a woman and a young boy talking to Jeb, the old man who always hung around the entrance. The woman looked weary, but she smiled as she spoke. The boy seemed nervous, glancing around like a rabbit in a field full of foxes.
"Morning!" Thomas called out with a wave.
The woman nodded politely. "Good morning, sir."
"Passing through?" he asked, giving the boy a gentle smile.
She hesitated. "Yes. Just looking for a place to stay the night."
Jeb shot Thomas a glare as if annoyed by the interruption. "Don't go getting friendly now," Jeb muttered.
Thomas ignored him and pointed down the road. "Inn's that way. Tell Milda I sent you—she'll give you a fair price. Folks here aren't always the friendliest to strangers, but you'll be fine."
"Thank you," the woman said, her voice soft with gratitude.
Thomas gave them a nod and continued on his way, pulling the cart down the cobbled path. At the inn, Milda was out front, sweeping the stoop. She took one look at the sacks and waved him over.
"Morning, Thomas. You brought the potatoes?"
"Aye. Fresh from the field." He grunted as he hefted one sack to his shoulder. "Got a couple of travelers heading your way too. Woman and a boy."
Milda raised an eyebrow. "More strays? Folks've been talking about heretics lately. Hope they're not trouble."
"Just seemed tired to me. Give them a warm meal, yeah? You know how Jeb gets."
Milda grunted in agreement as Thomas unloaded the last of the sacks. "A drink on the house for your trouble," she offered.
He smiled. "Just some water. Can't get tipsy before work."
He took his drink and made his way to the market to pick up some seeds. Along the way, he spotted the woman and the boy again, haggling with the butcher. The woman seemed lost, counting her coins with a worried frown.
He approached with a friendly smile. "Need some help?"
The woman gave a hesitant nod. "Just... trying to make sure we have enough for food and a room."
Thomas handed a few copper coins to the butcher. "Put it on my tab."
The woman looked stunned. "I can't—"
"No worries. Take care of your boy. Just pay it forward one day," he said, giving her a wink.
She gave a small, grateful smile and thanked him once more before hurrying off. Thomas headed home, his heart light from helping someone in need.
The sun dipped low as Thomas swung his hoe into the dry earth, sweat soaking his shirt. His neighbor, Caleb, passed by with a wave, carrying a crate of ale.
"Oi, Thomas!" Caleb shouted. "Game of dice tonight at the tavern. You in?"
Thomas grinned. "Maybe after supper. Eliza'll have my hide if I'm late again."
After finishing the row, he wiped his forehead and headed inside. Eliza had stew cooking, and the smell made his stomach growl. The boys were bickering over who got the bigger slice of bread. He scooped them both up, making them squeal as he spun them around.
"Calm down, you two," Eliza chided, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
They sat for supper, and Thomas listened to his sons chatter about their day—how Samuel tried to catch a frog and fell in the pond, how Martin helped Ma pull weeds in the garden. After dinner, he played with the boys in the yard, showing them how to throw a ball properly.
Later that night, after telling them a story about brave knights and wicked sorcerers, he tucked them into bed. Samuel snuggled under his blanket, while Martin, half-asleep, mumbled something about being a knight one day.
Thomas leaned against the window, looking out at the village under the moonlight. Lanterns flickered in the distance, and the air was still and cool. A quiet night. Peaceful. He took a deep breath, letting the calm wash over him.
Just as he turned to head downstairs, a sudden blinding light engulfed everything. He barely had time to shout before the searing white ray swallowed the village whole. He couldn't see, couldn't think—just pure, agonizing heat and light.
The world disappeared in an instant. The house, the fields, the people—all gone. Only the crater remained, vast and empty, as if the village had never been there at all.
Leonhard stood at the center of the devastation, his body changed—white hair cascading down his shoulders, golden eyes glowing with power. His skin was smooth and flawless, untouched by the torment he had endured, but his soul remained shattered.
He dropped to his knees, staring at the abyss around him. Where the village once bustled with life and warmth, now there was nothing—no laughter, no love, just the cold, empty silence of loss.