The sounds of cheering and merriment roared from the tavern of a small village out in the boonies. The villagers were gathered to celebrate Alec's coming-of-age ceremony. Alver, the local blacksmith, gave Alec a hearty slap on the back while holding a mug in his other hand, congratulating him on finally becoming a man, already half-drunk from the strong mead.
Alec winced at the impact and gave an awkward laugh as he thanked the large man with a wide smile, grateful that everyone had come to celebrate. Erner, the head of the local farmers, wrapped Alec under his arm and handed him a mug of honeyed mead, claiming it was the first batch uncorked this year.
After Alec had finished half his mead, Zoe, who lived next door and was only a few weeks younger than him, pulled him toward the bar with a big grin. Her smile shone as bright as the morning sunrise over the mountains, enrapturing him, and he was glad he could blame his blush on the alcohol.
Once at the bar, everyone, including Zoe, turned their heads to him, and Alec shuffled awkwardly under their gaze. A slow chant rose from his best friend, Roderik, calling for a speech. Though Roderik was the village chief's eldest son, he was kind and well-loved, often helping Alec and Zoe in the fields.
Feeling embarrassed, Alec smiled at his friend's antics, especially as Zoe and his mother joined in. Soon, the entire tavern was chanting, and Alec shook his head with a laugh. Raising his half-full mug, he quieted everyone.
"Thank you! Really, thank you, everyone, for coming. Tonight, we celebrate not only our harvest but also my birthday and coming-of-age ceremony."
He continued, naming friends and family—Roderik, Zoe, Alver, Hamming, Delvin, and Farkas and Vilkas, the so-called "terrible twins"—earning chuckles as the embarrassed twins turned red. "May their deeds go down in history!" Alec said, raising his mug, and the tavern responded with joking cheers.
Stepping down from the bar, Alec raised his mug again. "And to our harvest—may the gods bless us with a bountiful crop!" Cheers rang out.
Musicians resumed their playing, and Roderik and Zoe bounded up to Alec. Roderik slapped him on the back, causing Alec to stumble and nearly spill his mead. "It's not the end of the world if you spill one mug," Roderik laughed, only to be elbowed by Zoe, who stomped on his foot. He cried out but laughed through the pain.
Alec wisely let them settle their playful rivalry as he chatted with the farmers. Most villagers had begun to leave, leaving Zoe by his side, when suddenly an explosion rocked the tavern. The ceiling and walls caved in, sending Alec and Zoe flying into a wall. Splinters and shattered glass scattered, and liquids soaked them both.
Alec's ears rang, vision blurry. Zoe lay unconscious nearby. He looked up—and froze. A demon, taller than even Alver and muscular, searched among the bodies of the villagers who hadn't fled.
Alec stiffened. The demon's movement drew its attention, and he realized he had to protect Zoe. Pushing himself up, he grabbed a dagger from under the bar, holding it toward the demon. The creature laughed and swung its sword. Alec rolled aside, narrowly avoiding the strike.
He positioned himself between Zoe and the demon. Gritting his teeth, he charged, only to be kicked in the ribs, pain tearing through him. He tried to rise, but the demon raised its sword, aiming to end him—until a sword rammed into its gut.
Roderik had arrived, taking the blow and losing his arm in the process. He shouted for Alec and Zoe to flee to the capital and tell the guards. Alec, unwilling to let his friend die alone, leapt onto the demon's back, stabbing repeatedly. Eventually, the dagger pierced the demon's throat, and it collapsed in a bloodied heap.
Zoe awoke in time to see the end of the fight, rushing to check Alec, who assured her he was fine—though they both knew he wasn't. They turned to Roderik, who nodded knowingly before leaving, only to be killed by another demon. Alec and Zoe screamed, paralyzed with grief, until a town guard intercepted the demon, urging them to escape.
Outside, the village burned. Villagers fell like livestock as demons hunted mercilessly. Alver, Erner, and Hamming fought desperately but were overwhelmed. Erner shouted for Alec and Zoe to flee to the forest, which they did, taking any survivors with them.
A hellhound lunged at Alec, but his mother intervened, shouting for them to keep running. They reached the treeline and dared to look back. Alec's mother was impaled, and he screamed in anguish. Zoe grabbed his wrist, tears in both their eyes, as they fled their only home, now orphaned, with only each other left.