Chapter One: Blood in the Snow
Snow whispered beneath the hooves of the warhorse, each step breaking the silence of the frozen wilderness. The wind howled through the barren trees, carrying the faint scent of blood and iron.
Upon the horse sat a giant of a man. His skin was the color of bronze, his hair a wild mane of gold that caught what little sunlight broke through the clouds. Across his back rested a greatsword etched with runes that faintly pulsed beneath the frost. His name was Godfrey Andler, and even the earth seemed to weigh his passing.
Behind him rode a slender, middle-aged man upon a smaller steed, his eyes and hair the shade of liquid silver. Malvio guided a small carriage drawn by two horses, the wheels creaking over ice as he tried to keep up with Godfrey's pace.
Godfrey turned his head slightly, his deep voice rumbling over the wind. "Just a few hours till safety."
But before the words had fully left his lips, his gaze sharpened. A cold sensation crawled down his spine. Killing intent—heavy, suffocating, unmistakable.
He raised a hand, signaling Malvio to halt. The horses neighed in protest before stopping, steam rising from their nostrils.
Godfrey's expression hardened. So the heavens finally sent their dogs.
"Malvio," he said without turning.
"Yes, sir-r?" Malvio's voice cracked.
"Take the boy and hide. Protect him and do not come out until I call."
Malvio nodded, fear flickering across his face. He gripped the reins and steered the carriage toward the treeline.
As the carriage disappeared into the forest, the snow around Godfrey stilled. The world seemed to hold its breath. Then, from the trees, came the sound of metal brushing against armor.
Thirteen men stepped out of the fog, their armor gleaming silver, faces hidden behind masks. Each carried a short mace engraved with the sigil of the Heavens.
Godfrey exhaled, his breath a cloud of frost. "So all of them sent their dogs for one old man."
they did not react to the provocation
One of the men in silver stepped forward, his presence stronger and colder than the rest. "Godfrey Andler, your days of heresy and defiance are over. The heavens have decreed your execution. Resistance is futile."
Godfrey smirked. "To hell with your heavens. If they want me, let them earn me."
For a heartbeat, silence ruled. Then, the silver soldiers moved as one.
They all charged at once.13 beams of silver flashes all converging at a singular point
****
Under the Oak
Tens of feet away, Malvio crouched beneath the shadow of a great oak, clutching the carriage reins with trembling hands. Inside, hidden among blankets, sat a boy of twelve. His hair was dark and his eyes sharp.
Auron watched Malvio fidget with something hanging around his neck, a small necklace shaped like a fairy, carved crudely but lovingly.
"What's that?" Auron asked softly.
Malvio startled, then forced a smile. "Nothing, boy. My daughter made it for me. Said it would keep me safe from evil." His voice faltered. "She's about your age."
Auron nodded, unsure how to respond.
Malvio's smile quivered, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. He turned away, gripping the charm as though it could still protect him from what he feared most.
*****
Back in the clearing, snow turned red.
Godfrey knelt, armor shattered, breath coming in ragged gasps. His greatsword was buried in the ground beside him, its edge dull with blood. The snow hissed where it touched the heat of his wounds.
The silver soldiers encircled him, weapons raised. Their leader's voice rang cold. "Godfrey Andler, repent. This is the end of your futile rebellion."
Godfrey tilted his head to the sky, pale light reflecting in his eyes. Alas, he thought, I could not give that boy a home.
His fingers tightened on the hilt of his sword. But at least I can buy him a future.
He smiled faintly. "Let death come, then. But I won't die on my knees. I am the son of Achelous."
Then he stood.
Light erupted from within him.
Godfrey's roar split the heavens. "Come for me if you dare!"
The snow lifted in a whirlwind as mana poured from his body. His blood vessels glowed like molten rivers beneath his skin. Strange runes crawled across his arms, his chest, his face. His fists shimmered like twin suns.
The assassins hesitated. Then, with a collective cry, they transformed they're armor shattering into ethereal shapes,
bodies expanding into monstrous forms, neither man nor spirit. The field turned into a nightmare.
Godfrey met them head-on.
The first attacker lunged; Godfrey's hand caught the mace mid-swing, crushing it like glass.
He drove his other fist into the man's chest, and the impact turned armor to powder. The second came from behind, blade flashing. Godfrey spun, the fist of godfrey carving a crescent of light that cleaved him in half.
They surrounded him. Fire and frost, light and blood collided in a storm. Every movement from Godfrey was destruction and each step a shockwave, each breath a roar. The air itself screamed from the force of his strikes.
One by one, they fell. Some burned to ash before their screams finished. Others vanished into red mist. Yet even as they died, more pressed in, driven by faith, or madness.
When the light finally dimmed, only two figures remained.
Godfrey stood hunched, chest heaving, his armor hanging in tatters. Before him knelt the leader of the silver men, helmet cracked, blood seeping through the seams. Godfrey had him by the throat.
"You think you can outrun us?" the assassin choked, laughing through broken teeth. "Hundreds like me will come. Let's see how many you can kill before they bury you."
Godfrey said nothing. His grip tightened. Bones cracked, and the life went out of the man's eyes.
He dropped the corpse. The glow around him flickered, then faded entirely.
His hair turned from gold to white. The muscles that had once made him a legend shrank to frail lines beneath torn flesh. His knees buckled.
"Malvio… come out," he roared in the forest.
****
Under the oak, Malvio froze. He turned to Auron, his face pale as frost.
"Listen," he whispered. "We're going to play a game. It's called corpse. You don't move, don't make a sound, no matter what you hear. Understand?"
Auron nodded, though confusion clouded his eyes.
Malvio forced a smile it was unnatural and broken.
then he left the carriage.
When he reached the clearing, his breath caught. The once-white snow was a crater of red and black. The air burned with the scent of magic and blood.
Godfrey turned toward him. His eyes, once like fire, now looked tired. "Where is the boy?"
Malvio's hand trembled as he reached for his pocket. "Safe," he said quietly.
Then he lunged.
The knife plunged into Godfrey's ribs. The sound was wet, sickening.
Godfrey's eyes widened, not with rage, but disappointment. "So… they got you too," he muttered. His voice was calm, almost pitying. "What lies did they feed you, Malvio?"
Malvio broke. Tears spilled down his face. "I'm sorry… they had my daughter. Please, Godfrey, forgive me. I had no choice."
Godfrey's blood stained the snow beneath them. His strength was fading, but his eyes softened. "Is Auron safe?"
Malvio nodded through sobs.
"Good." Godfrey's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then go. Leave him alone. He's not ready for this world yet."
He reached out, his hand trembling, and patted Malvio's cheek. "Live a happy life, you fool."
Then he fell, eyes still open, his body crumpling beside his sword. The light went out.
Malvio stood frozen. His knife slipped from his fingers. "I'm sorry," he whispered, over and over, the wind swallowing the words.
From the treeline, a voice broke through the silence.
"Grandpa!"
Auron's scream shattered the quiet like glass..
End of Chapter One: Blood in the Snow