The One I Couldn't Save

After coming back from such a perilous journey, Raymond expects to be greeted by the warm village he once knew as Sun's Valley. However, there is an evil presence in the mountains of light.

He senses something is wrong and begins to pick up speed. Gwynarth, his horse, can tell something is not right. They pass through the mountains, and see smoke in the distance. As they come over the final hill to get to the village, they see it has not survived.

They rush inside to rind a ruined city. The people he once knew as the friendly townsfolk slaughtered. Buildings lay in ruble across the valley. The town is no longer a vivid, living city, but a quiet, ominous scape of death and anguish.

He returns to where his house once--no, his home-- once was to find it destroyed. There is movement in the scree, though. His mother lies in the corner breathing heavily. Raymond rushes over to her and removes his mask.

"Stay with me," he says through tears. "Please. I know you can make it. I know you are stronger than them. Don't let the dark take you!"

"I have always been proud of you," his mother says between gasps, for she knows her time is up. "There is no one else I would want to call my son."

Her heart fades.

Raymond holds her as everything else seems to go silent. The wind stops. He begins to silently weep over his mother, as his heart is struck with grief.

[fade to black]