Humanity fell.
Nothing could stop them. Nothing could stop the beasts.
Tanks, nukes, jets, hydrogen bombs — no matter what humanity threw at them, the creatures did not fall. Years passed. Hundreds of years passed. Then thousands. All traces of modern civilization vanished. Nature overgrew the bones of cities and reclaimed what had once been taken from it.
Vines strangled the skeletons of skyscrapers. Asphalt split and sank beneath roots and moss. Rivers carved new paths through the ruins of highways.
In the middle of a vast open grassland, a small village remained.
A handful of weather-worn huts and tents stood in a rough circle, their patched roofs fluttering in the wind. A few skeletal trees leaned at tired angles, most long dead, their bark peeled away by time and sun. Just beyond the outskirts, deer grazed cautiously while small rabbits darted through the tall grass.
Farther out in the field, a deer suddenly bolted, fleeing from the thunder of hooves behind it.
The horse surged forward, powerful muscles rippling beneath its coat. Mounted atop it was a young boy who seemed no older than eighteen.
His luscious light-blonde hair cascaded past his shoulders, part of it gathered into a loose bun while the rest streamed behind him. A few soft strands fell across his face, catching the sunlight.
His eyes were a pale golden yellow that matched his hair perfectly — fox-shaped and sharp, framed by thick black eyebrows that contrasted strikingly with his pale skin. His beauty was almost ethereal: a perfect fusion of masculine structure and delicate, feminine softness.
Soft pink lips. Long lashes. Flawless skin untouched by the harsh world around him.
A black cloak flowed behind him like a living shadow in the wind. Beneath it, silver-plated armor glimmered with each movement, catching fragments of sunlight as he rode.
The boy's name was Euri.
With a sudden motion, he leaped from his horse, drawing the sword at his waist in one fluid motion. The blade flashed in the light as he brought it down with all his strength.
The strike split the deer cleanly in two.
Euri landed lightly, already turning, one hand extended behind him. His horse halted instantly, hooves digging into the earth.
With a cold, steady gaze, Euri walked toward the fallen animal. He lowered himself to his knees beside it and clasped his hands together.
"May your soul rest in Valhalla."
"It's a deer, not some great hero. Its soul won't go to Valhalla," a voice called out.
Euri turned.
Another rider approached through the grass.
He looked back at the deer's body, then slowly unclasped his hands and stood.
"You don't know that," he said calmly, pausing before meeting the man's eyes. "Help me carry this back to the village."
He walked to his horse and gently patted its head. Attached to the saddle was a worn leather bag. He opened it and pulled out a length of rope.
Crossing back to the carcass, he wrapped the rope around the upper half and secured the other end to the back of his horse.
"Tie the other half to your horse. The village is waiting," Euri said as he mounted and urged his horse forward.
The deer's body dragged across the grass and dirt behind him.
As he rode, Euri's gaze drifted across the endless sea of green. Wind rippled through the grass like waves on water.
"Nature sure is beautiful," he murmured. "Every day is a gift… being able to see this."
His horse stumbled briefly over fallen apples scattered beneath a gnarled tree before regaining its pace.
Soon, the village came into view.
Euri flicked the reins, urging his horse faster. By the time he reached the outskirts, villagers were already gathering, drawn by the sight.
He dismounted.
People surrounded the horse and the deer.
"Euri brought back food!" a man shouted.
"Mommy, I'm hungry… are we finally going to eat?" a little girl asked, clutching her mother's sleeve.
Euri loosened the rope and pulled the carcass free. Moments later, the other rider arrived, dragging the remaining half behind his horse.
The villagers erupted into cheers.
"Praise the gods! Praise the gods!"
Euri smiled and glanced toward his companion, Helios.
Helios did not smile. His face remained emotionless — almost hollow.
Euri's smile faded as the chanting continued.
"Praise the gods! Praise the gods!"
He walked past the crowd. They parted instinctively, forming a path as he entered a small tent. Helios followed closely behind.
Inside, the air was dim and still. A single lantern cast a weak golden glow, shadows swaying along the canvas walls.
The two sat across from one another on small wooden stools.
"What's wrong? What's with the cold look, Helios?"
Helios stared down at his hands before clenching them.
"You know what's wrong. It's always the same damn thing… Every time we go out there to get food for this stupid, pathetic village, we risk our lives. But all they do when we return is praise the gods. We never get anything."
Euri smiled softly and extended one hand.
Helios frowned. "Hold my hand."
"Why?" Helios asked.
"Just hold it."
He hesitated, then reached out and clasped Euri's hand.
His eyes widened in shock.
Euri's hands were warm — impossibly warm — while his own felt cold and lifeless.
"My hand is warm," Euri said.
Helios raised an eyebrow. "Yeah… what about it?"
"Doesn't it feel nice to hold my hand?" he asked.
Helios paused, still holding it. "What are you trying to get at?"
"Answer me, Helios. Does my hand feel nice?"
"They do."
"Do you want warm hands? Do you never want to feel cold again?"
Helios had no idea what Euri was trying to say. He was utterly confused, but answered simply:
"Yes. I want warm hands."
"Instead of being sad about not getting praise, you should be happy that you get to feed all these people. You don't need praise from others to know you did something good. Once you learn that, you will never feel cold again."
Helios chuckled and pulled his hand away.
"When did you become so philosophical?"
He stood, a faint smile breaking through his hardened expression.
"What am I saying? You've always been a wise piece of shit, haven't you?"
He ruffled Euri's hair before turning and stepping out of the tent, leaving the lantern's glow flickering in his wake.