Smoke left an ash trail to the sky. It looked like it was coming from my village.

Abandoning my hunt in the forest, I grabbed my bow and arrows and raced toward the grey plumes. With the smell of burning growing stronger and stronger, I covered my nose and mouth while I kept sprinting, a thousand thoughts flooding my mind.

Is this the ambush Uncle Lei had warned about? Could it be an enemy nation? Or our own?

I ran down the familiar dirt paths leading to my family's house. I heard yells and screams in the distance, but mercifully, I could not identify any voices.

As I neared, I saw red fabric embroidered with black and gold chains with the crest of our own nation. Soldiers in neat formations attacked local merchants, families, and children. Fire burned through houses, setting wood ablaze and collapsing roofs. Young children were wailing, the horrors of the scene captured in their very voices. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Relief washed over me when I saw my family. But a group of red soldiers walked towards them, their hands on the hilts of their swords. My legs moved before I could think, and I was almost there before someone yanked me back and my spine hit the ground. White hot pain crashed through my body.

When I looked up, I saw the eyes of my childhood friend, Kai. But he was dressed in red. I could barely recognize the boy I'd known my whole life. The boy who had saved my life multiple times and taught me how to hunt.

"What... are you doing?" I gasped, barely getting the words out.

"It's what should've happened long ago." he responded, not a hint of emotion in his face.

I look past him, seeing the soldiers close in on my family. The one in front was wearing a black cap with a golden crest in the center, only worn by the upper ranks of the military. He raised his sword.

My heart dropped, and I willed my limbs to move as I clumsily got off the ground. I wouldn't be able to make it in time. Pure panic shot through me as I grabbed for my bow and arrow, but Kai grabbed me, holding me in place so I couldn't move. I tried to break free with no success. I had no choice but to watch the soldier with the black cap circle my brothers and sisters.

His sword came down, and I saw the faces of my people in his blade.