Once, in the misty kingdom of Loria, there was a small village named Willowmere, nestled between whispering woods and a silver-threaded river. The villagers lived in peace, protected by the noble guards who watched over their homes. The bravest of these guards was a young man named Cedric, whose heart was as steadfast as his shield. One night, under an inky sky dusted with stars, a tremor ran through the woods. The river’s song faltered, and shadows thickened near the western edge of the village
