+ "text": "\n\nHumpellia, a land of green forests and pink meadows, where people lived on farms and life flowed in quiet happiness. A place where joy felt almost natural, except for one name.\n\nMeras.\nThe king known as the punishment of these lands.\n\nIn one of Humpellia’s most beautiful villages, rain fell heavily, as it did every morning. People had opened their windows wide, placed their favorite meals upon their tables, and gathered with those they loved most, laughing and enjoying the day. Rain could not ruin their happiness; in this land, rain meant blessing.\n\nFrom deep within the forest, the slow sound of hooves echoed along the muddy road. The village governor, Uzak, was returning from distant lands. Birds sang around him, yet the sorrow in his eyes outweighed every sound.\n\nAt the entrance of the village, among the joyful voices of children, he stopped. He took a deep breath and called out into the dim light:\n\n\"People of my village! Gather yourselves. I have an announcement!\"\n\nAt once, everything fell silent. Heads leaned out of windows; some villagers stepped outside with their meals still in hand, while others woke their parents. Though the governor could barely be seen in the darkness, his sadness was felt by all.\n\nHe dismounted slowly and walked into the heart of the village. Babies stopped crying. Animals no longer grazed or drank. Sweat formed on his brow as his thoughts tangled, should he say it now?\n\nThen a voice cut through the silence.\n\n\"Father!\"\n\nUzak froze. His son was running toward him. He opened his arms and embraced the boy.\n\n\"Where were you? We missed you so much. Mother said you had gone far away… I was scared,\" the child said.\n\nLooking into his son’s eyes, Uzak forced strength into his voice.\n\n\"Do not worry, my son. Who would dare cause trouble when a governor like me stands here?\"\n\nBut when the boy said \"Father\" again, his tone hardened.\n\n\"We will talk later,\" he said, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder.\n\"Go to your mother now.\"\n\nAt last, Uzak stood at the center of the village. Every eye was fixed upon him.\n\n\"My people,\" he said, \"today I bring news from distant lands.\"\n\nWhispers rose as impatience grew.\n\"Say it already,\" someone murmured.\n\nUzak drew a deep breath and let the words fall heavily upon the village.\n\n\"All fathers, and all men who participated in the Tree Contest, gather yourselves. We are leaving.\"\n\nFor a moment, there was silence. Then voices erupted.\n\n\"Where?\"\n\"Why?\"\n\"How can this be?\"\n\nNo one understood what was happening, but everyone felt it, something had changed. People looked into the eyes of those they loved most. The rain continued to fall, and that morning, Humpellia ceased to be the place it had been before.\n\nEveryone mounted their horses. Each went to embrace their loved ones one last time.\n\nUzak returned to his home as well. His son, Talis, was crying. His wife, trying to remain strong, wrapped her arms around him.\n\n\"We will wait for you,\" she said. \"Do not forget us.\"\n\nUzak forced the trembling from his voice as he replied,\n\n\"I promise… I will see you again. Not once, but ten times if I must. I will always love you.\"\n\nHe kissed his wife one final time and turned to leave, only to find the door locked.\nWhen he turned back, he understood.\n\nTalis had taken the keys and locked the door from the inside.\n\n\"My father is not leaving!\" the boy cried as he ran through the village streets.\n\"No one will take him from me!\"\n\nThe moment Uzak heard his son’s voice, he knew. He broke the door open and rushed outside. Villagers tried to hold Talis back, but the child fought them with all his strength.\n\nAt last, his father reached him and held his son one final time.\n\n\"Don’t go!\" Talis screamed.\n\nBut he had to go.\n\n\"You left me again, Father! Go! You are no longer my father!\"\n\nHis mother pulled Talis into her arms. From atop his horse, Uzak looked at his son one last time.\n\n\"Whether you hate me or not,\" he said,\n\"the day you become governor, you will understand. We are going to Meras because I love you more than myself.\"\n\nThen he raised his voice.\n\n\"We are leaving! Everyone, mount your horses!\"\n\nTalis cried in his mother’s arms, screaming, \"Father, don’t go!\"\nBut Uzak rode out of the village without looking back.\n\nThe tears in his eyes sank deep within him, but his heart was burning.\nHis heart, and the hearts of all who left.\n\nNo one looked back.\nNot even once.\n\nBecause it was hard.\nTerribly hard."
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