******
Still in the village square, an oppressive silence choked the air, thick as tar.
The villagers watched in muted horror as the elderly demon was roughly apprehended and dragged to the podium like the evilest criminal of all time, blood trailing from his forehead where he had repeatedly smashed it against the ground in desperate pleas moments ago, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain.
Instead, the old man dazedly allowed himself to be dragged forward without resistance, his frail body sagged, and his lifeless, yellow pupil dull with pure hopelessness.
His tiny granddaughter trotted behind, her innocent eyes sparkling with curiosity as she glanced around, utterly unaware of the noose tightening around both herself and her grandfather.
The only ones who reacted were the guards, all of whom immediately sneered as the old man passed, their twisted grins radiating cruel satisfaction and disgust.
