⚠️ Note for Readers:
This chapter may contain intense and uncomfortable scenes. Please read with caution.
If you'd like, I can suggest more variations!🥹
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Without delay, they followed the young guard toward the western path. The streets were quieter now—most townsfolk already home for the night. A chill wind swept through the narrow lanes, rustling old banners.
But before they had reached the gates—
CRASH!
A deafening roar split the night, shaking windows. The ground beneath their feet trembled. A second crash rang out—closer.
Mavie spun toward the sound.
Mavie: "What in the stars—?"
Suddenly, from beyond the corner of the street, a mass of bodies came fleeing—merchants, women, children—all running, faces pale with terror.
Shouts rose:
"Monster! A monster—inside the walls!"
"It came from the west—run!"
Aurelia's breath caught.
Aurelia: "Not again…"
Before another word, the creature burst into view—a hulking brute of muscle and stone, with eyes glowing a fierce, unnatural red. Its massive claws scraped the stone street as it barreled forward, scattering townsfolk and crushing carts beneath its weight.
The guard gasped, sword shaking in hand.
Guard: "It's inside already—!"
Mavie drew her blade in one sharp motion.
Mavie: "Ready thyselves! We must push it back before more blood is spilt!"
Aurelia stepped beside her, magic thrumming at her fingertips.
Aurelia: "This beast seeks to challenge us in our own streets. Very well…"
The fight would come whether they wished it or not.
The ground trembled beneath their feet—soft at first, like a distant drum… then stronger, like thunder in the bones.
Mavie's grip tightened on her sword. Her sharp gaze flickered across the darkened street. Lanterns swayed on iron posts, their flames sputtering in the sudden wind.
Guard: "Lady Mavie… it's coming closer…"
His voice wavered. Sweat gleamed on his brow.
Without warning—
CRASH!
A stone wall from a side alley exploded outward, bricks flying in every direction. A monstrous shape burst through the cloud of dust and mortar—a towering brute of stone and sinew, with jagged arms like boulders and a maw split with gleaming fangs. Its burning red eyes swept the narrow street, hunger and fury in equal measure.
The villagers screamed, fleeing in terror—mothers clutching children, merchants abandoning their carts, all scrambling toward the safety of the inner gate.
Mavie: "HOLD!"
Her voice rang out like steel, cutting through the panic.
Aurelia stood at her side, staff in hand, blue eyes alight with arcane power.
Aurelia: "It is as they said… but larger than I feared."
Mavie: "We cannot let it reach the heart of the city. With me!"
The creature lunged, claws tearing across the cobbles. A guard wasn't fast enough—a sweeping blow sent him crashing against a wall, unmoving.
Mavie charged forward without hesitation. Her blade flashed in an arc, striking the beast's leg—chipping stone but drawing no blood.
Mavie's thoughts: "Armored… no ordinary weapon will pierce it easily."
Aurelia lifted her staff and chanted under her breath. Sigils of light spiraled around her hands before unleashing a torrent of arcane bolts that struck the creature's eyes. The brute howled, blinded momentarily.
Another crash—the beast swung blindly, leveling a row of market stalls.
Guards rallied, spears trembling in their hands.
Captain: "Drive it west—toward the gate! Do not let it turn!"
The soldiers thrust forward in a staggered line, following Mavie's lead. Each step was met with risk—another swipe could fell them all.
Aurelia: "Mavie—buy me time. I shall weaken its limbs."
Mavie nodded, darting in close once more. Her sword struck joints and thinner stone—anything to unbalance the creature.
Mavie: "NOW, Aurelia!"
With a surge of will, Aurelia loosed a binding spell—ethereal chains of blue light lashing the monster's legs. The creature stumbled, clawing at the glowing bonds.
Seeing the opening, Mavie struck true—driving her blade into a cracked seam along the beast's side. A shudder ran through it.
But even so—the brute endured.
Aurelia's breath came hard.
Aurelia: "I cannot hold it much longer…"
Suddenly, the creature reared—snapping the arcane binds—and bellowed a roar that shook the rooftops. Windows shattered. The smell of burning stone filled the air.
A heavy claw slammed into the cobbles, sending debris flying. One struck Mavie's shoulder—she staggered but held her stance.
Mavie: "It must not reach the main square!"
From the shadows, another squad of guards arrived with long pikes and shields, forming a secondary wall.
Mavie turned to Aurelia: "Force it through the west gate. We cannot fight it here."
Aurelia's eyes narrowed. She summoned another blast—this time aiming at the ground beneath the beast's feet. The cobblestones cracked and shifted, forcing the creature to stumble backward.
Step by step, blow by blow, they drove it down the western road.
But the creature fought with terrifying instinct—its red eyes locked on Mavie now, recognizing her as the greatest threat.
Breath heaving, sweat streaking her brow, Mavie called to her men:
Mavie: "Hold steady! One more push!"
Together, under her command, the knights pressed forward—thrusting pikes, hurling ropes, driving the beast inch by inch toward the shattered gate.
Another bellow—and the monster, wounded and enraged, turned at last—lumbering out of the city and into the dark woods beyond.
A long silence followed. Mavie stood motionless, blade lowered, shoulders rising and falling with each breath.
Aurelia stepped beside her, voice soft but grave.
Aurelia: "These attacks… they grow bolder. And stronger."
Mavie nodded. Her sharp gaze lingered on the broken gate, the deep claw marks gouged into the stone.
Mavie: "This is no mere chance. Something drives them. We must uncover what… before the next comes."
Behind them, the city lay battered but standing. The people—shaken, frightened—peered out from windows and doors.
The monster was gone for now. But the threat had only just begun.
The streets lay in ruin—broken carts, shattered market stalls, stones cracked and smeared with dirt. The faint scent of smoke lingered on the air, mingling with fear.
Mavie's sharp gaze swept across the scattered townsfolk emerging from hiding. A child wept in her mother's arms. An old man knelt beside an injured guard.
Aurelia lowered her staff, her breath still quickened.
Aurelia: "That… was too close."
Mavie: "Aye. Had we been a moment later… more lives would be lost."
Sheathing her blade, Mavie turned to the remaining guards.
Mavie: "See to the wounded. Help the townsfolk clear the streets. And double the watch upon the western wall. No one rests till the gate is secured."
Guard Captain: "At once, Lady Mavie!"
The soldiers dispersed, moving quickly to carry out her orders. The clang of hammers and hurried voices rose in the night.
Aurelia stood quiet, brow furrowed.
Aurelia: "We must tell Theron. He must know how bold these creatures grow."
Mavie: "Aye. And we must begin preparations at once. The attacks will not end here."
Without further word, the two women strode toward the castle. Their boots echoed on the cold stone road, past frightened eyes and huddled whispers.
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In the great hall, torches burned low. Theron stood near the high windows, speaking with two of his advisors. At the sight of Mavie and Aurelia entering, his eyes widened.
Theron: "By the stars—Mavie! Aurelia! The bells rang—what news?"
Mavie bowed stiffly.
Mavie: "A beast breached the western gate, my lord. A great stone brute. We have driven it back, but not without loss."
Aurelia: "These attacks grow stronger. The beasts are changing—or something guides them."
Theron's gaze darkened. He paced, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
Theron: "And yet… why now? Why so bold?"
Mavie: "I know not. But the city must prepare. I request full muster of the guard. And a war council at dawn."
Theron nodded grimly.
Theron: "Granted. At dawn, then. We must not be caught unready again."
Mavie bowed once more, but her sharp eyes met Theron's.
Mavie: "And one thing more, Your Majesty—this cannot be mere chance. I will seek the cause. I vow it."
Theron: "You have my leave—and my trust, Lady Mavie."
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The hour was late as Mavie and Aurelia left the great hall. The city lay quieter now, but the tension hung thick as fog.
Aurelia walked beside her, voice low.
Aurelia: "Do you truly think something drives them?"
Mavie: "Aye. I feel it in my bones. These are not random attacks. Some darkness stirs."
The stars glittered above the battered rooftops. Another night survived—but many trials yet to come.
The city would heal. The guard would stand ready.
But in the shadows of the wild lands beyond the walls, unseen eyes watched… and waited.
(TO BE CONTINUED)