Deep in the dark forest north of Agatha, Brother William Von Wölfhart, a knight of the Order of his Majesty Geolias, ran as if the devil himself was after him.
His chain mail was covered in mud. Twigs and grass stuck between his hair and beard, and his face was covered with dried blood. Not just his blood.
His chapped lips bleed as he mumbled hopeless prayers. The sheath of his long sword danced empty on his hip.
He searched the dark forest around him with his open, feverish, hard eyes.
Tracks in the loamy soil indicated the direction he should go. Or not?
Here and there he saw tar of dark blood smearing the old trees.
While on the run, he passed several remains of his fallen brothers. Helmets, gloves, boots, all marked by their knight's blood and sometimes patches of skin and hair.
All signs that he was the only survivor.
Barely five days ago, the six of them had left their sacred chapel for the king's city. The beast that followed them had cut short their entire journey. It seemed to make no effort to cover up its tracks. Why should it? Who would be dumb enough to go after it?! What fool could handle such a monster? Against a creature that hunted people like the people hunted a rabbit?
Six men were killed by the beast, six in a matter of minutes, and probably many had gone before them. It was still there; he could still smell it. The obscured scent of burnt wood betrays its presence.
The cold air seems to trap William in the dark labyrinth of branches. The sound of leather boots made him jump. In a desperate effort, he called for help, but no one could hear him. He started to run faster without knowing where he is going. After a few steps, he looked suspiciously over his shoulder to keep the creature from following him. Of course, the creature followed him. It wouldn't let him live alone.
Finally, he saw the lights of a small village in the distance.
He nearly collapsed and ran to the village as fast as he could. He was saved! Furthermore, he would survive!
Tears of happiness appeared in his eyes, a few seconds ago he thought he would never see daylight again or feel the warmth of the sun on his face.
"Help" he cried in a hoarse voice, "Help!" Two heavily armed guards turned to him and peered into the darkness. "Stop" shouted the left guard, while the right continued, "Who's going there"? "What are you looking for in o thú?"
"I am Brother William, please allow me into your humble village, there is a monster, and it's coming here! A monster I tell you !!"
The guards looked at each other in surprise and grabbed the man suspiciously.
A loud bouncing arrogantly woke the headmaster. "Who's there," he roared and continued; who dares to disturb me?! He straightened his nightcap and looked at the guard in the doorway. "I'm sorry to wake you up my lord, but there is something that requires your attention, and it cannot wait." "Wake me up in the morning." "My Lord, the beast" stammered the guard. The headmaster looked closely at the guard and nodded.
Moments later, he walked the halls with two guards holding his torch. The left guard knocked three times on the wooden door and waited for the viewing window to be opened. The rough face of an older man emerged. "Open" the soldier snapped at the whipping. There was a rattling sound and the door swung open.
"I swear " Brother William roared.
His wrists were in strong chains against the wall and a man with a white-hot sword stood next to him.
"Speak the truth, or I'll burn your liver out," he snapped.
"Enough" interrupted the headmaster. "This is not necessary. What did you see, he asked in a soft tone." "Nothing, my lord," William stammered in a whisper. It just came out of nowhere. It emerged as a shadow and disappeared like a mosquito again. I heard it. It hissed and growled. It was ... worse than the devil. He devoured my men as if they were mushrooms. With one blow it killed two of my best warriors. It was the beast! " The governor looked up slowly. "Are you sure about this?" "As sure as the moon is in the sky, my lord."
"Warn the whole village. Weapon anyone who can carry a weapon. What we feared is true." The guards nodded and hurried away.
"And this one my lord" asked the martyr. "He won't survive the night anyway," murmured the headmaster, and walked out of the dungeon without listening to Brother William's pleas.
Young men and their older fathers were dragged from their beds. Without any explanation, they had been armed and sent to the square. Women were left screaming while soldiers were preparing everyone.
A soldier's stomach turned when he saw a boy whose helmet slipped over his eyes. The boy was not yet fourteen summers and now here he stood, armed, ready to defend the village against something he could never understand.
No one believed the rumors of evil the traders had brought, stories of looted villages where no one was alive, and burned farms where cattle had been mutilated until William came because his description was clear enough.
The man's fearful eyes spoke volumes. The fear that froze man and child, the being from hell. It was all true.
And now the creature was here, hungry and looking for victims ...
The frightened looks were fixed on the dark edge of the forest. But they were all deceived cause Hate did not come from the woods. Hate came from among them ...
People started screaming and roaring unannounced. Everyone tried to defend themselves, but they had no chance... The creature was undefeatable