A deafening roar shattered the silence, causing both men to jump in fright. The ground shook beneath their feet. The tall man's hand went to his sword hilt as he stepped in front of the traveler, ready to face whatever was coming their way.
Suddenly, there was a loud impact on the wall. The wooden planks splintered and cracked under immense force, sending debris flying in all directions. The creature tore through them as if they were nothing, creating a gaping hole in the wall that allowed the moonlight to flood into the room. With incredible force, the creature slammed into the tall man, causing him to let out a loud cry and be thrown to the ground, his sword clattering out of reach. The traveler stumbled backward in terror as the creature turned its red glowing eyes on him in the darkness. The sound of splintering wood filled the air, adding to the chaotic scene.
It was like nothing either of them had ever seen before. The creature was covered in shaggy fur, its massive body towering over them like a dark cloud. It had razor-sharp claws that glinted in the moonlight and a gaping maw filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth.
With a ferocious snarl, the creature lunged at the traveler, its claws slashing through the air. The traveler tried to dodge, but he wasn't fast enough. The creature's claws tore into his flesh, ripping through his clothes and slicing deep into his skin.
Blood sprayed out in a gory arc as the traveler fell to the ground, screaming in agony. The creature turned its attention back to the tall man, who was struggling to his feet. It let out another roar, its eyes glowing with feral hunger.
The tall man reached for his sword, but it was too late. The creature was already upon him, its claws tearing into his armor and slicing through his flesh like a hot knife through butter. He let out a pained cry as the creature mauled him, tearing him apart with brutal efficiency.
For a long, terrible moment, the only sound was the creature's snarls and the sickening crunch of bones breaking. When it was over, both men lay motionless on the ground, their bodies torn apart and bloody. The creature stood over them, its fur matted with their blood as it let out a triumphant howl into the night sky.
Lith watched in horror from the shadows as the creature dragged the men away, leaving behind nothing but a trail of blood and destruction. It was a creature unlike any he had ever seen before, with jagged spikes protruding from its back and razor-sharp claws that left deep gouges in the wooden floorboards.
Frozen in terror, Lith watched as the creature disappeared into the darkness, taking the bodies of both men with it. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, and the flickering candle on the table cast wild, unpredictable shadows on the walls.
As the young thief emerged from behind the wardrobe, his heart pounding in his chest, he knew that he had stumbled upon something far more sinister than he could have ever imagined. With a deep sense of foreboding, he realized that the rumors of an ancient evil stirring in the world might be more than just idle talk.
He looked outside, still shocked, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of the creature. The wind howled around him, carrying with it the faint sound of rustling leaves and distant screams.
Lith's heart was pounding in his chest as he surveyed the gory scene around him. The room was in shambles, broken furniture and splintered wood scattered haphazardly about the floor. Blood was everywhere, coating the walls and floorboards in a slick, crimson sheen.
With a deep sense of dread, Lith realized that he was standing at the scene of a brutal attack. He had been lucky to survive, but the guards would be here soon to investigate. And Lith knew all too well that he couldn't trust them.
As a thief, Lith had learned to keep his head down and avoid drawing attention to himself. But now, he was faced with a dilemma. Should he tell the guards everything he knew about the creature that had attacked him, or should he try to find a way to protect himself from any investigation that might implicate him?
Lith knew that the guards would never believe him. He was just a 17-year-old orphan who had been living on the streets for as long as he could remember. And if he told them everything he knew, it might even draw the attention of the Inquisition, which would surely mean his death.
For a moment, Lith was paralyzed with indecision. He could already hear the distant screams of villagers, and he knew that the guards would be arriving soon. He needed to act quickly if he was going to avoid being caught up in their investigation.
With a deep breath, Lith made a decision. He would keep his knowledge of the creature to himself at least for now, and try to find a way to safety.