The merchant guild compound was now a fortress of isolation. Knights were stationed strategically around the perimeter, forming a barricade to keep the curious and concerned citizens at bay. Within the cordoned-off area, tension hung thick in the air as everyone awaited the arrival of Mayor Kingsley. The once bustling marketplace had become eerily silent, save for the hushed conversations and the distant, unsettling thump of the blackened heart.
Sir Carrick had taken charge, his presence a steadying force amid the chaos. The restrained man, now a shadow of his former self, was brought in for questioning. Gareth relayed the man's fragmented mutterings to Luke.
"He's completely broken down," Gareth said, his voice tinged with worry. "He keeps repeating that doom is here, that everyone is going to die."
The sinister heart remained lodged in the cracked floorboard of the carriage, its rhythmic beating a haunting reminder of its unnatural vitality. No one dared to touch or move it. The carriage cover had been torn away, revealing the heart to anyone who cared to look. Despite its grotesque appearance, it exerted a strange, almost magnetic pull on those who gazed upon it. Luke felt the sound of its beating slowly seep into his mind, a persistent, unnerving reminder of the unknown dangers it represented.
In light of the threat, the merchant guild had been evacuated. Men, women, and children, including those from the cathedral and Father Wingate, were safely escorted away. Luke, however, remained. His involvement in the recent monster purge and his status as the victim of the latest attack granted him the authority to stay. As the minutes ticked by, Luke stood among the knights and guild members, waiting for Mayor Kingsley's arrival and the decisive actions that would follow.
Night had fallen, casting the merchant guild in shadows. Torches were lit, their flickering flames creating an eerie dance of light and dark across the compound. The knights' armour gleamed dully in the firelight, and their expressions were grave as they stood vigilant at their posts. The arrival of Mayor Kingsley finally broke the oppressive silence, his presence bringing a mix of hope and anxiety to the gathered crowd.
Sir Carrick immediately approached Mayor Kingsley, briefing him on the situation with swift, precise words. Mayor Kingsley nodded, absorbing the information before moving towards the carriage that housed the sinister heart. As he climbed inside, those nearby held their breath, waiting for his reaction.
Upon seeing the heart, Mayor Kingsley's eyes widened in shock.
"This is witchcraft," he muttered, his voice carrying the weight of ancient fears and superstitions.
The onlookers, including Luke, were stunned into silence. Luke had never witnessed anything like this before, and the reality of Mayor Kingsley's words struck him deeply. A severed heart continuing to beat was beyond natural explanation; it was a glimpse into the real, terrifying magic of this world.
"There's no way this is witchcraft," Sir Carrick jested, attempting to lighten the tension.
But his attempt fell flat as Mayor Kingsley remained firm in his belief.
Picking up a stick, Mayor Kingsley carefully pushed the heart, revealing the cursed writing etched into it. The words were in English, clear and foreboding.
"Luke, come here," Mayor Kingsley called, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. Luke, despite his rising nausea, obeyed.
As Luke peered at the heart, the grotesque sight made his stomach churn. The smell, the sight, and the rhythmic beating were overwhelming.
"Can you read it?" Mayor Kingsley asked.
Swallowing his disgust, Luke nodded and read aloud.
"Monster Attract."
The tension in the air thickened palpably. The implications of the cursed writing were clear to everyone present.
Mayor Kingsley immediately turned to Sir Carrick, his voice urgent.
"Fortify the walls. Monsters are coming." Sir Carrick's expression shifted from scepticism to determination. Orders were quickly shouted, and the knights sprang into action, preparing for the impending threat. Luke stood there, the weight of the words he had read still sinking in, knowing that Purewood was about to face a darkness it had never encountered before.
The knights rushed about, their movements a blur of urgency and precision. Orders were barked, weapons readied, and defences bolstered as the reality of the impending threat set in. Amid the chaos, Mayor Kingsley approached Luke, his expression a mix of desperation and resolve.
"Is there anything you can do about this, Luke?" Mayor Kingsley asked, his voice low but insistent, hinting at the possibility of Luke being a mage.
Luke shook his head, his anxiety mounting.
"This is beyond my expertise. Nothing in my world can mimic this," he replied, glancing back at the still-beating heart in the carriage.
"But you can read the curse," Mayor Kingsley pressed. "The language is ancient, and you understand it. Our people speak and write in Iatspich..."
"I told you, I'm no mage," Luke insisted. "I can't help with this."
Mayor Kingsley sighed, the weight of their situation pressing down on him.
"Then seek shelter, Luke. If you can't do anything, pray to God for help right now."
Luke was stunned, only watching how Mayor Kingsley turned to oversee the preparations. Meanwhile, up on the walls, a knight was busy carrying out the orders to fortify the defences. The gate was brought down, barricades were reinforced, and torches were lit one by one to illuminate the area, making it easier to spot any approaching threats.
As the knight reached to light the final torch, a piercing shriek filled the air. A Batonikie, a monstrous vulture-like creature, swooped down from the darkened sky. Reacting swiftly, the knight threw his torch at the beast and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the talons that aimed for his chest. The creature screeched in pain and rage as it veered away, but the alarm had been sounded.
The warning bell by the walls began to clang loudly, its urgent toll echoing through the city. The frantic sound instructed the people to seek safety within their homes. Knights shouted orders, their voices barely cutting through the din of chaos.
Purewood descended into turmoil. Just as they had thought the monster threat was waning, they now faced an assault of unprecedented ferocity. The streets filled with the clamour of frightened citizens and the determined cries of defenders, all aware that the night had only just begun, and the true battle was still ahead.
Purewood was in turmoil as the Batonikie, vulture-like monsters, descended from the night sky. With their poor vision in the dark, they flew low, relying on the flickering torchlight to navigate. Their large wings beat powerfully, creating gusts of wind that sent debris and loose items scattering through the streets. The knights found themselves overwhelmed, their attention drawn away from the walls and into the heart of the city. They stationed themselves along the streets and atop buildings, desperately trying to fend off the Batonikie and protect the terrified civilians.
Screams echoed through the city as the Batonikie swooped down, talons extended, attempting to snatch up anything or anyone in their path. Knights swung their swords and spears, striking at the creatures whenever they came close. The city's defenders were spread thin, their formations broken by the need to respond to the immediate threat posed by the low-flying monsters. In the chaos, the walls of Purewood were left inadequately guarded, a vulnerability that would soon prove disastrous.
Unnoticed amid the aerial assault, other monstrous creatures began to assault the walls. Katorok, massive kangaroo-like beasts, launched powerful kicks against the stone fortifications. Each impact sent tremors through the structure, weakening it bit by bit. Alongside them, Jirmour, Zlaha, and Plyburg—a grotesque menagerie of creatures—attacked with ferocity. The Ewwga, with their agile, monkey-like bodies, clambered up the walls with ease, slipping past the few defenders who remained.
The wall, already strained from repeated assaults, finally gave way under the relentless barrage of the Katorok's kicks. With a thunderous crash, a section of the fortifications crumbled, creating a breach. The monsters surged through the gap, pouring into the city with terrifying speed. Purewood's defences had been compromised, and the streets were now a battlefield.
Knights and civilians alike turned to face this new threat. The knights, already fatigued from combating the Batonikie, rallied to form a line against the oncoming horde. Blades clashed with claws, and the air was filled with the roars of monsters and the shouts of men. But for every monster they felled, more seemed to take its place.
Panic spread through the city as people scrambled to find safety. Those who could fight joined the knights, while the rest fled towards the cathedral and other sturdy buildings, hoping for some semblance of protection. The sound of the warning bell continued to ring, a relentless reminder of the danger that now engulfed Purewood.
Mayor Kingsley, standing near the breach, barked orders to the remaining knights, his voice barely audible over the din. He knew that sending for help was futile. The Fortress of Edenhide, with its antagonistic Antinoirist inhabitants, would likely revel in Purewood's downfall. Midhill, the small village they had often protected, lacked the resources or manpower to offer any meaningful assistance. Purewood was on its own.
The realization hit hard as Mayor Kingsley watched the knights struggle against the tide of monsters. They were vastly outnumbered and outmatched. The creatures surged forward, driven by an almost supernatural aggression.
Amidst the chaos, Luke found himself pulled into the fray. He tried to run back for the cathedral, where his light armour awaited. But he failed as the Batonikie was terrorising the street, forcing Luke to hide in between the alley of buildings.
The earlier encounter with the mysterious, cursed heart haunted him, a grim reminder of the supernatural forces at play. The heart's rhythmic thumping seemed to echo through his mind, a sinister omen of the doom that had descended upon Purewood.
With each passing moment, the city's defences grew weaker, and the hope of survival dimmed. The knights fought valiantly, but the sheer number of monsters overwhelmed them. Purewood was engulfed in chaos, the night filled with the sounds of battle, fear, and the relentless beating of the cursed heart.