Part 1
Desperate, the woman explained through sobs, "My daughter was found dead near the church... completely torn apart! Please, help!"
Pallas frowned, his expression growing even more serious. "Take us there." he ordered, turning to the guards and the newly arrived.
The group, led by Pallas and the weeping woman, began to walk through the muddy streets of the city. The rain showed no mercy, making the ground even more slippery and treacherous.
As they approached the church, a growing murmur could be heard. The news of the brutal death had spread quickly, and many townsfolk had come out of their homes, curious and concerned about what had happened. The narrow streets were crowded with people, all dressed in heavy cloaks and hoods to protect themselves from the relentless rain. Pallas and his group struggled to push through the crowd.
"Make way!" Pallas shouted, his authoritative voice managing to clear a path through the onlookers.
Finally, the church came into view, situated at the base of an imposing mountain. The stone building, with its sturdy walls and tall towers, seemed like a bastion of resistance against the harsh weather. However, even the church, with its imposing facade, couldn't hide the atmosphere of fear that hung in the air.
Upon arriving at the church, they found a crowd of people gathered around the body. Murmurs of horror and shock echoed through the area. Pallas moved forward, followed closely by William, Ed, Wilde, and the guards. They reached the center of the crowd, where the woman's body lay on the ground, partially covered by a thin cloak and soaked with blood.
The woman's torso was a horrific sight. Her flesh was torn and shredded, with deep cuts revealing bones and internal organs. Blood and entrails were spread across the ground, creating a scene of grotesque brutality. The rest of her body was missing, leaving only the torso as a testament to unspeakable violence.
William crouched down, examining the wounds with a clinical eye. "This wasn't done with a blade." he murmured, his voice low and grim.
"This is the work of the monster." Wilde said, his face set in determined lines.
"We need to act now."
Pallas nodded, his face reflecting the gravity of the situation. "The hunt begins immediately. We can't wait any longer."
Turning to one of the guards, Pallas gave clear orders: "Go summon Don and tell him it's urgent. We need his help now."
The guard nodded and ran off into the crowd, quickly disappearing. Meanwhile, Pallas spotted the priest of the church approaching, his expression showing the pain and concern he felt for the community.
Pallas went to meet the priest. "Father, who found the body?"
The priest, a middle-aged man with tired eyes, sighed heavily before answering. "It was one of the nuns, Sister Denise. She found the body early this morning when she went to pray before dawn. She is deeply shaken."
Wilde, approaching with William, asked directly. "Father, did Sister Denise mention anything strange or unusual in the past nights? Anything that might have preceded this attack?"
The priest shook his head, thoughtful. "She mentioned hearing strange noises, almost like a howl, coming from the mountains. But we didn't think it was anything dangerous. This monster has been a threat for some time, but we never imagined it could come so close to the city."
William looked intensely at the priest. "Was the body moved from where it was found, or is it exactly as Sister Denise found it?"
"It's exactly as she found it, sir." the priest replied, his voice trembling.
"She didn't touch anything, she just ran to get us. When I arrived, there was nothing but the mutilated body."
Wilde crossed his arms, reflecting. "And about the victim? Did she attend the church regularly? Was there anything special about her that might attract the monster's attention?"
The priest paused, visibly distressed. "Yes, she was a devout follower. She always helped with the masses and church activities. There was nothing special about her that would set her apart from the other faithful."
Don arrived, his eyes fixed on the mutilated body of the woman. He needed no further words to understand the severity of the situation. Pallas stepped forward, introducing him quickly.
"This is Don Hatzidakis, our tracker. He will help us understand what happened here."
The guards began to disperse the crowd, murmuring for everyone to return to their homes. The crowd slowly dispersed, reluctant to leave the crime scene.
Don knelt near the body, examining the blood already diluted by the heavy rain. Everyone stood silently, watching as he worked.
William approached Pallas, whispering, "What is he doing?"
Pallas replied quietly, "It's his method. He can track creatures by scent. Trust me, he's the best at this."
Don lifted his head, inhaling deeply. "The scent is already too weak." he said, standing up.
"But it should be stronger in the forest. We'll need to go into it."
Wilde frowned, concerned. "Do you think the monster is hiding in the forest?"
"It's likely." Don answered.
"These creatures tend to hide in isolated places. We need to prepare for a difficult hunt."
William looked at Pallas. "Are we ready? What do we need to do?"
Pallas nodded, turning to Don. "Lead the way. We'll follow you."
Part 2
The forest was shrouded in darkness, with the relentless rain enhancing the sense of isolation and mystery. The tall, ancient trees formed a thick canopy above their heads, blocking almost all the faint daylight that pierced through the rain clouds. The ground was covered with damp leaves, fallen branches, and mud, making the walk difficult and slippery. The sound of rain hitting the leaves and the occasional rustling of hidden animals created a tense atmosphere.
Don led the group, moving cautiously while examining every detail around him. His eyes were constantly alert, searching for any sign of the monster.
As they walked, William approached Pallas. "Pallas, how many times have you faced a creature like this?"
Pallas kept his gaze fixed on the forest ahead. "Not many, William. These creatures are rare, but each encounter is unique and deadly."
Wilde, walking beside William, asked, "What do we know about the monster? Any information that might help us?"
Pallas sighed, hesitating before answering. "We know it's a nocturnal, predatory, and extremely territorial creature. Its strength and speed are superior to any common animal. It won't be an easy hunt."
Ed, who had been quiet up to this point, listened intently, absorbing every word.
Suddenly, Don raised his hand, signaling for silence. The group stopped immediately, all senses on high alert. Don crouched down, examining the ground and the surrounding trees. They noticed several trees scratched with deep marks indicating the presence of something large and fierce. Additionally, carcasses of dead animals were scattered on the ground, with clear signs that they had been devoured by a hungry creature.
"These scratches are recent." Don whispered, looking at Pallas.
"And the carcasses... this isn't the work of a common predator, you understand?"
Pallas nodded, his expression grim. He turned to William, Wilde, and Ed. "This confirms our suspicions. The creature is hunting around here, but we can't confront it now. We'll have to wait for the next full moon."
William frowned. "Why the full moon?"
"Those creatures are more active during the full moon." Pallas explained.
"It will give us a better chance to locate and confront it under favorable conditions."
Wilde nodded, understanding the logic. "So, we need to prepare until then. Weapons, traps, anything that can give us an advantage."
Don stood up, finishing his inspection. "We need to go back and prepare. This hunt will require everything we've got."