Part 1
William and Ed entered Pallas' room, the environment lit only by a few strategically placed candles, casting long shadows on the stone walls. The air was heavy, filled with the smell of burnt wax and sweat, a reflection of the tension dominating the place. Pallas sat at the table, arms crossed, his face grim but attentive, as if he had already been expecting them.
As soon as he saw them, he sighed, straightening up in his chair. "I've heard everything about what happened to you." he said, his tone grave, showing empathy, but also mentally preparing for something greater. His eyes shifted directly to Ed.
"I'm sorry about Helena. But we were also attacked by the monsters."
Pallas' words were a shock. The pain Ed felt over Helena's condition was already immense, but now, with the mention of "monsters", the air around him seemed even heavier. He could barely process everything. Ed's silence spoke louder than any words.
William, with a more controlled voice, yet filled with curiosity and concern, broke the silence. "Monsters? More than one?" He frowned, looking directly at Pallas as if wanting to confirm that he hadn't heard wrong.
Before Pallas could respond, Don, who had been lurking near the door, intervened with a hardened expression. "Yes, more than one. When we were investigating how one of them got through the wall..." He paused, as if the weight of the words was too much to bear.
"...they got us from behind. We didn't see anything until it was too late."
William took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair, the gravity of the situation finally sinking in. "If they can all get through the wall... then we're dealing with something much worse than we thought."
Pallas nodded, his expression hardening. "If we don't solve this soon, things will get much worse. We won't have any more control over the situation. The wall was our first line of defense... and if these monsters can pass through it easily, we're at their mercy."
Pallas sighed heavily before turning to Wilde. "That's why..." he began, leaving the sentence hanging.
"That's why..." Wilde continued, finishing the sentence with a firmer voice.
"We'll use an old hunting method. The bait method."
The air in the room grew even denser with that revelation. Before anyone could react, Pallas made a hand gesture. The door to the room opened, and a guard entered, bringing a woman with him. She wore a simple habit, her modest appearance and hesitant expression clearly showing her nervousness. She was a nun, small in stature, and awkwardly waved at the men present, visibly anxious.
Ed and William exchanged confused glances, but it was William who broke the silence, his voice filled with distrust and curiosity. "How exactly is this going to work?"
Pallas shot a sharp look at William, almost challenging. "You should be used to this kind of hunt, William. You've hunted monsters before."
William clenched his fists, his expression hardening. "Yes, but not using people as bait." His voice was firm but filled with discomfort. He had never agreed with tactics that involved human sacrifices, even when the risk was calculated.
Don, who had been quietly observing until then, stepped forward, his expression cold. "These monsters... they like human blood and flesh. And they have a specific preference." He paused, looking at the nun.
"Women. Especially virgins."
The nun faltered for a brief moment upon hearing those words, but remained steady, her hand still clutching the cross tightly. The silence in the room grew heavier, and even Ed, known for his calm, seemed disturbed.
Wilde, always practical, got straight to the point. "We'll make a cut on her. A simple wound, just enough to make the smell of blood fill the air. That will bring it to us." He glanced at Ed and William, as if expecting some objection, but continued.
"The monster will be drawn to the blood. It's a dirty tactic, but effective."
Pallas nodded, his voice now graver, as if the weight of the situation was starting to affect him. "The monster should still be weak. After the last battle, it won't think twice about going after fresh meat. If we don't act quickly... it'll regain its strength, and then it'll be too late."
William, though visibly uncomfortable, said nothing more. He knew that, in that moment, questioning the plan would only bring more uncertainty. Ed, on the other hand, stepped forward, his voice low but firm. "What if something goes wrong?"
Pallas took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment before answering. "We deal with the consequences... as we always have."
Ed crossed his arms, taking a deep breath, his eyes locking with Pallas'. "We understand the plan, but we still don't know how we're going to kill these things. Regular blades... they don't work. We've seen that with our own eyes."
Pallas smiled slightly, as if he had expected that question. "The swords we'll use tonight won't be ordinary." He looked at the group, his voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone.
"They will be bathed in moonlight through an ancient magic ritual."
The surprise on William and Ed's faces was evident, and even Wilde raised an eyebrow. "Moon magic?" William asked, frowning.
"Is that even real?"
Pallas nodded slowly. "Yes, real and powerful. These monsters are creatures tied to darkness, and moonlight is one of the few forces capable of piercing their defenses. The ritual will transform the blades into something they cannot ignore. It's our only chance to finish this before it's too late."
Ed absorbed the information, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. He understood now. "Understood."
Pallas stepped into the center of the room, the intensity in his eyes shining. "Tonight, my friends..." He paused, his voice filled with anticipation and determination.
"We're going to hunt something big. And we will come out victorious."
The air in the room felt heavier, as if everyone present knew that this would be a night that would define the future for all of them. The nun remained silent.
William let out a sigh, not of exhaustion, but of preparation. "Then let the hunt begin."
Part 2
The forest seemed to breathe with them, every step through the dense vegetation echoing with the sound of the heavy rain, intensifying by the minute. The ground beneath their feet was soaked, turning the path into a muddy trail that made progress difficult. Pallas and Don led the group, while Ed, William, Wilde, the nun, and the guards followed closely behind, all with their eyes sharp on the surroundings, ready for any sign of the monster they hunted.
The thick rain dripped from the leaves above, creating a mantle of water and sound that at times muffled their conversation. After observing the oppressive silence for a long while, Ed finally broke the tension with a question that had been circling his mind since Pallas had mentioned the ritual magic.
"Magic… wouldn't it work on these monsters?" His voice was calm, but the doubt was evident. He looked at Pallas, waiting for a response, his pace slowing for a brief moment.
Don, walking just behind Pallas, was the first to respond. His voice sounded firm but with a barely hidden frustration. "Magic would work... but here on the island, we don't have many experienced users. The ones we do have... well, they're weak. None of them are capable of casting anything strong enough to kill even a single monster."
Ed glanced over his shoulder, frowning. "So… no one ever thought to bring in wizards from elsewhere?"
Don let out a heavy sigh, as if that question had been asked countless times before. "We've tried. We hired mages from other regions and even kingdoms. Some came and tried. But the best we got was a temporary solution. Some even managed to defeat one or two, but it's pointless… those bastards come back. They're like a plague. Endless."
Pallas, silent until then, nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the path ahead, where the trees opened slightly, suggesting the proximity of the clearing they sought. "Every time we kill one, another one appears. It's something beyond a disease; it's as if something… or someone keeps bringing them back. They're not just sick creatures; they're manifestations of something much larger. Something that's beyond our control."
William, now visibly intrigued, stopped for a second, causing Ed and Don to slow down. "Something larger? What do you mean? Are you saying we can't stop them?"
Pallas stopped, turning to the group with a serious look, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We can, but not permanently. The problem isn't just physical. These monsters are a consequence of something deeper. Something has corrupted this island… and until we deal with the root of it, we'll keep fighting these things forever."
Ed crossed his arms, thoughtful. "And where exactly is this root?"
Pallas glanced briefly at Ed before answering, his expression grim. "I don't know exactly where that root is. We only have fragments of tales and legends."
Ed nodded silently, accepting the answer. There wasn't much more to be said. They reached a slightly more open space where the forest pulled back just enough to allow a view of the overcast sky, with the moon hidden behind heavy rain clouds.
Pallas took the lead, his posture imposing, and gestured for the nun to approach. The woman, trembling slightly, obeyed, her empty gaze lost in the darkness around them. Ed watched as Pallas grabbed the nun's arm, pulling her sleeve up to her elbow, revealing pale, fragile skin.
"It'll be quick." Pallas said, more to himself than to the others.
With almost clinical precision, he drew a small blade from his waist. Ed watched intently, feeling the tension rise in the air as the ritual began. Pallas pressed the sharp blade against the nun's wrist and, with a firm slice, opened the vein.
The blood flowed quickly, staining the ground beneath them with deep red splotches. The metallic scent began to mix with the humid forest air, filling everyone's nostrils.
The nun gasped in pain but didn't move. She stood there, arm extended, blood dripping in a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm. Don, watching closely, stepped forward with a cloth to press against the wound, controlling the flow but not stopping it entirely.
Don, with a focused expression, took the cloth and methodically began to spread the blood around, wiping it on several nearby trees. The scarlet liquid traced an imperfect, yet effective, circle around the small group. The iron scent grew even stronger, permeating the already heavy and damp air of the forest. The atmosphere seemed to suffocate, as if nature itself was recoiling from the macabre ritual they were performing.
With every drop of blood, the environment around them grew denser, more oppressive. The constant sound of the rain seemed to lessen, not because it had stopped, but because the darkness around them began to swallow everything. The shadows among the trees, once harmless figures, now seemed to move, pulsing as if they were alive, absorbing the faint moonlight that barely pierced through the clouds.
Ed felt his heart race in his chest, the growing tension making the air almost unbreathable. He adjusted the dagger William had given him, his eyes scanning the shadowy perimeter, trying to catch any sign of movement beyond the trees.
"Did you guys hear that?" Wilde whispered, his eyes wide as he leaned slightly forward, alert to the distant sounds.
Pallas raised his hand, signaling for silence. And then, they all heard it. A muffled sound, like footsteps... but not of a man. It was something heavier, more irregular, running toward them with speed. The sound of breaking branches and crushed leaves came from the darkest part of the forest, where the moonlight couldn't reach, turning everything into a vast stretch of impenetrable darkness.
Before anyone could react, a figure emerged from the shadows with terrifying speed and ferocity. A shrill howl filled the air, mixed with the sound of labored breathing. Liam. He charged forward, drooling, with bloodshot eyes, hands outstretched like claws, ready to attack. His teeth bared in an animalistic snarl, as if he were being consumed by an uncontrollable hunger.