The day had passed quickly, the hustle and bustle of Terespol's market giving way to the quieter rhythm of the evening. But as dusk fell, a palpable tension hung in the air. I had noticed it even earlier, when speaking with the townspeople. Behind their concerns about trade and infrastructure, one issue dominated their minds—monsters. The creatures had been terrorizing the town for years, with increasing frequency and ferocity. There was no escaping the fact that the most pressing need for Terespol wasn't just economic revival or trade routes, it was survival.
"Governor," Kevin called out as he entered the room, a worried expression on his face. "We've just received reports that a group of monsters is moving toward the town. The guards are preparing, but the defenses…"
He trailed off, and I didn't need him to finish the sentence. The truth was, Terespol had no real defenses. The old walls had crumbled long ago, and what remained were barely more than weak barricades. The town had relied on makeshift defenses and a handful of guards to fend off attacks. It was a miracle they had survived this long.
I stood from my desk, already feeling the adrenaline course through me. "How close are they?"
"Not far, sir," Kevin replied, his voice tight. "They'll be here within the hour."
"Good," I said, reaching for my coat. "I'm going out there."
Kevin's eyes widened. "Sir, with all due respect, the governor shouldn't—"
"I've faced these creatures before," I interrupted, my tone firmer than usual. "Before I became governor, I was a merchant. I've traveled dangerous roads, fought off more than a few monsters with my own hands. I won't stand by while the town is under attack."
Kevin hesitated but then nodded, recognizing the resolve in my voice. "Very well, Governor. I'll gather the guards and make sure they're ready."
As Kevin hurried out, I took a moment to brace myself. Memories of my past encounters with monsters flickered in my mind. They were fierce, unpredictable, and deadly. But I wasn't a stranger to them. I had survived before, and now, with the responsibility of protecting this town, I had more reason than ever to fight.
I stepped outside into the cold evening air. The streets were almost empty, save for a few guards rushing to their posts and the townspeople who were quickly retreating indoors, locking their doors behind them. Fear was thick in the air. They had lived in terror of these creatures for too long, and without a proper wall, they were vulnerable.
I made my way to the town's eastern edge, where the first signs of the attack were expected. As I arrived, I saw the guards—young, inexperienced, but determined—positioning themselves with whatever weapons they had on hand. They were nervous, and I couldn't blame them. The monsters weren't mere wild animals; they were something far worse.
"Governor!" one of the guards called out as I approached. "We've spotted them in the distance, moving through the trees."
I squinted into the growing darkness, and sure enough, I could see the faint outlines of the creatures moving toward us. Their forms were grotesque, hunched, and twisted. I had fought their kind before—dark beasts, with leathery wings and claws sharp enough to tear through flesh and bone. They hunted in packs, and their attacks were always brutal.
"How many?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.
"Six, maybe seven," the guard replied. "But there could be more hiding in the woods."
I nodded, scanning the defenses. There wasn't much—just a few barricades, hastily put together, and the guards armed with spears and bows. It wasn't enough.
"We'll have to hold them off until morning," I said, taking charge. "Focus on keeping them at bay. Don't let them breach the town."
The guards nodded, though I could see the fear in their eyes. I knew they had never faced anything like this before. But there was no time for hesitation. The creatures were getting closer, their guttural growls and hisses echoing through the night air.
I grabbed a spear from one of the guards and positioned myself near the barricade. The creatures were nearly upon us now, their eyes glowing with malevolent hunger. They moved faster than I remembered, their limbs long and sinewy, their bodies covered in matted fur and scales. Their stench hit me even before they did—rotting meat and sulfur.
The first creature leaped over the barricade with terrifying speed, its claws outstretched, aiming for one of the younger guards. Without thinking, I lunged forward, thrusting the spear into its side. The creature howled in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to dislodge the weapon. I gritted my teeth and drove the spear deeper, twisting it until the beast fell to the ground, motionless.
But there was no time to celebrate. Another creature was already upon us, this one larger, with wings that unfurled as it leaped into the air, swooping down toward the barricade. I ducked just in time as its claws raked the air where my head had been moments before.
"Focus!" I shouted to the guards as they scrambled to defend themselves. "Stay together, don't let them split us up!"
The battle raged on, the creatures relentless in their assault. One by one, they threw themselves at the barricades, their roars filling the night as they sought to breach our defenses. But we fought back with everything we had. The guards, despite their inexperience, fought bravely, and I found myself moving between them, helping where I could, taking down any creature that got too close.
For what felt like hours, we held our ground. The beasts were savage, their strength unnatural, but we refused to let them through. Slowly, the tide began to turn. We were pushing them back, and as the first light of dawn began to break on the horizon, the remaining creatures slunk back into the forest, retreating into the shadows from where they had come.
The battle was over. But the damage was done.
I stood amidst the debris, breathing heavily, my clothes torn and bloodied. Around me, the guards were panting, leaning on their weapons, their faces pale but triumphant. We had survived the night, but it was clear that the town wouldn't survive many more attacks like this.
"We need that wall," I said aloud, more to myself than to anyone else. "If we don't build it soon, next time we might not be so lucky."
Kevin approached, his face pale but determined. "I'll start drafting the plans, Governor. We can't delay any longer."
I nodded, already thinking ahead. The town needed protection, and we couldn't afford to wait for funding. If I had to, I would rally the townspeople to build it ourselves. Terespol would have its wall, no matter the cost.
But for now, we had survived. And that was enough.