Seconds stretched into what felt like hours as the guards stared at the creature, their hearts pounding in their chests. The void creature, bathed in the dying light of day, seemed to pulse with dark energy, a silent harbinger of what was to come.
And then, without warning, it took a single step forward.
The shadows twisted violently, writhing as if they were alive, drawn toward the creature's form like moths to a flame. The ground beneath the guards seemed to tremble ever so slightly, and the air grew colder, the warmth of the fading sun swallowed by an unseen force. Whatever this being was, it did not belong in their world—it was something from beyond, something ancient and dangerous.
The older knight's hand tightened on his sword. His breath was slow, measured, but there was no mistaking the gravity of the situation. "Ready yourselves," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "We might have to fight."
The younger guard swallowed hard, his eyes wide with fear. "Fight…? That thing…?"
The older knight gave a grim nod, his eyes never leaving the creature. "If it comes closer… we may have no choice."
In an instant, the serene night shattered into chaos. The heads of the guards fell to the cobblestone ground with a sickening thud, rolling briefly before coming to rest in grotesque positions, their lifeless eyes staring up at the void. Their armored bodies collapsed in a series of metallic clangs, lifeless heaps of green and silver.
Blood pooled swiftly, seeping into the cracks of the stone, the once grand entrance now tainted with a crimson sheen.
Amidst the carnage, one knight remained — young, trembling, paralyzed by the horror unfolding before his eyes. His hand, slick with sweat, gripped the hilt of his sword with such force that his knuckles had turned white. But no matter how desperately his mind screamed at him to act, to raise the blade, to move, his body refused to obey. He was frozen, trapped in the grip of terror, like a deer caught in the gaze of a predator.
The void creature turned its attention to him, its six eyes glowing faintly in the dim light, each orb reflecting a twisted hunger, as if it fed off the young knight's fear. Its gaze was all-consuming, a weight that pressed down upon him, suffocating, drowning him in his own terror. The void creature's form seemed to ripple and distort, shadows coiling and shifting around it like tendrils of living darkness.
For a moment, there was only silence-the kind that stretched endlessly, making every second feel like an eternity. Then, breaking the stillness, the creature's voice rumbled forth, deep and unnatural, like the sound of a thousand whispers woven together in a single, haunting tone.
"...Where is Roderick Fairbourne." the void creature asked, its words reverberating through the air like a physical force, sending an icy shiver down the knight's spine. It wasn't a question; it was a command, an ultimatum. There was no mercy in the creature's voice, no humanity, just an ancient, unyielding darkness.
The knight's breath hitched in his throat, his pulse pounding in his ears. Every muscle in his body screamed in panic, but still, he could not move. His legs were leaden, his mouth dry. Maybe it was the overwhelming fear that kept him in place— or perhaps it was something deeper, some misplaced sense of loyalty. Either way, he stood there, motionless, his silence a defiance born of terror.
The void creature tilted its head slightly, as if observing some curious, fragile thing. It did not speak for a moment, as if allowing the weight of the silence to crush what little resolve the knight had left. Then, it extended a long, twisted arm, the shadows around it shifting as its hand reached forward. Its fingers, clawed and monstrous, wrapped tightly around the young knight's throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. The knight's feet dangled in the air, his sword clattering to the ground beneath him as he clawed helplessly at the creature's grip.
"..Roderick... Fairbourne.." the creature uttered again, its voice colder this time, more insistent. Each syllable dripped with menace, vibrating through the knight's body like a deep tremor. The words slithered into his mind, twisting his thoughts, drowning out all reason.
The knight's face turned red as he struggled to breathe, his vision blurring. The world around him began to fade, consumed by the creature's overwhelming presence. Slowly, with great effort, he raised a shaking hand and pointed-his trembling finger aimed toward the rear of the manor, where Roderick Fairbourne surely was. His loyalty, no matter how strong, had crumbled beneath the suffocating pressure of the void creature's presence.
For a fleeting second, there was relief in the knight's eyes—a belief that perhaps his life might be spared for this act of betrayal.
But the void creature had no need for such considerations. It sought only to
accomplish its dark purpose. With a casual motion, its grip tightened, bones cracking audibly beneath the force of its hand. The knight's neck snapped like brittle wood, his eyes glazing over as life fled from his body.
The void creature released him, letting his lifeless form drop to the blood-soaked ground in a graceless heap.
The sound of the body hitting the ground was met with a grim silence, broken only by the faint rustling of the wind through the trees. The void creature stood still, momentarily basking in the chaos it had wrought, its eyes shifting ever so slightly to the distant manor-its next destination.
But the peace was short-lived.
Shouts echoed from the other side of the grounds as more knights converged upon the creature's position. Their armor clanked as they rushed forward, swords drawn, their faces a mixture of grim determination and barely-contained fear.
They had seen the fallen guards, seen the blood staining the stones, and now they faced the same monstrous entity responsible for the slaughter.
"Form up! Surround it!" one of the knights shouted, his voice authoritative but trembling, betraying the underlying fear.
Like well-trained soldiers, the knights quickly formed a perimeter around the creature, their weapons drawn and ready.
There was a palpable tension in the air— each knight knowing, deep down, that they were no match for whatever this thing was.
Yet their duty bound them to fight, to defend the manor, and above all, protect nobles inside the manor.
The void creature stood unmoved by their display, its six eyes scanning the group with an almost disdainful indifference. It made no effort to flee or retreat. There was no need.
The first knight lunged, his sword gleaming in the faint light as he aimed for the creature's midsection. In a blur of shadow and movement, the creature sidestepped the blow with ease, its form flowing like liquid darkness. With a single motion, it struck the knight, its claws raking across his chest, tearing through armor and flesh as though they were paper. The knight barely had time to scream before his body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
A second knight, undeterred by his comrade's fate, charged forward, sword raised high. But the creature's speed was unfathomable. Before the knight could even bring his blade down, the void creature was upon him, its hand lashing out with terrifying precision. It struck the knight's head with brutal force, sending him crashing to the ground, his skull fractured.
The remaining knights hesitated, their confidence shattered. They were outmatched, outclassed, and they knew it.
The void creature stood amongst the fallen bodies, the shadows swirling around it like a living shroud. It turned its gaze toward the manor once more, ignoring the terrified knights who still remained. It had no time for them. Its purpose was clear.
Roderick Fairbourne awaited.