The rhythmic scrape of steel against stone filled the quiet space of my small, one-room home. The sun had barely risen, casting a dim glow through the cracks in the wooden shutters, but I was already at my workbench, sharpening my sword. Each stroke was precise, deliberate, honed by years of practice. The blade was already sharp enough to split a hair, but I kept going, more out of habit than necessity. There was something calming in the familiar routine, in the control I had over the blade's edge when everything else felt so… uncertain

I paused, glancing toward the window. Beyond the wooden walls of my home, the world felt different today. The air was thick, like the sky itself was holding its breath. I couldn't place it, but the tension pressed against my skin, prickling at my senses. Maybe it was just the morning chill. Or maybe… no. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Rivendale was peaceful. Always had been. My father used to tell me that the village had seen more sunrises than most of the kingdoms beyond the mountains, untouched by the wars and chaos of the outside world. But he was gone now. And I couldn't afford to trust anything beyond these borders.

I returned to my sword, dragging the stone down the length of the blade once more, but my focus had shifted. My hand stilled, and I set the sword aside, standing. Something gnawed at the back of my mind, an instinct I couldn't ignore. I strapped the sword to my back, the weight of it reassuring, familiar. With one last glance at the window, I stepped outside.

The village of Rivendale unfolded before me in a slow, lazy morning rhythm. Smoke curled from chimneys, carrying the scent of baking bread and roasting meats. Children ran through the narrow dirt paths, their laughter bouncing off the stone walls of the cottages. Elders sat outside their homes, wrapped in thick woolen shawls, exchanging stories as they always did.

I walked through the village, nodding to the few villagers I passed. They greeted me with warm smiles and familiar waves, but I kept my interactions brief, my steps purposeful. I didn't trust easy smiles or soft words, not anymore. Not after everything I'd seen. Not after the scars life had etched into my skin, into my soul. These people meant well, but they were naïve. They didn't understand the dangers that lurked beyond the horizon, just out of sight. I did.

A group of children ran past me, playing some game that involved sticks and a ragged ball. One of them, a boy named Taren, called out to me as he passed. "Selene! Come play with us! Bet you can't catch me!"

I managed a small smile but shook my head. "Not today, Taren. Maybe another time." The lie came easily. There would never be another time.

He laughed and ran on, his carefree voice fading into the distance. I envied him, just for a moment. What must it be like to live without the weight of fear pressing down on you? To not feel like every step outside was a step toward danger?

I continued my path through the village, heading toward the clearing at the edge of Rivendale where I trained each morning. The trees loomed tall and silent, their branches swaying in the wind. The clearing was quiet, too quiet. I unsheathed my sword and began my drills, the familiar patterns of movement grounding me. The blade sliced through the air, a whisper of steel on wind. I trained as if preparing for battle—quick strikes, evasive footwork, defensive postures—each motion precise, calculated. Sweat beaded on my brow, but I welcomed the burn in my muscles. It meant I was still alive.

As I practiced, the unease I had felt earlier gnawed at me again, this time sharper. The wind shifted, cold and unnatural, brushing against the back of my neck. The birds that usually flitted about the trees had gone silent, as if they too sensed something wrong. My movements slowed, my senses on high alert. I stopped mid-swing, my grip tightening on the hilt of my sword.

The air had changed. It wasn't just in my head.

I scanned the tree line, my heart thudding in my chest. Shadows shifted at the edge of the forest, just beyond my sight. Dark, fast-moving shapes. I squinted, trying to make sense of them, but before I could react, they surged forward—creatures unlike anything I'd ever seen. They were monstrous, twisted forms of shadow and flame, with glowing red eyes that cut through the gloom.

For a split second, I froze, my mind struggling to process what was happening. This wasn't possible. Rivendale was supposed to be safe. Nothing like this had ever crossed our borders.

But the creatures didn't care for my disbelief. They were coming, and they were coming fast.

Without thinking, I bolted toward the village, the wind howled through the trees as I sprinted back toward Rivendale, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest. I could feel the change in the air—thick, oppressive, like the sky itself was pushing down on us. The shadows moved unnaturally fast, the creatures darting through the forest like predators chasing prey. And we were the prey.

My sword clutched tightly in my hand. The ground blurred beneath my feet as I sprinted, my lungs burning with the effort. I couldn't let them reach the village. I had to stop them, had to warn the others.

As I ran, panic clawed at the edges of my mind. How many were there? Dozens? Hundreds? My thoughts raced, but I pushed them aside. Focus. I had to focus.

When I burst into the village square, the sight hit me like a blow to the gut, the peaceful life I had known just this morning was unraveling, the edges torn apart by chaos.

They were everywhere. Dark, twisted creatures—shadowy forms with glowing red eyes—poured into the village from every side. They moved with unnatural speed, like they were made of smoke and fire, their bodies flickering in and out of focus. Their claws raked through everything they touched—wood, stone, flesh—leaving destruction in their wake.

Screams filled the air as people scrambled to get to safety. Doors slammed shut, mothers pulled their children inside, and the square emptied in a matter of seconds.

But there was no escaping what was coming.

The creatures swarmed into the village, a wave of darkness crashing over us. I raised my sword, ready to meet them head-on, but even as I struck down the first creature, I knew I was outnumbered. They kept coming, relentless and merciless, tearing through everything in their path.

I fought with everything I had, every instinct, and every ounce of training. My blade cut through shadow, but for every creature I struck down, two more took its place. Sweat dripped into my eyes, my arms ached, but I couldn't stop. Not when my home was under siege.

The village was in chaos. Buildings burned, their roofs collapsing in a shower of sparks. The scent of smoke and blood filled the air, acrid and suffocating. I could hear the cries of the villagers, the sound of battle all around me, but I couldn't let it distract me. I couldn't afford to think about who was falling or who might not survive. I had to keep moving, had to keep fighting.

A creature lunged at me, claws outstretched. I sidestepped, driving my sword into its chest. It let out a guttural screech before dissolving into ash. Another came at me from the side. I turned just in time, swinging my blade in a wide arc, cutting through its neck. It fell, but I was already moving on to the next.

The tide of darkness was overwhelming, but I couldn't—wouldn't—let it defeat me. Not here. Not today.

I fought until my muscles screamed in protest, until my vision blurred from exhaustion. And still, it wasn't enough. The creatures kept coming, an unstoppable force. In the distance, I saw the village elders fall, one by one, their bodies crumpling under the weight of the attack.

My breath came in ragged gasps, my strength waning. I was losing. We were losing.

But I couldn't give up. I wouldn't.

With a final, desperate cry, I swung my sword once more, determined to hold the line. Determined to protect what little remained of my home, even if it cost me everything.

This was my village. And I would die defending it if I had to.

Suddenly, a much colossal creature came at me, its mouth wide, fangs gleaming in the dim light. I sidestepped, bringing my sword down in a swift, practiced arc. The blade cleaved through the creature's neck, and it disintegrated into ash before it even hit the ground. But there were more. So many more.

Another one lunged at me from behind, but I spun, my sword slicing through the air. The weight of the hilt was familiar, comforting. It was an extension of myself, every strike deliberate, every motion ingrained into my muscles from years of training. But for every creature I felled, two more seemed to take its place. They swarmed around me, relentless.

I fought like a demon, my sword flashing in the morning light, cutting through the shadowy figures with deadly precision. My breath came in short, controlled bursts, the world narrowing to the fight in front of me. Each time I struck one down, it crumbled into ash, but it didn't matter. They just kept coming.

Screams echoed all around me. Villagers were scattering, trying to flee. Some fought back with whatever they had—a pitchfork, a knife, a broom—but they were no match for these creatures. The creatures moved through the village like a plague, tearing apart homes, ripping through people. The scent of smoke filled the air as buildings caught fire, the crackle of flames joining the chorus of screams.

I slashed through another creature, its red eyes fading into nothing as it disintegrated. I didn't stop to catch my breath. I couldn't.

The blacksmith's shop went up in flames, thick black smoke pouring from the roof. I caught a glimpse of the blacksmith, Joran, dragging his wife from the burning building. He was covered in soot, his face twisted in anguish as he tried to save what little he could. But there was no saving it. The shop, the village… it was all going up in flames.

"Selene!" A voice cut through the chaos, pulling my attention for a brief moment. It was Kaden, one of the village guards. He fought off a creature with a spear, his face pale but determined. "We have to regroup! There are too many!"

Regroup? Retreat?

I cut through another creature, its body dissolving into a cloud of ash. "No!" I barked, the word sharp, final. "I'm not leaving!"

Kaden slashed at a creature near him, but his eyes were wide, panicked. "We can't hold them off like this! We need to get to safety!"

Safety? Where? There was no safety left in Rivendale. These creatures would tear through every building, every last person, until nothing remained but ash and blood. And there was no one coming to help us. No army. No reinforcements. No one. It was just me. Just us.

I turned back to the fight, gripping my sword tighter. The muscles in my arms ached, my breath coming faster now, but I wasn't going to stop. I couldn't. This was my home. These were my people. If I didn't stand my ground, who would?

"I'm not abandoning Rivendale!" I shouted over my shoulder. "You can run if you want, but I'm staying."

Kaden cursed under his breath but didn't argue. He was smart enough to know I wasn't going anywhere. My sword sliced through another creature, but I could feel the tide turning. We were losing.

The village hall, the heart of Rivendale, was a smoldering ruin now, flames licking up the walls. The bakery was next, the sweet scent of bread overtaken by the acrid stench of burning wood. Everywhere I looked, homes I had known my entire life were crumbling. My heart clenched at the sight, a lump rising in my throat, but I swallowed it down. There was no time for grief. Not yet.

Another creature lunged at me, its claws outstretched. I swung my sword, catching it midair, but its weight pushed me back a step. My feet slid in the dirt as I fought to regain my balance, the creature hissing in my face. With a snarl, I shoved it off, driving my blade through its chest. It crumbled, but another took its place. They were endless.

I caught a glimpse of a villager—a woman clutching a child to her chest—as she fled toward the forest. The creatures ignored her, focused instead on tearing apart the village itself. Why? What did they want?

I gritted my teeth, dodging another attack, my sword coming down in a wide arc. The creature fell, but I could feel my strength waning. I couldn't keep this up much longer. My arms burned, my legs trembled, and the weight of the fight was starting to crush me. But I couldn't stop. Not while there was still something left to protect.

"Selene!" Kaden was at my side again, his face pale, his breathing ragged. "There's too many. We have to fall back!"

"I said no!" My voice was hoarse from shouting, but I didn't care. "I'm not leaving!"

His eyes flashed with frustration. "You'll die if you stay!"

"Then I'll die defending my home!"

The words came out in a snarl, my blood boiling with rage and desperation. I wouldn't abandon Rivendale. Not now. Not ever. These creatures, this darkness—it couldn't win. I wouldn't let it. I had trained my entire life for this moment, for the chance to protect my people. I couldn't walk away now.

Kaden hesitated, torn between his own survival and the desire to save me from my own stubbornness. But I could see the resignation in his eyes. He knew me well enough to know I wouldn't change my mind.

I turned back to the fight, my sword heavy in my hand but still steady. The creatures were closing in, their red eyes glowing like embers in the dark. I met their gaze with a cold, determined stare.

If I was going to fall today, I would fall fighting.

The sky had darkened, the smoke from the burning village mixing with the storm clouds overhead. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a low growl that echoed through the valley. The wind whipped through the streets, carrying with it the acrid scent of destruction.

I could barely hear my own thoughts over the noise—the roar of the flames, the screams of the villagers, the clash of steel and claws. But in the midst of it all, there was a strange clarity. A sense of purpose.

I would fight. Until my last breath, I would fight.

Another creature lunged at me, and I met it head-on, my sword flashing in the firelight. Its claws scraped against my armor, but I didn't flinch. I drove my blade through its chest, and it dissolved into ash, just like the others.

But even as it fell, I knew it wasn't enough. There were too many. We were outnumbered, outmatched, and Rivendale was burning.

Yet still, I fought.

Because this was my home.

The roar of the battle around me felt distant, like I was caught underwater, the sounds muffled and distant as I fought to stay grounded. My sword was heavy in my hand, but I kept moving, kept swinging, kept fighting. The dark creatures surged in waves, their glowing red eyes burning through the smoke and chaos. For every one I cut down, more filled the gap, swarming toward the heart of Rivendale.

The stench of burning wood and blood filled my lungs, stinging my eyes as I scanned the square. The village hall was crumbling, flames licking up the walls, casting everything in a hellish glow. Bodies littered the ground, some villagers and some creatures. It didn't matter anymore. Everything was dissolving into chaos.

Then I saw her, Mira. She was on the other side of the square, fighting off a creature twice her size. My heart clenched in my chest. Mira wasn't a warrior, not like me. She was brave, stubborn as a mule, but she didn't have the training. She didn't have the skill to face these monsters alone.

"Mira!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from the smoke and shouting.

Her head snapped toward me, her eyes wide with fear and determination. "Selene!" she yelled back, swinging a blade wildly at the creature in front of her.

I started running, my legs burning from the effort. The square was littered with debris—broken carts, fallen beams, the remnants of what had once been a peaceful village life. I leapt over a fallen barrel, my eyes locked on Mira as I raced to reach her.

But I wasn't fast enough.

One of the creatures lunged at her, its claws outstretched, gleaming in the firelight. Mira swung her blade, but it wasn't enough. The creature batted the sword aside like it was nothing and drove its claws into her chest.

"No!" My scream ripped through the air, but it was too late.

Mira's body jerked, her mouth opening in a silent gasp as the creature's claws tore through her. She crumpled to the ground, her lifeless eyes staring up at the burning sky. The creature roared in triumph, but I barely heard it.

Everything around me went still.

I stumbled forward, the world narrowing to the sight of Mira's broken body lying in the dirt. My sword slipped in my grip, trembling as I clutched it tightly, but I couldn't make myself move. My feet felt rooted to the ground, frozen in place as the weight of my grief crashed over me.

Mira was gone.

The realization hit me like a physical blow, stealing the breath from my lungs. I had fought so hard to protect this village, these people—my people. And now, Mira, my closest friend, was dead. I hadn't been fast enough. I hadn't been strong enough.

"Selene!" Kaden's voice cut through the fog of my mind, but it sounded so far away.

I couldn't tear my eyes from Mira's body. She had been the one constant in my life, the one person who always stood by me, who saw me for who I truly was, flaws and all. And now she was gone. Dead. Just like the others.

"Selene, we have to move!" Kaden grabbed my arm, pulling me back, snapping me out of my daze.

I shook my head, my voice barely a whisper. "I—I couldn't save her…"

"There's nothing we can do for her now," Kaden said, his voice thick with urgency. "We need to keep fighting. We need to protect the rest of the village."

But what was the point? What was the point of fighting if everyone I cared about was going to die? My legs felt like they were made of lead, my arms too heavy to lift. The weight of my sword, once a source of strength, now felt like a burden I could barely carry.

The creatures sensed my hesitation. They pressed in from all sides, their red eyes glowing brighter as they closed the distance. I swung my sword weakly, but it wasn't enough. Their claws slashed across my armor, leaving deep gouges in the metal, bruising the skin beneath.

I staggered back, gasping for breath. My muscles screamed in protest with every movement, exhaustion and grief weighing me down. I had been fighting for what felt like hours, but it was no use. The village was falling. I was falling.

I stumbled, barely catching myself before I hit the ground. My vision blurred with smoke and tears, my chest tight with despair. Mira's lifeless eyes were burned into my mind, her death a reminder of my failure. I had trained my whole life to protect this village, to protect these people, and I was losing. I was losing everything.

"Selene, come on!" Kaden's voice was desperate now, but I barely registered it.

The creatures swarmed around me, their claws slashing, teeth snapping. I fought them off, but my movements were sluggish, my strikes slower than they should have been. I couldn't keep this up. My body was screaming at me to stop, to rest, to give in. And for the first time, I was tempted to listen.

I wasn't enough, I couldn't save them.

The thought echoed in my mind, a poison that seeped into my bones, sapping what little strength I had left. My sword felt like dead weight in my hand, my body numb with exhaustion and grief.

Then I saw him, Alaric, the village elder, lay crumpled near the fountain, blood pooling beneath him. He was old, too old to be out here in the middle of this chaos, but he had always been too stubborn for his own good.

I forced my legs to move, stumbling toward him, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The creatures were everywhere, their claws raking through the streets, tearing apart what was left of Rivendale. But I pushed forward, desperate to reach Alaric before it was too late.

When I reached him, I fell to my knees beside him, my hands shaking as I tried to assess the damage. Blood soaked his tunic, staining my hands as I pressed them against the wound, but I knew it was no use. He was fading.

"Alaric, don't…" My voice broke, barely more than a whisper.

His eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at me with a weak smile. "Selene… stubborn as ever, I see."

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. "I—I can't lose you, too."

He coughed, blood bubbling at his lips. "It's too late for me, child. Rivendale… it's lost."

"No!" I shook my head fiercely, refusing to accept it. "We can still fight. We can—"

"Selene," he rasped, his hand gripping mine weakly. "You must go. There's nothing left here to save."

I stared at him, my chest tight with a mixture of grief and denial. He couldn't be right. He couldn't be. I had fought so hard, given everything, and now he was telling me to leave? To abandon my home?

"I can't," I choked out. "I can't leave. This is my home. These are my people."

He squeezed my hand, his grip faltering. "You've done all you can, child. But the village… it's gone. You must live… for what's left."

I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. "I can't."

"You must." His voice was barely a whisper now, his eyes glassy with the weight of his final moments. "For them. For those still alive."

I watched as the light left his eyes, his hand falling limp in mine.

He was gone.

I sat there, numb, the weight of his death settling over me like a heavy blanket. My body ached, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. I had failed. I had lost everything.

Rivendale was falling, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The creatures were still pressing in, their red eyes glowing in the firelight. The village was burning, the flames licking up the walls of the remaining buildings. Everything I had ever known, ever loved, was crumbling before my eyes.

And I couldn't save it.

For the first time in my life, I felt truly powerless.

The taste of blood in my mouth was metallic, bitter. My body ached with every movement, the weight of my exhaustion pressing down like a boulder. Yet I kept moving. I had to.

Rivendale's village square was a battleground. The air was thick with smoke, acrid and suffocating, while the dark creatures—shadowy, twisted things that seemed to slither out of nightmares—tore through the last remnants of my home. I stumbled toward the center of the square, where a small group of villagers still stood, desperately fighting off the monsters.

"Selene!" Kaden's voice cut through the chaos as he caught sight of me. He was bloodied, his sword held high, face twisted in a grimace of pain and determination.

I gritted my teeth, forcing my legs to move faster. "Kaden! Rally the others!" My voice came out hoarse, barely audible over the roar of flames and the screeches of the creatures.

There weren't many of us left—maybe a dozen, if that. Most had already fled or fallen. The thought of those who had died, like Mira, gnawed at the edges of my mind, but I couldn't afford to dwell on it. Not now. I had to keep moving, had to keep fighting.

I reached the square, my sword raised, and slammed it into the chest of a creature that lunged toward me. Its red eyes flickered, dimming as it crumpled to the ground. I yanked my blade free, the movement sending a sharp jolt of pain through my side. A claw wound from earlier was bleeding through my armor, but I ignored it. I had no choice but to keep fighting.

"Kaden! Arrows!" I barked the order as I swung my blade again, cutting through another beast. "Get anyone who can fire a bow on the rooftops. We need to thin them out!"

Kaden nodded, grim determination etched on his face. He grabbed two villagers nearby, gesturing for them to follow him. "You heard her! To the roofs! Keep them off us!"

The battle was brutal, each strike of my sword slower than the last. I could feel my strength waning, my arms heavy with exhaustion. But I couldn't stop. Not yet. Not until every last villager had a chance to escape.

I swung my blade at another creature, its glowing eyes narrowing as it dodged, moving faster than I anticipated. Pain flared in my side again, and I staggered, my vision blurring for a moment. The creature took the opportunity to swipe at me, its claws grazing my arm, slicing through the leather bracer I wore.

"Dammit!" I hissed, gritting my teeth against the pain.

Around me, the others were struggling just as much. The few villagers who remained were fighting with everything they had, but it wasn't enough. For every dark creature we cut down, two more took its place. They seemed endless, like a tide that we couldn't hold back.

"Fall back!" I shouted, my voice cracking. "Form a line!"

We couldn't keep fighting like this, scattered and vulnerable. If we were going to have any chance at survival, we needed to work together. Kaden caught my eye from across the square, nodding as he corralled the others into a tighter formation.

But even as we regrouped, the creatures pressed in closer. I could feel the end coming. We were outnumbered, outmatched. I swung my sword again, the weight of it feeling heavier with every passing second. My movements were sluggish, my muscles screaming for rest.

A sudden impact knocked the breath from my lungs as one of the larger creatures barreled into me. I hit the ground hard, the wind knocked from my chest. My sword flew from my hand, clattering across the cobblestones just out of reach. The creature snarled above me, its claws digging into my shoulders as it pinned me to the ground.

I gasped, struggling for air. My vision blurred, black spots dancing at the edges as I fought against the weight of the beast pressing down on me. I could feel it's hot, rancid breath on my face, its glowing red eyes boring into mine.

I had failed.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I had promised to protect this village, to keep these people safe. And now, Rivendale was burning around me, my friends dead or dying. My home—everything I had ever known—was being torn apart before my eyes, and I was powerless to stop it.

The creature's claws tightened, and I braced myself for the end. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement—figures on horseback, charging toward the square.

I blinked, my mind struggling to process what I was seeing. Who were they? Where had they come from?

The riders moved with terrifying precision, cutting through the creatures with swift, practiced strikes. Their weapons glinted in the firelight, and I could see their cloaked forms as they rode down the beasts, forcing them back.

For a moment, the weight of the creature on top of me lessened as it snarled in confusion, distracted by the sudden appearance of these new foes. I took the chance, twisting beneath it with all the strength I had left, and managed to kick it off me. Pain shot through my limbs as I scrambled for my sword, my fingers closing around the hilt just as another rider appeared in front of me.

"Get up!" A voice barked from beneath the rider's hood, rough and commanding.

I didn't have the energy to question it. I struggled to my feet, my legs shaking beneath me, barely able to support my weight. The rider reached down, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me toward a waiting horse.

"We have to go!" the rider shouted, his grip iron as he hoisted me onto the back of the horse.

"I can't," I croaked, my voice weak. "The village—"

"There's nothing left!" The rider cut me off, his voice hard. "If you stay, you die."

I didn't have the strength to argue. As I slumped against the rider, my body trembling with exhaustion and grief, I cast one last glance at Rivendale.

The village square was a war zone, littered with bodies and debris, the flames still raging out of control. I could see the last of the creatures being driven back by the riders, but it was too late. Rivendale was already lost.

Tears blurred my vision as the horse galloped away from the village, carrying me farther from the only home I had ever known. The sounds of battle faded behind me, replaced by the steady rhythm of hooves pounding the dirt. My body felt heavy, weighed down by the guilt that clawed at my heart.

I had failed.

Mira was dead. Alaric was dead. So many others, people I had known my whole life, were gone, their lives snuffed out in an instant.

The riders had saved me, but for what purpose? There was nothing left. No home. No family. No purpose. I had fought so hard to protect Rivendale, and it had all been for nothing.

The hooded figure in front of me didn't speak, but I could feel the tension in his body, the urgency in his movements. Whoever he was, he had saved my life. But as the village disappeared into the distance, all I could feel was the crushing weight of my failure.

I had lost everything.

And now, I had no idea what came next. The unknown future loomed before me, as dark and foreboding as the creatures we'd left behind. But somewhere, deep inside, a spark of determination still flickered. I was alive, and as long as I drew breath, I would find a way to avenge my fallen home and protect whatever was left of my people. This wasn't the end. It was just the beginning of a new, uncertain chapter.

As we rode through the night, my exhaustion finally overcame me, and I slipped into a restless sleep, haunted by visions of flames and glowing red eyes.