The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light barely cutting through the thick fog that surrounded the ruined town. Anrita's breath came out in short bursts, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Cain walked silently beside her, his eyes watching every alleyway and dark corner of the streets ahead for any signs of danger. Ahead of them, Elder Alaric moved with a grim purpose, his long coat flaring out behind him. Now, they were headed toward the old church, where Elder Marrow and the surviving orphans waited for them
Anrita couldn't take it any longer.
"What's happening?" she finally asked, her voice low but sharp. "why are these things attacking us?" Elder Alaric slowed his pace, his face covered in shadow as he glanced back. His eyes met hers for a moment before he turned forward again. "I'm not sure," he admitted, his voice gravelly, like stones grinding together. "This isn't normal." Elder Alaric replied. "These beasts are lone predators. They stalk their prey silently, kill swiftly, and move on. Vharghuls never band together, never hunt in packs." His voice grew darker. "But now… there's something different. They've changed."
Cain glanced at him, his voice low but steady. "You think someone's behind this?"
Elder Alaric's face tightened, but he didn't answer immediately. They turned a corner, the crumbling facade of the old church just visible through the mist. The stone structure loomed ahead, a beacon of refuge in a town under siege. But there was no sense of relief, not yet.
"I don't know," he finally said, almost as if he didn't want to acknowledge the thought. "But I do know this—something is driving them, forcing them to act against their nature. Whether it's a new force of evil, or someone powerful enough to control them, I can't say."
The cold air seemed to grow heavier with his words. Anrita swallowed, the weight of his uncertainty settling over her like a thick cloak. Behind them, the distant howls of the Vharghuls grew louder, echoing off the abandoned buildings. "What are they?" she asked, almost to herself. "I've never heard about these creatures before" Elder Alaric stopped, turning to face her fully now. His expression was hard, etched with years of knowledge. "The Vharghuls are natural hunters of the wild. But somethings twisting them. Now, they're savage and full of bloodlust."
As they reached the old church's door, Elder Alaric pressed his hand against the weathered wood. He turned to face them both, his expression dark and resolute. "Whatever's happening, we'll find answers soon. But be ready—this may just be the beginning." With a heavy creak, the door opened.
Inside, the flickering light of candles cast long shadows across the stone floor. Elder Marrow stood in the center, surrounded by the orphans who had escaped. Their eyes were wide, their faces pale with fear. Some clutched each other tightly, others stood alone, still shaking from the horrors they had witnessed.
Marrow's gaze met Alaric's, then shifted to Anrita and Cain. "Your both alive."
Anrita nodded, but her mind was still racing with the Elder's words.
Something was pushing the Vharghuls, forcing them into this frenzy. But what—or who—had the power to control such creatures?
And how long before they all found out the truth?
as Elder Marrow approached, her expression etched with the weariness of someone who had seen too much, too fast. She shared a brief nod with Alaric, then stepped to the side, gesturing for him to follow. "Let's talk," she murmured, her voice low. The orphans watched them with fear in they're eyes as they moved toward a quieter corner of the church.
Anrita and Cain stood still for a moment, glancing around at the tattered surroundings. The old church didn't exactly scream safety, especially not with the Vharghuls out there, hunting. It felt like a momentary pause in a nightmare that could come crashing down at any second. Across the room, Marrow and Alaric spoke in hushed tones, their faces barely visible in the candlelight. Anrita managed to hear snippets of their conversation.
"... need to reinforce the doors... we're exposed here."
"... doesn't matter how thick the walls are... if they get in…"
"... place is too open, but we don't have a choice. We can't move them again, not now."
Marrow's voice was steadier than Alaric's, but even she couldn't hide the undercurrent of fear in her words. They knew the church wasn't a fortress. It wouldn't withstand a serious assault if the Vharghuls—or whatever was controlling them—found their way here. After a moment, Marrow broke away from Alaric and turned back toward Cain and Anrita. Her expression softened as she approached them, but the weight of responsibility pressed down on her shoulders. "You two should get some rest," she said softly. Her eyes flicked toward the corner of the room, where a few makeshift beds had been laid out for the orphans. "We'll need our strength for whatever comes next."
Cain scoffed, his frustration rising to the surface. "Rest? How do you expect us to rest when the town's being torn apart? There are monsters lurking everywhere and you want us to sleep?
His voice echoed through the hollow church, startling a few of the younger orphans. Anrita shot him a sharp look, but Marrow only sighed, stepping closer to Cain."
"We don't have a choice," she said gently, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "I know it seems impossible, but exhaustion will kill you faster than any beast out there. We've done what we can for now."
"Get some sleep," she said again, her voice soft but resolute. "Alaric and I will keep watch. You'll know if anything changes."
With a reluctant nod, Cain turned away and made his way to the makeshift beds. Anrita followed close behind. Despite his earlier outburst, Cain collapsed onto one of the thin cots, his body betraying his mind's desire to stay awake. Anrita settled next to him.
It wasn't long before most of them, including Cain and Anrita, drifted into an uneasy sleep...