After completing the last of his preparations, Ryan joined his parents inside the family's luxurious carriage. Its sturdy frame, made from polished mahogany wood, gleamed under the morning light. The silver accents lining the edges of the carriage caught the sun's rays, creating a regal display as they began their journey. The crest of the Duskveil family—an ancient silver tree with a crescent moon overhead—was proudly displayed on both sides. Inside, the seats were upholstered in rich, purple velvet, providing a comfortable, if slightly stifling, environment for Ryan and his parents.
Flanking the carriage were their elite knights—ten in total—all of them level 3, the highest rank of warriors trained within the Duskveil territory. Each knight wore silver-plated armor emblazoned with the family insignia on their chests. The rhythmic sound of their horses' hooves beating against the dirt road set a steady pace, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.
Although the Duskveil territory's security had been somewhat lax of late, no bandit or petty criminal dared to rob in these lands. The Duskveils were under the protection of Duke Robert Pendragon, and anyone foolish enough to cross them would face the wrath of one of the kingdom's most powerful noble families.
The journey began peacefully enough. The first leg of the trip took them through wide, sun-drenched meadows. Ryan watched from the carriage window as farmers waved at them, and children played by the roadside, their laughter echoing across the open fields. He smiled briefly, but an unease began to creep into his thoughts.
As the sun began its slow descent, the road ahead became less familiar. They approached a dense forest, its gnarled trees looming like ancient sentinels on either side of the narrow path. The once warm air turned cold and heavy, a fog creeping along the ground as the carriage rolled deeper into the woods. The branches of the trees twisted together, forming unnatural shapes, and the faint rustling of leaves filled the silence.
Ryan's heart quickened. The eerie stillness around him, combined with the unnatural shapes in the fog, stirred something primal. His breaths became shallow, and a cold sweat formed on his brow. The fear from his childhood stories returned—those tales of unseen horrors lurking in the dark corners of the world.
His father, Roger, remained calm, unfazed by the growing tension in the air, continuing his casual conversation with Helena. "Ryan, you seem a bit off," his father remarked, turning to him. "First time attending such an important event. Nervous?"
Ryan forced a smile. "Just a little," he replied, though his unease had nothing to do with the banquet.
Helena placed a gentle hand on Ryan's, her calm presence offering some reassurance. Yet even she glanced warily at the fog swirling around the carriage. The once comforting silence had become stifling, as though the very air held its breath, waiting for something to happen.
Then, it did.
Suddenly, a soft swooshing sound broke through the oppressive stillness, barely audible but enough to send a chill down Ryan's spine. The knights reacted immediately, their hands going to their swords as their horses shifted, sensing the tension.
Before anyone could react further, a black shadow darted from the trees, moving so fast it was almost a blur. The knight on the left side of the carriage let out a strangled gasp, his sword only half-raised before a dark figure slammed into him. He hit the ground with a sickening thud, his armor clattering against the dirt. The horses neighed in terror, rearing back, and the remaining knights drew their weapons, forming a defensive line around the carriage.
Ryan's pulse pounded in his ears. His thoughts raced. What could move so quickly, so silently? Was it an assassin? Some kind of creature?
Roger's hand was already on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sharp and alert. "Stay close," he ordered, his voice low but firm, cutting through the growing chaos. Years of battle-hardened instinct showed in the way he moved—controlled, focused, ready. "Helena, Ryan, stay still."
Ryan swallowed hard, trying to push down the rising fear. His palms were clammy, fists clenched tightly. He hadn't felt this kind of fear since regaining his memories, and it was all-consuming now. What were they facing? He wasn't ready for this kind of danger—not yet.
From the corner of his eye, Ryan spotted the black figure again, retreating into the treeline, its movements unnaturally smooth. The remaining knights tightened their formation, but Ryan could see the tension in their posture. This was no ordinary enemy. They were trained for battle, but something about this felt different.
Then, in the fog ahead, a silhouette emerged—larger, more menacing than before. Ryan's breath caught in his throat. The shadow seemed to grow, its outline shifting until two glowing eyes pierced through the mist. His heart skipped a beat. Those eyes—bright, predatory, like an animal that had been hunting them all along.
The forest darkened further, the oppressive atmosphere making each breath feel heavier. The sense of dread gnawed at Ryan's resolve. His pulse raced as the shadow loomed closer, the glow of its eyes intensifying with each step it took.
"Focus, Ryan," Roger said sharply, his voice breaking through the fog of fear clouding his mind. "You're a Duskveil. We face this together."
Ryan nodded, forcing himself to breathe steadily, but his hands trembled. His mind screamed at him to run, to escape whatever was coming. But he couldn't. Not now. He had to stay, stay with his family.
Another swoosh echoed through the air, and this time it wasn't just one shadow. Several figures moved swiftly through the mist, their shapes unnatural, their speed terrifying. The knights braced for impact, swords drawn and ready.
Everything happened at once.
One of the knights was lifted from his horse and thrown into the shadows, his cry cut off by the thick fog. The carriage jolted violently, forcing Ryan to grip the seat to steady himself. His mother gasped, instinctively reaching out to him, but before she could speak, the carriage ground to a sudden halt.
The silence that followed was suffocating, as though the world itself held its breath.
Then, with a deafening crack, the front of the carriage splintered.
Ryan's heart dropped as the carriage tilted dangerously forward. Through the fog, a monstrous silhouette loomed larger, its glowing eyes fixed on them, its breath a low growl that reverberated in the stillness.
"Ryan!" Roger shouted, drawing his sword as the creature emerged from the mist—huge, towering, with claws as black as night.
The last thing Ryan saw before the darkness swallowed him was the creature lunging forward, its claws outstretched and aimed straight for him.
To be continued...