He was just returning from the forest, where he helped with the felling of trees to repair the nearby wooden bridge. He felt tired in his body, he only thought about going to bed and resting.
He was just passing through the middle of the square where a woman had announced her arrival a few days ago, when he heard a voice calling him from behind him. A slight shiver ran down his spine as he turned to see a group of men, and among them a woman a head shorter.
- Please wait! Her first words were when she approached, she addedI don't think I've ever spoken to you yet.
Kellan is a tall and well-built man, with a stocky body. His broad shoulders and muscular shoulders gave him the appearance of a warrior, though he hid it under the simple clothes of a peasant. His face was stern, with a well-defined jaw and sharp features that made him seem a bit unapproachable, but in fact he was incredibly kind and helpful. His black, close-cut hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his dark, deep-set eyes had a piercing glow that seemed to see more than an ordinary man.
She was delicate, with a grace and lightness that caught the eye. Her golden hair and blue eyes shone, giving her an almost otherworldly look. Their differences were clear: she, in her fitted, ornate armor, gave the impression of being phenomenal, while he, in her simple and dirty work clothes.
- Somehow, I didn't see you in the village for these few days.
- Well, madam. Lately, I've been helping a lot with tree felling, so I'm coming back late.
- I see, you're probably tired, but would you find time to talk?" The woman looked at the man, his posture resembling more a soldier than a simple peasant. At least that was her impression based on the appearance of the other men in the village.
-Ym. Actually, I was supposed to go rest and eat. Nothing has been going on since morning.
- Don't worry about that! I invite you to the mayor's hut, they will feed you there, and by the way I would like to ask you a few questions. - Her voice did not give her much room for maneuver.
The man only nodded his head, then went with the whole group to the village leader's hut, which was surrounded by a dense garden full of herbs and vegetables. Its wooden walls, covered with a thick layer of clay, gave the impression of being solid and durable. The roof was covered with thatch, which not only protected against rain, but also gave the building an idyllic look. Outside, there were various agricultural tools, testifying to the diligence of the inhabitants, as well as several pots with colorful flowers, which added charm to the entire surroundings. Overall, it was slightly larger than the other huts in the village, so it was not difficult to recognize it.
Inside, he was greeted by the friendly mayor, and his wife, at Anabell's request, prepared a vegetable stew, which she offered to the guests. The young man sat down from behind the sturdy table, and Anabell sat opposite him. The knights remained silently in the room, making the calm conversation more like an interrogation.
- I guess you're Kellan, right?
- Yes, it's me.
- Call me Anabell, it will be more pleasant.
- Okay, it's Anabell, how do you know my name?
- Well, I've heard a lot about a man who pulls carts alone or cuts down trees with a few blows. People are constantly talking.
- It's nice to hear that they think so highly of me, but they often exaggerate. – The men tried to belittle his achievements a bit.
- Well, it is known that people like to gossip and invent things, so I wanted to check it myself. Looking at you, you don't look like a peasant, what did you do before you came here?
So, they also said that I came here a few years ago. However, people cannot keep their mouths shut.
- I wasn't anyone important, I earned extra money everywhere, just like here. I used to live in the city, but I got tired of it.
- Mhm, do you remember when you came to the village?
- Well, it's been going to be about five years, I think.
- You must have hit it right, because the village has been quiet for a long time, despite the incidents at the border.
- I got what I was looking for, peace. So yes, I've come to the right place, and what incidents are you talking about?
- Villages have been under attack for a long time, and even several of them have been burned. Rumors are spreading everywhere that a war with the Empire is brewing. However, nothing is happening here and that worries me.
- Hmm, so you assume that the surrounding villages can be attacked by people from Eden?
- You're smarter than others, yes. Although it seems to me that not all of them. Looking at the fact that all the villages around are targets of attacks and this one is not. It makes us suspect that people of the Empire are hiding in the village. From here, they could attack and quickly hide under the robes of simple peasants.
- You know, Anabell, these are quite serious allegations, and without evidence it's hard to prove something.
- The thing is that I haven't discovered anything yet. No disturbing movements, tricks or slipping away after the night. Nothing, people live as they lived, the only escape from routine is you.
-What is so unusual about me that the Count's daughter herself is interested in a simple peasant. The man put down the empty wooden bowl and looked directly into the woman's eyes. His gaze penetrated her as deeply as hers.
- Well, or maybe the fact that in the last five years there has been no invasion in the village, no major troubles. Even the beasts of the forest did not kidnap or maim anyone. These forests are teeming with wild animals, trolls, goblins, there were even rumors of basilisks.
- I don't know anything about it, anyway, these are just rumors.
The woman wanted to speak, but she was interrupted by a noise coming from the next room. The man crashed into the door, and it hit the wall. Decent hinges, however, withstood the impact and remained in place.
- Help! Help! Nightmares attack our people during logging!
- Calm down, Daniel, say that it makes sense. – replied to the village leader, surprised by the sudden intrusion.
- I ran straight from the sawmill, some nightmares came out of the forest and started attacking people. At least three of them got it!
-Not good. Not good. Gather the peasants, let them take torches, pitchforks and scythes, we go through the whole village.
Anabell rose from the table, and five men-at-arms set off with her. The woman looked at the man sitting behind the table. "We'll finish our conversation. She said with a charming smile, behind which there was a determination to get to the truth.
- Let me and my knights take care of the nightmares. Tell everyone to stay in their huts until sunrise.
- Thank you, Madam. I will.
She nodded to the side, then left the hut and her escort with her.
He sat at the table for a while longer, wondering what to do.
- If they were really nightmares, they may not stand a chance. Creatures made of dark matter are not an opponent for a group of knights, a priest or at least a wizard would be useful here. You might as well say that they are going to certain death.
He walked to the window, glancing toward the road that Anabell and her escort had left a moment earlier. He knew that every moment counted in the sawmill. His instincts and sense of responsibility for the village drove him to act, even though his anonymous life could be threatened. He looked towards the village, where the inhabitants, unaware of the impending danger, had taken refuge in their huts. He inhaled deeply and began to walk towards the forest, holding on to the shadow and covering the traces of his presence. He would prefer that no one saw him.
The neighing of horses and the clatter of hooves could be heard in the village. Six horses left the village of Eden going along the road showed by the village leader. At the end of which there was an attacked sawmill. According to the survivor's story, ten more people worked there, most of whom hid in the sawmill building, but the wooden door certainly won't last long.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the sawmill, they noticed a pale glow that hovered over the building, showing a concentration of black magic. The few surviving workers hid inside, escaping from what appeared among the trees. The terrified faces and hurried words of the survivor they had met earlier were the only warning of what awaited them in the darkness.
Suddenly, there was the sound of crackling wood, as if something heavy was hitting the door of the sawmill, trying to get inside. The knights exchanged nervous glances. They sensed that their ordinary weapons might not be enough.
- Gentlemen, formation - Anabell ordered, trying to control her own fear. - No matter what we're dealing with, we have to get them out of here.
They dismounted and formed a semi-circle, slowly approaching the building. In the darkness, they noticed moving shadows—unnaturally shaped figures that swirled like smoke, blending into the darkness of the night. The Banes had sinister red eyes that seemed to pierce them. Every now and then they disappeared and reappeared, materializing and dematerializing like living nightmares.
Anabell felt an icy shiver run through her body. She knew they were facing something far worse than ordinary bandits or wild animals. The nightmares sensed their presence and stopped, as if curiously watching the new victims. The woman noticed that the apparitions were giving a wide berth to the torches illuminating the area. They must have been afraid of the light.
- Hold your positions, they're afraid of the light!- she said, clenching her firsthand the hilt of her sword. - Take the torches in your hands and we are going for the people.
As the knights moved forward, one of the spectral creatures pounced on them, penetrating their armor and causing havoc. One of the men staggered, feeling the cold penetrate to the marrow of his bones, but he kept his balance.
Anabell grabbed her sword with both hands, pointing the blade upwards. In the silence, she uttered an inaudible incantation that made her sword glow with a faint pale light. The next nightmare that moved on the group of knights met the cold blade of her sword, which this time cut the creature in half. And the fog dissipated like the morning mist just behind her. She was not as defenseless as she might seem, but her companions did not have this privilege.
- I'll take care of them, you go.
- But Lady, we will not leave you alone. One of the knights said.
- It is not right, we will stay with you! – echoed another,
- You can't do anything to them. So do what he says. - If I die, at least they will save the survivors.
When the men finally set off, Anabell was left alone in the darkness, her pale sword being the only light to dispel the darkness. The nightmares waited, seeming to study her like a predator circling its prey. She held her breath as she prepared to attack.
- Come on, show me what you can do! - She hissed, raising her sword high.
One of the Banes pounced on her, Anabell was ready. With a sweeping slash, she guided the blade through the dark form, and the enchanted weapon scattered the ethereal matter in the glow of silvery light. Another Bane struck from the side, but Anabell quickly jumped back, turning with fluid grace and striking again.
Anabell took a deep breath, feeling the tension spread through her body. The sword in her hands glowed with a pale light, and the Banshees circling seemed to respond to the aura of her weapon, stepping back and then pushing again, like wolves examining the weaknesses of their prey.
Suddenly, one of the Banes pounced on her, her shadows seeming to stretch like tentacles. Anabell struggled to fend off the first attack, and then quickly delivered a slash. The sword pierced the ethereal form of the Bane, which blew to pieces, falling like a gray mist before disappearing completely. As soon as she finished this move, two more Banes rushed at her at the same time, attacking from both sides. By cutting her armor and hands, only the fact that the armor was properly made saved her from losing her arm.
With a quick step, she turned towards one of them, avoiding the impact of the other, which cut her arm. Anabell hissed in pain, but at once launched a counterattack. Her sword sliced through the air, and the light of the spell flashed as the blade passed through another Bane. This one vanished into the darkness, but its place was quickly taken by another, with an even more impenetrable look.
She could feel the spell weakening with each passing moment, and her hands getting heavier. With each Bane she destroyed, it seemed as if more appeared from the darkness – as if the forest itself was sending these dark specters upon her. Her breathing quickened and her heart beat faster and faster. She knew she couldn't fight like this for long, but each Bane she destroyed gave her a modicum of hope.
One of the Banes approached silently from behind and reached her shoulder. Instinctively, Anabell dived forward, dropping to her knee to avoid the impact, but she was too slow. The Bane flew past her, slashing her back with a clawed hand. Blood appeared once again. She spat out the red substance that was gathering in her mouth. This time it struck accurately, and the creature dissolved like smoke blown by the wind.
As soon as she straightened up and drew her sword, another Bane tried to wrap her in its tentacles, which seemed cool and sticky. The darkness around her was beginning to thicken. Anabell desperately grabbed her sword with both hands, focusing on adding a final spell to the blade. The sword once again burned with a pale light, which made the shadows of the Bane ripple, receding for a moment. However, the spell weakened, she no longer had the strength to renew it.
Finally, as her breathing quickened and sweat poured over her forehead, she heard the whistle of the approaching Bane. She was forced to go on the defensive, her movements slower and slower, and her punches less precise. Suddenly, she remembered the words of her master, who had taught her the basics of this magic. "A sword is only an extension of your will." The corner of the woman's mouth rose slightly at the memory of training with the master when the apparitions moved again.
Anabell struggled to lift her sword, feeling the banes encircle her tighter and tighter. She felt tired in her muscles, and her eyelids began to weigh down. -This could be the end of me- She said with difficulty. However, she focused on her last effort as she prepared for the final defense. She clenched her firsthand the hilt of her sword, trying to muster the last of her strength.
Suddenly, from behind the trees, a light flashed. A bright ball pierced through the darkness, flying straight towards the nightmares. Anabell closed her eyes instinctively, and the glare blinded her for a moment. When she opened it, she saw a ball of light crash into the nearest nightmares, and they hissed and curled up in agony, scattering in the air like scattered shadows.
The nightmares that were closest began to retreat in terror, trying to hide in the darkness, but the light was unrelenting, the ball slowly illuminating the entire clearing like the sun, displacing the darkness and leaving them without a way to hide. Anabell felt a surge of hope, and her eyes began to search for the source of this mysterious light.
When she looked towards the trees from which it came, she saw the silhouette of a man. He was tall, confident and calm. He walked towards her, but his eyes, exposed to the sudden glow, were unable to see the details. When the man approached the girl, she lost consciousness.
She woke up the next morning in the village leader's hut, covered with numerous blankets. Single rays of sunlight entered the room, irritating the eyes. She straightened up to a sitting position, the pain of yesterday making itself felt. Knocking the thought of a nightmare out of your head.
-What am I doing here? I must have lost consciousness. But what happened at the sawmill. Could it be that the mayor with people from the village came to help? No. They wouldn't stand a chance, but it's light. Yes, there was this sphere that shone like the sun, this man from behind the trees. He was the one who had to do it... He was the one who saved me.