The sky above the village was painted in uneasy gray, as though the world itself sensed the presence of the dungeon door. It stood in the village square, carved with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat. The air felt thicker, harder to breathe, and the hum emanating from it had grown louder overnight.
Lorian stood at the edge of the crowd that had gathered, fear and fascination mingling in the faces of the villagers. Whispers filled the air, a chaotic hum of uncertainty. Part of him wanted to run home, bury himself under his blankets. But another part—the deeper part—couldn't look away.
Selene stood at the front, flanked by Alex and Aiden. The trio, seasoned fighters by now, stood at the ready, eyes locked on the door.
"Everyone, step back!" Selene commanded, her voice firm and authoritative. "We don't know what this thing can do."
The villagers obeyed, shuffling backward, their eyes glued to the door. Lorian stayed a little farther back, just enough to remain unnoticed but close enough to feel the tension radiating from Selene's tense jaw.
Suddenly, the pulsing runes flared brighter, and the hum deepened into a low growl. The crowd gasped, and a hush fell over the square. Then, with a sound like cracking ice, the door split open slightly.
Black mist spilled from the gap, swirling and twisting like something alive. Moments later, small, bat-like creatures shot out, their glowing red eyes burning through the haze. Their leathery wings flapped furiously, their bodies twisting unnaturally as they darted through the air, predatory and relentless. Their sharp claws slashed at anything in reach.
Screams erupted as the villagers scrambled to escape. Selene reacted instantly. Her blade flashed, cutting down two of the creatures in a single, swift motion. The creatures fell with a high-pitched screech, but they didn't stay down easily. As one dropped, it let out a chilling cry. Another darted past Selene's defenses, narrowly missing her.
Alex and Aiden joined the fight, weapons cutting through the swarm with practiced ease. Aiden's greatsword cleaved through the air, striking down multiple bat-like monsters in one swing. Alex's twin daggers danced in his hands, each strike a blur that sent the creatures crashing to the ground in fiery bursts.
Lorian, frozen, watched the chaos unfold. A screeching creature dove at him, claws extended. He ducked instinctively, tripping over his own feet and falling hard to the ground. The creature veered toward him, glowing red eyes filled with hunger. It was fast—unnervingly so. Wings flapping at impossible angles, it dove toward his face. Scrambling backward, Lorian barely managed to avoid its deadly claws, only for it to be struck down by one of Selene's throwing knives. The blade sank deep into the creature's wing, sending it screeching to the ground.
"Get out of here, Lorian!" Selene shouted, her voice sharp.
But he didn't move. He couldn't.
The hum grew louder, and the door cracked wider. This time, larger creatures emerged, their hulking forms dwarfing the earlier swarm. They were as big as dogs, but monstrous—broad, thickly muscled bodies covered in spiked armor that shimmered like obsidian. Their mouths were filled with rows of jagged teeth, dripping with saliva. They roared in unison, their voices shaking the air.
One of the creatures charged at a group of villagers, its claws—each the size of a spear—slicing through flesh and bone. The creature's growls echoed through the square as it swiped at a woman, sending her flying through the air like a ragdoll. The villagers screamed and scattered, but the creature was relentless, its eyes locked on its prey as it tore through the crowd.
Selene and her team rushed to intercept, their movements a blur of precision and power. Selene's sword clashed with one of the beasts, sparks flying as the steel met its armored hide. She ducked under its claws, driving her blade deep into its throat. The creature stumbled before collapsing, lifeless.
Alex and Aiden were right behind her, their teamwork flawless. Aiden's massive sword cleaved through another beast with a roar, its heavy blade cutting through the monster's armored body. Alex, agile and precise, darted in to strike another creature's exposed underbelly, his daggers finding their mark with deadly accuracy.
Lorian forced himself to his feet, heart pounding. He spotted a group of children huddled together near the edge of the square, their eyes wide with terror. Without thinking, he ran toward them.
"Come on! We need to move!" he shouted, pulling one of the children along with him, urging the rest to follow.
Behind them, the battle raged on.
And then it happened.
The door exploded open. The force of its magic tore through the village, sending shockwaves of destruction. A deafening roar filled the air as energy radiated outward, toppling houses, splitting the ground. Half the village was gone in an instant—reduced to rubble and flames.
From the fully opened door emerged massive creatures, each the size of a horse. They were unlike anything Lorian had ever seen—behemoths with bodies made of stone, their skin cracked and glowing faintly. Their eyes were pools of blackness, their mouths filled with countless teeth, some the size of a man's arm. They let out a roar that shook the earth itself as they stepped forward, their massive feet leaving deep impressions in the ground.
The villagers stood frozen, unable to comprehend the enormity of the monsters before them. Selene and her team stared in horror, momentarily paralyzed. They were outmatched, and they knew it.
"Fall back!" Selene shouted, barely audible over the chaos.
As they retreated, the door began to close, but not before the vortex began. The energy around the door twisted and spiraled, pulling everything nearby toward it. People screamed as they were dragged across the ground, clawing at anything they could to hold on.
Lorian, near the edge of the vortex, spotted a young girl being pulled toward the door. Without hesitation, he ran to her, grabbing her arm and throwing her toward safety. But the vortex's pull was too strong, and he lost his footing.
"Lorian!" Selene's voice cut through the noise, her hand outstretched.
He looked back at her, fear and acceptance in his eyes, before the vortex claimed him. The door slammed shut, and the village fell silent, save for the crackling of fires and the quiet sobs of survivors.
Selene dropped to her knees, staring at the spot where Lorian had disappeared.
"I'll find you," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I promise."