Kate crept through the dimly lit corridors, her senses on high alert, ears straining for any sign of movement. The air was thick with tension, every shadow seeming to hide a lurking threat. Despite the fear gnawing at her insides, she forced herself to focus, channeling her anxiety into a steely determination to survive.

A small noise echoed from the darkness ahead, causing Kate to freeze in her tracks. She held her breath, listening intently for any further sounds. Slowly, she edged closer, her heart pounding in her chest. As she rounded a corner, she caught sight of a figure huddled in the shadows—a survivor, perhaps, or another victim of the creature's rampage.

With hesitation, Kate approached, her movements cautious yet purposeful. The figure stirred as she drew near, lifting their head to meet Kate's gaze.

Relief flooded Kate's veins as she spotted the face of a young girl. She looked to be a small child, with wide, innocent eyes that glimmered with fear and curiosity. Her hair, a cascade of chestnut curls, framed her pale, freckled face. Clutching a worn, stuffed teddy bear tightly to her chest, she looked up at Kate with a mix of trust and apprehension. Despite the dirt and grime that smeared her cheeks, her youthful innocence shone through, making her seem all the more vulnerable amid the chaos surrounding them. Her small frame and timid demeanor made her appear even younger than her eight years, evoking a protective instinct in anyone who saw her.

Kate put her finger to her lips, signaling for the girl to stay silent. The girl nodded as Kate carefully listened to her surroundings.

"What's your name?" Kate whispered, the sudden sound of the makeshift barricade on the door starting to slam against the wooden beam.

"Mia," the girl whispered back, fear evident in her wide, horror-filled eyes as the sound of taunting laughter echoed through the door.

"My name is Kate, but we need to leave now," Kate whispered urgently, her voice barely above a breath as she scanned the room for an alternative exit. "Do you know another way out?" Her urgency was palpable.

"No, but I've been hiding beneath the floorboards when it comes by," Mia whispered back, her tone tinged with fear. "Though only one person can fit there." She pointed at a darker patch of flooring, a few wooden boards were out of place.

Kate's heart sank as she gazed at the floorboards. "Come," she whispered, carefully lifting the boards. "How old are you, Mia?" she asked softly.

"Eight," Mia replied, clutching her stuffed teddy bear tightly.

Kate took a deep breath, her mind racing. "We’re going to play a little game of hide and seek," she said gently, lifting Mia and lowering her into the space beneath the floor. "Stay quiet and don't come out until I tell you it's safe, okay?"

Mia nodded, clutching her stuffed bear as Kate replaced the floorboards, her heart pounding. Kate took a deep breath and whispered a small prayer to any gods that might be listening to keep young Mia safe.

The sound of the barricade being battered grew louder, and she knew time was running out.

Kate crept back toward the door, her eyes scanning the room for anything she could use as a weapon. She spotted a heavy iron poker near the fireplace and quickly grabbed it, feeling the weight of the cold metal in her hand. The laughter from outside grew more menacing, sending a shiver down her spine.

With the poker clenched tightly, Kate moved to a vantage point where she could see the door without being immediately visible. Her mind raced, formulating a plan to confront or evade the creature. She knew she had to buy time, not just for herself, but for the young noble and for Mia hidden beneath the floorboards.

The door creaked under the pressure, the wooden beam straining against the force. Kate's breath came in shallow bursts as she waited, her muscles tensed, ready to react. The door splintered, and a grotesque hand clawed through the gap, grasping at the air.

Kate stepped forward, raising the poker, and struck down. As the creature's hand forced its way through the door, Kate swung with all her might, the iron connecting with a sickening thud. The creature recoiled, snarling in pain and fury, its eyes locking onto Kate with a murderous glare.

The creature hissed as it rammed through the door, falling to the ground and cursing at Kate.

Kate backed away, her grip on the poker tightening. She could see the creature more clearly now—a grotesque, twisted figure with sharp, gnarled features and eyes that burned with malevolence. It lunged at her, and Kate swung again, aiming for its head. The creature dodged, its movements unnervingly fast.

The creature lunged at her again, but Kate dodged out of the way, causing it to crash into the fireplace. Seizing the opportunity, she bolted for the broken-down door.

"Come on, you ugly beast," she taunted, trying to keep its focus on her. The creature snarled and followed, the sound of bricks being thrown about from inside.

Kate darted down the street, the sound of collapsing walls echoing behind her. She quickly looked back and saw ash and smoke rising with each sound of a wall falling.

"It's going through the walls?" Kate thought to herself as she looked ahead and saw the open road and forest on either side.

She was becoming a trapped mouse, and the cat was gaining on her.

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Samuel reached their carriage, feeling the weight of fatigue on his shoulders after dealing with the nobles. "An hour of dealing with stuck-up nobles," he mumbled to himself, scanning the area for Kate. To his dismay, she was nowhere to be seen.

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Concern etched on his face, Samuel entered the carriage, only to find it empty as well. His worry deepened, his mind racing with possibilities. Kate was usually so careful, but something felt off. The whole area felt off. Samuel stepped back outside, his eyes narrowing as he took in the surrounding chaos. The tension in the air was palpable, and the sounds of destruction from the distance only heightened his anxiety.

"Kate?" he called out, his voice tinged with urgency. He knew he couldn't waste any more time. With a determined stride, Samuel set off in the direction of the noise, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead. He wouldn't rest until he found Kate and ensured her safety.

"Do you hear that?" one of the riders asked, drawing the attention of the gathering crowd.

"I do," Samuel replied, his eyes fixed on the smoke rising in the distance.

"Help!" someone yelled. Samuel looked over and saw a young noble boy, cut up and bleeding, limping towards them.

Samuel rushed forward, pushing through the crowd. "Clear the way!" he shouted urgently. He reached the boy, who collapsed into his arms, gasping for breath.

"What happened?" Samuel asked, his eyes scanning the boy's injuries.

"The village...a creature...it's attacked us," the boy stammered, his face pale with fear and pain.

Samuel's heart sank. "Where's Kate?" he demanded.

"I...I don't know. I saw a woman as I made a run for it. Ethan and I got separated when the creature attacked Lucas," the boy replied weakly.

Samuel turned towards the rising smoke from the village. His gaze burned with worry and a growing, unseen anger.

Samuel casted Rock Slide and Muddy Earth, causing a section of the ground beneath him to rise and carry him forward.

As the rocky platform moved swiftly across the terrain, Samuel stood still, listening intently to the growing sounds of destruction and chaos. The noise grew louder with every passing second, amplifying his sense of urgency.

As he approached the village, Samuel’s heart pounded in his chest. He could hear the distant, ominous, guttural roars of the creature causing havoc.

Samuel's platform came to a halt at the village's edge. He leapt off, his boots hitting the ground with a thud. He moved cautiously but quickly through the debris-strewn streets, his eyes scanning for any sign of Kate.

“Kate!” he shouted, his voice barely rising above the din. “Kate, where are you?”

Samuel came across the body of the young noble, half-eaten with blood pooling around what was left of him.

"You poor young fool," Samuel said, looking away.

Suddenly, a figure stumbled into view from the smoke—a young girl with chestnut curls, her face streaked with dirt, grime, and fear. Samuel's heart dropped at the pitiful sight of this young girl.

"Are you looking for Kate?" the little girl asked, clutching her teddy bear tightly.

"Yes, did you see her, little one?" Samuel bent down to appear at eye level with the girl.

"My name's Mia. She hid me in the floorboards," Mia said, then pointed down the right-hand street. "I think she ran that way."

"Thank you, young Mia. Did you happen to see a young teenage boy around here as well?" Samuel asked.

"I'm here, sir," a voice replied. Samuel turned to see Ethan limping out of a doorway behind him.

"You must be noble Ethan," Samuel said, his hardened gaze fixed on the young teenager.

"Yes, sir," Ethan responded, standing as straight as his injuries would allow.

Samuel's eyes softened slightly as he assessed the boy's condition. "Ethan, can you walk?"

Ethan nodded, though he winced from the pain. "I can manage."

"Good," Samuel said, giving him a stern look. "Ethan, your task is to take Mia here back to the carriage."

Samuel then turned to Mia. "Mia, stay close to Ethan. He'll keep you safe."

Mia nodded, clutching her teddy bear even tighter. "Okay," she whispered, her wide eyes filled with both fear and trust.

"Alright, move quickly and stay alert," Samuel instructed. He watched as Ethan gently took Mia's hand, guiding her away from the scene.

As they disappeared into the distance, Samuel's focus shifted back to the immediate threat. He tightened his grip, his determination renewed. "Hang on, Kate," he muttered under his breath as he headed deeper into the chaos, the sounds of destruction growing louder with each step.

Samuel sprinted towards the sounds of screaming and sinister laughter. As he reached the forest, he suddenly halted. The once vibrant woodland, that used to be alive with birdsong and teeming with life, now felt like a graveyard.

"Kate!" Samuel yelled, desperately scanning his surroundings.

An eerie sensation pervaded the woods as if the very essence of his life was being drained with each step he took deeper into the forest. The air grew colder, and Samuel's breath became laboured.

Looking closer at the nearest tree, Samuel noticed black, sickly lines creeping up its trunk, pulsing with malevolent energy like veins.

Suddenly, a surge of magical energy burst ahead of him, revitalizing the trees with a burst of unnatural life.

"What's—" Samuel began, but his words were cut off.

"BOOM!" An explosion echoed through the forest, sending dirt and rock flying. Samuel ducked, shielding his face from the debris. The force of the blast shook the ground beneath his feet, leaving him momentarily disoriented.

As the dust began to settle, Samuel struggled to regain his bearings. He wiped dirt from his face and squinted through the haze, his senses on high alert for any sign of movement.

"Kate!" he shouted again, his voice hoarse with desperation.

A faint cry for help reached his ears, barely audible over the residual ringing from the explosion. Samuel's heart leaped with hope. He surged forward, pushing through the thick, dead underbrush, his eyes darting in every direction.

Through the settling dust and debris, he caught sight of a figure lying on the ground. His pulse quickened as he recognized the familiar form of Kate. She was sprawled on the forest floor, covered in dirt and scratches but alive.

"Kate!" Samuel called out, rushing to her side. He knelt beside her, checking for injuries. "Are you hurt?"

Kate groaned, slowly opening her eyes. "Samuel," she whispered, before passing out.

Relief washed over Samuel, but it was short-lived. The sinister laughter that had haunted him earlier returned, louder and closer than before.

"We will meet again, Little Lamb," it hissed in laughter.

Samuel hoisted Kate into his arms and ran through the forest, their pace quickening as the laughter grew more menacing. The black, pulsing lines on the trees seemed to follow them, echoing the sinister laughter, a constant reminder of the malevolent presence lurking nearby.

As they approached the edge of the forest, the oppressive atmosphere began to lift. Samuel glanced back, feeling the sinister presence recede. But he knew they weren't safe yet.

"Come on," he urged himself, his grip on Kate tightening as they broke through the tree line.

"Goodbye, Little Lamb," Samuel turned his head, seeing the twisted form of a male figure standing there, one arm missing and the other twisted in a horrible bend.

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Sitting on a fluffy white cloud was a middle-aged man holding a wooden cane. Floating beside him were an ink pen and a rolled-up scroll titled "Lucas Montgomery."

The man sighed as the scroll disappeared. He leaned back, observing the scene below. "My, my, it seems the wheels of fate have changed in this cycle," he mused, pulling out two new scrolls. One was an old leather-bound book with a cover full of tears and rips, bearing the name "Samuel Hawthorne." The other was a single page with one word on it: "Kate Winters."

His eyes widened in surprise. "We have a fate breaker," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "It seems my little seedling has indeed taken root, and the effects are showing."

He smiled before disappearing.