THE CALM BEFORE THE HORROR

A group of Iron Hound enforcers stood watch at a key checkpoint. A dirt road cutting through Alderwood Forest. One of the many trade routes they had seized to strangle the courier business.

Torches flickered in the night air, casting dancing shadows across the trees. The men stood in clusters, some chatting idly, others sharpening weapons, but all of them relaxed.

They had been at this for days and not once had Relay shown himself.

“Think he’s given up?” one of them muttered, leaning against a crate.

Another shrugged. “Doubt it. He’s probably waiting for us to slip up.”

A third guard scoffed. “Let him wait. Won’t change anything. No routes, no money. He’s already lost.”

The men chuckled, their arrogance thick in the air.

But then..

They heard it.

A faint, distant sound.

A rhythmic thud-thud-thud against the earth.

One of the guards straightened, squinting into the darkness. “You hear that?”

The sound grew louder.

Faster.

The night air shifted, a heavy weight pressing against the road as if something unnatural was approaching.

Then—

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They saw him.

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A lone figure emerged from the darkness.

Running.

Fast.

A blurred shape, his black cloak flowing behind him like the shadow of death.

“Is that..?”

Someone squinted, then gasped. “It’s him.”

It was Relay.

But something was wrong.

His entire body was soaked in something thick. A glistening, oily black sheen reflecting under the moonlight. His mask was as unreadable as ever, but there was something unnerving about how he ran.

Like he wasn’t running from them.

Like he was bringing something with him.

Then one of the Iron Hounds made the mistake of looking past him.

And their faces turned pale with horror.

Because behind Isaac..

Was the horde.

Hundreds of monsters.

All sizes. All shapes. All chasing him.

Wolves with their snarling faces twisted in frenzy.

Giant centipedes and their legs tearing into the ground.

Ogres, with their footsteps shaking the earth.

Swarming insects went buzzing in an uncontrollable frenzy.

Even massive shadowy beasts from the depths of the woods, drawn by the cursed scent Isaac had drenched himself in.

The forest itself was following him.

And it was unstoppable.

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THE MAN WHO BRINGS THE END

Panic exploded through the checkpoint.

“SWEET GODS—”

“WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!”

“RUN! RUN!”

The Iron Hounds broke ranks instantly.

All sense of order, discipline, forgotten.

Men threw down weapons, abandoned posts, shoved past each other in sheer, primal terror.

Isaac didn’t slow.

Didn’t look back.

Didn’t acknowledge them.

Because they weren’t the target.

They weren’t worth his time.

He adjusted his course, shifting direction, heading straight toward the Iron Hounds’ fortress.

And the horde followed.

The monsters trampled through the checkpoint, not even acknowledging the fleeing men.

The guards who ran into the trees vanished into the darkness. their screams cut short.

Those who were too slow? Consumed.

But Isaac?

Isaac kept running.

His eyes locked onto the distant silhouette of Fort Blackthorn.

The Iron Hounds wanted him.

Now, they were going to get him.

And the entire forest was coming with him.