The harsh reality of this world was finally making itself known to Jin.

A sound capable of unshackling terror in anyone in range.

With such a high pitched screech, it seemed countless babies were crying all at once. Penetrating the eardrum of everyone who could hear it, the dark creature had put fear in the hearts of all mortals.

They had no time left to prepare.

"Brace yourself, It’s coming!" The man screamed at Jin as thumps grew louder and faster in the background.

Quickly gaining awareness of the gravity of the situation, Jin rose from the littered ground—drenched in his own blood —which still leaked from the corner of his mouth.

With all eyes intent on the movement, they both glanced at the horizon with intensity. From afar, screams could be heard - this time human-like voices that were being drowned out by the noise of the unknown abomination still invisible to the pair.

"What is your name, boy?" The man asked as he removed the two bloody gloves from his hands.

“Name’s J… Ji… - Jin!” Was his reply, as he grabbed his blade from the air by the handle.

“I am Faust Konninham, I'm sorry about the brawl before, It seems I've let my feelings have the best of me — this creature claimed my daughter— and now it has finally come for me.

Jin swallowed when he heard those raw words from Faust's mouth. It was said that the best way to get to know men was in combat. And Jin had seen a few minutes ago the powerful emotion that emanated from Faust. He had visualized the chasm that had opened in Faust's heart, the painful wound which might never be healed.

The warm handshake, wrapped in the soft smell and perfume that he would never be able to smell in his daughter. Dissipated in this reality like any sand in the wind, the only proof of its existence in the memories of his anguished, but resilient father.

The good night kiss that can never be felt or shared, one that was easily overlooked because it was considered part of the routine within the household. For some people the world could fall in a matter of moments. All it took was a twist of lady fortune.

Unlucky that, in a way, his party had contributed by taking too long to head to Ferris.

Jin and his group had arrived too late, the information they were given was completely inaccurate and out of date. Apparently the disappearing animals had only been the beginning of the suffering that wooden settlement withheld.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

He couldn't get it out of his head that maybe, if they had refused Eliza's insistence on wanting to cook more chocolate cakes, they would have arrived here earlier.

There is a point of conscience at which a person refuses to admit that evil comes in many forms. To protect yourself mentally from some serious mistake, or just child disillusionment that make people tend to distort what really happened.

He was as guilty as Eliza, there were no mistakes about that.

Every punch he had taken today was — in a way — properly deserved.

This feeling could eat away at Jin the more he thought about it. Especially since, he made that decision and looked forward to the chocolate cakes like any other in his group. Perhaps things could have been different.

His mind had been enveloped in a hurricane of uncertainty and anguish. This was not the time to search through the memories and try to rationalize how violent the reality was.

If he were staying at Kaban Village, Jin would never be subject to the accursed and the weavings of fate that the gods played. If he had remained ignorant for the rest of his life, it would not be difficult to imagine that he would find happiness while he was covered up by the Hollow Forest. Isolated, but protected.

Distant, but comfortable.

Weak but happy.

A strong tug was felt on his shoulder, which throbbed in pain. Long fingers enveloped his skin, drawing his attention.

Being rocked desperately by the man standing beside him, the harsh reality called Jin back to the moment.

"Snap out of it!"

A flicker of consciousness.

Before them, a loathsome creature that overshadows the sun and dwarfs the mortals beneath its threatening might.

At first glance, some similarities could be found with a scorpion.

Thin, but strong six-legs that exist to crawl towards its prey. A long tail —as sharp as a knife— swaying from behind.

However, there was a human torso in the part where the scorpion’s head should normally be, an abomination of nature. The human torso has two more arms— in addition to the six legs. And there was no head above the neck of the human torso.

The figure was about six or seven meters long, and it could be said that it was just the right size to devour the both of them at once.

Taking a step forward, its six legs effortlessly carry its cursed body with a grim energy, sending chills down Jin’s spine. The long tail wiggling — back and forth — eager to charge at any sign of weakness in its prey.

Its dark — headless — body staring with a debilitating severity.

Another shrill escaped from the beast’s grotesque mouth centered on its torso.

Its existence seemed to be lacking of its main component above the shoulders. Headless yet it still maintained the shrieks and screeches of a thousand voices. Speaking at where the mouth raised the cry, from the chest till the belly of the human torso was torn vertically, and in the oral cavity, the fully grown horizontally aligned fangs were insuring their existence in this accursed reality.

Holding his breath, Jin despaired.

There was nothing he could do. He quickly grabbed the handle of his sword as tight as he could, but didn’t think he could do anything with it.

Among the emptied balconies and streets of Ferri, there seemed to be a common agreement between the citizens. There was no glory to be found in resistance—no purpose to be found when challenging death itself. And so they locked themselves, and denied its existence as Jin once would have done.

And to the breathless Jin, the disfigured creature tilted his eyeless body. Hearing it from its mouth, bathing in its roar, fueling his fears.