Nyx felt full and satisfied after indulging in nearly every food stall she and Till could find. She had tried everything from roasted skewers to honey-dipped pastries, savoring every bite. Her laughter mingled with Till’s as they wandered through the bustling festival, the warm glow of lanterns lighting their path.

As the evening wore on, the excitement in the crowd began to shift. A quiet buzz spread through the square as villagers murmured in anticipation.

“It’s starting soon,” Till said, a grin spreading across his face. “The firelight special. This is my favorite part.”

Nyx’s face lit up. She’d been looking forward to this all evening. She and Till made their way to an open area near the center of the square, where most of the villagers had already gathered. Nyx adjusted her silver cape, her excitement growing as she stood beside Till and tilted her head toward the sky.

The festival chatter gradually died down, replaced by a collective hush. Then, with a thunderous crackle, the first burst of light streaked across the night sky. It exploded in a cascade of colors, illuminating the crowd below.

Nyx’s breath caught. She stared up at the vibrant display, her amethyst eyes reflecting the dazzling bursts of light.

“Whoa,” Till murmured beside her. “That one’s a deep red—like a burning ember.”

Nyx tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “You’re describing it all for me?”

“Well, yeah,” Till said, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. “I figured… since you can’t see it, I’d be your eyes.”

Nyx blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. A small smile tugged at her lips. “You’d be my eyes?”

“Exactly!” Till said with a nod, his enthusiasm shining through. “The next one—look! It’s gold. Like… I don’t know, the sun breaking through the clouds. And the edges are silver, shimmering like your cape.”

Nyx chuckled softly. She appreciated the gesture, even if he didn’t fully understand her. “Thanks, Till.”

She turned her gaze back to the sky as another explosion of light painted the darkness, listening as Till eagerly described the vivid greens, blues, and purples. His words were animated, his voice rising with excitement as the colors shifted and swirled.

Nyx didn’t correct him. She didn’t need to. His descriptions carried more than just colors—they carried warmth, friendship, and an earnestness that made her heart feel lighter.

But just as the most brilliant burst of golden light filled the sky, the festival’s joyful energy took a sudden turn.

The air grew colder, and a strange, unnatural hum rippled through the crowd. It started faint, like a distant vibration, but quickly grew louder and more jarring.

“What’s that?” Nyx asked, her brows furrowing as she scanned the square.

Till frowned, his hand instinctively brushing against hers. “I don’t know. Maybe… part of the show?”

But Nyx’s instincts said otherwise. The hum deepened into a low, resonant roar, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as the lanterns lining the square flickered and dimmed.

“Stay close to me,” Nyx said, her voice calm but firm.

Her fingers twitched slightly, sensing the familiar hum of her Shadow Domain stirring to life. Uriel’s voice echoed softly in her mind.

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“It’s not part of the festival. Something is approaching.”

“What is it?” Nyx asked silently.

“Unclear,” Uriel replied, its tone sharp. “But it carries an aura of hostility. Be ready.”

The once-lively square grew tense, the villagers huddling closer as they glanced nervously at the dimming lanterns. The festival’s warmth seemed to vanish, replaced by an oppressive chill that crept into Nyx’s chest.

Then came the sound of distant footsteps. Heavy, deliberate, and growing louder with each passing second.

The firelight show faded from view as the festival-goers turned their attention toward the source of the sound. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the cobblestones, twisting and flickering as though alive.

And then, chaos descended.

A low, eerie hum pierced the air, cutting through the laughter and music like a blade. Nyx stiffened, her senses on high alert. Around her, the crowd began to murmur, their voices tinged with unease.

“Nyx…” Till’s voice faltered, his earlier cheer replaced with nervous tension.

The hum grew louder, deeper, until it seemed to vibrate through the ground beneath their feet. Then came the sound of shattering stone.

A wall at the edge of the village exploded outward in a shower of debris, sending villagers screaming and scattering in every direction. A monstrous figure loomed in the dust and rubble, its hulking form barely visible through the chaos.

Till gasped, gripping Nyx’s arm. “What is that?”

Nyx didn’t reply immediately. Her focus was on the creature, her mind racing as she tried to assess the situation. The glow of lanterns flickered wildly, their light reflecting off something metallic on the monster’s body.

“Get behind me,” she said firmly, stepping in front of Till.

“But—”

“No buts,” Nyx cut him off, her voice calm but commanding. “Go find somewhere safe and stay there. I’ll handle this.”

Till hesitated, his fear warring with his desire to protect her. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his breathing unsteady. “Nyx… don’t do anything reckless, okay?”

Nyx glanced over her shoulder, her expression softening slightly. “I won’t. Now go.”

Till finally nodded, backing away into the panicked crowd. His heart pounded as he watched Nyx stand her ground, her silver hair catching the flickering light like a beacon.

The monster let out a guttural roar, stepping forward into the clearing. Its body was a grotesque amalgamation of muscle and metal, with jagged, glowing veins that pulsed like molten lava. Its eyes burned like embers, scanning the fleeing villagers with predatory intent.

The weight of its presence was suffocating, and Nyx could feel the fear radiating from those around her. But she remained steady, her hands curling into fists as she prepared herself.

“Uriel,” she whispered, her voice low and steady.

“I sense its power,” Uriel replied in her mind. “It’s not like the others you’ve faced. Be cautious, Nyx.”

The monster took another step forward, its claws scraping against the ground with a metallic screech. Around them, the panicked screams of villagers filled the air as they scrambled to escape the creature’s path.

Nyx narrowed her eyes, her heart steady despite the chaos.

The festival, once so full of light and joy, had become a battlefield.

Screams of horror and pain rang through the air, cutting through the festival’s once-joyful atmosphere like a blade. Villagers scrambled desperately, clutching children or dragging loved ones as they fled the advancing monster. Chaos rippled through the crowd as people stumbled and fell, tripping over overturned food stalls and abandoned decorations.

Guards poured into the square, their armor clinking and weapons gleaming in the faint light. They formed a loose line, their spears aimed at the hulking creature, but the shaking of their hands betrayed their fear.

“Hold the line!” a captain barked, his voice resolute but strained.

The monster turned its ember-like eyes toward the guards. With an ear-splitting roar, it lunged, its claws tearing through the cobblestones like paper. The guards braced themselves, their spears striking its thick, metallic limbs with little effect. One guard, desperate to protect a trapped villager, charged recklessly, his blade aimed at the creature’s core.

It swatted him aside like an insect. The man’s body crashed against a nearby wall, slumping lifelessly to the ground.

Hunters joined the fray, their weapons gleaming as they unleashed spells and arrows. One hunter conjured a barrage of fireballs, each one exploding against the creature’s body with a resounding boom. Smoke and flame obscured the monster for a moment, but when it stepped forward unharmed, the hunter froze, his confidence shattering.

“It’s… it’s not working,” he stammered, backing away.

The villagers screamed louder, their panic spreading like wildfire.

Nyx’s sharp gaze cut through the chaos as she assessed the situation. Her fingers twitched at her sides, the urge to summon her daggers growing stronger with every second. The air around her seemed heavier, charged with the creature’s oppressive aura.

“Uriel,” she murmured, her voice calm despite the growing tension.

“Yes, Nyx,” Uriel’s voice echoed in her mind, steady and reassuring.

“Can I take it?”