The night began like any other. Rengard’s streets were quiet, save for the soft hum of crickets in the fields. The moon hung high above the village, casting its pale light over the wooden rooftops. Jin lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of the small hut he shared with his younger sister, May.

“Jin,” May whispered, her voice barely audible over the night’s stillness. She tugged at his sleeve, her wide eyes glinting in the moonlight.

“What is it?” Jin asked, suppressing a yawn.

“I heard something… outside.”

Jin sighed, sitting up. May’s imagination often ran wild, especially after hearing Old Bram’s stories of monsters and heroes. “It’s probably just the wind,” he said, ruffling her hair.

A distant scream shattered the calm.

Jin froze, his heart pounding. The scream was followed by another, and then a chorus of terrified cries. He scrambled to his feet, grabbing the dull knife they used for cutting vegetables.

“Stay here,” he told May, but she clung to his arm, shaking her head.

“No! Don’t leave me!”

The screams grew louder. Through the small window, Jin saw villagers running through the streets, their faces twisted in terror. Black shapes moved among them—hulking creatures with glowing red eyes and twisted limbs.

The Feralis had come.

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Jin grabbed May’s hand, pulling her toward the door. “We have to get to the square,” he said, his voice trembling. “The Protectors will be there.”

“But—”

“No buts!” Jin snapped, dragging her outside. The air smelled of smoke and blood.

As they ran, chaos unfolded around them. A man wielding a pitchfork tried to fend off a Feralis, only for the creature to swat him aside like a doll. Another villager hurled a fireball at one of the beasts, but it barely slowed down. The Feralis were relentless, their black, sinewy bodies immune to all but the strongest attacks.

Jin’s knife felt laughably inadequate.

They reached the village square, where a group of Protectors had formed a defensive line. Their leader, a tall woman with a greatsword that glowed with runes, shouted orders as her team fought back. Spells lit up the night—flames roared, lightning crackled, and ice formed barriers to hold back the tide of monsters.

“Get behind us!” the woman shouted as Jin and May approached.

Jin obeyed, pushing May behind a barrel. “Stay here and don’t move,” he told her.

“What about you?” she asked, tears streaming down her face.

“I’ll protect you,” he said, though his hands trembled.

The Protectors were powerful, but the Feralis were many. For every one they struck down, two more took its place. Jin watched in horror as one of the Protectors fell, their shield shattered by a monstrous claw.

A Feralis broke through the line, its glowing eyes locking onto Jin.

Time seemed to slow. The creature lunged, its claws outstretched. Jin raised his knife, knowing it would do little good. Just as the Feralis reached him, a blast of water struck it, sending it tumbling back.

Jin turned to see a young girl with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. She held her hands outstretched, water swirling around her fingers.

“Run!” she shouted, stepping between Jin and the creature.

He didn’t need to be told twice. Grabbing May, he sprinted toward the edge of the square. Behind him, the battle raged on, but the Protectors were losing ground.

As they reached the edge of the village, Jin looked back one last time. The square was a sea of fire and shadow, the Protectors fighting valiantly but hopelessly outnumbered.

“Come on!” May urged, pulling at his arm.

With a heavy heart, Jin turned away and followed her into the night.