A deep rumble, like a heartbeat beneath the earth.The lanterns hanging in the square swayed violently.
From the shadow beyond the broken gate of the town it appeared.
A monster, not a demon, But a creature of nightmare-massive, hulking, it's skinblack and cracked like brunt stone. It's head twisted towards them but it's eyes were nothing but empty scars.
Maria felt the tremble of hand. A fair she never felt before except that day at the orphanage. Miata saw it and squeeze Maria's hand into hers.
"It.. it's blind" Zoe murmured.
"But... it is coming too fast towards us as if it could sense us" Nora murmured,forzing on her place while the townsfolk were still healing them but faster now because their own life depends on it.
The monster turned towards the square with precision sniffing the air, claws twitching. The raw life force beating in every person, in every creature.
When the Monster came to vision from the shadow, Maria stood still, her blood froze. She knew that scent. That sound . That scrap of claws against stone.
Her vision blurred. She remembered that day at the orphanage-how this monster killed everyone.
"It's...".
"It's him" Miata finished, but even her eyes wider with disbelief in horror.
Nora's throat went dry but she namaged to speak "The one who-who killed them all..."
She covered her mouth, her breath catching.
The townsfolk didn't even scream this time. They froze in paralyzing fear.
The monster moved-fast. Faster than it's size should allow. In one heartbeat, it was in the middle of the square. It's claws swept once, and three townsfolk were torn apart in a spray of blood before anyone could react.
And with that, the old woman supporting Maria earlier, fell. No onesaw it but her throat was bleeding. The air filled with scream again.
"No!" Maria's voice cracked as she knell beside that elderly woman's body. "Grandma..." she sobbed, head down that's when she felt warmth on her cheek "my child" that woman whispered, cupping her cheek. "Thanks for everything you did for me" she struggled with pain but added "Thanks..." and with that she closed her eyes forever.
Maria wailed hugging that woman on her arm. "You... you were the only one whom i used to... i used to share everything. You were everything for me, Grandma. Sorry for being weak and not able to protect you" she whispered. Then to her resolve she mumbled "Your sacrifice won't go on vein. I promise".
She put the woman carefully on the ground. "I won't let you escape alive today" Maria's voice cracked as she surged to her feet. Her body screaming with pain, her shoulder bleeding, her legs trembling, still she lift her blade.
Amelia growled, standing before her, fur bristling. Zoe pressed at Miata's side, snarling at the beast. While Twila and Nora covered the remaining townsfolk with roots and branches, making barrier who were healing them just now.
She knelt to her feet infront of that little girl and said "Listen up little girl. You are brave than any of us here but now you also need protection, so let me do it for you. Do you understand".
The little girl nodded and she covered that girl fully.
Miata forced herself up, blood dripping down her arm "We can't let it-"
But the monster was already moving.
Maria swung. The monster caught her sword mid-swing. It's massive clawed hand clamped around her throat. She choked, gasping for air, her feet lifted off the ground.
"Sister!!" Miata scream was raw, desperate. She charged forward, swinging with all her strength. The blade crashed against the monster's arm-
SNAP.
Her sword shattered in half.
The shock almost tore Miata's heart apart. She stumbled back, standing at the broken hilt in her hands.
Nora's eyes blazed with tears as she thrust her hands forward. Roots exploded from the earth, thick and desperate, wrapping around the monster's legs and arms. Spike from the roots erupted, clawing it's skin deeper and deeper. Twila's antlers glowed brighter than ever, fueling the spell.
For one breath-it seemed to hold.
Then-
The roots splintered. Cracked.
Shattered.
Nora's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
The monster flexed it's limbs, ripping them apart like twin. Nora gasped, the back clash of her magic nearly sending her to her knees.
And Maria till hung in it's grip, her face turning pale, her hands clawing at it's fingers for air.
"Sister!" Miata screamed again, tears blurring her vision. She tried to step forward but her body gave out and her legs bucked and she fell-her spine and ankle broken from the previous attack.
Maria gasped for air, calling for Miata "Mi...Miata-" her face pale more from watching Miata that way than for air.
Zoe and Amelia lunged biting at the monster's arm but it swatled them away like an insect. Amelia and Zoe hit the wall with sickening crack, yelping in pain.
The townsfolk terror boiled over. Some ran. Some froze. Some fell to their knees, sobbing.
It was hopeless.
"Maybe... Maybe it is the... it is the end of everything. Sorry sister Mia. Sorry to everyone" Maria cried. "Mia... Miata. Please wake up. Please. I... i don't lose you. I... i can't lose you".
And then-
A voice cut through the square.
"Enough"