Pray for us

The clock read 02:06 hours.

It was another rainy night in Mériti, where the raindrops hit the ground with the force of a storm, echoing like the impact of two bodies colliding against the pavement. There, in the middle of an apparently deserted street, two beings were engaged in a fierce battle.

On one side, a man dressed in a black cloak with faint sky-blue details that seemed almost faded, moved like shadows around him. His eyes shone with a cold intensity, and his movements were quick and precise, like those of a predator on the prowl.

On the other side, an imposing beast stood tall. Its form was a grotesque mixture of wolf and dragon, with dark scales that reflected the moonlight and red eyes that glowed like embers. Its sharp claws sliced through the air, and its roar echoed through the empty streets, a sound that mixed fury and despair.

The two adversaries attacked and dodged with an almost hypnotic synchronization, their movements so beautiful they seemed like a dance competition, albeit a deadly one. Each strike was followed by a graceful dodge, and each attack was met with an agile defense. The rain fell around them, creating a curtain of water that made the scene even more surreal.

The man in the black cloak spun in the air, delivering a strike with his shining blade, while the beast roared and counterattacked with its sharp claws. The sound of metal clashing against scales echoed through the night, blending with the sound of the rain. The battle continued, a deadly dance between two beings determined to win.

The man raised his head with a sarcastic smile that exuded superiority. With a fluid motion, he generated an energy saber that illuminated the streets, making the cold drizzle appear as sparkling crystals. A few blocks away, a man in his 40s ran towards the conflict, his face marked by despair. By the look on his face, it seemed like his life depended on intervening between the two combatants.

As he turned the corner, the man heard a single gunshot, followed by a bright light that flashed like lightning. The scene that unfolded before his eyes was terrifying: the beast was missing both arms and had a hole that pierced through its entire face. The warrior, breathing heavily, wielded the saber in one hand and a revolver made of pure energy in the other. His wet, disheveled hair, with bangs covering most of his face, gave him an even more imposing appearance.

He cast a sidelong glance at the man while disbanding his weapons. The light of the weapons disappeared, and the streets returned to their darkness as if nothing had happened. The silence of the rainy night was broken only by the sound of the rain, which intensified and continued to fall incessantly.

— Why?

— You didn't have to do this. It wasn't supposed to be like this. — the man said, crying.

The clock read 14:16 hours.

In the not-so-cozy apartment of the saber-wielding man, the soft light of a cloudy afternoon filtered through the curtains, creating a peaceful and intimate environment. Eterrai, a man in his 20s with light brown eyes, short hair with two long bangs, and an unkempt beard, was sitting at the living room table, listening to the radio and savoring his hot coffee.

— We bring alarming news about the increase in incidents involving creatures known as 'chimeras' in nearby provinces. In recent months, the number of sightings and confrontations with these creatures has grown worryingly. — announced the radio.

His "lover," Malyn, had brown skin, golden eyes, and long, wild purple hair like a mane. With a serene smile, she crossed her arms behind Eterrai, embracing him gently and moving with grace, then whispered in his ear.

— Are you going to accept Tucker's request?

Eterrai looked at the wall, lost in thought, while listening to the radio that continued:

— According to the latest data, there has been a 35% increase in reports of chimera attacks compared to last month. Local authorities are on high alert, and security teams have been mobilized to patrol the most affected areas. Chimeras, described as hybrid creatures with characteristics of different animals, have been causing panic among residents. Experts believe that the origin of these creatures may be related to illegal genetic experiments, but there is no official confirmation yet. In addition to the attacks, significant damage to property and the environment has also been recorded. Chimeras have destroyed crops, invaded homes, and caused traffic accidents. Authorities are urging the population to avoid isolated areas and report any sightings immediately. In response to this crisis, the government has announced the creation of a special task force to investigate the origin of the chimeras and develop strategies to contain their spread. Collaboration between scientists, security forces, and the community will be crucial to face this threat. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and bring updates as soon as new information becomes available.

Eterrai, reluctant, finished his coffee with a heavy sigh. — I guess so, — he murmured, leaving the cup on the table in front of him and getting up with an air of resignation. Malyn, sensing the worry weighing on Eterrai's shoulders, gently pushed him onto the sofa. With a serene smile and eyes that shone with understanding, she leaned in to kiss him.

— You're worrying too much about this chimera thing, — she said, her voice soft like a melody. — It's not like we've never seen anything worse.

Eterrai returned the kiss, allowing Malyn to guide him, hoping to forget the previous night. He knew the traumas that haunted the man who pleaded in the middle of the night, and for a moment, he found solace in Malyn's arms, letting himself be carried away by the promise of brief relief.

The clock read 22:26 hours.

The night was shrouded in darkness, and the full moon cast a pale glow over the small house on the hill, just outside the city. Inside, a family gathered around the fireplace, the warmth of the flames contrasting with the biting cold outside. The child, with wide, curious eyes, watched the shadows dance on the walls, unaware that this night would bring unimaginable horror.

Suddenly, a chill ran down the child's spine. A searing pain took over their body, as if every bone was being broken and reshaped. They fell to their knees, screaming in agony, as their parents rushed to help. But it was too late. The transformation had begun.

The child's eyes, once innocent, now glowed with an intense red, like burning embers. Their nails grew into sharp claws, and their skin began to cover with dark, glistening scales. A guttural roar escaped their throat, echoing through the house and causing their family's hearts to stop in fear.

The mother, with tears in her eyes, tried to reach the child but was repelled by a violent blow. The creature that was once her child now stood before her, a grotesque mix of wolf and dragon, with immense strength and an insatiable thirst for blood. The father, in a desperate act of protection, charged at the beast but was quickly overpowered, his heroic attempts reduced to nothing against the monstrous power of the chimera.

The house, once a refuge of love and safety, transformed into a scene of terror and despair. The creature advanced on its family, its claws tearing through flesh and bone with terrifying ease. Blood flowed across the floor, mingling with the tears and screams of pain that filled the air.

The child, now completely consumed by the transformation, looked around with empty eyes, devoid of any trace of humanity. The fireplace, which once warmed the house, now cast sinister shadows over the massacre. The full moon, a silent witness to the horror, continued to shine, indifferent to the suffering below.

When the last flame of the fireplace went out, the house plunged into total darkness. The creature, sated and exhausted, left the place, disappearing into the night like a nightmare that dissipates at dawn. But the terror it left behind would never be forgotten, an eternal reminder of what happens when innocence is corrupted by evil.

The clock stopped ticking.