Night Hunters

Before long, through the foliage, a ramshackle, old mill emerged. Shen inhaled deeply as she looked around cautiously. He noticed bloodstains strewn throughout the stone walls of the mill. Even though the stains were nearly dry, they still had a bright red sheen that made him shiver.

"Stay quiet," Zara whispered after pausing for a while, half-drawing her sword and making a silent gesture toward Shen.

As they got closer to the mill's door, the two held their breath. Shen pressed the wooden door open with a leisurely motion. The door grudgingly gave way, and the creaking reverberated through the night. Inside, they were met with a terrifying sight. It had become a slaughterhouse, the mill. The floor was littered with dead bodies, their pale skin appearing to have been drained of blood. The air was heavy with the sickening smell of rotting flesh, and Shen froze in shock.

Shen stepped back, and a raspy murmur came out of his mouth. "These are..."

At that moment, the eerie silence was broken by a voice echoing in the darkness. It was mocking and frigid. "So, we have visitors..."

Shen swiftly pulled out his sword and looked about, but he was unable to identify the voice's origin. In the dark, a shadow moved. Shen gritted his teeth and yelled, "Who are you? "Prove yourself!"

There was a brief period of silence before two sets of bright eyes appeared out of the darkness, frightening and piercing as though they could see right into Shen's soul. Zara moved in front of Shen right away, speaking in a strained, low voice. "Take caution. More than two of them are present.

Three towering beings suddenly sprang out of the shadows. Strangely similar, they were ladies. Their slim, graceful bodies exuded a deadly atmosphere. Sharp fangs glittered hungryly between their lips, their skin was pale nearly to the point of translucence, and their eyes flashed scarlet. Wearing tight-fitting black gowns, they appeared to blend in with the darkness. One of the women moved purposefully and in a sinuous manner toward Shen. Her red eyes stared at him as she growled. Slowly licking her lips, she moaned, "Your blood... smells divine,"

Shen felt a surge of fear go over him, and his breath caught. He said, "Are these... night hunters?"

Zara swiftly swiped her sword and drew Shen backward. "Yes," she snarled, "and they're much more damaging than we initially believed. Remain vigilant.

Shen's fear swiftly turned to panic as the women got ready to attack. He had the impression that the darkness was encroaching on him and would soon smother him. He looked at Zara, but even she appeared nervous around these monsters. Shen gathered his resolve and braced himself, keeping his gaze fixed on the impending threat.

Furiously fast, one of the women sprang at Zara. Her elegant motions were executed with lethal accuracy. Zara was spared the attack when Shen reflexively pushed her away, but the beast struck the mill's wall with unnatural force. Shen was stunned by her might as the stone wall collapsed with a loud clatter. His amazement was evident in his wide eyes. How could somebody have that kind of power?

Shen's attention was drawn to the sounds of a skirmish outside. Outside, soldiers had fought the beasts. With frightening efficiency, the lady who had collided with the wall leaped from the debris and charged at the troops, tearing into them. Shen watched in horror as she froze. With a single motion, she threw one soldier into the air, and then she impaled another with her razor-sharp claws, sending him crashing to the earth.

"Shen!" He was brought back to reality by Zara's voice. They were being pursued by two more animals. Shen was pulled outside by Zara, who took hold of his arm. "Now!"

Shen and Zara went outdoors and pulled out their swords, ready to battle the night hunters. Shen stepped forward, both hands firmly holding his blade as the battle rhythm roared through the pitch-black jungle. With deliberate motions and bloodlust-glistening crimson eyes, the two surviving beasts edged closer.

Shen continued to have second thoughts about killing. His thoughts returned to the time when he had to kill the pursuing cannibal out of necessity for survival. The memory was vivid and ragged: the tribal cannibal lunging toward Shen with a malicious look in his sunken eyes. His body moved before his head could catch up because instinct had taken over. He had lived, but not without a price. He was now burdened by that expense.

Zara stopped when she saw his stuttering step. Her piercing eyes went right through him. "You're considering it once more, aren't you?" Her tone was forceful but quiet as she asked.

Shen paused. "How about?"

"Relating to our training and our readiness to kill outside training." Her presence anchoring, she took a step closer. "Shen, I'm not sure if you've ever had any survival experiences. However, this is also survival. It's not the same as killing someone.

Shen gazed at the blade, its edge glinting in the moonlight. It pressed against his uncertainties, and it felt heavier than it should have. His thoughts drifted back to a training session from some months prior.
The instructor's voice was nearly audible to him.
It had been a cruel training ground. The scent of grime and perspiration filled the air. Shen held a practice blade in front of a wooden dummy, his arms shaking.

"Pay attention, Shen," the teacher yelled. "You don't mean to strike. An unintentional strike is a wasted strike.

Shen's forehead wrinkled. The blade made contact with the dummy as he swung again, but not with enough force to split it. The teacher made a tongue-click. "You're hesitant. You're reserving.

The teacher's face became stern. "Bloodlust is not the reason for killing. It's about safeguarding what matters and putting an end to a threat. You will lose more than just yourself if you hesitate. Everyone who depends on you will be lost.

They turned to face the bushes when they heard a sudden stir. With practiced ease, Zara drew her bow, her eyes narrowing as she followed the sound. Shen's hand gripped the sword more tightly. His heartbeat accelerated, but this time it was out of resolution rather than dread.

The thing reappeared from the shadows, its eyes glimmering dimly in the darkness. As it advanced, its claws scraped the ground with a predatory grace.

With its claws cutting through the air, the beast lunged. As Zara let fly an arrow that hit the beast's flank, Shen rolled sideways and narrowly avoided it. Despite its agonized screams, it remained unflinching. Shen's mind racing, he clambered to his feet. Zara's words kept him grounded even if his instinct was to run.

She yelled, "Strike where it's weak." "The eyes, the joints—make it matter!"

With horrifying speed, the beast sprang toward Zara after turning its attention to her.
Zara moved to stand next to Shen and gave a silent signal. "They're quicker than we anticipated. We're dying if we make one mistake," she said.

Shen let out a long breath, his eyes fixed on the lethal shapes. He whispered to himself, "We’ll find a way," transforming his anxiety into resolve.

Shen and Zara moved at the same time as the creatures lunged. Shen quickly deflected the onslaught with his sword, but the beasts' might was too much. His arms trembled with every clash. As he struggled, instinct overcame the panic that was building within of him. One of the aliens smiled slyly as he struck again, its face brimming with ill will.

Shen took a step back, blocking their constant attacks while catching a sight of Zara engaged in a fierce battle of her own. These animals were cruel, clever, and resourceful in addition to being bloodthirsty.

Shen and Zara were struggling frantically to stay alive against these frightful night hunters as the struggle grew more intense and the pitch-black woodland turned into a battlefield.