Wolf: Dusk

Night fell neatly over Air Pasir: the stunning floating village. Perfectly quiet and restful with a warming fog drifting into the village, acting as a pleasant blanket for the villagers, so they can sleep easily knowing that their loving daughters and sisters are home, safe and sound. All thanks to Nasir’s team and the unexpected heroes of the newly formed Guild.

However—

The Party in their hostel room quickly awoke with the alert expression of preparedness for the unknown. As abrupt screams reverberated throughout the hostel. Purnama leaped to the door for protection for any possible intruders, and Selene ran to the window to peek out for any possible threats.

“Do you see anything?” Luna asked quietly.

“Yeah, near the village gates, one of the buildings looks destroyed.” Selene responded slowly.

“But I heard screaming? Not a building collapsing.” Luna inquired.

“Yeah, me too…” Selene agreed. “There’s something else out there.” Selene’s throat shook as she saw a new monster entering the village.

Prowling jaggedly is a new monster. A monster with power. It was able to not destroy the mentioned structure, but perfectly erase a portion of this building. A few more of the village buildings and structures succumbed to this well behaved destruction.

Completely silent.

As each of the buildings glowed bright, then once that light faded, all that remained were flawlessly removed features of the building in a circular fashion, showing the insides of it. For the people within to scream in confused horror as they stared at the monster that caused it.

The monster is equally inconceivable. Again ignoring the clear characteristics of the monsters that have been seen thus far. This monster shares many of the same, however, they still display unnatural similarities. This monster must have been the originator of those Parasitic Monsters from the other night.

A stolen body like the many bipeds, convulsing as if something is trying to escape from inside it. Without a head: where one should be is the same as before, engulfed by that Unnatural Light, but larger, hovering above the shoulders, all consuming, like an anti black hole. The Unnatural Light is a spiral of insanity—shattering the little expectations of reality that remained.

In spite of this seeable horror, there may be something even more horrifying about this monster. It has thoughts. Complex thoughts. This monster shares similarities with the others, which means a possible association. Why was this monster here of all places? This monster has a goal of revenge. To bring its own sense of justice for the deaths of those that are just like it.

“Wait, I see Nasir out there!” Selene shouted with a low tone. “We might have to move.” Selene warned as she looked at her Party.

Nasir calmly advanced to the powerful monster. His eyes pierced the now unholy fog of the night. Unclad like a ravenous animal, nothing covered, he must have heard the sounds of distress and jumped to save those in need. Confident enough to engage without armament or weaponry.

“I’m not one to boast about my power, however, I don’t have to hold back as much as I did before.” Nasir announced to the monster, staggering closer to him.

“You're obviously powerful…” Nasir mentioned, as if the monster can understand him. “Meaning, a situation like this would call me to utilize my full potential. But, we’re still in this small town, and you’ve done enough damage. So, I’ll place my dominant hand behind my back, that way I won’t make a bigger mess of things.” Nasir did as he said and placed his left hand behind his back, to then form a unique fighting stance with his right hand out and open.

When threatened, many Vertebrate-like Species will display attributes from their biology with the hopes to discourage a potential brawl that may lead to death of the Species. Oftentimes evolving Claws, Teeth, and Spikes that began as a biological tool, morphing into the pure purpose to scare off any potential predators or rivals. With Rife Organisms however, they will create their Claws, Teeth, and Spikes, to not only ward off predators, but to destroy. Not only a tool, but a way to kill.

From Nasir’s open hand, a black red mist sculpted around his hand, focusing into his palm. Solidifying into something that can be held, as his hand gripped around this forming mass. Slowly forming is a wickedly sharp sword: deep and pure in its color, shining like a demonic ruby. Revealing his sword as would a Wolf revealing their bright bloodlust fangs. The blade is now ready for battle.

Nasir closed his eyes, to inhale a concentrated breath. The monster got closer and closer to Nasir. Cassandra and Kim ran out to any villagers that were too close to Nasir, and shouted to stand back far away from him, causing the Party to retreat in the hallway.

Nasir exhaled. Not a single soul in the village could blink at the same speed that Nasir immediately moved. In a perfect slash to the monster, only emanating a dark brightness that was the same shade as Nasir’s sword. Nasir stood a few meters behind the monster, seemingly teleporting from where he once was. Then a savage squall of dark wind burst in the village streets, shooting water, leaves, and light debris in every direction.

The monster calmly dissipated into the fog. The Unnatural Light was no longer visible, not even the body that was likely stolen. Nasir’s powers were nothing like that of anything that can be described. To think that he was still withholding his true potential. Annihilating that monster with complete ease, not even a battle, or even a struggle.

Nasir made his sword vanish, then casually stretched his upper body. He looked around the village, damaged buildings, with the murmur from the stressed villagers. He was clearly concerned about any casualties, his expressions displayed empathy, even with this victory, he looks as if he’ll always lose. No matter how fast or strong he is. Something will be lost, something he cannot save.

To him, it will always be.

Another night, another Nightmare.