The monsters came early this time. The time of waiting, at least for them was over. The awaiting, scared, and doomed victims wished for a few more hours, or days possibbly.
The inevitable had come and now would only be gone after a deluge of moral decadence swept all away, to the sea in a tumultous roar.
There was no turning back this time.
The creatures soared silently through the dark night sky. The moon was bright and full above the dark and heavy clouds, but on the ground darkness prevailed.
The wind through the thick forest made eery noises, sending waves of paralysing fear through the villagers.
One could clearly see lights dotting the clearings in the forest, but gradually they were put out, one by one.
The people on the ground chose to suffer the wintry chill and the intense darkness like death. The lights would give them away.
The creatures of the night swept down on the foliage like a flock of perfectly tuned wingless birds, in silence.
Now they descended right above the ground, seeking the smell of young blood. Young, unadulterated and vulnerable blood. Blood that would help them forge a new dominion.
In their huts the fearful victims took comfort in the darkness and the dark siren of the wind. It would be quick. They dared not speak to each other lest they should find that it was one of their own that was taken and incur the wrath of the new dark force emerging out from the depths of the forgotten kingdoms.
The darkness descended, even thicker now. Sweat poured around the motionless souls in their huts that could barely keep the elements out. How could such humble defences hold the might of the forces of darkness?
Now another sound could be heard, piercing and incapacitating, carried through the wind and the thatched huts, striking fear into every heart.
"More shall be taken tonight, more blood we need. The forgotten kingdoms shall rise again. The blood of the village will forge a blade that will clear a path for much to come. All will be well. Sacrfice is inevitable."
In every heart there was but one question, how much blood?
How much blood to quench the thirst and pave the path red.
"Arise tonight, and join us, your blood, for eternity"
And so they rose, in ones and twos from each settlement. Blood for eternity.
TBC.
