Morning in Ravenholt began like any other day. The sun rose gently over the wheat fields. Farmers stepped out of their homes with tools resting on their shoulders. Smoke rose from chimneys. The river flowed quietly beside the village. But Aragon was already awake. He had not slept well, Something felt wrong. He stood outside his small wooden house near the river, looking toward the northern fields. The wind carried a strange smell, faint, rotten, metallic. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword.
"Maybe I'm just imagining things," he muttered.
Still… he started walking. The wheat fields were unusually quiet. No birds, no insects.Just wind moving through golden crops.Aragon stepped carefully between the rows.Then he saw it, Half the crops in one section were crushed. The soil was torn apart. Deep claw marks cut through the earth. He crouched down. The marks were too large for wolves. Behind him, a voice spoke.
"You see it too, don't you?"
Aragorn turned it was Daren. The old trader's face looked serious.
"Livestock went missing last night," Daren continued. "Two goats, No blood, Just… gone."
Aragorn stood up slowly.
"These aren't normal beasts."
Daren swallowed.
"You think bandits?"
"No."
Aragon pointed at the claw marks.
"Bandits don't leave tracks like this."
They followed the damaged path further into the field. And then they found it.
A dead cow , Its body twisted unnaturally. Skin darkened. Veins black Daren stepped back in horror.
"What in the….."
A low sound interrupted him. Not a growl, Not quite human either It sounded like something trying to speak through a broken throat. Aragon's eyes narrowed.
"Get back to the village," he said quietly.
"What about you?"
"I'll follow the sound."
Daren hesitated. Then he nodded and hurried away. Aragon moved toward the edge of the field where the forest began.
The trees stood tall and still. Their shadows felt heavier than usual. The sound came again.
"Hun…gry…"
Aragon froze.
That was a word. From between the trees, a shape stepped forward and it looked like a wolf at first. But it stood on two legs.
Its fur was patchy and dark, Its spine bent strangely. One eye glowed yellow, the other red. Its mouth stretched wider than natural. Drool mixed with something black dripped from its teeth.It stared at Aragon.
"Warm… flesh…"
Aragon's heartbeat quickened.
"You can talk," he whispered.
The creature tilted its head.
"Hungry."
Another shape appeared behind it.Then another, Three in total, Corrupted beasts.
Their bodies were twisted, but not mindless. Their eyes moved with awareness. One of them sniffed the air.
"Village… near…"
Aragon stepped forward.
"You won't touch the village."
The first creature let out a dry laugh. It sounded painful.
"Small human… alone…"
The three began to circle him. Aragon adjusted his grip on the sword. He remembered the Night Crawlers. But these were different , Smarter, Stronger.
The first beast lunged. Aragon barely blocked in time. The force pushed him back several steps. His arms trembled.
Stronger than I expected. The second one attacked from the side. He ducked and rolled, slashing upward. The blade cut across its arm. Black blood spilled onto the grass. The creature screamed not in rage.
In frustration.
"Hurts…!"
So they feel pain.
That means they can fear it too. The third beast tried to leap toward his back.
Aragon spun around and kicked it away. He stepped forward quickly and thrust his blade deep into its chest. The creature stared at him.
"Why… protect…?"
Then it collapsed.The other two hesitated.
They looked at their fallen companion. Then at Aragon. One of them growled low.
"More coming…"
Before Aragon could react, they retreated into the forest.
Fast.
Too fast to chase. Aragon stood still, breathing heavily. More coming , he looked at the corpse. Its body was unstable. Veins pulsed unnaturally. These weren't just wild animals. Something had twisted them.
By afternoon, the village gathered in the center square. Daren explained what they found.
Murmurs spread quickly.
"They can speak?"
"That's not normal."
"Are we cursed?"
Aragon stood quietly until the noise lowered.
"They tested us," he said.
Silence followed.
"They weren't attacking fully. They were scouting."
A younger farmer stepped forward nervously.
"What do we do? We're not fighters."
Aragon looked around.At the wooden houses.At the children hiding behind adults. At the simple life they lived.
"I'll stay on watch tonight," he said.
Daren shook his head.
"You can't fight them alone."
"I won't be alone," Aragon replied. "Anyone who can hold a spear or axe, gather near the north field after sunset."
Some villagers looked uncertain.But slowly, a few nodded.Fear was there, But so was trust.Night fell heavier than before. The three moons rose once again. Aragon stood at the edge of the field with five villagers beside him. They weren't trained, Their hands trembled. He spoke calmly.
"If they come, don't chase. Stay close. Protect each other."
The wind shifted. A smell drifted from the forest. Rotten, Then Branches snapped.
Glowing eyes appeared in the darkness.
More than before. At least six, A low whisper moved between them.
"Village… soft…"
"Break… walls…"
"Feed…"
Aragon stepped forward.
"I told you," he said quietly. "You won't touch them."
One larger figure moved into view.This one stood taller than the others. Its fur was almost fully black. Horn like bones grew from its shoulders. Its eyes burned deep red. It spoke clearly.
"Small sword… cannot stop hunger."
The villagers behind Aragorn stepped back. He didn't.
"Try me."
The corrupted leader smiled.
And then it turned away. The other creatures followed. They disappeared into the forest. No attack,just watching ,testing.
Aragon remained still until the forest went silent again. One of the villagers whispered
"Why didn't they attack?"
Aragon's jaw tightened.
"Because they don't need to rush."
He looked toward the dark tree line.
"They're gathering."
The wind grew colder.
Above, the red moon Cyris glowed slightly brighter than usual. Far within the forest the black furred leader stood on a rock, looking down at Ravenholt.
"Prepare," it growled softly.
"Tomorrow… we feast."
And in the quiet village most slept without knowing. But Aragon did not.He stayed awake, sword resting across his knees.
Waiting...