The sky was still blanketed in the quiet darkness of early dawn. The soft rustling of leaves filled the air. A gentle breeze moved through the trees as the trio stood in a small clearing, voices low and cautious. They were talking, sharing bits of thoughts and fears. That's when Arthur froze.
He took a small step back. His nose twitched. His ears perked up.
"Someone is coming," Arthur whispered. "Quick. Hide."
Without asking questions, Eamon grabbed Skarn and ducked behind a thick bush. Arthur crouched beside a fallen log covered in moss. Helena moved swiftly behind a pile of large rocks. All of them held their breaths. Skarn let out a small growl, but Eamon gently patted him, calming the wolf down.
Heavy boots thudded against the soft earth. Two men in iron-plated armor stepped into the clearing. They wore the crest of the town's guard. Each held a long spear and had sharp eyes that scanned the area.
"Just patrolling the outer edge. Looks quiet," said one.
The other nodded and stretched his arms.
"Let's finish this round and get back. It's freezing out here."
They walked around a bit, sniffed the air, looked at the broken branches near the center of the clearing, but didn't investigate further. Within minutes, they moved along, leaving the forest in silence once again.
Eamon stepped out first and whispered, "I think they're gone."
Arthur rose and looked around. "We need to be more careful. They're sending more patrols now."
Eamon nodded. "Let's leave now. Helena, come on."
Helena stood up from behind the rock and brushed leaves off her cloak. She gave a small nod.
Arthur glanced at the forest around him. "I'll also go. I need to find a better hiding spot. One that's deeper and safer."
Helena walked over to him and gently placed a hand on his arm.
"Please take care of yourself, Arthur. Be safe. I will see you again."
Arthur smiled faintly. "I will."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the trees, his footsteps soft, like a shadow melting into the forest.
Eamon, Helena, and Skarn made their way back to town.
The day passed slowly. Eamon sat on the small wooden chair in his inn room, staring at the ceiling. His fingers tapped on the side table. His mind spun in circles, trying to form some plan, any plan, to catch the real killer. Nothing came to him. Every idea he had ended in failure. He stood up. He paced. He sat down again.
Helena was the same. She sat near the window, head resting on her hand. She stared outside for hours. Every time Eamon asked if she had any thoughts, she simply shook her head. She looked frustrated, tired, and helpless.
Far away, in the forest, Arthur sat under a cave opening. The inside was dark and cold. He stared at the fire he had built. His sword lay beside him. Even he, with all his understanding of the killer, could not figure out how to stop him.
By afternoon, Eamon had grown restless. He needed fresh air. He told Helena he was going for a walk and took Skarn with him. The streets were quieter than usual. People walked faster. They kept their eyes down. Fear hung over the town like a thick cloud.
As he walked past the central square, he felt a strange chill pass through him. A strong presence. A pressure in the air. He turned and saw a man walking with two soldiers behind him. The man wore a long dark red cape. His armor shone under the daylight. His beard was trimmed. His boots were polished. He looked sharp. Commanding.
"Hello, young man," the man said.
Eamon stopped.
The man smiled. "The way you're strolling about, it seems you're new here."
Eamon gave a small smile and nodded.
"Yes, sir. My name is Eamon. I'm new to this town."
The man stepped closer and offered his gloved hand.
"I am Dragomir. Commander of the 14th battalion of the royal army of Aldoria."
Eamon's heart jumped. This was the man he had wanted to avoid. The man who had hunted cursed beings. But Eamon kept his face calm.
"Oh. Hello, sir. This is… actually the first time I'm seeing a commander in person."
Dragomir grinned. His teeth were perfect.
"Is that so? Then feast upon this moment, my friend. Not everyone gets the honor of meeting the great Commander Dragomir. A true living legend."
Eamon, in his mind, rolled his eyes.
This guy seems full of himself.
He nodded. "Yes, sir. I'll remember this moment."
Dragomir looked at him again. "Wait a minute… are you the Eamon? The same one who achieved Rank 2 in the adventurer trials? The one who almost destroyed the dungeon office?"
Eamon scratched his head.
"Yes, sir. I'm the same person. That was a mistake. I was… unaware of the trap mechanism in that room."
Dragomir laughed loudly. He slapped one of his soldiers on the shoulder.
"Amazing! You must be strong, then. But of course, not as strong as me!"
Eamon forced a laugh. "Of course, sir. I would never claim to be."
Dragomir gave a mock salute and walked away. The soldiers followed.
Once they were gone, Eamon let out a long breath.
Thank the gods he didn't ask more questions.
As night fell, the forest grew colder. In the same spot where they last spoke, the three of them met again.
Arthur arrived first. He looked tired. Eamon and Helena arrived shortly after, with Skarn wagging his tail behind them.
Eamon sat on a log. He shook his head.
"I still couldn't think of anything. My brain's gone dry."
Helena sighed. "Same here. I tried to read old journals from the archives. Nothing helpful."
Arthur sat down. "Same with me. I tried thinking of a trap. But he's too smart."
Eamon looked at both of them and spoke, "I came across Dragomir today."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "The royal army guy?"
Eamon nodded. "Yeah. That guy is… something else. He's pompous. Talks like he owns the world. But… he might actually be really strong. He carries himself like someone who's seen war."
Arthur frowned. "We better not get involved with him. He could complicate things."
Eamon nodded again. "I agree. We should keep our distance."
Arthur stood and started pacing slowly.
"We still have four more nights before the next killing. But I fear that after two more murders… he might leave the town."
Eamon looked at him. "Why are you so sure about that? What makes you think he'll leave after seven weeks?"
Arthur stopped and turned around. His eyes were serious.
"Today, I went to nearby villages. I asked questions. I spoke to some hunters and old folks. They told me stories."
He paused.
"This killer… this vampire… he's been doing this for a long time. Every year, he picks a village or town. Then he murders people. Slowly. One by one. Always at night. Always the same style. But he only stays in one place for seven weeks. Then he disappears."
Eamon looked down.
"So we've already lost five weeks."
Arthur nodded. "Yes. Five murders. Five weeks. Two more weeks. Then he'll vanish again. And we might never find him."
Eamon stood up. He clenched his fists.
"We can't let that happen. We can't let anyone else die."
Arthur stepped forward.
"I may not be welcome in this town. People hate me. But I still love this place. This town meant something to the doctor. He cared about its people. I owe it to him to protect them. No matter what."
Helena looked at both of them.
"I will also help. In any way possible."
She looked determined. Her voice was steady. She was no longer the quiet girl from a few nights ago. She had found purpose.
Arthur gave a small smile. Eamon looked at the fire, the flames dancing gently in the wind.
They had no plan. No strategy. But they had each other. And for now, that would have to be enough.
They only had two weeks to stop a monster.
And the clock had already started ticking.