I hear the screams and growls again at night.
It's just another dream, I tell myself, though my chest tightens and my hands sweat.
Suddenly, my father bursts through the door, eyes wide. "We need to move—now!"
Not dead here, I think, remembering the nightmares that feel too real.
Mother grabs small packs from somewhere—like magic—and throws them onto my brother's and my shoulders.
Time blurs. I'm in my father's arms as we push through the cold, panicked streets. I peek over his shoulder just in time to see a giant creature crash into the great tower, toppling it like a toy. Recognizing the nightmare's pattern, I turn and see the city gates fall.
It's just a dream, I try again, tears spilling down my face.
Boom—an explosion shakes the ground. Emerging from the dust is a tall, bipedal creature with skin like black glass, as shiny and sharp as obsidian. It holds a glowing, strange liquid and gulps it down. Its voice is low and guttural: "Mother, only time shall hold me back."
I freeze. This creature is the same one from my nightmares—killing everything.
"DEMON!" My father shouts, putting me down and drawing his sword.
"Another challenge, human? Have you come to feed me the rest of your body?" The Demon smirks, a crooked grin creeping across its face, making me shiver.
The city grows silent as they face each other. The horde surrounds us. My family may be the last ones standing.
Father steps forward, blade flashing toward Demon's neck—but a spike on the Demon's forearm blocks the strike, pushing the sword off. The Demon's attacks grow fierce, cutting through father's defenses. New wounds open, old ones bleed—yet he doesn't back down.
Then, the Demon catches the sword in his palm. Dark, purple blood drips down as he snaps it in two, laughing. Desperate, father lunges, stabbing the broken blade into Demon's neck.
The Demon bites back, jaws locking on father's neck with a sickening crunch.
Time stretches—the sound of breaking bone fills the air. Then a scream. Mother rushes forward, blades appearing in her hands like magic, throwing daggers at the Demon.
But it's too much. The Demon snaps her neck and feasts until he's done.
He leaves, taking the horde with him. We're left alone—surrounded by corpses.
This is no dream. No nightmare.