Chronicle of the Invasion — Book 1, page 7
Testimony recovered on the 7th dawn of the year 504 — Sapin Valley, Tetralis
If you are reading this, then I am surely already dead.
I hope that the few words I leave behind will be of some help to those who are struggling to survive.
It all began at dawn on the first day of the year 504 of the Philippine calendar. As it was New Year's Day, I was awakened by my servants early in the morning to attend the council meeting that my various collaborators and I held at the beginning of each year to decide on the management of the territory.
As the debate turned to the new tax rates we were going to implement, my advisors disagreed, and I had to decide on the matter. Unable to come up with an answer, I was suddenly overcome with a desire to go out and meet my citizens and see what the situation was like, since I hardly ever left my castle. It was when I left the castle and was standing on the outdoor terrace that I witnessed a spectacular sight.
As farmers plowed their fields, artisans opened their shops, and children ran happily along the dirt roads leading to the market, a shower of comets suddenly lit up the sky. The multicolored streaks they traced formed a beautiful picture. At that moment, I remember turning joyfully to my advisors and shouting:
"We are blessed, this year is likely to be exceptional."
The look in the eyes of the inhabitants at that moment was the same as mine, filled with happiness and hope, convinced that this was a good omen.
Caught up in a wave of joy, we organized a big party that same evening in the town's main square. It was a wonderful moment.
However, this moment of joy was short-lived. What was perceived that day as a good omen was in fact only the prelude to much more dramatic events.
The next day, as the first rays of sunlight caressed the treetops and everyone was still fast asleep after the previous night's festivities, shadows began to appear in the distance, heading straight for us without anyone noticing.
It wasn't long before the cries of the citizens woke me with a start, followed by the town bells ringing the alarm, warning everyone that we were under attack.
In the heat of the moment, I had the good sense to immediately grab my sword and quickly put on my armor. I left my room immediately, quickly joined by the guards. As we left the stables, my fifty men and I were expecting anything but this.
In the city, dozens of houses and buildings were in flames. General panic had gripped all the inhabitants, who were either trying to take shelter or flee.
It was then, riding to the rescue of our citizens, that we encountered them. Facing us were a dozen monsters, all pale in color, with scarlet red eyes, jaws with sharp fangs, measuring between three and five meters tall, able to stand on two legs and run on four. Seeing them devour people who were still alive before our eyes, in a fit of rage, we immediately rushed to kill them.
However, as soon as the first blows were exchanged, we quickly realized that we were no match for them. Our blows did not even reach their flesh. The metal of our swords broke on contact with their skin, which seemed indestructible. The conclusion was simple: we were no match for them. Our only solution was to flee.
The captain of the guard, Sir Martin, a third-rank knight, suddenly said to me:
"Your Highness, you must leave. You must flee, otherwise the territory will be lost."
Because I was paralyzed by fear, the captain of the guard took me by force onto his horse, turned his back on the attackers, and fled towards the plains.
With tears in our eyes and sobbing, we managed to get out of the city as best we could. I took one last look at the city where I was born, where my family had always lived, which had made me the man I had become.
However, the nightmare was only just beginning. When we reached the edge of the forest, we came face to face with another of these monsters.
Sir Martin dismounted from his horse to confront it. The monster lunged at him with such murderous intent that I could barely move. Thanks to his training and dedication to the art of swordplay, Sir Martin managed to avoid the monster's fangs as it threw itself headfirst at him. He retaliated with a huge sword blow but only managed to scratch it.
The monster, enraged, attempted a second attack. Sir Martin brandished a dagger in his left hand and, with a technical move that only a seasoned knight could pull off, plunged his dagger into the monster's left eye. At that moment, exulting with joy, I said:
"Well done, Sir Martin, show that bastard that we too are capable of defending ourselves."
However, his reaction was not what I expected. Sir Martin turned to me, his eyes filled with tears, and said in a trembling voice:
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, you'll have to continue without me."
That's when I saw his left arm: it was gone. Glancing at the monster, I immediately saw that it was holding my knight's arm in its mouth. It was then that I realized I was about to lose one of my best friends, one of the men I had grown up with, one of the most loyal people, the one who had saved my life many times.
Fleeing towards the mountains, I heard only two sword strokes ring out in the air, then, as I moved further away, nothing more.
The grim reaper had just claimed his due again.
Half a day later, after leaving my horse at the foot of the hills, I reached a small hut used by shepherds. Exhausted, I collapsed immediately; when I woke up the next day, I hit my head several times, hoping it had all been a nightmare.
Now, sitting in this hut, I think back on everything that has happened over the last two days, each memory stabbing me in the heart.
I have been staying in this hut for two days now. I already know that they will eventually arrive: their evil breath echoes through the hills.
As the screams and cries from the city fade away, I sense that they will soon come for me. I am nothing more than prey waiting in its cage to be slaughtered.
I ask only one thing of whoever finds this message, and I hope that he or she will trust me, a complete stranger.
Remember this: the survival of humanity depends on it. You must leave the mainland of Tetralis and reach the islands. It is your only chance.
Baron Olyve