Hey readers! English isn't my first language, so I'm using AI to help with the translation, haha. I'd really love it if you could share any feedback, both good vibes and constructive tips are welcome! š«”
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Somewhere in Beacon Hills Countyā¦
The cemetery was silent, except for the cold wind rustling the trees. The full moon illuminated the tombstones, casting long, distorted shadows.
Suddenly, the ground of one of the graves began to crack. First, a muffled sound, like something clawing from inside. Then, an arm tore through the earth and grabbed the edge of the coffin.
Davyd emerged slowly, covered in dirt, his black hair stuck to his forehead. When he opened his eyes, two red points glowed in the dark. Every breath hurt; every muscle felt too heavy.
"Ahhā¦ solid ground againā¦" he coughed, tasting dirt in his mouth. "Butā¦ that hurt too muchā¦ the price was high."
He struggled to stand, brushing the dust off his torn clothes, and looked around cautiously. Every step was heavy; every movement required effort. In the distance, a wolf howled, then suddenly stopped, as if it had sensed something was wrong.
"Seriously, this is the best you've got?" he muttered, leaning on his trembling legs. "A welcome howlā¦ I expected more from you."
In the silence, dry leaves were crushed, branches snapped under heavy steps. A dense, malignant presence seemed to approach, the air thick with decay. Every sound made Davyd shiver.
Suddenly, a grotesque creature appeared between the tombstones, pale, with eyes glowing like embers and sharp teeth. A putrid smell escaped from it, burning Davyd's nose.
He stepped back, feeling every muscle throb with pain. 'Calmā¦ one step at a timeā¦ I can't overexert myself right away.'
The monster lunged, claws slicing through the air. Davyd rolled to the side, scratches tearing his skin. Every dodge required effort; every movement hurt. He didn't have the strength to crush the creature; he had to rely on reflexes and strategy.
Hiding partially in the shadows of the tomb, he waited for the next attack. When the creature lunged again, claws ready to pierce his chest, Davyd felt mortal danger. At the last second, he leaned aside, dodging the blow that almost pierced his heart. Still, the monster hit his shoulder, and a growl escaped his lips:
"Arghā¦ you son of a bitch."
Seizing the opening, he drove his hand into the monster's chest, directly over its heart. A hoarse roar echoed as he pulled the creature's heart from its body, which collapsed lifeless.
Then, a black mist began to rise from the dead body, surrounding Davyd. It scraped his skin and burned inside, as its energy was absorbed into his own body. He groaned softly, feeling the monster's soul mingle with his, bringing pain, power, andā¦ healing.
The wound on his shoulder began to regenerate. The sharp pain diminished as the flesh reconstituted, healing rapidly as if he had never been struck. The monster's soul energy not only strengthened him but also healed his wounds, making him even more dangerous.
Staggering, he leaned on the damp ground, breathing with difficulty, every muscle trembling with pain. But a hoarse, manic laugh escaped his lips:
"Hahahaā¦ I'm still good at thisā¦ but I need to be more careful."
He looked at the monster's body and, with irony, muttered to himself:
"I almost fought with my eyes closedā¦ haha, who am I kidding? I just got reborn and almost diedā¦"
Then he fixed his gaze on the monster's body again and thought: 'Damn, that thing is ugly! Uglier than a demon. Where the hell did it come from?'
He got up and began walking through the cemetery, whistling weakly, almost like a sigh, while the shadows crawled behind him, obeying his slightest movement.
As he walked, he suddenly stopped and seemed to remember something. He looked at the body and said:
"Damnā¦ I need new clothes."
Then, looking around again:
"Thinking about it, what kind of place is thisā¦ well, I know it's a cemetery, butā¦ is there a town nearby?"
> <><><><><><><><><><><
The soft whistling sound echoed through the night, carried by the wind until it faded into the darkness. Farther along, in the middle of the forest, the dry trunk of the Nemeton trembled slightly, as if it had felt a call. Its weathered wood glowed for a moment, pulsing like a heart beating again.
But no one was there to see it.
> <><><><><><><><><><><
After some time of dragging himself, partially exhausted, Davyd looked between the trees and spotted the silhouette of a decrepit house, surrounded by dense shadows.
"Wowā¦ and I thought hell had bad sceneryā¦ this place is almost on the same level!"
He approached carefully, each step silent over dry leaves and broken branches.
"Interesting... there's someone in there, or at least... something moving." he murmured, amber eyes, once red, taking in every detail in the darkness.
[Perspective of Derek]
I felt light steps outside the house. Something was moving in the darkness; a strong smell of sulfur hit my nostrils, sending a chill down my spine.
My whole body went on high alert. Every muscle seemed to gain consciousness before I did. It wasn't fear, but pure vigilance. Something was wrong.
I stood still, trying to listen better. A dry branch snapped under some unknown weight, and my senses sharpened. Every sound cut through the silence of the night. Every shadow seemed to carry intentions I still couldn't understand.
At one point, the steps stopped, but the strong smell of sulfur lingered. Whatever was out there, it was definitely not human or an ordinary shapeshifter.
I looked around, specifically at the shadows. I don't know how, but they seemed alive, writhing like snakes. 'This isn't normalā¦ it can't be.'
I knew I wasn't hallucinating from the overwhelming smell of sulfur. And no, before anyone asks, I wasn't high.
I muttered:
"Damnā¦"
My whole body remained tense, ready to react to any movement. Even without seeing clearly, my instincts screamed that something big and dangerous was approaching. I didn't know whatā¦ but I knew I needed to be ready.
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