Shadow of death

Alarmed by Xander's words, the villagers ran in every direction, scampering to re-ignite the wooden torches which had been extinguished by the wind.

"We need torches on every section of the fence. Create a perimeter around the village. Death Hounds are afraid of fire. It's the only thing that can keep the Ethereal at bay," Xander shouted out his instructions, standing in the middle of the muddy path.

While the men hurried to plant the wooden torches into the ground, the women ran to their huts to light the lanterns. Children clung to their mothers and the few stray dogs which had become a part of the village, tagged behind their masters.

Outside the village, the darkness thickened, stifling the surrounding trees and smothering the fields with an inky blackness. Even with lanterns and torches burning around them, the villagers could barely see a few feet ahead of them.