37 Red Eyes

"Run!"

"They are coming!"

Chaos covered everywhere in the little town of Arcton. Screams and cries from people running were all over the streets in panic. Some men, women, and children were setting on fire their own houses, burning everything to the ground and wrapping the entire road in red and yellow. The flames and scorching heat were engulfing everything.

"Take cover in the temple. Quickly!"

The temperature on the road was dropping to a freezing point even though they were in the middle of the summer. The windows were cracking, and ice was growing as crops extinguishing the flames little by little. The burning flames were intense consuming their houses and the trees, however, the shadows never stop hunting them taking their time, sending a terrifying feeling for those waiting to be devoured.

No one was prepared the moment they appeared, but many people were already swept into the darkness. Only the screams of the children and families could warn the rest of the town.

"Mom! I am scared!"

"Come, darling, close your eyes. Everything will be ok."

The men inside the temple closed the doors tightly pilling up the chairs and tables. They lit all the torches and candles inside and secured the windows with more wood tables.

They were taken by surprise in the middle of the night when most of the town was already in bed, so many were shivering and coughing because of the terrible cold and poor clothing.

"What is that thing?"

"I didn't see anything… the shadows covered my house, and we ran out before it could catch us."

"I… I saw… some… something."

"What? Tell us!"

"From the shadows, there were… red eyes."

"What?!"

"I saw it looking at me after it swallowed my entire house. I ran as fast as I could but... I felt something following me and…" he gulped and started stuttering, "a… a creepy voice…"

The man started shivering and his face was getting pale by the minute. He took a long breath to calm himself. The memory of that awful voice was harrowing.

"… it was frightening. I've never felt so scared."

The priest of the temple looked at the man with deep eyes and frowned, then he took a key from the chain around his neck and moved towards the altar. He opened a secret compartment where an old book was lying inside. His hands were shaking when he reached a certain page.

Suddenly several knocks and hits coming from the door make the whole crowd scream. He closed the book and looked around, with her palms extended above his head he cast a spell to light the candles and open a path behind the altar.

"Quickly go through that path, it will lead you to the next village, warn everyone you can. The beast is awake. Tell them the beast is awake."

"Priest, what are you saying?!"

A young man with red hair looked concerned at the old priest.

"Quickly! We don't have time. He is too powerful." He shoved the young man to the entrance of the path. "Neil warn everyone."

"Priest?!"

"Go now!"

The young man took a last look at the old man and went towards the path where many people were already running.

The priest used his last magic to let out a spell. Then a beautiful white bird went flying into the sky and a big explosion covered everything in a warm light.

"Old man, your little tricks are not enough to stop me."

"Show yourself!"

A burst of loud laughter filled the entire temple. The feeling could send shivers to even the bravest man.

"You are not worthy."

"Monster, you will perish this time, we are stronger and wiser. You will cease to exist."

More laughs… and the lights started to turn off slowly letting the shadows covered everything.

"You mortals don't have any chance against me."

** **

Inside the Reid castle, something without precedent was taking place. Three figures were surrounding a little but beautiful black-haired woman. Namely, me, Lucia Reid, the Great Predator. This is unheard of. A powerful being like myself being cornered by three little humans.

"What are you saying, Lucia?!" The Duke's eyes were red, and his face was really angry. I should have told him before.

"I… I thought it was a dream, although it felt so real… I didn't think it was of great importance." I told them about my dream. They were more convinced than I was, that it was a real thing. I couldn't believe it. If it was real, then my mom was… I have to find her.

"Miss Lucia… what was that thing? Did you see it?"

Irina was giving me a concerned look. She was scared. I didn't want her to look like that. "No, I went away before I could see it."

"So, it didn't notice you."

Before she could even have a sigh of relief, I cleared my throat and looked away while I was preparing to tell them what I should have said before. Thinking back, I should have started with it.

"No, that time… but I heard the creepy voice when we were in the Palace."

"What?!"

Again, the three of them shouted at the same time.

"I didn't know what that was, and I didn't give it so much importance that time... When the two little Princesses appeared, I was toying a bit and then I heard the voice…mmm… no… wait…"

That is not what happened. Princess Airia was knockout of the fiancée fighting before I heard the voice. It happened when Princess Rebecca appeared.

"What is it, Lucia?"

The Duke took my hand and made me look his way. I was not sure about this.

"Princess Rebecca…"

"What?"

"I heard the voice the second she appeared in front of us."

"Do you think she had anything to do with this?" His eyes looked worried and he frowned while thinking. I felt a little disappointed. What if he doesn't believe me, what if he chooses to side with her another time? Why am I even thinking about this? It is not the time.

"I don't know."

"Sigh… We can't arrive at any conclusions for the time being. We must find out more information."

"Yes, you must."

The Count of Reid turned around to look for something down his desk. He took a chain with a key hanging from it.

"You should go to the library at Crotia Palace. There are…" He stopped talking while caressing the key. Why is he doing that?

"What? What is there?"

"Sometime before the founding of this country, An old and mysterious sect controlled the lands here, they venerated the shadows and the monsters within it. The Reid family from long ago took everything they dig out with their black magic and sealed it in the Palace Library of Crotia, it was a secret that only us and the King knows. My father told me that they found out about an ancient creature, a powerful one. I believe it is the same as the beast that is following you."

"With everything they dig out, what do you mean?" The Duke narrowed his eyes.

"Ancient books filled with dark magic and… potions… they were evil witches." He turned to look at Irina for a slight second, but I noticed, I bet the Duke noticed too. "You will find out when entering there. But you must go now. I can't go with you. I have some matters to settle first."

"What are you going to do? Why not coming with us?"

"I have an urgent matter to attend to. I believe that that thing already knows that you are here and will try to break havoc. I must warn the other families and call for the alliance before it gains more power."

I looked at him and I took a step to grab his hand. I gave him the gold relic.

"Lucia, child it is yours now." He looked at me with warmth in his eyes. Those eyes were something I always hope for.

"No. I am already old enough to combat these shadows on my own, I am stronger and even more powerful in the dark, and I am not alone." I turned to look at my handsome Duke and my cute Irina with Blaze in her arms. "But you also need to protect this castle and the family."

"This… I am sorry, child. I should have been a father to you. I am so sorry."

"There is no need. I am grateful to you for becoming my shield all these years, and I… I consider you my father, can't I?"

His gaze was full of surprise. I also felt some tears in my eyes. I know it was contradictory, but I didn't want to cut ties with him, after all, he was the only father I knew.

"Yes, my daughter."

He smiled at me and pet my hair for a second. I felt truly happy. My long-time resentment was fading slowly, and I felt so much lighter than before.

"We should go now," The Duke took my hand and we walked outside.