Story 238: Ambush in the Shadows

Damien had barely laid his tools down when a villager came running, breathless and wide-eyed. "Damien! They’re back—the undead are moving toward the eastern edge, right by the farmlands!"

Adrenaline surged through Damien as he strapped on his weapons, the familiar weight of his axe and rifle grounding him. He exchanged a quick, determined look with Elara, who had also grabbed her dagger, ready to join him. The quiet days were over—now was the time to protect what they’d built.

The two sprinted toward the farmlands, and even from a distance, Damien could see the slow-moving, soulless forms shuffling through the mist, their hollow eyes fixed hungrily on the village. The zombies had once again found their way to the living.

Rayn, the young villager who had looked up to Damien as a mentor, stood with a small group of men and women, armed with makeshift weapons and sheer willpower. He looked to Damien, resolve mingling with fear in his eyes. “We’re ready to fight, Damien.”