Chapter 08 - The hunt is a foot

As Balthor approached the guard post, he had an inkling that a request signal had been dispatched, heralding the imminent arrival of more guards. Their shouts pierced the air, demanding his name and an update on the unfolding situation.

With a firm voice, Balthor announced his name, conveying his identity as a reputable city merchant. He assured the guard that his merchant license was readily available. His recent misadventure led him through a dim alley where fate seemed to play a cruel trick. A treacherous puddle, initially mistaken for human waste, revealed itself as a pool of blood. Tracing the gruesome trail, he stumbled upon the remains of a mangled body. The sight was unlike anything he had encountered before; the evidence pointed starkly towards a monstrous attack being the cause.

Gregory, the guard, tried to steady the situation. He advised Balthor to remain composed, as the threat might still be lurking nearby. Backup had been summoned and was expected shortly. Gregory pledged to send for a guild hunter, hoping that tracking down the assailant was still a possibility.

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Within the guard headquarters, pandemonium reigned. Simultaneous distress signals blared, each narrating attacks and shadowy sightings. Reports flooded in, detailing horrific scenes of torn bodies scattered across the vicinity.

Imperial Magistrate Kal-ha-dun raced against time, mobilizing the local hunters guild and enlisting every available mercenary. Swift action was paramount, a race to quell the situation before panic spread like wildfire among the populace.

Kal-ha-dun's booming voice cut through the frenzy as he summoned the nearest guard. His urgency was palpable; he demanded status updates at ten-minute intervals. The magistrate's orders echoed as he instructed for rune signals to be dispatched and nearby garrisons to be scrutinized for any signs of attack. His appetite for information was insatiable, driven by the need to comprehend the extent of the threat.

With a resolute nod, the guard acknowledged the command. "Yes, sir, I'm on it," he affirmed, his response punctuated by the resounding cadence of his hastened footsteps.

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As the sun dipped below the horizon, a heavy shroud of unease descended upon the city. Rumors spread like wildfire, intertwining with fear and uncertainty. The guards, now reinforced by the guild hunters and mercenaries, swiftly implemented martial law. The city's atmosphere shifted, a palpable tension clinging to every alley, every street corner.

Commander Arin stood before a hastily convened assembly of officers. His voice carried the weight of authority as he addressed the gathered ranks. "This city is under siege, not just from the shadows that have snuffed out innocent lives, but from the fear that threatens to consume us all. We stand united against this menace, and our duty is clear: protect the citizens at all costs. Let the curfew ring, let our presence be felt."

And so, the city's transformation was stark. A curfew bell rang through the air each night, signaling citizens to retreat to the perceived safety of their homes. Guards patrolled the streets in tight-knit formations, their torchlight flickering off buildings like beacons of vigilance. The alleys, once bustling with life, now bore a desolate air as darkness and silence dominated.

The search for the beasts that had infiltrated the city was relentless. Guards scoured every inch, every crevice, determined to root out the source of terror. Bloodhounds joined the hunt, their keen senses attuned to the scent of the unnatural. The guards' orders were clear: any sign of unusual activity, any trace of the lurking malevolence was to be reported immediately.

Amid the tension, the city's heart still beat. Imperial Magistrate Kal-ha-dun remained a steadfast pillar, coordinating efforts from the heart of the chaos. His command center buzzed with activity, maps of the city adorned with pins marking reported attacks. The passage of time was measured in updates, in the frantic communications exchanged with patrols in the field.

In the midst of this turmoil, camaraderie formed between guards who shared shifts on the grim streets. Bonds solidified under the weight of shared responsibility, as they stood guard over a city that lay cloaked in darkness. Rumors swirled even among the defenders, tales of monstrous forms glimpsed in shadows, of eyes that gleamed with an unholy light.

The nights were fraught with tension, every distant sound sparking unease. False alarms sent guards racing, hearts pounding in their chests, only to find a stray cat or a rustling breeze. But beneath the surface, the knowledge remained that a true threat still loomed, waiting for the right moment to strike again.

And so, the city grappled with a new reality, its rhythm disrupted by fear, its soul tested by the darkness that had infiltrated its very heart. The hunt for the beasts continued, a relentless pursuit to restore safety and peace to the once-thriving streets.