Hunting for Shade (19)

The night cloaked everything in its deep, unforgiving shadows as Erik and his expanded team lay hidden, observing an abandoned city from a distance.

This place had likely been abandoned by the time the Thaids arrived centuries ago. Yet its buildings remained, even if they were not in their prime condition.

The city wasn't even big; it was more like a small village, a forgotten cluster of structures that time had relinquished to the elements, and the monsters.

Encircling the ancient village lay a sprawling meadow, with Erik and his companions about 500 meters away amidst the greenery.

Erik, Ramon, Camille, Rebecca, June, Laria, and the 300 stealth specialists from the Band of Giants had positioned themselves around it, using the night as their ally.

Ahead lay the small, ancient city. Its vacant buildings and deserted streets had been devoid of life for centuries, yet tonight, it was clear this was no longer the case.