Night of the Massacre

Sera stood frozen, her eyes locked onto the horrifying scene before her. In mere moments, the beautiful wedding feast, held in the heart of a lantern-lit garden, had twisted into a nightmare. The air, once filled with laughter and the chime of clinking glasses, now echoed with screams and wails that tore through the night sky.

They descended from the darkness.

Creatures, grotesque and inhuman, resembling monstrous bats with the torsos of men, their maws stretching open to reveal rows of dagger-like teeth. They struck with savage hunger, rending flesh from bone, tearing apart anyone who failed to escape in time. Tables overturned, pillars dripped with fresh blood, and candlelight flickered wildly as the wind carried the stench of death.

Terror coiled around Sera's spine like a vice. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as her frantic gaze searched the chaos for her mother. But she saw nothing, no sign of her among the fleeing guests, not behind the pillars, nowhere at all.

Then, the sound came.

A long, mournful howl, the very same that had haunted her sleep the night before. Only this time, it wasn't outside the walls. It was near.

With a heart pounding so violently, Sera turned toward the manor's gates. Beyond the thick, tangled trees, massive silhouettes shifted in the shadows.

"Are those wolves?"

But the longer she looked, the more she realized, these were not mere wolves. They were bigger, wilder, and more terrifying than anything she could have imagined.

"No… They don't look like wolves at all."

Before her mind could find an answer, the rush of heavy wings thundered above. A gust of wind swept past her, carrying the scent of blood.

Sera looked up.

One of the bat-like creatures hovered low, its pitch-black eyes glistening with insatiable hunger. Then, with a sharp cry, it dove and clawed hands outstretched, ready to tear her apart.

There was no time to think.

Sera ducked, shielding her head with trembling arms. Her heartbeat roared in her ears. If this was the end, she would not fight it.

But before the beast's talons could reach her, a deafening crash shattered the night.

The ground trembled under the force of something immense closing in, its presence powerful enough to make the very air shudder.

A snarl ripped through the darkness, followed by the sickening crunch of bones. The creature shrieked, its body flung through the air before colliding with a tree in a spray of blood. The night fell eerily silent.

Sera remained crouched, her limbs trembling, her breath uneven. But she was no longer paralyzed by fear.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the darkness.

Then she saw them.

Two glowing crimson eyes, burning through the blackness like embers of a hellish inferno. The gaze locked onto her. Sharp, predatory, unyielding.

A hunter who had just found his prey.

A shiver ran down Sera's spine. She clutched at the fabric of her gown, forcing her legs to move.

She ran.

Faster than she ever had before, her bare feet slamming against the cold earth, the rough terrain biting into her skin. She didn't dare glance back. The only thing that mattered was reaching the manor, the last semblance of safety left in this nightmare.

The grand structure loomed ahead, its towering walls promising sanctuary. But just as she reached the threshold, she skidded to a halt.

Above, on the second-floor balcony, stood her mother.

The wind played with the hem of her gown, but she remained motionless, her expression void of emotion. Not a single flicker of distress marred her features, even as death raged below.

Then, without hesitation, she turned and stepped into the shadows of the manor, disappearing behind the doors.

Sera bit her lip, confusion slicing through her thoughts.

At least she was alive. But… Why had her expression been so cold?

Shaking her head, Sera pushed forward. She darted through the manor's entrance, slamming the heavy doors shut behind her. Only then did she notice the pain, sharp and searing. Blood trickled down her feet, staining the pristine marble floor. At some point, she had lost her shoes, and now her soles were torn and raw.

But pain meant nothing now.

Her mother was the priority.

Ignoring the throbbing ache, she took off toward the grand staircase. If her mother had been on the balcony, that meant she had come from her chambers. That was where Sera needed to go.

But before she could ascend a single step, a cold hand clamped around her wrist.

Sera gasped and spun around.

Kai stood behind her, his silver eyes like shards of ice.

"Kai?"

"What are you doing here?" His voice was low, firm.

Sera inhaled sharply, trying to steady herself. "There are creatures…monsters. They attacked the feast. I know it sounds insane, but I saw them! They're killing everyone!"

Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to hold his gaze, to make him believe her.

Kai remained unfazed.

"I know."

Sera blinked. "What?"

Kai exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "I've been searching for you."

Her confusion deepened. He knew? Then why wasn't he panicking?

"Ronald is trying to keep things under control outside," he continued, his tone composed. "The servants have moved to the east wing. You should go there."

Sera hesitated, her thoughts racing. "Ronald? Have you lost your mind? That's suicide! We need to call for help!"

Kai's gaze sharpened. "For once, Sera, just listen to me."

His voice carried an unspoken weight, something cold and absolute.

Sera swallowed, stunned by his tone. But she wasn't about to yield.

"No. I have to find my mother."

Kai clenched his jaw. "I'll find her. You need to…"

"No need. She's in her room. After that, we'll leave. Together."

Silence.

Kai's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing with something she couldn't decipher.

"She's in her room?" he repeated, voice quiet, almost calculating.

Sera nodded.

"Is she with my father?"

A strange question. Sera hesitated before shaking her head. "I don't know. Maybe."

For a long moment, Kai said nothing. Then his expression hardened, his body tensing like a predator preparing to strike.

His voice dropped to a whisper. "Then let's go get them."

But before Sera could move, a deafening crash shattered the silence.

From above, something heavy had fallen. A slow, dragging sound followed by whisper of movement across marble floors.

Both Sera and Kai froze.

They exchanged a glance.

Then, Kai's grip on her arm tightened. His voice was low, edged with warning.

"Stay behind me."