A Shocking Revelation

Abigail sat in her luxurious office, sipping her morning coffee while glancing over the day's reports. Despite her encounter with Samuel the night before, her mind was restless. His transformation—his cold, detached demeanor—was unlike anything she'd ever seen.

"Who are you now, Samuel?" she muttered under her breath.

Her assistant entered the room, placing a tablet on her desk.

"Ma'am, the news channel is broadcasting something unusual. You might want to take a look."

Abigail raised an eyebrow, curious but skeptical. "What now? Another scandal?"

"No," the assistant said, her voice tinged with unease. "It's... something different. You should see it for yourself."

Abigail grabbed the tablet and opened the live broadcast. The screen flickered, showing shaky footage captured by a bystander. The scene was chaotic—dark, abandoned streets illuminated by sporadic streetlights and car headlights. In the middle of it all was a battle unlike anything Abigail had ever seen.

Massive, grotesque creatures prowled the area, their forms twisted and unnatural. They screeched and roared, their movements primal and terrifying. The camera zoomed in on a lone figure standing amidst the chaos—a man clad in dark, tactical gear, wielding twin blades glowing with an eerie, faint red light.

Abigail's eyes widened in shock as the man fought with deadly precision, cutting through the creatures as if he were born to fight them. His every movement was calculated, efficient, and brutal.

The camera zoomed in further, and her breath caught in her throat.

It was Samuel.

Or rather, it was *Red*.

"No... this can't be real," Abigail whispered, leaning closer to the screen. "What the hell am I looking at?"

The news anchor's voice narrated over the footage. "In a shocking turn of events, what appear to be monstrous creatures have been sighted in the city. Authorities have yet to issue a statement on their origin, but an unidentified man is seen fighting them. Experts are speculating if this could be connected to underground activities or a larger conspiracy."

Abigail's mind raced as she watched Samuel—no, Red—dispatch the creatures with ruthless efficiency. He moved like a machine, unfazed by the horror around him.

"What... are those things?" she asked aloud, her voice trembling slightly.

Her assistant looked equally unsettled. "They're calling them 'night creatures,' ma'am. Some kind of mythological monsters. It's all over the internet now."

Abigail couldn't tear her eyes away from the screen. As the last creature fell, Red stood in the center of the carnage, his chest heaving as he surveyed his surroundings. For a moment, he looked directly at the camera, his face partially obscured by the shadows.

And then he disappeared into the night.

Abigail set the tablet down, her hands trembling slightly.

"Night creatures... and Samuel's fighting them?"

Her assistant hesitated before asking,

"Do you think he knew about this all along? Is that why he's changed so much?"

Abigail didn't answer. Her mind was already racing with possibilities. This wasn't just about Samuel anymore. This was something much bigger—something far beyond her control.

And for the first time in her life, Abigail felt fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the man she thought she had broken. And fear of the world she didn't understand.

The city streets were quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded the night before. Samuel—now fully embracing his identity as Red—walked with purpose, his mind churning with thoughts about the night creatures. The battle had only confirmed what Victor had once told him: The world is far darker and more dangerous than most people could ever imagine.

As he strode through the dimly lit alleys, his thoughts circled back to the creatures' ferocity. Despite his skill and training, he knew he had only scratched the surface of understanding them.

"They were fast, strong... but not invincible," he muttered under his breath. "There's always a weakness. Always."

Red tightened his grip on the small notebook in his hand—a collection of hastily written observations and theories he had started to compile after every encounter. Victor had drilled it into him during training: Knowledge is power. If you don't understand your enemy, you've already lost.

He stopped at a rundown diner, the neon sign above flickering erratically. It wasn't the most inviting place, but Red knew the type of people who frequented such establishments—mercenaries, informants, and those who thrived in the city's underbelly.

As he entered, the smell of grease and cheap coffee hit him. The patrons barely glanced his way, too absorbed in their meals or hushed conversations. Red made his way to the counter, where an older man with a scar running down his cheek wiped a glass absentmindedly.

"What can I get you?" the man asked, his voice rough.

Red slid a small stack of cash across the counter. "Information."

The man raised an eyebrow but didn't ask questions. He pocketed the money and leaned closer. "What do you need to know?"

Red pulled out a sketch of one of the night creatures he had fought, sliding it across the counter. "These things. I want to know everything about them. Where they come from, what they're after, and most importantly... how to kill them."

The man's expression darkened as he glanced at the sketch. "You're playing a dangerous game, kid. These things... they're not just rumors anymore, are they?"

"Not rumors," Red replied coldly. "I've faced them. And I'm not stopping until I know everything."

The man sighed, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "Word on the street is that these things have been showing up more frequently, but no one knows why. Some say they're connected to old legends, ancient curses, or dark rituals. Whatever the case, they're not natural."

Red frowned. "What about weaknesses?"

The man hesitated before answering. "They're tough to kill, but not impossible. Some say silver works, others say fire. And then there are rumors about relics—artifacts said to hold the power to banish or weaken them. But good luck finding one of those."

Relics. The word triggered a memory. Victor had mentioned them once—a scattered collection of ancient items imbued with strange, unexplainable powers. If these creatures were tied to such relics, then finding them might be the key to turning the tide.

Red stood up, sliding another bill across the counter. "Thanks for the info."

The man nodded, watching as Red walked toward the door. "Kid," he called out, making Red pause. "Be careful. Whatever you're chasing... it's chasing you too."

Red didn't reply. He stepped out into the cold night, the man's words lingering in his mind.

He pulled out his notebook, jotting down the new details. *Silver. Fire. Relics.* Each clue brought him closer to understanding the creatures—and to his ultimate goal.

As he walked through the streets, he vowed to use his second chance wisely. His rebirth wasn't just about survival. It was about purpose. About ensuring no one else would suffer as he had.

And if the night creatures were part of that purpose, then he would hunt them to extinction.