Ominous Feeling

Hestia had felt an ominous sense from the moment she heard about the beasts and not just because of the dark tide. Well, that too, but something deeper nagged at the back of her mind. After Elsa told her about the peculiarity of the dark beasts, that feeling only grew intense 

Has the Cyrus Stronghold fallen? If so, they might not survive this crisis. Most of the villagers had never faced a dark tide, they didn't understand. She, her husband William, and the old guards had once been part of the 3rd Vanguard Unit. They had faced dark beasts countless times. 

During the final siege of Fort Sandhurst, they were outnumbered and outmatched. After a fortnight of bloody fighting, they couldn't lift the siege. No help came. In the end, they had barely escaped from the skin of their teeth.

After that catastrophic loss, they reached the Cyrus Stronghold with a fractured army. Most of the soldiers who survived had lost friends and family. The trauma was so severe that many left the army. William and Hestia were among them. William had been vice commander, and Hestia, the chief strategist. The old guards had followed them. They settled in this small village, far from Cyrus, to live in peace. Their past trauma still haunted them. That's one reason they built a defensive wall and trained warriors. If the village felt safe, maybe the nightmares would fade. Maybe they wouldn't be afraid to make new friends, afraid to lose them again. But who would have thought the nightmare would return to their doorstep?

Hestia wasn't the carefree woman she once was. It would be one thing if it were just her, but she had two children now.

Isabella had just turned seven, and Isaiah was barely four. They were bright children, full of innocence and promise. Their whole lives ahead of them.

Thinking of them, Hestia steeled her resolve. She couldn't let anything happen to them. She paid attention to every detail and instructed the villagers to build a secondary defense line as best they could.

Even if it meant tearing down houses to get better materials, she didn't hesitate. She reassured the panicked homeowners that new houses would be built after the crisis. The best materials, like wooden beams, were used to make long spears. Blacksmiths repurposed farming and household tools for the best spear tips. With only a few blacksmiths, she had no choice but to assign other villagers to assist. Building the second defensive barrier was crucial. If any beast bypassed the main wall, it could reach the village center unopposed.

For this new line, she chose the strongest beams and columns from existing houses. They didn't have the materials or time for extravagance, so she opted for a sturdy fence. It was four meters (13 feet) high, with strong wooden poles buried two to three meters deep. The whole village contributed however they could. Teens, elders, women—all followed orders to the best of their abilities. The elderly, too frail for labor, ensured everything was done correctly.

Meanwhile, Hestia made contingency plans. All villagers were ordered to gather within the secondary barrier. That way, if the main wall was breached, they'd be easier to protect. Several watchtower-like structures were erected along the fence. Wide paths leading to the village square, the only direct routes to the center, were lined with traps. Most beasts would swarm these paths if they breached the wall. Both sides of the fence were lined with vertical pikes. Any beast trying to bypass the fence would likely impale itself.

"John, I've selected capable men from the remaining villagers. Instruct them in basic spear techniques. Even if they are likely to panic, they must follow your lead."

"I'll see what I can do," John replied, nodding as he rushed to the corner of the square.

Yet, despite all the preparations, the unease gnawed at her.

Most of the men guarding the secondary line were farmers or lowly craftsmen. Except for John, none had experience with spears—or even hunting.

She prayed the offensive plan would succeed. If they could call for reinforcements, this crisis could end. She had heard the horns signaling the second wave just minutes earlier. William and the others should be engaging the demonic beasts now.

Just as she thought everything was going to plan, a sharp, high-pitched sound rang out from the south.

"Wrestle.....wrestle…"

Hestia's heart skipped a beat. That was the breach signal. But why from the south? She looked at John. His expression turned grim, knuckles tightening. Realization dawned upon her

"It was a trap," she whispered.

John heard her, jaw clenched. He said nothing.

"What should we do, ma'am?" asking firmly according to her previous military title.

"We hold the line. If we heard the signal, William must've heard the repeat. He should be here soon. The warriors and old guards at the north wall will also reinforce the south."

She analyzed the situation quickly and began giving orders.

"Men, prepare to defend the secondary line! Not a single beast gets past us. The villagers are counting on you. Heroes aren't those with great strength—they're the ones who show courage in the face of crisis!"

She rallied the defenders.

"John, you're our strongest. You'll handle the most dangerous ones."

John nodded silently, drawing his sword.

Then, they heard it—distant thuds. Beasts had arrived. Traps activated, maiming many, but more poured in, trampling their fallen. Hestia noticed these were smaller, more agile beasts ones that could leap over walls.

So maybe the wall wasn't breached. But how did they get close without anyone noticing?

They had deployed recon teams exactly to avoid this…

Her thoughts were cut short as the first beast reached the barrier. It began climbing using all four limbs like a human scaling vertical wooden ladders. Most of the defenders froze—this was their first time encountering ferocious beasts. John immediately moved. He thrust his long spear beneath the beast, piercing its chest and snapping its spine.

The fence's gaps and horizontal beams made climbing easy, but also exposed the beasts' vulnerable underbellies. John's swift action made them snap out. The villagers came out of their stupor and followed clumsily. All they had to do was stab. Even without hitting vital spots, the beasts fell backward. Soon, they piled against the fence. The creatures wailed and clawed fencing to no avail. The vertical pikes kept them from reaching the foot of the wall, forcing them to leap,and fall prey to the spears. Still, Hestia knew it wouldn't hold forever. Sooner or later, few would get through.

She unwrapped her sword. She hadn't used it in ten years. She never thought she'd need to again. All the villagers together in the center, trembling, trying to distance themselves from beasts as much as possible.

"Elsa, protect my children." Elsa nodded. Hestia gave one last glance at her kids before moving toward the south side.

"Mom!" Isaiah cried, trying to stop her, eyes full of tears. Isabella held him back.

Hestia didn't look back. She couldn't. If she did, she might tear up.

She moved beside John.

"John, take the left. I'll handle right."

He nodded silently.

Hestia had never been a frontline combatant. She was a strategist. But her martial prowess was far from weak. While she couldn't match William or John, few others in the old guard could best her, let alone the village warriors initiates.

Beasts that bypassed the fence were either impaled on pikes or dealt with by Hestia and John. They moved swiftly, like troubleshooters. Reddish-black blood splattered everywhere, pooling on the ground.

After several minutes, the number of beasts dwindled. The villagers, who were getting exhausted, noticed the change. Hope sparked in their hearts. They fought with renewed vigor.

Hestia sighed in relief.

Looks like they reinforced southern walls. It's exactly as I thought.

Just as she thought everything was going to be okay, a sudden development took place.

 A beast leapt over the northern barrier without much effort. Pikes it landed on broke, but they dealt just superficial damage on its hide. Thumping sound of the beast's falling attracted attention of nearby villagers. There were few villagers guarding this side, if any at all. Most of them were on the other side. They tried to stop the beast with their clumsy attempt but to no avail. Villagers who upto this point were able to deal with beasts easily, now fell in huge disadvantage. In close quarter combat, their long spear became more of a burden than a weapon. Even an experienced hunter would have a hard time dealing with beasts in close quarters, let alone untrained farmers. Beast wantonly attacked nearby villagers jumping in the middle of the crowd. Most of the villagers were huddled towards the northern side, quite close to berrier. Shrill cries rang throughout the square. 

Hestia and John noticed it instantly—but they were too far, with too many people between.

Hestia sprang into action, climbing the nearest tower to get a better view

What she noticed made her heart sink. Dread arose from her bottom of her heart

It made sense now, her ominous feeling, the oddity Elsa found, stranger behavior of beasts, traps. Everything made sense now. 

Demonic beasts….my daughter…no no no!. Her mind screamed at her, it's after my daughter.

Before she could think any further, her body moved on its own.