User blog:Pollux83/Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 5 (reworked)

Chapter Overview

Here is the reworked version of Chapter 5 with minor changes.

Violence against monsters warning.

5 Presage



Like every morning, I woke up with a smile, knowing that Lara was lying next to me. She reminded me every morning for what I was fighting for.



As promised, we had married after her passing certification as blacksmith. I had never been so nervous. As my best man Kai had his hands full to calm me down. But all the excitement was gone at the moment Lara entered the hall. In her white dress she looked like an angel. She walked gracefully to the altar. Her eyes shone with happiness and mine too. On this day all of our friends came to celebrate our wedding. They were all there, Kai, our parents and relatives, childhood friends and of course my comrades from the barracks. They all had come to celebrate this day. We looked deep into each other's eyes, as we said “I will”. The crowd cheered. We had made it, we were finally together. United for the rest of our lives. At this moment, we could not be happier. We thought it would remain forever, but fade had a different plan.



We had bought a home in the middle of the city. It was not big, but offered enough space. And not only for us both, but also for the child that we expected. With the money that we earned, we were able to live well and the small salary increase which I could bargain for in the barracks (I'm sure that commander Radik has helped, but he would never admit it) did not hurt either. Our life was filled with joy and we joyfully awaited the future.



I was still at breakfast, there was a rushed knock at the door. I went to the door and opened it. "Sergeant Mareus." "Yes what's wrong?" "An emergency. You must come to the barracks immediately."



Such an urgent emergency. There were not many options and each one was worse than the other. I immediately took my things and said goodbye Lara: "What's going on?" "I do not know, but I have to go immediately." "Take care of yourself. Do you understand? I do not want you to put yourself in unnecessary danger. A child needs his father." "My job isn't so dangerous. Don't worry too much."

"But I have a bad feeling about this. Promise me to take care of yourself."

"That's what I'm doing. Get wounded hurt way too much."

"That's not funny." "Nothing will happen to me." I gently stroked her hair. "Simply watch out. And now you should better go before you come too late." "Everything will be all right." I gave her a goodbye kiss and went with the soldier as quickly as possible to the barracks.



There was already a lot of bustle. From Commandant Radik I heard that a pack of werewolves was spotted at the border. It was unclear whether there were first victims. We should hurry as fast as possible in the region and investigate the situation. There was need to hurry. Werewolves. The last case of werewolves was over 5 years ago. But not just that. In the past 4 months, there were an unusual number of incidents with Mamono. Most of them harmless, but something was wrong. The situation was disturbing. All preparations were made and the horses were saddled. If everything went well, we would reach the border this evening. It was hoped that nothing had happened yet. Because the message has been sent 2 days ago.

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">With 20 men we went in the gallop towards the border.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We rode as fast as we could and even changed the exhausted horses on the way, but when we arrived it was already too late. The werewolves had attacked the village and kidnapped 2 men. But this was not the worst. A woman was also bitten. They had chained her for safety. The villagers were not sure how to deal with her. Commander Radik let himself take to her. I followed him, knowing what was about to happen. Radik: "You do not have to come." Mareus: "I know. But I want it." Radik: "Are you sure? It will not be easy. " Mareus: "Yes. I'm sure." Radik hesitated with his reply: "OK. You may come with me. "

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Radik, myself and 2 other soldiers went inside. The woman was chained in a prison cell. She must have been in my age. Commander Radik went into and examined her. You could already see the first changes. She started to turn into a werewolf. In her eyes you could see her fear. "What, what are you doing? What will happen to me?" You could only feel sorry for her. Radik slowly took his sword out of the scabbard. "Calm down. It'll be over soon." A moment later, his sword pierced her heart. She died immediately. It was sad, but he had no choice. When she was bitten, her fate was already sealed. A single werewolf was enough to transform an entire village within a very short time. It's like an epidemic, therefore every werewolf is to execute on the spot. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Outside, 2 soldiers had problems to calm a woman. She was probably the girl's mother. She was completely hysterical. I hated to see something like this. Why could these people not live in peace? Why did all this happen? I didn't know it. I only knew one thing. These werewolves had to die. They had to die so that these people could live in peace again. Those who acted like a monster had to die that way. I would do it. A quick death, for each of them. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Looking back, it is frightening how fast the hate can take control of someone. The death of the girl had changed something in me and not for the good. The evening was beginning to dawn. In at least 2 hours it would be dark. Commander Radik had to decide. Now take up the pursuit or wait until the next morning? On one hand, the werewolves would have the advantage in the dark, on the other hand, it was the last chance to save the 2 men in time. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Since the attack was not long ago, the commander decided to chase them. None of the soldiers had objections. We got on the horses and took the pursuit. The sun was already half gone down, as we tracked down the werewolves. The mating had not yet begun. In the open field we had the advantage with our horses. The commander gave the order to attack immediately. The 8 werewolves had also noticed the riding soldiers. They were getting ready to defend their "prey" and overwhelm the attackers.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We came quickly closer. I watched the werewolves. In each pack there was a leader, an alpha-female. If I could catch her first, the pack would break. The werewolves stood up to defend themselves. Who of them was their leader? Then I saw it. She had to be it. I concentrated my magic and aimed as best I could. When the werewolves were ready to strike, a bright light pierced through the alpha wolf. One of my lightning beams had hit her and pierced her body. With a steaming hole in her chest, her body fell into the grass. The rest of the pack members was stunned.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The archers shot next. Their arrows hit one of the werewolves 3 times in the chest. Another was hit in the shoulder and belly and she had trouble to move after this. When their comrades went to the ground, some of the Mamono cried something, but I could not understand it in the noise of the horseman. Whatever it was, it had no meaning anymore. 2 of them finally attacked. They ran straight into the swords of the soldiers. The remaining 4 tried to escape, but we gave chase. The already wounded werewolf died first. I took the fleeing werwolf to the right. She was fast, but with a targeted fireball in her direction I stopped her. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I also stopped. Before she died, she just stared at me. I don't know if it was fear or hate. It was definitely the last thing she saw before my flames swallowed her body. Back to the troop I heard that the last werewolves were hunted down. Also, the two men were doing well under the circumstances. That was at least a good news on this otherwise terrible day. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">It was dark and we set up a temporary camp. The next morning we took the men back to the village. Their families were overjoyed. I had to smile at the sight of the reunited families. It was always nice to see the happy faces of the people which we had helped.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">On the way back I had to think again and again about the increased monster activity. Why? What was going on in the demon realms? Did the Mamono plan something? No one knew it, at least not yet.