An eerie silence replaces the unbearable, gnarly, high-pitched screams as daylight arrives. The morning sun illuminates the land, transforming the cold air into the summer heat. The sound of roosters' cackling and crows fills the air, completing the dawn ambience.

     Inside the luxurious mansion where the Remaining Podeshire lives, Oliver descends the grand staircase in his crisp uniform. Before leaving for work, he walks straight to the right side of the lobby, where the dining room lies. As he approaches, Oliver can see his adoptive father sitting at the head of the long dining table, engrossed in his morning newspaper.

"Hey, Dad," Oliver greeted with a warm smile as he entered the dining room.

Frederick, smoking a cigar and reading the morning newspaper, looked at Oliver and replied, "Good morning, Oliver. Are you heading to work already?"

"Yes, Dad," Oliver answered.

As Oliver spoke, a maid approached him and offered him a drink. "Brandy, sir?" the maid presented a glass of brandy in her tray.

"Oh, no thanks. No alcohol before work," Oliver politely declined, shaking his palm.

Frederick interrupted. "...Wait, Oliver. I think you'd like to have some drink," Frederick lowered the newspaper from his face and glanced at Oliver. "...I have read horrible news..."

"About the new mayor, Sir Novelle?" Oliver guessed.

"No, it's..." Frederick sighed, "It's tragic."

Oliver's face hardened as he grabbed the glass of brandy from the maid's tray and sat on the dining table with his adoptive father. "Tell me more," Oliver said.

"...Last night, there was an attack in the woods..." Frederick explained. "...Two young adults and one teenager were reportedly crying their way out of the forest, claiming that... they were attacked by some sort of... unknown creature," he ventured.

"What...?"

"According to their testimonies, an anomaly or some... unknown creature attacked them," Frederick narrated.

Oliver listened intently. "What kind of creature...?" he inquired, taking a light and quick sip of his brandy.

"Their descriptions suggest that it's wolf-like," Frederick read from the newspaper.

Oliver nodded. "It could've been a Bjorn bear, but if it's wolf-like, we must be careful..." Oliver stated.

"But there's more. New corpses were found in the woods—with fresh blood still leaking from their mutilated bodies."

Oliver's eyes widened in horror. "How many?" he questioned.

"Several," Frederick replied. "And they're young this time. Teenagers..."

"...When... when did these all happen?" Oliver asked.

"Last night," Frederick answered instantly.

Oliver was in shock. "That's terrible. How could someone do such things to young people?" Oliver pondered.

"We don't even know if it's human or animal," Frederick said as his voice quivered.

Oliver's eyebrows furrowed deeper. "As the senior guard and the Defender of Asbranne, I will do my best to protect our citizens. I will gather more of my men near the forest and ensure that no one enters the woods and nothing deadly emerges from it..." he stated.

"I know you will, my son," Frederick said, setting the newspaper on the table. "But you must be careful. You're the Remaining Podeshire. Without you... Asbranne will be defenceless..."

"I understand, Dad. I will always be careful," said Oliver.

     Oliver savoured the last drop of the alcoholic yet satisfying drink before setting the glass on the table. As he stood up, he felt the subtle buzz of the alcohol hastening through his veins. With a contented sigh, he stretched his arms and prepared to leave the room.

     Immediately, Oliver strides through the living room. While walking, he can feel Frederick's worried gaze fixed on his back. He turns around and sees his adoptive father looking at him in concern.

     Oliver can feel the weight of his adoptive father's concern bearing down on him from behind. The air in the room thickens with tension—as if Frederick's dread imbues the atmosphere. Oliver can see the lines etched into his adoptive father's face, the furrowed brow and the tightened lips.

     Oliver lets out a deep sigh as he closes his eyes. The two men's eyes lock on each other. With a quick nod, Oliver breaks eye contact and turns towards the front door. Oliver takes a deep breath, his chest expanding as he heads towards the outdoors.