A line of guards stood along a long road separating the city from the ominous woods. Among them stood Oliver, the senior guard, who had assigned his troops to their respective positions before taking up his post. The guards faced the houses and human-made structures, their eyes scanning the area left and right.

     Behind Oliver and the other guards loomed the dark forest. As they stood motionless with muskets in their hands, they could feel the cold air from the woods blowing on their spines. Despite the eerie atmosphere, Oliver and his men stood firm.

     Oliver stands still like a statue, his keen eyes scanning the bustling street full of carriages and pedestrians. Suddenly, a group of young men approach, heading straight for the woods. Without moving his feet, Oliver outstretches his arms, blocking the men. He then gently pushes them back.

"Entering the forest is prohibited due to hazards," Oliver warned with a deep, authoritative voice.

One of the young men quickly spoke up. "Sorry, we didn't know. We'll steer clear," he said before walking away with the others.

     As the men pace away, Oliver benevolently smiles at their compliance. Suddenly, a dozen older gentlemen walk towards Oliver, and he immediately notices it. Frustrated, he scoffs as he spreads his arm again.

"Apologies, gentlemen, but this area is strictly prohibited due to the numerous hazards present," Oliver said.

One of the men stepped forward and introduced himself to Oliver. "Oh, a pleasure to meet you, Mr Podeshire. We are here to retrieve corpses in the woods, as there have been new reports of sightings," the man explained.

Oliver looked at the man with a sceptical eye. "I understand, but I must verify your credibility before allowing you to proceed. We cannot take any chances when it comes to the safety of the people of Asbranne," Oliver requested.

     The man quickly retrieves a rolled-up paper from his pocket. He then unfolds it and presents it to the Remaining Podeshire. As Oliver reads through the document, the man stands patiently. After a thorough review, Oliver nods and steps aside for the men to pass through.

"Alright, you may proceed. But remain cautious at all times."

     As the last of the men disappear from view, Oliver returns to his stiff position. Suddenly, something in his peripheral vision draws his attention. Oliver's gaze darts towards the source of the movement, causing his eyes to widen with surprise.

     Oliver's eyes widen in horror as he sees a horse dragging a cart filled with corpses. Lifeless, blood-stained bodies of men, women and children pile up on the wagon, their limbs twisted in unnatural positions. Blood drips from the cart, leaving a maroon trail on the street, and the stench is immeasurable, causing onlookers to cover their noses in disgust.

     Oliver's heart sinks and slips beneath his stomach. His body trembles with fear. He can feel his cornea shaking as he struggles to maintain a stiff position.

     Taking a deep breath, Oliver steadies himself, trying to tear his gaze away from the horrendous sight. But, his glance has locked on the wagon and its bodies, and his eyes have frozen. As it passes by him, he cannot help but stare at the lifeless bodies piled high in the cart. He then shakes his head and closes his eyes as he sighs.

     As Oliver opens his eyes, another wagon stacked with corpses greets him. The sight is so shocking—that he can feel his breathing become loud and ragged. His jaw quivers with cold terror, and his hands and fingers feel weak and unsteady.

     Oliver almost jumps in surprise when he suddenly hears the familiar voices of the men he has allowed to enter the forest. Without twisting his body, Oliver glances at his back. Then, he sees them carrying countless corpses on wooden stretchers.

     The nerve-racking sight of more mangled corpses sends a shiver down Oliver's spine, causing every hair in his body to stand. He can feel his stomach rumbling. With a heavy heart, Oliver watches the men lift the bodies onto the mortuary stretcher and carry them away.

In the distance, Oliver heard gossipers exclaiming. He couldn't help but glance at them and eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Oh, my goodness, look at all those dead bodies!"

"Don't you know? There's a rumour about why people are dying suddenly."

"What rumour?"

"They say it's not wolves, lions or bears that are responsible for these deaths."

"So, some new kind of animal, then?"

"Perhaps. It's a big world out there. Who knows what undiscovered creatures might be lurking in the wilderness?"

"Most of the deaths seem to be taking place in the woods. Maybe there's a new predator out there?"

"Possibly."

"But... what if it's a mythical creature?"

"A mythical creature?"

"Yes! It could be wyverns, ghouls, vampires, keans...?"

"Hush now! The Remaining Podeshire, the Defender Of Asbranne, is a human-kean hybrid. It couldn't be a kean!"

Oliver raised a brow as he continued listening.

"...So, what or who do you think we should suspect?"

"We may never know for sure. It's possible that whoever did these wasn't an animal at all. There's a chance it could be serial killers on a killing spree."

"Serial killers!?"

"Yes, that's also another rumour I heard from Samantha."

"Oh, my... it's a scary thought, but it could be a possibility."

     The intense conversation Oliver was overhearing from the group of gossipers made him feel as if he was being dragged under the earth's surface. The women's words bore down on him, weighing on his shoulders like a boulder. As he hyperventilated, the women's voices and the surrounding sounds suddenly became muffled.

     As Oliver is about to lose himself in their words, the distant sound of church bells begins to ring out. He cuts through the haze of his thoughts, snapping him back to reality. Oliver screws his eyes shut and shakes his head as he takes a sharp, deep breath.

Oliver's voice boomed through the air, barking out his orders. "Night guards, stay put! Day guards, you're dismissed from your shift!" His words echoed through as he stomped on the concrete sidewalk.