Magnus

Suddenly, the claws dug under the shoulder pad, making me yell out in pain. The rotting body hissed right by my ear, and the corrosive taste from its unnatural form made me gag, but I still let my teeth sink deep into its skin before I jerked to pull my arm away from the rest of its deformed body. Fifty-five. Fifty-five hellish minutes had passed, and it still wasn't over. The dead bodies piled up, yet more emerged from the shadows. 

I let the dead creature fall to the ground and took a few stumbling steps on my hind legs before I fell back down onto all fours. We guardians were different; the magic we had received made us a mix of lion and human, allowing us to harness all our strengths at once, but right now, I wished I could do without my enhanced sense of smell and would do anything for a Mentos between my teeth.

"Magnus, over there!" Einar shouted behind me, and I quickly spun around, following his arm to see what he was pointing at.

Immediately, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. The monsters had started climbing up the walls and onto the roofs. I followed them with my gaze and realized in horror that we would soon be surrounded.

"What do we do now?" I heard the desperate tone in his voice beside me, but I had no good answer.

"If we back off now, we'll give them the whole town," I muttered.

"If we stay, we die."

"That's not certain," I tried. "We have your shield."

"I can't hold it up forever!" Einar snapped back, but I saw through the fear in his voice. This was worse than we could have ever imagined. "We have to warn everyone; they need to lock themselves in," he insisted, but I shook my head.

"I don't think we have time," I whispered, my paw tightening around the axe handle as my gaze fell on the black bodies. These were enemies we had never faced before, a new, faster, and more intelligent creature that I already feared more than anything else I had encountered.

"We have no choice," roared Jorvis, who came running towards us. "We're surrounded!"

They surged forth like black, stinking waves between the houses. Black blood and slime adorned the cobblestones, the stench thick in the air, and their hissing sounds pierced my ears like the worst torture I had ever experienced. 

I had lost count; there were so many. Sweat ran from my mane, and my paws struggled to grip the axe. So why did I insist on keeping it? My claws were sharp, and my teeth just as much, but the thought of sinking my teeth into their disgusting flesh was the most unpleasant thing I had ever faced. Moreover, the fear was overwhelming. A warning realization that they could be contagious. They were new, completely different from any monster I had faced before. Fearless, intelligent, and driven by something more than just bloodlust.

They reacted as a pack, and every pack had a leader, I thought, scanning the rooftops. Who the hell had sent this wicked horde here? I backed up until my back pressed tightly against my brothers. In a circle, back to back in the middle of the small intersection, we stood, looking hopeless out over the once peaceful neighborhood. 

The demons had thrown themselves at us for hours, and now our energy was starting to wane as well. As a last resort, we had sent a signal to the Magistrate, a plea for help before Einar's magic created a large golden dome around us, but even he was tired, and I doubted he could keep it up for much longer. 

We hadn't caught a glimpse of any rescue. One positive thing in all this misery was that the monsters had stopped attacking us as soon as they realized that the shield harmed them; instead, they circled us like wolves around lambs. I sank down to my knees and leaned against the axe handle, my forehead resting heavily on my forearm as I closed my eyes for a moment's rest.

That was when doubt and bitterness crawled out of my heart. I should have called him, I thought, feeling emotions rising up inside me. If he had known how much I loved him, he would have surely come home long ago. Instead, I let him be and allowed him to think I didn't miss him. I had told him to go but never asked him to come back. I might die today, I thought with a sigh, feeling my body return to its human form.

"Magnus? Are you hurt?" Jorvis looked at me worriedly, but I gave him a reassuring smile.

"I just need to make a call."

"A call?" His golden-brown fur-covered face studied me for a while before he nodded, and I pulled my phone from the pocket inside my armor.

A few signals went through, and with each tone, my heart pounded even harder. "Magnus?" His voice was just as I remembered it, I thought with a smile on my lips.

"Hey," I replied softly.

"Hey..."

"I just wanted to..." I didn't get to say more before he interrupted me.

"Magnus, what's happening?! I can hear them; lot's of them! Are you okay? Where are you?" he asked quickly, worry in his voice.

"So you know what they are?" I asked calmly, but inside, my thoughts began to swirl in different directions.

"I know who's creating them," he replied bitterly. "Please tell me you're okay!"

"They're all over Paris, Dominic; they're everywhere," I sighed heavily. "We can't hold out much longer."

He must have heard the desperation in my tone because he was completely silent. "I know someone who can help you," he said. "Hang in there, okay?"

"Okay," I replied, feeling fatigue wash over me.

"Trust me," he whispered softly.

I sighed heavily and ran my fingers through my hair; I trusted him. That wasn't why I called; I needed to lighten my heart. "I'm sorry for not reaching out," I mumbled and was met with surprise.

"It was me who left..."

"Would you have stayed if I had asked you to?"

He was silent for a moment before he simply replied, "Yes," but the honesty in that word meant so much. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, and I bit my lip to keep my heart from breaking. "Are you coming home soon?"

"Do you want me to?" he asked, just as surprised, and I couldn't help but blame myself. He must think I had moved on.

"I love you, Dominic."

"Do you want me to come home?" he asked again, more insistently and with a tone of desperation in his voice.

"Yes, I want you to come home." 

I heard him take a breath, and I knew he was struggling with his emotions as much as I was with mine. "Things happened," he mumbled quietly, and I had my suspicions about what he meant, but right now, I didn't care. I might die today; it wouldn't have mattered so much if it weren't for him. I longed for the life we never got to have, for the life we deserved to have.

For the first time, I'd fallen in love with someone who wouldn't age and die before me, and yet I had managed to let him go. 

"It doesn't matter," I assured him. "I miss you, and I want you to come home."

He took a deep breath as if to calm himself, and I could picture him closing his eyes and furrowing his brow the way he used to when he was worried about something."I'll be home soon."

"Is that what you want?"

"It is," he replied softly. "Promise me you'll survive this."

I laughed softly and looked out over the nightmare scenario outside of the circle. "It doesn't look too good, I'm afraid; I hope your help arrives soon."

"I'm on it," he replied eagerly, and I heard him start to breathe faster, and I suspected he was running. 

"I have to hang up," I stated with sadness in my voice.

"Okay," he panted. "I'll take care of this, just hang in there!"

"I'm doing my best."

"Good."

I rose from the seated position I had sunk into during the call. "Take care of yourself, Dominic."

"Stop!" he snapped suddenly. "This isn't goodbye!"

"Dominic..."

"Don't you dare say that, Magnus..."

"So what do you want me to do?" I mumbled, "it looks pretty bad..."I heard him hesitate on the other end of the line, but I let him be until he figured out what he wanted to say. 

"I'm coming home, I promise," he whispered, "and Magnus..."

"Yes?"

"I love you too."

"Run!" Einar's voice echoed through the street, and I immediately slung my axe over my back, leaping nimbly over the overturned cart blocking my path to do exactly what he'd ordered. Run. There were no other options. 

My four paws landed softly on the cobblestones as I weaved through scattered crates and barrels. The city had always been far from ordinary, but I had never seen it so brutally transformed. Never had anyone attempted to invade, conquer, or destroy it. Paris had always been the center of magic in France, a sanctuary for all, because the human world was too harsh and cold for magical beings. We deserved a haven, but now, someone had stolen it from us.

My heart ached, and tears burned behind my eyes. We had lost, and evil had won. Chaos was everywhere. Part of me wanted to run home, lock myself in my enchanted cottage, and wait for my lover to return so we could banish all this misery from our minds and focus only on each other. Didn't we deserve to be happy? I sighed heavily. It was just a fantasy. I knew my heart would never allow it. I couldn't live with myself if I let the innocent inhabitants become victims of these vile creatures. We just needed a little more time.

Einar left toward the Magistrate; with their help, we could push the monsters back into the Vampire Quarter. Together, we could create a magical barrier to trap them there until we figured out a better solution. I wanted to believe in Dominic, but there were so many of them. Who could destroy them all? Who? I raised my axe in a desperate attempt to defend myself. Five days without rest had taken their toll, and my arms, heavy with lactic acid, responded sluggishly.

I glanced back at the small family trembling in a corner. They deserved to live. Their children deserved a future, I thought, as I swung the axe downward, splitting the skull of the snarling creature in front of me. 

 "Run," I gasped, falling to my knees. "Hurry..."

They cast worried glances at me, but I maintained my facade—they couldn't believe it was over. Without hope, we were truly lost. The hissing grew louder. I could hear it through the whisper of the wind. They were on the rooftops, climbing the walls, claws scraping against stone. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. They were so repulsive, so devilishly unsettling, that I struggled to keep my composure as the black creatures crept down toward me.

It didn't take long before I was surrounded. A grim realization struck me: all vampires would be blamed for this. What would life be like afterward? Would there even be an afterward? Would anyone survive, or would the streets now belong to these monsters and their creator? 

An overwhelming sorrow filled my heart. I would never know. This was my last day. I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath to steel myself. It had been an honor to serve as this city's guardian, I thought, as I raised my axe once more. But I got no further, for suddenly, thick black smoke billowed between the houses. What new dark sorcery was this?! All hope within me evaporated. As if the monsters weren't enough!

I planted my feet and adjusted my grip on the axe. Whatever it was, I would resist! This was my city, my Paris! 

My attention was fixed on the smoke, and it took a moment before I noticed the creatures hissing in fear at the new enemy approaching. To my surprise, they tried to flee, but the mist engulfed them, and soon the street, the walls, and the rooftops were eerily empty.

I staggered forward and threw my axe to the ground with a loud clang. Exhausted, I felt my body shift back to its human form, leaning heavily against a wall for support and a moment of respite.

My muscles trembled as I waited. Someone was approaching; I could hear their footsteps long before I saw the silhouette emerge from the darkness. A man of medium height, with shoulder-length hair and a long leather coat trimmed with fur. 

He stopped a few meters away, and I immediately recognized him. That bearded face and those brown serious eyes, but his presence reignited a spark of hope within me.

"Clocksworth," I said loud and clear, perhaps a little breathless, but with a welcoming tone.

 "Magnus," he greeted politely with a brief nod. "I'll clean up the rest of the city before I leave." 

 I nodded wearily. "And the source of these creatures?" 

 He eyed me for a moment before pulling a cigar from his inner pocket, placing it between his lips. I watched him as he lit it with a match drawn from his coat, took a drag, and then handed it to me. 

 "I've taken care of him," he stated calmly, and I knew for certain I didn't need to worry. Clocksworth wasn't a liar, nor the source of these creatures, and certainly not a power abuser. I had known him since he was Anthony's errand boy, darting through these streets and constantly losing to me at poker.  

"It's good to see you again, my friend," I said with a smile, taking the cigar and inhaling deeply before handing it back and fastening the axe onto my back.

"Likewise," he said with a wistful smile. "I wish I could stay for a while, but there's more to this than you realize."

"Let me guess, a vampire who can't handle their newfound power? Hardly uncommon," I laughed, rolling my eyes.

He nodded, letting the smoke escape from his lips. "But this particular vampire is... different."

"I figured as much," I sighed. "But you'll face even more problems after this, Theodor."

He nodded again, and I could see in his eyes that he understood what I meant. "I'll clean up and rebuild—you have my word."

"It's not me you need to convince," I smirked. "You know I've always been on your side."

"Are wardens even allowed to take sides?" he quipped, grinning.

"No," I replied with a shrug. "But if you always stay neutral, you can't do what's right, can you?"

He tilted his head, studying me for a moment. "You look exhausted," he remarked. "Go home and rest. I'll handle the city tonight."

I gave him a weary nod and a pat on the shoulder as I passed him. "Stop by sometime. I've got a bottle of Irish whiskey at home."

"As long as I don't have to play cards," he chuckled.

"Still a sore loser?" I teased, but he didn't reply. The creatures had started moving along the walls again, and my friend had vanished into the shadows.

I turned my head and looked up at the rooftops, where the smoke drifted over the tiles. The hissing disappeared as quickly as it had come, and with determined steps, I finally made my way back to my cottage.