14th Century
Europe

The usual crowdy streets are now hushed by the blank ink which loomed over the horizon. Doors and windows seemed unwelcoming for its selfish share of access. The wind's whisper left a comforting impression of the quiet evening they're presently sleeping in.

A pair of booted feet produced light stamps against the asymmetrically bricked and water-soaked road. Its gaps are filled with liquids which the clouds gave just after the setting sun set the sky ablaze. The rain has finally settled down; however, the stars are still nonexistent. Balls of cottons that took the gray color of ash and soot blanketed the night sky, concealing the full moon in its magnificent form behind them.

The pair of feet stopped when a black rat ran across the road ahead of him. His passionless eyes followed its figure until the rodent entered someone's home through a hole in the left corner.

The night is a special kind of darkness in every town, villages, and countries. The kind that serve as a cue for active people to stop labor and just have their peaceful rest of the day. It is a warm gloom that hugs everyone in contentment and security. But at this age, if you let your guard down even in sleep — You Die.

His eyes darted forward when a loud shriek of horror came from somebody's home. His footsteps continued where it left off and he proceeded to that direction in his usual pace.

"Someone!" the lady backed off using her hands to pull her body backwards: sinisiksik nito ang sariling katawan sa pinakagilid ng kama. Ang mga paa nito ay pilit na tinutulak at sinisipa ang telang tumatakip sa kamang gawa sa dayami.

Her terrified eyes didn't leave the creature that is slowly sliding off the ceiling. Nanginginig na ang dalaga habang ang paa ay pilit pa rin na tinutulak ang sariling katawan sa dingding na nasa kaniyang likuran. Kumakalampog ang pintuan at kaniyang naririnig ang sigaw ng kaniyang mga magulang na nasa kabilang bahagi nito.

Even if she wants to run out the door, she can't. The creature is blocking her path. Lalo niyang isiniksik ang kaniyang katawan sa pader noong nahulog na sa sahig ang nilalang na tinititigan lamang siya kanina ng buong magdamag. When she woke up, her eyes immediately darted to the creature that's resting on the ceiling. Hindi niya inalis ang nanlalaki niyang mga mata dito habang tahimik lamang siyang tinititigan pabalik nito.

Itinungkod nito ang kamay sa sahig at iniangat ang payat na katawan mula rito: marahan itong tumayo. It's crouching because of its height, the ceiling was too low for its figure. It has a thin body and limbs. Some of its skin are peeling, making its raw and bloody flesh display themselves. Yellowish-white puses are oozing out of multitude sores and holes that came in different sizes. Strong stank of urine and decomposing flesh is being emitted by its mass. It has blood all over its mouth, it just ate a rat that it caught moments ago and it still seems starving — a not very good sign.

The side of its lips stretched until it reaches the side of its hollow eye sockets. It opened its wide mouth, creating a squelching sound because of all the red and stinking blood; some are even dry. Lalong nanginig ang babae noong humakbang ito ng isang beses patungo sa kaniya. It tilted its head as the side of its lips remained stretched.

"Help me! Someone!" malakas na sigaw ng babae habang kaniyang nararamdaman ang malakas na pagpintig ng kaniyang puso. Her shout was rough because of how loud and desperate her voice is. She grabbed the pillow that is filled with straws and threw it at its face.

It suddenly stopped walking when the pillow dropped in front of its elongated feet. The room was filled with a scary silence as it still stand in front of her with a crouched back. Ang tanging ingay lamang ay ang panay na pagkalampag sa pinto.

She didn't dare to move. As if one movement will cause her death. It's like a snake waiting to strike. It would've been better if it was just a venomous snake. But it's not.

Malakas na tili ang lumabas sa kaniyang bibig noong marahas nitong hinawakan ang kaniyang binti at siya'y hinatak. She held on the side of the bed as she continue screaming and tears began to fall because of the terrifying scene she's experiencing.

The creature kept pulling her like some rope but when she didn't budge, it suddenly bit her calf and tear a mouthful flesh away. Lalong lumakas ang sigaw ng babae. Just plucking a hair from your legs is already painful, what more if your skin and flesh was removed?

Humigpit ang kapit ng babae at ang sigaw nito ay nahaluan ng sakit. The creature chewed the flesh in its mouth, creating some munching sounds and squelch. It bit another portion and pulled its head away while still biting her flesh with its sharp teeth and strong jaw. The girl's screams got louder than before as she feel her skin ripping like rubber from its base.

She felt her skin snapped away and the predator chewed it with its spiky teeth. The pain is unbearable as she still try to hold on.

Nilunok nito ang nanguyang laman at muling kumagat sa hawak na binti. The girl cried in agony and she finally let go of the bed. She curled her body up and hit its head multiple times for it to let go of her unrecognizable limb.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata noong dinampot nito ang kaniyang ulo gamit ang mahahabang kuko nito upang pigilan siya sa pag-istorbo sa kaniyang pagkain. Her head tilted to the side because of its strength but she didn't stop hitting it with her hand. Her desperation is getting stronger and stronger as she try to ignore the immense pain of having her flesh ripped apart by biting and pulling a huge portion of her skin.

In her awkward position, she can barely put any strength in her hits, making it a futile resistance against a bigger predator. Tila wala lamang dito ang kaniyang mga hampas at suntok. It leisurely feed on her leg like its a chicken leg that was served to its table. Seeing her limb like a juicy meat for dinner.

The girl's cries and sobs worsen as she stare at her bloody bone. She can see her bone showing along with some chunks of her flesh as decoration. Blood is all over her clothing and body but the amount of blood on that leg could never compare.

She hit its head again ngunit muling napuno ng malakas na sigaw ang silid noong sunod nitong kinagat ay ang kaniyang braso. It hauled back its head; pulling her arm apart from her shoulder. Nagpatuloy ang kaniyang sigaw habang nararamdaman ang sakit sa kaniyang balikat. She heard the sound of her popping joints and felt the pain of her screaming ligaments. Despite the huge force, the creature still had trouble in ripping her arm off.

It let go of her arm then it began to chew on her shoulder like some terrifying and merciless bear until it finally came off. Bumagsak ang kaniyang katawan sa kahoy na sahig habang hawak-hawak nito ang kaniyang humiwalay na braso at patuloy itong nginunguya.

Her cries continued and she tried dragging herself away from the creature with her forearm. The floorboards are being smeared by her blood as she desperately drag herself to the locked and pounding door. She can hear her parents calling out to her as they hit the door with whatever they have in hand.

The creature bit the whole hand and chewed. Creating some crunching sounds and squashes. It's not eating with its mouth closed, ngumunguya ito na parang isang aso at bahagya pang inaangat ang ulo upang dumiretso pababa sa kaniyang lalamunan ang mga nanguyang laman. You could see the threads of blood that is connected from its upper teeth to the lower ones as it chew. Noong maubos nito ang brasong hawak ay naglakad ito patungo sa gumagapang na babae.

It crouched down beside her weakened body and it flipped her body, making it face upward. It dig its sharp fingers in her stomach and opened it apart, revealing her squelching organs. It grabbed her intestine and shoved it in its mouth. Then grabbed another handful and do it again.

The pounding door emitted a loud crack like it was hit by something heavier than the previous ones. But the creature seemed ignorant with its sound. Only focusing on the opened meal in front of it.

One more hit and the door splintered off and fell on the floor. Nanlaki ang mga mata ng matandang lalaki noong makita ang senaryo na nasa kaniyang harapan. His wife covered her mouth and began to cry in horror. There lay their daughter's messed up corpse, getting feast on by a terrifying creature.

They both flinched when the creature raised its gaze at them, feeling their presence and sensing their scents. It slowly stood up and walked over the girl's messed up corpse. Their feet seemed rooted to the floor because of fear while their frightened eyes stare at its tall figure.

Even though the creature is towering over them with a horrifying sight, their attention was caught by the sudden slam of the window. A man came in with a sword in hand and a blank expression on his face as he stare at the creature.

He firmly held his sword with two hands as he slowly point its tip upwards, holding it close to his chest. He slightly parted his lips and let out a small and light sigh. "Let's begin."

He then began to speak in a soft manner with his monotonous voice, "O Thou who art the Sun of Righteousness," they were confused when the strange man began to utter a prayer, "And the Light Eternal, giving gladness unto all things;" why is he praying at a time like this?! ".. shine upon us both now and forever, that we may walk always in the light of Thy countenance..."

Lumipat ang kanilang tingin pabalik sa bintana noong makita ang bagong dating na lalaki. A grinning man swung his body inside the room through the window. His feet landed on the floorboards but he didn't waste any time and he immediately grabbed a chair as he run to the creature that's slowly turning to them. Malakas na ihinampas ng lalaki ang silya sa tagiliran nito. It screeched as it stumble to the floor.

The chair splintered in pieces and the man who did it just grinned and chuckled. He tossed the broken wood on the floor and grabbed the small dagger from its small leathered scabbard placed on his back horizontally, aligning with his waist.

He bent his knees as he raise his both arms to his chin and chest level to take his stance. He then dashed to the flailing creature, stamping his boots against the floorboards with every step.

Even though outbalanced, the creature swung its claws at him when it felt his presence incoming. The man jumped to avoid the low swing of its arm. He balled his body midair and spun once as he hold the dagger's handle with both hands. After completing his turn midair, he dug the short blade in its hollow eyesockets with all the momentum he gained.

Blood splattered on him, staining his blond hair but he cared less. He twisted the blade within its flesh and the creature's screeches even got louder and shrill. He chuckled as he wrap his legs around its neck and his eyes are slightly squinting as he groan. "You're one big..." he put his hands under its chin and at the side of its head. "Of a loud fustilug, aren't ya!?" He pulled both his hands in different directions, making its neck break with a loud crunch.

He jumped away by kicking it off. He landed on the puddle of blood, causing for him to slip and fall on his buttocks. He lowly groaned as he caress his lower back, "Consarn it.." he then looked at his accomplice at the side, "Aren't ya done yet, you loggerhead?!"

The dark-haired man slowly opened his momentarily closed eyes as he finish his words with a light whisper, "Amen.."

He flicked his sword to the side and suddenly dashed to the creature that's beginning to push itself back up despite its broken neck. His blade sliced off its leg and arm, causing for it to screech loudly as it drop on the floor. He didn't waste any more second and he thrust the sword through its head. The blade also digged into the wood underneath.

The old man and woman stared at the two young man in shock. The young lad who hit the creature with the chair turned to the other that's already pulling his blade from the corpse. "You take too long to pray, Ebis!" he frowned as he stand back up on his feet, "Is praying even necessary? You'll kill anyway. You look like a demonic saint." he frustratedly exhaled as he flick the wet blood off his fingers. "Bloody Nora!"

Ebis flicked his sword to the side, making the blood splatter to the floor. He slowly slipped the blade inside its sheath. He answered, "Those who sinned shalt still be granted Thy peace even in their passing." He then began to walk to the opened window as he speak with a monotonous tone, "Collect the payment, Amos."

Amos sighed as he scratch the back of his head. Lumingon siya sa mag-asawang nakaluhod na sa sahig at umiiyak sa harap ng katawan ng anak ng mga ito. He pulled his sword out of its sheath and cut the thin rope that's connected to the small bag of coins at the old man's waist. Bago pa malaglag ang lagayan ng pera sa sahig ay sinalo niya ito gamit ang gilid ng espada. He bounced the tip of the blade up and successfully caught the bag of coins that leaped in the air with his movement.

He sheathed his sword that he rarely used and walked to the window while making the bag of coins bounce on his palm. "You better clean that up quickly," he turned to them as he set his one foot on the windowsill. He smirked, "If you don't want to attract another Ink in yer houses, folks."

***
Prayer's Reference:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48242/48242-h/48242-h.htm

Ebis
Credits to @navigavi on Twitter

Amos
Artist: Unknown

Credits to Sam Lamont on ArtStation

https://www.artstation.com/moonskinned