Shhhwwiiinngg

As the sound of the unsheathed sword reached the baby’s ears it suddenly stopped crying.

I… I knew it! It’s for sure a monster, it knows I haven’t fallen for the trap, hence it stopped crying sensing danger. – thought the man as he gripped his sword and stared at the baby with furrowed brows.

Atop the walls the guards were still watching the scenes play out in front of them, they were worried but this was their captain they were talking about. He had many accomplishments thus far, he had entered the mortal realm at the early age of fifteen! At the age of thirty he was already at the intermediate level and rumors said he was close to making a breakthrough. Although he was not yet the strongest of the town, he had the best records so far.

The man was now a few feet away, if he swung his sword it would definitely reach its target. He was observing the baby, it had suddenly stopped crying and he was sure it was a beast taking the form of a child. Looking at the small child like form, he could observe its features. Were it not for the large light red birth mark on the left side of its face it would have perfect white plummy skin.

It appeared to be asleep, but he refused to believe that it would abruptly fall asleep.

It wants to make me believe its asleep but it obviously stopped when I grabbed my sword, it has grown cautious and refuses to let go of this act. I must strike. He who strikes first, strikes twice. I must act quick, I mustn’t waver for I am Vigo! – Vigo thought, as he pulled his right hand back preparing all his strength to slice this creature in front of him in its very spot.

Everyone watching held their breath, some shocked at the fact Vigo would swing at a baby and those who shared Vigo’s thoughts were prepared for whatever was to happen. It was very odd for a baby to be alone in the middle of the night and more so since there definitely hadn’t been any new addition to this part of town. Everyone cooperated and helped out, no one would just up and leave a baby on someone else’s house and much less Vigo’s own home.

Fiiuuuu – the sword pierced through air as it made its way towards the supposed creature. Vigo was mili seconds away from reaching the boy when an ear shattering, skin crawling roar shook him in his place.

RAUUUOOOOUUGGHH!!!!

The impact was earth shaking, Vigo himself had been knocked back meters away from the boy and was staggering to get on his feet, with a blurry vision and ringing ears, he could barely remember what had happened.

Wh- what… was that..ughh?

– Cough –

Where… am I? T-the child… there was a roar. What’s happened… everyone!

Shock filled his face, he had slowly regained full consciousness and the scene before him was frightening. His men who had been keeping watch atop the surrounding wall had been forced off and knocked unconscious. Those who were still somewhat aware of what had happened could only groan and struggle to move.

What enormous beast could have done that! – he thought as fear started to take control of him, he had never experienced something or even heard about beasts with such power. He couldn’t imagine, didn’t even dare to imagine what kind of living being could do that. Looking towards the direction it came from he could see the thick trees were rocking to and fro. Vigo froze in place, a cold shiver went down his spine as his eyes interlocked with another pair of dark red eyes, they were glaring at him like two daggers poking at him. He wanted to look away but he couldn't. He had lost connection with his body, his thoughts were nonexistent. He was afraid.

W-wh-what… is.. t-that… it’s o-over. W-we… it… it will k-… kill us all.

The beast we on top of a tree branch, glaring at them. Vigo could faintly see the beast, but its eyes alone portrayed its power, a roar on itself had already done so much damage, its capabilities were unimaginable. Although there were many beasts in the forest of many sizes, the strongest beast nearby was a serpent, it had been around for decades in the area but it never bothered the town. Even then, it was nothing in front of the dark red eyed beast that glared at him.

Vigo was frozen in place all the while sweating profusely, he tried moving but his body wouldn’t budge.

Moveee…! Damn it! Move!... It doesn’t even matter damn it!.. There’s nothing... nothing we can do. We can only lie in wait for whatever is to come. – thought Vigo as he slowly closed his eyes and decided to accept it. It would be impossible to escape, much less to fight this monster he thought.

With shut eyes, he would give in to his fate.

“Captain Vigo!”

“Captain!”

“Vigo!”

“Captain! Wake up!”

Huh? Who’s screaming? – slowly opening his eyes, Vigo saw a child feet away from him, shocked he looked around only to realize a crowd had gathered and all their eyes were on him. Looking at the walls and the guards it was as if nothing had happened. Quickly, he turned towards the beast but there wasn’t anything there, even the trees were unbothered.

It happened, it really did but how is… why don’t they all say anything, aren’t they afraid of what happened.

“Captain! Thank goodness your back, you gave us a fright. We had never seen you like this before. You were screaming and shaking, we thought you had gone crazy!” - shouted a young man, he was a troop under Vigo’s command.

“What? Did you not see everything that just happened moments ago!” – shouted Vigo, he was a frustrated and unpleased.

Am I really going crazy, this can’t be possible. I must have eaten something or been poisoned, it’s impossible. It felt so real, the howl, the people, the beast and… and the baby! – as Vigo continued thinking he remembered the beginning, how it started. The child, it had begun with a strange child who had suddenly just showed up.