The Great Shaqtus

The beast within the Darkness of Featherwood Hollow continues to haunt our village. Castleton, once the home of the mightiest tribe this side of the Margrist River, has lost much of its strength due to the numerous deaths.

This hideous thing! This awful monstrosity! How do we recover after last night’s bloodbath?  Two thousand young stripling warriors met their demise at the claws of the Great Shaqtus.

The bodies of the dead lay charred, dismembered, their pieces scattered across the valley floor. Those that survived still weep for the lost. Many of our widowed mothers lay draped over the corpses of their children. They stood no chance at escape.  Hearing the cries of those who still lay injured as I walk amongst the pieces will haunt my dreams forever.

As I lay down to try and sleep, the beast's red eyes pierce what should be my tranquility. Ten inch claws rip at my sanity.  Blood stained cuticles sicken even the most sadistic of hearts.  All hope is lost as my spear thrusts, yielding no cries from the creature, such a helpless dream.

With a new dawn the shimmering crimson catches my eye.  The life-sources of the spirits scattered across the valley rise with the morning sun.  Families still cry as they burn their loved ones.

Eleven seasons and twelve full moons have passed since the beast’s arrival.  There has been ten thousand speculations of the beast’s origin, and yet no consensus of the truth.

It started without warning.  At 17, I never expected something like this to happen. Catastrophe struck. Nature’s fury pummeled the ground all around my twin brother as a single, powerful blow sent his lifeless figure sliding across the ground. My infant sister’s cries filled the night, only to be abruptly silenced. The last thing I remembered seeing from my place of hiding was my mother draped across Hydra’s back as it left a deep trail to follow into that wicked forest.

As scared as I was, there was nothing I could do but follow. It was my mother, I had to save her. Though scared, I slowly crept from my hole and hurried down the Hydra’s path.

Fear struck my heart as I contemplated the task ahead. It was not an option; it was fate, destiny even. It was difficult to keep up with the creature as the dim light of the moon lit the rough terrain.

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