章 27: Running into Death
Willy and his team were on the way to the meeting hall to inform the elders of their inconclusive findings. Bruiser continued to monitor the increase in temperature through his magic perception looking for any similarity for its properties in one of his grimoires. Evan looked through his monster compendium hopeful to find something of value as well. Whatever was going on people were starting to notice as well the heat especially in the sun was becoming unbearable.
Bruiser and Evan seemed to come to a conclusion at the same time in their individual books and they both opened their eyes wide. Willy and Gia stopped walking and turned to see what they found. Evan gaze intently at the page then looked up to Bruiser who looked at the image on his book. He then nodded grimly, agreeing they came to the same conclusion. They looked at Willy and Gia with dread in their eyes.
"This is bad, guys! This thing is not supposed to be in this region, we need to evacuate this town immediately!" Evan said in a subdued scream.
"What is it?" Willy asked as he looked at the page Evan stopped on.
"Gods, are you sure about that." Gia questioned as she covered her mouth.
In Onsus, native tongue of the inhabitants of the Testial Empire, the creature that descended on Kilverstead were known as glor scursk, a name that once translated means "flame dog" but more accurately translates to "hellhound". These monsters are normally not native to the area and are not known to travel in packs as they typically live solitary lives.
Hellhounds had the ability to increase the temperature of the surrounding area the longer they remained in place. Given enough time, one of them could turn the forest into a dry wasteland in a matter of days. The temperature in the town was quickly reaching a dangerous level. It does not matter if the townspeople are inside or outside, the temperature rises at the same rate and there is no escaping the heat aside from getting out of the creature's area of influence. The water from the river was starting to steam and dead fish were floating up to the banks.
Hellhounds were unique monsters as they were not born in the traditional sense but instead would manifest from the environment if very specific conditions were met. Those conditions were not present in Mighthand and in fact under normal circumstances were not possible in the Empire as a whole. Even so, on occasion the unusual monsters have made their way into the Empire in the past and no less than fifteen well trained Argonauts or a military detachment is needed to kill one of them. Hunts for hellhounds for their incredibly valuable hides have led more Argonauts to their graves than to fame and riches.
"We need to evacuate the town now." Bruiser said with stalwart resolution. "We can't stop one of those things alone we need to…"
"Calm down! Everyone out of their way! They are out of control!" Cena screamed from his carriage as his pracked galloped as fast as they could down the road. "Get out of the way! I can't control them."
The carriage sped off out of the town as the terrified dog man tried to get control of the animals. Similar situations started all over the town as animals began to flee en masse. The terrified screams from the farmers quickly arrested Willy and his team's attention. They ran to the square and saw the demonic black kainine monster emerge from the woods and attack a nearby farmer.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Evan exclaimed.
"Gia, Evan get everyone to safety." Willy said as his face paled and he took in a dry breath. "Bruiser. Are you up for taking out your auntie out there?"
"You arse." Bruiser responded with a grim nod. "Never liked her at family gatherings anyway."
"Gods no! I am not letting you two go out there alone!" Gia said as she grabbed Willy and looked him in the eyes. "Don't you dare think you can leave me."
"We are a team, we will think of something." Evan said, his voice shaky but stern.
Willy was about to object but after Gia tore into him some more about how stupid it would be for them to go alone he relented. They were wasting time and more people were being killed. Willy reached into his satchel and pulled out a horn decorated in multicolored runes.
"Our job is to save as many as possible." Willy said as he looked at his team. "Once the townspeople flee we are to get out of here as well."
"Our best way to get out will be the dense forest to the west." Evan said. "The large size of the creatures will make it difficult for it to follow us."
They continued to make a plan but all knew that it didn't matter. They knew as soon as they went to intercept the hellhound it would kill them. There was no way they would be able to outrun the creature to escape. They killed it here or died trying there was no other option. Willy looked over his team again then each of them nodded. They all turned and ran towards the beast.
"We will distract them!" Willy exclaimed, his voice hard and resolute as he ran. "Everyone evacuate! These creatures will not leave the village.
The item in his hand was a voice amplifier which he bought for an occasion like this. It glowed as he spoke and his voice cascaded over the town. He was sure everyone heard him including the hellhound who turned immediately to watch their approach. They were still several hundred meters from the creature but it just stood in place and watched them while growling angrily. It was Evan that pointed out that hellhounds were cautious when they were being approached. They sized up an opponent before striking but as soon as the hellhound felt as though it could win or they got too close it would charge them.
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