1 Prologue

"Hugo..!

Where are you..?

I know you're out there boy and you better show yourself right now!"

Goldem's tired words echoed through the woods, he's not used to shouting like this. In fact an old man at his age is not used to anything beside sitting in a wooden chair and rotting away with time, but his only living relative needed to learn the ways of surviving such hard time, with the new king declaring new taxes on lower classes Goldem needed a hand with his hunt. Hard times demand hard work those are the words of our family and i'm willing to keep those words true and fair.

Wandering these woods is an immense struggle for the venerable Goldem. Having to bear a lame foot is a huge task by itself let alone seeking about his lost kin. He only wished to be guided through this region. "Today i'm a grown man grandfather. A small amount of adventure won't do any harm." Those were his words before we departed from the village. We were careful since we entered about the woodsland. Afterall a man cannot be certain what to make of those reports.

Hugo glimpsed the bleak grove when we went further beyond my livelihood area and got thrilled

about having a look there. I warned him oh yes i did but he didn't listen "You worry too much old man." Since he fastened his sixteenth Wolf's Moon he turned out to be cocky and stern. Now my worries have come true. I assumed he wouldn't dare step into such places. I waited and waited until i grew weary and went to look after him. His last words are still blabbering in my mind "It's not like i'm going to run away and turn to an outlaw, i'm not letting Winter starve with you old man"

Winter is lurking around sniffing the dirt looking for some traces in hope of finding the lost boy, though he was brought for safety and no more he's still looking around like a mad dog which brought concern to goldem. He has never seen his dog act so strangely especially around these parts of the grove. The day is getting darker and so is the place. Trees are getting closer and closer around him. The air feels noticeably heavy and thick. Am i hallucinating? I feel something is watching me from the trees. I hope i am because i don't want to encounter any of those freaks. Good lord their stories are all over the village since that homeless lad disappeared the freaks are eating out the brains of the folks with their stories before actually doing the deed. They didn't even care about him by no means and now they even sent for help from the nearby city to sort this situation out.

Who's there?

Hugo..?

Good Lord that owl gave me chills now i cant even think straight. these stories about the things outside the village are creeping through my mind like a nightmare. I'm feeling like someone is watching me from the trees... And i have this strong ache at the back of my head. Winter? Did you catch a scent..?

Winter raised his ears and started growling at some bolder next to this great oak tree and some kind of an animal ran away between the trees. Goldem felt like he had to check what was that animal doing behind the bolder. He gave winter leave to chase the animal and started taking steps one foot after the other towards it breathing slowly and sensing any threat that might be waiting him behind it. It all happened so fast his heart fainted at the sight of what he just saw and before even realising it tears started running down on his face. No... It cant be.. I saw her die with my own eyes.. I buried her with the others.. Darlynn.. This isn't real this CANNOT BE REAL! NO!

"It is real Goldem"

Before even knowing it he felt his chest turning numb and coldness spread through him. His mouth was full of dirt and he was face down on the ground. He raised his face to see if his wife darlynn still there only to find out she actually wasn't darlynn. The thing started taking some sort of a horrific shadowy shape. It looks pretty familiar but everything is looking familiar right now. His mouth was full of blood and he wanted to say something but words came out as long gasp for air. beg for mercy? Ask forgiveness from the gods? what can i do to escape this nightmare...

"There is no gods"

"There is only darkness"

"You died the way you lived old man. as a squealing pig"

Said the shape.

He couldn't comprehend all of what just happened. Everything was so fast and dim. His whole body was trembling from the overwhelming affliction. My lame leg started shivering with agony. I can't take any more pain. Im feeling death creeping in from the corner of my eye. I need some rest the long search must have made me really tired.

Everything is getting dark and cold and all of what i could think about is hugo still being somewhere there outside the village.