I woke up the next morning feeling rather cold and stiff. The storm wasn’t thundering-hell anymore, but it wasn’t quite ended. I climbed up from my cramped position, and gazed out the glassless window. The sun lit up the grey clouds covering the sky, but they were too thick for me to tell the position of the sun or time of day. A crow flew overhead, cawing forlornly. Then the surroundings were silent once more. I decided to explore the old place while waiting for the weather to clear up.
There were two doors exiting the study. The one on the far right was just an old study. I walked up to the other door on the left which was much bigger, and was covered in fancy carvings. A had to give the double doors a hard yank to open them, and as I did so the hinges squeaked in protest. There was a long hall on the other side with a few doors scattered across it. As I stepped out, my footsteps echoed off of the walls.
All of a sudden, I heard a low, gurgling noise - no, not one, but many. I stopped walking and listened intently. There it was again, but this time more joined it. The sounds were coming from the biggest, fanciest door in the hall. A shiver ran down my spine and I felt a sense of menace. Going as silently as possible, I crept up to the door, which was ajar by a few inches. I peered inside.
Inside was a gigantic room with a high ceiling, probably the ballroom. To the left were the front doors of the mansion. On the left was a large marble staircase that had a large landing right before it split in two. Directly in the center of this landing was a large, fancy pedestal, decorated with strange golden runes. Resting on top was a light blue crystal which let off a faint glow. But that wasn’t what caught my attention. Inside the room was an entire pack of nightmare!
Just what was this place?!
I sat frozen in fear, barely able to breath, afraid that any moment they’d hear the beating of my heart or feel the vibrations from my trembling. I watched as the pack began to stir and the gurgling, growly noise grew. Their heads stuck up into the air, one at a time, sniffing. Crap! They smelt me! Getting control over myself, I backed away from the door, and quietly headed towards the drawing room.
I caught a glimpse of a nightmare’s nose stick out through the ballroom door, but lost sight as I backed around a corner. The sniffing noises multiplied and grew closer, when all of a sudden I heard the door burst open. Time to run! I turned away and broke into a run, the sound of many claws tearing across the floor behind me. I risked a glance behind myself. They were on to me!
Running as fast as possible, I headed towards the drawing room, but in my panic I passed it by. The monsters were quickly gaining on me, when I saw a chance for escape. Making a sharp turn to the left, I dashed through a small door on the left, through a kitchen, and into a pantry where I hesitated a moment before running through a door into an overgrown garden.
There was a door on the opposite side which led down into the cellar and up a set of stairs. I chose the latter. At the top was a room with a long, rotten wood table and a fireplace. Another door led out, but there were probably more monsters that way. I heard the garden door back behind me burst open with a crash.
Where should I hide? I looked around desperately, then focused on the ceiling. I climbed up top an old chest then jumped nimbly to one of the thick beams crossing over the room. I barely was atop of it when the nightmare came tearing up the stairs.
I held my breath as the monster scoured the floor, sniffing at my scent. A cold sweat dripped down my back as it smelled the chest. It growled fiercely and the bones sticking up out of its back bristled when it came across my scent. My heartbeat quickened and I tensed up as it slowly began to look in my direction.
Suddenly, as quickly as it came, the beast rushed away back down the stairs. I heard it crash through the doorway, through the garden and away into the kitchen. Then all was silent. I half expected it to come back with more nightmare, but it didn’t. I breathed a sigh of relief, then jumped lightly down from the beam.
Then it hit me. Why was there this old mansion in the middle of the woods, why was it filled with monsters, and what was that glowing crystal? I’ll tell you. (Of course, it all makes sense now. How could have I been such an idiot?) This was the safehouse of a relic and the nightmare were here to guard it! It was just beyond my reach, too!
If I could find a way to distract the nightmare… but my thoughts were just short. I snapped open my eyes. I could’ve sworn I just heard someone cry in distress. I listened intently. Again, I heard it. I wasn’t the only person here… someone needed help! No wonder that nightmare ran off so suddenly, someone was trying to collect the relic.
I almost rushed off to their rescue that very moment, but stopped myself. Wait, what if it’s another squad? I wouldn’t want to be helping them! Anyways, my squad is probably miles from here by now. Then a plan formed in my head. Yes… yes, this is perfect! I know just how I’ll get that relic… and that squad is going to help me!
I readied my sword and peered out the door. A few nightmare rushed by, not noticing me. They were probably heading to the ballroom to protect the relic. I made sure they were the last ones, then followed them stealthily. If I was right about where they were headed, then they’d lead me right to the crystal. I followed them to the top of the stairs, where I spectated.
Four of squad three were fighting nightmare down by the front doors- Reihna, (their captain) Leslie, Peter, and Alex. Idiots. What were they thinking, attacking the nightmare head-on? They should’ve attempted to steal the relic more stealth-like. Whatever---their mistake. They have the nightmare distracted, now I can steal this relic! But I wasn’t the only one thinking that.
Suddenly, Haley and Xavier, the other two members of squad three, rushed forward and snatched up the crystal. They stuffed it into a bag and ran off. So that was their plan, I thought grumpily, distract the monsters while Haley grabs the relic. Xavier will fend off any monsters that take notice. Then the rest will retreat and meet up with them bearers wherever.
Oh no, you don’t! I chased after the two thieves. Just behind me, three nightmare followed. I snuck along the side of the wall silently behind Xavier and Haley. ducked underneath a table as the monsters passed me by. Xavier turned around to fend them off.
I took my chance and rushed passed him. He couldn’t stop me, but when he saw my fly by he called out to Haley. She turned her head to see what the problem was, but too late. I was already on top of her with my sword. I could’ve killed her, but I didn’t think it was right, so I knocked her out with my hilt instead.
Then I grabbed the pouch with the relic inside and made a run for it. One of the nightmare Xavier was fighting made it passed him and chased after me. At the end of the hall was a window. I glanced out of it to see how much of a jump it would be. Definitely not a very safe one, but I had no time to think as the nightmare caught up to me. I sent myself sailing and landed in a bush.
I was very scratched up and bruised, but I didn’t break anything. I think I may have twisted my knee funny, but all I was thinking about was getting away. I clambered up out of the bush, then limped quickly towards the woods. I didn’t sense any pursuit, yet I continued running. Pains shot up my leg as I dragged myself along. Finally, when I couldn’t go any further, I scrambled underneath a bush and blacked out.
ns 15.158.61.13da2
