Faceless Town

At one time, this town had a face. A feeling that was unique to it and it alone.

Perhaps it was the children playing in the alleyways. Or the major who would help his elderly mother around the streets. Maybe it was the many friendly merchants who would stop here during the summer, or the few grumpy ones in the winter.

Times have changed, and not for the better.

Thunder is all there is now. The rain, that washed away the dust and the dark clouds that brought it. The children in the alleys replaced by vermin. The major replaced by a horrifying monster that drags around corpses to its den. Merchants are no more. Only scavengers.

He was sent on a mission, to cleanse a certain place of evil. To exterminate the darkness and let the light shine once more. To give it a face again. But he was not ready.

Footsteps in the tiny layer of water covering the stones that once paved the way to the town hall alerted the beasts. Unlike him, their hearing was exceptional. They could hear a needle drop.

He could see nothing. The rain and darkness obstructed his vision. All he could make out was the once beautifully engraved door hanging on its hinges, its intricacies destroyed by clawmarks. His heart was beating like a drum, but he was not marching to it. Controlling his breathing, he walked towards the opening.

Before he was fully aware of the situation he was making a swinging motion. His sword struck, but couldn't cut deep. He could see two shadows darting in the darkness. Although he had wounded one, it didn't make a sound. Suddenly he felt the warmness flowing. His vision slightly distorting. He reached down and felt a warm wet substance all over his abdomen. He had been struck. The claw of the vile beast had ripped him open, tearing his flesh violently. And yet he didn't seem to feel it. Setting one step forward he leapt into a counterattack, but it was too dark. Before he knew it the two shadows darted once more, and this time he felt the blow.

Nails sharper than his sword cut through his shoulder. The pain shooting through his back. He fell, but quickly recovered. He was handicapped now, one arm versus two opponents. A final charge would all he had energy for. Before his vision blacked out, before the pain made him faint. He danced, quickly moving and turning. His sword spinning around. He could feel it hitting its mark several times. But even that wasn't enough to take down the monstrosity that was before him, and once again that warmness came over him. He didn't realise it, but he was on the ground. It was getting colder. But before his vision went dark he could make out one last thing: teeth.

At one time, this town had a face.