The Curse of the Beast

en houses, their paint faded and chipped from years of exposure to the elements. The townspeople were simple folk, their lives governed by the changing of seasons and the rhythm of hard, hon

ople gone missing here and there, nothing out of the ordinary. But then, the bodies started showing up. Mutilated, torn apart by something far beyond the reach of any animal known to man. The townspeople were terrified, whispers of the beast's return spreading like wildfire. The once-quiet town of Eldergrove was now filled with fear and uncertainty. It wasn't long before the first of the hunters arrived. A group of men and women, armed with weapons and knowledge of the old ways. They had come from out of town, hearing the rumors of the beasts in the woods. At first, the townspeople had been grateful. They were experienced trackers, hunters who knew how to deal with things that went bump in the night. They were from a faction called the Calvary, a group of warriors dedicated to protecting the innocent from supernatural threats. But the Calvary was not alone. There were others, rival hunters who also claimed to know how to deal with the beasts of the forest. The Shadows, they called themselves. These hunters didn't just rely on their swords and shields; they practiced dark magic, binding the elements to their will. They believed that the key to defeating the creatures was not only strength but also the power to manipulate the forces of nature itself. At first, the two factions had worked together, hunting the beasts as one. But as the bodies piled up, tensions began to rise. The Calvary and the Shadows had different ideas about how to deal with the threat, and soon, they were at odds. Luke had joined the Calvary when he came of age, determined to protect his town and prove himself. The Calvary had trained him in the ancient martial arts of their order, teaching him how to wield a sword with precision and grace. They believed in honor, in fighting with strength and discipline. But Luke knew that the fight against the beasts would require more than just strength. It would require heart. He had always known he was different from the other members of the Calvary. They were warriors, born and bred for battle, but Luke's mind often wandered to darker thoughts. His heart ached for someone else, the girl he had loved since childhood. Mary. Mary had always been part of his life, e