THE MAN UNKNOWN

Nightcrawler

Full Moon over the plains of Temperinia shined down on the grassy fields of Belgadrom. great planes were bordered by forests of giant pine trees. Great Danabi river was cutting the planes in half, flowing from east to west, exiting the woods on one side, and entering the woods on the other side of the planes. A sturdy wooden bridge was placed over the river, making a crossing on the river for the wide dusty road, stretching from far northern borders to rough southern seas. The night air was filled with the scent of the pines and grass, while the sounds of the night creatures echoed through the silence. A great city of Belgardum was built not far from the bridge. It's great white walls stud the test of time, as well as many a foe. Surrounding darkness fled from many torches that shined brightly in this cold, autumn night. Great city gates stud tall and sturdy, locked, and guarded by many men. One lone figure was walking towards the city, with purpose in it's steps. Tall gates stud in it's way as he approached them, closed and uninviting. High walls were deterrent to any ideas of climbing over them. Traveler stud there quietly, watching and waiting, but shadows were getting closer. He knew the time is near. He was ready. But the city was not.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

-"Kayla, we need more vine over here"- the booming voice of the innkeeper Ben echoed through the bar, yelling in the direction of the kitchen, trying to be louder than the sound of pans and pots falling and rolling on the stone floor.

-"Yes father, right away" came the weak, girly sound as a response.

A few moments later, out came a chubby girl with golden wavy hair, carrying a crate containing dozen big glass bottles, filled with some dark red liquid, clanking around with her every step. She put the crate on the counter, panting and gasping.

-"Well, you haven't dropped them this time, at least"- said Ben, not even acknowledging her torment.

-"Get back in there and make some food. People are getting hungry.

She turned around and went back into the kitchen. It could be heard through the door clanking of pots as she was preparing the meals.

Doors of the Inn opened and in came a tall and sturdy figure of a man, clad in armor and the red and green colors of the guards. His longsword was casually hanging on his left side and the green cape was used as a blanket, covering man's head and body. The chilly autumn night wasn't very pleasant for guard duty.

He walked across the crowded room right to the bar, taking his cloak off and revealing long blond curls of hair and a freshly shaved face.

-"Welcome Captain Cabos.Usual?"

-"No, thank you, Ben. I'm in need of something stronger tonight. It's quite the chilly night tonight and the dawn is far."

-"I have just what you need."-Ben went down under the counter and a moment later, pulled out a big bottle with some strange yellow liquid. When he popped the cork, a strange and aromatic smell spread around it. He poured a glass of it and gave it to the captain. Cabos took it and at first, wasn't really sure that he wants to drink it. The color, the smell of it, it was just, well, weird, to say the least. But he managed to somehow make himself drink it. Once it got down his throat, strange warmth started spreading throughout his body. He felt rejuvenated and good. Never has he ever drink something like that. It was excellent.

-"Pour one more, Ben", said the captain, and his voice gave away his newly found joy

-"I'm sorry my good man. One glass per person. Those were the instructions that I was given when this bottle."

-"Given? By whom?"

-"Don't really know. There was this old man that I met on my way to the sea. I helped him with some problems and he gave me this as a token of gratitude. He just said some weird things and that I shouldn't give more than a glass per man.Ever."

-"Strange things? What strange things? It's only a drink and it's not even that strong. Why would be such a big deal if someone drinks more than just one?"

-"I really don't know, captain. But I don't want to risk it."

-"Fine"- disappointment was clear in Cabos's voice -" Here, then. Thanks for the drink. I'll see you in the morning when I get down from the wall. I'm really curious about those strange things that he said," said captain, leaving a gold coin on the counter, throwing his cloak over himself and head out from the worm and cozy room and into the cold autumn night.

Night in a tavern went on for a while before the last of it's visitors went home. The tavern stood empty while Kayla swept the floor. Her thoughts were wandering towards the grate planes and forests, far mountains, and deep seas. She was aching for adventures. She loved her father, this tavern, and the city, but nothing ever happens here. It was a safe life, a good life...A boring life. When will something, really anything interesting, happen here?

-"Hey Kayla"- the sound of a stable boy's voice interrupted her fantasy.

-"Hey, Mat"-Kayla's voice sounded lethargic, realizing it was all just a fantasy of her's.

-"Do you need any help?"- asked Mat, hoping to spend some time with Kayla. Ever since he started to work for Ben as a stable boy five years ago, he was in love with her, but she hasn't returned the feelings, and not for the lack of his advances. And even before he started to work here, when they were just kids, they used to run through a city with other kids and be mischievous. He liked her even back then but not like this. And he had some mediocre success in his advancements but since her mother died there years ago, Kayla changed. She just wasn't the same person. Often distant and distracted closed in her own thoughts.

-"Mat, come here and help me with these barrels"- Ben's voice came from the back room, making Mat feel a bit disappointed. With a heavy heart, he left Kayla alone in the main room.

Kayla was, once again, left to her own thoughts. It didn't take long for her to go back to her fantasy. And in this state is where it caught her what came next.

Suddenly, the doors of the inn blew apart, exploding in a thousand pieces, sending sharp fragments throughout the room. Jagged splinters smashed bottles and lanterns, cups and glasses. Kayla dropped down to the floor instinctively, avoiding flying splinters in just a few inches. Cloud of dust filled the room, dimming the light of the candles and surviving lanterns. Fire in the fireplace started to dance a views dance, it's flames licking the mantle.

Laying on the floor, Kayla could hear strange footsteps coming into the room. Something big was inside, hiding in the dust and shadows. Sounds of the fighting and splintering wood cane from somewhere on the streets. Many voices cried out commands, mixed with screams from surrounding houses.

Dust began to settle and now the light revealed parts of the strange visitor. The tall, almost shapeless figure was standing in the middle of the room. The shape of it seemed like the shadows were merged in creating this humanoid figure. It's flesh seemed to move and twist in a weird way. It's glowing red eyes were scanning the room. In a single, terrifying moment, Kayla realized that eyes were looking directly at her. Slowly, it started to raise it's hand towards her. Wobbly flesh of the arm was reaching for her, instilling the terror in her heart.

The latter broke on the impact on unstable flesh. Oil spread on it's chest and head, igniting and burning the creature. It shrieked and started waving it's arms in futility, trying to extinguish. The creature ran out through the doorway, screaming and screeching while it ran off towards the great wall.

-"Are you hurt?"- Mat ran to Kayla, helping her to get up.

Ben stud in the doorway with his old war axe.

-"Mat, take Kayla down in the basement and stay there until I call you out"- said Ben and runs out on the streets.

Mat and Kayla did what Ben told them. They went into the basement and locked the door, putting a big beam over them. A small basement window let the sounds from the street in. Many footsteps ran here and there in panic and rush. Looking through it, Mat and Kayla saw soldiers and citizens running around. In a few places, soldiers were trying to fight weird creatures with little to no success. Deformed shaped creatures were throwing them like a rag dolls. In one moment, Ben ran to one of the creatures, spraying it with some liquid and throwing a torch on it. It burst into flames, screaming and running away. Soon all the soldiers started adopting the same technique. In a matter of minutes, streets were filled with burning creatures running away in panic.

It went on quite some time like that. Few hours passed and sounds began to fade away. Kayla fell asleep with head on Mat's lap, laying on the cold floor.

It was almost dawn when they heard a knock on the door.

-"Mat, Kayla, open the door. It is safe now."- Ben sounded tired as he spoke.

Dawn revealed the toll of last night's battle. The city was scared. Doors and windows on most of the houses were destroyed. On a couple of houses were gaping holes where walls used to be. People gathered to clean the ruins and debris, trying to repair what they could. Bodies were removed from the street. Blood turned the dusty road into stinky mud. Pieces of human flesh were scattered on the streets, mixed with mud and dirt. Terror was visible on people's faces while they were going by their way. The night has ended. Will tonight be safe or the monsters will return?

One lone dark figure walked up the street. His dark cloak covered his silhouette. The light seemed to avoid his presence. He walked to the tavern, standing in the doorway, observing the mess in the room. Three people who were in the room have been busy with cleaning and removing the debris. They stopped amid their work, looking at the mysterious figure at their doorway.

-"Are you in business?"- he spoke with a strange, deep voice.

-"If you don't mind a little bit of mess, then I guess, we are", said Ben, pointing towards one clean part of the room, inviting a stranger to sit. A stranger came in and went across the room, he's feet seemingly not touching the floor, not making any sound while he moved. He set down at the table, pulled out a bag of coins, and raised his head to look into Ben's eyes. Man's eyes were glowing with an eerie green glow.

-"A pint of mead, please".

Ben cleaned his hands on the rag on his belt and went through the rubble to the bar. Poured in a pint of meed and placed it in front of the man. The man lifted the pint and took a big sip. The sigh of relief and pleasure left his mouth. He placed a gold coin on the table.

-"It is not necessary. It's on the house.You are the first customer today.Enjoy," said Ben and returned to cleaning the room.

Suddenly, the green glowing mist started to spread throughout the room. Wood debris and mess in the tavern began to move on it's own. Doors started assembling piece by piece. Everything assembled as it was before last night's events. As suddenly as it came, the mist disappeared. Ben and others turned around and looked at the man at the table. His arm was raised and the mist was retrieving in his hand. His eyes glowed bright and strong. As soon as the last traces of mist dissipated, his eyes dimmed down and his arm lowered. He took one more sip from the pint as nothing happened.

"Mmm, that's a good mead."

His green glowing eyes looked through the window, thoughts lost somewhere in the distance.