The Crimson Dawn

Chapter 13

Over the next few days, the group worked tirelessly, hunting down each beast and putting an end to their chaos. Now, only one target remained: the changeling.

This one would be their most difficult challenge yet. Changelings were tricksters, masters of disguise, and capable of taking the form of anyone they encountered. The group wasn’t sure what to look for, but the town’s market was abuzz with rumors. People spoke of strange behaviors—neighbors acting out of character, saying things they didn’t recall, or wandering into places they’d never go. The changeling was clearly playing its games.

The group split up to cover more ground, weaving through the bustling market. Aydin clutched the amulet, watching as its glow brightened faintly with each step he took. It was the only thing they had to track the changeling, and it was far from perfect.

He wandered through the market stalls, scanning faces as he followed the amulet’s increasing glow. Merchants called out their wares, children darted through the crowd, and the air was thick with the scent of spices and baked goods. The amulet pulsed brighter and brighter, leading him down a narrow alley behind the market.

Aydin glanced around, confused. The alley was empty, the glow of the amulet at its brightest. He turned, startled to see Stella standing behind him.

Before he could say a word, Stella grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss.

Her lips were unfamiliar, her movements eager, something felt wrong. Her tongue tasted metallic, almost bitter, and her touch wasn’t the warm, soft sensation he knew so well. Instead, it was cold and unyielding.

Aydin tried to pull back, but her grip was impossibly strong. A strange sensation washed over him, his strength fading as if she were draining the life from him. His vision blurred, and he felt his knees buckle beneath him.

Suddenly, she released him with an ear-piercing shriek, stumbling back as if she had been burned.

Aydin collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, his body trembling as he slowly regained his strength.

“Hey, hey! Aydin, are you okay?”

The soft, familiar warmth of Stella’s hands cupping his face brought him back to reality. He blinked up at her, his hearing distorted, the sound of her voice muffled like it was coming from underwater.

“Stella?” he croaked, his voice hoarse.

She nodded, concern etched across her face. “It’s me. Are you hurt?”

Evening out his breathing, Aydin shook his head weakly. “I’m… I’m okay.”

Before Stella could say more, a roar of frustration echoed down the alley. Barrett had the changeling—now in its true form—in a bone-crushing bear hug. Its features were grotesque and shifting, flickering between half-formed faces as it struggled to break free.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Barrett growled, tightening his grip.

The changeling screeched, baring jagged teeth. With a sharp movement, it slammed its knee into Barrett’s groin.

“Argh!” Barrett bellowed, his grip faltering as he stumbled back.

The changeling took its chance, darting out of the alley and into the crowded market, its form shifting seamlessly into that of a merchant woman.

“Stop her!” Raphael shouted, sprinting into the fray.

But the changeling disappeared into the crowd, leaving chaos in its wake as the group scrambled to find it again.

Barrett, Raphael, and Gedeon surged into the bustling market, their eyes scanning the chaotic sea of faces. The changeling’s form shifted rapidly, its features blending seamlessly into the crowd as it darted between stalls.

“There!” Gedeon yelled, spotting the merchant woman’s face flicker unnaturally.

Barrett barreled forward, his massive frame scattering startled shoppers. “Out of the way!” he bellowed, clearing a path.

Raphael kept his eyes fixed on the changeling, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He moved with precision, pushing through the crowd without losing sight of the creature. Gedeon, ever nimble, leaped over a fruit cart, trying to cut the changeling off.

The creature snarled as its disguise faltered momentarily. Its form shimmered and distorted, drawing alarmed gasps from nearby townsfolk. Realizing it couldn’t blend in anymore, the changeling turned sharply down a side street, its grotesque, half-shifted form moving with unnatural speed.

“Don’t lose it!” Raphael shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.

Barrett roared, his long strides quickly closing the gap. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the changeling’s arm, but the creature twisted away with inhuman agility.

The chase led them deeper into the maze-like streets of the town. The changeling vaulted over crates and barrels, knocking them into the group’s path in a desperate attempt to slow them down.

“Gedeon, flank it!” Raphael ordered, his voice steady despite the chaos.

Gedeon nodded, darting into a narrow alley to cut the creature off. Barrett didn’t slow, his sheer determination keeping him close on the changeling’s heels.

Meanwhile, back in the alley where Aydin had collapsed, Stella and Ari knelt by his side. While Derick stood guard at in the ally entrance Incase the changling came back.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Stella asked again, her voice soft but laced with worry.

Aydin nodded, though his face was pale and sweat beaded on his forehead. “I’m fine… Just give me a minute.”

Ari placed a gentle hand on his chest, her green eyes glowing faintly as she murmured an incantation. A soft warmth spread through Aydin’s body, easing his trembling limbs.

“You’re lucky,” Ari said quietly. “The changeling’s energy drain could have been fatal if it lasted much longer.”

Aydin looked up at Stella, her hands still cradling his face. “It wasn’t you… but it felt so real.”

Stella frowned, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “It’s over now. Just rest for a moment.”

Ari glanced toward the market, her brow furrowed. “The others are chasing it. We need to regroup before it gets away.”

Aydin sat up, shaking his head. “Ok I’m ready let’s go.”

Stella hesitated, her fingers lingering on his arm. “Aydin—”

“I’m fine,” he insisted, his voice firmer now. “Let’s go.”

Ari stood, helping Aydin to his feet. “If you collapse again, I’m leaving you behind,” she said, her tone teasing but her concern evident.

Stella nodded, determination hardening her features. “Then let’s move.”

The four of them headed toward the market, the sounds of the chase growing louder as they approached. They arrived just in time to see Barrett and Raphael corner the changeling in a dead-end alley, its back against a wall as it hissed and snarled, its form flickering erratically.

“You’ve got nowhere to run,” Barrett growled, his fists clenched.

The changeling’s glowing eyes darted between its pursuers, its twisted face contorting into a malevolent grin. “You think you’ve won?” it spat, its voice distorted and echoing.

Aydin, Stella, Derick, and Ari joined the group, weapons drawn and ready.

“Let’s finish this,” Raphael said, his voice steady as he drew his sword.

The changeling’s grin widened as it lunged forward, its form shifting into a blur of deadly shapes. The final fight had begun.

The changeling’s lunge was like a bolt of lightning, its distorted form twisting into a snake-like creature midair. Barrett roared, stepping forward to shield the group, his massive arms raised to block the attack. The changeling struck with incredible force, but Barrett held his ground, grabbing its writhing body and slamming it into the ground.

“Stay down!” he bellowed, his voice echoing off the alley walls.

The changeling hissed, its body flickering as it shifted again, slipping out of Barrett’s grip like smoke. It reformed a few feet away, now resembling a gaunt, pale woman with piercing red eyes and elongated claws.

Raphael didn’t hesitate. He lunged forward, sword gleaming as he slashed at the changeling’s torso. The blade connected, leaving a deep gash, but the creature barely flinched. Instead, it swiped at him with its claws, forcing Raphael to dodge back.

Aydin, still pale but resolute, raised his Iron Shooter, taking aim. “Hold it still!” he shouted.

“I’m trying!” Barrett snapped, charging again.

Gedeon darted to the side, bow in his hands. He moved like a shadow, striking at the changeling’s legs to slow it down. His arrow nicked its calf, and the creature shrieked, spinning to swipe at him. Gedeon ducked just in time, rolling away.

Meanwhile, Ari whispered an incantation, her hands glowing with fiery energy. She stepped forward, hurling a fireball at the changeling. The flames hit it square in the chest, and the creature screamed, its form flickering wildly.

Stella took the opportunity to dart forward, her dagger aimed for the changeling’s throat. The creature twisted, narrowly avoiding the strike, but Stella managed to carve a deep s***h across its shoulder.

“You’re surrounded,” Stella hissed, her voice cold and steady. “Give up!”

The changeling snarled, its body glitching as it tried to shift again. Its features blurred, flickering between human, beast, and shadow.

Raphael stepped forward, his sword glowing faintly with divine light. “This ends now,” he said, his voice firm.

The changeling’s gaze fixed on him, its lips curling into a wicked smile. “You think you can stop me? You don’t even know what I am.”

Before it could move, Aydin fired. The iron ball shot through the air, hitting the changeling square in the chest. It let out an unearthly scream, its body convulsing as the iron disrupted its form.

“Keep hitting it!” Aydin yelled, reloading quickly.

Barrett swung a heavy fist, connecting with the creature’s side and sending it crashing into the alley wall. Stella followed up with her blades, slashing at its limbs to keep it from escaping.

Ari stepped forward, her hands glowing again. “Move!” she called out.

The group scattered as Ari released another wave of fire, engulfing the changeling. This time, the flames seemed to stick, clinging to its flickering form and preventing it from shifting.

The changeling’s screams grew louder, its body writhing in agony. “You can’t kill me!” it shrieked, its voice echoing unnaturally.

Raphael stepped forward, his glowing sword raised. “We’ll see about that.”

With a single, decisive strike, he drove the blade into the changeling’s heart. The creature let out one final, earsplitting scream before its body dissolved into black smoke, leaving behind only the faint scent of sulfur.

The group stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath.

“Is it… dead?” Gedeon asked, his voice uncertain.

Raphael nodded, his sword still glowing faintly. “It’s gone. For good.”

Barrett let out a heavy sigh, wiping sweat from his brow. “That was the hardest one yet.”

Stella turned to Aydin, her eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

Aydin nodded, though he was still pale. “I’ll live. Thanks to all of you.”

The group head back to tell Lord Alden they killed the last Fey monster.