Fangs Across Eternity

Shadows that Bow

Adrian climbed down from the carriage, boots crunching softly against the gravel. The evening air carried a faint chill, exhaustion weighing on his shoulders, he made his way to the front door of his home.

“Welcome back, dear,” his mother greeted warmly, relief flickering in her eyes as she hurried over.

“You’re home early today,” Adrian said, shutting the door behind him.

“Not by choice.” She gave a worried glance toward the window, her hands nervously fidgeting with her apron. “We were told to stay indoors, prepare for an emergency evacuation. I nearly tore my hair out worrying about you and your father.”

Adrian forced a faint smile. “Dad’s fine, I think the situation is now under control. Where are Theron and the others?” He noticed how unnaturally quiet the house was, as though the walls themselves were holding their breath.

“Lydia and Clara are asleep. Theron’s in his room, maybe reading or asleep.” She stepped back toward the kitchen. “You must be hungry.”

“Starving,” Adrian admitted since he didn't eat anything before leaving in the morning, even his stomach growling in agreement.

“I’ll start cooking. We’ll all eat once your father returns.”

Adrian sank onto the couch, exhaustion dragging his body down. He tilted his head back, intending to rest his eyes for just a moment, before he realized it, sleep claimed him.

---

Far across town, in a tall building bearing the sign of the Special Security Company, a man sat buried in reports. The office was modest but meticulously kept, the faint scent of polished wood lingering in the air. His gear and sword rested against the wall, ready at a moment’s notice.

If Adrian had been there, he would have recognized the man instantly, the captain of the Special Squad.

“That should cover the report,” the captain muttered to himself, his brows furrowed. His pen hovered above the parchment as he re-read the notes. Beast tide. A boy awakening with possible beast-type abilities. A human-like demon sighted in town.

He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under the weight of his sigh. “Damn it… too much has been happening in MoonBrook these past few days.”

Through the window, he caught sight of his men returning, their uniforms smeared with ash and sweat after burning the corpses alongside the city police. His eyes hardened. There was no time for rest. He pulled another sheet closer. “Which squads are covering night patrol?”

—

Back in Adrian’s house, darkness pressed against the windows.

Adrian slumber was anything but peaceful.

Dark voices whispered in strange, ancient tongues, echoing endlessly inside his mind. In his dream, shadowy figures gathered, countless in number. They bowed in unison, their forms flickering between beast and man.

Adrian couldn’t see who they were kneeling to, until suddenly, every pair of crimson eyes turned on him.

“Haaa….!”

Adrian jolted awake with a scream, clutching his head in pain.

“Adrian!” His mother rushed to his side, panic etched across her face.

His siblings crowded around, wide eyed with concern.

“I’m fine,” he lied quickly, his breath still uneven. “Just… a nightmare.”

Clara’s expression brightened suddenly, almost too cheerfully. “Brother, you didn’t tell me you were this cool!” She threw her small arms around him before he could even sit upright.

Adrian blinked, confused. Were they watching me sleep?

Clara grinned. “Dad told us everything. What kind of power do you have?”

Understanding hit Adrian. He scratched his head. “I don’t know. It just… happened.”

Theron’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “So you’ll be fighting monsters now? That’s so cool. I wouldn’t mind giving up school if it meant awakening.”

“Don’t say that,” Lydia frowned. “You heard what people say, it’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous my ass. I would love to smash those monsters’ faces in!” Theron shot back, smirking.

“Enough,” their father’s voice cut through as he entered, firm but calm. “Dinner first. We’ll talk later.”

The family gathered around the dining table. Conversation bubbled among the children, but Adrian noticed the way his parents’ eyes lingered on him, quiet, heavy, and worried. They forced smiles, but beneath them, fear simmered.

After the meal, Lydia cleared the plates while their parents exchanged silent glances before excusing themselves. Adrian could almost feel the unspoken discussion that would follow behind closed doors.

“Lydia, what game should we play before bed?” Clara tugged on her sister’s sleeve.

“Not tonight. Homework.” Lydia gave her a tired smile.

Adrian retreated with Theron to their shared room. As the lantern dimmed, Theron whispered, “How did you do it?”

“Do what?” Adrian asked.

“Become a transcendent.” Theron added.

Adrian exhaled, lying on his back. “I don’t know. It just happened. Even I don’t understand it.”

Inside, his thoughts churned. ‘I can’t tell him about the ritual. I don’t even know if this power is a blessing or a curse’.

“Lucky you,” Theron murmured, snuffing out the lantern. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Adrian replied, staring at the ceiling. To his shock, the darkness wasn’t so dark anymore, his vision pierced it as though the night itself had become translucent.

Hours passed before he sat up, ensuring his brother slept soundly. Carefully, he pried up a wooden plank beneath his bed and pulled out a small notebook.

In it, he scribbled down the day’s events in his old Earth language, weighing his options.

He listed questions, weighing the choice of joining the Special Squad. Advantages? Risks? What if they discover I’m not normal? He kept pondering.

The chief’s warning replayed in his head, ‘awakened transcendents often lose control, sometimes becoming monsters themselves’.

Adrian’s grip on the pen tightened. ‘I can’t let that happen. My second life just started, and I won’t let it end as a beast’.

Yet, when he considered the Church and their special squads, something in him recoiled. He didn’t know why, but the thought of serving them filled him with unease.

Finally, he shut the notebook, slid it back beneath the floorboard, and laid down again with his eyes open. He couldn't sleep, his mind was still restless.

---

Author’s Note:

Hey everyone! First of all, thank you for reading this far, it really means a lot. I know the story is only just beginning, but trust me, things are going to get much deeper, darker, and (hopefully) more exciting than you expect. Adrian’s journey is one I’m genuinely thrilled to share with you.

I love hearing your thoughts, so don’t be shy, drop your reviews and chapter comments! They not only keep me motivated but also help me shape the flow of the story. Think of it like we’re building this world together.

As for spoilers… well, you can always ask, but I’ll be honest, I’m not a god. Even I don’t fully know what lies ahead on Adrian’s path. That’s the beauty of it.... discovery, growth, and maybe a few shocking twists along the way.

So, thank you again for sticking around. I hope you’ll stay long enough to see Adrian rise, struggle, and face whatever destiny throws at him. This is just the beginning.