Fangs Across Eternity

The calm town folks

Adrian’s blood still burned hot, his senses sharper than ever. He could smell it, yes, smell, he could smell the monsters’ fear and feel their strange respect for him.

‘Why are they scared of me?’

Before he could think further, his father’s arms wrapped around him from behind.

“Son! What are you doing here?” Jorden’s voice cracked as he pulled Adrian tight. Just seconds ago, he was sure he would die.

Adrian blinked, stiff in his father’s embrace. Should I… hug him back? He knew one thing, charging in like that had just painted a target on his back.

“Yeah, right. Not dangerous, huh?” Adrian smirked, giving his father a mocking look.

“Hahaha! Well… not dangerous until today.” Jorden chuckled, patting his son’s shoulder, relief still in his eyes.

“Hey, kid! Over here!” one of the Special Squad members called out.

Adrian looked at his father. Jorden sighed, then gently pushed him forward.

He walked over, the squad captain loomed above him, a tall man built like a wall. “So young, yet so brave.”

“Brave?” Adrian shook his head. “More like I wasn’t thinking.”

“Hah! If you aren’t crazy, this world will drive you crazy,” a girl’s voice cut in. Adrian glanced, it was the same dagger-wielding fighter who had reported to her captain earlier. She gave him a crooked smile.

“What’s your faith, child?” one of the church squad leaders suddenly interjected, stepping forward, silver embroidery gleaming on his robe.

Adrian froze. His mother’s faith surfaced in his mind, devotion to the Moon Goddess, Lady Evernight. “…Evernight Goddess.”

A thin smile flickered across the leader’s lips. “Praise the Lady,” he murmured, clutching a moon-shaped pendant. Without another word, he turned, the rest of his unit following him.

“Bastards,” the dagger-girl spat.

“Leave them be.” The Special Squad captain sighed. Then he looked back at Adrian. “Nice meeting you, kid. But listen, don’t throw yourself into battles like that again. Being reckless will get you killed.”

Adrian’s face said it all: You don’t have to tell me twice.

The captain smirked. “Who knows? We might work together someday. Just don’t be the suicidal one on the team, eh? Hahaha.”

With that, he and the girl turned to join the police chief.

Adrian returned to his father.

“You should head home now,” Jorden said, voice firmer. “Tell your mother I’ll be back before evening. We’ve got to clear the field and burn the bodies. If not…” His eyes hardened. “We’ll have walking corpses in the streets.”

Adrian nodded, then rubbed his head awkwardly. “Uh… I think I dropped the money you gave me earlier.”

Jorden gave him a look that screamed, Seriously? He was about to reach into his pocket when the Chief of Police waddled over, his large belly straining against his uniform.

“Officer Jorden,” the chief said with a grin, “your son’s something else.”

“Yes, sir… Seems like he awakened just in time to save me.” Jorden let out a half-laugh, half-sigh.

The chief’s smile faded. “You men will stay with the Special Squads. Secure the area. Clear the monsters. Collect our fallen.” His gaze swept across the battlefield, heavy with loss.

“Yes, sir.”

Turning back to Adrian, the chief added, “I’ll head back to the station. Want me to take your boy along?”

An officer led over a horse to give to the Chief .

“Climb on, kid.”

Adrian swung up, sitting stiffly behind the chief.

“You know how to ride?” the chief asked.

“No, sir.”

“You should learn. Hold tight.” With a kick, the horse shot forward, galloping toward Zion Street.

The wind whipped past them. After a moment, the chief asked, “Did you take a carriage to get here so fast… or did you run?”

Adrian stayed silent.

The chief gave a low chuckle. “I see. You must’ve unlocked something… rare.”

Adrian didn’t reply. Small talk with adults was never his thing, he respected them and did greet them, but anything more always felt… uncomfortable.

Before long, they reached MoonBrook Station. Adrian slid off the horse.

“Good luck, kid.” The chief gave him a final look. “The coming days will keep you busy. Choose your path wisely.” With that, he strode inside.

Adrian exhaled. You don’t have to tell me twice. His peaceful days were gone.

Not long after, he caught a carriage heading toward home. The streets were crowded with police patrols.

Inside, passengers murmured.

“The police told us monsters were breaking through the gates earlier.”

“Then suddenly, they said it was safe again,” another added.

“Maybe the Church squads handled it.”

Adrian frowned. “If that’s true that they warn the townsfolk about an evacuation, Shouldn’t the streets still be in panic right now?”, he looked out the window and saw how people were going about their day as if nothing major happened.

One man shrugged. “We’re used to it. Besides, if we leave, what’s the guarantee we survive? Better the devil you know than starving as a refugee.”

“Hmph. Only the churches and gods can protect us. Praise the True Creator!” a woman declared, clasping her hands.

Adrian and another passenger exchanged a glance, the same thought running through their minds…

‘Blind believers…’