In the flickering candlelight, I cowered in the darkest corner of my small, humble home. My heart pounded like a drum, its beat echoing through the room as my trembling hands clutched the tattered shawl around me. The night was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant hoot of an owl.
It had been a day like any other in Ruina, but as the sun dipped below the horizon, an unsettling feeling had crept upon me. I had heard the whispers, the stories passed down from our ancestors about King Vlad the Impaler, the immortal ruler who still walked among us. Those tales had always seemed like mere folklore until this night.
As I peered through the cracks of my window shutters, a chilling sight had frozen me in place—a figure draped in cloak, with eyes that glowed with an unholy fire. It was Vlad himself, prowling the streets in the cover of darkness, searching for something—or someone.
My breath hitched in my throat as his penetrating gaze seemed to pierce through the walls, straight into my trembling soul. Panic seized me, and I in fear had slammed the shutters closed, praying to the lord above he hadn't sensed my presence.
Now, in the confines of my home, I could hear the faint echoes of his footsteps outside, each one drawing closer, as if he was toying with me. I dared not make a sound, fearing that the slightest noise would betray my hiding place.
The night seemed to stretch on endlessly, and the darkness outside was impenetrable. My mind raced with questions—why was Vlad wandering the streets tonight? What sinister purpose brought him out from the depths of his foreboding castle?
My thoughts were interrupted by a faint creaking sound, and I hugged myself tighter. The door to my home was old and worn, and the noise could have been caused by the wind, or perhaps something more sinister—something that should not be named.
As I waited in fearful silence, my mind conjured vivid images of the horrors Vlad had inflicted upon those who had dared to cross him.
In the days of old, our town of Ruina faced an imminent threat from the neighboring kingdom of Conbani. It was Vlad, a gallant and charismatic leader, who emerged as our champion. With his unparalleled strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication to our people, he led Ruina's forces into battle, driving back the invading armies of Conbani.
The victory was celebrated with jubilation. Vlad was hailed as a savior, a protector of Ruina. The townspeople adored him, and he ruled with fairness and compassion, earning the loyalty and admiration of his subjects.
But victory can be a double-edged sword. The horrors of war had left their mark on Vlad's soul, and the scars of the battlefield weighed heavily upon him. Unseen by the townspeople, the darkness within him began to grow.
In the aftermath of the war, Vlad's heart became consumed by a thirst for power. He reveled in the praise and admiration of his people, and the more they adored him, the more he craved their adulation. The hero of Ruina had tasted the nectar of victory, and it intoxicated him with a desire for more.
As the years passed, the change in Vlad became evident. He became distant, brooding in the solitude of his castle. His once benevolent gaze now held a sinister glint. Rumors began to circulate among the townspeople that Vlad had become obsessed with the idea of eternal life and immortality.
As Vlad's thirst for power grew, so did his cruelty. He began to exact brutal punishments on those who dared to oppose him or speak out against his rule. The dungeons that were once reserved for enemies of Ruina now housed those who questioned Vlad's authority, as well as innocent individuals accused of crimes they did not commit.
The townspeople lived in fear, their beloved hero now a despotic ruler, feared and dreaded by all. The darkness that had taken root within him had transformed him into a figure of nightmares, a shadow lurking in the corners of their lives.
The legends of Vlad's atrocities spread beyond the borders of Ruina, and neighboring kingdoms began to view him as a menace to be stopped. No longer a hero, Vlad was now a figure of malevolence, a twisted echo of the noble man he once was.
The rumors about Vlad, our once-heroic king, had taken a sinister turn. Some claimed he was no longer human, that he had become a creature of darkness—a monster haunting the night.
Yet, I refused to let fear take hold of my heart. I remembered the days when Vlad had stood valiantly, defending our town from the invaders. The sight of his brave men charging forward, inspired by their leader's unwavering determination, was etched in my memory.
Those who spread these rumors must be plagued by paranoia, I reassured myself. The traumas of war and the burden of ruling could change a person, but transforming into a monstrous creature was beyond reason.
The thought of Vlad being a monster seemed preposterous, a story conjured by restless minds seeking explanations for the darkness that now lingered within our king. His eyes might have lost their once warm glint, but that did not make him a monster.
As the rumors swirled in the night, I clung to the memories of Vlad's past deeds—the way he had cared for our people and shown compassion in difficult times. Those were the actions of a human heart, not a monstrous one.
…Surely, he wasn’t out to harm his people? Those who he had protected from war.
And as my mind wandered through the ridiculous rumors my heart sank when i saw that fiery gaze coming right from my window starring me directly in my eyes.
I shrieked as the glass shattered landing upon the floor as he entered.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Gather 'round, adventurers, and lend your ears to Radford's tale of the once-thriving town of Ruina, now dubbed the haunted town.
In days of yore, Ruina was alive with joy and laughter. The townspeople reveled in my tavern, sharing tales of bravery and raising their spirits high. But alas, those vibrant days are but distant memories now. A mysterious plague struck Ruina, claiming the lives of its inhabitants, leaving the town eerily deserted.
The once-bustling streets are now hushed and abandoned, the homes empty and somber. No human soul lingers, only the lingering echoes of what once was. They say entering Ruina after nightfall is unwise, as wild animals now roam freely, claiming the town as their own.”
As the sun sets, the tavern's warm hearth becomes a refuge for shadows and whispers. Rumors speak of restless spirits wandering the empty lanes.
Many adventurers have sought to unravel the secrets hidden in the ruins of Ruina, hoping for answers or perhaps a treasure to be found. Yet, those who venture forth return with wide-eyed tales of terror, forever marked by what they've seen.
“So, dear adventurers, if you find yourselves curious enough to brave the darkness, heed my words: tread with caution, and keep a guiding light to pierce through the shadows. For the ghosts of Ruina may still wander, seeking peace or retribution from the living.”
As Radford tells this tale, I warn you not to dismiss it lightly. Though tinged with mystery, Ruina's haunting is not without its dangers. Nature itself has taken hold, embracing the abandoned town with untamed wilderness.
“Take heed, my friends, and contemplate before setting forth to Ruina after sundown. The haunted town holds more than meets the eye, and not all who venture within escape unscathed.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the sun began its descent beyond the horizon, casting long shadows upon the deserted streets of Ruina, the party of four adventurers continued their mischievous antics. Pocketing trinkets they deemed valuable and chuckling at the eerie atmosphere, they paid little heed to the warnings they had heard from Radford's tale.
As the darkness deepened and the stars emerged, a hush fell upon the group. The air around them felt heavy with an inexplicable sense of foreboding. One of the adventurers, with a nervous laugh, suggested they press on, eager to explore the haunted town under the cover of night.
They wandered through the empty houses, curiosity guiding their steps. The creaking floorboards and distant howls of animals echoed through the silence, giving the once lively town a haunting aura. Still, they laughed and teased one another, the eerie atmosphere doing little to dampen their spirits.
As they stumbled upon an ancient, overgrown garden, they couldn't resist the temptation to play a game of hide-and-seek among the statues that seemed to come alive in the moonlight. They laughed, calling out to one another, their playful echoes bouncing through the abandoned town.
Yet, as the night wore on, the laughter began to wane, replaced by a growing sense of unease. The shadows seemed to dance in the corners of their vision, playing tricks on their minds. The party's demeanor shifted from lightheartedness to cautiousness, but still, they pressed forward, hoping to unravel the mysteries of Ruina.
Their bravado, once unyielding, started to waver as the tales of restless spirits returned to haunt them. Each creak of a floorboard, each rustle of the wind, seemed to carry whispers of the town's tragic past.
The adventurers exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that perhaps they had underestimated the true gravity of the haunted town.
As the moon reached its zenith, casting an eerie glow upon the decrepit castle at the heart of Ruina, the adventurers stood at its imposing entrance. Most of them were hesitant, their
earlier bravado giving way to anxiety. The tales of restless spirits and haunting echoes had taken root in their minds.
Amidst the hesitancy, their leader, a daring and bold Lady named Meli, stepped forward with a mischievous grin. "Come on, my friends," she called, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and bravado. "The spoils of this castle will make us the envy of all adventurers!"
Still, the group hesitated, exchanging wary glances. "Meli, are you sure about this?" one of them asked, eyes darting nervously to the shadowy entrance.
Meli chuckled, attempting to ease their fears. "Trust me, the tales are just stories to keep people away. Besides, where's the fun in being an adventurer if we let silly rumors scare us?"
Reluctantly, the others followed their leader inside, their footsteps echoing in the darkness. The castle's interior was a maze of crumbling walls and cobwebbed corridors. The eerie silence was broken only by the sound of their hearts pounding in their chests.
The further they ventured, the heavier the atmosphere became. The weight of the forgotten past pressed down on their shoulders. Each creak and groan of the old castle seemed to whisper of its once-grand existence.
Yet, they pressed on, undeterred. She chuckled nervously, attempting to mask his own anxiety with bravado. "Look at this place!" Leo exclaimed, waving his torch to illuminate the decaying tapestries and forgotten treasures. "Who would have thought such riches were hidden here?"
Some of the adventurers mustered nervous laughs, playing along with their friends show of confidence. Still, unease lingered, and they couldn't shake the feeling of being watched by unseen eyes.
As they roamed the dimly lit halls, the party suddenly paused, their eyes widening with excitement. "Look, there it is!" Tony whisperd, pointing at a locked chest at the end of a long corridor. "That's what we came for!"
But as he reached for the chest, the sound of a low, mournful moan echoed through the castle. The group froze, their eyes widening in fear.
"N-now, I'm sure that was just the wind," Meli stammered, her bravado faltering.
But before they could react, a chilling gust of wind extinguished their torches, plunging them into darkness. Panic gripped the adventurers, their breaths quickening.
"We should go! This was a bad idea!" Leo cried out.
Yet, Meli's voice broke through the darkness, determined. "No, we can't leave empty-handed now. We've come this far!"
Meli relit his torch, the flame flickering as she led the group onward. Her companions, though afraid, couldn't let their leader face the unknown alone. They gathered their courage and followed, huddled closely together as they searched for the chest.
As the adventurers drew closer to what they believed was the coveted treasure chest, they suddenly froze in their tracks, their torchlight revealing an unsettling sight—a wooden coffin adorned with ancient engravings and symbols.
Meli, trying to maintain his composure, let out a nervous laugh. "Well, well, it seems we've stumbled upon something even more intriguing than we anticipated," she said, her voice cracking ever so slightly.
But before she could say another word, the self-proclaimed scaredy-cat of the group, Tony, let out a blood-curdling scream. "No! I wanna go home!!!! This is insane! I don't want to do this anymore!!!" he shouted, his voice trembling with fear.
His reaction sent a ripple of unease through the rest of the group. The bravado that had once filled their hearts now waned, replaced by a nagging sense of dread. The torchlight seemed to flicker even more in response to the mounting tension.
Meli stepped forward, attempting to console Tony. "Easy there, buddy. It's probably just an old coffin left behind as a macabre decoration," she said, trying to sound reassuring despite the uncertainty gnawing at her too.
But Tony wasn't easily swayed. His eyes darted nervously from the coffin to the darkness surrounding them. "You don't get it! This place is haunted, and we're messing with things we shouldn't!" he exclaimed, his voice quivering with fear.
The other adventurers exchanged uneasy glances, silently admitting that Tony might be right. The atmosphere had shifted from a daring adventure to a terrifying ordeal, and none of them felt quite as brave as they had at the beginning of their escapade.
Meli sighed, realizing that their venture had taken a turn for the worse. "Alright, Tim, you're right. We've had our fun, but it's time to call it quits. Let's get out of here and head back to our camp," she said, her voice now tinged with a mix of relief and apprehension.
The group turned on their heels, hastening their retreat from the haunted castle.
The adventurers froze in their tracks as they came face to face with a mysterious figure standing in the hall, blocking their only way out of the castle. The torchlight flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls, making the encounter even more unsettling.
The figure remained still, cloaked in darkness, their features obscured. A sense of unease washed over the party as they exchanged uncertain glances.
"Holy shit, another person?" Meli finally managed to blurt out, her voice a mixture of surprise and relief. "Hey, can we help you?"
The figure didn't respond immediately, but their silence spoke volumes. The air seemed to grow colder, and an aura of otherworldly energy surrounded them.
Feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest, Tony, the scaredy-cat of the group, took a step back, wanting to put as much distance between them and the mysterious stranger as possible.
Meli stepped forward, trying to break the tension. "We didn't mean to intrude. We were just exploring, you know, adventurers and all that. We didn't mean any harm," she said, her voice wavering ever so slightly.
With a burst of supernatural speed, the figure lunged at Meli, its movements twisted and unnatural. Meli's instincts kicked in, and she managed to raise her arms in a futile attempt to defend himself, but it was too late. The entity's teeth closed around her throat with an icy chill, cutting off her breath and forcing her to her knees.
The other adventurers cried out in horror, their voices a chorus of fear and desperation as they watched their friend shrivle up and drain off life
And then, in a blink of an eye, the light faded from her eyes, and her body went limp in the entity's grasp.
Meli's lifeless form fell to the ground.
BIG THANKS TO
@toxic-bunnni for volunteering Meli as a victim!
@bunnyfarmz (twitter) for volunteering Tony as a victim!
@_LeodoForro_ (twitter) for being a suprise victim XD you wanted to get eaten here ya go!
