Several disappearances and unexplained events have been registered shorty after the commercialization of an ancient statue linked to some legends from a mysterious place called "Reich der Finsternis" in eastern Germany, there is no know route leadin...
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The garden
Amidst the constant sound of gunfire, hellish screams of pain, and immense confusion, Chris was guiding Liz towards a destination unknown to her. The effects of the tear gas were still lingering—she was coughing, her vision blurred, and her eyes unbearably itchy. The acrid smell of gas permeated the air, and each breath felt like torture, burning her lungs. But the distorted voices of the fearsome cemetery creatures were gradually fading into the distance. In the chaos, she could make out a determined shout from Bernard, firing his weapon.
Tears continued streaming down her face, and her coughing was relentless, but soon enough, her senses began to return. Through a still-distorted haze that slowly sharpened, she made out her two companions. Chris and Bernard had removed their gas masks, realizing they were finally safe. The stench of the gas faded, leaving behind a thick, heavy air, but at least now it was breathable.
The first face she could focus on was Bernard's. Liz couldn't hold back her happiness—after what felt like death looming over her, seeing him alive filled her with relief. Without thinking, she rushed toward him, throwing her arms around him despite her still-lingering symptoms. The warmth of his body and the racing beat of his heart were incredibly comforting. Then, she embraced Chris, who was growing more familiar and dependable with each passing moment. The strength of the German officer pressing against her back, coupled with the warmth and fleeting sense of peace, made it all worth it. Letting go, she smiled at him with a look of calm.
"You really had us worried," Chris remarked, his eyes soft with concern, though soon replaced by a playful smirk. "Guess it's asking too much to keep you out of trouble, huh?"
"Seems that way," Liz replied, managing a reassuring smile.
"The important thing is you're safe now, at least for the moment," Bernard added, his expression lightened but still showing traces of worry. "But they'll be looking for us soon."
Bernard's words held truth, though Chris seemed to keep his calm.
"Relax," the German officer sighed, his tone confident. "We're safe here for now. Besides, there are things we need to discuss."
"What do you mean?" Bernard asked, sounding apprehensive, clearly uneasy about staying in the cemetery any longer than necessary.
"We'd be in more danger if we tried to make a run for the woods at night," Chris explained, his voice steady. "Like I told you back at camp, most of the beasts in the Reich der Finsternis only come out after sunset."
Chris' reasoning didn't quite sit well with Liz, who still remembered her encounters with the villagers during the day. They were just as vicious in broad daylight. Before she could voice her concerns, the officer seemed to sense her thoughts.
"Strangely enough, during the day, all we've seen are those who appear in human or animal form—the villagers," he began counting off on his fingers, "the wolves, the executioner, the hunters. But why they don't come at night, we still don't know."
