All Hallows Covenant

Chapter 1: All Hallows Covenant

September 30th, 11:00 PM

The air was thick with tension, a palpable sense of dread sweeping across the countryside. Somewhere deep in the forest, hidden from the eyes of the ordinary world, the government's elite Paranormal Task Force had gathered at a preordained site, cloaked in shadows. Their mission: to stop what was about to happen at the stroke of midnight.

The moon hung high in the sky, a crescent blade casting pale light across the treetops. The Paranormal Task Force had set up camp, moving with precision as if preparing for war. George "Grey Wolf" Crook, a man whose demeanor was as rigid as the steel grip he held on his rifle, stood at the forefront of the operation. His face was locked in a stern mask, but his mind wandered, haunted by thoughts of his wife and the daughter. This cursed month coming in a mere hour had been the cause of that pain—the catalyst for the loss that still gnawed at the edges of his sanity.

Crook's orders were simple: eliminate the threat before it could bring another year of terror to the world. The world had endured 25 years of fear, 25 Octobers of unspeakable horrors. Not again. This time, Crook would ensure that the nightmare ended before it began.

Behind him, soldiers bustled about, setting up monitoring equipment, securing the perimeter, and nervously eyeing the dense forest, the supposed location where the entity would return. They had been following this trail for months, each clue leading them here. Every reading, every anomaly pointed to this forest as the place where it would reemerge. They were determined to intercept him this time, to finally put an end to his reign.

Crook's radio crackled to life. "Sir, all units in position. We have the area secure."

He acknowledged the report with a curt nod but said nothing. Deep down, he knew they could never truly prepare for what was coming. They were dealing with something ancient, something primal. But he wouldn't show fear. He couldn't.

At the same time, in the hidden depths beneath the earth, far away from the eyes of the world, another group prepared for the night with vastly different emotions.

The All Hallows Covenant, the devoted followers of the season of true fear and terror, were bustling with excitement and joy. The catacombs were alive with energy, filled with the eager anticipation of the King's return. Unlike the fearful preparations of the world above, the Hallowites were welcoming him home. The last day of September was always sacred, a time of both celebration and preparation.

Torches flickered along the stone walls, casting long, dancing shadows as the Hallowites moved through the Great Hall. Their voices echoed with excitement, whispering eagerly to one another about the imminent arrival of their leader. For 25 years, he had returned every October to lead them, to bring fear to the world in ways that honored the true meaning of Halloween.

In the center of it all stood the man called Jack. Tall, with shaggy black hair and a frame that seemed slight at first glance, but held a power and presence far greater than his appearance suggested. Jack was a living embodiment of Halloween's dual nature—he was both terror and compassion, a figure who could evoke fear but also fiercely protect those who loved the holiday as he did. His sharp, dark eyes scanned the hall as he walked among the Hallowites, his movements fluid, almost ghostly.

The Hallowites adored him. Over the past year, he had been their leader, guiding them through the long months of waiting. Jack's personality was at once creepy and shy, but there was no question of his strength. When he spoke, his voice held the kind of quiet intensity that commanded attention. It wasn't loud, but it had weight. The kind of weight that made people listen.

As he passed through the Great Hall, various Hallowites greeted him with smiles and nods of approval. They were an eclectic group, each with their own unique story and role in the Covenant.