Blood Moon: The Dark Academy

Episode Four: The Bloody Night

Olivia

The mangy beast's snarl erupted from its throat like a low rumble of thunder, sending vibrations through the air as its hulking form inched closer, muscles rippling with predatory grace. Viscous tendrils of black smoke curled around its frame, forming an ominous shroud, while its glowing red eyes bore into us with an intelligence that made my skin crawl.

A Hellhound. Foul and monstrous, it was a twisted abomination, resembling a Werewolf yet far more horrific, both predator and remnant of a forgotten humanity. The knowledge that it was once flesh and blood, a person like us, fueled my fear as Hector's harsh curse cut through the tension, his grip on my arm a frantic attempt to pull me back. Claire strained to hoist the paralyzed Luke off the ground, his hands pressed against his ears as if blocking out a sound only he could hear. My limbs were frozen by dread, but instinct kicked in, and I reached for my Weapon, only to be met with the stark realization that my sword—a lifeline meant to be at my side—was left abandoned in my dorm.

As my heart raced and my mind buzzed with frantic thoughts of escape, I knew the dorm was just behind us, a tantalizing option, but the Hellhound's relentless speed was a terrifying truth. With a ghastly howl that tore through the air like a banshee's wail, a sound that mixed the screech of nails on a chalkboard with a guttural, absolutely draining Human scream, the beast lowered its body, coiling like a spring ready to unleash chaos. The world froze for a fleeting heartbeat before the Hellhound surged forward, a blur of lethal intent. It barreled into Hector, its claws raking through flesh with vicious ease, carving a deep gash across his chest. The sickening squelch of meat being torn apart filled the air, and I was violently hurled aside, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs as I hit the ground hard.

Hector screamed in pain, struggling to keep the hellish creature at bay, fighting against its gnashing teeth aimed greedily at his throat. I scrambled to find something—anything—useful amid the chaos. My fingers closed around a loose brick, sharp-edged and heavy with potential. With desperation fueling my strength, I hurled it at the beast, but it soared past its head, exploding against the ground with a splintering crack. Panic surged as I brandished another brick, sending it crashing into the Hellhound's cranium with a sickening thunk. For a fleeting moment, the creature faltered, blinking in confusion as it shook its head, giving me just enough time to look around for anything to turn the tide.

Then it focused on me, its scarlet gaze igniting a primal terror within. The hellish grin split its maw, drool dripped from its jagged teeth as it staggered toward me, hungry with bloodlust. My heart raced, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

"Use your magic," a deep voice suddenly rang out in my brain, reverberating as if it were bouncing off of non-existent walls.

"Khxlynd'r." The name brought clarity as a swell of power surged around me. I suddenly recalled an ancient incantation I had only barely learned.

"Infernus ignis!" I shouted defiantly, my hand shooting up as the monster leapt through the air, its body a dark missile. Fiery tendrils spiraled from my fingers, igniting the space between us just as the Hellhound descended. Its flesh ignited in flames, illuminating its grotesque features in a hellish glow, only to crash into me with an unforgiving impact, knocking me brutally backward. The searing heat singed my skin, my uniform setting ablaze as we collided and rolled across the ground. I hit the grass with a sense of chaotic disarray, my head colliding with a sharp rock that immediately drew blood on impact. The beast staggered in front of me, shaking off the flames like a maddened wolf shedding water, dissipating the fire in a puff of thick, acrid smoke. It stood, unharmed, a haunting visage fixated on Hector and me, both of us sprawled and wounded on the ground.