Tale of the Darkbeast

"And that's when everything really ended." Morgain finished telling another story, taking in all the stares from the many wide eyed children. Morgain loved Harvestmoon, he got to tell his life experiences to others, in hopes they wouldn't do the same stupid things he did as a kid. He eyed his son, Crudian, sitting in the front, somewhat eagerly awaiting his next story. He was separated from the kids by a large rock ditch, it was a fire pit. The loose flames licked the walls of the ditch and occasionally the embers would flick out of the crack, so the children were situated a few feet back from the fire pit.

"Tell us another story Mr. Morgain!" One child yelled, Morgain chuckled, "Alright, let's see..." he thought for a few minutes. While deep in thought, some more children joined the group, but didn't sit on the ground yet.

"I think I've heard every good story already." He said, Morgain looked up from at him, "What would you like to hear then, Elio Hectivan?" He asked. Silence. Elio looked back at him, "What you got?" Elio responded. Morgain snorted, "Alright." He said. Morgain thought for a moment, then looked back at the kids and Elio.

"Have you heard the Tale of the Darkbeast?" He called out, the kids looked at each other, shaking their heads collectively. Morgain chuckled, "Let's start then. A few years ago, when Allehex was still Master, the Nighthorrors attacked our settlement." Morgain started, he glanced at Elio, who wasn't standing anymore. Morgain stood up and continued his story, "We all know what happened to Allehex, he was killed by a Nighthorrors. But, not just any Nighthorror." He paused for effect. "He was killed by the Darkbeast. A creature that looks like us and a Nighthorror." He said, the fire fumed into the night sky. There was a collective gasp of shock threw the crowd, Morgain caught his friend Ampherios in his peripheral vision and a smile unfolded across his face. "The Darkbeast is a creature that no one has seen in years, but it is dangerous beyond belief. It can camouflage like a Nighthorror, has white fur and can even understand their unholy screaming." He continued, Ampherios had moved closer, he knew what story his friend was telling and decided to join in the fun. "But, it can also walk amongst us, without us even knowing. However, we have been able to use its abilities to our advantage. The ability to hear the Nighthorrors coming have been beneficial to our settlement." He spoke, "How is the Darkbeast alive?" His son asked. Morgain looked at him, "I must've missed that, but I'll explain. Nighthorrors don't breed, they convert our species into them by biting us on our forearms." He explained.

"The Darkbeast exists because of this, there is a loophole ot their bite. If they don't bite us on our forearms, we don't fully convert. We become half breeds." Morgain kept on, his green eyes flickered between all the engaged faces of the children. He smirked, "The beast hasn't been see for years after the attack, but I can assure you, it was there." "How do you know?" Morgain was cut off before he could continue, he chuckled, "Because I saw it kill Allehex." He responded coldly. Silence fell over the crowd again, "I have a feeling that the Darkbeast will return, but don't ask me when. I have no idea, it could be at anytime." The flames burned in his green eyes, he noticed that the kids where fixated on something else. He gave them a confused look, his son pointed behind him. Morgain turned around and two bright green eyes looked back. Morgan's eyes widened, the creature bursted out of the woods, spooking the kids. The kids started screaming and trying to run, only to stop when they heard laughing. The creature in the woods was Ampherios. He and Morgain where dying laughing, "Thank you Ampherios, I think they'll remember that one." Morgain joyfully told him. The flames lit up Ampherios' white fur, "Well I think your fearfull expression is what really sold it." His friend complemented.

"Dad! That really scared us!" Crudian complained, Morgain giggled a little and bent down to his son. "Oh Crudian, it's ok, it was only Master Ampherios." Morgain told him, messing up his neat white hair. Crudian gave his dad a angered look, "Oh don't give me that look, I tell this story every year." He told his son. "Yeah, don't take it too personally Crudian, but I rather like the fearful screaming that I cause every year. It's fun to spook the children." Ampherios admitted, they shared a laugh and Morgain sent Crudian off to play. Ampherios was in front of the fire pit, "Thank you Ampherios, I really needed the help." Morgain thanked him. "It was nothing. Afterall, why wouldn't I participate in a story that's about me." Ampherios responded, "Right, right, I know that. You always help me. Which I'm grateful for." Morgain pointed out. "Well, I know that. How else would the story be good?" Ampherios joked, Morgain gave him a shocked look and then hit him in the shoulder. Ampherios laughed, "Well, I think we should go enjoy the festivities. What do you think?" He asked. Morgain jumped off the story rock and looked back at him, "Only if your buying." He responded. Ampherios jumped to his side and laughed, "I deserve that, let me just put my shirt back on real quick." Ampherios walked behind the rock and retrieved his shirt. Morgain waited for his friend and once he cam back, they went to enjoy the festivities of Harvestmoon.