Chapter 7 The Faceless

• In the Garth forest, numerous wooden cabins dot the terrain, serving as homes for most of the Garth pack werewolves, while individuals like Renny, Manda, and Cole opt for tree houses.
• At the edge of the forest, Alpha Sandro's castle looms large. The castle has a watchtower that offers a birds-eye view of the forested area. There are numerous rooms within the castle, but only twenty-seven werewolves reside, chosen by Sandro for their loyalty and bravery. The whole pack's size fluctuates between one hundred and twenty to a hundred and fifty members.
• Following their evening run to the Pluvoria River, Beta Godfrey and his mate Kimsi stroll back to the castle, hand in hand, conversing and laughing. They look so happy together, and one can tell that their mating bond is strong. Abruptly, they halt, with Kimsi's grip tightening on Godfrey's hand.
• "Did you hear something?" Kimsi inquires, prompting Godfrey to pause and listen, hearing a flapping sound.
• "What could be making that noise?" Godfrey questions with a frown while Kimsi shrugs in response.
• The source of the sound seems to be coming from above them, and as they glance upward, they see it, or at least one of them. Aware of the Faceless creatures' tendency not to hunt alone, they react swiftly.
• "Kimsi, run!" Godfrey commands as the creature descends nearby, its legs hovering just a little above the ground.
• The Faceless resembles a human but lacks facial features. It is enveloped in darkness, with wisps of shadowy fog trailing behind. It possesses large, white, bony claws instead of fingers, which it employs to eviscerate its prey.
• Godfrey's feet pound the earth as he flees in the opposite direction, leaving a trail of kicked-up dirt in his wake. Glancing over his shoulder, he observes the creature pursuing him, as he had hoped. Its elongated claws slash through the air, leaving deep gouges in the tree bark.
• As he navigates through the forest, the ominous flapping sound grows louder, signaling the relentless pursuit of the Faceless. His heart races as he pushes his body to its limits. He worries about inhaling the shadowy mist because he knows the consequences will be severe, but it isn't easy to hold his breath and run simultaneously.
• The Faceless advances towards Godfrey, its shadowy fog shrouding him completely, blurring his vision and making his eyes water. He senses its claws inching closer, then inhales the murky mist. Instantly, his breathing becomes labored, and his movements slow until he falls to one knee.
• Abruptly, the fog's actual effect starts to manifest. Godfrey loses touch with his surroundings, and his mind drifts to painful memories. Every pain he's ever known since birth resurfaces, each one reopening a raw emotional wound. The feeling overwhelms him, consuming his senses as he falls flat onto the dirt, writhing in agony that transcends the physical plain.
• Three more Faceless descend from the sky, encircling Godfrey. They pounce upon him, their claws tearing through his flesh and bone with ruthless efficiency.
• As the initial Faceless creatures finish Godfrey off, more appear in the forest, flying ominously. Renny, Manda, and Cole are easy targets as they are picked up from the tree house and dealt with mercilessly. The mists affect the werewolves, causing them to relive their past pains. Their voices and cries of agony fill the air.
• Alpha Sandro and Beatrice stand together atop the castle's watchtower, their faces twisted in horror as they witness the pack succumbing to the relentless assault. Sandro's grip on the railing tightens, his knuckles paling with tension.
• "Beatrice put up a protective barrier," Sandro's voice cuts urgently through the loud cries. "We must fortify the castle against the Faceless."
• "But if I do that now, our pack friends running towards the castle won't be able to get in," Beatrice says.
• "Do it anyway," Sandro insists coldly.
• Beatrice nods, her voice quivering as she responds, "I'll do my best, but I cannot guarantee how long it will hold. You should consider evacuating the castle with the rest of the pack."
• "And leave you behind? No!" Sandro says. "Let's hope the barrier holds long enough for the Faceless to go away."
• “I don't know Sandro,” Beatrice murmurs. “I've never faced this many before, but I'll give it my all.”
• With that, Beatrice hastens to conjure the protective barrier. The castle buzzes with frantic activities. Werewolves dart about in a panic. Outside the walls, some werewolves reach the castle gate ahead of the Faceless but their hopes shatter as they discover their path blocked by Beatrice's barrier.
• On the ground floor of the Castle, beneath the Watchtower covered in sparse grass, Kimsi squats, her cries echoing as she mourns the fading bond with Godfrey. Rebecca, her close friend, envelops her in a comforting embrace, offering solace.
• "I can't bear this pain," Kimsi whispers, tears streaming down her cheeks.
• "I know, but you've got to be strong," Rebecca says, wiping away Kimsi's tears with the back of their palm.
• "I just want it to end," Kimsi sobs harder.
• “It will, in due time,” Rebecca whispers softly.
• Rebecca's heart aches as they observes their pack members struggle to gain access into the castle but fail. Their gaze shifts to the watchtower, where Sandro and Beatrice stand unitedly wearing matching red robes. With a resolute nod, they release Kimsi from their embrace and rush to join Alpha Sandro and Beatrice.
• Collapsing to her knees, tears streaking her cheeks, Rebecca clings to Sandro's leg, imploring him to intervene and save the werewolves beyond the walls.
• "Alpha, please!" they plead, their voice cracking with desperation. "You must help them! They are our family!"
• Sandro's face hardens as he gazes down at Rebecca, his eyes devoid of compassion. Without a word, he forcefully dislodges them, sending them staggering backward to the ground.
• "Release me; they are beyond salvation," Sandro snarls.
• Rebecca reels back, their heart wounded. Disbelief and anger contort their features as they stare up at Sandro. Their gaze shifts from Sandro to Beatrice, then rises to witness the Faceless mercilessly tearing through those at the castle gate with razor-sharp claws. Anger ignites in their chest, fueling a reckless resolve.
• Without hesitation, they lunge towards Beatrice, a rash decision born out of fury. The world blurs as both topple over the edge of the watchtower, gravity claiming them in a chaotic descent. Sandro watches in horror as the barrier falls and the Faceless breach the castle, the consequences of Rebecca's impulsive act unfolding before his eyes.