They didn't come all at once.
They leaked.
Through broken windows. Through gaps in shattered stone. Through the air itself.
Raw. Torn. Human.
One soldier's fingers loosened.
His spear slipped free, struck the stone street, and clattered loudly—far too loud in the sudden stillness.
No one looked at him.
Another soldier stood with his sword half-raised, arm shaking so violently the blade rattled against his own armor. His teeth chattered. His eyes were wide and wet, fixed on the doorway like something might burst out at any second.
From the side—
Movement.
More figures stepped out of the smoke.
Not rushing.
Not hiding.
Just appearing.
The soldiers felt it before they fully saw them.
Their bodies began to tremble harder. Shoulders stiffened. Spines locked. A few took unconscious steps backward, boots scraping against stone.
Eyes widened further.
Horror settled in, heavy and suffocating.
Then—
From behind—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Many.
