Disturbance in the night

Ryan was woken one night by the feeling of being shaken and the sound of someone calling his name. He opened his eyes and looked up to see Neil standing over him. "Neil, what are you doing here?" Ryan asked as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. "And how did you get in?"

"You gave me the spare key, remember?" Neil's usually calm voice sounded urgent. "Ryan, listen, this is serious. The village is under attack. We need to get out there quickly."

"Attack?!" Ryan sat up. "Who could be attacking us at this time?"

"Demons, that's who. Now hurry! Get dressed and get outside!" Neil ordered, rushing out of the cottage, not even pausing to check if Ryan obeyed him.

Ryan dressed quickly and hurried outside. The sight that met his eyes was like that of a nightmare. All around him, demons were invading the small rural community, destroying houses and tussling with villagers who were pouring into the town square to join in the fray. Many dead bodies lay on the ground, their blood staining the earth beneath them. The demons were unlike any other creatures Ryan had seen before: tall, hulking individuals with eyes of flame and dark red skin, their claws razor sharp and their teeth bared as they snarled and rampaged their way through the village.

Instantly, Ryan rushed to help the villagers in their crusade against the demons. They fought for their lives but the demons easily had the upper hand. Then, from somewhere in the distance, they caught sight of the leader, Caorthannach herself. This demon was a whole head taller than her followers and her skin was burnt black. For a moment, everyone was shocked to see this creature once thought to be gone now ransacking their town but they soon forgot their surprise when she launched into the sky on two huge wings and spat fire onto the houses below, causing them to burst into flames.

"Retreat!" the town's mayor called out. "They are too strong! Everyone, retreat I say!"

Habitually obedient to their mayor, the villagers turned on their heels and fled for their lives. Neil searched hard for Ryan and eventually caught sight of his friend battling with one of the demons. At once, Neil rushed to free Ryan from the demon's grasp and pulled him away from the scene. Ryan struggled against him furiously, yelling every profanity under the sun."No! We can't let them get the better of us!"

"There's nothing we can do" Neil told him. "You've seen the damage they've done! We can't possibly compete with that! Come on now, let's get out of here while we still can!"

Ryan continued to curse but followed his friend obediently away from the village. He might have been a strong-willed man but he knew when he was beaten.

In the neighbouring county of Derry, as the night sky slowly submerged into daylight, a young man named Keith bustled around outside his house, brushing his hair out of his blue-green eyes impatiently as he helped his father to saddle his horse. All around them, their neighbours were frantically packing their belongings and fleeing from their homes. In the early hours of the morning, they had received word that the towns in the adjoining counties were being raided and that the attackers would most likely becoming here next and everyone was anxious to evacuate. Keith lifted his eyes towards the cottage as his younger brother, a lad of eighteen named Damian with dark hair and eyes to match the colour of his own, came sprinting out of the house towards them, carrying a small sack containing his belongings.

Keith scowled when he saw the boy. "Well, it's about time!"

"I'm sorry!" Damian apologised."It's just, I was in such a rush that wasn't paying attention and…"

"That's no excuse!" Keith interrupted. "Do you realise that every second counts here?"

"Oh, for goodness' sake, will you give it a rest?!" their father snapped, frowning at his older son. Did Keith seriously want to go off on one at his brother when their safety was at stake? The older man sighed in frustration and continued in a rushed but gentler tone "Now, Keith, listen to me. You are to go straight to Dublin and spread the word on what is going on. Is that understood?"

Keith nodded. "Yes, Father."

He had barely spoken when they heard a scream, followed by the shout of "DEMONS!" All three men turned towards the hills bordering the land. An army of huge, hellish creatures were charging towards them. They looked like they meant business.

"They're coming!" their father cried. "Hurry, go!"

The two younger men quickly leapt on the horse. Keith, who was riding at the front, gave the animal's sides a sharp nudge with his heels and snapped the reigns. At once, the horse galloped away. Damian looked over his shoulder to see his father still standing there, watching them leave. "Goodbye, Father" Damian whispered, knowing his voice would never be heard.