Hilda and the Last Hope

The Last Hope

Gamera

We bestowed him the cradle of time

May he awaken for if Gyaos, the Shadow of Evil ever returns

~One of the last survivors

Since that very day that this all had happened. The life as I knew it was no more as we were presumably the only survivors of Trolberg. All including nearly everyone dear to me having been taken away by the evil that has since ravaged the world I once knew. Thankfully where there is life, there is hope, all thanks due to the arrival of him. Hopefully together, we can claim this world back and hopefully rebuilt and live the life I and many others have had once more before. Hopefully that day again comes.

~Hilda

Ten years ago

Somewhere in a very remote and isolated area where those barely ventured to. Two adventurers, a blonde-haired boy and a black-haired girl in their mid-twenties hiked through the mountainous rocky forest. Both enjoying the scenery and beauty of its wilderness and surroundings. The two close and great friends were very adventurous enjoying the wilderness and its nature and for the last few days decided to go camping to get around from everything back in their lives in the city they lived in.

For Rune and Carina, today was just like any other day and adventure in their lives.

"Aw man, Carina. Don't you just admire the beauty around us. Of all the places in the wilderness, we've been to. I've never seen anything like it." Rune said.

Carina nodded her head agreeing. "It's most definitely up there for sure. I can thank my cousin for telling me about this place, she definitely knows where the best places to explore are at."

Rune could still help but enjoy the surroundings he continued to admire. "You know when we return to the city. We should make preparations and plans to discuss with our folks, maybe even friends to all camp here together. I definitely think they would all enjoy this experience as we are."

"That's a good idea actually. We spend so much time with each other all the time, for the longest while, we really hadn't been spending much time with any of them or our sides of the family. This would most certainly make up for all of it."

Continuing to explore and hike, they soon came across a waterfall, thinking it'd make for a great picture for the both of them to take. So she took out her pulled out her camera. "Look at that waterfall over there, why don't we take a picture together over there."

Also looking at the waterfall, he couldn't agree anymore with her. "Sure."

Going over to the waterfall, Carina pressed the button to get their picture ready setting it up to take two pictures for each of them, having only five seconds, the two of them quickly rushed over and stood by the flowing fall of water. Once taking their picture twice. They went over to the came that had printed out the pictures. Both each taking one as they looked at them.

Rune sported a very proud smile on his face loving the picture that was taken for him and her. "This is definitely going into my memory book for sure. Can't wait until I show this to my future kids and maybe...Grandkids."

Carina laughed regarding what he had said. "That's if you ever get married that is of course."

He gave her an annoyed but otherwise amused glare. "What gives you that assumption I won't? I ain't handsome enough?"

"Never said you were but it's still a little too soon to plan that far ahead don't you think?" Carina said giving him a wink and a giggle.

Rune couldn't disagree there with what she said. "Heh, you got me right here. Come on we'll venture out a furthermore then get back to the campsite."

"Sounds like a plan." Carina spoke enthusiastically.

For the next twenty minutes, they continued on with their hike, currently, they were walking on a trail on a slight cliffside when Rune suddenly lost his footing and fell, he screamed as he tumbled down, Carina immediately noticed hearing him scream as she turned her head to see her friend tumble down and followed suit hoping he wouldn't be injured from the ordeal. Once reaching the bottom, Rune groaned in pain taking the time he needed to recover. Thankfully despite how brought the tumbling and fall was, thankfully he wasn't hurt, just a few scratches here and there. He heard Carina make her way over to him.

"Oh my god Rune! Are you ok!?" Carina said, concern in her voice hoping he hadn't severely injured himself.

Pulling himself back up, he brushed himself trying to get any dirt on his clothes off. "I'm fine, man, though did I not expect that. Really gotta watch my footing next time."

Carina let out a sigh of relief, thankful that her friend was ok. "Well, I think that's enough hiking for a while, we should get back to camp."

He nodded his head agreeing. "Good idea."

They were about to turn and make a move on when something had caught Rune's corner of his eye, what appeared to be nothing but bushes, noticed something behind them that they covered, some kind of opening that appeared to be a very cave, one that seemed untouched for so long. Given his adventurous and curious nature, it piqued his interest too much not to resist checking out.

"Huh? Hey Car. Look over there." Rune said pointing in the direction of the cave.

Getting her attention, she turned to look at her friend. "Yeah what?"

"Over there, that cave behind those thick bushes." Rune for a moment thought about it. They were heading back to camp but nothing was stopping them from deciding to quickly explore it. "You know...Now that we're here. Why don't we explore it a bit? Ain't like camp is waiting for us."

Carina expressed a look of nervousness and concern. "What if there are trolls living in there?"

Rune gave Carina a look of assurance. "If there were any living in that cave, I'm fairly certain they would have heard of tumbling down the cliffside. I think that's a clear sign there's no troll, and even then...Strangely enough, since we've been here, we hadn't seen any other magical creatures or normal ones for that matter. Haven't even heard any birds. Kinda strange don't you think?" He said thinking suspiciously.

"Yeah...Now that you say it. Strange..." Carina said.

"Well regardless, I'm going in, you can stay and wait here though if you like if you're too afraid."

With that Rune began to walk straight over to the cave. Carina immediately followed suit having decided. "Hey wait up for me!"

Once reaching the cave, they passed through the thick bushes and stood at the entrance of the cave. Carefully they entered, taking their time, though the entrance seemed to average size, inside the cave was different appearing to be bigger with a lot of space, the entrance having made them think such a place wouldn't have been this massive. This further exciting their curiosity more to explore it.

Rune couldn't believe the size of this cave. His eyes widen with a mix of surprise and amazement. "Whoa...Look at the size of this place."

"You're telling me. Never seen a cave anything like this." Carina agreed.

Taking out their flashlights from their backpacks. They turned them on and began to look all around the cave's surroundings. Stalagmites notably were everywhere both bottom and top that seemed to never end in the direction of the cave's path.

The two began venturing into the cave, as they looked around for the next few minutes, they could hear the drips of waterdrops falling as they explored. For the fun of it given she was ahead of him, Rune decided to play a little prank on his friend as he gave out a smirk.

Rune let out a mocking roar so loud, it made Carina jump as she let out a startled scream. Rune laughed at her reaction. She turned around to face him giving out an irritated aggregated look as she lightly hit him in the chest. "Argh! Don't do that! This ain't exactly the type of place to do something like that!"

He still snickered over the little shenanigan he pulled. "Oh come on Car, lighten up. Nothing even lives in this cave."

"Well...Just don't do that in dark places like this alright..."

Rune rolled his eyes, annoyed his friend couldn't have a good sense of fun. Suddenly, as he continued to look around with his flashlight, he saw what apparently appeared to be a clutch of large eggs. "Hey...Car, look at that. Are those...Eggs?"

Getting her attention, she looked in the direction he was beaming his flashlight. Taking a closer examination, he was right. Whatever those was, they certainly looked like eggs indeed.

"They...They are..."

"I wonder what they are. I have never seen anything like those before. No magical or normal creature I know of." He said as he decided to get closer check them out.

Carina grew worried as her friend went over to look at the eggs. "Uh...Rune, I don't think you should go near those. What if you were wrong and something is living in here. Whosever species eggs those are is probably a clear sign to get out of here."

Rune ignored his friend's protest. Taking a closer look at them, he couldn't help but be intrigued at the majesty of what he was seeing.

When suddenly. To his surprise, one of the eggs began to move and crack. It was as if these eggs had laid dormant here for eons waiting for something to show up. Startled, he backed away before turning to look at his friend, he didn't know what it was, but something about these eggs uneased him the moment one of them began to hatch. "Uh, I think that's our cue to leave. Let's go!"

Carina couldn't agree more and with that, they began to run. Behind them, they could hear whatever was hatching finally coming out of its egg hearing a terrifying low-pitched screech, nothing like that they had ever heard before, something about it...It sounded demonic, something that didn't feel natural.

As they continued to run trying to reach for the exit of the cave. They began to hear the other eggs hatching followed by more of those same shrieks. From the darkness, whatever had hatched could be heard coming towards them, the sound of what heard like wings flapping. Before Rune had knew it, whatever unknown creatures that hatched from the dark, one of them caught up as Rune felt it bite into his leg, immediately falling to the ground.

"CAR!"

Carina stopped at her feet and quickly spun only to watch her friend on the ground.

Rune held out his hand hoping his friend would grab it. "Car...Car help!" He shouted as he was pulled away back into the darkness before she had a chance to help him.

Realizing there was nothing else she could do, survival was the only thing on her mind at this point and so she continued to run. Hearing the sounds of munching and chewing from the darkness that appeared to be whatever creatures were feasting on his remains, she heeded no attention as the only thing on her mind was to escape this horror.

She ran and she ran getting closer to the cave's exit, suddenly a shadow swooped over her and landed in front of her. Her eyes widened with fear at the very sight of whatever her eyes were unfolding to her. The last thing heard from her outside the cave was her screaming so loud, it reverberated throughout the entire mountainous forest region which was soon followed by more of the demonic-like screeches.

Elsewhere deep beneath the ocean

A pair of large green emerald eyes opened. They had returned just as he suspected they would again one day. The Shadow of Evil was back. It was time after being in deep hibernation for so long that he would awaken to defend the world once more as he had back then with his allies whom he hoped were still around.

With great determination. He was ready to do battle once more.

One day later

It was a beautiful morning in the city of Trolberg, whose wall was made to keep dangers out most notably trolls. At a house, a blue-haired girl, her deerfox, elf friend and her two other friends were currently all spending time together. They were in the process of attempting to try out new spells presumably to help their friend in continuing to master and hone her witch skills. Both Frida and Hilda both placed a group of stones in a circle.

"Circle of seven stones complete." Hilda said as she slightly waved the stick in her hand above the stones.

Alfur quickly looked over in the book he was currently holding in his hands to see what the next step was turning his head to look at David and Frida. "Ok, place a small item in the center of the circle."

Frida looked at David who was eating a bag of Trolberg's known infamous brand of chips called Jorts. "David, hand me a jort." Frida asked him politely reaching her arm out and opening the palm of her hand so he could hand her one.

David expressed a face of disappointment. "There's only one left."

"May I point out that if the spell works, the jort will be invisible but not inedible" Alfur spoke to David.

His expression changing to a positive one, David immediately jumped out from his chair to place to jort in the middle of the circle of stones. "Ok then."

"Uh which version of the invisibility spell are we on Alfur?" Frida asked Alfur.

Alfur quickly hopped over to the list of stuff they had needed for their projects, ones on the list that were notably marked off with x's of ones they had already done. "Number seventy-nine, circle of rocks plus chard and hand waving."

Hilda had a look of confusion on her face as she looked at Alfur raising an eyebrow slightly raising the stick before jumping backward onto Frida's bed. "I don't get the point of this witch homework? Why do they make you sort through a bunch of fake invisibility spells when they could just be the real one and get on with it?"

Frida spoke to Hilda. "It's like Tildy said." While doing a few finger expressions pointing at the side of her head before shifting to pointing a finger up before wiggling them mimicking magic. "Magic is not ninety-nine percent focus and only one percent hocus pocus. The testing of my ability to figure out the correct version." She finished as she looked down at the list and rubbed both her hands together as she then placed a finger against her chin thinking.

Hilda held the stick up behind her rolling her eyes. "Which is really know how to suck all the fun out of my jig." Hilda sighed as Twig watched her plop the upper half of her body on Frida's bed.

Once Hilda had finished speaking. Frida shifted her mind and focus on the circle of stones they had just finished. "Maltas skip perit!" Frida shouted as she performed her magic, a single puff sparkling magic popping and then disappearing immediately. Once finished, Frida looked only to have a slight look of confusion as it seems didn't go as she had hoped.

Alfur with his hand planted on his face also looking at what appeared to be small shorts. Walking over a few inches, he took a closer look to examine the complete process before shifting his head to Frida.

"Well, it's not invisible." Frida said with a bewildered look with her eyebrow raised.

David gave out a face of amusement. "But they are pretty stylish." David said with a grin.

Hilda laughed. "Alfur, those look like they fit you."

Currently holding the pair of very small shorts, Alfur posed his body in a mockingly dramatic fashion. "Oh, Hilda, elves are by a strict dress code." Dropping the shorts back in the circle of stones, he cleaned his hands patting them.

Frida looked at the list of the things they had succeeded on so far as she briefly pondered. "We've eliminated seventy-nine spells."

"Only ninety-one more to go." Alfur said as he popped up over her shoulder.

Alfur checked over the list to see what they needed next for the project. "The next one calls for a chant and a smattering of dust from the old Trolberg castle ruins." turning his head as his face shifted to a face of disbelief knowing how far they were from Trolberg.

Frida turned her attention to the box of objects she had as she dug through it to see if they had any of the stuff that the list was asking for next. "Uh oh...I don't have any..." Frida said with a look of disappointment before turning to surprise as she heard Hilda hop off her bed, Twig immediately following suit.

"I'll go get it!" Hilda shouted joyfully to her friends.

"Aren't the castle ruins pretty far outside the wall?" David asked.

Opening the door, Hilda turned to look at David. "It's barely noon, I'll be back by tonight, no worries."

Hilda looked at her loyal and trustworthy deerfox as they left. "Come on, Twig!"

The scene soon shifted to Hilda outside of Trolberg as she climbed over a small hill, Twig following behind her, continuing on they came across a small ravine jumping over it with no effort before turning to pass a tree before finally reaching the old Trolberg castle ruins to get what they needed for her and her friends magic project. It had taken nearly all afternoon but they finally managed to reach their destination.

Keeping her balance, Hilda and Twig carefully crossed an old rocky bridge careful to not fall, barely she lost a bit of her balance as she lightly gasped before regaining it. "This is better than sitting around in Frida's room all day. Right boy!?" Hilda said turning to look at her beloved deerfox. Twig responded to her with a bark carrying a brush in his mouth.

Grabbing a small pouch from her bag, Hilda took the brush from Twig's mouth and brushed off some of the dust of the old ruins collecting as much as she felt was needed. "There that should do. We'll make a quick stop at home for dinner and then back to Frida's."

Just as they were about to get moving. Before they had even knew it, something large and massive up from above flew over them quickly, its shadow surrounding them for a few moments disappearing, it flew so fast, gusts of wind from it blew against Hilda and Twig. Both were caught off-guard and surprised by this as the deerfox yelped in fear.

Hilda tried to search for the source looking all around her but it was like as if it had just disappeared. "Whoa! W-What was that? Twig! Did you see that!?"

The deerfox's keen eyes spotted the source from afar, even though its form continued to fly away further and further into the horizon, something about this...Creature disturbed Twig as he began to whimper and shake.

Hilda began to notice Twig's sudden change in behavior. "What's the matter boy? Did what happened really spook you? Whatever it was, it's most likely gone from this area now. I don't see it anywhere anymore."

She still saw how worried and nervous Twig looked his eyes never keeping off the horizon he saw the flying creature disappear off to. "Twig, it's no longer around here, you can quit worrying. Come on, let's get going. It'll be the sunset by the time we get back."

Following Hilda's cue, Twig followed her as they began to leave. Nervously still looking over his shoulder still keeping an eye out in case of whatever they saw would at some chance appear again. Suddenly out of the blue and nowhere, a terrifying bird-like screech was heard, so loud that it came from miles away. This immediately caught Hilda's attention as she turned her head to hear which direction the screech had come from.

Spooked at the sudden screech, Twig yelped as he ran and caught up to Hilda going behind her legs shaking, whimpering in fear. Hilda had to honestly admit, this sounded like nothing she too never had heard before in her life, then again given the world she lived in, there were probably bound to be creatures she and Twig had yet to encounter. Still...Something about that screech even sent shivers down her spine despite all the dangers they've faced. Deciding on wanting to be there for her deerfox, Hilda leaned down to the deerfox's level and stroked his head to give him some assurance that everything would be ok.

"Twig you're gonna be fine, I'm here with you. I'll never let anything bad happen to you as you always have my back. Even if whatever it was that flew above us was hostile, it's not more dangerous than all the previous dangers we've faced. This is most certainly much no different. It's nowhere even close to us now." Hilda spoke trying her best to comfort Twig.

Despite her assurance to Twig, the deerfox heeded no attention to her words and continued to shake, eyes still in fear darting the direction the mysterious flying creature took he sensed and saw that she didn't.

"Whatever it was Twig, it's long gone now. Let's go." Hilda said.

As Hilda began to sprint, Twig followed suit still shaking and nervous. Still noticing his behavior and how unusually slow he was being despite the pace. Hilda rolled her eyes as she went over to him and picked Twig up. "I don't know what has gotten into you boy but I don't want you to keep us holding. Trust me Twig, you're going to be ok."

With that, Hilda made her move, her feet taking her as fast as they could heading back to the city of Trolberg. By the time they had gotten back, it was already sunset as they reached the city. Hilda's mum Johanna was currently in the living room of their apartment with their nisse friend Tontu alongside her as she was setting a board game she had bought not too long ago ready in hopes of having some bonding time with her daughter.

"There, all set." Johanna said.

Shifting her eyes to the TV, she saw the latest news. As of the last twenty-four hours, there apparently had reports of unidentified flying creatures all across the land that no one has supposedly heard of. Some had been debating this might have in fact been an entirely new species yet to be discovered, some researchers having keen interest into investigating this supposed new species notably how and why they're suddenly just popping up now. But what kept her wanting to stay up to date was the fact there were many unconfirmed attacks along with mysterious disappearances all across the land taking place in the case this was yet again another dangerous creature just like the trolls.

"Oh, Tontu, turn it up." Johanna said

Tontu holding the remote in his hand turned up the volume. "We've seen a significant increase of sightings what some animal biologists are saying could in fact be a newly-discovered species. Some eye-witnesses claim to have encountered some of these flying creatures, describing them as something rather bird-like but otherwise reptilian in appearance, in fact, some may believe they might be tied to many unconfirmed reported attacks and mysterious disappearances of people over the course of the last twenty-four hours. Mr. Ahlberg, do you certainly believe whatever these creatures could be they're tied to these disappearances?"

Sitting next to the News Reporter was the leader of Trolberg's Safety Patrol, Erik Ahlberg. "Oh absolutely, in fact, I fear and most certainly believe we're now dealing with a new enemy alongside the trolls." He said.

As Johanna and Tontu continued to listen to the news on TV until they heard the door open as Hilda and Twig entered the apartment. "Hi mum, I am so hungry. Let's eat." Hilda said walking to the kitchen table.

Hearing her mum speak. Hilda turned to look at her. "The pie is still in the oven but look at this new game I got. Let's play a round before we eat" Johanna said positively grabbing one of the dice.

Hilda walked up to her mum "I don't think I have time. I need to get to Frida's pretty quick."

"Didn't you just come back from Frida's? You said you'd be there all day." Johanna spoke with a confused and bewildered look.

Seeing her mum's sudden suspicion, Hilda gave a nervous look and tried to come up with an explanation. "Right but she asked me to come back tonight and sleepover". Hilda begged looking at her mum with a look of plea.

Johanna gave her daughter another look of suspicion as if she could see through her lie. "Not tonight, I got dinner planned and this game."

"Ugh, these rules are complicated." Tontu said as he looked over the rules for the game.

Starting to grow impatient and desperate, Hilda moved her eyes in an annoyed way. "We can play the game another time."

"And you can sleep over at Frida's another time." Johanna said.

"Mum you don't understand, I'm helping her with a project." Hilda tried to explain.

"What project?"

Hilda grew more annoyed coming up with yet again another excuse. "It's a homework thing..."

"I'm sure Frida is perfectly capable of doing her own homework. You're staying at home with me."

"Why!?" Hilda shouted at her mother with annoyance.

Johanna continued to try and enlighten the mood to get her daughter in a more positive mood "Because it'll be fun. Oh come on, am I really that bad company?" She said as she placed a hand on her daughter's face with a smile.

Hilda brushed her mum's hand away who was suddenly taken aback by her daughter forcing her away "No! You're just..." Hilda briefly looked down then looking at her mum with her arms out." You're just a mum!"

Johanna looked at her daughter in shock with a bit of hurt in her voice. "Hilda!"

"Why do I have to keep you company anyway. It's not my fault you sit around on your own all day and don't have anyone else to talk to" Hilda said looking straight at her mum in the eyes as she crossed her arms.

Johanna gasped at her daughter's sudden and unexpected rudeness and disrespect she had just said to her. Standing up with an upset look on her face, she pointed to Hilda's bedroom. "Hilda go to your room!"

Hilda let out a disgruntled growl at her mother clenching her teeth as they both stared at each other angrily briefly before the blue-haired girl proceeded to stomp away to her room. Johanna too upset at this point to play the board game threw the dice back onto the table as she walked off to the kitchen probably to check up on the pie. Twig watching sadly what came to fruition as he followed Hilda to her room.

Tontu just sat there in confusion and was disappointed they were probably not going to play the game now. "So we're not playing?"

Continuing to sit there, Tontu heeded no attention to the current news that was currently talking about what appeared to be sightings of a spinning saucer of gargantuan size having been seen all over the world.

It had been a few hours now around seven, the sun just beginning to start going down and Hilda was currently in her room with Twig as she looked outside her window. "Mum is being ridiculous. Honestly, sometimes I just wish we still lived back in the wilderness as we did a year ago, so wild and free, it's not fair...Though then again if never moved here to begin with, I never would have met the greatest friends I've known David and Frida. Don't you agree Twig?"

Noticing her deerfox didn't pay any attention to her, she looked over to him who didn't seem like his usual self, still seeming scared and nervous about what happened earlier at the castle ruins today.

"Twig?" Hilda asked him with concern.

Twig still not responding, her attention was interrupted when all of a sudden Tontu had appeared from one of his Nowhere Space openings. "Huh, knew I left it somewhere." He said looking at the mug on Hilda's table.

Seeing Tontu having appeared from the Nowhere Space gave Hilda an idea. Though she was somewhat concerned regarding her deerfox's behavior lately given how spooked he got back at the castle ruins regarding the large creature flying over them that she didn't see, she figured he'd get over it eventually. Right now though, there was an opportunity to go over to Frida's and at least give her the castle ruins dust they needed for their project.

"Tontu, take me to Frida's." Hilda asked.

"No."

She wouldn't give up that easily. "It'll take two seconds."

"Too risky, I don't wanna cross someone who makes pie as good and tasty as your mom's" Tontu said.

"Well what if I told mum she didn't lose her favorite bowl but that you broke it and hid the evidence in your hidey-hole"

"Fine..."

Outside on the streets of Trolberg, few people were still walking whether to go somewhere, go home after a long day after work or simply because they just wanted to go for a night walk. All of a sudden, everything turned dark as the light from the sunset shining down on the great city vanished right away which catching everyone's attention. Looking up at the sky, all their faces suddenly showed expressions of horror as swarms of evil both big and small began to rain down on the city.

Back in Hilda's bedroom. Tontu was about to take Hilda's request, when they suddenly began to hear commotion coming straight from outside. Loud inhuman screeches broke the silence as screams of horror followed. Twig yelped having remembered those same screeches from earlier that day and tried to scratch at the door to escape. Catching their attention, Hilda and Tontu went to look outside her window, if there was any expression Hilda could give what her eyes were unfolding to her, it was a mix of pure horror and shock.

"Wh-W-What's going on!? What are those!?" Hilda shouted.

"I-I don't know but I'm not here to find out!"

Outside Hilda's room, Johanna watched on through the window terror in her eyes as she saw the city being attacked by what appeared to be the very same bird-like creatures the news had been talking about the past twenty-four hours. Whatever was going on, she knew she had to go get her daughter immediately.

Just as both Hilda and Tontu jumped off her bed ready to leave her room, Twig still trying to get out, the door opened as Johanna entered in a panic. "Hilda!? Twig!? Tontu!?"

"Mum! We're right here! What's going on outside!? What are these creatures attacking the city!?" Hilda asked her mum.

Johanna looked at her daughter wishing she had the answer. "I don't know dear, there's no time to think about it though. We have to hide quickly."

Tontu thought of a good solution. "We can go into the Nowhere Space until this all blows ov-"

He was unable to finish his sentence when suddenly one of the creatures burst through Hilda's bedroom from the window and wall. Reacting immediately; Hilda, Johanna and Twig jumped straight out from her room, Tontu, however, was not so fortunate as he didn't react fast enough when the creature lunged snatching him up in its jaws. Recovering from the ordeal, Hilda, Johanna, and Twig looked on in horror when they watched the creature with Tontu's tail and one of his legs still sticking outside of its mouth before it proceeded to gulp him down into its gullet.

It was like nothing Hilda had ever seen before as she watched in pure terror. She didn't know what it was but something about this creature and the many others outside just haunted her sending shivers down her spine and her very soul for that matter. Those red soulless eyes...They seemed to have reeked of pure evil and malice. Standing before her, her mum and deerfox appeared to be a bird-like creature but that's where all the similarities ended. Rather than feathers, it was crimson brown in color and scaly like a reptile, with large leathery wings like a bat but otherwise legs and talons from a bird of prey. The top of its head sported an arrow-shaped crest, two rows of ridge-like spikes on its chest, and a short flat sail-like tail. It narrowed its slit reptilian eyes towards them as it opened its mouth, drool dribbling out as it bared its razor-sharp teeth.

Letting out a screech. The creature suddenly lunged toward them. Reacting immediately. Johanna quickly shut the door as she, her daughter and Twig ran. There was not much the door could do to hold it in as the winged creature broke through the door with ease. Looking around, it crawled like a bat sniffing the air trying to seek out the three of them before spotting the three of them right away turning its head. Hilda, Johanna and Twig just standing there with a look of fear in their eyes.

Screeching again, the creature charged.

"Hilda! Twig! Head to the door now!" Johanna shouted.

Following her mum's command, she and Twig followed her order as they ran straight for the door leading to the stairs, the flying creature pursuing them as it trashed their apartment in its path. Hilda couldn't believe it.

Hilda was at a loss for words regarding what was actually happening. What began like any other normal day in her life suddenly became a nightmare made real. She couldn't believe that Tontu was actually dead, devoured by that creature she never had even heard of or seen. As so many thoughts of horror ran through her mind, she began to wonder if one of those creatures was what flew above her and Twig at the castle ruins earlier that day and why Twig had been so scared and nervous as of late sensing its evil. She had no time to think about this though, the only thing on her mind was for her, mum, and Twig to escape and hopefully find safety until in some form help arrived or at least escaped from the city. Hopefully, the Safety Patrol would be more than enough to handle this severe threat that was taking place.

Reaching the door, the three of them got through just in time as the flying monster lunged once more snapping its jaws just mere inches from them. Tried as it might, it continued to snap its jaws trying to break through the entrance of their apartment pushing its body forward. For a moment, Hilda, her mum, and Twig watched on as it tried to break out before proceeding down the stairs to the main floor of the apartment.

Hilda looked at her mum with great concern in her eyes. "Mum what do we do now?"

Johanna thought for a few moments as they continued to hear the winged monster upstairs continuing to try and break out. "We can't take any chance of that thing up there breaking free, we're going to have to make a break for it outside."

"But mum! Did you see what's happening outside!? There's more than just one of these things! Why don't we try to hide somewhere on the main floor? Maybe it won't find us and it'll lose interest." Hilda said trying to come up with a better plan.

"I have, dear, yes. It's however a chance we can't risk, for all we know its senses might pick us up. It's all or nothing, a make-or-break for it." Johanna said.

With no other options on her mind. Hilda decided she'd follow her mum's decision and choice. "Ok, but...First, we should check up on Mr. Ostenfeld. Hopefully, he's not in his apartment room trapped."

Johanna had a look of confusion on her face wondering who this person her daughter was talking about.

"Who is this Mr. Ostenfeld?" She asked curiously.

Hilda had a nervous look on her face, saying this she knew that she'd have to tell her mum about her adventure regarding the Time Worm when she was supposed to be grounded at home for lying regarding the Kraken incident. "I'll explain later. It's a long story."

"Very well then. But we have to be quick."

Hilda led her mum the way with Twig following behind, they went to his apartment door and opened it. "Mr. Ostenf-"

She cut herself off when they caught the horrifying sight of another of the creatures, this one being smaller than the one they had escaped from, feasting upon what appeared to be Mr. Ostenfeld's corpse that had broken into his apartment at some point killing him. They watched as it was sinking its jaws through his stomach, ripping into it. Tearing out a huge chunk of flesh, it swallowed down with its blood-soaked maw. Suddenly, the trio's presence caught its attention as it turned its head to look straight at them, staring for a few moments, it screeched out, small strips of flesh stuck between its teeth.

Immediately, Hilda, Johanna, and Twig turned as fast as they could as they ran for the exit of the apartment. The flying creature burst out right on their trail. If that wasn't enough, the other one from up in their apartment had finally broken out and was on them too. Running as fast as they can feeling their hearts racing as the two creatures chased them. As they raced outside of the apartment. The chaos, destruction, and death that stood before them unfolded their very eyes. The sky was red covered with black smoke and ash from all the fire and destruction to all the houses and buildings the flying creatures had caused. Cars that apparently crashed, other vehicles destroyed. Rubble and dead bodies of people littered the streets as other survivors were running for their lives from the dozens if not hundreds of creatures above that plagued the sky as they dove down trying to devour any people who were trying to flee, while with others who were currently breaking into houses in an attempt to get at any other survivors who were trying to hide inside.

There was nothing they could do, all they could hope was that Trolberg's Safety Patrol led by Erik Ahlberg would have what it takes to stop these vile beings.

Their moment was interrupted when the two of the creatures from inside came crashing out, quickly as their feet could take them. Hilda, Johanna and Twig made a left turn as the creatures pursued, they suddenly lost all interest in them when they saw other fleeing survivors nearby deciding they'd have a better chance in catching them. The three never bothered to look back as they heard the duo of the winged monsters pouncing on those survivors and their agonizing screams of death following.

Hilda, Johanna, and Twig continued to run down the street. All around them, every corner, it seemed inescapable but they had to, they had to try and survive. Hilda watched as some of the flying creatures snatched survivors one by one whether with their jaws or talons. It was then Hilda saw someone she had known being grabbed, it was Enid, her school's teacher. Hilda could only watch in horror as she was carried away by one of the malicious creatures. Hilda had thought about her best friends David and Frida... Hilda could only hope that they along with Alfur and their parents would be alright, somewhere safe in some hopes of eventually meeting up with them if they were even still alive...

In another corner of her eye she saw Trevor and his mother were both backed up in a corner by another of the creatures. Trevor's mother cradling her son who was looking on with fear as tears streamed down his face preparing for the worst, they never had a chance to react when the bird-like monster scooped them both up with its jaws, shaking its head violently, their blood sprayed everywhere on the walls and ground before it proceeded to swallow their remains.

Then there was principal Magnusson she saw far ahead as other survivors from behind continued to run past her, Johanna and Twig. The man wasn't exactly in the best of shape to run which proved to be his undoing being an easy meal for one of the creatures to catch when one of them swooped down and grabbed him flying back up into the sky.

Both people she knew or didn't know she was witnessing being devoured from all around them as she, her mum and her trustworthy deerfox tried to find safety or get to the gate of Trolberg to escape. They soon spotted what was left of Trolberg's Safety Patrol trying everything in their power to fight off the creatures in the sky obviously being led by Erik Ahlberg himself as they kept shooting their guns at the creatures surrounding them.

"Sir! T-There's too many of them! I don't think we can keep up!" The safety patrol officer with the red beard shouted.

"Come on! We have to try at least! Don't give up!" The proud leader of the Safety Patrol cried.

The safety patrol woman with the eyepatch spoke. "We're trying sir!"

Erik Ahlberg however wouldn't surrender so easily. "W-We will not give up! We will fight until the very end no matter the cost!"

As they continued to try and fight off the malicious flying monsters. It was soon apparent their growing numbers were proving to be too overwhelming to handle as more and more began to appear, soon all Erik and his troops could do is scream as the creatures devoured them.

The three of them continued running, their hearts had never beaten so fast in their lives, they could hear them from their ears like a drum. They immediately stopped when one of the creatures, one of the much larger, landed in front of them halting their process. It looked down at the three of them ready to make a meal out of the three of them. Hilda watched on at the malice creature as she clung to her mum as if her life was depending on it. It had been so long since Hilda felt actual fear in the short twelve years on this earth, she had gone on many harrowing adventures and many dangers. She faced trolls, ghosts, nightmare spirits, a mad scientist, a black hound, time worms, a group of mischievous thieves and an ogress they worked for having saved her mum from nearly being sacrificed and eaten, and even a Kraken of all things but this...This was much more different. This was no adventure, not like any creatures she had ever faced. This was worst, nothing she had ever experienced before in her very life, a nightmare actually made real, a fight and struggle to survive, an actual life and death situation, but most of all, it actually felt like the apocalypse was happening. For the first time, Hilda didn't feel like an adventurer, a hero, or anything like that. She felt like what she really was. A little girl who was afraid for her very life as death was near them.

"M-Mum I'm scared...I-I don't know what to do?"

Johanna clung tightly to her daughter preparing for the worst. "It's ok, dear...I'm right here. Twig is also here..."

Before the winged monstrosity could proceed to devour them. Suddenly a second and then a third one both had appeared. Like vultures arguing over the last pieces of scraps of meat, they constantly bit and scratched at each other. Seeing the opportunity, Hilda, her mum, and Twig made the move and escaped. After fighting off the other two. The one who forced the other two to leave caught notice of them trying to escape. Screeching at them, the creature took to the air flapping its wings flying after them, its eyes never taking off of them.

As the winged monster pursued them. Hilda suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Hilda!"

"Alfur!?" Hilda shouted in curiosity.

Before she had known it, Alfur was on her as he popped up behind Hilda's left ear.

Though relieved to see her elf friend was ok. She noticed that David and Frida were not with him. "Alfur! Where are David and Frida!?"

"We got separated when these...These creatures began to attack the city when we decided to head over to your place when you and Twig didn't come back. They're the least of my concern though as I have to avoid all the damage they're causing which could crush me. Oh, I just really hope they're fine."

"I really hope so too..." Hilda said, expressing concern in her voice.

Continuing to run in hopes of eventually escaping it. The flying monster continued to inch closer and closer towards them.

"Keep running! Keep running sweetheart! Whatever you do Hilda, don't look back!" Johanna shouted

Told as she was told, Hilda obeyed her mother's words. Alongside her loyal and trustworthy deerfox Twig and elf friend Alfur on her, the adventurous nature-loving girl ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

The winged creatures' slit eyes followed their every movement as it continued to pursue them letting out an ear-piercing screech. As they continued to run, Johanna turned her head to see the flying ravenous creature starting to catch up. Tried as she might no matter how fast she ran, the monstrous bird continued to near closer as it opened its toothy maw ready to devour them all.

Tears formed in her eyes knowing this was it. All the wonderful years she had with her daughter despite some of the ups and downs they endured when they moved to Trolberg. Johanna didn't think it would end like this, to suddenly have the entire city of Trolberg come under attack by unknown flying predators no one had even known of.

Her life may have probably been finally coming to an end, but for her daughter, there was a chance but at the cost of her very own life. Johanna didn't care if Hilda's chances were still low, if there was still that chance her daughter's survival would be ensured, she'd gladly do it. A mother such as herself would go to any great length to do anything for their own children.

Tears formed in her eyes as she watched her daughter continue to run alongside her deerfox. Johanna threw her arms out and with all her might pushed Hilda as far away as possible from the flying creature.

Totally confused at what happened, Hilda suddenly stopped as Twig did alongside her. Turning around, Hilda watched as her mum suddenly stopped running as she began to stand there despite the monster nearing closer every second.

"Mum...?" Hilda asked.

Tears washed down Johanna's cheeks as she gave out a sad smile to her daughter. The very last time in her life that she would see her.

"Hilda...I love you, dear..."

Before Hilda could say another word. As soon as she knew it, the winged predator snatched her mum with its jaws before flying above her, Twig, and Alfur into the smoke-filled sky consisting of others that were continuously seeking out more prey.

Turning around immediately, tears shot out from Hilda's eyes, her face clearly expressing deep despair as it flew off. "MUM!" She cried out.

Without even thinking, her body reacted as her legs began to carry her, Twig accompanying her, impossible as it may have been, Hilda gave chase to the flying monster that devoured her mum.

"MUM! MUM! COME BACK! COME BACK HERE! MUM! COME BACK HERE WITH MY MUM! MUM!" Hilda continued to scream as she kept running.

Before she knew it, Hilda didn't pay attention to her footing when suddenly caught one of her feet on a rock and fell to the ground. Pulling herself back up on her knees, she just knelt there with her hands on the ground looking down. Hilda broke down into tears, sobbing over what had just happened, her tears dripping down from her face. Twig came up to Hilda and let out a sad whimper comforting her.

Alfur was saddened by what had just happened but knew at this point there was nothing they could do. They had to keep going or else they would end up like everyone else so far in Trolberg who had been devoured by these flying creatures.

"Hilda. There's nothing that we can do. Your mother is gone, she wouldn't want you to give up like this, don't let her sacrifice be in vain. We have to move or else we'll end up just like her and nearly everyone else."

Hilda however was too distraught over her mum's death. So distraught, Alfur and Twig soon noticed another of the creatures spotting them, eyes narrowed towards the three of them. The flying ravenous creature began its approach.

Seeing this, Twig whined biting onto Hilda's sleeve to get her attention, Alfur just watched, eyes widening as the ravenous flying predator came directly towards them before turning his eyes to Hilda.

"HILDA COME ON! SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Twig's constant pulling and Alfur sudden shouting brought the adventurous girl back into reality. Looking up, she screamed as she saw it flying toward them. Getting up as fast as her feet could, she soon along with Twig began to run again with the flying creature trailing behind. Tried as she and her beloved deerfox could, it was no use as the flying monster began to catch up once more as it has had with her mum, hearing it get closer, Hilda turned her head looking straight at the creature as it aimed directly towards her opening its maw, ready to grab her, Twig and Alfur. Closing her eyes, tears ran down her cheeks. She prepared to meet hers, Twig's, and Alfur's fates.

Then all of the sudden, the loud sound of something massive and big crashing on the ground occurred, its very force shaking all of Trolberg, then heard the surprise dying screech of the creature. Once all the dust and powerful gusts of air had settled. Hilda, Twig, and Alfur had opened their eyes, and to their very shock and awe stood behind them was a creature even bigger than any of the flying creatures themselves as under one of its feet was the dead corpse of the flying creature having been crushed to death, eyeballs popped out of its sockets and tongue spread out from its mouth.

Standing upright at a height of around eighty meters tall. The gigantic creature looked to be reptilian as the flying bird-like monsters were only it looked nobler in appearance and even...friendlier, at least when compared to vile abominations that stood before it. It was grayish green in color, armored with its back covered with a large jagged shell, gigantic tusks protruding from both sides of its lower jaw, and a small tail swished behind it. Its emerald green eyes looked all over, the once-proud city of Trolberg which was in ruins reeking of the Shadow of Evil he has come to vanquish.

Alfur watched in disbelief, his eyes refusing to believe what he was actually seeing. "I-It can't be...The legend...The myth...It's all true."