PROLOGUE

"HURRY, THIS WAY!"

The sound of panicked footsteps flew through the forest, splashes could be heard from the wet ground they ran on due to the heavy rain.

"Where are we going!?" a young, male voice rang out, breathless. The duo had been on the run for a while now. If they stopped for even a second, they were dead.

They were running from something. From someone.

"I know somewhere where we'll be protected from those….things." a young, female voice answered. "It's just beyond the village up ahead. I know he'll keep us safe."

Eventually, they reached the end of the forest. But the threat was still hot on their tails.

"Look! Up ahead!"

She pointed at a small town, illuminated by the street lights. They were close to civilization, just a little further. "We're so close."

"WHAT THE-!?"

The duo came to a screeching halt, one of the creatures chasing them had somehow managed to get in front of the two and block off their path. They tried to flee in a different direction, but were quickly surrounded. The two escapees got a better look at their 'hunters', and it was a hideous and unearthly sight. Several pairs of eyes, sharp claws and a gaping mouth littered with large, powerful looking teeth that oozed a black substance. It was like a demon ripped straight from the depths of Hell.

"Get behind me!" he shouted at his ally.

"Wait! You can't use yo-"

Her concern was cut short when one of the monsters grabbed hold of her and yanked her away from him. As he tried to reach out and take her back, another one grabbed and held him in place. He tried to wrestle out of their grasp, but the monsters were fiendishly strong, giving out a beastly snarl as its grip grew tighter. Despite his best efforts, he was helpless.

He called out to her, but the thunder and heavy rainfall drowned him out. He was forced to watch as another one of the creatures advanced towards her. It drew a sharp, almost futuristic looking arm-blade, whilst looking at the struggling girl with a sinister gleam in its eyes. The boy was on the verge of tears as he once again fought to release himself from the beast's clutches, but the most he could get out was his arm.

"WAIT! STOP! HELP ME!" she screamed out in terror. She knew what was coming. Her cries for help and struggles to break free were in vain as the beast raised its arm and let out a horrific roar.

"NOOO-"

A piercing slash filled the air. Aside from the rain, the world went silent. The screaming stopped, the beast's arm fell back to its side, its blade painted red. The boy was speechless as he watched copious amounts of blood fall from the throat of his friend, who was now completely still. The monster that held her in place released his grip and let her fall to the floor, lifeless. A red pool formed around her body as the beasts released a victorious cry in unison. He looked at her eyes, mortified. The light was completely gone from them.

"No…"

That was all he could mutter out as his eyes filled with tears and the colour dropped from his face. The monster then turned its gaze back at the boy, its arm-blade still dripping with her blood. With an ear-splitting roar, it readied its weapon once more. All the boy could do was close his eyes as his killer lunged forward and claimed its prize.

KLONOA: IRON EMPIRE