Chapter 55: blood in rain
The storm came without warning.
It broke across the sky like a curse, thunder crashing through the trees and wind howling like a beast unchained. The air turned sharp—metallic—like the world itself was holding its breath.
They had set camp just past the Hollow Pines, halfway to the place where the brothers had last felt their father's presence.
Cain stood just beyond the camp, blade at his side, eyes scanning the forest like he could sense the tension building in the shadows.
Selene had been laughing just moments before—teasing Eren for nearly falling into a stream while chasing a rabbit for dinner. Leo was whittling a piece of wood into the shape of a hawk. The moment felt almost...normal.
But normal never lasted long in their world.
The trees rustled.
Too many footsteps.
Cain's head snapped up. "We're not alone."
Before anyone could draw their weapons, the attackers burst from the trees—creatures of shadow, twisted mockeries of men. Their eyes glowed violet. Their movements were jerky, hungry, violent.
Hellspawn.