The Moonlit Terror

The cold chill filled the area as Crom’s spine tingled. He guarded the front gate of the city. His fellow guard, Nathan, was there.

“I’m telling you, we’re not safe, Nathan!”

“It’s a legend. Nevertheless, I am leery as well,” he said.

Crom shook his head. “Why is it that few people believe in the spirit?”

“It’s good that nobleman Darvy believes.”

"It is regrettable that the guards are unable to be off duty during the full moon," stated Crom.

A glowing entity gave light from behind a tree.

The men gasped

“It’s the ghost!” said Nathan.

The phantom came from behind the tree revealing a decrepit, hag-like transparent form. It passed through the gate bars.

“What do we do, Nathan!”

Nathan charged at the spirit, striking vertically. The attack passed through the ghost’s figure.

The spirit cackled. “Weak mortals! You’re mine!” It rushed at Nathan and wrapped him in glowing webbing. Once totally covered and immobilized, the spirit left, along with Nathan.

Crom was breathing even more heavily in a torrential sweat. He turned away. He barged into the castle and went down a hall to the door of noblemen Darvy’s room. “Darvy! Open up!”

Darvy opened the door. “What is it!”

“The spirit-it’s real! I saw it! It took Nathan!”

“My word! Truly?”

“Yes! I was so mortified, I wanted to crawl into a hole! What do we do!”

Darvy shook his head. “I…don’t know. What can we do?”

Crom poised himself. “There must be a way.”

“Go to sleep. We will talk in the morning.”

Crom bowed and headed towards the guard’s barracks and laid down. The shock and horror of what happened kept him awake. Soon fatigue induced sleep.

But that night, he had a nightmare:

He found himself in the center of a circle of trees. Beside the trees were glowing cocoons.

Standing before him was the spirit. “I am coming for you next, wretched human!”

The spirit lunged for Crom and right before she touched him, he awoke.

He jolted from sleep, wondering if his dream would come to pass. He stood and dressed in his armor then made his way outside.

He gazed at the dawning sun that cast a purple-orange hue.

The beautiful sight relaxed him somewhat, but the inner restlessness persisted.

Nobleman Darvy came to Crom’s side and spoke. “I assume you had trouble sleeping?”

“Indeed. We cannot go on with this…thing stealing our citizens.”

Darvy folded his hands. “What about seeking help from sorcerer Erebus?”

Crom shook his head. “That would mean convincing the king of the ghost. And like most, he does not believe.”

“What if we secretly petition him to aid us?”

“Why would he help us?” said Crom.

“Perhaps…we could bribe him. Like all noblemen, I am wealthy.”

“Hmm…good idea.”

The plan was agreed upon.

Crom had an anxious knot in his stomach that grew with every day that passed. A month went by, and it was time.

The day that would precede the full moon night, Crom hoped Erebus would take the bribe.

Crom saw Darvy four yards away, who had a coy smile.

‘’It is done, Crom. Erebus will go with us to the gate at midnight.”

Crom walked into the concourse, bustling with people.

Crom locked eyes with a man about a dozen feet away in clean, white robes. There was something about him. Suddenly, he was gone.

“Curious,” Crom said.

He walked to the street square where a fountain was and stood guard. Four hours later, another guard relieved him and he went to an inn to eat.

As he ate, he saw the mysterious, white-robed man stand at the inn entrance.

Crom stood and walked towards him then the same thing happened, and he was gone. Crom exited and looked for him.

Crom took his post and soon, it was nearing dusk and he was done.

As darkness fell, Darvy and Crom accompanied Erebus to the city gates. They waited as the full moon rose and the people went into their homes.

“I certainly hope there is a ghost. I am most curious in all things strange and arcane,” said Erebus. “The amount you paid me warrants a true encounter.”

The three waited. Hours passed. Nothing.

“I grow weary with this. I’m leaving,” said Erebus.

Suddenly, a loud shriek echoed.

Erebus stood ready to try his magic to afflict the spirit. The glowing entity appeared and Erebus was ecstatic. “It is true! What do you want, spirit?”

“Your souls, of course!”

“Unfortunately, for the sake of the citizens of this kingdom, I must vanquish you!”

The sorcerer extended his hands and lightning bolts shot forth. But it passed through the spirit.

Erebus shot a cloud of flame towards the ghost. But it had no effect either.

“This can’t be!” said Erebus. “My magic is useless!”

“Can anything help us?” said Crom.

“There is,” said a voice behind them. “I am Ithicus, priest of God. This being is of the enemy of God.” There stood the white robed man.

“If you can help us, please do so!” cried Crom.

The spirit backed away and trembled. “Stay back, holy man! I adjure you by God, do not torment me!”

“Leave this place of man and return to your master from whence you came and release those souls whom you’ve taken!”

“Very well,” said the ghost.

The spirit disappeared and glowing cocoons took form.

Crom took his sword and cut open the webbing of a cocoon, revealing Nathan.

Darvy gaped at the robed man. “Who are you?”

“Just what I said. God has had mercy on your kingdom. Submit to Him so something worse doesn’t happen.”

The priest of God led them in prayer then spoke one last time. “Spread the news of God to others. Farewell.”

The white robe man backed into the shadows and vanished.

The victims of the spirit were received by those who had lost them. And many rejoiced at the reunification and the new faith that ultimately saved them.