As everything went silent and the air grew colder as the night went on, I sensed the creature's presence materializing behind me. Instincts honed over centuries kicked in. I turned just in time, but the creature's claws were already thrusting toward me. With one hand, I caught it by the wrist, stopping it inches from my neck. The foul, gut-wrenching stench emanating from the creature was almost overwhelming, especially because of my sense of smell. Without hesitation, I tossed my revolver upwards, freeing my other hand. I grabbed the same wrist and twisted my body in a half circle, using the creature's momentum against it. With great force, I shoulder-throw it into the wall. The impact was satisfying, but brief. I caught the revolver as it fell, quickly aimed, and fired. But the creature had already vanished, and the shot missed, echoing through the empty hallway. Damn it.

After a brief silence, the entity dashed from behind me again. I turned, but it wasn't there. It sprinted past in a blur in all directions, and each time I turned, it was gone. It was toying with me. I relied on all my senses, but the creature was faster than ever before. No wonder the agents couldn't kill it, it fuels on flesh and emotions, empowering it. Giving it enhanced speed and healing.

An eerie laugh echoed through the hallway. "If I cannot instil fear in you," it said, its voice dripping with malevolence, "then rage, anger, and hopelessness will suffice. Such emotions are equally nourishing..." Frustration boiled within me, bubbling up like a cauldron of volatile emotions. I had to calm myself else I'd be playing its game. Just as I was about, the creature's voice changed, mimicking Lily again. But this time, it didn't replay her final words. Instead, it used her voice to take advantage.

"Why didn't you come to help me, Mr. Wolf?" The voice was laced with anger and disappointment. Normally, I wouldn't easily be tricked by such an attempt but I knew, with every fibre of my self-loathing, that Lily's horrific death was entirely my fault. I encouraged her curiosity and it killed her. "It's all you're fault! You told me to look for ghosts and monsters! I would still be with mommy and daddy if I just hadn't met you!"

"Stop..." As much as I kept to my thoughts, I couldn't hold back my response and I could already feel my anger reaching its point but it was too late. I was starting to lose control of my emotions. A lump formed in my throat, my heart pounding against my ribcage. I tried to convince myself it was just the creature toying with me, but the voice cut deeper with each word.

"You promised you'd protect me! You're a liar! You promised!" The voice was starting to become a high-pitched scream coming from all directions. I instinctively turned my head to one part of the hallway, thinking this entity would use the opportunity to strike but it didn't. It kept toying with me. Taking pleasure in my broken composure.

"I said Stop it!" I shouted back but my voice was drowned out by Lily's.

"You killed me, Jacob Wolf! I hate you! I Hate You! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE THE MONSTER AND YOU KILLED ME!!!"

And just like that, my mind went blank. Memories... from a time so distant. Memories I had fought to bury surged through my mind and I saw her again. A girl draped in a red robe, skipping playfully through the woods. Her laughter echoed like a haunting melody. Staring at me with pride and joy. Then, suddenly, the expression changed, lifeless eyes piercing into my very being as blood dripped from her temple down to her right cheek, mouth hanging open due to a broken neck.
My breath hitched, my vision blurring with unshed tears. I cursed out at the creature,

"I WILL FUCKING BUTCHER YOU!!" I screamed with all my lungs.

My control snapped, and at that moment, the creature seized its opportunity. It lunged at me, claws outstretched, and struck me with a force that sent me skidding down the hallway. Pain radiated through my body, sharp and intense, like a thousand needles piercing my flesh. The torn fabric of my coat and undershirt reveal deep wounds across my chest, bleeding rapidly. I lay there for a moment, gasping for breath, then I quickly jumped back to my feet. I realized that during the aftermath, the gun slipped from my hands. There it was on the floor from where I stood previously but, just my luck, the creature finally showed itself and was staring at me on all fours next to the gun.

"...Butcher me?" it repeated as if the notion was utterly absurd. "Do you even truly comprehend what you face?" As it spoke, it spat dark saliva and blood onto the floor, a squashed-up eyeball hanging momentarily on its jaw before it finally fell on the puddle of blood. I braced myself thinking it would lunge at me but it didn't and it continued to speak. I probably offended it or something "I am the terror that haunts the night!" it hissed. "I have existed longer than you. I witnessed the birth of the first mortals! When darkness falls... mortals, Humans and Beasts, all cower because of me! It is their dread that gives me strength, their nightmares that feed my existence! I am the shadow in the corner of your eye, the chill down your spine, the breath you hold when you hear a noise in the dark! I am the fear that turns brave men into quivering children! And you think you can butcher me?!"

As it spoke, the creature became more visible, finally allowing me to see its true appearance, standing slowly on two feet. Its body was twisted and grotesque, with elongated arms that stretched downward. Claws dripped with fresh blood, each drop hitting the ground with a sickening splat. Its head was a monstrous fusion of nightmare and reality, with a shape that defied natural order. It was elongated and distorted, almost like a dear skeleton without antlers, the skins around it's body looked as if they were melting and hardening at the same time, with eyes that gleamed in blue under those empty sockets. Rows of long, sharp teeth, like knives, gleamed in the dim light.

"You know... they call me by many names, given to me in fear and desperation," it continued, its voice a chilling symphony of horror and delight. "...The unseen terror, the creeping dread, the spectre of death, the spirit of hunger and murder. To see me is to see your end, to hear me is to hear your death. I am the embodiment of every primal fear, the thing that should not be!" It leaned closer, its foul breath washing over me, and I fought the urge to recoil. "You, Jacob, think you can stop me? Do you think your anger and your weapons make you strong? You are nothing but a speck of defiance in a sea of despair. I've met many that are just like you and they did nothing but temporarily quench my hunger and thirst for blood and flesh!"

"You're nothing but another monster I have to kill" I spat, my anger renewing my resolve.

The creature's laughter echoed through the hallway once more. "No... I'm not just a monster... I am... The Boogeyman" it declared.

In the supernatural world, there's an unspoken rule that you should never reveal your name and your species else the enemy will know your weakness. In this case, that rule doesn't apply. I have never encountered a Boogeyman before even in my time before the agency, so either this is a rare supernatural or an entity on its own. It did well to hide itself from The Agency all this time and avoid capture.

I glared at this so-called, Boogeyman "You talk too much, way too much" I retorted.

The Boogeyman's skeletal face twisted with rage. Its jaw dropped open, stretching the torn skin of its mouth as it let out a bone-chilling shriek. The sound was otherworldly, echoing through the corridor with a resonance. The creature's fury was palpable, a dark energy that seemed to make the very air around us tremble. With a roar, it charged at me, its steps shaking the floor beneath us. This time, it wasn't moving with the speed it had shown before; instead, it barreled forward with the force of a runaway freight train. Its long arms stretched out, shredding the walls of the hallway as it came. Debris flew everywhere, and the sheer power of its approach was enough to make anyone falter.

But I wasn't just anyone.

I sprinted towards the charging beast, my heart pounding in my chest. As it closed the distance, its jaws snapping dangerously close to my face, I dropped to my knees, sliding between its legs. The stench of decay was overpowering as I passed beneath it, but I kept my focus. As I slid, I extended my hand and muttered, "Zephyr Atra." A simple spell for a difficult situation.

Zephyr or Wind is the first element that sorcerers and warlocks first master because air is all around us and it's the easiest to pronounce. Zephyr Atra is a spell that harnesses the air to produce a powerful forward stream from your palms and its strength is dependent on one's mana reserve and arcane heritage. But because I don't have both, this spell, along with many others, works differently for me and this particular spell is the only one I can use without the help of a medium.

My revolver, lying several feet away, flew through the air like a bullet towards me, landing perfectly in my outstretched palm. I turned swiftly, just as the Boogeyman wheeled around to face me. I aimed directly between its flaming blue eyes and fired, but it anticipated the shot, dodging to the side with the same annoying agility and speed as before. It screamed in my face, a brief but intense burst of sound, before vanishing once again. I knew I had to prepare a countermeasure. Its speed is what's stopping me from killing it so I had to do something about that. Glancing down at my chest, I saw the torn fabric of my black trench coat repairing itself but I had trouble ignoring the wounds it inflicted in my chest as I felt warm blood trickling underneath.

Yes, the trenchcoat I always wear is not an ordinary coat. It can repair itself and I can store almost an infinite amount of items in each pocket, it can do more but I doubt I have time to explain before the Boogeyman strikes. Reaching inside, I pulled out a half-filled plastic water bottle. I uncapped it and poured the water onto the floor, creating a small puddle. Discarding the bottle, I retrieved a silver chain necklace around my neck with a bronze ring from beneath my coat and shirt, clutching the ring tightly with one hand while pointing the other hand openly towards the puddle.

"Undina, Vapos, Mistum!" I chanted quickly.

The puddle evaporated, transforming into a thick fog that enveloped the hallway, obscuring me from sight, well, atleast it should. I tucked the necklace back under my clothes and readied my revolver, noting there was only one bullet left. I concealed myself within the mist, senses heightened.

The Boogeyman's mocking voice echoed through the fog. "Is hiding the best you can do, Jacob? Do you think this mist will stop me from finding you? I can smell you... I can hear your beating heart"

I smirked, though it went unseen. "I'm counting on it," I replied, my tone laced with confidence.

From my coat pocket, again, I pulled out a small piece of charcoal. Quickly, I drew a large circle on the ground around me, then crushed the charcoal in my hand, pressing my blackened palm into the centre of the circle, leaving an imprint. Just then, I heard the Boogeyman. It appeared from one of the destroyed walls, lunging at me from the side. But it couldn't see through the fog, relying solely on my scent. Its leap took it right above me, missing by inches as I crouched low. It crashed into the wall with a deafening impact, shattering the windows next to it. I sprang back, putting some distance between us. The Boogeyman sniffed the air, and its shriek of rage reverberated through the hallway when it looked towards my direction. It rushed toward me, claws outstretched. I dodged, rolling to the side, my hand slipping into my coat pocket to grab something while I aimed my gun at it.

As the Boogeyman took another sniff to locate me, I fired from behind. But it dodged effortlessly, staying in my view this time, not bothering to vanish. "You're out of bullets..." it hissed, confident. I pulled the trigger again, but only an empty click sounded. The Boogeyman's sneer widened as it realized I was seemingly defenceless. With the fog dissipating, it should be able to see my silhouette slowly backing away down the hallway. I was right because it roared and then charged at me again, this time on all fours, its monstrous form tearing through the remnants of the fog.

I kneeled on one foot then I muttered a chant, "Ventus Tormenta," as it closed in, shrieking. Removing my hand from my coat pocket, clenched tightly into a fist, I brought it to my mouth. With a strong blow through my mouth, a silver powder erupted at the end of my fist, forming a fume cloud that gleamed like shattered glass. The Boogeyman inhaled it, and immediately, it stopped, coughing violently. It screamed in pain between coughs, thrashing wildly and clawing at its own face. I expected that response, Ventus Tormenta is a type of Hex that evokes excruciating pain in whoever breathes in the powder. Taking advantage of its agony, I threw three seeds onto the ground beneath it. During its trashing, the Boogeyman stepped on the seeds and shook the floor, instantly, large vines sprouted from the floor, twisting and growing rapidly.

I didn't need to cast a spell to activate those vines, they grow the moment you apply pressure. The vines coiled around the Boogeyman's feet, snaking up its body, binding it in place. The creature's wild thrashing became more violent as it tried to rip the vines off with sheer strength and claws, but the enchanted plants held firm. With the Boogeyman ensnared in vines, I took my time approaching it. The fog had finally dissipated, leaving us face to face. My hands rested in the pockets of my coat, a casual stance for what came next.

"I told you I'd kill you" I reminded the monster of its fate, watching as it looked down, realising it was trapped inside the charcoal circle I'd drawn earlier. Panic flared in those hollow blue eyes, and it shrieked, louder than ever before. The vines responded, tightening fiercely around its neck, clamping its jaw shut, cutting off that vile noise. I pulled a cigarette from one pocket, and my lighter from the other. It's one of those heavy metal types, the kind you've got to flip open before striking. I've had it for years, a relic from another life, another time. There's a carving on the front, "Eliot Ness," a name that meant something once. I placed the cigarette between my lips, flicked the lighter open, and lit up. Took a slow drag, letting the smoke curl out as I stared at the monster, meeting its fiery blue gaze.

"Go burn in hell, Bugger" I muttered, the words calm, almost conversational. Then I grabbed hold of my necklace, feeling the cool metal of the ring against my palm, and chanted the final spell, "Ignis. Infernum. Profluo, Profluo!"

The charcoal circle beneath the creature's feet began to glow, fiery colours swirling like molten lava. I flicked my cigarette towards it, the burning tip bouncing off its forehead before landing inside the circle. That was all it took. The circle ignited, a massive pillar of fire erupting from the ground, engulfing the Boogeyman in an inferno. The flames roared, a hurricane of fire trapped in place, burning with a ferocity that shook the walls and burned a hole through the rusted ceiling. The force of it sent my coat billowing, but I didn't flinch. I watched as the creature's screams filled the air, a sound of pure, agonizing pain. Music to my ears. It didn't last long, unfortunately. Ten seconds maybe and the fire died down. What was left of the Boogeyman was a charred statue, frozen in place with those empty eyes still staring at me. It crumbled, falling forward into a pile of ash and burnt flesh, smoke rising from what remained.

I tucked the necklace back under my coat, letting the cold metal settle against my chest, and walked towards the unmoving body. This time, it wasn't getting back up.

I stared at the ashes for a few lingering seconds, the quiet settling in as the heat from the inferno dissipated. There was no triumph in the aftermath, just the cold calculation of what needed to be done next. The bodies of those thugs—if I didn't pour some bone-melting acid on them, the cops would be all over this place by morning. I've dealt with worse cleanup, but this... this felt different. That thing, the Boogeyman, was something else entirely. Ferocious, unrelenting, stronger than anything I've encountered in centuries. I'd seen my share of horrors as an agent of The Eclipse Veil, but this one... This one made me think, just for a second, that maybe, just maybe, some things should stay in the shadows.

But as I turned to leave, already planning my exit, something latched onto my foot. I whipped around, and what I saw knocked the breath out of me. There, where nothing but ashes should have been, the Boogeyman was... regenerating. 

Its form was grotesque, a horrifying reversal of what I had just witnessed. The blackened remnants were knitting themselves back together, charred bones rebuilding and sinew wrapping around them. Flesh stretched over the new structure, like a film rewinding. The sight was mesmerizing in its terror—a twisted display of life clawing its way back from death. Then, its head—twisted, skeletal—snapped back into place, those fiery blue eyes reigniting with pure rage. It roared a sound that felt like it could tear the world apart. Instinctively, I threw my arms up to shield myself, but the bite never came. Instead, I stood there, wondering what the hell it was going to take to end this thing.

The Boogeyman's grip on my leg tightened, and before I could react, I was yanked off my feet like a ragdoll. The next thing I knew, my body was slamming into the ceiling, the impact rattling my skull and knocking the air from my lungs. I barely had time to register the pain before I was yanked down and slammed into the floor, the force of it sending shockwaves through my entire body. The world spun, a blur of broken plaster and flickering shadows, and then I was hurled through the wall.

I crashed into what felt like a ton of steel, the sound of clattering metal filling the dark room as I skidded across the floor. It was littered with rusted conveyor belts and half-disassembled machinery—forgotten relics of industry now twisted into jagged shapes that scraped against my battered body. The air was thick with the scent of oil and decay, but all I could focus on was the searing pain in my chest and head, and the blood trickling down my face. My head throbbed, each heartbeat sending a fresh wave of dizziness through me, and my vision blurred as I struggled to breathe. I felt like my teeth were falling out as blood dripped from my chin. I rolled onto my back, gasping, but every breath was a struggle. My nose was bleeding, my head was pounding, and I could taste blood in my mouth. My whole body screamed in agony, but there was no time to dwell on it. The Boogeyman, still seething with rage, stomped through the ruined wall, sending debris scattering across the room. Its presence was a dark cloud that seemed to suck the light out of the air. It loomed over me, its blue eyes burning with a malevolent fire.

"You impotent fool!" it spat, its voice dripping with contempt. "Did you really think you could kill something as old as fear itself?" Before I could respond, its clawed hand wrapped around my throat, lifting me off the ground like I weighed nothing. I clawed at its hand, trying to break free, but it was like trying to bend tungsten. My punches landed weakly against its body, doing nothing but exhausting what little strength I had left. Then I felt it—a sharp, excruciating pain as its other claw plunged into my stomach. I screamed, a raw, guttural sound, as the pain exploded through me, and blood spurted from my mouth. My vision blurred further, black spots dancing in front of my eyes as my strength ebbed away. The Boogeyman's face twisted into a hideous grin as it watched me suffer. "And all of this..." it hissed, "for one pitiful girl. One insignificant mortal who was nothing more than prey to me." It leaned in closer, its foul breath washing over my face. "... You think you are some sort of hero? That you can save them all? But you couldn't even save her. She trusted you, believed in you, and what did you do...? You lead her to me..." The words cut deeper than any wound, slicing through my mind with cruel precision. I wanted to deny it, to fight back, but the pain was too much. I could feel my grip on consciousness slipping, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing second.

"She blames you, you know," the Boogeyman whispered as it leaned closer to me, its voice a venomous whisper in my ear. "She curses your name with her last breath, begging for a saviour that never came. And now, as she wanders the dark, she calls out to you, hating you for every second she suffered... Oh, how I made her scream... Her left foot first, let her run away to hide, to marinate her with fear and despair... then her arms. How she cried and begged before I ripped apart those small jaws of hers... then I feast!"

I could my heartbeat slowing as seconds went by, the only thing that was still keeping me awake was the anger I had for this monster. I knew what it was doing, trying to break me, but the words wormed their way into my thoughts, poisoning my mind with guilt. I couldn't stop myself from imagining the events that happened to Lily. The pain she had to endure and numb out with cries before she was granted death. It wanted to permanently implant the thought that I was the cause of her death to marinate me with the emotions it feeds on. But what it didn't understand, what it couldn't comprehend, was that I've been carrying the weight of a thousand lifetimes of guilt. As it droned on, my vision started to blur. Not from the pain, not from the closing hands of death, but from something deeper, something darker, clawing its way back to the surface. I felt it—him—stirring in the depths of my soul, that part of me I'd buried so long ago. The part of me that I never wanted to unleash upon this world again, is making his way to my mind, taking control. No! I must not let him! I won't be able to live with myself if he was to ever control me again! 

Control it, Jacob!

~~~

The Boogeyman sneered, a twisted smile forming as it inhaled deeply. "There it is...0" it hissed, its voice a cacophony of tormented souls. "The scent I've longed to smell on you, Jacob. Fear..." It revelled at the moment, savouring what it believed to be its triumph. But what the Boogeyman didn't know was that Jacob's fear wasn't directed at it—it was something far more insidious, something that lurked deep within him. As Jacob's eyes fluttered closed, his body went limp, and his heart stuttered to a stop. The Boogeyman's sneer grew wider, though there was a note of disappointment in its voice as it spoke, "Dead already? What a waste..." 

The creature leaned closer, preparing to savour the feast it had been denied for far too long. It opened its jaw, revealing those long, sharp teeth that spiralled the inside of its mouth like a lamprey. But then it heard it—a heartbeat. Faint, but unmistakable. Once. Twice. It was loud, naturally loud. If there was a normal human within the vicinity, the heartbeat would be heard. The Boogeyman recoiled in confusion, its many voices blending into a chorus of unease. Before it could react, Jacob's hand shot up, clamping down on the arm that gripped his throat. The Boogeyman's sneer faltered as it stared into Jacob's eyes, now shifting from their usual grey to a menacing shade of yellow.

"You don't know what true fear is like..." Jacob rasped, his voice low and filled with a familiar dread that sent a shiver down the Boogeyman's spine. His grip on the creature's forearm tightened with an inhuman strength. 

"... Not until you've looked it in the eyes."

With a sudden, ferocious burst of power, Jacob snapped the Boogeyman's arm with one hand as if it were nothing but a brittle twig. The creature shrieked, a sound of pure agony that echoed through the abandoned factory. It dropped Jacob, stumbling backwards in shock and pain. But Jacob wasn't done. He grabbed the Boogeyman's other hand—the one that had been buried deep in his stomach—and yanked it out, his own bloodied hand holding the creature's wrist in an iron grip. Following up, Jacob drove his fist into the Boogeyman's face with such force that it tore the creature's arm clean off. The Boogeyman's body was sent hurtling through the air, smashing through several walls and machinery, metal and gears clattering as they were crushed beneath the impact. It landed in a heap, shrieking in agony. Scraps of rusted metal impaled the Boogeyman's body as it realized something terrifying—its arm wasn't healing. For a moment, the Boogeyman was paralyzed, its twisted mind grappling with the impossible. It had never been intimidated by anyone, never even considered the possibility. But now, staring at Jacob, it realises his scent has changed. It was radiating an intensity it had only ever encountered once and it felt something it hadn't in eons: fear.

It refused to believe this was happening. It is the embodiment of fear. It feeds on it and gains power from fear, it should not be affected by it, yet, it was. Its voices, pained and distorted, shouted in desperation, "How... How did you achieve this power? What sorcery did you invoke? Just what are you?!" Jacob didn't answer. He only advanced, his footsteps deliberate, unwavering. The wound in his stomach, chest, and head, once gaping and fatal, was knitting itself together, muscle and skin re-forming as if nothing had happened. The Boogeyman could only watch in utter disbelief as the man it had once thought vulnerable approached, not with the intent to survive, but to destroy, to slaughter.

The Boogeyman, still reeling from the brutal blow, snarled in defiance. Its form shimmered and vanished, moving faster than the eye could follow. In a blur of shadow and malice, it reappeared just long enough to slash across Jacob's stomach, its claws cutting deep. But Jacob didn't grunt, didn't even flinch. The wound that should have doubled him over barely registered on his face, his expression remaining eerily calm. The Boogeyman, frustrated and desperate, vanished again, repeating its attack. It struck Jacob from different angles, slashing across his back, his sides, and his chest, but each time, Jacob stood firm, showing no sign of pain. Blood splattered across the factory floor, but he remained unyielding, his focus sharpening with each pass.

Then, in an instant, Jacob anticipated the monster's next move. As the creature materialised for another strike, Jacob's hand shot out with blinding speed, seizing it by the throat. The Boogeyman shrieked, its many voices blending into a wail of agony and surprise as Jacob's grip tightened like a vice. In a frantic bid for freedom, the Boogeyman dislocated its own head, twisting unnaturally to sink its teeth into Jacob's wrist with a sickening crunch. But still, Jacob remained unmoved, his face betraying no pain, no fear—only a cold determination. His wounds were visibly healing rapidly. With a low growl, Jacob reached down and grabbed the Boogeyman by its left thigh. In one savage motion, he tore the limb from its body, thick, dark blood pouring out in a gruesome torrent. The Boogeyman's shrieks escalated into a piercing scream, its body convulsing in sheer agony. The realisation dawned on it like a death knell—this was not a mortal. This was something far worse, something primal and terrifying.

Jacob's eyes, once grey now fully yellow, gleamed with an otherworldly light, cutting through the darkness like twin beacons of doom. The Boogeyman's own eyes, those eerie blue orbs floating in its hollow sockets, widened in pure terror. Those yellow eyes, his overwhelming scent and power, the boogeyman knew who this creature in front of it was and it could not believe he was still alive. 

There was once a Monster of monsters, something that even The Boogeyman was too afraid to even approach, the one that plunged the world into pure fear for aeons in its reign. And that monster was now seizing it by the throat. Jacob– No, this was not Jacob anymore, it was the very thing he tried to bury, to suppress. With slow motion, Jacob placed his other hand on the Boogeyman's face then slowly and forcefully pressed onto its left eye. The Boogeymam tried to push Jacob's hand away but with only a broken arm left, it was impossible. As Jacob pressed down on its eye, the Boogeyman let out another scream of pain, blood squirting out from the socket. If the screams could be put to words then it would be begging for him to stop. With a savage snarl, he proceeded to slam the Boogeyman to the ground by the throat, the impact cracking the concrete beneath it. The creature's shrieks were abruptly cut off as Jacob hurled it forward, sending it crashing back onto the heap of debris where it had landed earlier. The force of the throw shattered more of the factory's already crumbling structure, steel beams groaning and machinery clattering to the ground as the Boogeyman's mangled form lay motionless for a moment, its body struggling to regenerate, its mind now fully gripped by the terror it once revelled in spreading.

The Boogeyman lay crumpled in the wreckage, its body broken and torn. Its once terrifying form was now pitiful, struggling to move with only a few remaining limbs. It tried to crawl away, dragging itself through the debris with what little strength it had left. 

"It... it can't be... This is impossible!" it rasped, its voice trembling with terror. "You're supposed to be dead..." Jacob's steps echoed ominously as he approached, the sound of his boots crunching on the broken concrete resonating through the shattered walls. He didn't hurry, didn't rush—he walked with the deliberate pace of inevitability. The Boogeyman's one remaining eye, wide with horror, tracked his approach. In desperation, it tried to crawl faster, but it was no use. The realisation that it could never escape sank in like a knife twisting in its gut.

When Jacob reached it, he didn't pause. He reeled back his leg and delivered a brutal kick to the Boogeyman's side. The force of the blow sent the creature flying once again, crashing through another set of walls. It landed in a twisted heap, its limbs failing as it tried to crawl away once more, whimpering like a pig in panic. But then it coughed violently, thick dark blood oozing from its mouth. The Boogeyman collapsed onto its back, its energy depleted. Its head lolled to the side as it watched Jacob's silhouette through the gaping holes in the walls. The figure of a man, slowly approaching, but with an aura that was anything but human. The Boogeyman began to laugh, a nervous, pitiful sound, tinged with hysteria.

"It truly is you... Of all the things I could have encountered... It had to be you" it whispered, its voice quivering. "Those eyes... those horrific yellow eyes... I remember them." Memories flooded the Boogeyman's fractured mind, memories of a time when creatures and entities as powerful as themselves weren't the ones hunting, but the ones being hunted. "I've heard the tales," it began, its voice still quivering. "I've seen the carnage you wrought... The one who ripped apart the wings of the Imperial, the beast that ruled the skies for millennia, reduced to nothing but a broken shell under your claws... The one who shattered the Crystal Towers and destroyed the entire Vampire Council in your rampage..." 

Jacob said nothing, his yellow eyes gleaming in the darkness, watching as the Boogeyman relived the terror it had long tried to forget.

"You instilled fear in everyone—humans, supernaturals, nightmares of the abyss, even gods... all trembled at your name. They would scream in terror, 'The Wolf is coming' No one was safe, not even the Eclipse Veil. They couldn't stop you, no one could... not the Faerie Queen, not the wielder of Excalibur, not even the creatures who existed as old as time..."

The Boogeyman coughed again, a fresh stream of blood pouring from its mouth. It gasped for breath, its body shuddering as it continued to speak, driven by the primal fear that consumed it.

"But your greatest feat... the one that made the world tremble... was the decimation of Black Sun. You... you massacred them all. The Order of Fae, the ones that are sent to stop entities stronger and more terrifying than I from spreading chaos and hysteria, the sword of the Eclipse Veil... all wiped out in a single night. Since that day, the world has known you as... The Wolf of Black Sun."

Jacob stepped through the last shattered wall, his eyes fixed on the Boogeyman lying in a heap before him. But as he took another step, a sudden, excruciating pain erupted from deep within his body. He grunted in agony, doubling over as the force of it brought him to his knees. His fists slammed into the ground, the impact cracking the concrete beneath him. His black trench coat began to move, as if alive, the fabric melting and warping into something more sinister. It twisted and writhed, tearing itself apart until it resembled black tendrils that clung to his form like shadows made flesh. The darkness seemed to consume him, swirling around him, amplifying the transformation that was taking place.

The veins on Jacob's hands bulged, dark and throbbing, as his muscles expanded beneath his skin. His undershirt and pants tore at the seams, unable to contain the monstrous form that was emerging. His nails grew into short black claws, his teeth lengthening into fangs. Black hair sprouted across his hands, his arms, and his entire body, until he was covered in a thick, coarse pelt. Then, from deep within his chest, Jacob let out a roar—an earthshaking, primal sound that reverberated across several blocks, sending a wave so powerful that it cracked the factory walls and shattered the windows of the nearest resident buildings and set off the alarms of parked cars and jewellery stores. It was far louder and more terrifying than anything the Boogeyman had ever produced.

The Boogeyman's fear surged to its peak, paralyzing it where it lay. It could do nothing but watch, its eyes wide with horror, as Jacob became the very thing it had dreaded for centuries. The transformation was complete, and the man who had once been Jacob was now something far more terrifying—a beast born of rage, darkness, and death. The Boogeyman, driven mad by the realization, began to laugh—an unhinged, despairing sound. It knew its end was near, and with nothing left to lose, it made its final remark, its voice trembling with both fear and awe. "...The world can give you as many names as they want," it choked out, "but none of them will ever compare to the name that is etched throughout history... The name that is born along with you... For how could anyone forget the monster of every story... The Big... Bad... Wolf?"

Jacob's eyes, now fully yellow and glowing with a malevolent light, locked onto the Boogeyman. The ground beneath him cracked as he crouched low, muscles coiling like a predator ready to strike. Then, with a powerful leap, he lunged at the Boogeyman, the force of his movement shattering the floor beneath him.

The night was filled with the sounds of carnage—the Boogeyman's pained screams, the feral snarls of the monster that had once been Jacob, and the sickening crunch of tearing flesh. The echoes of the battle reverberated through the factory, a gruesome symphony that marked the end of one of the most feared creatures in existence.

And then, there was silence.

~~~

I woke up staring at the ruined, crusty ceiling of the cursed factory, pain searing through my body like a thousand knives. Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself up, ignoring the protests of my aching muscles. My cloak, pants, and shoes were all intact as if nothing had happened. But I knew better. I glanced around, taking in the destruction I'd caused. The walls and rusted machines were stained with black blood, the remnants of the Boogeyman's existence. My gaze landed on the heap where I'd last seen it, but all that was left was a dried pool of blood, like splattered black pastel paint on a grim canvas. The monster was gone, and with it, the last remnants of the night's horror.  Well, there is still one monster left in this building. 

Anger flared in my chest. I clenched my fist and drove it into the nearest column, the stone cracking under the force. "Damn it!" I muttered, cursing myself. I let The Wolf out again and allowed it to take control of me. 

"I'm Jacob. I'm Jacob," I repeated like a mantra, trying to anchor myself back to who I was supposed to be.

A glint of light caught my eye, and I looked down. There, on the floor, was my silver chain necklace with the bronze ring, reflecting the pale moonlight. I picked it up, cradling it in my hand as if it were the most precious thing in the world. I sighed from relief, it wasn't scratched or dented.

The I quickly check my front pocket, I tapped on it repeatedly, feeling a lump. I reached it and procured another bronze ring, unlike the other, it was dent. Probably due to the fight with the Boogeyman, luckily I could still put it on. I then wore it on my fourth finger, reading the words engraved on the ring: "You are my soul, My anchor"... I should have never took it off.

I turned to the other ring, resting gently on my palm along with the necklace, the words "And you are my heart, My haven." were in full view as I couldn't help but read them repeatedly until I lost count.

Tears welled up, blurring my vision as I fell to my knees. I promised her—promised the bearer of this ring—that I'd never unleash the monster I once was. And yet, here I was, promise broken. I could still see her face, still hear her voice after so, so many centuries passed. She was my anchor, my reason to stay human, and I failed her.

I stayed there for a while, letting the grief wash over me. It wasn't just about what I did tonight—it was everything. The blood, the destruction, the lives I've taken and ruined. When I finally collected myself, I got to my feet and proceeded to clear the rest of the bodies. I poured bone-melting acid on what was left of the thugs. It worked fast, a few drops and the body evaporated quickly leaving no traces, I made sure I poured some on the blood scattered across the area, don't want that to be discovered by the police or else the Detective would have her men watch me 24/7 again. As for the revolver and baseball bats the thugs left behind, I burned them to dust with a simple fire spell.

But there is one piece of evidence I didn't destroy from the thugs, an expensive looking gold watch, probably dropped by that kid, Milo. I could tell by the weight and the looks of it that it is made of real gold and could be sold for a large sum. Now, I could track that kid and give it back to him to help his sick mother or whatever... Or... I could use it to pay for my rent.

... I'm trying to live my immortal life as a human, not a saint so I should use this to repay Michael for his kindness in the past year. The kid most likely stole it anyways.

Once everything was cleared, I left the building. The night air was cold against my skin as I stood in the middle of the empty road, looking back at the factory.

Lily's face came to mind, that last smile she gave me, so full of joy because she thought she'd made a new friend. She didn't know what kind of monster I really was, what I was capable of. I'd promised her that I'd see her again, but now, I knew that was a promise I couldn't keep. Killing the Boogeyman wouldn't change what happened to her, but for once, I felt a small measure of relief. The people here could rest easy, knowing that the horror lurking in the shadows was dead. I just hoped the Springfields will find some way to move on after the funeral, to rise above the pain of losing their daughter.

With a heavy sigh, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my lighter. I stuck a cigarette in my mouth, ready to light it, but I paused. I stared at the cigarette for a moment, then tossed it to the ground and crushed it under my boot. Instead, I pulled out one of the lollipops Lily had given me at the park. It was that one pop that was her favourite, Cherry. I unwrapped it and popped it into my mouth savoring the taste.

"... Not bad"

I started walking back to my office, the night air chilling my skin, but the lollipop kept a small part of me grounded.

As I walked, I thought about what to say to anyone who might stumble across my path. Especially you, readers. In this world, there exists monsters, creatures either hiding in the shadows or walking amongst you in the light of day and you won't even know it. We lived amongst you for centuries, even longer than that but not all of us are as neutral or passive, there are always those that will hunt you, rip you apart, drain you of your blood, drain you of your youth, suck the unborn child out of a pregnant mother with their long tounge, sacrifice you for a false God, or simply kill you out of boredom, like what you just witnessed in the factory... If you ever feel like something's watching you in the dark, then you're probably just being paranoid. But if you get attacked by a vampire, or some other creature of the night and somehow survive... Then don't bother calling me. I quit that life a long time ago. Whatever your problem is about the supernatural, leave me out of it. The Agency should be the ones to handle those things. I'm just a normal Private Investigator now, nothing more.

...

But deep down, I knew that was a lie. The Wolf would always be there, lurking in the back of my mind, waiting for the next time I'd lose control. And when that happens again... The world will be reminded once more of what fear truly is.

---End of Prologue: Lore and Shadows---