The last lights of the summer day were slowly fading over the roofs of the old town. Only in places, among the glittering copper gutters and cracked roof tiles, did anyone else move. Edgar - a large, black rook with a slightly frayed wing - always felt most comfortable when most of the town was already asleep. That evening, the air smelled of dust, moss and adventure. The southern part of the district - the ruins of tenements that had survived more than one turmoil - was his kingdom. Balancing on a metal railing, Edgar surveyed the world below him: the deserted streets, the smeared walls and the thin shadows that flitted across the cobbled pavements. For days, a strange stirring had been felt in the ruins. The pigeons, usually crowding the windowsills, had suddenly disappeared at night; even the rats were taking other routes. Anxiety spread among the city's animal inhabitants like a gust of wind. Edgar pretended not to be curious. But when he - the brave rook - pretended, the desire to find out what had disturbed their world grew all the stronger. At that moment, Edgar saw something unusual: in the darkest corner of the ruin, where not even the glow of the street lamps reached anymore, someone's eyes flashed. The yellow, motionless pair were watching him as intently as he was watching them. Bird instinct told him: don't approach, but curiosity was stronger than reason. Leveling his breathing, Edgar slowly slid lower, onto the fallen ledge. He noticed the eyes moving towards him silently, as if their owner was a shadow. Then he heard a quiet rustling behind him and a familiar, soft voice. It was Mila - a young cat from the neighbouring tenement, known for her nonchalance and bravery. - Can you see him? - she whispered, not taking her eyes off the dark corner. - The inhabitants of the underworld call him Shadow. He came here recently and no one knows what he is looking for. Edgar nodded, watching the shadowy shape approach the cellar entrance. A strange aura appeared around it, squinting its eyes as it looked like a disturbingly large animal. Mila moved nervously. - Maybe it's better not to approach? - she whispered hesitantly. But Edgar already knew there was no turning back. If he didn't discover who the newcomer was, none of the inhabitants would feel safe. Just then the shadow stopped suddenly, turned slowly and looked straight at Edgar and Mila. A moment later there was a sound that neither of them had ever heard before - a low, dragging roar that pierced the night and made Edgar and Mila's hearts freeze with terror. For a moment, everything froze.