"What a spooky floor," Sophia whispered as she looked around.
She was exhausted, mentally and physically. The psychological toll from the environment only added to it. Earlier, she had cursed her misfortune. A soldier was posted near the door that led down. She realized she would have to follow them, but then she learned that a group of four stayed behind.
She felt like going insane. Her veins were bulging, and she considered turning back and leaving.
Her luck improved slightly when the door suddenly opened with a terrifying growl. The soldier didn't look or even scream. He literally ran away. There was a shadow crawling up the stairs. It looked injured. It noticed her, and she noticed it. She held her breath, but it cried. At least, it sounded like a cry. It was a long, drawn-out, high-pitched whine, then it disappeared.
She dared not risk even an extra second as she quietly jumped down the stairs.
The 2nd floor had a chill to it. She had seen a lot of movies and online videos explaining the science behind it. It had to do with the lingering souls of ghosts. Their resentment, unwillingness, and negative emotion had a tangible effect on their surroundings. It was said that they were part of the atmosphere. If pacified, they would depart peacefully, allowing the temperature to stabilize.
Factoring in the report she had read about this place, it gave her the creeps. She was a soldier, though, so she grit her teeth and bared with it.
The important part was to find Sikhail, learn anything about this place, and figure out how to defeat these *shadows*. An additional goal involved NOT using her alternative shotgun. It gave her the same chills as this floor, which was *terrible*.
This place had long been abandoned. Any equipment remaining was useless. The shaking from earlier had to be related to him. Following the damage was the best way to learn where he had gone.
There was a huge rip in one of the corridors.
The odd thing about it was the blast zone was… a blast zone like this didn't exist. How would you even create a bomb like that?
It was like a rift to hell. She half expected an eye to stare back at her when she looked down. It was just more carnage that extended a few floors. The damage was limited to a few feet beyond the rift. Was a bomb really capable of this?
She tapped the screen on her arm and lifted her hand to scan the area.
(Beep)
(Beep)
(Beep)
No traces of explosives? Unknown external energy?
External energy?
Wasn't that Supernatural phenomenon?
So that fella used some magic to create this rift?
"Amazing!" Sophia said out loud, truly amazed by such a feat.
So, jump down or not? He probably did. Made no sense to her. She would break a leg. Get reprimanded and punished. Maybe die before that occurred? It was better to find a different way to get down. The stairs. Yeah. There should be stairs.
Sometime later, the soldiers arrived behind her. They also saw the *rift*. They weren't sure what to make of it. They scanned it as well.
-What the hell? External energy?-
-So your theory is right? A Supernatural Entity? They're creating freaks?-
-Say that to a Supernatural Entity, and you'll be dead before you can say sorry-
-Oh, they're strong than the battle-suit?-
-They practice something similar to a battle-suit-
-I'm really curious, then. Who's stronger. Us or them?-
-We need to stay careful. Keep the assumptions until we have more proof-
-My alternative theory is an experimental energy weapon. If you think the Supernatural Entity is too difficult to believe-
-Not difficult to believe. Alternatives are good. We don't want to focus on a lost cause when other evidence points somewhere different-
-Understood, sir-
-Always-
-Sir!! Everyone!!! Look to your left!!-
The soldiers were started, alarmed when they looked. There was a pale young woman with a thin dress. Part human, part shadow, part smoke, flying in the air beyond them. She pointed her arm forward and opened her mouth.
*** You're all the same. Always being nosy about things you don't understand***
-What the hell? Is she speaking in my mind?-
-How's this possible??-
-Look at all those shadows coming out of her-
-Those voices. I recognize those voices. She's creating them-
-Goddamn. F—king hell. We got ourselves a real danger zone here. Get in formation and suppress her-
(Click)
(Click)
-What the hell? Bullets ain't work-
-Shoot more. You ain't shooting properly-
(Click)
(Click)
-Where the hell are the eyes? Are there even any heads? Where do I shoot?-
-Damn!!! Stop shooting at them. Focus on her!!-
(Click)
(Click)
The young lady only smiled, weaving her hands as smoke and shadow followed her command.
***This again? Disappointing****
The young lady waved her hands, forming a scythe. It was tall, wide, magnificent. It dwarfed her by at least ten times.
*** I've improved it since last time. It has more despair and takes away more hope. However, they are unsatisfied. They are unwilling. They won't stop moaning unless I let them have their share***
As her voice disappeared, the shadows became more aggressive. A soldier was jumped by one. It slashed her arm as she put it up to defend herself.
"Arghhhhhhhh!!!"
Her body started rotting and decomposing. Her bone and flesh became a shadow as she was sucked in by the shadow.
-What the hell???? Goddamn it!!! ORDER. RETREAT-
Two more were turned into shadows as the order was given. A man and another woman. Their fate sent shivers down the spine. Three down. Eleven left. A grenade was thrown. An explosion. The shadows were pushed back slightly but continued pushing.
-Sir, we'll hold them back. Everyone else should run-
-No!!! Everyone runs!!! I'll hold em at bay. That's my duty as the senior leader!!!-
-Sir-
-No buts!!!!-
-They're affected by WMRs. It probably won't hurt, but it'll push them back. You're not a WMR. I and the others are-
-F**k! Alright. Do it. You better not fucking throw your lives away-
-We're also the only ones probably capable of saving your arse-
-Quit with the snarky remarks. Just do it. Team, retreat under cover of the WMRs-
A soldier overdrawed, shooting at the shadows. There was a burst of green light as it screamed in pain and retreated. It was unable to recover in the short term, so it hid behind other shadows.
-Goddamn. We can hurt em. That's all I need to know. Focus on the things she's creating. Don't focus on her unless you see her advance. There's no way she's normal. Give it a shot, just in case. No more than one-
Another soldier overdrawed and fired a shot. There was a burst of red light. The young lady giggled.
-What the f**k. This psychotic b***h-
***Oh. You have some capability. I didn't expect a few special things to be in the mix. Although the treasure isn't great, it's something. My creatures will be happy***
The young lady swung her scythe. It reached further than they expected. A flash of green light. The soldier narrowly dodged the attack.
***I see. Different from the rest. I've had a change of mind. Die and protect me. My creatures could always use one more friend***
-Coast is almost clear. Keep holding her back!!-
The WMRs strategically retreated toward each other, focusing on the shadows while occasionally firing a suppressing shot.
-Damn, she's getting pale. Calling all these things takes a toll on her. Keep it up-
The WMRs switched their focus as they gathered, Overdrawing their traits to stack up the damage. The young lady's giggles became coughs. Coughs turned into grunts. Grunts preceded a grim expression. Despite that, the young lady continued to swing her scythe. Nicks here and there, but shallow wounds. Superficial scratches.
***Utterly infuriating. A wasted effort coming back out. The rats are stronger than I expected***
The air grew colder, dipping enough to chill the battle-suits. The young lady became illusory, swinging out one more time.
"Aghhhh!!!!"
A soldier screamed. They looked over. His arm had been severed. Gone. They looked back. The young lady was gone. The shadows were all gone.
(Silence)
-What the hell do we do? She crippled the Magician. Can he even heal himself?-
-I'm not sure it works that way, sir. I'm not a Magician. Don't quote me on that-
-You hear that, buddy? Does your trait work that way?-
(Neverending screaming)
-Alright. Carry him out. Mission abort. We have some serious thinking to do-
-Yes, sir-
The other WMRs picked up the Magician and carried him back. The leader took one last look at the floor. He stared into the distance, where the rift was, then turned around and went up the stairs.