Meanwhile, the PSIA organization arrived at the scene. Reyes and his team watched in stunned silence as the battle unfolded. The sheer power and ferocity of the combatants left them momentarily paralyzed.
"Hold your positions," Reyes ordered, his eyes never leaving the fight. "We can't intervene now. We need to ensure no civilians get caught in this."
Captain Samantha Yap, who had arrived with the PSIA team and the police, approached Reyes. Her sharp eyes assessed the situation quickly. She introduced herself as she showed her police badge. "I'm Captain Samantha Yap of the Cebu Police Department. Who are you, and what is your operation here?" she demanded, her tone authoritative.
Reyes turned to face her, his expression serious. "I'm Agent Reyes of the Philippine Supernatural Investigation Agency, PSIA. We're here to manage the supernatural threats that have surfaced in Cebu."
Captain Samantha frowned, clearly unfamiliar with the organization. "PSIA? I've never heard of it. What exactly do you do?"
Reyes explained, "We handle supernatural occurrences and threats that are beyond the capabilities of regular law enforcement. Our mission is to protect civilians and maintain order when supernatural forces are at play."
Captain Samantha crossed her arms, still skeptical. "And you expect me to believe that you're some sort of secret supernatural police officer?"
Reyes nodded, understanding her disbelief. "I know it's hard to accept, but right now, we need to focus on the task at hand. Once this is over, I'll provide you with all the information you need."
Captain Samantha eyed Reyes for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But I'll hold you to that."
As the PSIA agents and the police moved to suppress the cars of the civilians that had followed them, they maintained their watch on the battle. The scene before them was a testament to the extraordinary forces at play, and they knew their time to act would come once the fight concluded.
-----
Back at the PSIA headquarters in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Director Alvarez was glued to the monitor displaying a live feed from a drone controlled by Santos. The drone provided a bird's-eye view of the intense battle unfolding between Reese and the lieutenants of the League of Shadows.
Alvarez watched in disbelief as the Black Mask Man, moving with blinding speed, dispatched the first three lieutenants with ease. When the Black Mask Man's blade cleaved through Anabel's neck, Alvarez's eyes widened. "Incredible," he muttered, leaning closer to the screen. "He's taking them down one by one."
As Gnash and Veil fell to Reese's swift attacks, Alvarez's admiration for the Black Mask Man grew. "He's handling them like they're nothing," he said, shaking his head in amazement.
Suddenly, the screen darkened as Sigar unleashed the Umbral Force. The swirling mass of dark energy sent chills down Alvarez's spine. "What in the world is that?" he exclaimed, unable to comprehend the sheer power emanating from the black energy. "Is this some kind of dark magic?"
The feed showed the Black Mask Man dodging the attacks of the lieutenants, his movements a blur of agility and precision. Alvarez's heart raced as he watched the relentless onslaught. He feared for the Black Mask Man, wondering if the man could withstand such an overwhelming force.
Then, the camera captured the Black Mask Man spotting an opening and taking down Hag with a swift, decisive strike. Alvarez's jaw dropped. "Unbelievable," he whispered. "He's... he's actually winning."
-----
Back at the battle scene, the atmosphere was electric with tension and awe. The remaining lieutenants of the League of Shadows, stunned and afraid, watched as their comrades fell one by one. The air was thick with the remnants of dark energy and the smell of scorched earth, creating an eerie backdrop to the fierce combat.
Civilians who had followed the commotion from a distance gathered cautiously, their curiosity piqued by the extraordinary events. Some were too frightened to come closer, while others, driven by a mixture of fear and fascination, edged forward for a better view. Among the crowd, a few individuals had brought their drones, which now hovered above the battlefield, capturing the fight from various angles.
"Look at that!" a young man exclaimed, his eyes glued to the screen of his smartphone, which displayed a live feed from his drone.
"Is that guy human?"
"I think that's the same guy who killed that winged creature at SM Seaside days ago."
"You're right, that is definitely him, there's no doubt about it."
A middle-aged woman nearby clutched her child's hand tightly, her expression a mix of fear and awe. "I've never seen anything like this," she murmured.
The drones whirred softly, their cameras focused on the figures below. The collective gasp of the crowd could be heard as the Black Mask Man effortlessly dodged the attacks of the lieutenants and counterattacked with precision.
Social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok were flooded with live feeds. People from all over the Philippines were glued to their screens, watching in awe and disbelief as the lone warrior took on the creatures.
"Who is this guy?!" one viewer commented on the Facebook live feed. "Whoever that guy is, he must win, or we're screwed!"
"Did you see that? He just took down three of those monsters in seconds!" another exclaimed.
On TikTok, the hashtag #BlackMaskMan was trending, with countless videos and reactions being uploaded every minute.
"This is insane! Is this real life?" a young woman said in her TikTok reaction video. "First there was the winged creature days ago, and now these creatures appear!"
"That dark energy move... what was that?" another user posted. "I've never seen anything like it!"
The live feeds captured every moment, and the comments section was filled with theories, speculations, and a mix of fear and admiration for the Black Mask Man.
-----
"They're using drones to watch the fight," Reyes noted, glancing at the civilian-operated devices. "This is going to spread fast."
Captain Samantha Yap, standing nearby, nodded. "We need to ensure they stay safe and don't interfere."
Reyes agreed. "Agents, keep the civilians back. Make sure they don't get too close to the action. We can't afford any casualties."
Captain Samantha Yap also ordered the police to keep the civilians at bay.
The PSIA agents and the police moved swiftly, creating a perimeter to keep the onlookers at a safe distance. They kept a close watch on the battle, ready to step in if necessary.
Above the battlefield, the drones continued to capture every moment of the fight. The footage showed the Black Mask Man moving like a shadow, his swords gleaming as they cut through the air. Each move was calculated, and each strike was deadly accurate. The viewers, both on the ground and watching through their devices, were captivated by the sheer spectacle of it all.
As Reese turned to face the remaining lieutenants after slaying Hag, The onlookers held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next. The battle was far from over, and the outcome remained uncertain. But one thing was clear: they were witnessing something extraordinary—a clash of powers beyond their wildest imagination.
-----
Back on the battlefield, the tension was palpable. The remaining lieutenants of the League of Shadows, emboldened by Sigar's use of the Umbral Force, prepared to launch another assault on Reese. The air crackled with energy as the onlookers, both in person and through their screens, held their breath in anticipation.