Chapter 23 - Level 5?!!

BOOM!!!

The blast shook the building, cutting off his words. The floor quivered under their feet, and a shockwave swept through the room. The lights blinked as dust and rubble flew past the windows.

Panic broke out in the room. Demon hunters leaped up, grabbing weapons and preparing for battle. Ethan was quick to act, looking for the closest exit.

"Stay calm!" Sterling yelled, over the noise, trying to calm everyone down. "Security teams, to your posts! Everyone else, wait for orders!"

Ethan and his team made a dash for the exit, shoving through the crowd. When they got outside, they saw a scene of havoc and disorder. A hole had been blown in the wall of the headquarters, with smoke and flames pouring out.

"Oh my fucking goodness…"

Ethan's voice was calm, yet urgent as he reached out to Lilith through their inner link. "Lilith, what's going on?"

"[Multiple possessed are springing up in various areas around the headquarters.]" Lilith's voice echoed in his mind, her tone sounding analytical.

Lara's sharp eyes caught movement atop the building. "There... a possessed." Her finger pointed upwards, guiding Ethan's gaze.

Ethan's eyes narrowed, scanning the area. The situation was escalating rapidly. "We've got more incoming on this side," Jake added, his eyes fixed on a new threat.

Suddenly, a hulking creature burst through the smoky haze. Its horns glistened under the flickering flames, and its massive claws tore through the asphalt with ease. It let out a guttural roar, a sound that resonated with primal ferocity as it charged at them, smashing cars and trees along the way.

"An incubus," Lara mouthed, clenching her fist.

"The good kind. At least this one wants a fight" Ethan accessed, sensing the blood lust from the demon approaching.

Ethan's eyes narrowed, "Come on, guys... move it. I'll cover you." Lara and Jake didn't hesitate, springing into action.

Jake nodded and ran towards the possessed, drawing a long sword hung on his back. The sword was about the entire length of his body but he wielded it anyway like a chef handling a spoon in the kitchen.

Lara followed Jake behind, holding a weapon that at first resembled a baton. But as she ran, it began to morph, it's sides forming compartments that eventually became a crossbow.

Ethan held his position, his eyes constantly moving, assessing the extent of the threat.

The possessed noticed Jake and Lara and swung its claws at Jake, who ducked and slashed at its legs. But it didn't seem to do much as instead, the possessed apparently got irritated and tried to stomp Jake to the ground. However, with quick thinking and agile movements, Lara placed her crossbow aside and instead reached for her sides, pulling out her Sai.

Using the debris nearby as a leverage, she ran on top of it and jumped off it, landing on top of the possessed and with precision, she struck the shoulder of the horned demon, hoping to impale it. However, just like Jake, all Lara appeared to be was a pest and instantly, she was evicted from the back of the possessed as it grabbed her and swung her off, swatting her to the ground.

More of the demon hunters in the building began to flood out, their weapons at the ready. "Ethan, what's going on?" Adriana asked.

"Multiple possessed are springing up and causing chaos."

"We need to contain them." Marcus said in a loud voice, "Captains, take charge of your units and get into action."

"Lara!" Jake shouted, and fired a shotgun he pulled from a strap in his legs at the possessed, hitting its face. The possessed staggered back, black blood dripping from its wounds. Jake of course was not expecting this to deal a finishing blow. Rather, this was to cause a moment of reprieve as he bought his teammate time.

Lara staggered back up and took out her crossbow from behind her. She checked the tip of the arrows to make sure they were laced with demon ash. Demon ash weakened them enough to give hunters an edge.

She fired her crossbow, aiming for its head. The bolt hit its mark, but the possessed barely flinched. It roared and charged at them, smashing cars and trees along the way.

"Shit, this one's tough." Jake said, reloading his shotgun. "Lara, any ideas?"

Lara checked her scanner, looking for a weak spot. "Its chest. There's a glowing mark there. Perhaps it's were the core of it's energy lies?" Lara said.

"Got it. Ethan, distract it. Jake, cover me." Lara said, grabbing a grenade from her belt.

Ethan twirled his gleaming scythe with practiced ease, drawing the possessed's attention. The creature turned towards him, its demonic eyes fixated on the menacing weapon. Ethan, with a swift and calculated movement.

Lara, hidden behind the remnants of a car, lined up her crossbow. She aimed with precision, waiting for the opportune moment. As Ethan dodged the possessed's wild swings, Lara seized the opening. With a deep breath, she released the demon ash-laced arrow. The projectile soared through the air, striking the creature in the head once again. This time, however, the demon ash took effect, visibly weakening the possessed as it stumbled under the corrosive influence.

Seizing the moment, Jake seized the chance to reload his shotgun. With a determined gaze, he approached the wounded creature. As the possessed recovered from the arrow's impact, Jake closed in, firing his shotgun at point-blank range to disorient it further. The creature bellowed in agony, its movements slowed by the combined assault.

Lara, now with a clear shot, yelled, "Now, Jake!" With a nod, Jake holstered his shotgun and unsheathed a gleaming blade. He lunged forward, expertly avoiding the possessed's erratic strikes, until he stood directly in front of the creature's chest. With a swift and well-aimed thrust, Jake plunged the blade into the glowing mark on its chest, channeling all his strength into a decisive strike.

The possessed convulsed, emitting an otherworldly wail as its dark form dissipated.

Ethan turned to Lara and asked, "Lara, are you okay?" he saw how she had been swatted like a fly earlier only to get up once again.

"Yeah, I'm good." She replied.

"Is she okay?" Adriana asked, concerned as she and Marcus ran over to where Ethan, Jake and Lara stood.

"She'll be fine." Ethan said, taking a last glance at Lara to be sure she was fine. "She's tough."

He looked around, and saw that the other demon hunters were engaged in similar battles. Some of them were winning, some of them were losing.

"Adriana, Ethan, you're with me," Marcus the commander said. He then looked at Jake and Lara and said, "You two, go meet up with your captain," Marcus commanded, his voice ringing with authority.

Jake and Lara nodded. Lara wanted to pack the demon ash left on the ground but knew there was time for that later. She and Jake swiftly headed off to regroup with Kirk.

"Any idea what caused this?" Adriana asked, her voice steady despite the chaos.

"No," Ethan replied, his gaze never leaving the smoldering building. "But this feels deliberate. An attack on headquarters isn't just bold, it's a statement."

As they approached the epicenter of the blast, their senses were assaulted by the acrid smell of burning and the harsh sounds of sirens and shouts. Ethan's mind raced, analyzing every detail, every movement around them.

"This isn't just a random act of violence," Marcus said, his voice grim. "It's a declaration of war."

Ethan's eyes widened at the revelation. "Are you saying this was planned? I thought the appearances of the possessed were random," he questioned, his voice laced with disbelief.

Adriana, the Unit 4 Leader, gave him a knowing look. "There's a lot you still don't know, Carter. In the higher ranks, we've started seeing patterns. Someone, or something, is orchestrating these attacks."

"But who?" Ethan pressed, his brow furrowed in confusion and intrigue.

"That's what we're about to find out," Marcus replied with determination. "Come on."

Suddenly, Lilith's voice rang in Ethan's mind, urgent and clear. "[Alert: Level 5 Possessed Incoming]."

"Level 5?" Ethan echoed aloud, his voice tinged with a mix of shock and awe.

"Where did you detect a Level 5?" Marcus asked, turning to face Ethan.

"My tab is picking up a massive energy signature at the other end of the station. That's where we need to go," Adriana responded, her fingers swiftly moving over the device.

Without hesitation, the group of demon hunters bolted towards the location Ethan had identified. Their boots thudded against the concrete, each step carrying them closer to the unknown threat.

"Damnation's fire," Marcus cursed under his breath, as they got to the spot. "What in the actual fuck is that?"