With his remaining strength, Xerves ripped off the bracelet. A burst of dense molecular energy exploded from him, saturating the air around them.
The demon's eyes widened, disbelief and horror etched into her features.
"H-human? Impossible! This can't be a human! What an aura... Ugh... mmmmh... ah... can't stand... my soul... it's being crushed," she screeched, collapsing under the immense pressure.
In the blink of an eye, Xerves vanished, only to reappear instantly in front of the demon.
"He disappeared!" she gasped.
It wasn't that Xerves had vanished; he moved too swiftly for the naked eye to follow. In one fluid motion, he unhooked his necklace and tapped the pendant's curved end. The pointed tip extended a few inches, transforming it into a lethal weapon.
Her face contorted in horror as Xerves drove the silver point into her chest. In a heartbeat, the demon's head disintegrated, her entire form dissolving into nothingness.
At the same moment, a tranquilizer dart shot out from an unseen direction, striking Xerves at the nape of his neck. He groaned loudly, muscles tensing as he fought against the drug's effects. His voice echoed through the space, a raw cry of defiance. Energy still coursed through his body, black lightning crackling along his hair, which stood on end.
"That should be enough to render him unconscious, Aurelius Xerves, my cute cute test subject..."
A voice echoed, dark, chilling, and unsettling. It was deep and gravelly, reverberating through the space like the growl of a predator. The words dripped with malice and cruel amusement.
Each syllable is a venomous hiss. The unseen speaker remained hidden, the darkness concealing their form and the ultimate threat they posed.
A voice blared from the command center in the counter-demon elite barracks, urgent and strained as the emergency gong was struck continuously.
"Squad One! I repeat, Squad One!! Tremendous levels of molecular energy are detected at Shadowfell—an outskirt area bordering the great Juda jungle! Urgent reconnaissance is requested! All squad one members, prepare for combat immediately! squad two should back them up!! I repeat squad one!..."
"Did you sense that energy earlier?" Darius Kane, squad one captain said while running, his mere presence exuding authority and confidence. He was tall, and broad-shouldered with black hair, and a build that spoke of both strength and agility, his belted white armless tunic had the word 'ONE' which represented the highest rank in a squad embroidered in black at the back, although not visible as the black matte cloak he wore on it billowed behind him. A sheathed silver sword was attached to his waist.
"It kinda boof!!, yay!!" Elara Ellie, his lieutenant exclaimed cheerfully while running by his side, an anomaly within the ranks, a prodigy whose skills and intelligence had earned her a place of respect despite her tender age of eight. With her small stature and wide, bright eyes, she looked every bit the child she was, yet there was an undeniable aura of command about her.
Ellie's hair, a cascade of auburn waves, was often pulled back into a practical ponytail, though a few rebellious strands always escaped. Her uniform, the standard issue combat uniform of the squad, a short-sleeved tunic cinched at the waist with a white sash, emphasizing her small, lithe frame and the insignia of her rank gleamed proudly on her left arm. A sheathed silver sword with an intricately wrapped hilt of pink and gold attached to her waist.
"let's hurry to meet up with the squad members, no mistake, That energy aura was an Evolue's, and a high-ranked one I think..." He said with a stern look.
"Captain, are you scared?" Ellie said laughing wholeheartedly while keeping up with the unbelievable speed of the captain.
"tsk!— You know well that no captain has ever bested me in battle before"
"Aye aye!!" she replied exuding a playful and mischievous spirit.
Ellie and her captain sprinted through the winding pathways of the elite barracks, the heart of their operations. The barracks were a formidable structure.
The exterior was constructed of heavy stone walls, aged and weathered, yet still standing tall and imposing. Ivy climbed up the sides, intertwining with ancient carvings and sigils that spoke of the barracks' storied past. Large iron gates guarded the entrance, flanked by towering watchtowers with huge emergency gongs hung by the side of each watchtower, sentinels kept a constant vigil there, and loud sound could be heard as they were struck due to the proclaimed emergency.
At the far end of the courtyard stood the command center, a towering structure bristling with sparkling gem artifacts that act to amplify commands issued from the inside.
Adjacent to the command center was the briefing room, where Ellie and her captain headed. The room was spacious yet functional, with a large table at its center surrounded by chairs. On the table, there lay a map of Shadowfell.
The squad members were gathered, their expressions a mix of determination and anticipation. Each one was geared up, their uniforms pristine, and their weapons at the ready. Ellie and her captain took their places, the atmosphere electric with the energy of a team poised for action.
As they assembled, the final preparations were made. Orders were given, and the mission parameters were reviewed. The squad members adjusted their gear, checked their weapons, and exchanged nods of encouragement. The air was charged with a sense of purpose and camaraderie, every member ready to face whatever lay ahead in Shadowfell.
"Captain Lilinette, I will need five of your squad members for healing backup—"
"No worries," she replied in a slow, commanding voice that exuded confidence and a powerful aura.
"I have made arrangements for the healers—specially skilled ones. Each will accompany one of your five squad members. I will personally join you as your healer."
Squad Two, the healing squad, was issued as backup for Squad One, the combat squad.
Captain Lilinette, a middle-aged woman with gentle eyes and a subtle, soft smile that conveyed kindness and composure, led them. Her posture was relaxed yet composed, with one hand holding the sheath of her sword and the other gently resting on it. She radiated tranquility and quiet confidence.
"Cute as usual, Captain Lili! I hope we have fun today," Ellie shouted joyfully, like a child on her way to an amusement park.
"Huh! Huh! Lieutenant Ellie is as hyper as ever..."
"Didn't they say it's an Evolue?"
"Man, I'm kinda scared," numerous voices whispered among the squad members in the room.
"Alright, Ellie dear, we will have fun when we return," Lilinette replied with a smile.
The squad's briefing meeting was dismissed, but who knew what awaited them as they headed toward Shadowfell.