**Thunk... thunk... thunk!**
Afia jolted awake, her heart racing at the rhythmic sound of a knife striking a cutting board. The eerie noise cut through the silence like a blade through flesh, amplified by her acute sensitivity to sound. It wasn't the first time her own mind played tricks on her, amplifying the simplest of noises into something sinister. Without her grandfather's comforting presence, she found it nearly impossible to shield herself from the unsettling whispers of the night. Her headphones could filter out the unnatural sounds of the city, but they were powerless against the sharp thudding that seemed to echo directly into her bones.
After a quick shower, her nerves still on edge, Afia made her way to the living room.
In the kitchen, Eula stood calmly, chopping vegetables and stirring a pot of soup. The clatter of knives and spoons filled the space, clashing with the disquiet brewing inside Afia. On the table, a feast was being laid out—soup, salad, and a variety of other dishes that seemed almost too perfect for such an unsettling morning.
Laura grinned as Eula set the final dish down, the warm aroma doing little to alleviate the tension Afia felt gnawing at her.
"I didn't know you could cook this well. Usually, I just skip breakfast," Laura mused, admiring the spread, her voice light, unaware of the heaviness that lingered beneath the surface.
Afia approached, forcing herself to engage in the mundane routine. "Good morning," she muttered as she took a seat.
Laura glanced at her, frowning. "You look like you didn't sleep at all."
Afia's voice was quiet. "I can't sleep in unfamiliar places."
Laura nodded, sighing as she stared into her food. "I wonder why we're really here. I mean, how are we supposed to help? We're just... normal people. Weak." She glanced at Eula. "Well, maybe not you, but I don't see the point in all this."
Eula sat down without a word, her gaze distant as she began eating. The tension in the air thickened as silence fell over the table.
"What's your reason for coming here, anyway?" Laura asked, her curiosity piqued. "I got tricked into it and needed the money."
Afia paused for a moment, her eyes dark. "I need their help."
Laura nodded, but her attention shifted quickly. "What about you, Eula?"
Eula finished her glass of water, her face unreadable. "I'm full," she said coldly, rising from the table. "I'll see you later." She disappeared into the hall without another word, leaving her plate almost untouched.
Laura blinked, confused. "Her food's barely touched... is she on a diet or something?"
Afia remained silent, her mind elsewhere, trying to suppress the growing sense of unease that had settled in her chest since she woke up.
---
**—Airport—**
"Wait—Pacey! This is way too sudden!" Noon called, struggling to keep up as she dragged their luggage behind her. "What are you going to do about work? You can't just leave in the middle of everything!"
Pacey stopped for a moment, her face tense. "I know. But I have to confirm something."
"Can't you just call to confirm?" Noon asked as she panted heavily.
---
**—Moireal—**
The knocks on the door echoed, breaking the silence.
"Pacey Michelyn is here," a voice said, cutting through the stillness.
Rayen nodded to Leonce, who moved swiftly to open the door.
Pacey stormed in, her face flushed with fear and anger. "What was that thing? Why was it after me? And you," she glared at Rayen, "what did you do to me? How did you stop it?"
Noon, standing nervously beside Pacey, tried to calm her. "Let's just talk this through."
Rayen's lips curled into a slight smile. "I thought you didn't believe me."
Pacey's eyes flickered, her resolve cracking. "I... I didn't trust you."
"Ah," Rayen nodded, leaning back. "So, you believe me now?"
Pacey remained silent, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Rayen sighed softly, her voice lowering. "I assume you saw something—something you can't explain. Like a demon, perhaps?"
Pacey's head snapped up, her eyes wide. Noon nodded quickly. "Yes! It was like a demon or something... it kept coming at us, like it wanted to kill Pacey."
Rayen's expression darkened. "They're picking up their pace. But how did they find you?"
Pacey stepped forward, her voice shaking. "What do you mean by 'they'?"
Leonce interrupted, his voice a low rumble. "A group dedicated to eliminating all obstacles—like us."
Pacey turned, her confusion deepening.
Leonce wheeled Rayen closer to the window, the sunlight casting long shadows over the room. "Their goal is simple: to wipe out anyone with powers they see as a threat."
"Who are they?" Pacey demanded, her voice barely a whisper. "Why are they doing this?"
Rayen's eyes locked onto Pacey's. "We call them Dekiat. Servants of Zygnaroth."
The name sent a chill down Pacey's spine. "Who... who is Zygnaroth?"
Rayen's voice was colder now, almost a whisper. "He's the reason the barriers between Earth and the underworld are breaking. The reason demons are slipping through."
Pacey's stomach churned. "How do we stop him?"
Rayen's eyes gleamed with a dark understanding. "By destroying his helpers. Zygnaroth doesn't have a physical form yet, but his servants are working to give him one. If they succeed, it will be too late. Our job is to stop them before that happens... because we are the only ones who can."
The room fell silent, the weight of the words pressing down on Pacey like a curse. She remained quiet, thoughts swirling. Did she get this power because she was chosen? Was this some cosmic punishment, a duty forced upon her without consent?
Rayen's voice softened. "I know it's hard to accept. It was for me, too. But no matter how much you try to avoid it, this is your fate. It's ours."
Pacey's voice trembled as she asked, "How do I help?"
Noon stepped forward, her voice desperate. "Pacey, you can't decide something like this so easily! It's too dangerous!"
Rayen smiled softly, but there was no warmth in it. "Don't worry. You won't be alone."
The door creaked open, and in walked Eula, followed by Afia and Laura. A grim silence hung between them.
"There they are," Rayen said darkly.
As introductions were made, Rayen led the group into a hidden room beneath the building, where the real horrors of their new reality awaited them.
Luke greeted them with a mischievous grin, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, well, look who finally arrived," he said, turning his gaze toward Pacey. "Ahh, you must be the new recruit."
Pacey stared back, unimpressed, offering no response. She wasn't here for pleasantries.
Sensing her silence, Luke cleared his throat and motioned for the group to follow. "Come on, let's get to the real fun." He led them down a hidden passage, and Laura couldn't help but blurt out, "Moireal sure loves its secrets."
The concealed room was nothing short of a small armory. Weapons of all shapes and sizes lined the walls, glinting under the dim light. In one corner, someone was fast asleep, a faint snore breaking the otherwise eerie quiet.
"Enora!" Luke called out, but the figure remained blissfully unaware.
"Enora!" he shouted, louder this time.
The woman jerked awake, wiping away the drool from her mouth as she scrambled to her feet. "Huh—what? I'm up! I'm up!" she stammered, her nervous smile barely masking the embarrassment.
Leonce shook his head slightly, while Luke sighed. "Didn't I tell you today's the day we're testing the equipment?"
"You did?" Enora rubbed her head sheepishly. "Sorry, I guess I was… distracted."
Luke smirked. "Distracted, huh? More like napping."
Enora shot him a glare before turning to the group. "Hi, everyone! I'm Enora Lawson, and I'll be designing your uniforms."
"That's right," Luke added, crossing his arms. "And I'll be helping you find the perfect weapon."
Eula raised an eyebrow. "Uniforms? We need those?"
Laura, looking horrified, exclaimed, "Wait—weapons? Are we killing people? I—I can't do that!"
Luke chuckled. "Not people—demons. You'll need special weapons to handle them."
"Demons?" Laura's voice shot up a pitch. "What?! You expect us to fight *demons*?!" Her shock was palpable, but as she scanned the others' faces, it seemed everyone else was already in the loop.
"Anyway," Luke continued, "you'll get to choose your weapon. And as for the uniforms, Enora's got something special planned for those, too."
Eula raised her hand slightly. "I'll stick with my katana."
Pacey nodded in agreement. "I already have my own weapons."
Luke shrugged, nonchalant. "That's fine. I can give them a little upgrade, nothing drastic."
---
**Outside Moireal**
"Are you really sure about this, Pacey?" Noon's voice was laced with worry as they stood at the edge of the building.
Pacey gave a firm nod. "You saw what happened out there, Noon. I won't let that happen again."
"I could stay here with you," Noon offered, but Pacey shook her head.
"No. It's too dangerous for you to be around me. I can't risk putting you in harm's way again." Her voice softened. "Please, promise me. Stay out of this and cover for me while I'm gone."
"But—"
"Please," Pacey begged, her eyes pleading.
Reluctantly, Noon agreed, leaving Pacey to her fate.
---
Back inside, Laura's excitement was palpable as she examined the room filled with weapons.
Luke handed her a set of metal knuckles, the cold steel glinting in the low light. "These are perfect for you," he said with a smirk.
Laura tilted her head, uncertain. "You think so?"
"You're a fighter, right? I figured you're good with your fists," Luke commented, watching her slip them on. She clenched her fists, testing their weight.
"Now for the fun part." Luke smiled wider. "Close your eyes and imagine daggers."
Laura hesitated, thinking it was a joke, but she closed her eyes nonetheless. As soon as the image formed in her mind, the metal knuckles transformed, four sharp daggers extending between her fingers, their edges gleaming wickedly.
Her eyes snapped open in shock. "This—this is awesome!"
Luke nodded, clearly pleased. "It's an additional feature, completely invisible until you need it. You can summon them anytime, with just a thought."
Laura's amazement deepened as she nodded in agreement. Luke was right—these weapons had more to them than met the eye. And they would need every advantage they could get.
—Lubmen—
As the sun began to sink behind the skyline of Lubmen, the city's streets were bathed in a fading orange glow, casting long, distorted shadows across the buildings. The quiet hum of evening descended as Eula, Pacey, and Laura strolled, their footsteps the only sound in the stillness. Yet, there was an unease in the air, like a storm brewing just beyond their senses.
It was Laura's idea that they explore the city to familiarize themselve with each other.
Suddenly, a loud growl broke the silence.
Pacey and Eula turned to see Laura clutching her stomach, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I guess I'm a little hungry," she laughed sheepishly.
Laura's eyes lit up when she spotted a fast-food restaurant nearby. With excitement, she pointed to it and hurried toward the entrance, her enthusiasm carrying her ahead of the others. But when they stepped inside, something felt off—*very off.*
Eula narrowed her eyes, her instincts sharp. "Something's not right," she whispered, scanning the empty room with a hunter's precision.
"True, this place is giving me the creeps," Pacey muttered, her blunt tone laced with suspicion.
Laura, oblivious, called out, "Hello? We'd like to order something!" She leaned over the counter, hoping to catch a glimpse of staff.
The ground trembled beneath them, a faint but growing rumble. Then, a low, eerie laugh echoed from behind the counter, followed by the soft *cling… cling* of metal tapping against something hard.
Laura darted back, wide-eyed, hiding behind Eula. "What was that?"
Eula's hand slipped into her pocket, and with a flick of her wrist, she summoned the hilt of her weapon. In an instant, a glowing blue katana materialized. Pacey unwrapped what looked like a simple wooden log, but as her fingers moved, the log transformed into a bow riser.
Laura stood frozen, watching her companions prepare for what lay beyond the counter. "Wait, we're not seriously going to confront whatever *that* is, are we?" Her voice quivered with fear.
She bolted for the door, but no matter how hard she tugged, it wouldn't open. Locked.
From behind the counter, a figure began to emerge from the darkness. It was unlike anything they had faced before. The demon was tall, impossibly tall, its long white hair cascading down like a shroud, moving as if it had a life of its own. Its eyes—black, bottomless voids—pulled the light from the room, leaving only a suffocating darkness.
Wings, massive and ragged, draped across its back like a tattered cape. They twitched and shuddered as the demon moved forward, its skeletal frame covered in pale, leathery skin. A long, forked tongue flicked out, tasting the fear in the air, while a row of sharp fangs glistened beneath the dim lights, eager to tear into flesh. The demon's claws scraped against the counter as it walked, the metallic screech reverberating through the room.
It growled, low and guttural, sending a wave of cold fear through the air.
Eula carefully stepped forward, her movements deliberate and controlled. "Keep your distance," she instructed, her voice steady but firm. "It's waiting for us to make the first mistake."
The demon lunged with terrifying speed. Eula dodged effortlessly, her katana flashing in the dim light as she sliced through one of its wings with precision. The severed wing hit the ground with a sickening thud.
The demon strikes Eula with its wing, sending her crashing into a cluster of tables.
The sound of splintering wood echoes through the air.
"Focus, Laura!" Pacey barked, her eyes sharp as she readied her bow. She crouched behind a table, scanning the demon for a weakness.
But Laura's panic had taken over. She stumbled back, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "I—I can't do this!" she stammered, the demon's overwhelming presence making her legs feel like jelly.
Eula groans in pain but quickly gets to her feet. The monster laughs, then lunges at her. As it charges, Eula raises her katana to block, but the demon, as if anticipating her move, easily snaps the blade aside. Its hands grip her neck tightly, hissing as its split tongue flicks out.
Just then, Pacey fires an arrow into the demon's arm. The creature releases Eula, snarling in pain as it turns its fury toward Pacey.
"Get a grip, Laura!" Pacey shouted, her focus never wavering. "You're stronger than this!"
The demon snarled and slashed at Laura. In an instant, Eula was there, deflecting the blow with her katana, her calm never faltering. "Breathe," she said softly, her eyes fixed on the demon. "You've got this."
Pacey pulls out an arrow, stabbing the demon's back torso. The demon stumbles backward as Pacey retreats. Black ichor sprayed from the wound, and the demon let out an ear-piercing shriek.
Together, Eula and Pacey moved in perfect unison, their strikes fluid and deadly, wearing the demon down piece by piece.
With a final, powerful throw, Eula drove her katana deep into the demon's chest, pinning it against the wall. The creature writhed and howled in agony, its body convulsing. But rather than dissolving into dust like most demons, something strange happened.
The black ichor seeping from the demon began to shift, crawling across the floor toward a shadowy corner. Slowly, from the darkness, a young man emerged, covered in the same black ichor. He stood tall, no older than 23, with sharp features, black hair, and a sly grin that sent a chill down Laura's spine.
"Well, that was fun," he said, wiping the black liquid from his arms casually, as though the demon they had just fought was little more than an inconvenience. "Name's Arwan Chernenko. Nice to meet you."
"What the hell?" Pacey muttered, her grip tightening on her weapon.
Arwan grinned wider. "Relax. It was just a little test. I had to see what you were capable of. You passed—barely."
Laura, still trembling with leftover fear, snapped, "A *test*?! We could've died!"
Eula, ever composed, sheathed her katana. "What was the point of this, Arwan?"
Before he could respond, Enora stormed into the room, eyes blazing with anger. "Arwan!" she snapped. "You could've seriously hurt them!"
Arwan shrugged, his grin unwavering. "If they couldn't handle this, they aren't ready to face the Dekiat. This was necessary."
Pacey stepped forward, anger flashing in her eyes. "We're not your guinea pigs."
Arwan's smile faded slightly. "What's coming is far worse. If you can't handle a demon like that, you'll never survive the Dekiat."
As much as they hated to admit it, his words carried a dark truth.
With a final smirk, Arwan stepped back. "See you around, ladies. You'll need more than that to take on the real threats."