"Kelly?" I shouted. There was no response.
I felt a sense of vulnerability creeping up my chest as I looked at the vast housing estate in front of me and the stark silence that greeted my call.
"Kelly!" I cried again, aware my act would invite the wrath of residents. It is nearing eleven pm and the estate looked easing into its slumber.
I ran down the street, checked both sides of the road, and then covered the same distance in the opposite direction.
"Come on, Kelly! Where are you?" I whispered as my eyes roamed over the landscape. There were rows of trees, shophouses, and blocks of flats - where should I start? The towering blocks with their lights seemed to mock me.
I checked my handphone. There is no message and suddenly I realized my stupidity.
"Why don't I just call you? Silly Adam." I whispered.
I dialed her number and instantly heard a tune sailing towards me through the brittle air of the night. Though faint, it was audible.
I swung around, tried to ascertain the exact location, and realized it was coming from the opposite side of the road. I ran over and began to trace the sound trail. Gradually as I checked the surroundings, I soon found myself nearing a public dustbin.
"Kelly?"
I called out but there was no reply. For a moment, a chill seized my heart. I paced closer to the bin, in steady pose ,as my heart pounded."
I raised my fingers in the usual sword formation (pointer and middle finger paired with the thumb holding down the other two fingers), ready for any unexpected happenings.
When I reached the bin, I held the cover and inhaled deeply before flipping it open. Instantly, I saw her handphone on top of a pile of trash.
I drew closer and checked. There was no sight of Kelly other than the revulsive odour of rubbish.
I bent over and picked up the phone and checked on its condition. It seems perfectly fine with no traces of damage.
I tried to unlock the phone. She had set it to her facial recognition. As I held up the phone to check, the reflection on the screen showed a shadow behind me and it was coming right at me, fast!
I jumped to a side to avoid impact as I heard the air near to be being sliced by a projectile! Swoosh.
I had ducked in time. I quickly looked around to check but soon realized the shadow was no simple object.
It returned in no time, carrying a series of shrieks.
The familiar and wrenching cries confirmed my suspicion! Bats!
That meant only one thing.
The intensity of the squeaks increased and I looked up to the trees. Instantly I was greeted by beads of light. They are all over me! They have been waiting.
Within a split of second, a colony of bats had materialized overhead and was about to swoon down on me in a blanket of darkness.
They formed an intimidating canopy that was about to deliver an impact.
I smiled. Taking a deep breath, I wrapped my hands in fists and then swiftly extended my palms. I executed the Kuji-in (Nine hands seal) with a rotation motion. Instantly a shield of power formed over me. With a flick of my right sword fingers, I sent it cascading upwards.
"Zen hōi no heishi yo, watashi no tame ni tsukatte kudasai- Armies of the four directions, come to my assistance," I ordered as I executed the move.
The shield of energy rose through the air, it sliced through the air churning the bats into shreds. Instantly, they turned to ashes and vaporized in the air.
"Dark magic" I whispered. Who could be behind this?
I looked around
"Show yourself!" I demanded
My answer was quickly answered.
The dark ashes rose like there was an invisible molding it. Soon it had imploded into a crescendo that was double my height. The dark mass began to mutate and took the shape of bats creating a cacophony of nasty sounds.
I shut my eyes to steady my pulse and took a deep inhale.
When I opened my eyes, I found the mass of darkness had formed a colossal figure twice my height.
Only a senior spirit master can create such tools of destruction.
I shook my head. I had just completed an exorcism assignment and my powers are below par. Give me a break.
I knew I have no choice.
I flexed my arms and muttered "I am ready for you!"
I wrapped my fingers into a sword pose. With a heroic jab, I extended my hands in the direction of the new danger.
The gargantuan raised its head skywards and roared. It was a nasty deep groan that rippled through the air and scalped my skin. I looked around and feared it would rouse the residents.
I had little time to worry when the demonic presence pranced towards me with each of his steps sending tremors.
I rotated my fingers and commanded
"Heaven and earth, armies of the worlds come to assistance."
Instantly, there was movement in the air and soon a light wind picked up as streams of energy in the environment flowed towards me.
I inhaled and then shouted " Hakar Suru -破"
Instantly darts of yellow powers flew at the figure in a stream, fast and furious. It hit the mammoth figure and sliced off masses from its skin.
It paused and unleashed an angry cry before resuming its steps towards me. It seems I had underestimated the dark power who had lumbered on towards me.
Before I could summon my powers, it landed two huge fists at me. With a firm swerve with both arms, I quickly leaped backward to avoid it. My action angered the mammoth darkness who continued to swing its fist which crushed the bin just metres away from me.