Fenra had already pulled away from Kelson's lips a few seconds ago, but she remained close, nuzzling her head in slow, circular motions against his neck and chest. Her actions were almost instinctual, a display of affection that felt primal yet deeply tender.
She's tending to me, Kelson mused in his head, a faint chuckle threatening to escape his lips. He found the gesture endearing, almost impossibly cute, though he kept his reaction restrained.
Fenra, however, wasn't so lost in her emotions that she forgot the situation entirely. Well, not completely. She had indeed abandoned her target the moment she saw Kelson, a lapse in her usual discipline that gnawed at her conscience. Leaving her post went against every principle of her code. But, thankfully, she wasn't alone, Cora had remained vigilant.
Cora focused entirely on the target, her grip firm and her weight pressing down to keep it restrained. The figure beneath her struggled and grunted, its voice low and unnerving. Then, for the first time, it spoke:
"Let me go. Let me go!"
The words were rasping, desperate, and unexpected. What startled Cora even more was what came next, she saw something emerging from the shadowy veil that had obscured its face. Slowly, features began to materialize, revealing a complexion that left her stunned.
Her breath hitched as her eyes widened in shock. Her pulse quickened, and beads of sweat began to trail down her cheeks. With a calculated but cautious motion, she turned the figure over, still gripping her baton tightly. The maneuver was risky, but her instincts told her she had to see this through.
What she saw made her gasp audibly, her entire body stiffening.
"Err... Fenra?" she called out, her voice trembling with disbelief. "I think you need to see this."
Her words were laden with urgency, and the weight of the moment hung in the air. Fenra, still lost in her reunion with Kelson, froze as Cora's tone cut through the haze of her emotions. Whatever lay beneath that shadowy facade was something neither of them could have anticipated.
---
Fenra and Cora stood in front of the man they had initially believed to be their target. Now, seated before them, he bore no resemblance to the figure they had been chasing. Both women lowered their heads slightly in apology for their earlier actions.
When Cora had brought the situation to Fenra's attention, it became clear: this man was an ordinary human who didn't match the description of the dark, matted figure they had pursued. Yet, what puzzled Fenra the most was how the man's face had initially been cloaked in shadows, an unnatural veil that had receded over time. Even the ominous scent that had clung to him had dissipated, leaving only confusion in its wake.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Fenra asked, her voice steady but curious.
The man, still visibly disoriented, shook his head. "I... I don't know. I was just out for a walk, minding my business, when everything suddenly went dark. The next thing I know, I'm here, being interrogated by the Police."
Standing off to the side, Kelson had been quietly observing the conversation. His gaze sharpened as he interjected, "It sounds like you were briefly possessed by a Shadow Dweller."
The room fell silent. The weight of his words hung heavy, and everyone's expressions turned grim. The name alone sparked unease.
"Shadow Dwellers?" Cora repeated, her voice tinged with alarm.
Fenra exchanged a glance with Kelson, a knowing look passing between them. "I've heard of them before," she admitted, her tone grave. "They're anomalies, parasitic entities that infest living bodies to use as hosts. The flesh and darkness surrounding them helps them resist light sources while they hunt. They feed by consuming the essence of their victims, draining them completely."
Her explanation sent a shiver down Cora's spine, but she remained composed.
"Shadow Dwellers," Fenra continued, "can also inject their essence into the minds of the living, sending them into uncontrollable rampages. What happened here might've been similar... but I've never seen a case where a human was freed without permanent damage or death."
The man sat in silence, his expression a mixture of fear and disbelief. "Am I... Am I going to be alright?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Kelson, his tone soft yet firm, replied, "You'll need to seek immediate help. An exorcist or a health facility that specializes in mana infusion would be your best bet. They'll be able to determine if any remnants of the Shadow Dweller remain within you."
The man nodded, though his worry was evident.
Privately, Kelson contemplated whether he could intervene. With his abilities, he might've been able to appraise and heal the man's condition, purging any lingering essence of the Shadow Dweller. However, he quickly dismissed the thought. He wasn't vetted to use magic here, and he wasn't about to break the laws of this civilization, even if his instincts urged him to act.
For now, he'd have to trust that the man would find the help he needed, and that their paths had crossed for a reason.
---
Fenra activated her communicator, connecting to HQ as she and Cora stood near Kelson and Eva.
"This is Fenra. The target was a Shadow Dweller," she reported curtly. "It tricked us and escaped after possessing an innocent bystander. The situation is under control, but..." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "...the scene got a bit messy."
HQ responded almost immediately. "Acknowledged, Officer Fenra. A Shadow Dweller complicates things, fortunately, it also explains the anomalies. Regroup with your team and return for debriefing. And Fenra..."
"Yes?"
"We'll need to address the events at the square. Expect to provide a full explanation regarding that... action of yours."
Fenra released a slow, tired sigh. "Understood. I'll report in soon."
The line went dead, and she closed the communicator with a firm snap, rubbing her temples in frustration.
"Everything okay?" Kelson asked, his voice soft with concern.
"I'm fine," she replied, forcing a small smile. "I'll just have an interesting conversation waiting for me when I get back, that's all."
Kelson chimed in with a teasing grin. "I can't make it more interesting if you want"
"Don't push it, that high had died," Fenra muttered, though a faint smirk tugged at the corners of her lips.
---
Meanwhile, the ambulance Cora had called earlier arrived. She briefed the medical team on the man's condition, ensuring they understood the possible risks associated with Shadow Dweller possession. After securing the man, the medics departed.
Cora turned back and noticed Kelson holding Fenra's hands. Fenra looked down, her usual sharp demeanor softened by an almost bashful expression.
"Well, this is new," Cora muttered under her breath, grinning at the sight.
Before anyone could comment further, Eva approached, her curiosity piqued. "So, are you going to introduce me, or do I have to guess who the wolf-girl is?"
Kelson stepped forward, gesturing to Fenra. "Eva, meet Fenra. She works with the Skyrail Police."
Eva's sly smile widened. "Wolf-girl cop, huh? Sounds like something out of a romance flick. Is this a fetish thing, or...?"
"Eva..." Kelson groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Ignoring him, Eva leaned closer to Fenra. "I mean, I've seen you two in action, quite the public display earlier" She then turned to Kelson saying "You sure you're not like your father, chasing after the rare ones?"
Fenra's ears twitched, her cheeks reddening. "I... I lost control. It's been a long time since I've seen him."
Eva's teasing expression softened slightly. "Oh? How long?"
Kelson interjected before Fenra could respond. "We'll get into all of that later. There's a lot to unpack, but this isn't the place."
Fenra nodded in agreement, though her face shifted to that in annoyance, saying Cora who was giving her a wide grin, served with no context.
But it wasn't unfamiliar with her to know what Cora was trying to convey.
Groaning, Fenra guided Cora intront of Kelson "This is Officer Cora, whos my partner."
Cora gave a small wave. "Hi there."
Kelson returned the gesture with a smile. "Nice to meet you."
Cora smirked and shot Fenra a playful side-eye. "Opposites really do attract, huh?"
Fenra's face flushed. "Shut up, Cora. We're leaving."
Cora groaned, dragging her feet as Fenra began leading her away. "Ugh, already? The fun was just getting started!"
"Wait!" Kelson called out, stepping forward. "I don't have your number or anything."
Fenra paused, glancing back over her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll find you. Tracking you down won't be hard."
Eva suddenly shouted, "Wes 509, House Maflour!"
Cora blinked in surprise, her voice rising as she was dragged away. "Wait, you live in a villa? Are you guys loaded or something?"
---
Watching Fenra leave, Kelson sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"She'll come back," Eva said, nudging his arm with a mischievous grin.
"I know," Kelson replied, a small smile forming. He placed a hand under his chin, his thoughts drifting. Fenra... and Eilla.
Eva leaned close, her cheek brushing against his as she gave him a knowing look.
Kelson sighed, rolling his eyes. "Don't start."
Eva chuckled but said nothing, motioning for him to follow as the group began walking away.
As they moved on, Kelson glanced toward a nearby alley. His gaze lingered on the dark path for a few seconds, a strange sense of unease settling over him. Shaking the thought from his mind, he continued with the others, unaware of the shadowy figure slipping deeper into the darkness behind them.