The squad moved quickly through the door, rifles raised and sweeping the area. The first three operatives in the room spotted it immediately, the Shadow Dweller, unmistakable to Fenra's trained eyes.
"Eyes on target," Fenra reported over comms, her voice steady despite the oppressive tension in the air.
The Shadow Dweller stood motionless on what appeared to be an ascending platform, glowing faintly with a symbol beneath its feet, three interlocked diamonds etched in a pulsating, purplish energy. Its face was obscured by shadow, and veins of violet light coursed through its body. Whether the platform was feeding the creature or being fed upon, Fenra couldn't tell.
"Seal the door," she ordered.
The last operatives entered, barricading the door with haste while the onmyoji placed charms to reinforce the barrier. Rifles trained on the Shadow Dweller, the squad spread out to create a shield formation as Fenra observed the creature and relayed their findings to Cora.
"It's on some kind of ritual platform," Fenra explained.
"Be careful, and good luck," came Cora's tense reply.
Fenra ordered the onmyoji to prepare charms and surround the platform's perimeter. The squad advanced cautiously, spreading out as their weapons stayed locked on the unmoving creature. The atmosphere was electric, the ritualistic symbol beneath the Shadow Dweller glowing faintly with ominous energy.
As they crept closer, just 20 meters away, the creature twitched. The sound it made was unnatural, like a brittle branch snapping under pressure. The sudden noise sent a chill through the team.
Then its neck snapped toward Fenra, its darkened visage seeming to study her. For a fleeting moment, her heightened senses caught the weight of its attention before it unleashed an ear-piercing screech. Fenra winced as the sound reverberated painfully through her heightened senses, but she remained steady.
The screech summoned a gale of unnatural wind that swirled violently around the room. The symbol beneath the Shadow Dweller flared to life, and a mass of dreadful energy gathered and launched toward the squad.
"Move!" Fenra barked, and the squad scattered, diving for cover.
They opened fire immediately, bullets flying toward the creature, but the shots stopped mid-air, as though colliding with an invisible barrier. The bullets hung in suspension for a moment before clattering uselessly to the ground.
"Not working!" one operative shouted in disbelief.
"Charms, now!" Fenra commanded.
The onmyoji launched talismans that bypassed the barrier, striking the ground beneath the Shadow Dweller. Sparks of purifying energy surged upward, causing the creature to howl in pain. Seeing its reaction, Fenra quickly ordered the onmyoji to bless the squad's weapons.
The onmyoji complied, sending talismans to wrap around the muzzles of the squad's rifles. The team opened fire again, and this time the bullets bypassed the defense, striking the creature directly. The rounds didn't penetrate its skin but left deep, glowing scratches across its body. The Shadow Dweller let out a frustrated, guttural cry, clearly affected by the attacks.
"Frag grenades, bless them!" Fenra ordered without missing a beat.
The onmyoji swiftly enchanted the grenades, and the squad threw them in unison toward the distracted creature. As the grenades exploded, the room was engulfed in bright light, smoke, and debris. The shockwaves reverberated through the building, audible even to Cora and the personnel stationed below.
Cora watched the flashes of light from her position, her worry growing with each explosion.
Inside, Fenra and her team maintained their focus, weapons trained on the swirling smoke where the Shadow Dweller had been. No one spoke, the room filled only with the faint crackling of settling debris.
As the smoke cleared, the Shadow Dweller was revealed, significantly weakened. It was haggard and kneeling, its once-intimidating form battered and broken. Its right arm was gone, torn away by the explosions, and the tattered remnants of its robes hung limply from its body.
The squad advanced cautiously, rifles still trained on the creature.
"Stay sharp," Fenra warned, her voice cutting through the tense silence.
They inched closer, but then the creature's darkened face began to shift. Its eyes, previously shrouded in shadow, started to emit an intense purple light, glowing brighter with each passing second.
"Eyes up!" Fenra shouted, bracing herself for whatever came next.