The Shadow Dweller let out a piercing shriek that climbed into an unbearable crescendo. The sound obliterated all other noise, deafening the squad and extinguishing their lights, plunging the room into absolute darkness.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence, a pregnant pause filled with dread and uncertainty. The oppressive stillness pressed in on all sides, but the blackquad knew better than to panic. Moving instinctively, they tapped their boots softly against the floor, orienting themselves by sound as they shifted into a back-to-back formation.
"Onmyoji, light it up," Fenra commanded, her voice steady despite the suffocating tension.
The onmyoji summoned sapphire lanterns, their flames blazing to life. Yet the light was unsettlingly dim, illuminating only a tight radius around the team. Beyond their flickering glow, the darkness remained impenetrable, alive with unseen menace.
Then, a new light emerged, deep purple, throbbing like a heartbeat. It was the Shadow Dweller, its sinister form reappearing, framed by the intensifying glow of the ritualistic platform beneath it. Its presence was suffused with menace, the air growing colder as its energy pulsed.
"This is it," Fenra muttered to herself before addressing the squad. "No holding back. Release all limits."
The squad nodded in unison, gripping their weapons tightly as silence once again blanketed the room.
The ritual symbol beneath the Shadow Dweller flared brighter, and an almost unbearable pressure filled the chamber. The creature tilted its head back, emitting a guttural howl that reverberated with unnatural force. Energy waves surged outward, accompanied by a heavier, bone-chilling wind that made even the seasoned operatives flinch.
And then, with a single blink, the world shifted.
When their vision cleared, the squad found themselves surrounded. Shadowlings, hundreds of them, emerged from the void, their distorted forms flickering like faulty holograms. Among them, the Shadow Dweller loomed, its arm outstretched, pulsing with destructive energy aimed at the team.
"Hold the line!" Fenra shouted, raising her weapon.
The squad opened fire, blessed rounds cutting through the darkness and striking the shadowlings. The creatures screeched as the consecrated bullets tore into them, dissolving their forms into wisps of smoke. The onmyoji unleashed their talismans, creating barriers and hurling enchanted attacks that disrupted the horde.
Despite their ferocity, the shadowlings were relentless. They lunged from all directions, claws swiping and jaws snapping. The squad fought in perfect synchronization, covering each other's blind spots, but the overwhelming numbers began to wear them down.
Amid the chaos, Fenra's instincts sharpened to a razor's edge. Her breath quickened, her vision narrowed, and a primal energy surged within her. With a feral growl, she leapt into the fray, abandoning her firearm for brutal, close-quarters combat.
Her claws tore through shadowlings with savage precision, her movements a blur of raw power and speed. Each strike was devastating, the feral strength within her overwhelming the creatures that dared approach, and in the midst of the fray, she made a sudden beeline, not even the shadow dweller could respond, Her squad paused for a moment, stunned by the sheer force of her assault.
She sank her claws deep, bypassing its defence in a constant frenzy, not wanting to gave it anymore chance to bring out anymore tricks from its sleeve.
But the Shadow Dweller was not idle. Despite the heavy blows it has taken, it forced it's will to raised its remaining arm, channeling its energy. A pulse of violet light erupted from its form, locking Fenra in place mid-attack. She strained against the invisible force, muscles trembling as she fought to break free.
The Shadow Dweller's eyes flared with malice, its shriek rising again, but suddenly the room was plunged into blackness.
A distorted child's laughter echoed through the void, chilling and otherworldly. It was warped, like a broken record, the sound bouncing erratically off unseen walls. Even the Shadow Dweller froze, its form flickering uncertainly as though affected by the eerie phenomenon.
"Dagger, Now!" Fenra barked, using the creature's distraction to her advantage.
One of the onmyoji tossed her a charmed dagger, the blade gleaming faintly in the darkness. With a feral snarl, Fenra broke free from the Shadow Dweller's grip and lunged forward, the dagger aimed with deadly precision.
The blade sank deep into the creature's chest. The Shadow Dweller let out an anguished howl, its body convulsing as violet energy erupted chaotically from the wound. Fenra wasted no time, slamming two talismans onto its body.
The charms activated immediately, their sacred energy binding the creature in place. The Shadow Dweller's form became rigid, its movements ceasing entirely as the talismans glowed brighter. The ritual platform beneath it dimmed, its influence fading.