Cora stood outside the apartment building, her gaze fixed upward. The oppressive silence gnawed at her nerves. It had been over five minutes since Fenra's last report, and that was far too long.
"Did she succeed, or…" Cora shook her head, trying to push away the unease. No. She's Fenra. She can handle this.
---
Inside, the scene was far different. Fenra stood tall, her breathing heavy but steady as she gazed at the subdued Shadow Dweller. Its once-malevolent form now bound by talismans and restrained, pulsing faintly with a defeated violet glow. Around her, shadowlings that had flooded the room moments ago now lay lifeless, their inhabited bodies dissolving with the severed energy one by one into dark wisps before vanishing completely.
The blackquad members lowered their weapons, their bodies relaxing as the immediate threat dissipated. One of them let out a relieved sigh.
"Well, that's one hell of a job, Fenra," one said, holstering their gun. "You really nailed it this time."
Another approached cautiously, eyeing the restrained creature with a mix of curiosity and disgust. "This thing… it's unlike anything we've dealt with before. You sure it's completely down?"
"It's not getting back up," Fenra confirmed, her voice calm but edged with fatigue. She signaled the onmyoji to strengthen the restraints, ensuring there would be no chance of escape.
Satisfied, she tapped into her comms. "Cora, do you copy?"
A brief crackle was followed by Cora's voice, filled with relief. "Fenra! Oh, thank God. Are you alright? Did you take it down?"
Fenra's lips curled into a faint smile. "Yeah, it's subdued. No casualties, either."
Her words didn't just reach Cora; they echoed across the shared comms, prompting cheers from nearby personnel who had been anxiously awaiting news. The wave of celebration spread quickly, lifting the tense atmosphere.
---
Outside, the cheers were abruptly silenced when a cluster of unfamiliar vehicles appeared on the horizon, advancing steadily toward the site. Cora frowned, her fingers tightening around her comms.
"Oh no…" she murmured, recognizing the insignia on the vehicles. The mood shifted instantly, and irritation flickered across the faces of nearby defense force members.
The vehicles came to a halt, and as Fenra and the blackquad exited the building with the restrained Shadow Dweller in tow, they were met by Commissioner Darrow and a man clad in the pristine, ceremonial garb of the Ecclesiarch.
Fenra's eyes narrowed as she took in the scene, her suspicion instantly landing on the Ecclesiarch member. The priestly figure stood with an unnerving air, his hands folded and a smile that seemed more mocking than genuine.
"Congratulations on a job well done," Darrow said, his tone professional but carrying a hint of tension.
The blackquad members nodded in acknowledgment, but Fenra's focus remained sharp. She gestured toward the priest. "Why is someone from the Ecclesiarch here?"
The man's smile widened ever so slightly. "Anything related to darkness and unholiness is within our purview. A growler like you should know better than to ask such silly questions."
The squad bristled at the insult, their expressions hardening. One member muttered under their breath, but Fenra didn't flinch, directing her attention to Darrow instead.
Darrow's jaw tightened briefly, a sharp glance cutting toward the Ecclesiarch member before he addressed Fenra. "They weren't supposed to get involved. I made it clear that we had this under control."
"Ah, but we couldn't stay away," the priest interjected smoothly. "We simply had to witness such an event for ourselves."
Fenra's eyes flicked back to him, skepticism written across her face. She didn't believe for a second that the Ecclesiarch was here out of genuine concern, or to help, for that matter. Their history with the defense force was strained at best, and Fenra wasn't one to forget it.
The priest's gaze shifted to the restrained Shadow Dweller. His eyes lit with an almost unsettling curiosity as he studied it. "How extraordinary. Such a rich darkness. Such unsightly perfection. Truly, unlike any creature I've seen before."
He stepped closer, his smile turning into something almost predatory. "We must bring it back to the cathedral for cleansing. It is our sacred duty."
Fenra felt a chill crawl up her spine at his words. She stepped forward, her tone firm. "Not yet. We still need it. It might tie into the source of where it came from."
The priest turned to her, his expression unchanging but his tone dripping with condescension. "Are you standing in our way?"
Before Fenra could respond, Darrow stepped between them, raising a placating hand. "Enough. We can settle this later. Fenra, regroup with the others. I'll handle this."
Reluctantly, Fenra nodded, motioning for her squad to follow. As they approached Cora's position, the tension slowly began to ease.
Cora met her with a bright smile, lifting her hand for a high-five. "You did good, Fenra. I'm glad you're okay, and everyone else too."
Fenra smirked faintly, returning the gesture. "Thanks. But I assure you, this isn't over yet."
Cora glanced back toward the vehicles, her smile dimming slightly. "No… but whatever's next, we'll deal with it. Like we always do."