Chapter 2: The Lightning Specter
Ren barely moved a step before a surge of lightning erupted from the creature, the blinding arc illuminating the alley in a dangerous glow. The bolt struck the ground where he had just stood, leaving a charred, smoldering dent in its wake. The translucent-skinned creature roared in anger, its guttural voice echoing off the narrow walls as it pursued them relentlessly.
"What in the world is happening?!" Ren shouted, his voice breaking as he sprinted alongside the dark-haired girl.
Compared to him, she moved like a shadow, her speed unreal. Even burdened with the unconscious girl slung across her back, she hardly seemed to falter.
"We have to find the exit!" she yelled over the chaos. "This isn't something I can fight!"
"Wh-what?! Just use one of your talismans or something!" Ren gasped, struggling to keep up.
Her red eyes flicked back at him, sharp with frustration. "My exorcisms only work to separate ghouls from their hosts. That thing is fused. My barriers wouldn't hold it for a second!"
Ren's eyes widened in disbelief. "So you're just a rookie?! You were starting to look cool for a second!"
"Hey, Redhair! If you think fighting a ghoul is so easy, why don't you take a swing at it yourself?!" she snapped, glaring at him.
A flash of light from behind caught Ren's eye, and he turned just in time to see the creature gaining on them. Its movements were unnatural, its skeletal frame surging forward in bursts of supernatural speed. Sparks of lightning trailed in its wake, scorching the ground as it closed the distance.
"Shit, it's catching up!" Ren exclaimed, panic overtaking his every thought.
No matter how far or how fast they ran, the alley stretched endlessly ahead of them, an oppressive corridor with no exit in sight. Ren's heart sank. Had the creature trapped them in some kind of loop?
He stumbled, his legs already screaming for relief, and the thought crossed his mind: We're going to die here.
As if to confirm his fears, the creature fired another lightning bolt. Ren barely dodged, the crackling energy grazing his side and sending a searing pain through his body. He crumpled to the ground, unable to stop the momentum of his fall.
The creature was on him in an instant, its translucent skin glowing faintly as it loomed over him. Ren's breath hitched as he locked eyes with it—two empty sockets glowing with flickering blue light.
"Another helpless mortal," the creature hissed, its voice grating like static. "Don't fret. I'll help you find your purpose."
Ren's limbs froze as the creature knelt beside him, its bony hand cupping his face with a chilling gentleness. Its fingers trailed over his cheek, leaving a burning cold in their wake.
"All you have to do," it whispered, leaning in closer, "is become one of mine."
"Hey, Redhair!" the girl's voice broke through the haze. "Snap out of it! She's going to possess you!"
Ren's mind jolted awake, and he wrenched himself free from the creature's grasp just as its cracked lips nearly brushed his. His body screamed in protest as he scrambled backward, glaring at the ghoul. How could I let myself be charmed by a damn ghost?!
The creature's glowing eyes narrowed. "Resisting, are we?" Its voice took on a sinister edge. "Fine. Let me show you how fragile you really are."
With a snap of its fingers, lightning surged around it in a brilliant halo before shooting toward Ren. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast, but the shockwave left his body battered and burned. His clothes hung in tatters, his vision blurred without his glasses, and his muscles trembled from exertion.
He lay there, gasping for air, his hands fumbling through the debris for his glasses. But they were gone. Without them, everything was a distorted blur of light and shadow.
"This is it," Ren muttered bitterly to himself, tears pricking his eyes. "Jia, how in the world did you find this hell peaceful? I don't want to die…"
Suddenly, a new voice echoed through the alley, calm but commanding. "I knew I'd find you here."
Ren turned his head weakly, making out the figure of a woman striding toward them. Her blonde hair shimmered even in the dim light, and a massive club rested casually on her shoulder.
"I must admit, Akira," she said, addressing the dark-haired girl. "You've outdone yourself this time."
"Akane," Akira groaned, her voice strained as she pushed herself to her feet. "What are you doing here?!"
The blonde woman—Akane—ignored her sister, her crimson eyes fixed on the creature. "You've attracted quite the dangerous one. A symbiotic ghoul, no less. Do you even know what you're dealing with?"
The creature hissed, its skeletal frame trembling with fury. "Who dares interrupt my hunt?!"
"Relax," Akane said with an exaggerated sigh. "I don't want to be here any more than you want me here. But my dear little sister has a habit of getting in over her head."
Ren's mind spun. Little sister? This was Akira's sibling?
"But since you've caused so much trouble," Akane continued, her tone darkening, "I'll do you the courtesy of sending you straight to the void."
The creature roared defiantly, its voice shaking the walls. "I will not fall to a mortal! My fusion will be unparalleled—none will surpass me!"
Akane smirked, tapping her club against her palm. "Who said I was mortal?"
In the blink of an eye, she vanished, reappearing behind the creature and slamming her club into its head with devastating force. The ghoul crumpled to the ground, but it wasn't finished. It shot to its feet, regenerating its broken frame as lightning crackled around it.
Akane didn't flinch. She advanced with an eerie calm, her movements fluid and calculated. "Oh, still standing? Good. I was worried this would be too easy."