Dark Mission (2)

After the brutal fight against the demon giants, Varek, Keiran, and Vikas returned to their temporary base, a hidden location where they could rest and plan their next move.

As they stepped inside, the scent of burning candles and ink filled the air. The flickering lanterns cast long shadows on the walls. Sitting at the center of the room, waiting for them, was Knox Cthul.

He didn't look up, just kept reading a scroll, his fingers tapping on the old parchment.

"You're back," Knox said, his voice even. "Good. We have a bigger problem now."

Knox unrolled a large map, revealing several marked locations across different cities.

"These four—Axel, Braun, Nevin, and Zeb—are not just any demons. They are Shadow Vault Users of the Demon Servants Group. If we don't take them out soon, they'll cause destruction beyond our reach."

Varek crossed his arms. "Four enemies? All at once?"

Knox nodded. "Yes. Each of them has a different ability, but together, they're nearly unstoppable. If we let them operate freely, we're looking at an army of shadows."

Keiran leaned in. "So what do we know about them?"

Knox pointed at the map.

1. Axel – Rank 1 Shadow Vault User. Ability: Creates Shadow Demons.

"He's the leader. Summons creatures of pure darkness to overwhelm enemies. Taking him down means stopping his army."

2. Braun – Rank 2 Shadow Vault User. Ability: Becomes a Shadow.

"He can merge with the darkness, vanish, and attack from anywhere. Physical attacks won't work—we need a counter."

3. Nevin – Rank 3 Shadow Vault User. Ability: Creates Shadow Weapons.

"Forges unbreakable weapons from shadows. Fast, deadly, and skilled in combat."

4. Zeb – Rank 4 Shadow Vault User. Ability: Creates Shadow Potions.

"He's the support. Enhances his allies with potions that boost strength, regeneration, and even make them immune to light attacks."

Vikas clenched his fists. "So how do we stop them?"

Knox smirked. "We hunt them before they hunt us."

Varek nodded. "We'll take them down one by one. But who do we target first?"

Keiran exhaled. "It has to be Zeb. If we take out the support first, the rest will be easier."

Vikas agreed. "Without his potions, their power weakens."

Knox rolled up the map. "Then it's decided. We take down Zeb first. Get some rest, because tomorrow… the hunt begins."

The night was silent, except for the occasional crackle of the burning lantern in the corner of the room. The dim glow barely reached the far end, casting long shadows against the walls.

Varek lay on his bed, staring at the wooden ceiling, his mechanical arm resting on his chest. The weight of it still felt unnatural, like it didn't fully belong to him.

Keiran was lying on the other bed, his arms behind his head, staring at nothing in particular. Vikas, still awake, sat cross-legged on the floor, fiddling with a small ice crystal in his hands.

After a long silence, Keiran spoke. "Do you think humans are still hunting us?"

Varek exhaled. "Of course they are. People fear what they don't understand. And right now, we're the most misunderstood people in the world."

Vikas tossed the ice crystal between his fingers, watching it spin in the air. "I don't get it. We've saved humans more than once. Why can't they see that?"

Keiran sighed. "Because it's easier to fear something than to understand it."

Varek turned his head toward them. "It doesn't matter. Whether they hunt us or not, we still have a mission."

Vikas looked at him. "And what if they never stop?"

Varek clenched his mechanical hand, the cold metal creaking slightly. "Then we don't stop either."

Keiran smirked. "You sound like a main character in some tragic story."

Varek closed his eyes. "Maybe I am. But at least in my story, I won't die that easily."

A long silence followed. The weight of their reality settled in.

Outside, the moon shone brightly, but it couldn't erase the darkness that surrounded them.

Just as Varek, Keiran, and Vikas were about to drift into sleep, a sudden impact crashed into their faces. A heavy fist.

"Get up. Mission starts now," Knox Cthul's voice was deadpan, as if punching them awake was an everyday routine.

"What the hell, Knox?!" Keiran groaned, rubbing his bruised cheek.

Vikas sat up, glaring. "Was that really necessary?"

Varek sighed, already used to Knox's ways. "We don't have a choice, do we?"

"Nope," Knox answered simply.

Reluctantly, the three of them geared up and followed Knox into the dense forest. The moon was their only source of light, but their training had sharpened their senses enough to navigate in the darkness.

After nearly an hour of trekking, they finally found the enemy's hideout. A ruined temple, half-buried in vines and cracked stone, served as the resting place for one of the Demon Servant's support units.

"Silence," Knox muttered. They moved carefully, stepping lightly, their breaths controlled.

But the moment they got close—

SPLASH!

A dark mist exploded in front of them.

"Poison Shadow Potion!" Varek yelled, leaping back.

The toxic cloud spread quickly, forcing them to retreat before it could seep into their lungs.

From within the ruins, a deep, chilling laugh echoed.

"You thought you could sneak past me?"

A figure emerged from the shadows—Nevin, the Third Ranker of the Demon Servants.

His body was wrapped in flowing dark energy, and in his hands, a jagged shadow spear formed.

"You're going to regret coming here," Nevin sneered.

Before they could react, Nevin dashed forward with terrifying speed.

CRACK!

A brutal kick landed against Varek's ribs, sending him crashing into a tree.

Keiran and Vikas barely had time to react before they too were struck down.

The three of them groaned, struggling to get back up.

Nevin twirled his shadow spear, standing over them like a hunter playing with wounded prey.

"Pathetic. I was expecting more from the so-called 'hunters.'"

Varek wiped blood from his mouth, eyes burning with determination.

"Then you're about to be very disappointed."