Present Day126Please respect copyright.PENANAd2gWn6qss4
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1ymVbER57N
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2JKm61RXha
Narrator's P.O.V:126Please respect copyright.PENANAozR80M18c2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAb8LBWWeDzI
126Please respect copyright.PENANArCnER9YB7u
Rondon sat at his station, tapping his index finger onto the hard, cold, grey metal table. He just received word of an incoming call. He wanted to be far away from everyone else in case any sensitive information is relayed to him. It’s why he had a separate tent meant only for him.126Please respect copyright.PENANAArDwi3eRmn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAi2bk6X3TLT
126Please respect copyright.PENANARoue6HUWb1
Judging by the agency of the call, something big is going on. He looked on at the dark computer screen in front of him and wondered what the Golden Elite have for him. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAcXzN0rRDfY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAagm3Ppux8k
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiWxNIFCbg2
The entrance of the tent flapped behind him and a recruit in his black mask walked in with Brian. Apparently, Rondon had to have him around. The Elite's orders. 126Please respect copyright.PENANANNXHS5r6QZ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkQd38i5mVe
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYxDi4gV8i1
"The call will be coming in shortly, sir," the young recruit reported. Rondon gave a nod of his head and the recruit quickly left the tent. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAtnRjoWGby1
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOnUqQsZWlN
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJLsCXYQJoG
A few seconds passed before Brian asked, "any idea what the call could be about?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAqBbtL9KaBk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAq74LmmJKOx
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlHE6S1Gxud
"I've no idea," Rondon replied. "I hope it relates to our mission." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAY8PthunKWS
126Please respect copyright.PENANA8gONnqFqwf
126Please respect copyright.PENANArKhnuJojcY
"It definitely does," said Brian as he got an empty chair at the corner of the tent and came to sit beside Rondon. "Why else would they call?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAapY4rBVIWs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAR8dGEhJ8kU
126Please respect copyright.PENANAObbk3NCIft
Rondon didn't know how to answer that. Right now, the mission is at a stand-still with the shadow monster now roaming the area closest to Diana's grandmother’s house. And Mutale's GPS shows that he is with Diana. And the way he sees it, she must have taken him hostage. What better timing for the Elite to ask to speak to him. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA71xuZgfmLC
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtdusXyONng
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGvjfCqfrGp
"Well, whatever it is, it better be good," said Brian, folding his arms. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAOgty1cNotI
126Please respect copyright.PENANAs2EL7fMvfI
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlSmtsGX4B3
"I hope so too," Rondon agreed and just seconds later, the screen in front of them flicked on. There were two pairs of headphones on the table. Rondon got one and gave the other to Brian. They both wore them over their heads. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAmbbTUJmNkM
126Please respect copyright.PENANAuUtEIzypU7
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYlql1qgXzv
The person on the screen wore a gold mask. Rondon expected to see the lion mask of the Head of the Golden Elite. He glanced at Brian through the corner of his eye and he could tell Brian felt the same. But they looked stoic and professional as they faced the person on the screen. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAbEizVKLGGR
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgqZRUmf9ed
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnbxSTzSJj2
"Good evening, gentlemen," came a woman's voice. "I take it that everything is going on well on your end." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAWaVU0aSqzd
126Please respect copyright.PENANAU2aSjCD1J3
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnwiRDHl0RF
Rondon cleared his throat before saying, "evening. Everything was going well, but we've run into a situation that might hinder our plans." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA7DKhAkmCOK
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6wCK70GX11
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtSY8iGqWrk
There came a long, unsettling pause from the person on the screen before she asked: "What situation?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAGHBKqO7zYV
126Please respect copyright.PENANAt8xVI1mzAw
126Please respect copyright.PENANAzLzwJ5rSSG
"Well, for starters," Brian started to say, "one of our troops sent to capture the target, ran into an unexpected foe." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAubEGhSCq3j
126Please respect copyright.PENANAs08AZ66MYy
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwp4ESuileN
"And what foe do you speak of?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAKrWPTp58Di
126Please respect copyright.PENANAr2d9do1mIy
126Please respect copyright.PENANAM88ksp4EQY
"A level one shadow monster," Rondon answered. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAu4jIJgsKQE
126Please respect copyright.PENANADAaJZKXuO2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAN6HN80vOGr
The person on the screen shifted a little in her seat. "The Superior won't be happy to hear this. Are you positively sure it's a level one?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANApYsSNWn7RA
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkUT4PhKaZ9
126Please respect copyright.PENANAT8mpd12pv7
"No doubt about it," said Brian. "Our people confirmed it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAAXmf4MK7t3
126Please respect copyright.PENANAE30dxuqOUv
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZnJ2LGnzGd
"And what have you done to solve this issue? We need our target tonight, Rondon." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA7phFclCHjg
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOP5S6b4Sc0
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnuXDtP3TKV
"For the moment, going in with the squad we have will be risky and pointless. Many of them have never dealt with a monster of this calibre. Not to mention that it will be difficult to capture our target because the shadow monster is after her too." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAkX1Hb7RMbs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVcSnzmxuyN
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgdsgxJOi1X
"Are you certain of this?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAT6A0qWxB1M
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPiZ90f6FKK
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0UT4sjaAje
"Yes, we are," Brian answered. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAlw4E9FyoHY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiTHhqoxRo8
126Please respect copyright.PENANAzPjcPLPkDO
"And what of the person assigned to capture the target? What will become of him with that shadow monster hanging around?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAdONEF78HCT
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMxuc9bklzQ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHRwNFtGtrv
"We're keeping a close eye on him. He knows taking it on will be foolish," Rondon answered. "He made sure to carry the necessary weapons and protection in case anything happens. He is with the target as we speak, but they can't move because of it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAI21E5oU4av
126Please respect copyright.PENANApuYxBiFhgn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAP0zphd4dgi
"Mmm. You say he is with the target. Does that mean he has her captured, but can't reach you because of the shadow monster or is it the other way around?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAh1pWVPCdz9
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcajCjncGQB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMVSutf8qBq
That's a question Rondon was afraid she would ask and he didn't know whether he should answer or let Brian do the talking. 126Please respect copyright.PENANASkw9ZV2SvF
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUUKRqTdZfK
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHcJPcHL8ms
"For now, we can't be too sure," Brian quickly answered. "But we hope he has her captive." 126Please respect copyright.PENANABtdlofZuJY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnMkwbq0YUH
126Please respect copyright.PENANACk50r9l2mv
"I hope so too," said the woman in the gold mask. "This mission must be successful, Rondon. You know we're all depending on you. If it means sending some of our squad members to help their fellow out and face the shadow monster to bring in the target, then so be it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAB1eY3WN6Nn
126Please respect copyright.PENANANDVvOBMwER
126Please respect copyright.PENANAipgrHSLBT9
Rondon swallowed and he heard Brian let out a little murmur of surprise. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAeFo8V0UmhT
126Please respect copyright.PENANACnnyyrFyRH
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAdFJe3yuCa
"If you ask me," said Rondon, finding his voice, "going there with the troops we have will be suicide." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAnPNqf6Mv7G
126Please respect copyright.PENANA7dY8t6y5pW
126Please respect copyright.PENANALa4q81vBnd
"If that will be enough to bring our target in then, they would've sacrificed themselves for the greater good." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA2og7sxIBSx
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcd6xUaPmXO
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYFW0kyqlj5
"Or, we can easily just wait for the morning," Brian suggested. "Shadow monsters can't stand the daylight." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAUY81W11x9n
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgw6aYdeBxT
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4vKqV02Gwj
There came a long pause as the woman on the screen continued to look at the two men. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAyR8mm7umMf
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUp5Xd8sxU7
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQotYJSJ6b8
"Very well, that seems fair," said the woman. "But it's a long time till dawn." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAVtifda4Qrs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAG782Fyjewu
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhDV3U8qYxl
"If we have to wait, then we'll do just that," Rondon answered. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAQhlMTpSCWN
126Please respect copyright.PENANAxoIZCBYfLj
126Please respect copyright.PENANAg6bIoxSjgZ
"Alright, but I have some urgent news. Which is why I called."126Please respect copyright.PENANAZTWctxJSRv
126Please respect copyright.PENANAsbn0hjnfkk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAY76ShKbaFV
Rondon felt his heart almost beat out of his chest and he wondered if Brian felt the same way. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAjrDIe5lJkj
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhfVFvhbqtJ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFxmcbnYGAB
"I just received word from our sources that apart from us, someone else is after Diana on this very same day." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAs7Q7NilWWc
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJ889pTQJW4
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1T9D8pHn42
Rondon now turned to look at his comrade. A sudden thought soon came into his mind. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAeH7wWmLX0n
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGs2UArd9yb
126Please respect copyright.PENANAuNLqWlLHKP
"Is that why the shadow monster is here?" Rondon asked. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAfa72btEiwu
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZDg4JBIYnC
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHGZyo3wTFZ
"I don't follow," said Brian. "Are you saying that someone sent that thing after Diana?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANABceaGTFK11
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQjfe7GVd6C
126Please respect copyright.PENANAO5t8WsTTyl
"It's a possibility." 126Please respect copyright.PENANArOHVmARmA2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAorsMRrT17P
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQEv6fGJfDf
"I agree," came the lady on the screen. "It's why I wanted to know the status of the mission first. To see if anything like this has come up." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAM1xFBsUg7G
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMbsRwSo50N
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVOC9VFP5gJ
"But aren't those creatures hard to control?" Brian asked. "I hear no one can control those things." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAoFhJW968Nf
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkUCm4pJCca
126Please respect copyright.PENANAY5mcKlnVG1
"That's not true," said Rondon. "Apparently, only one person is known to have control over a level one." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAakzZPhXrr0
126Please respect copyright.PENANAflkvwjrVWE
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZLSbboDEzL
"The Devil, himself," said Brian. "I thought that was a myth." 126Please respect copyright.PENANARvBJAHtynR
126Please respect copyright.PENANAay16gBYu2I
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcsubc52voC
"Those things are so dark I'm not surprised that he can control them." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAMANd8219Sv
126Please respect copyright.PENANA16s3iKfSAr
126Please respect copyright.PENANAL0Eui3wZxI
"But can we be sure that he's the one behind this? I mean, he can't be the only one, right?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANA8EYo66AE9n
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOT5eABxf82
126Please respect copyright.PENANA64TC4mxBbv
"To be honest," came the woman on the screen, "I see no one else apart from him." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAuUvekHPWlK
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwSj2WHqFG6
126Please respect copyright.PENANAATUCJ15ISQ
"But there is someone else," said Rondon. 126Please respect copyright.PENANARoMb2F9UhQ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAH0cQJl0PtE
126Please respect copyright.PENANA9lQTC8tbFY
Brian leaned in closer to look at Rondon. "Really? Who?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAiu3Ptoz8F1
126Please respect copyright.PENANAT4hUF3wgGz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGo37Sk3USz
"Well, for this one I'm not too sure myself," Rondon paused for a bit. "I hear, even the Most Divine can control it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA80W163NbWY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAP3YDAClsZU
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2p0nyowtUB
There came a deadly silence in the tent. And the woman in her gold mask, shook her head.126Please respect copyright.PENANA22ke33o2Mc
126Please respect copyright.PENANAd2S37SV7m4
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1WxqFd49rW
"That's not possible," she said. "And if anyone hears you, it will be considered blasphemous. Even the Superior won't tolerate it because you know we're doing this for the Most Divine." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAsCCC8UHIJh
126Please respect copyright.PENANADuORq0tkVF
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVL3qPI1Nfz
"Of course, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I'm just saying what I've heard, that's all." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAVBJUUTdvJF
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPIT1gxnc7i
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtB7EyRpODS
"Since the Devil is our only suspect, we've no choice but to try and get into contact with him and ask." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAUCVlvxDuqN
126Please respect copyright.PENANAP6ScXAPx3W
126Please respect copyright.PENANA3FJnpf4Q7t
"That's the best way to go," said Brian. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA4SK0Nqruac
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcHVrWwFbO8
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkuPoidcHLX
"Keep me informed if anything happens." The screen went black and Rondon with Brian stayed in silence. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA60sjElJWTz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcXhWw7NPZp
126Please respect copyright.PENANAP29dl39l7h
"Well, that was some briefing," said Brian as he stood up from his seat, removing his headphones and placing them on the table. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAlU2cvrqiaB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYS0SyeBrCs
126Please respect copyright.PENANARckkH3LNJS
"Tell me about it," said Rondon, as he also removed them. "It makes sense that the Devil could be after Diana. Everyone wants her for the same reason." 126Please respect copyright.PENANArvKyBrPgyn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKGZd4CWMVV
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkqGcRaDwEy
"So, we wait till morning to storm the house?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAlX3W4oq7Cq
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEnPlWu21EQ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPIbGplxib6
"We don’t have much of a choice, do we? But I fear that if we do so and Diana does have Mutale hostage, she might slip through our fingers before we even realise it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA2nWFQT0AnT
126Please respect copyright.PENANA291eT9AQm0
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGMqhijtJk4
"I agree. But isn’t there anything we can do?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAgP6z5ayxAp
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhTe9v3cHV2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvDjdGFTW4b
"With the team we have, and as experienced as a few of them can be, many have never had the chance to take on a shadow monster. We could put them at risk for nothing when we could simply choose the best course of action." 126Please respect copyright.PENANArwdeR2nUBD
126Please respect copyright.PENANALXwMYnA6fi
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKT2jH9PB9i
"But you’ve taken one on before, haven’t you?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANACbKPqV0WNA
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1h6nCy5xXq
126Please respect copyright.PENANAq6EwglpM9u
"And got away by sheer luck. Don’t forget, Diana was there that day. And if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be standing here with you right now. She might have fought it, but even she had a hard time taking it on." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAXnMGDjNuYN
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtxSoqFnMNF
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYDsqPBdA7i
"Explains why she ran when she saw it. She stood no chance." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAXse5ULHjrz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGZiK2RfLzZ
126Please respect copyright.PENANARsF98Yf10g
"That's true." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAwWUjzx7nZX
126Please respect copyright.PENANAp56D4sxcKr
126Please respect copyright.PENANAsaY2F4t6xi
Brian folded his arms as he continued to look down at Rondon. "Has there been anyone brave enough to have taken it on and succeeded?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAtfpzMqnpBB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFZ1PNbuar4
126Please respect copyright.PENANAihOMdTY3yM
"Apart from Diana, who at least had the decency to survive, I haven’t heard of anyone who has actually defeated it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAv1YrSI95eU
126Please respect copyright.PENANABzQHn5prGW
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4HQFJa6jGS
"That’s why the use of light has always been necessary. Too bad we didn’t carry enough flood lights." 126Please respect copyright.PENANANPaGY6RcmR
126Please respect copyright.PENANAIwHi4qcpNg
126Please respect copyright.PENANA7zVop5eyH1
"No one anticipated to find it here, so I wouldn’t feel too bad about it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA7QLmVKbWRO
126Please respect copyright.PENANAg1zOfP2U75
126Please respect copyright.PENANALjkmHFTOLK
"We better go back and see how things are going." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAlbQVzCQV9a
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6vRzxZsLen
126Please respect copyright.PENANAzE199FaHs8
"Good idea." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAUAW50tbWa6
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwhfEyC69ZN
126Please respect copyright.PENANANiKWAUlIzo
As soon as Rondon stood up from his seat, a recruit came rushing in, catching Rondon and Brian by surprise. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAOwYCeMbUmR
126Please respect copyright.PENANAll3Z4F8laA
126Please respect copyright.PENANAsm0hULFwx7
"I have an urgent problem to report, sir," said the rookie, watching Rondon.126Please respect copyright.PENANAc05dkeAkyf
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAeLczg5ds7
126Please respect copyright.PENANAexgEWbu21w
By the sound of his voice, Rondon could tell something didn’t feel right. Did something happen to Mutale and Diana? 126Please respect copyright.PENANAlNMDx5u1iB
126Please respect copyright.PENANABxvSHxvdrH
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfCRXBp6vTt
"What is it?" Rondon asked. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAnPCVnXDtLF
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHurXB9lAG2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAIpLzSXWvB8
"Another reading apart from Diana's and the shadow monster's has appeared," answered the recruit. "Whoever it is, they just appeared out of nowhere." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAmdJYphD6Ag
126Please respect copyright.PENANA3xMVdSoKaf
126Please respect copyright.PENANARDJdu6jXSD
"Someone must have teleported there," said Brian. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAm0gWNdBzPA
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfW91nPB20B
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPFxy0doE6s
"Or Diana summoned someone," said Rondon. "This means she does have Mutale hostage and has the upper hand." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAKNRD9QSgoD
126Please respect copyright.PENANADDGCJklogW
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHVTtnzxkIX
Rondon rushed out of his tent with the recruit and Brian following behind him. There isn’t much of a distance between his tent and the main one. As soon as he entered the tent, he could already feel the nervous tension in the air. The presence of someone in that house only spelled trouble.126Please respect copyright.PENANAxBbCBNpGiv
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnpq6DJhtOA
126Please respect copyright.PENANA45L5C3XY5J
"What time did this person appear?" Rondon asked as he went to the main monitor.126Please respect copyright.PENANAT5UUUEJ3Wt
126Please respect copyright.PENANAXhoDbvMou5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAf57UagdGBR
"A minute ago," answered the recruit who sat in front of the monitor. "And judging by their aura, whoever it is is also a big deal."126Please respect copyright.PENANAYGEMxmgo6Y
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFOd3SNRprQ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFrdLBAeuzt
Rondon looked at the map. Mutale’s red GPS is still on, but it could clearly show that he isn’t alone. Diana’s slightly large aura still shown on the screen, but there’s another slightly bigger than hers. He looked around the map until he realised something else. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAEOmWlq39I1
126Please respect copyright.PENANASiAKo4YZSi
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2Acgmrpa4m
"Something doesn’t feel right," he said. "The shadow monster is nowhere nearby." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAK29joZKwtk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAbZUX5bIQDn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPv0pg75SdY
"It went away as soon as the newcomer appeared in the house," came the female recruit to his left. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAHBCyqNe7pH
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1l0AM0MCD0
126Please respect copyright.PENANATBiVMltiMU
"Widen the area," Rondon instructed. "It couldn’t have gone far." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAQJvt5XhIIV
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2PwWWq85U1
126Please respect copyright.PENANANC4M6k0tQG
"Ummm, sir," came a voice of another recruit behind him. "You need to see this." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAb3u0I4dDBC
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZuHkZuuAz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAjUSRGEsiuy
"What could it be now?" Rondon asked as he turned around to check the monitor behind him. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA68r40vkIyk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAg7hEFUU4fv
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZi7Bm5nwTw
"Someone else is also out there," the young male recruit who had visited his tent answered. He had just sat down on his seat after coming back with Brian and Rondon. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAE0thiVP1xO
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlhf6naO7x6
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOejBwwgHD0
Rondon saw what he meant when a green aura appeared on the screen adjacent to the house. Just by the green colour, Rondon could tell what’s on the ground is a different kind of supernatural: from the underworld. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAUTSFgDMx8j
126Please respect copyright.PENANA9GqaM6nbt3
126Please respect copyright.PENANAa5EkfTx3s9
"Could this be the person after Diana?" Brian asked as he also came to stand beside Rondon. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAIG02U6IcHo
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUJ7qh3Bivs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYaey4PO3ob
"If it’s the Devil himself, that aura would be bigger than anyone else’s," said Rondon. "Whoever it is, maybe he’s come to do his master’s bidding." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAttf2OnSvG9
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwcsvtAm3B5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQsiPZey7mQ
Rondon continued to look at the green aura and now started to wonder. What could anyone from the underworld be doing here when the shadow monster will obviously take Diana to its master? Since the Devil himself is known to be the only one who can control it, there wouldn’t be any need to send someone to see if the monster will get things done. Unless… 126Please respect copyright.PENANAiTtEVTjkw1
126Please respect copyright.PENANA3bcUspQhG1
126Please respect copyright.PENANAuBkjJCi6c1
"He didn’t send the shadow monster at all," Rondon muttered.126Please respect copyright.PENANA8K1comcdlg
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcxUymdpsDv
126Please respect copyright.PENANAW9EZ3eQP0n
Brian, who stood next to him and the young recruit on his desk heard him. Brian took Rondon by the arm and dragged him away from the work area. Everyone looked at the pair, confused with what’s going on. Brian took Rondon to the entrance of the tent where there wasn’t anyone nearby, but had a clear view of the workstation in the tent. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAzTJW4wtYv8
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0nnRG4rzOe
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiLRuuOSyWt
"What do you mean he didn’t send it?" Brian asked in an angry whisper. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAUA3G3MIwAV
126Please respect copyright.PENANA8COP6uxmiE
126Please respect copyright.PENANAT7pnvzSfWR
"Why would he send his henchman or legion to the house?" Rondon asked. "If he did send the shadow monster after her, that thing will do as ordered. He couldn’t just send someone to see to it that the job gets done, that’s if the creature that’s capturing her isn’t a shadow monster." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAam0K1EHEjD
126Please respect copyright.PENANArff9fzdia0
126Please respect copyright.PENANANrltA0lxue
"Maybe whoever it is, is doing exactly that. Let’s watch their movements first." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAjlCm270sur
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJcjD6p6Z0x
126Please respect copyright.PENANANLDclKifXy
Brian went back the way he came, leaving Rondon standing by the entrance. He could feel a few recruit’s eyes on him and they quickly looked away when he set his eyes on some of them. He took a deep breath. As much as Brian might be right about it, he had a strange sense that his assumption stood out the strongest. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAHMj3u7VOpb
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVPpYLwjs29
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqR9dTEaXRV
"I don’t envy you so much, Rondon," came a woman’s voice behind him. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA0hvVgmxpIM
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6JkQke1wCW
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUrAxPeVRdF
The woman in her white mask and clothes came in from the entrance to stand right beside him. Judging by her statement, Rondon knew she had eavesdropped on his conversation with Brian. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAuhpOOfzNsf
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiqr8UMLGSj
126Please respect copyright.PENANA13sGzFIz2E
"I know you don't," he said. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAC3zSF1BsD4
126Please respect copyright.PENANATskRT9YWA4
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2PdZsz9X09
"The others have already been updated about the situation," the woman had her sharp eyes on Rondon. "You don't think the Devil sent that shadow monster, do you?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAt30G7YISkd
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlbnylskruq
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnU4InplYDc
Rondon didn't say a word as he continued to look at the busy work station. The woman didn't have to push him any further as she said: 126Please respect copyright.PENANAoMkJf1Gg87
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEDkCcXRJWO
126Please respect copyright.PENANAyp8zXvA9Mq
"So many things have gone haywire since this mission started. If you really think you need to act now, do so. You are the one in charge."126Please respect copyright.PENANAsoAg03O2Yu
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFB26HJRKhd
126Please respect copyright.PENANA83iTES1MzC
Rondon turned to look at her. "You also didn't approve of me when I was first given this mission." 126Please respect copyright.PENANASD5oGrSrjZ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVAGiaT2iz8
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfrD9szcIUy
"I know. But we’re comrades and nothing good will come out of this if we start to bicker. And Brian always likes to act like he's in charge when we all know you've really pulled through with your instincts a lot more times than we can count." 126Please respect copyright.PENANArxWG7Ra0Tk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUlUspxrp4y
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvz3znGmUG7
"Will do the best I can," said Rondon. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAH0gIGH3L8c
126Please respect copyright.PENANALYB32QgLB2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYfKzCPKZzw
He walked back to the centre of the huge work station. "Any movement from the one from the underworld?" he asked as he turned towards the recruit in charge of looking at such super naturals. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA78z9QWdMLK
126Please respect copyright.PENANATr0VoUW2MW
126Please respect copyright.PENANAxwwJXGZaUc
"Judging by his movements, he moved a little further away from the house," the recruit answered. "Wait a minute, now he’s approaching again." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAqaj9IOXuhg
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwFXAxNHyP0
126Please respect copyright.PENANAP7UE1wPIBc
"Sir," came the female blonde on the other side. "The shadow monster is within a few metres from the house. For some reason, it’s keeping its distance." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAPZUgqVBOVk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAx9OMD9W5NQ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAV3waVIeA8T
Rondon thought for a bit. This is getting trickier and confusing by the minute. What is going on? Who could be inside the house with Diana and Mutale that they could scare the shadow monster away? And who is it from the underworld? Was she or he sent to be there? If so, then for what? Rondon had to come up with something quickly. He was scared that if he doesn’t, something might happen, especially to Mutale. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA4XRICcV8X1
126Please respect copyright.PENANAbQQsTQISGA
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgxSC0KMHZT
"Sir," came the recruit looking at the green aura. "He or she just entered the house." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA1KbsYzGafv
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2BxHhqHlvb
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1c8mfJyStR
"Any exchanges?" Rondon asked. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAPWs8qS06cq
126Please respect copyright.PENANAU7T4VgVJwA
126Please respect copyright.PENANAmmTlU9ir9s
"Nothing," came another female recruit. "Whatever is happening in that house, it’s definite that they aren’t fighting, though there was something that happened before that." 126Please respect copyright.PENANASQsMsXoUb7
126Please respect copyright.PENANA7Tx0MOv5li
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqg1HZY6qD2
Rondon turned to look at the female recruit who spoke. "What is it?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANApiJ7Ni6KSC
126Please respect copyright.PENANAr0E8ibtxXl
126Please respect copyright.PENANATOiIWKXRTV
"Well, something around the house appeared on my map," said the recruit turning to look at Rondon. "There was some mystic energy, but it was pretty faint, and it didn’t last for long. I thought it was something quite minor, but now that the person from the underworld is in the house, he might have something to do with it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANADaxnFSZgdw
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdhDwWVal3D
126Please respect copyright.PENANANDlQXdSeuy
Brian now came to stand next to Rondon. "Could it be that the person cast a barrier around the house?" he asked the recruit almost angrily. "If he or she has done so, getting in there will be difficult if we plan to storm the house. Why didn’t you say anything sooner?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAZXfaXEhA0h
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdMzEVwgfr5
126Please respect copyright.PENANABykOCDdkzz
"Well…, uh," the recruit tried to respond, but Brian’s voice scared her a little. Rondon had to place a hand on Brian’s shoulder. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAG2YvQvNdEs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEy9OdzARBz
126Please respect copyright.PENANALxMoKxfvVs
"Hold it, Brian," said Rondon. "Let her explain first. There must be a reason why she didn’t bring this up the first time." He turned to the scared recruit. "Go on." 126Please respect copyright.PENANALfL2Kg9m6B
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMe6QYMUrPO
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0yFIrf2GzB
"Well, like I said," continued the recruit, "it was something minor. When someone casts a strong barrier, the power radiated on the map comes out differently. This one looked pretty weak, making it difficult for us to detect on the map if it was ever cast in the first place. And the barrier wasn’t being cast, it almost looked like it was being sucked up or something." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAfIBvLonPXV
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4Blq05vDw
126Please respect copyright.PENANAoVYVP91QL3
"Diana must have already had a barrier put in place that our satellite couldn’t detect it as it was a weak one," said Rondon. "I’m guessing that whoever came from the underworld must have broken down the barrier by sucking out its energy to get inside." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA3G8exQfgbl
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5le9M4Iubu
126Please respect copyright.PENANAuAnIVkvkXF
"But who from the underworld could do that?" Brian asked. 126Please respect copyright.PENANApEys0uUQNz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAmgLWcfin22
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMaJoHdheEW
"That’s what we’re about to find out," said Rondon. He looked around the room until he noticed the person he was looking for at the far-end and beckoned to him to come over. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAn7ma6MZEO9
126Please respect copyright.PENANALcSKJbH4qY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAh1T2l0BUyb
The person coming over isn’t a recruit like the others, even when he wore a black mask. Rondon knew the young man as he was in his third year of training. 126Please respect copyright.PENANATVW0PLnYql
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtAkqcBi9Em
126Please respect copyright.PENANApjIDx21jbn
"I want you to narrow down people from the underworld who have the ability to suck the energy around them," Rondon instructed. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAtuEdrpq8u1
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0ibBcAu5A
126Please respect copyright.PENANAWbfz2rpRPv
"Yes, sir," said the third-year recruit and he quickly rushed back to his work station. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA73CbqABR7p
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiNSfvTJdMs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAChhNV521TS
"If we know who he is, we might be able to figure out if the Devil really is behind this," said Rondon as he turned to look at Brian. "It doesn’t make any sense. Whoever it is would’ve watched at a distance. Instead, he or she is with Diana and Mutale at this very moment without any fighting. This is strange." 126Please respect copyright.PENANACD236ycmLS
126Please respect copyright.PENANAjwHById5fu
126Please respect copyright.PENANAarJwqYCwIN
Brian didn’t want to admit it, but he knew Rondon was right. He went back to watching some of the recruits until one of them called out: 126Please respect copyright.PENANAynDxizyXQi
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6TDVDZqBiO
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0wI9NGqOgS
"Rondon, sir. Something is wrong." 126Please respect copyright.PENANANgMnJp6t8m
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfD86DkwiTJ
126Please respect copyright.PENANA18TXtsaUwX
Rondon and Brian quickly went over to the recruit’s station. And when they looked at his screen, they noticed there weren't any auras or Mutale’s GPS on the map. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAeP9IZvnmOf
126Please respect copyright.PENANA96xr1x9drp
126Please respect copyright.PENANAANKR0b935j
"What is this?" Brian asked. "Where are they? And how come Mutale’s GPS isn’t on?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANA8o0mS8Dfsh
126Please respect copyright.PENANAc3UcNegIna
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOSJirNQOwP
This is bad, Rondon thought as he felt a chill run down his spine. Did they do what he thinks they did? 126Please respect copyright.PENANAH44Xii9LGp
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2MEfgxTbSb
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQsXxX16ncK
"Sir," came the scared recruit. "It looks like someone opened a portal." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAo5FQ1B59aW
126Please respect copyright.PENANAXY378aCyL6
126Please respect copyright.PENANAA9MW0DCr2n
Rondon closed his eyes and hang his head low. Of course they did, he thought to himself. They teleported. Smart move.126Please respect copyright.PENANAYKcfXBBhiG
126Please respect copyright.PENANAX0zjJxYXQN
126Please respect copyright.PENANAxRqDupi6u0
A silence now filled the room, that if something fell or someone coughed, everyone would be frightened. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAN8wyEfQ0ym
126Please respect copyright.PENANABAZIEmMSKm
126Please respect copyright.PENANAV09HNuqYuk
"Track Mutale, right now," Rondon commanded, trying to get hold of the situation. "If anything, they may still be on this side of our world and not in the other." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAm28DjXVNHY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAB0LMHRd0HB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJPeSQxccOj
The room is soon revamped and everyone got busy. Rondon liked what he's seeing. It's useless if everyone is discouraged with what happened just now. And the people with him are all young and it won't help if they easily get downtrodden. Finding Mutale and bringing him back safe is what is important now. Though capturing Diana still remains their main objective. 126Please respect copyright.PENANARJfG3WnRfG
126Please respect copyright.PENANAysE4cGt9oc
126Please respect copyright.PENANA71LVCLehHC
"Hey, what's going on?" the IT manager, Peter appeared. "I hear Mutale has gone missing." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA4aV0NQzsHc
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2X9DALjNaq
126Please respect copyright.PENANANEsRdvP7TB
"Not entirely," Rondon answered, turning to look at Peter. "He teleported with Diana and two other supernaturals who were in the house." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAMPK7d7K87u
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5yvWKERO8L
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfFH9ETaWiP
"Wow, I really must have my workstation here. I'm really missing out on all the fun." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA0WCnxIxbZA
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZaYq6eJ5Pk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAa7vLpZGeFi
"Finding Mutale is our main priority," said Brian. "If we find him, we find Diana." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAb2h99YlQEB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAQyVZXolSk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAy5rUWTEKt
"I got him!" came the blonde female recruit. "He's appeared in Florida, sir." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAayzSkrhXsJ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAXhQFkQEv4A
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlVt3UOKkAT
Brian turned to Rondon. "What the hell are they doing there?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAC25QJlYUkN
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5EwfH2UbUI
126Please respect copyright.PENANARCCYxKA1hp
"Give me an exact location, please," Rondon ordered. "Maybe we'll know why." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAOVmHRTyBXt
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZBnER6BqqT
126Please respect copyright.PENANANHmR3skj18
"Mr. Rondon, sir," came the third-year recruit. Rondon and Brian turned to him as he approached. "I narrowed down our suspects with such an ability from the underworld, and one of them stood out. Take a look." 126Please respect copyright.PENANADsfRy2T6fz
126Please respect copyright.PENANApBHEd4Lvnn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPbHHoyUpYO
The third-year handed over a sheet of paper to Rondon. He looked at it and the first thing that caught his eye is the picture of a young blonde male, about eighteen or nineteen years old. He didn't have to read the details below for he already knew who he is. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAxiqdHt1T19
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhKGaSGDElM
126Please respect copyright.PENANAoKHaTnhVEF
"Lucius," said Rondon absent-mindedly. "One of the many sons of the devil." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAOFgu0UdgNM
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2s11YguubS
126Please respect copyright.PENANA82ep6zILJu
Brian read the paper. "I don't understand. Why would he be there when his father had sent the shadow monster after Diana? And why go with her to Miami?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAd3rNQzcDLo
126Please respect copyright.PENANAi0KBn4T4ZY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAj1eORq3z5e
Rondon also wondered the same thing and what he thought at first came back to him again: what if the Devil isn't the one who sent the shadow monster after Diana? 126Please respect copyright.PENANA5KNl8zrkvR
126Please respect copyright.PENANADyhkCuapMz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAoyIQbDW2zY
"You're right," said Rondon. "This doesn't add up at all." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAjmlbBJoOpQ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkjpYXYx7jZ
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1PLr9DdHAI
"Sir, we've pinpointed their exact location," came the female recruit. "And you're not going to like what you're about to hear." 126Please respect copyright.PENANArtM9A4twoU
126Please respect copyright.PENANAs1GorqMzVB
126Please respect copyright.PENANArBN98yHmOa
"I think I have a good guess," said Rondon turning to look at the recruit. "The Devil has a house in Miami, doesn't he?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAckIUw7s4RY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAp7cxOEKq5W
126Please respect copyright.PENANABy6unJUr1D
"Yes." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAez8FbKJ2lF
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5wqtgrxq7G
126Please respect copyright.PENANA3qNxf7dBLc
Rondon shook his head. Why would they go there now? Are they going to ask the Devil himself about the shadow monster? Or is Lucius handing over Diana to his father? That's not right and Rondon knows it. There would've been a struggle if that were the case, and Lucifer wouldn't have even thought of sending the shadow monster in the first place. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAwz8QH99n0d
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqY0RhnM1tm
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiQetDsgDhJ
Rondon turned to Peter, who hadn't left his spot from the time he appeared. "Peter, I want you to prepare to open a portal." 126Please respect copyright.PENANArM9JsqhizM
126Please respect copyright.PENANAIFYw7wEdKp
126Please respect copyright.PENANASifDzgJRZa
"Are you planning to go there?" Peter asked. "That place is off limits." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAwlKVwG003D
126Please respect copyright.PENANAaHGA04D3ST
126Please respect copyright.PENANADH5H7a7ZG5
"I know that. We're teleporting to Miami but not in his premises." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAsyBwDlhLzs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhp4Hc1dK9M
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJcI47cofPI
"Then what do you plan to do after that?" Brian asked. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAKXOgkHeLue
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZPB5MYpuCH
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwPTryDO8H8
"I plan to break in there and get Mutale out." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAETtqj62tHn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAb72mXz7UkE
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEhdecgBJfP
"Huh? Are you serious? What happened to capturing Diana?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANA2skmRf6VA6
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiNA5rqkbEJ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvSPUYOYp7p
"Our chances look pretty slim, but if anyone does have the chance to capture her, then luck is on our side. Besides, didn't you say that finding and saving Mutale is our main priority right now?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAfEJAcpaIWB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4kB0d98Rp
126Please respect copyright.PENANAC0Cnk0Tjql
Brian didn't answer as the woman in the white mask said, "I think it's best we listen to Rondon and prepare ourselves to teleport. Do you want me to inform headquarters of the latest developments?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAtUh7Gq9q5b
126Please respect copyright.PENANAq7vMi530PX
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiqK7NiicKZ
"Yes, that would be wise. Everyone, pack up. And those with their eyes monitoring what's happening, don't slack off." 126Please respect copyright.PENANACVh5oaKrnn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAulhK6c095D
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdzpY8mwQqC
"Yes, sir," the recruits answered him in unison. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA5u9Lk4HVIx
126Please respect copyright.PENANAXWoHZYEOTA
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMaPrhdMsFH
Rondon told Peter to inform everyone else near his station. He started to make his way out of the tent while the recruits got up and started packing. Brian followed him. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAE6OMth5t93
126Please respect copyright.PENANA69Irgj0xea
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtMLkYpdOou
"Rondon," Brian called out as they went out of the tent and into the darkness outside. Rondon stopped to look at him. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAWYIYKobffu
126Please respect copyright.PENANALO34BXJ3nJ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGMw5xNndp4
"What is it now, Brian?" Rondon asked. "Are you going to tell me that all this isn't going as planned? Well, yes it is and we just have to deal with it and think of something else if we want to achieve our goal." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAku1GgUSuYR
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0RmKvJC85o
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlZZtXr2hJB
"I wasn't," said Brian. "Yes, the mission has taken a turn, but who knows, maybe it's for the better." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA9z77seBdZ2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAbsO49nprv6
126Please respect copyright.PENANAm2Lm7IiyKX
"Then what is it, then?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAlNi2ccL0EW
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwYV5dbKYVs
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1phE2IQNaL
Brian drew a little closer so as to whisper. Now that everyone is packing, recruits were now moving in and out of the tent, and might listen in on them. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA9wMQUUvoei
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYMgBapBCsh
126Please respect copyright.PENANACyMPtjTIyh
"I now believe you when you said the Devil might not have sent the shadow monster after Diana," Brian whispered.126Please respect copyright.PENANA9k5tTJidM8
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKdStdXxxdq
126Please respect copyright.PENANALDe2LgS6WK
Rondon didn't know whether to say anything or not. But he said, "let's just keep this between us. If anyone else hears this, the people up the ranks aren't going to tolerate it. You saw what happened in our little meeting earlier. Besides, what if it does turn out to be him and all this was just a plan off his sleeve?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANA2Bh4DqOpUc
126Please respect copyright.PENANATypkkdzuWk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEGsvlhT65L
Brian raised an eyebrow for he knew Rondon was just playing it safe. He gave a nod of his head and soon walked away. Rondon stood for a while and he could already tell that a lot of things were going to go out of proportion in this mission if he doesn't get a handle on it. Even if he thought so, he now had to rely on nothing but luck. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAMwfIEPZGzV
126Please respect copyright.PENANAciNzlnghzT
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUJn0CKKwLc
*** 126Please respect copyright.PENANAWW9ujFT3bi
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1erexY9ow
126Please respect copyright.PENANARryiJ7Xt2a
Diana’s P.O.V: 126Please respect copyright.PENANAvHt99N3jLM
126Please respect copyright.PENANABffcKq8TSs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAw5eFrVQWrR
The cool breeze coming from the ocean blew in my hair and I had to brush off the strands from my face with my free hand. Stella and I were still helping Mutale up. Even when we aren't facing any danger at the moment, he is slowing us down a bit. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA4v07PMBEJE
126Please respect copyright.PENANAO892GBX9eB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFo3TuiVYFn
Lucius walked ahead of us. With the sun above, I could see him clearly now. It feels like a long time since I last saw him when maybe a year has passed. I noticed his broad shoulders beneath the black hoodie jacket he wore. I can't also help but feel he's grown a little taller. I guess people grow a little differently and a lot faster in the underworld. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAnhyCPmNTPL
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhMBySBFPk3
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOlQ1AFLHEK
I looked at Stella through the corner of my eye. She's the one whom I haven't seen in forever. When I drew that butterfly symbol on the floor, I'm not sure why I summoned her. I wonder how she and the others on the Butterlfly Island are doing. I've heard stories and rumours that things aren't so stable since I decided not to return there. As much as I've tried avoiding the place, I really miss it. And I hate that the reason I can't go back is because of the tension I had created and continue to create due to my presence. 126Please respect copyright.PENANArz92fsUWbz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHB4I657IVF
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVtMtryFdc3
"I've heard that your father owns a lot of places on earth," said Stella, as she looked around the beach. "A beach house should've come to mind, but it didn't." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAQm9v7RANK1
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQQTg4iyL1O
126Please respect copyright.PENANAz6wj2hHrfA
Lucius scoffed. "When he really wants people to do bad things, a party at the beach house is the best place, if you know what I mean." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAmYbf217xBR
126Please respect copyright.PENANAWcBZvgPQJ3
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnPj2hkMZNA
It’s now Mutale’s turn to scoff. "You make it sound like it's normal," he said. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAB4KTsJpux5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAR6JRFXub3w
126Please respect copyright.PENANASHWL7Genxz
"I am from the underworld after all," Lucius turned to look at him as he walked. "And if you ask me, a lot more people do bad things out there and you know it." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAs84XHAYRLI
126Please respect copyright.PENANAu2jxENGudS
126Please respect copyright.PENANAbai9naVacu
"It’s the reason why I would do all I can to get rid of this evil in the world." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA9Vf1QrcAWt
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOWjp5OaZf7
126Please respect copyright.PENANACZyYXZO5m9
"Now is not the time to start blabbering these things," I said. "We're not in the Golden Elite premises." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAAEPsTsIgCT
126Please respect copyright.PENANAjTFmZAeBpB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAsgOQToWeSh
Lucius stopped in his tracks to turn around and he jumped when doing so. "Oh, so you’re a soldier of the Elite, huh? My dad will be happy to see what I brought in." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAIOriNYq1cM
126Please respect copyright.PENANApABTKFez2L
126Please respect copyright.PENANA9YV3THjfmQ
"He’s my prisoner, Lucius," I warned him. "And can we get moving? We don’t have enough time." 126Please respect copyright.PENANACWujJILbHG
126Please respect copyright.PENANAw0pC2svN8Q
126Please respect copyright.PENANAd0aK7XKPEg
"Relax, it’s not like the shadow monster will find us. And besides, it’s daytime here." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAA5LCqNioOP
126Please respect copyright.PENANAA7SCQ4hiBF
126Please respect copyright.PENANAXQWx4dxI62
"This is your father’s territory. I’ve every right to keep my guard up." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAJNZYlepXZj
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtWyCC3IbuJ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAg2fQB2c07U
Lucius gave me a bright smile and a wink. "As you wish." He turned around and continued to lead the way. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA600xlY1eQT
126Please respect copyright.PENANAaIqIm7GINv
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvChdoTxdzI
As we slowly approached the house, plastic cups and beer bottles in the sand, came into view. A white plastic flew in our direction as a breeze passed by and almost landed on my face. As we got closer, beach chairs, some upright and lying on all angles on the sand came into view. A few people in swimsuits were found lying on the beach's sand, completely wasted. I couldn’t have thought of a better way for the Devil’s party to end up. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAzZjRPnCMeO
126Please respect copyright.PENANAa9mbuS9OUK
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfoX8zOLefQ
"Sorry for the mess," said Lucius as we bypassed the chairs and tried avoiding the few people lying on the sand. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA8dy0e4ECTy
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAzo4rptrW0
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKV2B9lzMUM
"Oh, don’t," said Stella with a little amusement in her voice. "This was very much expected." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAu0zteCglpu
126Please respect copyright.PENANAY8BfYZClyU
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVpVNUBj04H
I looked at Mutale and a face of shock and disbelief came on his face. If I wasn’t helping him out, I would've slapped him on the head. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAP322wmht52
126Please respect copyright.PENANAO7M2lsxbdx
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2xB0OhY4pA
We finally came to the Devil’s white beach house and the place was a lot messier. Lucius had to move a few chairs and other items in the way like beach balls and swim floaters. A few bodies lay around, some on chairs, others atop tables. Some people were lying around completely naked. Mutale couldn’t help but look at the atrocity around him and with my other free hand, held the top of his head to turn it for him to look elsewhere. 126Please respect copyright.PENANARHrIz08iui
126Please respect copyright.PENANAj1GEfzqZj8
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdBquz5w9D5
We walked up the wooden steps to the front door. And Lucius had to move aside some bodies and items. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAWcBiIJAR5q
126Please respect copyright.PENANA7yu8cPAn7u
126Please respect copyright.PENANAmY1jJqJ8Au
"I say, this party went well," said Lucius as he cleared the front door for us. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAawF7X6sevd
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdsOcyWLUnE
126Please respect copyright.PENANAG4M3RhqYQx
"More like it was a disaster," Mutale muttered. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAKWr6YzNe9n
126Please respect copyright.PENANAyrl7hBGLFb
126Please respect copyright.PENANAWCLPAqfDHc
Lucius raised his eyebrow at him. "I should invite him one of these days." 126Please respect copyright.PENANATocYPe6V8F
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPAKYL1WXlH
126Please respect copyright.PENANAaLF1TN57OC
"Please, don’t," I warned. "You don't want to see the Golden Elite at your father’s doorstep." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA6dYrGp3Ljc
126Please respect copyright.PENANAp2fAiwucjD
126Please respect copyright.PENANAzGVVIf6d9O
"Just kidding. This loser is such a party pooper and the Golden Elite are a pain anyway." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA4ooRspeF3F
126Please respect copyright.PENANAw3Vp38Urbr
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhhnHyn6DWh
"If Diana hadn’t taken my weapons, you and I would’ve sparred with each other," said Mutale.126Please respect copyright.PENANACEGvfd3HvN
126Please respect copyright.PENANALmnuqzlEsZ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGuHhOjrB1f
"Not in my house you won’t," came a deep, husky voice down the hall as soon as we entered the foyer. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAZiE2Eytjzn
126Please respect copyright.PENANA7z5WDKd1mZ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAv9eDLkaJtm
We all turned to see amidst the mess and mayhem on the floor, stood a tall, well-built middle-aged man with short, curly, blonde hair, with chiselled facial features. He is dressed in only a red bathrobe and wore white bed slippers on his feet. He clearly isn’t wearing anything underneath his robe, and those blue piercing eyes bore straight at us. His presence was both alluring and frightening, that there’s no guessing who stood before us. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAGIMzqMhbnI
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZDZ6EEECdU
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYxQigeGOFh
"Oh, Diana," said Lucifer as he came towards us with a smile on his face. "If I'd known you were coming, I'd have better prepared myself and this place." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAqL0wAAR6Nn
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZhskGTdlKO
126Please respect copyright.PENANASIszume0fF
"Trust me, this is better than your actual home in the underworld," I said. "So, I don’t mind." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAYS7Fy2V7HE
126Please respect copyright.PENANAh9vAERL6GX
126Please respect copyright.PENANArf9dbcDj2D
"True. Sorry for the mess. We really took it all out last night. And you, son, left without saying a word." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ayuc1xD9F
126Please respect copyright.PENANAI8y0kWDfIK
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQjo6AFx9dl
Stella, Mutale and I turned to look at Lucius, who shrugged his shoulders. "So?" he asked. "I had plans." 126Please respect copyright.PENANASNUY9Nfmoj
126Please respect copyright.PENANApzRxZptzJL
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYowhslUBdN
"And was one of them to go look for Diana and bring her here?" his father asked. "You must have really missed her that badly. I tried to hook him up with some of the hot girls, but he's been dodging a lot of them lately." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAuLleXdggcS
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtWLuuALL1J
126Please respect copyright.PENANAj73SRipSBk
"Diana was a last minute resort. I had other things to do before I came to her." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAA0T5VJkBBV
126Please respect copyright.PENANAo5XgQ2TzSF
126Please respect copyright.PENANADTnrwuASji
"I see." Lucifer raised an eyebrow at his son before turning to look at the three of us standing. "Ah, you must be from the Butterfly Island," he said addressing Stella. "And looking at your robe, you must be part of the High Order, am I correct?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAUJRFeEoJba
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcQwgRxhxy2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAeI6mmUvUzg
"Guilty," said Stella. "A pleasure to meet you." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAa9hJkgp273
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYiuDo1gbV0
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtKmxthaZdO
"Oh, the pleasure is mine." He now turned to Mutale and his smiley face turned to a frown. "And you're a soldier from the Golden Elite." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAOpskx1UX0W
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5yyvlsfMEl
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvQJD6L1gT2
I could feel Mutale tremble a little as he asked, "How did you know?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAvhWeV6l6u0
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFoKFph1sjd
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVMBauTT0LV
"He can smell the residue from the weapons you carried," I said. "A supernatural like him with his sense of smell can detect you from a mile away." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAct7XKAqVNo
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFvVc4opPu5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHYJEqaLnNw
"Diana, smart as always," Lucifer turned to smile at me. "When I caught his scent at first, I thought I was going to have a hard time dealing with him." He looked Mutale up and down. "But then you came in with Lucius so, I knew all was alright." He now turned to Iook at me. "I must admit, I missed you too. Now I see why my son went looking for you. He must have thought bringing you here to see me would make me quite happy." 126Please respect copyright.PENANARVRVujbGsB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAI0X3ZfrXYl
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkDrPdOcu6X
"Actually, I didn’t come here to meet. Lucius just happened to come by at the right time. And given the circumstances, I knew I just had to see you to talk about something." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7NV2QPxX5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAf7qXPPkg3h
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0PeaQ0N5lZ
"Okay. Let’s talk, then. We can go to my study. Follow me." 126Please respect copyright.PENANASwvb1kYojd
126Please respect copyright.PENANABtJTMOoeJg
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPZFrxVL6bU
Just before he could turn around to lead the way, he looked at the three of us and said, "let me help you ladies out. You don’t need to carry this heavy load of Elite scum. Lucius, haven’t I taught you manners? You should’ve helped them with him." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAwOXI4dw2NO
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqkaDJ8L5P4
126Please respect copyright.PENANAyJqGwEREs0
"Did you just call me scum?" Mutale didn’t like that. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAJX6llUtaXg
126Please respect copyright.PENANAx4BTqT4GlC
126Please respect copyright.PENANANSxBnVmC0X
"What do you mean I don't have manners?" Lucius now asked, sounding upset by his father’s remarks. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAHze9obUTb2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKgwu17koaZ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAU09Bh17HzY
Lucifer didn’t answer as I felt Mutale’s weight lighten on my shoulders. Lucifer had him up in mid-air, but not too high. I could only imagine the number of times I’ve been held up like that. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAq5giPvawhb
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiHgEDuoas2
126Please respect copyright.PENANAa7vekgBP3Q
"What are you doing?" Mutale asked, feeling uncomfortable. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA1UyF16GyZ5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAbVOup4FUFs
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVydXQ24BYt
"Just hush," said Lucifer, giving him a deadly stare. "You’re lucky you came with Diana. I love to feed people like you to my bloody hounds." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAzUusTUCITD
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqJiPlGIpSK
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZwbCcfuvkp
"Behave, Mutale," I warned. "He’s not kidding about his hounds." He really isn't. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAf1qSWWHcGv
126Please respect copyright.PENANAaqq4E9s4cQ
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4pHzQgkkm8
Lucifer didn’t say anything more as he now turned around and started to lead the way through his house straight down the hall. We passed his large, messy, sitting room. You could tell that after a good cleanup, the place would look extraordinary. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAP3ixtBPwbk
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJrKeXEcJWS
126Please respect copyright.PENANAElfjgWKsUS
We soon reached his study, which he apparently kept under lock. A gold key appeared in his hand and he unlocked the door. He opened it for us, gesturing with his hand to enter. Stella and I went in first with Mutale floating behind us. Lucifer came in with Lucius closing the door behind him. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAE2GLf5gD1J
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFTR8V4ip6Q
126Please respect copyright.PENANAetNT7ZgWvp
I looked around the study and there are huge, tall book shelves. I noticed some books that should never be seen by the human eye - that’s if you’re not a devil worshipper. Some of the titles I read were downright scary. I looked away, trying not to feel uncomfortable about it. At the end of the room in front of a huge glass window stood his desk, and behind it, a large red chair, suitable for a man of Lucifer’s standards. There were red armchairs around the place and two facing a fireplace. It looked like a comfortable place to go sit and read. That’s if it’s a book aside from those in this room. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA1xOs9u2RGy
126Please respect copyright.PENANALVYna0SNSo
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUunjfht31b
"Make yourselves comfortable," said Lucifer as he went to his chair behind his desk. He turned towards the floating Mutale and dropped him in one of the armchairs, facing his desk. And he made him land very hard. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAt9VljcJgll
126Please respect copyright.PENANANP0wZbBXBk
126Please respect copyright.PENANANtYyGgwlqP
"Ow, that hurt," Mutale winced in pain.126Please respect copyright.PENANA9eSHtfpQvF
126Please respect copyright.PENANApF1ryxT0QC
126Please respect copyright.PENANARyw3840qzE
"I'm clearly not apologising for it," he gave Mutale a judging look. He now turned to Stella and me. "Please, ladies, take a seat. Lucius, can you ring the house help to bring in something for our guests to eat." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAMSaOCcJ4a3
126Please respect copyright.PENANARA4y195Qpb
126Please respect copyright.PENANAnptUZu7e5u
"I already did," said Lucius as he stood behind the armchair I was about to sit on. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAeHbGagY6dY
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlAvJlwwsfr
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtQNWJv5u7b
Lucifer rolled his eyes and shook his head. He sighed before saying, "for once I would like it if you were to act like a real human being and walk over there to tell her yourself." 126Please respect copyright.PENANALcaStz6pd6
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvcP7FwxWNp
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGKsHgdUWUC
"Not this again. Don't forget that you do it too. It's not my fault that I'm your son." 126Please respect copyright.PENANACkegWUTlXw
126Please respect copyright.PENANATL5EtwmvrD
126Please respect copyright.PENANAm2t9D0p7mu
"I take it that the use of powers aren't allowed in the house?" Stella asked out of curiosity, as she sat in the chair next to mine. 126Please respect copyright.PENANArm0yRFCzRJ
126Please respect copyright.PENANAphbT3iRzh4
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQGq25OdEeV
"The help here is human so we try to keep a low profile. But someone here likes to send a message through silly means," Lucifer threw a stern look at his son. 126Please respect copyright.PENANANp3Uu9qg95
126Please respect copyright.PENANABbU7jf7mZc
126Please respect copyright.PENANABQCQChfO3Q
"Okay, you can talk about it when it's just the two of you," I chided before Lucius can say anything. "Now, we've something very serious to talk about, Lucifer." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAZuuxlKwNq1
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5iPm5zPwUg
126Please respect copyright.PENANALATvILdWsK
Lucifer, brought his hands together on the desk and leaned forward. I can tell that he's taking a good look at me. A smile appeared across his face that any woman would fall for. Sadly, it didn't have any effect on me. I hope it didn't have an effect on Stella, though. 126Please respect copyright.PENANATEDRK5Iab5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqHOkzOIUA4
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiC4ljB800I
"I know it's been a long time since we last saw each other, but you've really grown, Diana," Lucifer commented, still scrutinising me. "And you're much prettier too." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAN0F2xjIV4n
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgUaX7AGluN
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHaKmIP7d6C
"Thanks, but that's not why I'm here," I said, leaning back. "I'm here because a creature of yours is after me. And I would like to know why." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAVXIJUJlIiz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAltBahljiaz
126Please respect copyright.PENANAmUH3wUeAlx
"A creature of mine? Which one is that?" 126Please respect copyright.PENANAEEpQkjzBzB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgfEvl1aVH4
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGaeDK0oSaY
This time it's Stella, who answered: "a level one shadow monster." 126Please respect copyright.PENANA2i9OZdNRi7
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0a8e0A27Ib
126Please respect copyright.PENANAG14wGZvWUE
Lucifer didn't look surprised. It got me thinking whether he did send one after me or not. His next response would prove to be crucial. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA2CNn2IWBDi
126Please respect copyright.PENANAuNJUZjZf7p
126Please respect copyright.PENANAuvbIkFnj6D
He looked at both me and Stella. And a smile came upon his face. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAFNKsvTbad5
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdEW8hxwWwX
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhSi30hqwBW
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, ladies," he said. "But even when people think I don't keep promises, one of the few promises I will continue to keep is yours, Diana. I promised that I would never try to harm you in any way." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAwDK8UCxom8
126Please respect copyright.PENANArIsqazeusd
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAcizltui4R
"Ha!" Lucius clapped his hands. "You see! I told you. I knew he wouldn't go back on his word." 126Please respect copyright.PENANAqasJEFXZD7
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMc9vzQpz5E
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvl6GsCwEoA
"Diana, he's lying to you," said Mutale. "Don't believe him. He's the one who sent it. We're talking to the Devil here." 126Please respect copyright.PENANArneIvWvGPB
126Please respect copyright.PENANAyKUrEP2Eg3
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqRgJkdfUBm
"Can you be so sure that he's telling the truth?" Stella asked as she looked at me. 126Please respect copyright.PENANA3V1RQdhDZp
126Please respect copyright.PENANATCM5elVNf0
126Please respect copyright.PENANA7Aoo7uTsxT
I continued to look at the Devil as he smiled mischievously in front of me. And I had no doubt in my mind. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAj8M689ifYy
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1nu2PgkzNC
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMYnZKsFPwT
He's telling the truth.