Present Day109Please respect copyright.PENANAxcN4pW3EBI
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlzr7Wpaw1h
109Please respect copyright.PENANAjv3okWMCFN
Narrator's P.O.V:109Please respect copyright.PENANAZSymCedIQ3
109Please respect copyright.PENANAZPTtMt8gS9
109Please respect copyright.PENANAN4DV4E698U
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.109Please respect copyright.PENANA6LgxxyV9Me
109Please respect copyright.PENANAyVOYgjnUjQ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAWynl0XhwI9
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAL2zlnZrtgx
109Please respect copyright.PENANAG09EdUIkvg
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYuiu59Glp9
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAg13fkCSYTt
109Please respect copyright.PENANAOXdNgTU9QH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAOfntrC7hXE
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwtTjwS1pvK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAU98LmTzxIg
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYbAXxkfiqH
A few seconds passed before Brian asked, "any idea what the call could be about?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAz0uatYclv2
109Please respect copyright.PENANAE1ecwbCOeM
109Please respect copyright.PENANAxNTRzEvmts
"I've no idea," Rondon replied. "I hope it relates to our mission." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9K290Mrvcq
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqLBXUyhaBI
109Please respect copyright.PENANANIskaWWbvL
"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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANABAKKV1nXzZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAhdKDYoDOiY
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYT07opNZAA
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAA1wOWspY56
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXKcPYPUO8W
109Please respect copyright.PENANAGxb67HswAE
"Well, whatever it is, it better be good," said Brian, folding his arms. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAqQCMEGjAXg
109Please respect copyright.PENANA0O1XlCdfbX
109Please respect copyright.PENANAh1OCuWfmML
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANArhl2QyiclE
109Please respect copyright.PENANApO4azQvSF6
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHcrYQEZiXF
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANANqEXpk9UNp
109Please respect copyright.PENANAxa1oQ7gpcx
109Please respect copyright.PENANABjCBnIjNG8
"Good evening, gentlemen," came a woman's voice. "I take it that everything is going on well on your end." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAgBD0sBFqrD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIp5xHXxmkD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6idBDxmwT
Rondon cleared his throat before saying, "evening. Everything was going well, but we've run into a situation that might hinder our plans." 109Please respect copyright.PENANABLQphb8ieZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYBXdPRn5No
109Please respect copyright.PENANAMIMgVRnhyp
There came a long, unsettling pause from the person on the screen before she asked: "What situation?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANACzXD2IBw2d
109Please respect copyright.PENANAvKS5HLJwsK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAuHMeGjGOTw
"Well, for starters," Brian started to say, "one of our troops sent to capture the target, ran into an unexpected foe." 109Please respect copyright.PENANArQ8kZzMbzO
109Please respect copyright.PENANA12Ww4JKub2
109Please respect copyright.PENANA45s1a1ud6N
"And what foe do you speak of?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANA7WmZVzesWd
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZZB9hQ7GN
109Please respect copyright.PENANAikJciLab5g
"A level one shadow monster," Rondon answered. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAKZPvNZeNWY
109Please respect copyright.PENANADP0MCQR87f
109Please respect copyright.PENANAB9pMpbNPas
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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAyZb1bHE0py
109Please respect copyright.PENANALjtsKRQFS6
109Please respect copyright.PENANAgafCQkuEbf
"No doubt about it," said Brian. "Our people confirmed it." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ1Y5hWuHO
109Please respect copyright.PENANARDDttqhoJK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXX9A585T7g
"And what have you done to solve this issue? We need our target tonight, Rondon." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAnUpSRUCwLV
109Please respect copyright.PENANA3h9LQHpoyB
109Please respect copyright.PENANAiupvKbTj9i
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA28O2N65nHL
109Please respect copyright.PENANA4p9VT6BqRr
109Please respect copyright.PENANA5RyexE7fUF
"Are you certain of this?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAJYkgzpKgvj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAR0UlhtBfVu
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlOtlktJDC3
"Yes, we are," Brian answered. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAoM6TaJoJdV
109Please respect copyright.PENANAZFWdTUKS48
109Please respect copyright.PENANAH1aoGj3vNG
"And what of the person assigned to capture the target? What will become of him with that shadow monster hanging around?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAy3l5Vh68U8
109Please respect copyright.PENANAEK7B9DhpvU
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9lXqajdUfs
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAUWUiKxINK1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAe6jT0Sx4Hu
109Please respect copyright.PENANA0fzqtogMC6
"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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANA8kPIWRXILI
109Please respect copyright.PENANAAJJwGB7uFX
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmmiiZoq3qq
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAtcDVOV4ZVd
109Please respect copyright.PENANA3HwBWB5fmh
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmuhxwjx2Mw
"For now, we can't be too sure," Brian quickly answered. "But we hope he has her captive." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAskQAmnLJSp
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwS0qQyrKAa
109Please respect copyright.PENANAGy9DRYw7qy
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA3RVhipCllU
109Please respect copyright.PENANAS9TZjWfOnb
109Please respect copyright.PENANACXSNmpuwYi
Rondon swallowed and he heard Brian let out a little murmur of surprise. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAnVsKSYqyHA
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlHp0NOMsSB
109Please respect copyright.PENANAKVBwN0Iiwp
"If you ask me," said Rondon, finding his voice, "going there with the troops we have will be suicide." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAtCocxWfMIC
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJI02c0ET7A
109Please respect copyright.PENANArdTe0dzqvB
"If that will be enough to bring our target in then, they would've sacrificed themselves for the greater good." 109Please respect copyright.PENANATcoFXCFPLA
109Please respect copyright.PENANA5BLDk6iqhd
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtvjHaJY6sQ
"Or, we can easily just wait for the morning," Brian suggested. "Shadow monsters can't stand the daylight." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAuqptl7jXOx
109Please respect copyright.PENANA1fw6m8buNF
109Please respect copyright.PENANAiIwR9shzq3
There came a long pause as the woman on the screen continued to look at the two men. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA4ASzqHkjjC
109Please respect copyright.PENANADItMavJmxm
109Please respect copyright.PENANAKb2r95y0oB
"Very well, that seems fair," said the woman. "But it's a long time till dawn." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAHI9a4OckRB
109Please respect copyright.PENANACDhw4ACW5e
109Please respect copyright.PENANAisUOWSY340
"If we have to wait, then we'll do just that," Rondon answered. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAPVla2ivFnE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmvDnD9MDO1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAkxJTse81hr
"Alright, but I have some urgent news. Which is why I called."109Please respect copyright.PENANAAnNIVXU70d
109Please respect copyright.PENANAzi9RhgChUE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAT0EZiwcohU
Rondon felt his heart almost beat out of his chest and he wondered if Brian felt the same way. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA3CF5WUVB86
109Please respect copyright.PENANATijLRFSUJw
109Please respect copyright.PENANAKJG23nX8Ns
"I just received word from our sources that apart from us, someone else is after Diana on this very same day." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA4x8KEVdwqG
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqjRQ1RI33v
109Please respect copyright.PENANA0pW5mBGykY
Rondon now turned to look at his comrade. A sudden thought soon came into his mind. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAl8ZUqKA2mE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAiThWXilddl
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqAtcRDIVpi
"Is that why the shadow monster is here?" Rondon asked. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAglrXPJm2P3
109Please respect copyright.PENANADshfb7kGIR
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVuxFkRpvfk
"I don't follow," said Brian. "Are you saying that someone sent that thing after Diana?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAaUdYG9iAkv
109Please respect copyright.PENANABYL9rYXIxt
109Please respect copyright.PENANAClkK0xtPIM
"It's a possibility." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAUacM1lvndw
109Please respect copyright.PENANAeuvucjuVXI
109Please respect copyright.PENANAWp3NEAW8Iu
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA09LCMh1owp
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPaKOau9MaJ
109Please respect copyright.PENANA02mrYUpbrE
"But aren't those creatures hard to control?" Brian asked. "I hear no one can control those things." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAA60W45fZQD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAeyvgEpGnK7
109Please respect copyright.PENANAR7A0cOXF8M
"That's not true," said Rondon. "Apparently, only one person is known to have control over a level one." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAs7cLxE6WNO
109Please respect copyright.PENANAvSS7v9LRSf
109Please respect copyright.PENANASK3IVQaizs
"The Devil, himself," said Brian. "I thought that was a myth." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAPz2g0VCr8j
109Please respect copyright.PENANAbNTVqTbCXt
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVqedJQHvkh
"Those things are so dark I'm not surprised that he can control them." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA0HSvTuPlg1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAyaEiWzulQF
109Please respect copyright.PENANA6XCF2bZWCi
"But can we be sure that he's the one behind this? I mean, he can't be the only one, right?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANA0UUBGWYCy1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJEGuG7DOQi
109Please respect copyright.PENANA1BAzILwRla
"To be honest," came the woman on the screen, "I see no one else apart from him." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAxHnFNPHug0
109Please respect copyright.PENANAm9yX9Mq8dZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANANGpyKZk6dU
"But there is someone else," said Rondon. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA3zmFlIZoXl
109Please respect copyright.PENANAatjH6hyY1q
109Please respect copyright.PENANAguGBFBntTM
Brian leaned in closer to look at Rondon. "Really? Who?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAbnfztCPdQ4
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmYhKU8PCPW
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHcoz5ybvVN
"Well, for this one I'm not too sure myself," Rondon paused for a bit. "I hear, even the Most Divine can control it." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAY6Ze0OtyOG
109Please respect copyright.PENANARTksd6YF3S
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHXKEt7B64v
There came a deadly silence in the tent. And the woman in her gold mask, shook her head.109Please respect copyright.PENANAlvf3jTGUnJ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtf3k5X7JLx
109Please respect copyright.PENANAU9toX23NDk
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAo0qdJCotXI
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmxJ1mSdYt0
109Please respect copyright.PENANAoR6fFUAUHs
"Of course, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I'm just saying what I've heard, that's all." 109Please respect copyright.PENANATZ5xml4e8v
109Please respect copyright.PENANAeodV6sQReh
109Please respect copyright.PENANA2mky9uRjZP
"Since the Devil is our only suspect, we've no choice but to try and get into contact with him and ask." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAXxqNDjXlqL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAkOXeOKeGzE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtSzDr1CRxX
"That's the best way to go," said Brian. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAkSaBOM9vZT
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnueNYw03Cu
109Please respect copyright.PENANATWTRMU78aO
"Keep me informed if anything happens." The screen went black and Rondon with Brian stayed in silence. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAsLlI5C8ieP
109Please respect copyright.PENANAiQGZi2lf0E
109Please respect copyright.PENANAWYWKMcIH7g
"Well, that was some briefing," said Brian as he stood up from his seat, removing his headphones and placing them on the table. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAiJ2U8e1cEE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJUK1x5bxtM
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPD7P2Zkh3b
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAkSGMEsnATr
109Please respect copyright.PENANAkN8tjYRRSG
109Please respect copyright.PENANAsYLDB1i2I2
"So, we wait till morning to storm the house?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAjCJLwVJenT
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtWIiYriZd9
109Please respect copyright.PENANA6HYjCdXKLM
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA3DY535dmxO
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqsFdDVIU6s
109Please respect copyright.PENANA4Vqqo4EKB2
"I agree. But isn’t there anything we can do?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANADCbM0jA1hw
109Please respect copyright.PENANApxg6j9Vzlw
109Please respect copyright.PENANATWHgZCQ72Z
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAOEHj9JLl1x
109Please respect copyright.PENANAdYDisSVXgZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANArDF72NyqQP
"But you’ve taken one on before, haven’t you?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANASyZdjYGojk
109Please respect copyright.PENANAr2Y40fkAF2
109Please respect copyright.PENANAawmKEVFusx
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAP72wFAkobx
109Please respect copyright.PENANALP5HP47kqx
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtNZYDdZVVt
"Explains why she ran when she saw it. She stood no chance." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAjcf0a2HGbT
109Please respect copyright.PENANAxIxYE7afi8
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqas7kW4Rh0
"That's true." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAT71gpNX1a9
109Please respect copyright.PENANA3zLhYjkK1C
109Please respect copyright.PENANAretIr8byLR
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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9R22gVVwXG
109Please respect copyright.PENANAQUKE7n9uyw
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmMRrDnMxjT
"Apart from Diana, who at least had the decency to survive, I haven’t heard of anyone who has actually defeated it." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3iwAQ6Dgp
109Please respect copyright.PENANAfOCsV7ljRE
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8XNmYA58Z7
"That’s why the use of light has always been necessary. Too bad we didn’t carry enough flood lights." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAvPzKakO06p
109Please respect copyright.PENANA43caIuh9Kr
109Please respect copyright.PENANAd7cUoSppa2
"No one anticipated to find it here, so I wouldn’t feel too bad about it." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAI5yw55C8mA
109Please respect copyright.PENANAw6PuMQAMsq
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlyfDjbNAIu
"We better go back and see how things are going." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA02ZsRFBcLd
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPAWl24i0vA
109Please respect copyright.PENANABxlA0aqwdY
"Good idea." 109Please respect copyright.PENANATRi8yklsIx
109Please respect copyright.PENANA1bAiFRleTk
109Please respect copyright.PENANA7bd62C4sa6
As soon as Rondon stood up from his seat, a recruit came rushing in, catching Rondon and Brian by surprise. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA5LnaDFKNRC
109Please respect copyright.PENANAATVQBI51bP
109Please respect copyright.PENANAUyBCWKzAtl
"I have an urgent problem to report, sir," said the rookie, watching Rondon.109Please respect copyright.PENANAAwO41lMvSB
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmK1wMnC0N1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAKti79rQj1J
By the sound of his voice, Rondon could tell something didn’t feel right. Did something happen to Mutale and Diana? 109Please respect copyright.PENANAeUvuL1NSlk
109Please respect copyright.PENANArgtIlq9jUT
109Please respect copyright.PENANArZ0IZ4VMJ8
"What is it?" Rondon asked. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwq0Vo492Mo
109Please respect copyright.PENANAr9iv3E4w1O
109Please respect copyright.PENANAk4DlOoZuKA
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAazQBEv3HS0
109Please respect copyright.PENANA1sJrnt44Kk
109Please respect copyright.PENANAx9QMQZDmlG
"Someone must have teleported there," said Brian. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAOSUaB3PHEK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVSZ6eXMUGS
109Please respect copyright.PENANAWLDyvqPCCO
"Or Diana summoned someone," said Rondon. "This means she does have Mutale hostage and has the upper hand." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAVlnkTF3KpJ
109Please respect copyright.PENANA27g7O5Pb6v
109Please respect copyright.PENANAQIpimkLF7q
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.109Please respect copyright.PENANAnF2Ls5SrYj
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9vOPCn8K8A
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtXKOH9a8Lu
"What time did this person appear?" Rondon asked as he went to the main monitor.109Please respect copyright.PENANA1yxfWRQn4Y
109Please respect copyright.PENANArig3prlLlx
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJkEtys9ch9
"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."109Please respect copyright.PENANAfILuxDPcqF
109Please respect copyright.PENANADaKbscAv0G
109Please respect copyright.PENANAU6Z7kXIlhL
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2S2NxTSTX
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIvk9SMLZax
109Please respect copyright.PENANArxk5f7WdE6
"Something doesn’t feel right," he said. "The shadow monster is nowhere nearby." 109Please respect copyright.PENANApS8dccqRAq
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIEAKJs3svs
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9SPgSfN53V
"It went away as soon as the newcomer appeared in the house," came the female recruit to his left. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAWOZcItPljO
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9UbSDboECZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAW6C5fEaCZL
"Widen the area," Rondon instructed. "It couldn’t have gone far." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAiO2OUTLf5a
109Please respect copyright.PENANAaOCzUBbM8K
109Please respect copyright.PENANACtnmdu4Ekd
"Ummm, sir," came a voice of another recruit behind him. "You need to see this." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAhdnEOVBW08
109Please respect copyright.PENANA5yKMX1jZyy
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIHF1jzRgAn
"What could it be now?" Rondon asked as he turned around to check the monitor behind him. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAn0ofaWumby
109Please respect copyright.PENANAY8XG2mHhBK
109Please respect copyright.PENANADMwZ6oEtQV
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA416nlwDwJf
109Please respect copyright.PENANAvTqaYRuqq7
109Please respect copyright.PENANAslq39G3zQt
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAR0am699u7r
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9obls7wJfb
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqgF0czturg
"Could this be the person after Diana?" Brian asked as he also came to stand beside Rondon. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAEUHAw59jaM
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtF0uwTaEYL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAWU7fG7bTgs
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAy9fzm7h47U
109Please respect copyright.PENANA85u1NXJMvz
109Please respect copyright.PENANAagelAsKd0N
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… 109Please respect copyright.PENANAuzPpHU3Giw
109Please respect copyright.PENANAEqsT2YfTIb
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVoONrllIeM
"He didn’t send the shadow monster at all," Rondon muttered.109Please respect copyright.PENANANnrLjUpHaL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAX6EvqMBxnJ
109Please respect copyright.PENANA6V2NMjCecI
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAe7PysKtnUD
109Please respect copyright.PENANARdTDaT6Vpb
109Please respect copyright.PENANAFq0cgcwZAF
"What do you mean he didn’t send it?" Brian asked in an angry whisper. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAQv8io1m5ml
109Please respect copyright.PENANAdnL5mgcAYw
109Please respect copyright.PENANAX0FNtjGiJg
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAqbMGQqJclM
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHpwP50MJWT
109Please respect copyright.PENANAl4CfHmsKGe
"Maybe whoever it is, is doing exactly that. Let’s watch their movements first." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA82sdv0sDoy
109Please respect copyright.PENANA4dtt7P7Dll
109Please respect copyright.PENANAkdX9jVXrr6
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAC3PQghaqCj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwfns1VCZbL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPUC2gRygyh
"I don’t envy you so much, Rondon," came a woman’s voice behind him. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAO12TmINFl3
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJGyjnTnzW1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHNchyI9ga8
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAQM5AJmI2Wi
109Please respect copyright.PENANABNIbMxL2Sg
109Please respect copyright.PENANAKnMRpT1YhA
"I know you don't," he said. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAm46or29E4D
109Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ov604dC7T
109Please respect copyright.PENANApwGxHW98oi
"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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANA8XfIANdsJU
109Please respect copyright.PENANADChzWyLe9n
109Please respect copyright.PENANAyxqzHJUatN
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: 109Please respect copyright.PENANAb3Au2YAtnp
109Please respect copyright.PENANANhuVzf5ELh
109Please respect copyright.PENANAI3OdCkyUTh
"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."109Please respect copyright.PENANAmVefvhlZut
109Please respect copyright.PENANAeHbVOC0OVB
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8lT7aqOpko
Rondon turned to look at her. "You also didn't approve of me when I was first given this mission." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA4asu6F2kZH
109Please respect copyright.PENANA4c0k0jQhwb
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8mJglv2Pyg
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANArU6njLY8TJ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAk3HzfdtEM3
109Please respect copyright.PENANAr2cTRqOLtx
"Will do the best I can," said Rondon. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAUTtvS36EiB
109Please respect copyright.PENANA7SYHKn9UXv
109Please respect copyright.PENANAocrdhFPDuq
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA1uprKozpVH
109Please respect copyright.PENANABhlDo8FuHD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwmv9L7C9ET
"Judging by his movements, he moved a little further away from the house," the recruit answered. "Wait a minute, now he’s approaching again." 109Please respect copyright.PENANARj0FQ77Te0
109Please respect copyright.PENANAj2EbJPkofg
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqkEaSaqJLN
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAooAY3ukRQH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJkv6JOz0yF
109Please respect copyright.PENANANstqGlQGdy
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAabWDB22VZ7
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVbHvl9MjOf
109Please respect copyright.PENANAKxj12LlTNx
"Sir," came the recruit looking at the green aura. "He or she just entered the house." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA34t505Vz3z
109Please respect copyright.PENANAI0tQuU2g6w
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXnDwOu42IE
"Any exchanges?" Rondon asked. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAldXKQqgdxL
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9FBRJp4CJd
109Please respect copyright.PENANA0Kve1Jr37H
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANATDgi9chOWN
109Please respect copyright.PENANADauIETJLvk
109Please respect copyright.PENANAvIeFoX16u8
Rondon turned to look at the female recruit who spoke. "What is it?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANADi67ZiAAHd
109Please respect copyright.PENANAFTDbMjxPKo
109Please respect copyright.PENANA2KPkfmq576
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAkyQrIqoZ7F
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHHC4AzdCrs
109Please respect copyright.PENANAx30RINdpQJ
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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAgm0Xxf2rdR
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwHZCBmeeIR
109Please respect copyright.PENANAhRBaSbalBS
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAJBq2BO06Ao
109Please respect copyright.PENANApnf19TYgVi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlsEHH4Cx9g
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAowT1Txq2Kj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAgDXOfkX36s
109Please respect copyright.PENANArEDAgGGO1Q
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAI7vPHiMC95
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnT5dFHLxZi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnaIha95ZnO
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANASE8MUtUVVr
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8cwaiP4oZQ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAaHuIsMaTyE
"But who from the underworld could do that?" Brian asked. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAGUSGNzd1BU
109Please respect copyright.PENANAq42Fom1yaH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlIWGHoHTNb
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANApThxu0Dd8K
109Please respect copyright.PENANANvM5NpRSjE
109Please respect copyright.PENANABSSM685DcW
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9JbBIvJNEz
109Please respect copyright.PENANADSSyyc3HPO
109Please respect copyright.PENANAGmNxxeHn65
"I want you to narrow down people from the underworld who have the ability to suck the energy around them," Rondon instructed. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA5JdVVpNCup
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtRFbZBzHfL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAEQPzmBzfqB
"Yes, sir," said the third-year recruit and he quickly rushed back to his work station. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAWlRe1dqLgF
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqdKiTwBTzO
109Please respect copyright.PENANAboFep6FEF4
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAKcHdZiRaRV
109Please respect copyright.PENANANPqOI17fdT
109Please respect copyright.PENANA4j9XUxw5kV
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: 109Please respect copyright.PENANADrP0INudLO
109Please respect copyright.PENANAaVj87skPjY
109Please respect copyright.PENANAKdc6bqyNvf
"Rondon, sir. Something is wrong." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAg2oxvdWwso
109Please respect copyright.PENANAbPWFf5IP0M
109Please respect copyright.PENANANiZZNsvYZz
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANARKaACmBtuy
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZkWSDxxKx
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9DZ5UiMIR0
"What is this?" Brian asked. "Where are they? And how come Mutale’s GPS isn’t on?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANArn0kxYgC9e
109Please respect copyright.PENANAuStrrvvenr
109Please respect copyright.PENANA24fH5llYu8
This is bad, Rondon thought as he felt a chill run down his spine. Did they do what he thinks they did? 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9JGrvsi5Rn
109Please respect copyright.PENANAZU8d9yQlqt
109Please respect copyright.PENANAporxrenAGj
"Sir," came the scared recruit. "It looks like someone opened a portal." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA1LYH2QgYYi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnhrwWURoV5
109Please respect copyright.PENANA3IBKLGX9I6
Rondon closed his eyes and hang his head low. Of course they did, he thought to himself. They teleported. Smart move.109Please respect copyright.PENANADTP6zNk4xW
109Please respect copyright.PENANAuDYgaUDyjO
109Please respect copyright.PENANA26vTA4SCaP
A silence now filled the room, that if something fell or someone coughed, everyone would be frightened. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA0Cl7AOeFA4
109Please respect copyright.PENANA6y7amE5W76
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnX1koa2JvK
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAmk2NFSIbsl
109Please respect copyright.PENANASBOPKXdiG6
109Please respect copyright.PENANAZdoIG8LwJW
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6Ty1WHZLi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVEJ6t6ZHHk
109Please respect copyright.PENANAr3VAwseEOJ
"Hey, what's going on?" the IT manager, Peter appeared. "I hear Mutale has gone missing." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9xcFNMAwFe
109Please respect copyright.PENANA6YSDyawpy0
109Please respect copyright.PENANAK1nQarUunE
"Not entirely," Rondon answered, turning to look at Peter. "He teleported with Diana and two other supernaturals who were in the house." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9QJyzmDs9p
109Please respect copyright.PENANAGhFMBYxAFn
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnwSNjDPBDY
"Wow, I really must have my workstation here. I'm really missing out on all the fun." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAddFV89OM41
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmfiy5jXjkN
109Please respect copyright.PENANAo1OmzP9DqA
"Finding Mutale is our main priority," said Brian. "If we find him, we find Diana." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAK9E2D7KQMK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAV6LxuTgw4M
109Please respect copyright.PENANAp0EIwINzMJ
"I got him!" came the blonde female recruit. "He's appeared in Florida, sir." 109Please respect copyright.PENANApgPWy6mu7W
109Please respect copyright.PENANAilzROz4QMi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAatyfPWTFay
Brian turned to Rondon. "What the hell are they doing there?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAltVqCf8tkF
109Please respect copyright.PENANAeKsxDPn5Lv
109Please respect copyright.PENANAFRJ6Rzf9Db
"Give me an exact location, please," Rondon ordered. "Maybe we'll know why." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAVLOHE8ykME
109Please respect copyright.PENANAf73IhTfEfR
109Please respect copyright.PENANAdNn3NPfFj2
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwS6zWIqF7K
109Please respect copyright.PENANAOCDAnOwBAx
109Please respect copyright.PENANAbGKFqGyRrF
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAyFcqDs1SPF
109Please respect copyright.PENANA6DqL4FEPed
109Please respect copyright.PENANANQHI0aqmVt
"Lucius," said Rondon absent-mindedly. "One of the many sons of the devil." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAxwzdZe6zvW
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwpjZ7i5Ca6
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIpw5nOZOWw
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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAjkvm72Z03i
109Please respect copyright.PENANAaFtkTmvefH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAw4vdX2nESy
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? 109Please respect copyright.PENANAjFG0jM3UfN
109Please respect copyright.PENANAUxwW93xxh7
109Please respect copyright.PENANA2LVIHZQgn5
"You're right," said Rondon. "This doesn't add up at all." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA6Uux0XylyW
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIhka7y7HVe
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqpvlmkhk7Q
"Sir, we've pinpointed their exact location," came the female recruit. "And you're not going to like what you're about to hear." 109Please respect copyright.PENANATrghVYbbDE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAUiLo44XrZT
109Please respect copyright.PENANAMByKdHAeDP
"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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAhJnxVMZiDe
109Please respect copyright.PENANAAqHLLhHFME
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8k1uR4beaM
"Yes." 109Please respect copyright.PENANATDyYJQ91W2
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHdKRHheF4v
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlg6lgS3UFU
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANACvrUUAtE6G
109Please respect copyright.PENANAuayA7hqZlF
109Please respect copyright.PENANAW1VJkJAEon
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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAPm3aovtq1H
109Please respect copyright.PENANANuz5Vznjjc
109Please respect copyright.PENANASeafvHHbLT
"Are you planning to go there?" Peter asked. "That place is off limits." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA87aSXfHYTX
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqJhScjRhH9
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHtMYghij9X
"I know that. We're teleporting to Miami but not in his premises." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAkdR36esaMc
109Please respect copyright.PENANALmdJmRJjSH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAC2ZVEoHwxp
"Then what do you plan to do after that?" Brian asked. 109Please respect copyright.PENANATpvlKOrOqP
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9J2xTcEt0m
109Please respect copyright.PENANA11eXmfT5bX
"I plan to break in there and get Mutale out." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA86HGMqi7QB
109Please respect copyright.PENANAMa0eiH3kJf
109Please respect copyright.PENANAOMXOk9Gk9N
"Huh? Are you serious? What happened to capturing Diana?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAi91pf3HZe1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAUBufXOtnoF
109Please respect copyright.PENANAu5tb9DoirF
"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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAx1iLcfO5C2
109Please respect copyright.PENANAguFLnQukV1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAoRa1qZaM2E
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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAWJw4xVJowt
109Please respect copyright.PENANAt16AcmVQus
109Please respect copyright.PENANAQL11Tt16ue
"Yes, that would be wise. Everyone, pack up. And those with their eyes monitoring what's happening, don't slack off." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAnfpZ6I9dMG
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9VPMkEH6E8
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9BcjRGNNQ7
"Yes, sir," the recruits answered him in unison. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAKHW04MutwR
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9hgt5WMuY1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAV1FCcS3iQb
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANARBjFhBKiUR
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYfmyjajhJv
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHWPocUvIss
"Rondon," Brian called out as they went out of the tent and into the darkness outside. Rondon stopped to look at him. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAIumNdC1K6n
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJa46S27kfh
109Please respect copyright.PENANA4QJ0EYWD2A
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAK9Hisv7xTJ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHP7k3lLF78
109Please respect copyright.PENANA3ezn7oQAof
"I wasn't," said Brian. "Yes, the mission has taken a turn, but who knows, maybe it's for the better." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA4fh38Br203
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqvYF3wxBZi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAP0wkEOCYnj
"Then what is it, then?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAWlpYtXdLGI
109Please respect copyright.PENANAyQ2U90Jz2Z
109Please respect copyright.PENANAB8dFCSAElr
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAUEf6bN6Vey
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYlTIOgam2P
109Please respect copyright.PENANAcOF0Uf6sE8
"I now believe you when you said the Devil might not have sent the shadow monster after Diana," Brian whispered.109Please respect copyright.PENANA3QDiNHc610
109Please respect copyright.PENANA3okwHLEoHH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAykwUuW36uz
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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANADKVOVIOE35
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnfrEfrXMYM
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwS1DLOOsuU
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANASyj9GjIzjD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAa1r8auHVKw
109Please respect copyright.PENANATz9ENq6kEj
*** 109Please respect copyright.PENANAPpD8GmmEhX
109Please respect copyright.PENANA24uXee2xVj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYHs6XtOHf0
Diana’s P.O.V: 109Please respect copyright.PENANA927BCd9M4O
109Please respect copyright.PENANALOj7JG2bIq
109Please respect copyright.PENANAsMwlaKehpR
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAGYif8q8m8F
109Please respect copyright.PENANA1GHOfC35e8
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIFYIgqSml8
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAIumOY192FC
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPW1dDzaPP3
109Please respect copyright.PENANAfrQianpCV1
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAAbe4SPpPFo
109Please respect copyright.PENANAUdc3S9TJeC
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmsTySfN3JM
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAoUrC1HGgVL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAvv0s4YDU8F
109Please respect copyright.PENANAILu5Tcb06d
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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAtKbpgs0S6V
109Please respect copyright.PENANAb7EGgohaKL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAUVC7UCGMaJ
It’s now Mutale’s turn to scoff. "You make it sound like it's normal," he said. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAiYeglyaUTX
109Please respect copyright.PENANAxjRlCANNv1
109Please respect copyright.PENANAE4a9tbotkK
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwpt3Bn2nrK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAjzr8kjh6JD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAggUZN0b1LC
"It’s the reason why I would do all I can to get rid of this evil in the world." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAtq8EWqwhku
109Please respect copyright.PENANAZw0wA9fCBd
109Please respect copyright.PENANAOpZOtyiPkp
"Now is not the time to start blabbering these things," I said. "We're not in the Golden Elite premises." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAHeARdYmrSe
109Please respect copyright.PENANAX1fdHAb14E
109Please respect copyright.PENANAQr3bY43kKL
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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANABYJnCPlRy3
109Please respect copyright.PENANARR6l93MkCb
109Please respect copyright.PENANAIsty4gCy4D
"He’s my prisoner, Lucius," I warned him. "And can we get moving? We don’t have enough time." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAzXbYNYv72o
109Please respect copyright.PENANAokzbwkSB65
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwPa07m8QHB
"Relax, it’s not like the shadow monster will find us. And besides, it’s daytime here." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAPuCPG8MtI9
109Please respect copyright.PENANAhnC8lJOxeG
109Please respect copyright.PENANA00aYjHGstT
"This is your father’s territory. I’ve every right to keep my guard up." 109Please respect copyright.PENANApUKEAonAF6
109Please respect copyright.PENANADpbf3KINvz
109Please respect copyright.PENANAcn7SElnnBj
Lucius gave me a bright smile and a wink. "As you wish." He turned around and continued to lead the way. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAZHU2C7ABoD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAkNyVOX49TH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJH1kZTfZON
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwu3ksYiiOK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPSBJ0OLfI2
109Please respect copyright.PENANAEhBnsKWyaW
"Sorry for the mess," said Lucius as we bypassed the chairs and tried avoiding the few people lying on the sand. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAGgGibqQfgj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAaApG9g26xn
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8GiKHSg1JZ
"Oh, don’t," said Stella with a little amusement in her voice. "This was very much expected." 109Please respect copyright.PENANApNVZxVHqku
109Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZmPBU6JKI
109Please respect copyright.PENANAcMy7bcmOEv
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAquv7tGonFK
109Please respect copyright.PENANADIyhKM3NDD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAQqGEog9dD0
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAcxysbzsnmp
109Please respect copyright.PENANAcOacizHbKi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAwlzFCwmJik
We walked up the wooden steps to the front door. And Lucius had to move aside some bodies and items. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwp63bQrs8g
109Please respect copyright.PENANAQuaVKvyBbl
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmwXu9wVUln
"I say, this party went well," said Lucius as he cleared the front door for us. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAT5OVqt9lGr
109Please respect copyright.PENANAFr6aLeUh01
109Please respect copyright.PENANADPpc7F1aUv
"More like it was a disaster," Mutale muttered. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAA1LWSYBhum
109Please respect copyright.PENANAg0Z9Cilk8t
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtYjZREqf2g
Lucius raised his eyebrow at him. "I should invite him one of these days." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAjMvBhgnKLc
109Please respect copyright.PENANAZCG6gkuA83
109Please respect copyright.PENANAtosbfpyBqH
"Please, don’t," I warned. "You don't want to see the Golden Elite at your father’s doorstep." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAweIB288Agi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAbuNQpBlfN3
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXBDHKbwa3W
"Just kidding. This loser is such a party pooper and the Golden Elite are a pain anyway." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAmNXxmws3tX
109Please respect copyright.PENANA63RZTU0yPj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAyZ24YIcchl
"If Diana hadn’t taken my weapons, you and I would’ve sparred with each other," said Mutale.109Please respect copyright.PENANAEq9YlPDvQj
109Please respect copyright.PENANA2GSDEhMuMx
109Please respect copyright.PENANAEVStSSBVkZ
"Not in my house you won’t," came a deep, husky voice down the hall as soon as we entered the foyer. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAHtJdyk0Qli
109Please respect copyright.PENANAoOfFsINoV7
109Please respect copyright.PENANALtOE9uIrbk
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAPRLYnvAfYr
109Please respect copyright.PENANArAhXoictkP
109Please respect copyright.PENANAvdhK6tvyNl
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAVkDdP7Ct7f
109Please respect copyright.PENANASDkXP1JUfj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPqoYm8XACO
"Trust me, this is better than your actual home in the underworld," I said. "So, I don’t mind." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAuzDREtBq90
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9yGypYgbAD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAT3yXqIVMW4
"True. Sorry for the mess. We really took it all out last night. And you, son, left without saying a word." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAEsurnSj9aI
109Please respect copyright.PENANALzf532S4l4
109Please respect copyright.PENANA7OT9Rsw2xI
Stella, Mutale and I turned to look at Lucius, who shrugged his shoulders. "So?" he asked. "I had plans." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwfcPVLDIKm
109Please respect copyright.PENANAGkdioUhntC
109Please respect copyright.PENANAMf4jCNOAy2
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAgYPRkdRMI2
109Please respect copyright.PENANAEhfADgt7yS
109Please respect copyright.PENANA2zPd2vNK5L
"Diana was a last minute resort. I had other things to do before I came to her." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAEZCI42lTMo
109Please respect copyright.PENANA2hJOng9ITE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHKLJ1xdcVc
"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?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAe9t5YSfElF
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqU4xyZXuWw
109Please respect copyright.PENANA4fCuwAuwdA
"Guilty," said Stella. "A pleasure to meet you." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA2ni8rqgxIS
109Please respect copyright.PENANAANiZcxtRSu
109Please respect copyright.PENANAa9j7LcknGT
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAkhhLmz1Hp0
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXBsSUJAcnD
109Please respect copyright.PENANAm3Awcb2wP6
I could feel Mutale tremble a little as he asked, "How did you know?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANA1QshLkt0Eo
109Please respect copyright.PENANAgdyLKKctVw
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJYwjQO8365
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANARlJ6ux3eOL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAv0P4P7u8MH
109Please respect copyright.PENANAFMT5Rlbct0
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANABpZ0fLFlAZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAdVKMR4AFtC
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVN6ChvuW9I
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAs8EA9Kpm6I
109Please respect copyright.PENANAM7PgmawMel
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVAdZAwrKtt
"Okay. Let’s talk, then. We can go to my study. Follow me." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAmdWZi4BtUq
109Please respect copyright.PENANAQbtgrJdsob
109Please respect copyright.PENANAjRbCtaELs9
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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAIKLZJqj49s
109Please respect copyright.PENANAngD5p3kJDQ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAb2RYGKyeYR
"Did you just call me scum?" Mutale didn’t like that. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAAy0CwLLAtL
109Please respect copyright.PENANA0dJv5CzwZ4
109Please respect copyright.PENANAST09CAhYnG
"What do you mean I don't have manners?" Lucius now asked, sounding upset by his father’s remarks. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAwS5Ne5MspI
109Please respect copyright.PENANAvcDygpmSOc
109Please respect copyright.PENANAPrsPMHFSe7
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAG2TF5EXPMg
109Please respect copyright.PENANANStxj5oHGb
109Please respect copyright.PENANAHq11UoHzqm
"What are you doing?" Mutale asked, feeling uncomfortable. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAIPQCGeFxSV
109Please respect copyright.PENANALj4DSu9YOx
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXwYK9utGMl
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAy087hU5IDY
109Please respect copyright.PENANAxN6VD070dI
109Please respect copyright.PENANA0g4F25STvD
"Behave, Mutale," I warned. "He’s not kidding about his hounds." He really isn't. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAYLU4XuxNzi
109Please respect copyright.PENANAV0KE6Bf57e
109Please respect copyright.PENANAp747EKzIlg
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAmZAsNMnUH7
109Please respect copyright.PENANAqHeEnQW8CL
109Please respect copyright.PENANAfqnWYOPEwL
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAVjkiHptQvR
109Please respect copyright.PENANAP9JdWrNcjP
109Please respect copyright.PENANA86eWOdS79n
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9HaMMzFkWJ
109Please respect copyright.PENANA00yBNA9gPE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnPUOSmP0mm
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANApfzjusgGgM
109Please respect copyright.PENANAVTqprcvRVO
109Please respect copyright.PENANATcDj9ZLG8V
"Ow, that hurt," Mutale winced in pain.109Please respect copyright.PENANAlyXmX8lD4C
109Please respect copyright.PENANAZX83ERasuZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXO62Ul3YpO
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAj6eLlcOwZ7
109Please respect copyright.PENANAAb3QUUZNNu
109Please respect copyright.PENANAA8oqg6pwCc
"I already did," said Lucius as he stood behind the armchair I was about to sit on. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAs1JZOx58uf
109Please respect copyright.PENANABGZZcw13fk
109Please respect copyright.PENANADYslYffh4r
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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAeNfZfKs00d
109Please respect copyright.PENANASLlvVW0R5m
109Please respect copyright.PENANAjmMCRWxst5
"Not this again. Don't forget that you do it too. It's not my fault that I'm your son." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAjeB2ODj8Mj
109Please respect copyright.PENANAUt4lADWvr6
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8xfmhaCAtg
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAFvZbtnuFDY
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmR4M1IsYc7
109Please respect copyright.PENANAB9MW9BiKvs
"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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAD1TbTUtWXg
109Please respect copyright.PENANAsKXG4On0Dg
109Please respect copyright.PENANAXPN6Cy2OSi
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANA5uVlJNDOOR
109Please respect copyright.PENANAmMII9TojCv
109Please respect copyright.PENANAgVJuFXVJD1
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA9mnNrJvqKK
109Please respect copyright.PENANAEcNQpd2X1O
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYkggJXnhOA
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAsdZSuLOXmV
109Please respect copyright.PENANADD6VzdF1Wr
109Please respect copyright.PENANARkAJliqzYE
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAVEXwGn4YPj
109Please respect copyright.PENANADAogb65bmu
109Please respect copyright.PENANAiHAWenlEq7
"A creature of mine? Which one is that?" 109Please respect copyright.PENANAAmlmCGquQq
109Please respect copyright.PENANATs7YiSqlyl
109Please respect copyright.PENANA9HERUrWy1E
This time it's Stella, who answered: "a level one shadow monster." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAt975F0PP5X
109Please respect copyright.PENANAER2IAAfg6X
109Please respect copyright.PENANATrNyoe2vWZ
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. 109Please respect copyright.PENANA50IhZEJyrf
109Please respect copyright.PENANAT4qBmMrLmc
109Please respect copyright.PENANA6oxQQ5YmGl
He looked at both me and Stella. And a smile came upon his face. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAveMaYWFIgb
109Please respect copyright.PENANADQJazPZZ6J
109Please respect copyright.PENANAclyM2nZxFG
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAZI5d2zKPWU
109Please respect copyright.PENANAyYxySPKAtc
109Please respect copyright.PENANApp79iFYP9N
"Ha!" Lucius clapped his hands. "You see! I told you. I knew he wouldn't go back on his word." 109Please respect copyright.PENANABaTxYH6ZvZ
109Please respect copyright.PENANA5cDJFVapQE
109Please respect copyright.PENANAJTvYUFAmQc
"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." 109Please respect copyright.PENANAPyfHQEykGv
109Please respect copyright.PENANAGIiYf0kvxX
109Please respect copyright.PENANAYpg7ZZNMXd
"Can you be so sure that he's telling the truth?" Stella asked as she looked at me. 109Please respect copyright.PENANAQWlfC4ssJP
109Please respect copyright.PENANAcC9tzxKfsH
109Please respect copyright.PENANA8LD3XQuaQN
I continued to look at the Devil as he smiled mischievously in front of me. And I had no doubt in my mind. 109Please respect copyright.PENANArkVMWgnmye
109Please respect copyright.PENANAlAsGLevzfa
109Please respect copyright.PENANAnQPTFjyoMT
He's telling the truth.