It was early in the morning at the academy when a group of twenty one masked men burst out of a hole in the ground.

The mask men wore skin tight fitting black suits with masks that looked like the head of a spider. Each member of the intruders had different weapons at their sides and on their backs. Some had swords, some guns and some only wore shukos.

The group climbed out of the hole one by one until the last member stepped out. He was a big fellow. His body was covered by a torn black cloak that covered his head while the mask of a black widow spider’s face sat creepily on his face.

The masked man looked at his watch and then looked up at the sky. It was still dark despite the early hours.

“We have about two hours before sunrise.

Let’s get what we need and get out of here.”

The group dispersed into three and headed into different directions with the masked leader simply sitting down adopting a meditating position.

‘Should take about three minutes before the first set gets discovered.’

-

Three minutes later. one of the groups of masked intruders were on top of the students dorm building. The seven masked mens looked at each other before nodding.

The group was ready to break the roof entrance of the dorm rooms but before then could, they heard a thud.

Turning around the group saw one of their comrades blocking the heavy swing of a man clad in black.

They thought they were the ninjas but seeing this man who appeared behind fully dressed in black shozoku catching them off guard made them reconsider.

The moment the intruders looked around they realized that the entire roof top was surrounded by the ninjas. Their little group of seven was outnumbered at least three to one by the ninjas.

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“We are the Shadows!

Let all those we see be consumed by the bright shadows.”

The introducers gulped, slightly disheartened by the numbers disadvantage. The shadows rushed at them with their short swords and katanas.

The intruders huddled up drawing their weapons and countering the attacks.

Blow after blow exchanged between the two groups but as quickly as the fight started the difference in the two parties became evident.

Before long the roof was overflowing with blood and dismembered body parts. Looking on the floor the bodies of the entire Shadow ninjas laid on the floor lifeless.

The intruders weren’t without losses but apart from the one who died during the altercation and a few minor scratches they were in good shape.

It had to be noted that the Shadows weren’t weak, this was just the vast difference between a fat out of shape security guard and a special forces military unit.

The shadows within the school were often the lowest grade since they could make up for the lack of skills with numbers. But the intruders had literally brought the best of their ranks to ensure the successful execution of their mission.

The intruders scoffed at how easily they were dealt with and continued with their plan.

They opened the roof entrance ready to descend on the students causing mass hysteria but when they opened the door an old man was walking up the steps.

The old man had a very unassuming nature. His candid steps coming from down the stairway along with the glowing red lights flashing behind him gave him an eerie feeling.

“Now, which one of you wish to tell me your reason for trespassing here?”

The intruders decided not to answer and instead they all drew their weapons.

But the old man was unphased as he continued up the stairway reaching the final step.

“No answer … that’s a shame.”

The old man continued to walk casually past the group of intruders.

“I truly admire all of you, for discovering how to never grow old.”

They wanted to attack him but their bodies seemed frozen by some unknown force.

The old man was unphased and stepped at the ledge of the building before jumping off into the darkness.

The group of intruders finally felt like the death grips on their hearts had been released. They let out heavy sighs and lowered their weapons in confusion.

But, as though they were all jigsaw puzzles the entire group of elite intruders felt a sharp pain before their bodies fell to pieces.

Everyone among the intruders fell like thinly sliced slices of ham on a cutting board. Fully grown men with elite level training had been reduced to poultry on the butcher’s counter.

They laid in confusion for a few seconds before full brain death carried them to the afterlife. The look of bewilderment still on their faces.

The intruders even in death could not understand.

How could he have killed them without them even glimpsing any movements? Were they the ordinary civilians or the elite assassins? Couldn’t they all see that his sword had not been drawn? Was he even human?

As death came closer the intruders stopped questioning the moment and felt dejected.

They had long since forgotten this feeling… the feeling of utter uselessness.