They were all red.
The first time she encountered them, it was a floating shadowy visage outside her bedroom window. A disembodied head with creepy tendrils for spine, its striking crimson orbs boring into her soul. Elena remembered how she clenched her pillow in fear, thinking of all those ghost stories of her childhood coming to life.
The second time, it was after a night shift. A hunched long haired figure with a deformed and bloody face. The deep ruby eyes locked Elena in fear as it blocked her path. That night, she discovered her latent power in the form of a shiny silver dagger manifested in her palm.
And most recently, the three Beings back in Bangsar after her closing shift. Their long tongue-appendages dangling menacingly in front of her, slowly advancing. The eyes, scanned Elena’s body like a depraved predator. Also red.
This one right in front of her now was no different. Different form and size with its childlike-size, sickly grey-green skin, and sharp claws. But the eyes. All the same. Red. Hungry. Depraved.
“I guess it started to notice us.” Arif’s voice snapped Elena from her thoughts. “Go on then, Miss Future Bayangan agent.”
Arif’s sarcastic taunt went over her head, she was more concerned about the Being in front of her.
Elena's heart pounded in her chest as she faced the creature, its wicked claws glinting in the night. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, but the adrenaline coursed through her veins like a raging river. It has never gotten easier facing them even after multiple encounters. She needed to steel her resolve and strength.
Elena took a deep breath, allowing her eyelids to flutter shut like she always did. Searching for that soft tugging on her soul which can be elusive, shying away from her call. It needed a little push. A few seconds passed before-
“There!”
Her mind latched onto something and her eyes snapped open, glowing with the same fiery indigo that now enveloped her body. The sensation of strength and power sharpened her focus, making everything crystal clear. The aura flickered and danced around her, casting an ethereal glow against the darkness of the night.
From the corner of her eyes, she caught Arif giving her a slight frown before softening again, observing her. Her mentor gaze felt a little suffocating.
When Elena focused back on the Being, its eyes changed. No longer it was merely sizing her up, the eyes were filled with ravenous hunger and desire. The intense gaze of a predator.
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Elena returned to her stance, her right palm open.
“Com-”
The Being jumped down from the rafters, snarling. Its claws lightly scraped the ground as its body lowered, as if ready to pounce.
Elena gritted her teeth, her mind trying to find that dagger in her soul. As if on cue, A swirling vortex of energy gathered in her palm, its intensity growing with each passing moment. As the brilliant light subsided, her dagger materialized in her right hand, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly luster.
She finally learned the name for this power - Pusaka, the weapon manifested from the depths of her soul. She learned it was the hallmark of a Mambang’s power and they are all different for each individual.
She had no time to continue her thoughts when the Being sprang forward with terrifying speed, its wicked claws outstretched. Elena's eyes widened, and she barely had time to react. Instinctively, she jumped back, the sharp claws missing her by mere inches. She could feel the rush of air as the Being's attack whizzed past her face.
The Being didn't let up, launching another swipe at Elena. This time, she was prepared. With a swift motion, she brought her dagger up, parrying the attack.
A bright clink and a spark of otherworldly energy erupted as the dagger and claw made contact, sending a jolt up Elena's arm. The force of the impact nearly knocked her off balance, but she held her ground, gritting her teeth. The Being pulled back, claw grazing on Elena’s arms. She winced instinctively but no blood was spilled.
The Being jumped back, its legs tensed up again. Elena caught that movement. Knowing its next move, Elena drew her right leg up, tucking her knees to her chest.
As it pounced again, she was ready and released a strong kick square on its chest. A loud snarl echoed through the area as the Being was launched back, landing on its side.
That black belt in Taekwondo back in school does come in handy.
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Elena regained her stance, bending her knees and squaring her shoulders. The snugness of her jeans and linen shirt on the body made it a little hard to move. “Why do I keep on fighting them in suboptimal clothing?”
The Being started to recover and Elena ran forward with her dagger Pusaka in a reverse grip. She thrust forward but the Being dodged it with a grace which surprised the rookie Mambang. Another thrust. Another swipe. Another stab. Elena kept on missing her target.
“It's fast!”
Her thought was cut short again as the Being countered with a swipe.It was too late to dodge. She put her arms in front of her in a defensive position, as the Being delivered a clean slash across her arms.
Her aura flickered upon contact, indigo flares spilled out as if it were her blood. Although no blood was drawn, and no physical pain registered, she felt a searing sensation deep within her being. It was as if the creature's attack had struck at something intangible yet vital inside her. Elena gritted her teeth, feeling that weird sensation on her body.
The second swipe of the Being’s claw was dodged by Elena and she turned her heel before springing to a sprint. She needed space and another opening. A surprise attack is needed.
Her steps were light and swift as she ran away from the child-demon-being. She could sense it giving chase, but she just needed only some space.
She took a few strides away before suddenly shifting her weight around. Her body twisted on her heels, facing the Being. Those red eyes locked onto hers. With a flick of her wrist, she threw her Pusaka. The dagger flew swiftly towards its target.
It missed the Being, its trajectory a few inches higher than the Being’s head.
But it was all according to Elena’s plan.
Elena felt a similar sensation of energy as her body flickered out of existence in a simmering crimson light. The scene in front of her vanished in darkness as if she shut her eyes.
A heartbeat passed. Then, a brilliant light of scarlet refractions burst out behind the Being.
Elena's vision returned, and she found herself at her dagger’s position. She was in mid-air, her body poised with the grace of a gymnast. The dagger, brandished and ready, felt natural in her grip. The teleportation left no room for disorientation; Elena's focus remained unwavering, her goal crystal clear."
“Gargghhh!” Elena roared as she plunged her dagger into the Being's skull with a sickening crunch. The creature let out an unearthly screech that echoed through the compound before its form dissolved into swirling wisps of dark indigo smoke.
Elena landed lightly on her feet, the dark smoke curling around her. Heart pounding, she felt a bead of sweat trickle down her face as the adrenaline continued to surge through her veins.
She wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, adrenaline slowly ebbing away. The silence that followed was almost deafening, broken only by the distant chirping of crickets.
“Not too bad.” A voice cut through the stillness, jolting Elena back to the present.
Startled by the voice, Elena jerked her head in its direction. She had forgotten about Arif's presence, her focus solely on the battle. His expression was neutral, making it difficult to gauge whether he was impressed or not.
“T-thanks” Elena relaxed her stance despite her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her Aura softly disappeared from her body.
“Still a long way for you though because that’s an amateur move.”
As soon as Arif’s words were registered in her mind, she felt a tingle in her spine. Her instinct took over and her head snapped towards her source.
Another similar child-like Being with green skin and sharp claws. And it was lunging towards her. Where did it come from?
Before Elena could do anything, the Being reeled back from a flurry of Dark Energy bullets. Its screech was short-lived as the bullets ripped through its body before it dissipated in tendrils of smoke.
“Don’t let your guard down like that.”
Elena looked back at Arif, his left hand extended and pointing to where the Being used to be. In his hand was his Pusaka, a handgun with a futuristic, otherwordly design to it. The sleek, full black body had lines of eerie dark blue across accenting it. The barrel was slightly wider than the handle, adorned by the same dark blue accent.
What caught her eyes, however, was Arif's Aura. Unlike her own aura, which flickered like a lively flame, Arif's was dense and almost fluid-like, with a steady, pulsing rhythm that reminded Elena of the ocean's tides. A soft pulse of indigo enveloped his body, matching the same color glow in his eyes.
Elena stared in awe at her mentor's display of strength, wondering if her own eyes glowed with the same intensity when she activated her Aura.
“Your Aura determines if you live or die. Don’t deactivate it until it is 100% safe.” Arif spoke sternly, lowering his Pusaka.
“It’s safe now but you need to work on your control and your senses.” This wavy aura disappeared along with the glow in his eyes.
“Sorry about that…I’ll take note,” Elena replied, avoiding his eyes.
“But your Pusaka’s ability was interesting though.” Arif crossed his arms. “I haven’t seen a Mambang who can teleport to their Pusaka like that.”
“Really?” Elena shot up, feeling some pride inside her.
Arif cracked a rare smile before turning around. “Let’s head back.”
Elena frowned at Arif's curt response and not answering her question but she quickly smoothed her features. She will take that as a compliment. “Aye aye, mentor.” She followed behind him.
As Elena followed Arif, she missed the flicker of concern that crossed his face. His brow furrowed as he muttered under his breath, his words too soft for her to catch.
“Her Aura…”