"So you take the formula then you apply it..."

BRRRRNGGGG

Kai immediately jumped straight out of his seat and ran out of the science class door.

Kai was designated as a follow-along for a mission, Kai is ecstatic that he gets to tag along for a mission.

Later at Hunter's Haven Agency, Tatsuo was giving a quick briefing to Ethan on a new mission when Kai burst in, breathless. Tatsuo gave him a quick nod but continued with his debrief.

"This mission is to dispatch a Grade 1 Dem-"

"GRADE 1?!" Ethan interrupted, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

At that moment, Kai, his eyes practically glowed.

Kai realizes that the demon is a higher grade than he is.

"Right. After school tomorrow, you'll head out together," Tatsuo confirmed, giving each of them a nod of approval.

The following day, Kai wandered through the crowded halls of Faraday, scanning for his friends. He finally spotted Ethan, Ava and Willow near the lockers, but quickly noticed someone was missing.

"Where's Haydon? This is the first time he hasn't showed up to school," he said, puzzled

"He's uh… ill?" Ethan replied a little too quickly, his voice betraying a hint of unease.

Kai nodded, concern flashing across his face. "Oh, okay. I hope he gets better soon."

"After your school ends tomorrow you and Ethan are to dispatch the demon," said Tatsuo

*Ding dong ding dong*

It is now the end of school Kai and Ethan are eager to show how capable they are.

They say goodbye to Willow and Ava and walk to The Agency.

…

Inside the Agency, Tatsuo was mid-briefing, explaining some critical details of the mission once more

"Blah, blah, blah, train station, blah blah," Tatsuo's voice droned on, though Ethan only caught the essentials.

The agency's sleek black car took Kai and Ethan through the rainy streets, gradually emptying of people as they neared the abandoned train station. In the back seat, Kai turned to Ethan with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

"So, Ethan, what are your abilities?"

Ethan grinned. "I have two abilities. One's called 'Unbreakable Bond' The closer I am emotionally to someone, the stronger we both get when we dap up."

Kai raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And the other?"

Ethan's grin widened, his expression taking on a mysterious edge. "You'll just have to wait and see."

By the time they arrived, darkness had fallen. The train station lay still and eerie, bathed in shadows. Kai led the way, walking confidently into the station's depths. But soon, he stumbled over something soft and unmoving.

Before he could ask for help, Ethan whipped out his phone, turning on the flashlight and shining it into the dark. "You couldn't have done that earlier?" Kai muttered, squinting as the light hit his eyes.

Ethan gave him a smug look. "You could've, too, if you were smart enough."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

He angled the light downward, illuminating the scene: half a corpse, a grotesque reminder of the demon's presence. The cold silence was shattered by a deep, echoing voice.

"Awaken!"

The bodies began to stir, eyes snapping open, and the corpses started shifting toward the two. Kai struggled to process what he was seeing. "Do you have a plan? Please tell me you have a plan."

Ethan took a deep breath, his demeanor shifting. He held his hand out and closed his eyes, commanding with a steady voice, "Shokan."

A dark, frozen silence fell upon everyone's ears

A click filled the air as Ethan snapped his fingers and smoke appeared.

From the darkness, more corpses rose yet these figures were different. They stood between the approaching undead and Ethan and Kai

"Fight for your redemption," Ethan commanded, his voice strong as his summoned corpses launched into battle. Ethan then extended a hand to Kai.

Kai hesitated, then reached out his hand to dap up the homie. A surge of power passed through them both. Ethan glanced at their hands, then shrugged. "Could've been better, but it'll do."

"Alright," Ethan said, nodding toward the distant train where they'd heard the voice. "Show me what you can do."

Kai gripped his sword, his eyes flashing with determination. As he prepared to approach, the doors to the train flew off, barely missing him. Kai recoiled as a figure stepped out. A feeling Kai had felt before washed over him, he felt like his eyes were being deceived. The demon looked human but something was off.

Something about its aura and twisted expression betrayed its true nature.

Without hesitation, Kai charged, the demon raising its guard in response. Kai darted back at the last second, teleporting behind it and slashing down with his sword.

The demon blocked, deflecting Kai's blow but taking a cut across its arm. The two circled each other, Kai teleported left and right in rapid succession, trying to keep the demon off balance.

But the demon anticipated his moves, its voice dripping with hostility as it raised its hand. "Be gone."

An invisible force hit Kai, sending him flying through a wall. He hit the ground hard, wincing as pain shot through his side. He struggled to his feet, taking cover behind a pillar, before teleporting back into the fray. This time he kicked at the demon from one side, then appeared on the other, swinging his sword. But the demon was faster, catching his arm in a bruising grip and hurling him across the station. Kai's vision blurred, and everything went black as he hit the floor.

Ethan, who had watched the whole fight with a smirk, winced as he saw Kai finally go down. Realizing it was now up to him, summoning all the courage he could muster. His heart pounded, but he forced himself forward.

The demon not expecting much threw the first punch as Ethan approached. Ethan slid under its arm, coming up with surprising agility as his shadow moved independently, leaping up to spin and kick the demon in the jaw. The demon staggered back while dazed and in that second of vulnerability, the shadow conjured ropes of dark energy that coiled around the demon, holding it in place.

An even darker shadow swirled around the figure's hand, sharpening into a blade-like edge. With swift precision, it sliced through the air and severed the demon's head.

Ethan turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows.

It was a man dressed in dark clothing.

"My name is Fritz Lang," the man said, inclining his head in greeting. "Director Hunt sent me to help. Are you alright?"