After the sudden shock-wave in the agency, a sudden wave of chillness spread throughout Tatsuo's body. He felt this only once before, Tatsuo picked up his phone and dialed Carter's phone.
But there was no answer.
Somewhere else a few minutes prior.
Kai, Ava, Willow, Haydon and Ethan are sitting in front of a TV screen.
"This movie sucks," Haydon said bored.
"Oh, I got an idea, let's put Shout on!" Ethan
"I was thinking the exact same thing" Haydon
"So you guys just casually barge into my house drag me out of my bed and force me to hang out only to fuss over what movie to watch" Kai said enthusiastically
The others look at each other.
"Yeah pretty much." Willow stated as matter of fact
As Ethan and Haydon are switching the channel the news comes on, and all that is shown is a colossal crater in the ground with gold residuals wafting from the impact.
Shock fills the room but Haydon and Ethan are filled with more shock, Haydon even drops the remote out of shock and Ethan drops the phone that is in his hand.
The two understood what had happened, the others not so much they had assumed it was a regular explosion.
Suddenly Kai gets a text, it's from Tatsuo
'How is his number even on my phone?' Kai dismissed the thought.
"Kai this is important, come to the agency and come to briefing room 0, bring Haydon and Ethan with you."
After reading the text Kai sent a short message.
"Understood."
1 hour later.
Kai, Tatsuo, Haydon and Ethan and few unfamiliar faces are gathered in briefing room 0
Tatsuo, once everyone was sitting down, started the debriefing.
"As you may have heard, an explosion occurred earlier this evening," Tatsuo said seriously and professionally.
Haydon and Ethan shifted in their seats nervously.
"We have sent a hunter to investigate, his name is Conrad and don't worry he is not in danger he can separate his body and has begun scouting the location." Tatsuo continued.
A few heads nodded at the familiar name.
"But..." Tatsuo stopped for a brief moment, his voice shaky.
"I regret to inform you that a Grade 1 hunter by the name of Carter has sadly given his life to attempt to stop the 'Unknown Grade' demon known as Stefan, I know most of you here knew Carter, my condolences." Tatsuo said sorrowfully
Haydon and Ethan went pale.
'An 'Unknown Grade' demon?' Kai thought to himself.
'A Grade 1 Hunter died to an 'Unknown Grade' demon, how dangerous is this demon?'
"This demon Stefan has been severely injured and must be on the cusp of death, so I shall send Fritz, Haydon, Ethan and Kai." Tatsuo said
"We are also contracting a hunter to go along with you." Tatsuo said while looking toward the door
Suddenly through the door, a man walked.
He had black hair with white streaks and his hair was short but something caught Kai's eye. Kai could have sworn that the hunter had blue eyes but now they appeared turquoise.
"His name is Percival Gray, you can get to know each other on the way." Tatsuo casts a gaze across everyone in the room.
"Dismissed," Tatsuo said sharply.
Kai, Haydon, Ethan, Fritz and Percival left for their mission.
Tatsuo stopped a hunter with black hair and green eyes.
"Toki, I want you to follow them but be sure not to be seen by them and go through a different entrance," Tatsuo commanded.
"Aye aye, captain!." Toki saluted.
Tatsuo turned and walked briskly out the door.
15 minutes later.
Kai with the others looked at the destruction around the area caused by the explosion making it appear as a desolate wasteland as they approached their destination Kai overheard Fritz say something.
"I distinctly remember an old manor being here." Fritz cautiously walked forward.
"Yeah this is its foundation, it's still somewhat in shape," Fritz whispered aloud.
"So if I was being attacked by an 'Unknown Grade' demon, where would I go?" Ethan said.
"Maybe in the manor?" Ethan said, puzzled.
"No, it's too intact to be the source it would need to be nearby." said the contracted hunter Percival.
Kai spun searching until his eyes set on an alley.
"What about over there!" Kai exclaimed, walking towards an alley.
They all looked over to where Kai was walking.
"I'd go down there if I was being chased," Haydon said.
They walked down the alley until they reached a gate that was broken off the fence. As they peered through the gate they saw a looming old train station on fire.
Kai, Ethan and Fritz's eyes widen as they remember this place where they had killed a demon here before, suddenly a rumble breaks them out of their surprise.
"You guys stay here I'll go check it out," Fritz responded
Fritz begins to descend into his shadow.
After a few minutes, Kai, Percival, Haydon and Ethan hear a laugh coming from behind them.
Coming out of the darkness was a demon with black hair with a bit of red. It was short and wavy. He was tall and lean with sharp piercing red eyes, it was Stefan.
"Well well well, looks like that little rat had some friends," Stefan said callously.
"I thought he was supposed to be injured but he looks completely fine," Kai said while examining Stefan.
Kai noticed a few holes in Stefan's clothes and some blood on them, most likely Stefan's blood.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"He may be able to heal to some capacity." Kai shared with the others.
"What a smart one you are," Stefan responded.
Without thinking Ethan reached his hand out towards Haydon, and they dapped their hands as they did this Haydon felt a sensation spread throughout his body making him feel strong, calm, and fixated on Stefan.
Haydon leaps ahead preparing his cutting spell towards Stefan as Haydon reaches Stefan an illusory shield appears in front of Stefan but Haydon swiftly cuts through the shield and the spell hits Stefan's arm, Haydon slides on his feet around to face Stefan and notices Stefan is unfazed.
A loud long laughter bellows from Stefan's lungs.
"Oh this is gonna be fun, I'll take that sweet magic away from you and make it mine," Stefan said amused.
'Take his magic? Can he take others' magic and abilities' Kai theorized to himself.
"Good luck with that, try and take it from me." Haydon declared with a smirk.
Kai after thinking to himself turned towards Ethan.
"How can he take other people's magic and abilities?" Kai asked.
"Stefan holds the authority of Gluttony, meaning he can take the powers of whoever he kills," Ethan answered.
When Kai turned back to Haydon and Stefan they were already fighting.
Haydon threw a cutting spell at Stefan's chest a gaping wound appeared on Stefan's chest but it wasn't deep, a red mist appeared above the cut slowly seeping into wounds and repairing the damage but that didn't stop Haydon he continued throwing cutting spells, Stefan didn't use any other magic but basic defense magic which took the form of a black with red accents shimmering shield, this caused Haydon to get a bit frustrated at the lack of damage he is doing.
"Should we help him guys?" Kai said out of concern.
"Nah, he's got this," Ethan said with a smile.
On Haydon's hand a multitude of cuts appeared on his hand, Haydon dashed towards Stefan and drove his fist into his chest where he attempted to cut him before, Stefan stepped to the side slightly causing Haydon to miss and tumble over, Haydon jumped back to his feet until he felt a coldness in his side, it then began to burn then felt cold again, Stefan pulls his dagger out of Haydon's side and pushes him over.
Towering over Haydon was Stefan with his blade prepared to land the final blow as the blade was pushed down towards Haydon a gust of wind blew Haydon was gone.
Stefan turned his head to the left and saw Ethan protecting Haydon, Stefan looked back to his right and noticed one was missing.
"That's some speed, I admit I'm a bit surprised," Stefan said, taken aback.
"Go find Fritz, hurry!" Ethan said in a panic.
A few minutes later in the old train station Kai was searching for Fritz.
Somewhere else in the old train station was Toki walking through the back entrance, Toki was intrigued by the age of the almost antique train station until he heard a loud crash Toki formed a bright light, it slowly took the form of a short sword and he grabbed the hilt and began to investigate the crash which sounded like it was coming from the cafeteria, slowly Toki opened the door with a creak there stood a man of average height, slender build, brown hair and blue eyes dressed in black suit with a red shirt the man seemed to be choking a demon of lower rank.
"Oh hey there I didn't know others would be he-" Toki was interrupted by a dark blast shot at him by the man.
"Hey, what the freak dude, what was that for?" Toki dodged, confused.
Toki fused the air with light and shot it at the man.
The man threw the corpse of the demon to the floor and pointed the same hand at Toki's spell the same darkness as the blast shot out his arm and hand eating away at the light.
"Well, it's impolite to fight with strangers, what is your name?" The man said as if he accidentally shot Toki.
"My name is Toki." Toki looked around confused.
"I'm Blake, Blake Morningstar now that we are acquainted." Blake shot a dark blast at Toki again but at the distance, Toki could easily dodge, but it seems Blake already knew of that.
"We can fight." Blake continued.
"Mor- Morningstar?" Toki stuttered in horror.
"Oh? Scared of me now are you?" Blake said amused with a smirk.
"Morningstar as in Luci-" Toki was interrupted by another dark blast this time faster.
Toki prepares a spell but pauses slightly when Blake gets on one knee, Blake presses his hand on the floor and declares.
"Decay."
The floor decays with a wave like an ocean during a roaring storm, Toki looked down as something like a tendril wrapped around his leg from the decay spell, a wave of dizziness flushed over him he felt drowsy and weak.
"Decay." Blake casts the spell again.
Slowly and unbalanced, Toki jumped back out of range, and light appeared in Toki's hand in the form of a whip. Toki, still drowsy and weak, ran toward Blake who was on one knee, Toki's vision blurred for a second and Blake was gone.
"Who are you trying to attack?" Blake appeared to the side of Toki and whispered into Toki's ear.
Blake drilled his fist into Toki's side, and Toki was flung through the brick wall to the other side of the train station.
Toki on the floor attempts to try and get up but is interrupted by a coughing fit spraying blood on the floor suddenly pressure on his back pushes him further into the ground creating a small crater.
"Feeling okay there pal?" Blake says before laughing.
Blake felt something tug and wrap around his leg, a dark void tried to pry his leg off of Toki.
"Get your foot off him." Suddenly Fritz appeared in a defensive stance.
"Sure," Blake said genuinely.
Blake thrusts his foot into the side striking Toki's lung and launching him again into a wall.
Fritz's face furled into anger.
Blake shoots a dark blast at Fritz creating dust to fill the room, after the smoke clears Fritz is gone.
"Wow, even this weak guy lasted longer than you hahaha." Blake laughed happily.
Toki's shadow seemed to come alive and started to crawl toward Blake.
"What the hell is that thing," Blake questioned with disgust, face filled with scrutiny.
Blake immediately sensed something behind him and threw a punch, a shadow that came to life fizzled after the impact of Blake's fist went through it.
"Ewwwww" Blake shook his hand trying to get the imaginary dirt off his hand.
As Blake looked around he noticed most of the shadows in the train station had come to life, as Blake reluctantly threw a punch at the closest shadow he heard a voice.
"Shadow Prison!" Fritz shouted in a hurry.
The shadow Blake had punched started to wrap itself around Blake's fist and slowly spread over him when it fully wrapped around Blake it started to shrink to the size of a phone.
Fritz jumped out of one of the shadows and ran towards Toki.
"Toki, man are you alright?" Fritz said hurriedly.
Toki coughs up more blood and struggles to breathe.
Fritz heard footsteps enter the room, he turned his head and saw Kai.
"Fritz you gotta help us man, Haydon has been stabbed an-" Kai was interrupted by Fritz
"They'll be fine, do me a favour, pick up that thing on the floor and help me drag Toki," Fritz commanded.
Kai's gaze went from Fritz to Toki on the floor, blood drooling out of his mouth and nose.
He picks up the strange object and helps Fritz.
Back in the alley knives made out of blood fly forward towards Haydon and Ethan slicing and cutting into them but they do not stop and keep trying to attack.
"You dirty rats sure are persistent." Stefan clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Haydon throws a right hook at Stefan's Jaw but the impact does nothing to Stefan, Stefan swings his leg and kicks Haydon's side as hard as he can sending him through one of the few remaining weak walls of the manor his head and colliding with the against another wall knocking him unconscious.
Ethan's head as if on a swivel turns to look at the direction Haydon went.
A shaky breath came from Ethan's lungs.
"Know it's a fair fight, one-on-one," Stefan said proudly.
Stefan dashed towards Ethan.
'Remember only use this as a last resort it only has one use'
A memory entered Ethan's mind, he grabbed his silver cross and closed his eyes, took a deep breath and said.
"I keep faith in myself."
Stefan's arm reached out punching Ethan into the train station.
Stefan readied another attack on Ethan punching him straight through the floor.
The smoke from the impact came through the hole in the floor. Stefan turned with a smirk and walked to the exit until he heard a sound and halted.
"HAHAHAHAHAH.. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!" a manic laughter came from the hole in the floor.
Stefan's body trembled, and his knees went slightly weak upon hearing the laughter, Stefan ran to the hole and looked down, what he saw was Ethan standing staring straight up at him with clown makeup on with the widest grin on his face, Stefan's body shook a single tear streamed from his eye.
...
"Um excuse me but where are we?"
Percival asked.
The demon just stares at Percival intently, Percival stares back then he realizes something.
"Wait a second, I recognize you." Percival thought back to the wanted board in the agency.
"Your Arlo." Percival kept it short.
Arlo kept his mouth shut, he took one step forward.
"You think you're scary?" Percival looked puzzled.
Arlo looks to his right arm and scratches at it then looks back at Percival.
"Is this all you can do?" Arlo spoke stone-faced.
"You think this is all I can do, I'll show you what I can do." anger flared within Percival.
Percival threw his fist and attempted to uppercut Arlo, on impact Arlo stumbled backward a few steps, in an instant Arlo was in front of Percival and flung his leg to Percival's stomach predicting this Percival grabbed Arlo by the foot and threw him over and kicked him in the side this tumbled Arlo a few inches hitting against a wall, swiftly getting up Arlo stretched his arm out and a mirror appeared before him then shattered, Arlo appeared behind Percival and kicked his back, Percival turned and with a jump spun and kicked Arlo in the jaw.
Percival's jaw was brimming with pain.
"How was that," Arlo said with a tinge of delight in his voice.
"You like to play dirty huh," Percival said as he spat a bit of blood on the floor.
"I've had my fun," Arlo said blank-faced.
Percival ran at Arlo just when he was in reach Arlo stretched his arm out and bashed Percival's head flinging him out the window to the ground floor
....
As Kai and Fritz are carrying Toki they hear a smash; they look up to see Percival tossed out a window of the 2nd floor.
"Hold onto him." Fritz let go of Toki and ran under Percival.
Fritz jumped up the wall halfway and jumped off the wall catching Percival mid air, hitting the ground Fritz whilst holding the unconscious Percival entered a shadow and appeared again behind Kai.