Chapter One
Marcus skidded his truck to a halt in front of The Consortium, a clandestine haven for monster hunters, disguised as a dry cleaner. The once unimpressive building was now locked down with fortified steel doors, covering every conceivable entrance, exit, and even the windows. The rolling barriers stood as a fortress, a last line of defense against the approaching onslaught of Nocturnales.
Cursing under his breath, Marcus swiftly reached behind him, his fingers finding the familiar touch of a concealed cache of custom weapons. In the urgency of the moment, his hand closed around the cool metal of his AR-15. With little time to think as the approaching wall of shadowy figures drew nearer, Marcus made a bad decision.
His little girl was shielded behind him still in his truck cab, leaving him to try to draw the beast’s attention. His gaze fixed on the danger unfolding, Marcus emerged from his truck, the growling Nocturnales now turning their attention toward him, their predatory instincts drawn to the lone hunter. His AR-15 raised, Marcus unleashed a torrent of rounds upon the approaching Nocturnales.
The night air reverberated with the staccato rhythm of gunfire as Nocturnales crumpled to the ground, their grotesque forms turning to ash because of Marcus's relentless assault. These creatures were mere puppets of flesh with the singular shared desire to eradicate humanity. They possessed only the rudimentary intelligence of a common animal in spite of their near human forms. Nocturnales never worked together and never came out of their nests during the day yet wave after wave they ruched toward Marcus.
The ammunition in his AR-15 depleted, Marcus seamlessly transitioned to his sidearm and started moving toward the armored door of The Consortium. The relentless tide of Nocturnales closed in, their clawed hands reaching for him.
"Open the doors!" Marcus called out through the chaos as the tide threatened to overwhelm him and just when the shadows threatened to consume him entirely, salvation manifested.
A large hand grasped the clawed hand inches from Marcus's face bringing the inhumanly strong Nocturnales to a dead stop as if some old preservation instinct telling them to flee in fear combatted their one desire.
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Marcus, a tall man in his own right, could only look up at this eight-foot-tall behemoth of a man who slowly stepped out of The Consortium. With a single grunt, he threw the Nocturnale away as if it was made of paper before steadily working his way through the crowd with his bare hands.
He moved with a lethal grace, dispatching Nocturales with brutal efficiency. Marcus, momentarily frozen in awe and relief, watched as the behemoth effortlessly dismantled the approaching threat, ripping the beasts apart until the last one turned to ash helpless against the unknown man.
The behemoth, towering over Marcus, turned to face him, allowing Marcus to get a good look at his face. As if carved from stone by the world's best sculptor this ethereal-looking man stared directly at Marcus his eyes showed no emotion as if he was unmoved by the world around him. "My name is Viktor," his voice a deep resonance as if it was a mountain shattering in the form of a landslide that echoed through the landscape. "You summoned the Emergency Defense Unit, I’m here."
Marcus, still catching his breath, nodded in gratitude before pointing to himself. "Marcus. I appreciate the assistance, Viktor."
Viktor surveyed the area, ensuring the immediate threat was neutralized. "Is your child safe?"
A wave of relief washed over Marcus as he turned to see Maurice still huddled behind a makeshift barricade inside of his truck, unharmed but wide-eyed with fear. He rushed to her side, crouching down to offer a comforting embrace. "Daddy's got you, sweetheart. Everything's going to be okay."
Viktor approached, his massive frame casting a protective shadow over them as the hastily assembled team of hunters from The Consortium arrived, led by the manager with the greasy combover, the remaining Nocturales scattered into the shadows. The manager, now visibly shaken, approached Marcus and Viktor in the dust-filled street..
"You better start explaining Marcus?" he stammered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Not now," Marcus replied, eyeing the retreating figures warily. "We need to strengthen the defenses. This won't be the last time they come knocking."
Viktor nodded in agreement.
The manager looked at them incredulously before shouting,” We shouldn’t need defenses! What the hell did you do Marcus!”
As the team of hunters secured the perimeter and tended to the aftermath, Marcus, Viktor, and Maurice stood amidst the remnants of the Nocturnale onslaught. The behemoth, ignoring the distraught manager, extended a hand toward Marcus.
"Welcome to The Consortium's Upper Level. I hope you never have to see me in action again."