Reese searched through his belongings for the armor he had used during his intense battles with Bagwis and Harrow. He dug through various items until his hand finally brushed against the familiar, worn leather. He pulled it out, and as he unfolded the armor, his heart sank at the sight. The armor was heavily damaged, with deep gashes, scorched marks, and torn straps—a testament to the brutal fights it had endured.
He felt a wave of dismay wash over him. The armor was far from its former glory, but he had no other options at the moment. Resigned to his situation, Reese decided to make the best of it. He needed protection tonight when he went to Fuente, and this battered armor was all he had.
He began to put on the damaged leather armor piece by piece, adjusting the straps and buckles as best he could. As he worked, he muttered to himself, "This is better than nothing."
Once the armor was in place, he reached for his mask. The mask had become a symbol of his hidden identity and the strength he needed to face his enemies. He put it on, feeling a sense of resolve solidify within him. Next, he carefully removed his brown contact lenses, revealing his true eye color—another layer of his true self that he had to hide.
Reese turned to the mirror, examining his reflection. The armor was battered, the mask shadowed his features, and his purple eyes now revealed their natural intensity. Despite the damage, the armor fit well enough to provide some protection.
"This will do for now," he thought, his gaze steady and determined. The image in the mirror was a stark reminder of the battles he had fought and those yet to come.
Reese glanced at the clock and saw that it was already 1 a.m. He realized that there would probably still be a lot of people at Fuente Osmeña, especially now that there had been a manananggal sighting there. He thought about the possibility of encountering members of the League of Shadows and the potential chaos that could ensue. Many innocent people could get caught in the crossfire if a clash were to happen.
He muttered to himself, "Fuck it, I'll just use my spiritual sense to see if the League of Shadows is really there. If they are, I'll figure out a way to confront them without causing a scene."
Now that Reese had a plan, he left his rented home and headed towards Fuente Osmeña. He moved quickly, darting through the shadows to avoid being seen by any passersby. The last thing he needed was for someone to report another strange sighting in the city.
Reese sprinted through the darkened streets, his movements swift and fluid. He leapt over fences and vaulted across rooftops, using the city's architecture to his advantage. Each leap brought him closer to Fuente Osmeña, and he remained vigilant, ensuring that no one noticed his presence.
As he approached Fuente Osmeña, he could see the area bustling with activity. There were still many people milling around, seemingly unfazed by the recent Manananggal sighting. Reese found a hidden spot to observe the scene, with the crowd moving about as if nothing had happened.
He paused for a moment, his thoughts racing. 'Are they really not afraid of the manananggal?' he wondered. 'Though it was just one sighting of a single manananggal, if I were the manananggal, I wouldn't reveal myself in such a crowded place either.'
Then Reese thought, 'Something's off. If the League of Shadows were here in Fuente Osmeña, I should be feeling a sense of foreboding, but I don't feel anything, not even a hint.'
Determined to uncover the truth, Reese activated his spiritual sense to scan his surroundings. As he concentrated, he could sense the bustling energy of the people around him, but nothing sinister. No dark auras, no malevolent presences—just the normal hustle and bustle of city life.
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'Nothing,' he thought, somewhat puzzled. 'There is no trace of the League of Shadows or any other danger.'
Deciding to be thorough, Reese began to circle around Fuente, using his spiritual sense to its fullest extent. He moved discreetly, slipping through the shadows and avoiding the crowds as he scanned every corner and alley. Despite his careful search, he found nothing out of the ordinary.
'Maybe they aren't here after all,' he mused. 'Or they're hiding exceptionally well.'
Still, Reese knew better than to let his guard down. He continued his careful sweep of the area, determined to ensure that there were no threats lurking in the darkness. If the League of Shadows were present, he would find them and deal with them accordingly.
-----
Unbeknownst to Reese, the League of Shadows was indeed nearby, hidden by a powerful artifact known as the "Eye of Shadows." This item not only concealed their presence but was also able to trace and block any energy. Because of a spy within the area, the League of Shadows knew that the PSIA was also in Cebu, more specifically in Fuente Osmeña.
In a secluded area, masked from all forms of detection, the lieutenants of the League of Shadows used their unique method of communication. A magical device allowed them to speak silently and securely, ensuring their plans remained undiscovered.
"Any news on the Black Mask Man?" one of the lieutenants inquired, his voice transmitted through the device.
"Nothing so far," another replied. "Our spies report that the PSIA is also here in Fuente. They're investigating the manananggal sighting."
"We need to be cautious," a third lieutenant added. "The Eye of Shadows will keep us hidden, but we can't afford to be careless."
"Agreed," the first lieutenant said. "We must continue monitoring the situation. If the Black Mask Man appears, we need to be ready."
"And what of the PSIA?" asked another voice. "Should we interfere with their investigation?"
"Not yet," the leader responded. "Let them search. Their presence might even help draw out the Black Mask Man. For now, we observe and remain hidden. The Eye of Shadows gives us the advantage."
Reese, oblivious to their conversation, continued his search around Fuente. He remained vigilant, unaware of the League of Shadows' presence just beyond his reach, hidden by powerful magic. As the night wore on, the city buzzed with life, but the real threats lay concealed in the shadows, biding their time.
-----
On the other side, the PSIA agents were blending in with the crowd, hiding in plain sight among the unsuspecting civilians. They moved through Fuente Osmeña, their trained eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble.
Reyes, positioned strategically within the bustling plaza, spoke into his earpiece, "Report in. Any sightings of the League of Shadows or the Black Mask Man?"
One by one, the agents responded.
"Negative, Reyes. No sign of the League of Shadows here," one agent said, moving discreetly through the crowd.
Another agent, stationed near a busy intersection, chimed in, "No activity from the Black Mask Man either. Everything seems normal."
"Nothing unusual on my end," came a third voice from a different part of the plaza.
Up on the rooftop of the Crown Regency, Santos was monitoring the surroundings with his telescope. He pressed his earpiece and reported, "I've got a clear view of the entire area. No suspicious activity, no signs of the League of Shadows or the Black Mask Man."
Reyes nodded, though his concern remained. "Alright, everyone, stay vigilant and continue your surveillance. We can't afford to miss anything. Keep an eye out and report any changes immediately."
He paused, looking around at the sea of people milling about. "Let's hope nothing happens tonight. There are too many people here, and we can't risk any innocent lives getting caught in the crossfire."
The agents acknowledged his directive, each hoping fervently that nothing would happen tonight. They weren't sure what they could do if a clash between the League of Shadows and the Black Mask Man were to break out.
-----
Despite Reese's thorough search around Fuente Osmeña, he couldn't detect the presence of the League of Shadows. He felt frustrated, but he knew he had done everything he could.
'Maybe they're not here tonight,' he thought, deciding it was time to head back.
He leapt from the rooftop of EastWest Bank onto B. Rodriguez Street, moving with practiced agility. He intended to head home, hoping to get some rest before the next day.