As Reese ran along on B. Rodriguez Street, just as he was nearing the bridge over the Guadalupe River, he suddenly saw a powerful gush of water rushing towards him. Without hesitation, Reese leaped out of the way to dodge the water. He looked towards the river to see what caused it. Seconds later, a figure began to materialize in the river, but Reese couldn't make out its appearance.

"Who the hell could this be?" Reese muttered to himself.

-----

Five minutes earlier,

While the ten lieutenants waited for the Black Mask Man to reveal himself, one of them suddenly spoke up. "There's a figure jumping across the buildings near Vicente Sotto Hospital."

The other lieutenants got excited upon hearing this news. The most powerful one immediately gave an order: "Go now, before he escapes if we delay any longer."

One of the lieutenants stepped forward and said, "I see him, I'll handle stopping the Black Mask Man."

The leader nodded. "Good. Stop him at all costs. Wait for us there. We'll be there quickly."

-----

While Reese stared at the figure that was still unclear even with his spiritual sense, nine more figures suddenly appeared around him. Reese was puzzled as to why he couldn't detect the presence of these ten beings, including the one in the river.

Without hesitation, Reese retrieved his Twin Swords of Eternity from the Amethyst Orb, readying himself for any sudden attack from the figures surrounding him. He demanded, "Who are you?"

The tension in the air grew thicker as Reese prepared for the confrontation that was about to unfold.

After hearing the question from the Black Mask Man, the leader of the ten figures used the Eye of Shadows to dissolve the thick black smoke around them. Slowly, their true appearances were revealed to Reese, who also felt a powerful foreboding feeling as they appeared.

The leader then responded to Reese, "You already know us." He then introduced himself, standing tall, about 8 feet, with dark skin and an imposing figure, often depicted as smoking tobacco. "I am Sigar, the First Lieutenant."

After Sigar introduced himself, Reese muttered, "A Kapre."

Sigar continued to introduce his companions. "This is Crag, the Fourth Lieutenant," a creature with the body of a man and the head and hooves of a horse, known for leading travelers astray.

Reese observed him and said, "Another Tikbalang."

Next, Sigar introduced the figure who had created the gush of water earlier. "This is Stum, the Sixth Lieutenant." Stum appeared as a water spirit, looking like a humanoid with scales like a fish.

Reese thought, 'This is the first time I've seen a creature like this.'

Sigar then introduced the Seventh Lieutenant, Kumbra. Kumbra resembled a creature similar to a chupacabra, like a hornless goat or kangaroo with large ears.

'How did such a small creature become a lieutenant?' Reese wondered.

Sigar moved on to the Eighth Lieutenant. "This is Hollow." Hollow was small and goblin-like, a duwende with a mischievous grin.

Reese wondered again, 'How?'

Next, Sigar introduced the Ninth Lieutenant, Abyssal, a ghoul that looked like a decaying zombie.

Reese stared at Abyssal and thought, 'A ghoul that feeds on corpses.'

Sigar continued, "This is Anabel, the Tenth Lieutenant." Anabel was a vampire-like creature that could sever its upper torso to fly with bat-like wings.

Reese almost laughed at the manananggal, who was holding her lower body. 'This must be the manananggal sighted in Fuente the other night,' Reese thought.

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Sigar then introduced the Eleventh Lieutenant, Gnash, another ghoul that devours human flesh and is often associated with graveyards.

'Another zombie-like creature,' Reese noted.

Then Sigar introduced the Twelfth Lieutenant, Veil. Veil had the body of a human and the head of a bull, sometimes depicted with a jewel in its ear.

'I wonder what other humanoid animals there might be.' Reese wondered.

Finally, Sigar introduced the Thirteenth Lieutenant, Hag. Hag was a vengeful spirit that resided in trees, often causing nightmares or sleep paralysis.

'So this asshole was responsible for the sleep paralysis some people experienced?'

After completing the introductions, Sigar said to Reese, "We are the remaining thirteen lieutenants of the League of Shadows. You cannot escape. This is the place where you will die."

Reese responded with a confident smirk, "Hmm, you think you can stop me if I want to run? You're wrong, because I won't run."

Despite his confident words, Reese's mind raced. He knew fighting the ten lieutenants here would put too many innocent lives at risk. He needed a better location, somewhere away from the public. He recalled a secluded mountain area near his rented home, a place with few people.

As he prepared to act, Reese noticed vans speeding towards them. The lieutenants turned, and one of them shouted, "The PSIA is coming. Hurry, kill the Black Mask Man!"

Seizing the opportunity created by their distraction, Reese didn't hesitate. He leapt into the Guadalupe River, his body moving with fluid grace, and sprinted towards the mountain area, aiming to draw the lieutenants away from the civilians and into a more suitable battleground.

Upon seeing Reese's swift escape, the leader was stunned. 'You just said you wouldn't run.'

"Quick, follow him! Don't let him escape, or we will be punished by our commanders if he gets away!" The lieutenants quickly gave chase, determined not to let their target slip through their fingers.

Reese ran with all his might, his senses on high alert. He could hear the heavy footsteps and flapping wings of the lieutenants pursuing him. The mountain area was still a distance away, but he knew he had to reach it to ensure the safety of the people in the city.

The lieutenants, driven by the fear of failure and their leader's command, followed closely behind. They moved swiftly, their supernatural abilities allowing them to cover ground quickly. The tension in the air was palpable as the chase intensified, with the dark figures of the lieutenants closing in on Reese.

Reese could feel the pressure mounting, but he kept his focus sharp. He navigated through the terrain with agility, using every ounce of his strength and skill to maintain his lead. The mountain area loomed closer, and he could sense that this would be the battleground where he would face the lieutenants.

As he glanced back at the lieutenants who were rapidly closing the distance, Reese thought, 'How could they be so fast? They shouldn't be running this fast.' Then it dawned on him, 'It must be because of that mysterious black energy.'

Among the pursuing lieutenants, Reese noticed Anabel, the manananggal, struggling to keep up while carrying her severed lower body. He couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Hold on tight to your lower body, Anabel! You don't want it to fall; why don't you ask your comrades to carry it for you?"

Hearing Reese's taunt, Anabel's face twisted with rage. She shouted back, "Just wait until we catch you! Let's see if you're still laughing then, you pest!"

Reese couldn't help but laugh louder as he ran towards his destination. The sound of his laughter echoed through the night, adding to the lieutenants' frustration. Despite the mounting pressure, Reese felt a strange sense of exhilaration. The thrill of the chase and the imminent confrontation fueled his resolve.

Reese glanced back and saw Anabel's furious expression. His laughter only intensified, knowing it was getting under her skin. "Keep up, Anabel! Why don't you attach yourself back? Maybe you have a chance of catching up!"

His mocking words echoed in the air, taunting the lieutenants as they continued their relentless pursuit. Reese's laughter was a mix of confidence and defiance, a clear sign that he wasn't going to back down.

Finally, the mountain area came into view. Reese felt a surge of determination. This was where he would make his stand, far away from the innocent civilians of the city. He was ready for the battle ahead, and nothing the lieutenants could do would shake his resolve.

With a final burst of speed, Reese reached the foot of the mountain, his laughter still ringing out as he prepared to face the lieutenants. He quickly assessed the terrain, looking for any advantages he could use in the upcoming battle. The rugged landscape and natural obstacles would provide some cover and strategic points.

As the lieutenants closed in, Reese took a deep breath, centering himself. His laughter subsided, replaced by a focused determination. He knew the lieutenants would not hold back, and neither would he.

Sigar, the Kapre, was the first to arrive, towering over Reese with his dark, imposing presence. "This is where it ends, Black Mask Man," he growled.

The other lieutenants spread out, surrounding Reese. Crag, the Tikbalang, and Stum, the Berberoka, moved into position, ready to strike. Anabel, still seething with anger, hovered above, her wings flapping menacingly. The rest of the lieutenants formed a tight circle, their eyes fixed on Reese.

Reese stood his ground, the Twin Swords of Eternity glinting in the moonlight. He addressed Sigar, "You think you can intimidate me with numbers? Think again."

Sigar sneered, "Your arrogance will be your downfall."

Reese's eyes narrowed as he prepared for the imminent clash. "Let's find out."

With that, the battle began.