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Chapter 32 - Finale
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2020-12-04 12:42:50They continued down the street. It was dark and quiet with only the distant noise of the battle taking place elsewhere could be heard. Lukas could hear his own breath as they traversed the road, paranoia slowly forming in his mind. He restrained his thoughts before it became a distraction until something urged him to stop.
He raised his fist upwards and glanced from left to right. The storefronts around them looked weird. Of all the stores, one in particular was not barricaded. He studied it and noticed swirling darkness beneath, as if a black smog or a murky water filled it from the inside. He took two steps towards it when the glass that kept it from the outside world shattered, along with the other storefronts around and behind them.Elongated shadows streaked from the stores. Lukas noticed the white porcelain faces on the top of the six entities. He raised his aim and fired at the face of the entity near him.Three bursts and the face shattered. The entity iRelated chapters
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 1
March 12, 2004From the dark corners of a recently visited cemetery, a movement could be heard. The stars of the night twinkled bright alongside the full moon that provided dimmed illumination for the silent recepients below. They made sure that no one was around to witness them, for they are not ready yet.Between the poorly maintained graves and the nearby large mounds of soil below large balete trees, they slowly revealed themselves. The appearances of some varied from one another, but most of them are complete reflection of the other--creatures birthed from the same family of monsters. Diverse as all of them could be, they possessed three things in nature.Sadism, hunger and malevolence.Like stringed marionettes manipulated by an inexperienced puppeteer, they walked forward. Each baby steps developing to a stable one as their physiology began to adapt in the new environment where they are born into.
Last Updated : 2020-10-30Beneath The Shadows Chapter 2
Three days later...They came like lightning. The wind blew, the stalks swayed. In a flash, they had him and his squad surrounded. They were fast, agile and fearless despite the fact that they lacked the superior weaponry that soldiers like them possessed. He saw them with faces covered with a shemagh, advanced with a kriss raised in a threatening manner.He had to move, he had to act. One of his subordinates fell to the ground with a missing head. His instincts kicked in as he drew his handgun and fired at the killer of his young companion. But his own assailant was just a few steps in front of him.No time to act think, had to act. He was too close for him to raise his rifle. So he did what he could. The butt of his pistol assailed the air in a vertical swing directed at his attacker's skull. A right straight punch to the bridge of the rebel's nose sent the armed man to the grassy field. The sun was setting, the memory was very clear even if it had happened fo
Last Updated : 2020-10-31Beneath The Shadows Chapter 3
His vision was illuminated in a bluish hue. The faces of his teammates were obscured behind polarized face visors connected to the brims of their helmets. His heart rate on the electrocardiogram bio monitor showed a quickened pulse, but Lukas thought that it was just the alcohol working magic in his system. All of them are tense, but Lukas managed to control himself in situations like these.However, he couldn't help but to wipe the barrel of his M4A1 with his gloved thumb involuntarily. Just like their weapons, his was blessed by the Outpost Chaplain before they march off to battle against the supernatural.He saw some of the rookies repeat actions, caused by pre-deployment anxieties. He could not blame them, operations like these made you worry about the future, whether you will survive or not, or what about the aspirations you wanted to pursue later in your life after your service. It made them fear for their lives, despite losing it once when they are ind
Last Updated : 2020-10-31Beneath The Shadows Chapter 4
The psychologist asked him slightly cryptic questions that only him alone could understand. Lukas answered them without pausing. He was asked if he felt anything strange about himself lately, and he replied with the horrible nightmares he was having. As usual, the psychologist dismissed it as normal and he was free to go.Lukas was the last to leave the pscyhologist's room for the post-action psychological evaluation. Just like the medical examination earlier before this, he was cleared for the next operation. He was relieved to know that he could join the next ones because his bestfriend and the superior officer of the assault platoon failed the previous evaluation, prompting the Major to assign him with the 1st Lieutenant's duties and suspending the aforementioned officer for five weeks to rehabilitate.Another 666IB soldier approached their group, his tone was marred with urgency."The Major wanted to see all of you, Lieutenant." He said.
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The truck sped across the muddy beaten path full of tire tracks from other vehicles. Lukas stared at the bright sky. Even if it was morning, the fact that the things they fight in the shadows existed made the world a dark one that no sunrise could ever illuminate. Back when he was living in ignorance, everything was colorful but when he was pulled into a battlezone where incarnated nightmares are the belligerents, everything just becomes black and white.And he thought that the Moro rebellion was dark enough. This conflict, simply known in the documents as the Shadow War, had made him see everything.He looked back down on the ground and waited as the truck shuddered and ground to a halt. They disembarked in a disciplined manner, with the first ones securing the perimeter for the other half, who were in the process of unloading.The truck then moved away to the designated extraction point so that it would not get caught in the crossfire in case the shooting star
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The interrogation room was nondescript. The walls were reinforced with sound absorbent paddings, a steel table in the middle and a polarized observatory window to the right. The detained cultist sat at the end of the table, jacketed with an anti-thaumaturgic fabric that prevented him from opening his abdominal maw or exhibit any other anomalous properties that he might possess.His hands were bound in chains in front of him so that when the interrogators required him to write or draw something, they would not risk getting close to remove his restraints and in turn, give him chance to escape. He sat, rocking in his chair, giving the personnel behind the observatory window the evil eye.The door beyond swung open, revealing Lukas in uniform. In his left hand was folder containing documents about the cult's activities in the past three weeks. The soldier sat at the chair across him. The Lieutenant carelessly tossed the folder on the table and glared."A
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He sat on the soft cushioned chair with Francis standing opposite him and the nurse, who constantly flash a friendly smile at the visiting personnel. It was rumored that some of the soldiers faked injuries just to see her. Most tried to court her, but all of them she turned down for some reason unknown. She treated everyone with respect and her caring voice alone was soothing to the core that every time the nurse speaks, it dulled the pain emanating from his bruised knuckle.The room was brighter than the corridor on the way to the clinic. The scent of antiseptics was stronger here, making Lukas think that the usual smell of the base originated from areas like these. If he recalls, there were a dozen clinic bays scattered across the installation. The corner beside Francis contained a marble counter where numerous medical equipment and medicine could be found. Above were cabinets also containing the same stuff. It was also noticeably colder here, maybe because the wall-typ
Last Updated : 2020-11-05Beneath The Shadows Chapter 8
The corridor was dimly lit, but despite the scarce illumination, he could see clearly what had transpired. The white walls were splattered with red and the floors was streaked with blood as if some bastard dragged the dead across to some place unknown. Bullet holes could also be seen on the wall. Lukas walked ahead, passing by the emergency green light above. The next emergency light was deactivated in this part of the hallway probably because of defect or old age, bathing the surroundings in the dark. The next light could be seen ahead, illuminating that section in the same way as the previous one they just recently walked past.Lukas could feel something mushy beneath his boots but he dared not to imagine what it is. The nurse behind him clutched at his arm so tighty that his recently bandaged hand began to ache."Nurse, cut it out." Lukas whispered loudly. Sala realized that she was grabbing onto the soldier's arm for dear life and immediately retracted, apo
Last Updated : 2020-11-05
Latest chapter
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 32 - Finale
They continued down the street. It was dark and quiet with only the distant noise of the battle taking place elsewhere could be heard. Lukas could hear his own breath as they traversed the road, paranoia slowly forming in his mind. He restrained his thoughts before it became a distraction until something urged him to stop.He raised his fist upwards and glanced from left to right. The storefronts around them looked weird. Of all the stores, one in particular was not barricaded. He studied it and noticed swirling darkness beneath, as if a black smog or a murky water filled it from the inside. He took two steps towards it when the glass that kept it from the outside world shattered, along with the other storefronts around and behind them.Elongated shadows streaked from the stores. Lukas noticed the white porcelain faces on the top of the six entities. He raised his aim and fired at the face of the entity near him.Three bursts and the face shattered. The entity i
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 31
The sun sets in the horizon. The streets were empty, not a single soul was seen in sight. Even the police who should be watching it were also absent, fearful of the fabricated contagious disease that the 6 AM news had broadcasted. In the side of the defenders, it was acceptable since they would just get in the way of things when this particular shadow war was waged. Even the so-called "Regular Infantry" that the soldiers of the paranormal combat units fond of using to reference their ordinary counterparts were also evacuated kilometers away.He envied the civilians, who only thought that this event was just simply caused by some infectious viral disease. Indeed, it was far better to live one's life in ignorance than bearing the burden of knowing about the existence of the creatures that prowls the night.He watched the sun sinks below the world. The scenery was symbolic, for the most part. Davao City, the would-be battle zone of a skirmish that should be fought in the
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 30
The horn of the Demon was laid on the top of a cloth. The Chaplain's Office was now restored in order and the furnishing's orientation was different than the last time when Lukas visited it. He watched as Father Mike sprinkled the horn with holy water while reciting a prayer of sanctification.Every droplet that made contact, the object sizzled. Geysers of smoke rose, as if it was a steaming hot object doused with cool water.After the blessing, Father Mike wrapped it again with the white cloth and handed it to Lukas. He nodded his thanks, the laced vial around his neck containing the eye moved slightly. Lukas was still getting used to his new necklace, which he couldn't wait to remove after this suicidal assault that they are about to undertake.Right after they walked out of the room, they encountered Major Veras outside."Lieutenant." Veras called sternly. "Come with me, we got a meeting.""Meeting?" Lukas asked."Remember the liaison off
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 29
Sergeant Nagar and Staff Sergeant Alice Abantay stood before the restrained Roberto Omar, who glanced at them with an impressed look in his eyes. Alice crossed her arms and asked."Why are you looking at us like that?""You two could make a good couple," he said. Nagar raised his butcher's knife without hesitation. "What? I meant that in a good way as possible.""No, I think it was something else entirely." Abantay replied. Lukas, and a new soldier from the cut-off team regularly attached to their unit, the newly promoted 2nd Lieutenant Yusuf Ibrahim, stood behind the observatory window with three other subordinates facilitating the room as usual. They quietly listened."You think?" Roberto asked. "I'm just kidding, yes. Because I am very impressed that you survived against my master that I am already convinced, you might win this against him.""How'd you know?" Alice asked, threatening to pull out her sidearm. She was suspicious that the Mambabara
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 28
After an hour of rest and submitting his paperwork to the Major, and to the High Command as an esoteric After-Action Report, Lukas dropped by the Clinic Bay to have his injuries checked. Lukas was laying with his stomach flat on the bed. It felt awkward but Nurse Sala instructed him to. There was no point in protesting since all he wanted was to get himself treated.The nurse came with her tools and pulled his shirt up to reveal his backside. She gasped upon seeing the contusions on his back muscles."I am inclined to recommend my superiors to put you under x-ray for any bones that might be out of place.""Don't sound like I'm gonna die." Lukas protested. "It's just a fall from a two-storey house.""Exactly!" She said. "Don't you hear yourself?""Just apply your guyabano leaves and be done with it." Lukas said sarcastically. "The Major needs to see me in an hour and I want to get this checked before he decides to send us into another operation."
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 27
It was good to be back.Lukas was exhausted. The previous operation had drained all of them both physically and mentally. All of them are quiet upon their return to Outpost Detachment Bravo and Lukas himself wasn't sure if the operation could be counted as a victory because of the casualties dealt on their part. If it was, it would have been a pyrrhic one.They have lost a lot, and to Lukas, he have lost his bestfriend whom he relied on many times, just as how he also relied on him. He swallowed, choking on the lump formed in his throat. For the most part, he couldn't feel anything but numbness in seemingly random intervals, because it would be sometimes replaced with the need to cry out loud as a form of mourning. As fast when it appeared, the urge would disappear, leaving him in numbness again.Maybe, his weeping could bring back something, but the dead will stay dead. There was nothing he could do.As the truck rolled to the garage, he immediately dise
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 26
He hit the ground with his armored back. Static washed across his display link and his electrocardiogram visibly spiked while the deity raised his sword with its blade pointed at him. The front door of the first floor opened, revealing Sergeant Alice and a handful of soldiers in her team. Lukas was horrified about what would happen next."No, not Alice." He spoke weakly. "Not Alice!" But he couldn't move in pain.Sitan received multiple bullets in his back as he stood and turned at the 666IB soldiers. He approached and struck at the soldier in Alice's right. The blood of her comrade sprayed onto her visor, obscuring it in red. The others retreated inside while the other few dragged her away from the rampaging deity.Lukas bared his teeth as he forced himself upright. The armor absorbed the brunt of the attack, he thought. He had gone through far worse, he thought. Sharp pains were sent across his ribs and right leg but he tried to fight them off as he looked at
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 25
He aimed at the mansard-roofed porch and let out a sigh. He made a gesture in the air and the stack immediately complied as they made for the porch. The shadows on either side moved like fluid and Lukas knew that they were Aswangs lying in wait. He whirled swiftly and fired at the silhouette. A wet snap was heard followed by a cry. Nagar fired at the second Aswang behind Lukas, sending it back to the ground. The other soldiers eliminated the creatures without effort before they advanced towards the porch.Lukas, Nagar and Laurel approached the door with precaution. The superior of the three extracted a small pack of explosives from his belt. Lukas removed the adhesive covering and attached it on the door's surface before he pressed his back beside the left sidelight while Nagar and Laurel at the opposite side, out of the right sidelight's view. Laurel unpinned a grenade from his bandolier as the door exploded.When the wooden door fell from its frame, Laurel tossed the
Beneath The Shadows Chapter 24
"The coast is clear!" Francis finally said. "Time is of the essence, go!"They moved once more; Lukas saw clusters of furred bodies everywhere and realized that there must be a nest here. The possibility of the entire subdivision being a nest crossed his mind, but he immediately banished it because it scared him. He started to doubt their survivality rate in this operation.They came across a rotunda with a marble fountain in the middle. Lukas held a fist up when he felt being watched from the shadows beyond. Paranoia grew in his mind as he turned to the darkened corners around, but Nagar's aim remained fixated at the fountain in the center.He followed his aim and noticed a person with no clothes on. It was hard to determine their gender or their features due to its blackened flesh, as if they had been incinerated for a long time. Lukas aimed but he dared not to approach the entity.It laughed, revealing a decaying teeth from its ashen mouth. And in an i
