Darkest Light Chapter 2

Darkest Light

2

"A fallen Brother, huh? What Strike Team does he belonged to?" Blackshot asked Koltrain as they quietly walked along the white road.

"I believe he was in Juliet-4." The Protectorate replied. Koltraine's eyes were still glued at the road ahead, looking for any threats that might show up. His hands were gripping the staff of the polearm very tight that his flesh whitened. "He was with the Sword of His Majesty Assault Team which was stationed on Attack Base Gamma here in Paris."

Blackshot nods before stopping abruptly. He raised his aim; he was sensing another energy not far from them. Koltraine raised his hand to prevent Blackshot from attacking whatever that was about to approach them.

"Brother, it's only Vengeance and Nightlight."

At the sound of his words, Blackshot lowered his aim and gave him a nod. Vengeance and Nightlight appeared in the horizon. They have arrived in the Garden with them. For some reason, the ragtag team of Strike Team Bravo-5 was scattered throughout. Koltrain was guessing that it might be the inaccurate trajectory of their descent from Heaven or due to enemy intervention. Either way, the Strike Force was almost complete. All they have to do is to find the fifth member of the Strike Team.

"Brother," Vengeance said, calling out to Blackshot as a sibling of his. One of the codes of the Protectorate Legionnaires is to treat one another as 'Brothers'. Even females were also referred to as a 'Brother.' They were not siblings in biological sense, but their brotherhood were forged by arms, countless of battles and blood spilling for the protection of Humanity. It was the first time that Blackshot was called brother as a sibling, not as a fellow warrior.

"Vengeance," Blackshot acknowledged back. "Have you encountered those Aswangs?"

Vengeance shot him a blank look and replied, "No. The two of us just got here."

"I see."

Koltraine led the way; seeking for their fellow teammate across the Garden. The Protectorate's memories were still hazy after the Fall. He forgotten momentarily why they were there and what objectives that they have to carry out. He was guessing that this was the side-effect that the Archangel had warned him for his constant use of Angelic Form and his consumption of Runestones. Those stones contained forbidden Arcane knowledge; it is where the power of the Protectorates came from. He derailed his train of thoughts and hoped that the side-effect was just temporary. Soon enough, after walking for long minutes, they found the final Protectorate that belonged to Strike Team Bravo-5

The Protectorate was covered in dark crimson blood, indicating that he had entered combat earlier. He was not damaged, only dirty. The Spanish Protectorate nods at Koltraine. Strike Team Bravo-5 rushed to his position, weapons at the ready.

"Status check." He announced. "Protectorate Koltraine, reporting in."

"Blackshot, reporting in."

"Vengeance, reporting."

"Nightlight, reporting in, sir."

"Protectorate Torro, I copy you, brother."

Koltraine knelt a knee on the ground. He clasped both hands together in a praying manner and whispered silently in a different language. After a few seconds, he stood up. He was asking for intercession for the restoration of his memories. Fortunately, it returned to him in an instant. Perhaps that would be the only solution that he will need. He hoped the side-effect would not bother him in combat or else there would be a high chance that he or his subordinates will be put to risk.

"Brothers," he began. "We were sent here to reclaim the City of Paris. The Attack Base Gamma and the Protectorates stationed there were completely eradicated by our supernatural enemies in order for our Human enemies to attack the city. Our mission was simple. Take down the Fallen Angel and repress the Militia Force that was trying to occupy the city."

"Yes, sir!"

"For the El-Shaddai!"

"Quis ut Deus!" They replied in a chorus.

The Strike Team Bravo-5 walked along the white path that was stretched across the Garden. The maleficent energy he felt has never left him by the time they arrived here in the Garden. It only meant that there are monsters present nearby. He could not place where those things might be but he was sure, it was with them; lurking in the shadows like a predator stalking a prey. But the only problem in this situation was that Protectorates were not preys, but rather apex predators only hardwired to kill.

"Battlefield update, brothers." Koltraine said all of a sudden. "We need to reach the southern gate in order to get out of this Garden. Hopefully, it would lead us to Attack Base Gamma and help whoever Protectorates left."

"Affirmative, brother." Blackshot replied just in time as he spotted a quartet of Aswangs and a trio of Demons. The Demons wore bloodstained hooded jackets. Their faces were obscured in complete darkness. Their black cargo pants was filled with armored plates and their hands were occupied with bloodstained small axes. "Speaking of the Devils, shall we engage brother?"

"Help yourself."

Blackshot charged forward, sliding the rifle onto his back. He pulled out a bolo from his back and twirled it. He had replaced the Escrima Sticks he used before with a pair of bolos because he find it much more effective to use and its efficiency in killing had contributed to the reasons of replacement. Pulling the second bolo with his other hand, Blackshot swung both blade over his head while he spun in a counter-clockwise motion, decapitating an Aswang and an Axeman Demon Legionnaire. An Aswang and an Axeman retaliated back as the former strikes its claws at him. Blackshot parried it twice with his bolos. The Axeman swings too, forcing Blackshot to duck down and avoid his attack. He retaliated at the Demon, impaling its chest deep enough. Vengeance jumped in to aid her brother. She launched a flaming ball at the Aswang close to her brother. The monster takes a step back, wincing in pain as fire consumed its face. She launched a flaming kick at its chest, finally taking it down.

Koltraine's left arm sparked with electricity as he rushed the two remaining Aswangs in front of them. His other arm sparked as well in preparation. As soon as he was close enough, he shoved a fist at an Aswang's face and completely fried its nerves. He sent his elbow launching at the other Aswang's face, sent his backfist across and slammed its nose, electrocuting the monster. Nightlight pulled out a knife from his waist and aimed it at the remaining Axeman Demon. Blackshot tackled it to the ground. He glanced at Nightlight and Torro and gave them a nod. Torro and Nightlight sprinted forward. Blackshot rolled backwards as the duo leapt in the air and landed at the immobilized Demon, dropping an impacting attack at its chest. The attack had separated all its limbs from its bodies. Even its obscured head flew elsewhere. After a few seconds, the battle finally drew to an end.

"You think we sould reclaim this Garden first?" Vengeance suggested at the superior Protectorate.

"I don't think so, Brother." Koltraine replied back. "They were only sent here to find us but that was just it. We need to get out of here as soon as we can. Once we are out in the streets, we should prepare ourselves to meet the Human Militia Force called the 'NRK'. From there, we will fight our way towards the next site. I just forgot what or where it is."

Blackshot laughed. "You do that. Meanwhile we're gonna--wooah!" The Protectorate raised his blade as he spotted a beautiful lady in a bloodied nightgown and levitating in air. Her bloodshot eyes were staring directly at them and her long hair was unkempt, covering her pale face. Behind her, she was accompanied by two more ladies in nightgowns. They were not the only Demons present as their Axeman counterparts could be seen below. "What Legion is that?"

"Lady in White Legion." Koltraine answered. "Get ready brothers. We will fight our way out of here. Only God knows what horrors we will have to face at the conclusion of this engagement."