Chapter 9

  Bloodline Hunt: Part 6

  The Uncimed Land is a vast nd just beyond Whitehorn’s mountain. It sits between Haos and Orgo, two nations that have been at war since the start of the Celestial War. The nd earned its name because it is a wastend filled with snow-covered ruins of a once-thriving civilization.

  Distance gunshots rang throughout an abandoned city just a few miles from Whitehorn’s mountain. Two men in gas masks race through a crowded parking lot. Their only light source was their goggles, illuminating the world in a murky green hue.

  “I don’t see it! Where did it go?!” one of the mercenaries yelled

  “Keep calm, Eli. We’ll find it. Just keep your eyes open.

  The two mercenaries continue moving past the row of cars, their trigger fingers twitching at the slightest sound.

  “There!” One of the men quickly turned and blindly sprayed a stream of bullets at a car. A shadow leaped off the vehicle, diving deeper into the darkness.

  “Shit, where did it go?!” The two men press their backs against each other, frantically scanning their surroundings.

  The air around the duo vibrated as a helicopter flew overhead, its spotlight burning away the darkness, unveiling the creature.

  At first gnce, it appeared to be a giant wolf. But the more they stared at it, the more wrong it looked. Something primal inside their mind screamed at them, telling them that the thing before them should not exist.

  Pale human-like limbs jutted out from the bck matted fur that covered its entire body. The nose at the tip of its snout twitches angrily. The creature opens its bloodied maw to reveal a mixture of human teeth and fangs haphazardly lining its mouth.

  “!.!.!” Even the creature’s roar sounded wrong, distorted, as if it were screaming through a broken microphone.

  “Woah! what the fuck!” Horrified, one of the men tried to back away, slipping on a piece of metal. His gun flew out of his hand as he fell. The creature lunged at the downed man. The frightened man deftly pulled his handgun out of his holster and fired several shots. The bullets phase straight through the beast as if it didn’t exist. But that idea was quickly debunked as it leaped on top of him.

  Another gunshot rang through the streets, followed by the beast letting out a weird, broken cry as a bullet pierced its side. The creature staggered off the soldier, blood spraying from its wound.

  “Regur bullets don’t hurt him! Only magic or objects imbued with magic can.” The other soldier screamed. He kicks the rifle back to the fallen soldier while pushing forward, unloading his entire magazine into the beast. The bullets tear into the creature's body; it opens its mouth wide; instead of a scream as they expected, it fires a bst of light. The two men dived out of the way. The beast took advantage of the situation and dived into a nearby building.

  [What is happening down there?! Eli! Kai! Are you okay?] A concerned woman's voice came from their radio.

  “We’re fine! The creature fled into a building. Should we pursue?”

  [No, wait till backup arrives. I’ll keep an eye out for any movement overhead.]

  “You hear that, Eli? We’re pulling back for now.” The older soldier offers his hand to the younger one.

  Eli smacks the hand away and tears his mask off. He sighed in relief, happy to feel the cold air on his sweaty face. He brushes through his ginger hair, the creature he saw still fresh in his mind. “What the hell was that, Kai? Did you see that?!”

  “Yeah, I saw it, shot it too. Because of that, I'm probably going to have a rough night tonight. Those fuckers always give me nightmares."

  You saw one before? What the hell are they?”

  “First time you fought one, huh? Aren't you lucky? That is what we call spirit."

  “I thought spirits were like little fairies that occasionally attack humans like bees.”

  In fairy tales, perhaps. In reality, they’re monsters made entirely of magic. And unfortunately, that’s about all we know about them, well, other than the fact that, for some reason, they have a hate boner towards humans. And if too many gathered in one pce, they can cause irreparable damage to the leyline, and when that happens, well…” Kai gestures to the dead city around him. “…You get this.”

  Eli's eyes widen in horror. He took a step back to fully exanime the ruins. He thought all the destruction was cause from a batlle between two celestial armies.

  "Terrifying, isn't it? Over a hundred years ago, these nds once belonged to a country called Kalm. It was a small country but was incredibly popur due to its having a rge number of spirit sightings. Back then, people saw them as exotic creatures, a beautiful wonder of the world, but that quickly changed one night when Haos and Orkos suddenly received an SOS from Kalm. Both nations sent their armed forces, believing the other country was attacking. When the two armies arrived, what they saw horrified them.”

  “What?!” What the hell did they see?!” Eli leans forward tightly, hugging his gun.

  “They found nothing. It was as if the people of Kalm simply up and left their home. Hence, the tragedy called “The Calm.”

  “The whole country vanished.” Eli's face pales. “How do we not know more about these creatures? They should be the main priority, not Orkos.

  “Hard to study nigh incorporeal creatures that appear out of nowhere and disappear upon death.” Eli's face grew paler as he learned more about the threat they faced. “There are few theories, though.” Kai continued.

  “The main theory is that spirits are the souls of creatures from the Lost Age, the era before the moon shattered. Another theory is that spirits are the offspring of the Father of Monsters, Typhon. Some people even believe spirits are shards of the fragmented moon searching for a way to make itself whole.”

  “And what do you think?” Kai sat down on some rubble, thinking about Eli’s question. “I-“Kai stopped hearing the sounds of footfalls approaching them. A man with glowing crimson eyes leaped over the car, dashing straight towards the soldiers.

  “Another spirit!” Eli raises his gun, and Kai quickly pushes the barrel away. “Calm down, it’s a friendly.”

  “Has the target moved?” Aiden grabbed the radio off his waist, paying no attention to the two soldiers.

  [No movements detected. The creature is still inside.]

  “Keep me updated.” Aiden puts the radio back on his waist and walks past the soldiers as if they weren’t there.

  “Hey, where’s the rest of the reinforcement?!”

  “I'm enough.” Aiden said as he continued his march towards the building.”

  “I guess break time is over.” Kai lets out a sigh while adjusting his gas mask. Eli reluctantly followed behind the two. “

  “You’re seriously not okay with this, are you?” Eli whispered.

  “We’re mercenaries, Eli. I can’t recall the st time I got a mission I was ‘ok’ with it. Just pray the pay we get after is worth it.”

  Eli looks up at the dark stone structure looming over him. He let out a sigh while putting his gas mask back on. “No way it’s worth it.” He grumbled.

  Aiden kicks the door open, pushing aside the chairs pressed against it. The two mercenaries move into the building, entering a wide reception area. A broken chandelier y in the center of the dusty floor. The desk that greeted everyone who stepped into the building was smashed to the ground.

  “Clear!” Kai excims.

  “A bit too clear.” Eli kneels, carefully examining the ground. “That thing was bleeding when it fled here; shouldn’t there be a trail?”

  “Spirits don’t have blood,” Aiden spoke up. "They're beings are made of pure magic. What you saw was it mimicking a living creature.”

  “Are you saying we didn’t hurt it?” Eli asks.

  “No, it’s been injured. But if we don’t move fast, it’ll regain its strength too.”

  “That’s going to be quite hard to do, boss,” Kai said as he pulled a map out of the smash desk. “Looks like this is a hotel, a huge one at that. Seven stories high, it’s going to take a while to find it.”

  “Then we should split up.”

  “What?” Eli’s eyes snap to Aiden, unsure if he heard him correctly. “Please tell me you didn’t say split up. Have you ever seen a horror movie?”

  “No, and the situation will only worsen if we don’t find it quickly enough.”

  “But-“

  “Eli…” Kai grabs Eli’s shoulder. “Best not argue with a professional. Let’s check the upper floors.” Still holding Eli’s shoulder, Kai dragged him down a hallway while Aiden headed down another hall alone.

  Aiden’s crimson eyes glow faintly as he marches through the quiet corridors with confidence, as if he had been here before. The invisible trail of mana the creature leak, led him to a destroyed dining hall. He could vaguely sense the beast was somewhere close. In the distance, he could hear metal colliding with each other.

  Without a hint of worry, Aiden marched past the overturned tables and chairs towards a metallic door in the back of the dining hall. The door creaked loudly as Aiden opened it, but the sound was drowned out by pots and pans cnging together. The spirit snarled as its fang dug into slimy gray meat that expired a century ago. The spirit spat the meat back up. Frustrated, it threw the spoiled food into a corner with all the other rotted food it tried to eat.

  “Human food will never be able to satisfy you. After all, you don’t even possess a stomach.” Aiden said as he stepped into the kitchen. The spirit leaps away from the voice. It lowers its posture, preparing to pounce like a terrified cornered animal. However, Aiden didn’t sense a hint of fear. The only thing he could feel was rage-no, it was deeper than that. Somehow, almost instinctively, Aiden could feel the spirit’s malice and how it was not only aimed at him but towards all of humanity.

  This wasn’t the first time Aiden felt a spirit’s animosity towards humanity. And yet every time it caused him to stop and ponder what these creatures were and why they loathed humans. The thoughts st merely a moment before Aiden shuts that quizzical part of his mind down as his senses heighten to their zenith.

  Sparks of magic flew from Aiden’s hand as he rubbed them together. The sparks erupted into roaring violet energy that coated his arms.

  Evocation: Hallow Edge

  After casting a spell, Aiden hunches forward while holding his hands close to his face to protect it from danger.

  The spirit lowers itself further to the ground. Its muscles bulged to the point it looked like it would burst from its skin.

  “!!! The spirit let out a howl and leaped, but not towards its prey; instead, it jumped onto the wall. Immediately, the creature kicks off the wall, leaping towards the ceiling. Using its incredible agility, it bounces off the walls and ceiling like a ball, gaining speed with each bounce.

  Aiden tightened his guard while tracking the creature, which quickly became nothing more than a blur. After gaining enough speed, the spirit finally lunges at Aiden.

  Aiden digs his feet into the ground to stop the creature from knocking him off his feet. The spirit unleashes a barrage of attacks with its cws, all blocked by Aiden’s magically imbued arms.

  “!!!” The spirit let out a frustrated howl as it winded its arm back to rip through Aiden’s guard and throat in one swing.

  Aiden took advantage of the small gap in the creature’s defense and threw a right straight into the spirit’s gut. Aiden’s fist effortlessly bore through the spirit’s stomach like a drill. The blow would’ve sent the creature flying, but Aiden quickly grabbed the spirit’s arm and pulled it in for another punch this time aimed at its chest. Blood spttered all over Aiden’s body as his hand sank into the spirit’s body.

  The spirit opens its mouth instead of spitting blood, as Aiden expected. The creature fires another radiant bst. Aiden ducked out of the energy beam’s path. Still holding the spirit’s arm, Aiden threw the creature at the wall. Immediately, Aiden dashed towards the spirits and kicked its head into the wall. The weakened old wall cracked from the force. Aiden pulled his leg back and kicked again, sending the creature through the old drywall.

  “Agh.” The spirit coughed violently, blood pouring from the two gaping holes in its chest and stomach. The spirit crawls towards Aiden with wounds that would’ve instantly killed a human, hatred still burning in its eyes, it opens its mouth to fire another radiant light, only for its lower jaw to fall off.

  “Oggh!” The spirit let out a distorted howl as it reached for Aiden. Its hand flopped to the ground and dissipated into nothing. Its legs were the next to fall apart. The spirit’s body crumbles away like dry cy. Even its blood evaporates into nothing as if the spirit’s existence were an illusion.

  It was only after the spirit’s entire body vanished that Aiden finally allowed his body to rex. He reached for his radio and said, “Target down. Moving to the next area.” He put the radio away before anyone could respond and returned to the entrance. The radio crackles to life just as Aiden leaves the hotel.

  “Aiden, you’re needed back at Whitehorn.” A muffled voice said over the radio.

  “Repeat that.” Aiden stopped, confused. They were in the middle of an operation, and Aiden's job was to assist anyone who was engaged with a spirit. If he left now, it could result in casualties.

  “Someone is waiting for you back at base.” Aiden’s confusion turned into curiosity. Only someone who held a high rank in the military or had friends in high pces could pull a soldier out of an active operation.

  “Fine,” Aiden said. He exited the hotel and was immediately blinded by the helicopter floodlight.

  “I’ll take you back to the base. I’m running low on fuel anyway.” The pilot said over the radio. The helicopter nded on a nearby building. Aiden took one st look at the city before heading towards the helicopter.

  It didn’t take them long to return to the base, which also acted as an academy for mages in training. Even up here, high in the sky. Aiden could easily see which side was the academy and which was the military. The front of the enormous structure was decorated with colorful banners that still welcomed the kids to the school, while the military side had barbed fences to prevent civilians and other prying eyes from getting close.

  A wide bck road covered with snow stretches from the base to a tunnel drilled into the mountain. Once upon a time, the tunnel was used as a trading route between Haos and Kalm. Now it’s solely used to send soldiers into the Uncimed Land.

  Two armored vehicles were traveling up the roads toward the tunnel. Aiden figured they would probably back up the people he left behind in the Uncimed Land.

  Aiden hopped out of the helicopter the moment it nded. He looked around, expecting someone to escort him to whoever called him back. However, no one paid any attention to him—no, to be more specific, everyone was actively avoiding him. He could feel a dozen eyes on him, each gaze filled with contempt as if he were the sole cause of the world's misery. Aiden shrugged the gres off him, already used to the treatment, having dealt with it his whole life.

  “Ah, Aiden, there you are!” Callen approached Aiden wearing a strained smile. “Can we talk for a moment? “Before Aiden could respond, Callen grabbed him and pushed him between two vehicles where no one could see them. “I always knew your bloodline was cursed, but I didn’t think the curse started so early.”

  “What?” Aiden looked at Callen, confused. “Your daughter.” Callen hissed. “She embarrassed my son in front of the entire academy!”

  “I’m sorry about that. I’ll have a talk with her.” Aiden’s voice rang hollow in Callen’s ears.

  “And when was the st time you even ‘talked’ to your kids? Everybody here knows you’re using your children for your own personal gain. Why else would you allow your sick daughter into this academy?” Callen’s eyes suddenly widened as an idea entered his head. “Did you order your daughter to fight my son to sully my reputation?”

  “Seems like you care more about your reputation than your son. I wonder what will happen to your poor child if he fails to meet your expectations.”

  “That’s none of your business!” Callen snarled.

  “And how is my family any of your concern?” Aiden snapped back. He grabbed the hand digging into his shoulder and pushed Callen back.

  “…” The two mages silently stared at each other, the rage emanating from each other was almost palpable.

  “Oh, are guys comparing dick sizes?" A man wearing a skull-shaped helmet approaches the two mages. The words ‘Mage Bane’ were sloppily painted in the center of his body armor. “If you don't mind, can you guys take your roughhousing somewhere else?" The heavily armoured man asked. You mages tend to make a mess of things when you fight."

  “And who are you?” Callen turns his ire toward the approaching man.

  “Deckkan. Leader of the mercenary band you hire.” The man said, his voice heavily muffled by the helmet.

  “Know your pce, merc, and leave.” Callen brushed past Aiden towards the man. Deckkan and Callen were around the same height, yet it was obvious Callen was looking at him like a lost child. All it would take is a single spell—a mere flick of his wrist to crush the man before him.

  “Oh, I’m aware of my pce. Your academy hired me and my men, which means we’re comrades, equals even. At least until they stopped paying us.” Callen opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he felt something cold pressed against his stomach. He looked down to see the barrel of a handgun.

  “Rune Engraved Rounds, by the way,” Deckkan said as he cocks his gun. “Expensive, but damn good at humbling monsters and even mages like you.”

  Callen looked at Deckkan, his visage hidden behind bck opaque gss. A tense silence fell over the three, quickly broken by Callen's defeated sigh. “Fine, we’ll settle this ter.” Callen turned to Aiden. Anger still burned in his cold blue eye. He grabbed Deckkan’s shoulder and pushed him out of his way.

  “Hey, we’re cool, right?!” Deckkan shouted at Callen’s back. Callen silently gnced at him before walking away. “Shit, I guess I got to sleep with one eye open tonight. You’re welcome, by the way.”

  “I didn’t need your help,” Aiden said coldly.

  “Man, you mages are so self-important,” Deckkan sighed. “I get it. If I had the power to shoot energy beams out of my hand, I probably be a cocky asshole too.”

  Aiden walked away as Deckkan rambled to himself. “Hey, ass. Your contact this way.”

  Aiden stops. “You’re my guide?”

  “Course I am. You think I save you out of the kindness of my heart.” Deckkan ughed as he walked away. Aiden silently followed the mask. The bnd gray hallway became vibrant as they stepped into the Academy portion of the building. The walls were decorated with banners and art of birds breaking free from their birdcage. The two men gave off an intimidating aura that forced the children and even some teachers to give them a wide berth.

  “I heard you’re married,” Deckkan said, breaking the awkward silence between the two.

  “Yea,” Aiden answered curtly.

  “Aren’t you the dy’s man? You should be careful, though. There are a lot of men out here starving for retionships. They would be furious if they found out you’re drowning in pus- “Deckkan stopped, realizing there were still kids around him. “-In woman. You get what I’m saying, right?” Aiden stared at the man, unsure of what he was trying to tell him. Deckkan responded with a defeated shrug and rapped on a door. “Enjoy your date.” He said as he walked off.

  “Come in~” A woman’s voice dripping with seduction came from within the room. Aiden looked at Deckkan’s back before opening the door. Immediately, the smell of vender hit Aiden’s nose upon entering the room. A wisp of smoke floated around the nearly empty room. A well-endowed brunette wearing a warm smile sat behind a lone desk in the center of the room.

  “Ah, Aiden. Have a seat.” Jeze gestured to the only other chair in the room. Aiden obediently sat down.

  “My name is Jeze. I’m a reporter. I was hoping you would-

  “I never heard of a reporter who can pull someone out of the battlefield. Who exactly are you?”

  Jeze’s smile hardened for a second. “I just told you I’m Jeze, a reporter, and to answer your second question, you’ll be amazed at what you can do when you have the right connection.”

  “And who is your connection?”

  “Do you really want to know?” Jeze said with a teasing smile. “Fine, I’ll tell you.” She leans over her desk as if she is going to whisper in Aiden’s ear.

  “The Celestial Trinity,” she said in a hushed tone. Aiden leaned back in his chair, expressionless. Jeze's smile faded, disappointed in Aiden's ck of reaction.

  “And what does the Celestial Trinity? What about me and my family?”

  “Oh, you already know that answer, silly. Your bloodline has a habit of causing rebellions.”

  “My family has been serving Eris for decades. How can you still think we’re capable of betrayal?”

  Jeze ughed at the question. “If you had a dog known for biting people's hands, would you ever let it off its leash?” Jeze said with a mischievous grin. She looked at him, searching for any cracks in Aiden’s stoic expression.

  “My, you’re a tough nut to crack,” Jeze said with a hint of disappointment. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Your records show that this country put you through hell, yet you still did so much for it. You even volunteered in an operation to destroy a byrinth. Quite impressive.”

  “Anything for our blessed dy in Jade,” Aiden said, his voice cold and hollow.

  “Anything you say?” Jeze leaned in toward Aiden, excited. “What if your beloved dy wants to harm your children?”

  “If that is what she desires, then it shall be done,” Aiden said quickly and with resolve.

  “Are you sure? Are you really willing to let the Celestials hurt your family, even after everything they put you through?!” Jeze leaned in even closer, her face flushed with excitement.

  “The Celestial are gods. Their actions are beyond our understanding. If they want to harm my family, I’m sure it is for a greater cause.”

  “…” The room went quiet. Jeze silently scans Aiden for a moment before taking a deep breath. “You're serious, aren’t you?”

  Aiden nodded his head.

  “My, such loyalty. I guess my job here is done then.” Jeze grabbed her ptop and headed for the door. “To think the bloodline that once opposed the Celestials would obediently follow them now, I wonder what your ancestor might think of you.” Jeze gave Aiden one st teasing smile before leaving the room.

  Aiden leaned back in the chair, Jeze's st words echoing in his mind. He didn't care about his ancestor's thoughts. The only thing he cared about, the only thing that mattered to him, was his mission.