The Night Before - Clyck Squad's Pov
Liam led his squad to the Colrado Streets, eyes scanning every shadow. Beside him was Trent, fumbled with the strap of his weapon pack, muttering under his breath about whether this demon was even real. At the rear, Cassie adjusted her armor plates, gripping the edge of her blade and muttering curses at the deserted streets.
The squad had been sent by Captain Dylan Garrett. They had orders to investigate reports of a demon sighting in this streets.
They moved carefully down the cracked sidewalks, dodging broken glass and puddles of old, oily rainwater. A group of huddled figures lurked under a flickering streetlamp, Liam waved them over.
"Have you seen anything… strange?"
The figures glanced at each other nervously. "Yeah… there's a thing… in the abandoned flat." one said, voice trembling. "Big... big fly… smells like rot. Don't go there…"
Liam nodded curtly. "Thank you. That's all we need." He motioned for the squad to continue.
"Are we seriously doing this?" Trent muttered. "Crackheads said they saw it. Maybe they just..."
"Maybe they didn't..." Liam interrupted, voice low and steady. "Maybe we don't want to find out if they did but the Captain said we should check it out. And that's exactly what we're doing."
The abandoned flat loomed in the near corner, a decrepit building where the plaster fell in sheets and the windows were shattered or boarded over. Faint smells of decay wafted through the broken doorway.
Cassie's hand went to her blade instinctively. "This place… it reeks fresh blood, I can smell it."
Inside, the stench hit them like a physical blow. The room was dark, lit only by the faint moonlight seeping through the shattered windows. On the floor lay a body, mangled beyond recognition, blood still wet and thick. The victim's torso had been torn open, the organs exposed and strewn across the room.
Trent gagged. "Jesus… a Nakamore?"
Liam crouched, inspecting the remains."No, those things hunt in the woods. This… is something else, stay sharp."
A sudden movement in the shadows made all three freeze. With a wet, guttural snarl, the demon revealed itself. Six spindly, insect-like legs carried its gaunt, bloated body, covered in slick, glistening skin that seemed almost translucent. Its face… or what passed for a face was a gaping maw of jagged teeth, with flaps of skin hanging like rotten curtains. Wings, thin and veined, stretched out from its back.
Cassie's stomach twisted. "Damn it guys... it's a Grinker."
Trent swallowed hard. "An A-rank? Do we… call backup?"
Liam shook his head. "No we don't. It looks weak… we can kill it."
Cassie nodded, her grip tightening. "Alright... let's kill this ugly thing quickly."
The demon hissed, advancing... the room vibrating with its wet, unnatural movements. Its wings beat in short, rapid bursts, creating an oppressive wind that smelled of rot and decay.
"Demon dog." Liam summoned his demon, a massive, dog-like creature with fur black as midnight and eyes glowing faint red. Its growl echoed through the broken room.
Cassie and Trent moved into position. Trent fired a short burst from his gun, silver bullets meant to harm demons. The shots bounced harmlessly off the creature's slimy hide.
The Grinker lunged at Trent, six legs snapping. He dove to the side but one leg caught his shoulder, tearing through his jacket and leaving a long, bloody gash.
Cassie slashed, her blade cutting through one of the demon's legs. A wet screech reverberated through the abandoned flat. The Grinker recoiled slightly, then lashed its wings, creating a gust that knocked the two agents backward.
The demon dog bounded forward, teeth bared, snapping at the demon. The creature hissed, whipping its clawed legs, slicing the dog's fur and skin with ease. Liam cursed, dodging a swipe aimed at his chest. "Stay focused! Hit its wings first!"
The fight was a blur of motion. The Grinker's legs moved faster than human eyes could follow, striking out with brutal precision. Trent tried to block another swipe and was thrown across the room, his body hitting the wall with a sickening crack. He didn't move.
"Trent!" Cassie screamed, charging at the creature but her blade barely grazed the slime-covered hide. The Grinker pivoted, striking her with a wingtip, knocking her to the floor. She rolled, blade ready, cutting at a leg again but it wasn't enough.
Liam barked orders, his own heart pounding. "Demon dog, get it from behind!"
The demon dog lunged, biting and tearing. The Grinker shrieked in pain, stumbling slightly but it was still deadly, swinging its limbs wildly. Liam threw himself at the beast, driving a stake meant for demons straight into its chest. The creature screeched, blood oozing from multiple wounds. It flailed, thrashing, tearing apart the floorboards beneath it.
Cassie rose, bleeding and limping... and together with Liam, they pressed the attack. But the Grinker, made a sudden leap toward the broken window. Its six legs hit the ground, claws scratching the walls as it bounded upward, wings opening for flight.
Liam cursed. "It's getting out... demon dog, hold it!"
The demon dog leaped, biting into the Grinker but the creature snapped its wings, knocking the dog back. The Grinker burst through the shattered window, landing on the street below with a wet thud... it ran building up speed to fly until took off.
In the abandoned flat Trent lay motionless on the floor, a red pool expanding beneath him.
"Damn it…" Liam muttered, his chest heaving. "We lost one… we barely held it."
Cassie, kneeling beside Trent's body, cursed under her breath, tears mingling with blood. "Trent's gone."
Liam clenched his fists. The demon dog returned to his side, panting, bloodied but still loyal. "Shit! We couldn't even kill that thing. And it won't stay down forever. If it heals…" His voice trailed off.
Cassie wiped her blade, grim and silent. "We have to report back."
Liam nodded. "Let's go, the support team will come get Trent's body."
Both Agents went out of the abandoned flat and back into the night covering the Colrado Street.