We stood at the entrance of what could only be described as a monument to decadent excess. The building was a masterpiece of modern architecture, a steel-and-fine-glass behemoth that shimmered under the neon glow of the city. The floor, crafted from carbon-coated wood, was surprisingly rough beneath my boots, a tactile contrast to the sleek, sterile environment. The wood had been stained black, polished to a soft sheen, and then scorched with an intricate, barely visible pattern. It was a subtle detail, a hidden artistry that hinted at the darkness lurking beneath the surface of this place. Every angle screamed luxury.
From the inside the heavy base of music was thumping loudly. Flashing lasers light up the dark corners. People were dancing in the center looking like a fever dream. It definitely felt like a club, albeit the most over-the-top club I've ever seen, I said to myself.
I took a deep breath, trying to summon a courage that I definitely did not possess. It was my job to handle this situation. Or what I thought my job was. "Alright, Koji, stay here while I do the talking," I said, trying to project an air of confidence. "I'm an expert at persuasion," I said, it was a lie of course.
The bald one, a mountain of muscle and menacing tattoos, planted himself directly in front of me. "No kids allowed," he growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in my chest. He was easily twice my size, and his glare could melt steel. I was pushed back, stumbling slightly. Pissed, but before I could even muster a retort, I felt a gust of wind and then I only saw both of their backs hitting the hard floor. What's going on? What did koji do?
Before I could even step outside the building to meet koji, they both fainted. A smile played on my lips. Turns out Koji was more useful than I thought. Koji had knocked them both down, using his pesky caven steel pole, and then I felt the heat of his Yami Ebhi, as they say, powers from emotions which I still don't understand. Is that really the source of their powers?
As we stepped into the club, a subtle, almost imperceptible bell rang out, its chime echoing through the cavernous space. Immediately, the music screeched to a halt, and the vibrant atmosphere of the club was replaced by an unsettling quiet. The lights flickered and died, plunging the room into complete darkness, an ominous void that swallowed sound and sight. My heart quickened its pace, thumping against my ribs. I didn't like this.
Looking to Koji for guidance, the look of confusion in his face mirrored my own. "What is going on?" he muttered. His breath hitched. From what I saw it seemed that we both didn't understand the position we were in, the tension was there.
Suddenly, a dim red light emanated from the depths of the club, slowly approaching us like a predatory eye. As it drew closer, the light intensified, bathing the room in an unsettling crimson glow. Then I felt an indescribable amount of pain the light touched me and created a searing aura that burned my skin, the intensity of it felt like it was melting the flesh from my bones. Each part of my body was screaming at me but it all seems to be fine for that jerk Koji.
With no clear plan in mind, only to survive, we turned and ran, desperate to escape the oppressive red aura. But it was too late. Before us rose a creature that was something that only lived in my nightmares, a four-eyed, mouthless aberration, the stuff of nightmares. Now all I needed to know was how do I get rid of this guy?! The mileena, whatever that is, had an aura of pure madness. I only got to know about these things on the document I read yesterday.
As we stared at the monster a sudden swift sound was heard. Koji's caven steel fell to the ground with a clean cut. It was a swift and silent strike, so fast that neither of us could see the attack. This means that were really in deep deep trouble.
Panic claimed my throat. I've never even fought before and now this?! Koji quickly started swiping on his phone, trying desperately to contact Pencil or Sweet. "Can't reach them!" he shouted, his voice laced with frustration. "We're caged! No signal!"
Koji, with a fearful tone, alerted me. "This is a Class Three Mileena!"
I was shocked, because on the document that Pencil had gave me to do, we were supposed to expect a Class Six Mileena and Yami's, not this thing. Why do they hate me so much?!
Before he could finish his sentence, a searing pain exploded across my face. I tasted blood. My head reeled, and I stumbled backward, clutching my cheek.
It was my own leg that slammed into my face. I felt no pain at first. The I stared at my foot which was three meters far from me a black, gooey substance emanating from the severed limb, the ichor of this nightmare. It was disgusting, unnatural, and completely terrifying.
My body reacted on its own, a primal instinct taking over. My perception of dying for the second time surged through my veins. It was that rage when I saw grandma pass and it wasn't enough, I wasn't strong enough to defend her. I needed to get stronger. I released all of my energy, the power that Sweet had called Okhuomo-Gekido. It was worth releasing all that potential to get out of this living hell.
A surge of power coursed through me, and I rushed toward the Class Three Mileena, my fist clenched, my body fueled by adrenaline and desperation. I had to protect my friends. I had to get stronger. I had to make sure no one close to me ever dies.
Then, with a deafening roar, I punched the monster, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the room.
My fist connected, the impact releasing a shockwave that sent the Mileena reeling. I heard bones shatter, felt the sickening crunch of cartilage and flesh. But that wasn't the grossest part. As the beast recoiled, I could see black, bead-like substances sprouting from its chest. Sharp pronged substances that bored holes through the monster. What is this power? This might be too much.
I assumed it was dead, a naive thought born of inexperience. But Koji, ever the pragmatist, was already assessing the situation, his eyes scanning the room, his expression grim. He might have just lost his steel but he still has to protect me. A very bad move I said.
"It's not dead!" he shouted, his voice laced with urgency. "Not even close."
Then, without a word, without a backward glance, Koji turned and ran, disappearing into the shadows. It seemed like he just knew that I had the upper hand. He does know.
He must've known I could materialize anything black, a fact that Sweet had revealed to him earlier. I can't believe they told him.
I barely had time to process his abandonment when the Class Three Mileena lunged forward, its remaining limbs propelling it with unnatural speed. Its black claws, now dripping with a viscous fluid, slashed through the air, aimed directly at my throat.
Reacting instinctively, I channeled my power, focusing all my energy into a single, devastating strike. I kicked out with all my might, my foot connecting with the Mileena's stomach, sending it hurtling backwards through six pillars. The support broke down and collapsed.
Silence descended once more, broken only by the faint dripping of the Mileena's blood and a faint, barely audible whisper that brushed against my ear.
Just die…
The words were barely intelligible, a distorted echo of malice, yet they resonated deep within my soul. I couldn't react. My own arm was lunged into my chest, and it was done so fast I could not even think. What is going on?! Who is doing this?!
I couldn't breathe, air escaping my lungs in a painful gasp. A dark crimson was coming out of my mouth. The world began to fade, the edges of my vision blurring into an inky blackness. A piercing pain erupted in my chest, stealing what's left of me.
And then, I fell.