Northern Syria's Turf,
Early morning.
The war-torn streets of Northern Syria screamed with the anguish of civilians, innocent children cowering in terror as demons ravaged the city. High-rise buildings crumbled, their steel beams twisted and tangled like skeletal fingers. NATO troops swooped in, their helicopters firing precision shots at the most resilient demons.
"Follow me," Rainier barked, his voice low and urgent, as he gripped his MP40 tightly. Bethel trailed behind him, dodging bullets and debris.
"Attorney," Bethel called out, his voice shaking slightly as he hid behind a ruined wall. "If humans can turn into demons, why are the soldiers letting themselves get trapped?"
Rainier's expression turned wry as he chambered a round. "The venom's neurotoxin disrupts cognitive function, warping human thought patterns."
Bethel's eyes narrowed, confusion etched on his face. "How do you know all this?"
Rainier's smile was enigmatic. "Let's just say I've got experience with...undesirables."
With a swift motion, Rainier buttoned his suit jacket and took point, his eyes scanning the surroundings. As they navigated the battlefield, he fired precise shots at the demons, clearing a path for Bethel.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached the Government house, its officials either dead or transformed into monstrous creatures. "The endorsement file must be nearby," Bethel whispered.
Rainier's gaze locked onto the surrounding area. "Keep your eyes peeled, Bethel. We don't know what's lurking."
The two moved in tandem, their movements fluid and practiced, like a well-oiled SWAT team.
A blood-curdling scream pierced the air, echoing from one of the rooms on the first floor. Bethel's grip on his gun tightened as he crept upstairs, his senses on high alert. With a calculated motion, he kicked in the door, his eyes scanning the room with a mix of caution and urgency.
As he entered, his gaze swept across the space, searching for any signs of danger. "Clear," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
His attention was drawn to an iron metal box nearby, adorned with intricate locks and rusted hinges. Bethel's fingers danced across the mechanism, his hands moving with a practiced ease as he worked to bypass the security.
"Ah-ha!" Bethel's triumphant whisper was short-lived, as the whoosh of a blade slicing through the air caught his attention. He dodged just in time, the knife embedding itself in the wall with a metallic clang.
Bethel's eyes widened as he stumbled backward, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice firm despite the surprise.
The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by Bethel's labored breathing. Downstairs, Rainier's voice cut through the stillness. "Bethel!" he called, his tone laced with concern.
But there was no response.
Rainier's muttered curse echoed through the hallway. "That kid must have gotten himself into trouble again."
The shadows danced ominously on the walls as Bethel turned to face the young lady behind him. Her gaze was unnerving, like a cold wind that sent shivers down his spine.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern, as he approached her cautiously. "Are you lost? Where are your people?" The lady's silence was oppressive, her eyes fixed on him with an unblinking stare. Bethel's frustration simmered just below the surface as he knelt to adjust her disheveled clothes. "You're not alone. Let's go," he said softly.
Just as of that time, Rainier's frantic call echoed through the halls, followed by the sound of his footsteps. And then, a gruesome sight greeted him. Bethel lay on the floor, his life force ebbing away as blood gushed from his stomach. A knife protruded from the wound, its blade slick with crimson. "Run..." Bethel whispered, his voice barely audible. "She's a witch."
Rainier's eyes widened in horror as he dropped his gun, his face contorted in anguish. He rushed to Bethel's side, tears streaming down his face like a torrent. "Bethel, look at me," he pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. "You always told me that all humans have their place in heaven when they die." Bethel's eyes fluttered open, and he coughed weakly. "You fool... you still remember that..."
As Bethel's life slipped away, Rainier's grief boiled over. He cradled Bethel's head in his lap, his tears falling like rain onto his friend's pale face. "No, Bethel. Don't leave me. You're the only family I have left." Bethel's voice grew fainter, his words barely audible. "I'm sorry... my friend."
(Ominous music building)
Rainier's anguish erupted into a primal scream as Bethel's body went limp. He gently laid his friend's head on the floor and stood up, his eyes blazing with fury. His suit seemed to ripple with dark energy, and his face twisted into a snarl. The air around him distorted, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate his rage.
The young lady stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Rainier as he transformed. Dark spirits swirled around him, drawn to his malevolent energy. A burst of power exploded from his body, unleashing a torrent of water that crashed down on the woman. She stumbled backward, her eyes wide with fear, as Rainier's true form was revealed! Pie, a demon slayer she one's knew.
But as the young lady crumpled to the ground, Rainier's gaze fell upon Bethel's lifeless body. His eyes locked onto the still form, and his expression faltered. "Rainier?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. His eyes stared longingly at Bethel's corpse, frozen in total shock.
(Exeunt…)