Chapter 8

Same Day - Small Abandoned Shack outside of Moscow – 1600 hours

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"You tracked them yet?" Will said.

"Yeah, he just used his credit card at a Signal Tower. It's in the Philippines." said their technician. They knew it would be hard getting into the country since they're in watch lists. There were four of them left. Will, Hollis, and Bob were soldiers who fought for their country as soldiers and Ed was a computer programmer. Will and Ed's families were killed during the war.

"We could find someone to smuggle us in." Bob said.

"There's the risk of being found. They hire mage scum now to sniff out these kinds of stuff." Ed said.

"We have to risk it. We can't get into a country that tight easily." Will said.

"Or we could drop off a nearby coast and swim to there." Hollis suggested.

"Ever heard of familiars called Undines?" Ed asked.

"Right, forgot about those." Hollis said.

"The world changed, huh?" Bob said.

Will lighted a cigar and greedily sucked the smoke. He thought to himself. "If my wife and son were still alive, would they stop me from doing this kind of stuff? Well, they're dead because of those scum. So they wouldn't be able to stop me." He blew out the smoke from his mouth. He noticed something move at the back of the room, but he could see anything clearly even if it was dark since there weren't any obstructions. Then the darkness itself started to move.

"You don't have to worry about getting into the land of power now." said a ghostly voice. Everyone in the room became startled since there wasn't anyone there. Then they saw it. The shadow demon materialized and appeared before them. It was 7 feet tall and it was completely black except for a distinct set of eyes and a mouth that looked sinister.

"You serve no purpose." The shadow demon suddenly swung it's unusually large claws at Hollis and he went flying. Blood splattered on Will's face. Will reacted and shot at the shadow. It showed no reaction to bullets. Ed was completely frozen and Bob tried to run but the door was blocked by Hollis' body and there weren't any windows. They were as good as dead. The shadow then swung its claws again and decapitated Bob. Will prepared to dodge but the shadow demon stopped and removed Hollis' body from the door. A woman of about mid-20s wearing a black coat went in.

"I told you not to make much of a mess, Baros" Laura said. Will pointed the gun at her but Baros quickly slashed his arm. Will screamed in pain.

"You can stop for now, Baros. I got the rest," said Laura.

"Yes, my lady." Baros replied.

"What do you want?" Will said while writhing in pain.

"I want you to realize your mistake before you die." Laura said.

"What?"

"You hunted mages, you pay the price. But this one was special. I have to thank you, you know. I'm one of the very few remnants of the Shadow Clan, but you wouldn't know what that is. I was actually looking for whoever they're looking for too." She walked to the computer and looked at the screen. "And because of you I didn't have to do much."

"You're a Re-Gen?"

"Better," she smirked. "They're in the Philippines, staying at the Signal Tower. I remember having a suite there. That is one strange coincidence." She walked to the door and said "Baros."

"Yes, my lady."

"Finish them up and obliterate everything here especially the computer. We don't want the government knowing about my beloved successor too. Corrupt even the immediate local area network if you must." She closed the door and Baros started again.

She was walking away when she heard the screams and gunshots coming from the shack. She went into her car and told the driver to go back to her hotel in Moscow.

They drove off and were slowly accelerating on the unpaved road. She took her phone from her pocket and dialed her personal maid, confidant, and closest friend.

"Yes, Lady Laura." she answered.

"Erin, I want you to prepare my private plane. I'm going to vacation for a while."

"Understood. What will be your destination?"

"The Coalition States of the Philippines."

"Is there anything else?"

"I want you to pack up my belongings and notify my mother and Greg about my departure. After you pack up my stuff you're going with me so you pack up too."

"Yes, Lady Silenus." She hung up.

Laura and Greg Silenus were the last of the Shadow Clan bloodline. Their father Martin Silenus would tell them separately of their family secret when they reached the age of 18. Unfortunately, Martin Silenus died before Greg reached 18 years of age and Laura had to be the one to pass down the knowledge. Their mother Martha Silenus never knew of this until the death of Martin. The Shadow Clan had maintained to be a rich family throughout the passing of time. Her knowledge of the clans and the prophecy of the re-awakening were passed down from each descendant. The Shadow Clan retained its abilities even if it was weak. And with the appearance of the Spirit Tree, their powers grew far more than what they expected. With the knowledge she had was a mission altogether. Make sure the successor's power does not go to the wrong hands and revive their head clan, the Moon Clan.

Laura Silenus looked out into the Russian landscape. The road rose gradually and she was able to make out Borodino Field, this was the place where Napoleon's army fought the Russian regiments. There used to be a museum there before. She bet that the artifacts it held must be sold as antiques now. What a way for humanity to sell history.

They were nearing the city limits when her phone rang.

"Hello?" Laura answered.

"Why are you going to the Philippines?" said a young man's voice.

"Ah. Greg. How fares your work?"

"We've found a lot of ancient relics here. Dad was right. The so-called secret archives had more than just paper or antiques. I believe I asked you a question." Greg said.

"It concerns our almost-dead clan."

"You found him, yeah?"

"You really are my little brother. Yes, I found him."

"Then I'm going with you."

"Have you already finished there?"

"About to, the officials here don't like the fact that we'll be confiscating "their" relics and they don't give a damn even if they're against the Silenus family." After the war, a few religious organizations were found to be guilty of keeping secrets of as well as hiding the past, or rather, the truth. Most of them are dead but the special select few remained barely standing and since the Silenus family had a major part in the war, they had power and took charge of digging everything they can from the remains.

"Finish up there before you follow me, okay? Oh, and make sure to tell mom too."

"Okay, sis." He hung up.

Before she was 18, Laura Silenus had a normal, albeit easy, life. She was smart, beautiful and athletic. She was the cream of the crop. She had perfect grades, a happy family, a good reputation, a good life all in all. But she was never satisfied. There was always something bugging her, something preventing her from stepping into a relationship or making real friends. She became aware of this at her 18th birthday, when her father relayed all his knowledge to her. The realization was instant. She always felt like something was missing, it was their mission.

"I wonder what the successor is like?" she asked herself.