Soulless Lord: Empty life

The piercing wail of the alarm roused Tobi from a restless sleep. Red lights flashed through the corridors of the safehouse, painting everything in a flickering, ominous hue. Tobi sat upright, his muscles still aching from the relentless training sessions. His pulse quickened as he heard hurried footsteps and shouts echoing down the hallway.

"Get up, kid," Friend said, materializing at his side. The black fox's ears were perked, and his golden eyes darted around the room. "Something's wrong. And it's not the usual kind of wrong."

Tobi threw on his jacket and grabbed the energy stabilizer Hiki had given him. He stumbled out of his room, following the commotion to the control room. There, he found Hiki, Moritaka, and Hossam clustered around the main console. Their faces were grim, illuminated by the eerie glow of the monitors.

"What's going on?" Tobi asked, trying to steady his voice.

Hossam turned toward him, his usual gruff demeanor replaced by something more serious. "Trouble. Big trouble."

The monitors displayed a scene that sent a chill down Tobi's spine: a group of shadowy figures advancing through the fog outside the safehouse. At their forefront was a tall, imposing figure wearing a metal mask inscribed with strange, jagged symbols.

"Cultists," Hiki said coldly. Her tone was clipped, every word like the edge of a blade. "They've tracked us here."

Moritaka growled low in his throat, slamming a fist against the console. "Damn it! How'd they find us?"

"Doesn't matter," Hiki snapped. "They're here, and they're not leaving without a fight. Everyone, get to your positions."

Tobi's stomach churned as he stared at the screen. Friend, sitting by his side, spoke softly. "They're here for you, kid. The mark on your chest isn't just some random tattoo."

Tobi swallowed hard, clutching the stabilizer tightly. "Why me? I don't even know what this mark means."

Friend's gaze didn't waver. "They think you do. That's enough for them."

The inner gate of the safehouse loomed ahead, a towering barrier of reinforced steel and energy shielding. Hiki took position behind a barricade, her rifle slung over her shoulder. Moritaka stood nearby, fists crackling with energy.

Hossam, armed with a shotgun, joined them, his face set in grim determination. Tobi, trembling but resolute, took his place on the other side of Hiki.

"They're coming," Hiki said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The cultists emerged from the fog, their dark robes flowing like liquid shadow. Their leader stepped forward, raising a hand to silence the murmurs of their followers. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

"You carry the mark," the leader said, their voice distorted and hollow, echoing unnaturally in the enclosed space. "Surrender it, and we will grant you mercy."

"Mercy?" Hossam barked, stepping forward. "We've seen what your mercy looks like. It's nothing but death and ruin."

The leader tilted their head, as if considering his words. "Then death it shall be."

With a flick of their wrist, the cultists surged forward. The safehouse crew opened fire, bursts of energy lighting up the corridor. The cultists retaliated, their shields shimmering with unnatural light. The air was filled with the roar of gunfire, the hum of energy weapons, and the shouts of combatants.

"Tobi!" Hiki called over the noise. "Use your Gift! We need more power!"

Tobi hesitated, his heart hammering in his chest. Friend appeared at his side, his voice calm but firm. "Focus, Tobi. You've got this."

Taking a deep breath, Tobi reached for the energy within him. It rose quickly, a fiery torrent that threatened to consume him. He funneled it into the stabilizer, feeling it vibrate with raw power. With a shout, he released a wave of energy that crashed into the cultists, scattering them like leaves in a storm.

The masked leader raised a hand, and a dark, swirling force erupted toward Tobi. The energy struck him like a hammer, sending him sprawling to the ground. He gasped for air, his vision swimming.

"Tobi!" Hossam's voice cut through the chaos.

Hossam rushed to Tobi's side, lifting him to his feet. "Stay focused, kid. We're not out of this yet."

The cultists pressed forward, their numbers seemingly endless. Hiki and Moritaka fought fiercely, but the tide was turning. The leader unleashed another wave of dark energy, forcing the defenders to retreat.

Hossam looked at Tobi, his expression serious. "Listen to me. You've got to push them back. You're the only one who can."

"I… I can't," Tobi stammered. His body felt like it was made of lead, his power flickering like a dying flame.

"Yes, you can," Hossam said firmly. "You've got more strength in you than you realize. But if you don't use it now, we're all dead."

Before Tobi could respond, the cultists breached the inner gate. The leader stepped forward, their eyes glowing behind the mask. Hossam's jaw tightened.

"I'll hold them off," he said.

"No!" Tobi shouted, grabbing Hossam's arm. "You can't—"

"I can," Hossam interrupted. "And I will."

Hossam charged forward, shotgun blazing. He moved with surprising speed, weaving through the cultists as he fired shot after shot. His attacks were precise, each one taking down a target. But the cultists were relentless, their dark magic crackling through the air.

"Hossam!" Hiki shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.

The leader raised their hand, a dark orb of energy forming in their palm. Tobi watched in horror as the orb shot forward, striking Hossam square in the chest. He staggered, blood spraying from his mouth, but he didn't fall.

With a final burst of strength, Hossam turned toward Tobi and the others. "Go! Get out of here!"

Then the dark energy consumed him.

The explosion rocked the safehouse, throwing Tobi and the others to the ground. When the smoke cleared, Hossam was gone, his body obliterated by the blast. The cultists stood frozen, as if stunned by the sacrifice.

Hiki didn't waste the moment. "Fall back! Now!"

Moritaka grabbed Tobi, dragging him toward the escape tunnel. Tobi's legs felt like jelly, his mind reeling from the loss. Friend ran beside him, his voice urgent. "Move, Tobi. Grieve later. Survive now."

The crew retreated into the tunnels, the sounds of battle fading behind them. Tobi stumbled, tears streaming down his face. Hossam's words echoed in his mind: You've got more strength in you than you realize.

Friend nudged him gently. "He believed in you, kid. Don't let his sacrifice go to waste."

Tobi clenched his fists, the mark on his chest burning with renewed intensity. "I won't."

As they disappeared into the shadows, Tobi made a silent vow: I'll make this count.