The Unordinary

In the suffocating gloom of an abandoned building, the air was stale with the scent of dust and decay. Shadows stretched across the crumbling walls, and the only sound was the muffled, anguished wailing of a man in pain.

A man lay sprawled on the grimy floor, clutching his ribs as he coughed up blood. His breaths were ragged, each one dragging a fresh trickle of crimson from his mouth. He clawed desperately at the cracked tiles, dragging himself forward, inch by inch. His vision blurred as he reached out a trembling hand toward his fallen partner's lifeless body.

Suddenly, a sharp jolt of pain shot through his leg. A boot ground down on his left foot, pinning him in place.

"Ahhh!" he groaned, his voice raw with agony. Blood pooled beneath him, dark and glistening.

A shadow shifted nearby. A young woman stood with arms crossed, eyes narrowed as she watched the man squirm. Her lips curled in disdain.

"That's enough, Lucy," a calm voice cut in from the shadows.

Lucy William scoffed and removed her foot with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "He's not going to die from this," she muttered irritably.

"Have you forgotten what Terric said?" Ashean Halvalder stepped into the dim light, his expression hard as iron. He knelt beside the injured man, carefully examining his wounds.

"We still need him alive," Ashean warned. "Don't push him too far."

The injured man's vision darkened, Ashean's voice growing faint as his consciousness slipped away.

Moireal

Arwan leaned casually against Rayen's desk, his arms folded. "I can handle them on my own," he said, his tone sharp. "Having them here is like signing our own death warrant."

Rayen sat silently, fingers steepled beneath her chin.

"They're not ready," Arwan insisted. "They'll ruin our plan."

"That's enough," Leonce cut in, his voice firm.

Arwan slammed his palms on the desk, causing a cup of pens to rattle. "Rayen, you know it's true! There's no way they can handle the Dekiat; it's impossible!"

"Where is he?!" Laura's voice shrieked from the doorway. She stormed in, her face flushed with fury.

"How could you let a demon work with us?!" Laura demanded, her voice shaking.

"Did you just call me a demon?" Arwan snarled, striding toward her. "I'm no demon—"

"If not, then what?" Laura shot back, stepping closer. "How could you transform like that? You can't be human!"

Eula stepped between them. "Enough," she said, firm but calm.

"Arwan, stop," Leonce urged, gripping his arm.

Arwan gestured furiously at Laura. "Didn't you hear her? She called me a demon!"

"That's enough!" Rayen's voice cut through the room like a whip.

Silence settled uneasily between them.

"Arwan is not a demon," Rayen explained, her voice softer now. "He is an Astrus. He was born with a demonic aura. That's why he can transform."

"How can we trust someone like that?" Pacey muttered.

"Exactly! He nearly killed us!" Laura snapped.

"I promise you," Rayen said firmly, "with my life, that Arwan can be trusted."

Arwan scoffed, crossing his arms tightly across his chest.

"What he did was inexcusable," Rayen admitted, "but I assure you there won't be a next time."

Afia exhaled a weary sigh. "I have no complaints," she muttered as she stood. "If that's all, I'll take my leave."

Eula and Pacey followed her out, leaving Laura to stew alone.

"Am I the only one worried about this?" Laura thought bitterly.

Gym

The rhythmic thud of Laura's fists against the punching bag filled the room. She glanced around, watching the others train. Eula wielded her katana with fluid precision, her blade cutting through the air in graceful arcs. Laura knew Eula wasn't just fast—she had unnatural strength, too.

Afia sat cross-legged nearby, her focus locked in deep meditation. Laura knew Afia could manipulate people using sound, though she'd never witnessed it in action. Just the idea seemed impressive enough.

Through the glass door, Pacey stood in the archery range. Her arrows found their mark with pinpoint precision, each one splitting the last. Laura knew little about Pacey, but her deadly accuracy spoke volumes.

"Why does everyone else seem so powerful?" Laura wondered. "Why do I feel... ordinary?"

Shaking the thought away, Laura returned to her training. Comparing herself to the others was pointless; they were all strange in their own ways.

Afia steadied her breath, feeling her pulse slow. The group's tension didn't concern her; her focus remained locked on finding her grandmother. The chaos of this new mission didn't change her ultimate goal.

Eula, exhausted, finally sheathed her katana. Sweat trickled down her face as she slumped onto a bench, gulping down water.

"Maki," she called quietly.

Maki appeared, resting his chin on her knee.

"It's nothing," Eula said, smiling faintly. "I'm okay."

Maki's voice was soft. "Eula... don't you think this is too risky? The Dekiats are far more dangerous than the demons you've faced before."

Eula grinned, brushing his worry aside. "You're a spirit; how can you be scared of other spirits?"

"But I'm not strong..."

"Don't worry," Eula reassured him. "Everything will be fine."

Pacey loosed another arrow, striking the target's bullseye once again. She caught sight of the spirit beside Eula-- a small and young child. If Eula trusted that spirit, it probably meant no harm... but doubt gnawed at her mind. The Dekiats were unlike anything they had faced before. Yesterday's encounter had made that brutally clear.

"Did I make the right decision by coming here?" Pacey wondered.

Arwan stood alone on the rooftop, seething with frustration. Laura's accusation echoed in his mind: "Demon."

The word stung more than he'd admit. Memories of his village resurfaced—the insults, the whispers, the fists that rained down on him after he'd lost control. His own family had cast him out, branding him a monster. His mother's eyes still haunted him—cold and distant as she exiled him from their home.

"Arwan."

He turned to find Rayen behind him. Leonce lingered nearby, silently giving them space.

"She didn't mean it," Rayen said quietly.

"I don't care," Arwan muttered, but his voice betrayed him.

Rayen smiled faintly. "Give them a chance."

Arwan chuckled darkly. "Aren't I already?"

"They're like you," Rayen said. "Outcasts. Misfits. They weren't accepted either."

Arwan snorted, but his anger faded.

"So... how did the mission go?" Rayen asked.

Arwan pushed Rayen's wheelchair toward the door. "I was a step too late," he muttered. "They've already noticed."