The group moved forward steadily inside the VSF perimeter. Without delay, a barrage of bullet came hurling their way. Although this didn't seem to faze any of them, even for Maya the attack seemed slow, she could see them coming. Instinct told her she could dodge them, yet her body didn't move. As though, those same instincts told her she didn't need to. This was because most of the bullets were caught with Cassius' surrounding aura and turned to dust. Those that manged to pass through were dealt with individually. Vesper deflected bullets with his armoured aura like he blocked simple punches, and Ashin seemed to know where they were going to land and effortlessly let them pass him.
Maya's senses stabbed her alert to a bullet heading her direction- this one was dangerous. However, before her body had time to react and move, Ashin's fist blocked her vision in front, as he had already caught the danger. Maya looked in his direction smitten as the bullet fell to the ground, the residue smoke from the impact escaped Ashin's palm.
'Silver huh?' Ashin muttered.
This was the VSF's all in one anti supernatural bullet. Wood, encased in a silver barrel, and infused with aura to penetrate deep. Although Ashin could use his own aura to deflect these, similar to Vesper, he didn't want to lower his standards. Using his aura aginst such weak humans felt beneath him.
The next second, he was no longer beside Maya, all she felt was the gust of wind he left behind.
Ashin headed to the right outer wall with unmatched speed. His claws dug into the metal wall as he traversed up high like an animal. Flipping over the banister, he delivered a light hammer kick to the guard's arm.
*Crack*
The sound of his bone breaking was clear.
'Keep em alive.' Ashin muttered under breath as he ducked and dodged some more bullets before delivering a stomach punch, sending another guard flying back. He paused to listen.
*Ba-bum*
'Still alive.' He reassured himself as move on, making his way through the entire trail of guards.
Round house kick to the side. Sprint forward.
*Ba-bum*
'Alive, next.' Ashin continued.
A guard tried to intercept Ashin with an attack. He easily dodged under his arm and countered with a shoulder throw taking out the guards behind, in a cascading domino effect.
Continuing his charge, Ashin leaped off the platform. Skilfully, he caught several bullets as he dashed across the wall. His speed denied gravity. He held each bullet between his claws and readied his counter. With the right timing, he propelled off the wall and fired back his own barrage of bullets on the left outer wall. Taking out the long-distance guards for his company below.
On the ground Maya watched as Vesper blocked and countered each guard before a single one could even approach Cassius. Guards were flying back left, right, and centre, she felt as though a well-choreographed movie scene was being played out in front of her. Strangely though, this didn't shock or scare her. Instead, she was in awe of his strength, and the adrenaline inside her was pushing her to join. An attack from behind came her way, but before she could register the punch, she had already ducked out of the way, and sweep kicked him to the floor. Her body moved so naturally. She had indeed diligently practiced several forms of self-defence, however that couldn't possibly explain her smooth reaction. The guard stood up, and once more ran in for an attack, this time with an aura covered baton. Maya only grew more excited at this response.
Strange? She always thought she practiced self-defence because she would freeze or be scared when faced with aura, but currently she struggled to hide her smile. Maya wanted to test her newfound strength. This time she was ready to meet his weapon with a fierce high kick, something told her she could take the hit. To her surprise, not only did she take the hit, the baton shattered on impact, pushing the guard back. Maya grew more excited, she could do more, she thought. This time she ran in for the charge with another kick, gathering momentum and focusing her strength to her legs. Before her leg could make contact though, Vesper's arms where there to stop her. Even without making contact the force alone threw the guard back on the ground several feet.
'Tch.' Vesper clicked his tongue annoyed.
Cassius sighed. 'I said alive. Looks like this cub may need some supervision. Vesper, now that you're an adult, you'll need to baby sit.'
Maya could no longer hear them; the adrenaline had taken over, making her only concern, how strong of a blow she could deliver. Vesper began moving faster too, quick stepping from Maya to Cassius. Intercepting a guard from one side to blocking Maya's attacks from another. The sounds continued to grow with each one of Maya's attacks.
Cassius' patience was growing thin.
After a few of these attacks, back and forth, Cassius decided he needed to put Maya in her place. He released his aura inches away from her extended arm, and a dark wave surged upwards. Thanks to Maya's werewolf instincts, the chill she felt forced her to retreat. In that moment all the confidence she had built with her newfound strength was quickly crushed, what she had felt just then- that was true power. The energy surging from Cassius' aura up close was soul destroying. Maya crouched back; in fact it took all her pride not to whimper like an abandoned pup.
'Control yourself!' Cassius' eyes were cold, he didn't have the time to train a different species. 'You are not a mindless animal, stop acting like one.' He gave Maya his back, although his words stung her close.
At that point, all the outdoor guards had been incapacitated, and Ashin had joined the team on the ground.
'Easy on her bro, it's only her first day.' Ashin comforted Maya from behind as he pushed her forward. 'You were amazing though, stand proud.' Ashin whispered as they both followed Cassius to the front gate.
They had reached the main building and the end of Cassius' patience. 'I'm not sure how many more distractions we will have to go through. Ashin, if you can keep your pup under control, I will leave the guards to the both of you.' Cassius spoke without looking back, his focus was on yet another colossal metal gate standing in his way. Despite him trying to hide his emotions, his worry over Camilla's safety was keeping him on edge.
Ashin smiled mischievously. 'Don't worry, we'll keep the wildness to a minimum.' He looked to Maya reassuringly.
Cassius stretched out his arm to the gate and gathered his dark aura. 'Vesper, we will push forward.' His palm touched the metal, and the gate eroded in front of the group to reveal a small battalion of guards, welcoming them inside with an onslaught of ammunition.
________
As they leant against the window, Camilla, Hina, and Kai stood in shock as they watched the friends, they thought they knew, cut through a field of VSF guards like butter. However, each held a different emotion behind them, Camilla was reassured. She felt safe knowing Cassius was on his way, so much so, that she didn't process Ashin- let alone Maya- being a werewolf– let alone that such a thing exists. Hina on the other hand was in awe, in awe of how these people were so secure in their powers.
And jealous.
Jealous of how Maya, clearly not so secure like the others, was discovering herself more than Hina had the chance to.
Whereas Kai, his emotion may have been the most dangerous of all. He was afraid. The VSF who were supposed to hold the strongest power of humankind didn't stand a chance against any of those supernatural's. Although it may have been an unfair match up, given a vampire ancestor and lord teamed up with a pure blood werewolf heir. However, Kai didn't know that, all he saw was a one sided battle despite the odds.
'What a sight! Am I right?' Zeleti too, was enjoying the show below. 'Don't worry, you'll get front row seats to the finale.' Zeleti shrivelled in laughter as Iggi snickered at his remark.
Kai stepped back still confused, if it wasn't for this lunatic the VSF would be even weaker than what it is now, he thought. For a moment, Kai understood. He understood why the VSF stood by and let him do as he pleased if it helped them grow. Kai quickly dismissed the thought. Nothing justified putting Camilla in danger. But the thoughts persisted. How could we protect ourselves against such a threat? He continued to back away as Zeleti taunted. Iggi was too busy taking over to notice Kai had retreated all the way to his desk.
The gun!
Kai thought to himself. As he felt the cold metal of the desk bump against his skin. He was right there, next to it. He needed to be discreet, and he was. Stealthily, he opened the draw and saw the revolver as well as a small worn-out notebook. Kai didn't have the luxury of time to think, he pocketed the loaded gun, alongside the notebook. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with the weapon yet, all he knew was it hopefully turned a vampire, human. Despite his uncertainty, he liked having the option of using it, better than not.