I - Humanity's Last Line
Pant* pant*
A guy with chains on his hands grasping for his breath as he was backing off atrocious creatures in a dim-light tunnel.
"I think this is it for me. I'll just hold off until the evacuation finishes."
He said on his mind.
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The earth at that time was ravaged by unknown creature through a dark portal. Several countries fall on the first day of the holocaust, for no human armaments was effective against those monsters. Few hold the line for humanity but that wasn't enough to stop the atrocious monsters from killing what ever living thing they encounter. Those monsters were called - "Demons" because of their fiery appearance and hellish looks. The first wave of monsters were bat-looking creature as their wings were on fire. On the second day, a second wave exits the portal, rabid-looking, rotting dog-like creatures appeared.
Meanwhile at Davao City, Philippines. A force evacuation was ordered by the remaining government and military official. It was a secret underground bunker made few years ago. It was said that it could hold couple of thousands of people with food and water supply for several months. The bunker was located in the underground of Mount Apo with a mile long tunnel entrance. The mountain was serve as natural defense for Davao's last bastion of humanity. The mayor of the city ordered the military to fortify the entrance and help the other agencies on the evacuation.
After the announcement to the public, the road going to the entrance were pack-jammed since public cars are prohibited inside the bunker and inside the tunnel military trucks and vehicles were neatly parked in a single line. People were forced to walked with their huge baggages hoping to take refugee in the said bunker. The stress that the people felt was added as loud sirens echoed.
"All battle personels, please proceed to your designated battle station. The Apo Bunker will close approximately in 30 minutes. Civilians are advised to keep calm, leave any unnecessary belongings, and enter the bunker swiftly with caution."
PA systems echoed throughout the tunnel and even outside the bunker. Civilians were became unrest knowing that announcement was aired due to a nearby Demon. Most of them tried to remain calm and hurried to the tunnel while some panic and rushed to the entrance.
Dristan observed his surroundings. Wailing of children, panic and distraught of the civilians, as well as authorities in distress rushing outside to guard the bunker became the ambience inside the tunnel. He was alone since his family lived in the other side of the country. He was around 21 years old and he studied at some pretigious university at the city when the calamity happen. He also tried to contact his family however he failed to reach them, and now the only thing he thinks of is on how he will survive.
Not to the knowledge of everyone, Dristan has an ability that is not common to the majority of people. It was called MREN - stands for Mystical Rendering ENergy. To this day, only a selective people how acquire this ability. MREN was classified into three categories; first is the Summoner-Type which has the ability to summon creatures or beings, second is the Wielder-Type which has the ability to invoke a non-living material, and the third but not the least is the Charlatan-Type which has the abilty not specifically on the previous two categories. Before the holocaust, Dristan unwantedly joined the bloody MREN War - a war amongst the underground society that happened few years back and he was one of the well-known figure stands back then. Specifically Dristan has the ability to summon Beings with Suzaku Bloodline which was under in the category of Summoner-Type, but during the said war he discover on how to invoke Chains, Spear, and Sword which is a Wielder-Type as well as he learned to conjure Fire and Lightning elements which was under Charlatan-Type. Peope with two types of Mren are rare, but with all the three types are rarer.
As Dristan sees his surrounding, he conceives that not only surviving is the only thing he wants to do but also he had this strong urge to protect these people. Most of them might not know him and he doesn't knows them as well but in this crowd, inside and outside the bunker there are some people who he wants to protect. He quickly turns back outside the tunnel but he was pushed against the wave of people wanting to go inside. Quickly he noticed the military vehicles lined up so he climb on to the top and manages to jump forth towards outside the tunnel.
A brimming red sky with a dark clouds in the midst of broad daylight coming towards the bunker. People are now rushing towards the entrance of the tunnel. Armed authorities are now preparing to intercept the demons and hold until the last person enters the bunker. Dristan who was at the top of the last military vehicle thinks what he needs to do, but a soldier who was nearby suddenly spoke to him.
"Hey! You there! Go inside quickly! This isn't the time to watch! Demons are now coming towards the bunker!"
The soldier said with a fear in his face.
"Hey mister, just how far is the last civilian line? And how far are the demons away?"
Dristan tried to asked calmly.
"The last civilian line was spotted less than a kilometer. Demons are slowly gaining distance for around four kilometer. Also we already deployed forces just a kilometer away for the defense."
The soldier straightly answered.
"I see... By the way mister, what's your name?"
"I am Pvt. Jovanni, and don't call me mister. I am just 26 years old."
"Oh sorry Pvt. Jovanni. By the way, thanks for the information."
Dristan said as he removed his backpack.
"By the way, could you please look for my backpack private."
Dristan added as flames ignited on his back, it formed into wings, and flew towards the deployed forces which left the Private astonished.
Meanwhile on the defense line.
"General, Demons approaching our defense line within thirty minutes. We also need another hour in order to evacuate the remaining civilians outside the bunker."
"At ease Colonel. Do you have the estimated number of Demons approaching?"
"Upon the last receive report it should be over a thousand Hell Dogs, and roughly 500 Hell Bats. Our defense line should be able to hold until half an hour or so General."
"Colonel Patiño, no need to withhold. Can the soldiers survive the half hour battle?"
"I believe... They won't General, we might have the weapons to hold the Demons but we don't have the weapon to kill them. Our soldier's morale are low but they are still fighting for their families inside the bunker. Also, they need to put a fighting face since monitoring drones are around us and it s broadcast inside the bunker."
"Our soldiers are physically strong but their spirits are weak? Well, I couldn't blame anybody. The world right now is in chaos. Even the first world countries are slowly being destroyed by these Demons."
"One thing is for sure General, every soldier here is ready to die just to hold our last stronghold."
"Same goes for us Colonel, it was nice knowing you and having you for all of these years."
The conversation was interrupted when a soldier goes inside the command center tent where the Colonel and General are.
"Sir! I think you might need to see this!"
The soldier abruptly said as he enters the tent.
"Are the Demons here already?"
Colonel Patiño calmly asked.
"No sir, but a guy with fiery wings is approaching us from the bunker."
"From the bunker??"
The Colonel wonders but the three of them goes out immediately.
Dristan was approaching the defense line and he saw soldiers pointing guns at him.
"I summon thou - Ikkaku."
Dristan said as a phoenix appeared beside him.
"Dristan, it's been a while since you summon us."
"Yeah, this time we're in big trouble. I need your protection for awhile for they might shoot me."
"As you command"
The phoenix replies and turned into a translucent fiery prism-shape that covers Dristan.
Before Dristan could land, he asked not to shoot him. The General who just went outside asked everyone to hold their fire. Dristan gave a small sigh which is a sign of relief.
"Who are you? Or rather what are you?"
Colonel Patiño asked as he was pointing his pistol to Dristan.
"I am Dristan, I am a human though I have this ability called MREN and I think I can help you fending the Demons."
"Dristan you say? Was the fire wings on your back and that translucent aura that surrounds you is called MREN?"
The General asked.
"Yes Sir. Though there are different type of MREN, what I have is also a MREN. Please take a look of this video."
Dristan said as he retracted his wings and dissipates it. He gave his phone to the person who was calm enough not to point gun at him.
The General took the phone and saw a video of a guy smashed a Hell Dog with a mace and killed it. Both the General and Colonel was shocked on the video because no one ever killed a Demon before and this was the first time they ever saw it.
"I am General De Luna, is this video true and not edited?"
The General introduces himself and further inquires some information.
"I can guarantee that this video is legit and that guy who killed that dog was once my comrade living overseas and he was using a MREN weapon. This was sent to me before the telecommunications were cut off."
Dristan answer.
"This MREN weapon. How could we use it or even acquire it?"
"General, first thing is that if you don't have the MREN ability you can't use it even someone materialize it. Second, each ability is unique and only the user who materialized, summon, or conjures it can use it."
De Luna was at dismay and at the same time he was glad knowing that something could kill a Demon.
"General, could I ask what are the precise number of the Demons heading towards this way?"
"Over a thousand of those we called Hell Dogs, and roughly five hundred for those Hell Bats, they might be here in a couple of minutes."
"I see... I never fought these Demons so I can't gauge how many I can defeat or if ever will I kill one but this is better than not trying."
Dristan spoke silently.
"Normally, we would not let civilians handle this situation."
Colonel Patiño said.
"However this is not a normal situation and we need all the help we could get."
"Colonel, don't worry I'll tried not to meddle with military affairs. I just want to help to avoid further casualties."
"That being said, we just need over half an hour for the evacuation to complete after that we will retreat. The bunker gates are sturdy enough to hold those Demons."
Colonel advised.
The discussion was interrupted as a loud siren echoes the defense line.
"Here they come Dristan. Better get ready."
General De Luna enthusiastically said as a glimmer of hope shines upon the defense line. Soldier morale rose as Dristan's information spread. Now they are fighting with a chance to live which elevates the mood of everyone.