Preparations

"Considering the needs we have to face this thing and hurt it, how many agents possess the qualities to confront this dark entity?" Ethan set aside any later concerns and focused on the present, which was more crucial.

Ethan's calm demeanor didn't disturb the others.

On the contrary, it meant he was ready to use any means necessary to kill Slenderman.

The very idea that Ethan Winchester would face an enemy of such caliber and age meant he would employ his full arsenal.

His family had been informed, so they would send a delegate, high-ranking exorcists, and mentalists to create a barrier around the area where the battle would take place.

"Being a class-five dark entity, I think only a dozen men can face Slenderman with the blessing of a good exorcist," said Liam after pondering for a long time.

Sebastian nodded at this and added, "Only the Pope of Light could help us; should we send the message?"

"And let that old ShadowBane steal my prey? No, just ask them to send a team so the soldiers won't be mentally affected; the rest will be on me," Ethan replied, refusing to let anyone else have this target.

Once everything was planned, orders began to be sent, and soon a helicopter arrived with an envoy from the Association of Light.

The hundreds of agents were reduced to just a few dozen, those truly capable of facing this dark entity, and Ethan began to move calmly.

"The workers will be removed from the forest until I eliminate a class five entity hiding here. You and your sister can stay at my house." The next day, Ethan met with Derek and told him everything that was happening.

Derek nodded, not paying attention to the dozen heavily armed agents behind Ethan, and asked, "Do you need help?"

"Not yours. I don't want you dead before you're useful to me." Ethan refused outright, not considering the help of a werewolf.

"What are you facing?"

"A creature over three thousand years old. I'll see if I can eliminate it, and if not, then I'll opt to seal it." Ethan had a Plan B in case he failed to eliminate Slenderman, something he wasn't ashamed to admit.

Cora, who was sitting on a log, asked, "You won't die before fulfilling your promise, right?"

"We've captured the alpha who killed Laura Hale. We'll hand him over after we solve the problems ahead of us." Ethan then looked at Derek, who nodded slightly.

"Don't die."

Ethan had no problem with these kinds of dark entities; he killed more of those who violated the code of life and had countless deaths on their hands. At least werewolves like Derek; when they kill innocent people, their eyes turn blue, which made Ethan understand that Derek at least didn't kill innocents, and that was more than enough.

The enemies he truly wanted to kill were like Slenderman, beings who take those who have summoned them and those who haven't.

"You have him, and you're not handing him over now?"

"Cora, that's enough for now." Derek didn't understand why his sister didn't grasp who she was really talking to.

Ethan might not seem strong or evil, but he was a being Derek couldn't even dream of scratching.

"Why do you hold back so much, brother? He treats us like his puppets; we should at least have the authority our mother had."

Derek remained silent, guilt filling him when his sister was near.

But before he could worry, a black figure passed by him at a speed he couldn't even see and reappeared in front of Cora Hale, who froze as Ethan looked her in the eyes.

"My deal is fair; do you have a problem with it?" Ethan's eyes shone blacker than the night, causing terror to wash over Cora Hale, who could do nothing but sweat.

Derek took a step forward but soon stopped.

"The deal stands, but I'm not in the mood to listen to immature werewolf tantrums right now, understood? Get out of the forest as soon as possible, go to my mansion, and wait until I return," said Ethan, who suddenly found himself getting into a black truck.

Only then could Cora Hale breathe, and looking at her brother, she asked, "What kind of monster is that guy?"

"A guardian, blessed by the nine-tailed fox, or so they say." Derek Hale looked at his sister and said, "Though he doesn't use his power to hunt, right now, he's more nervous than he seems about the monster he's chasing. We need to get out of here as soon as possible; let's move."