An Encounter with the Unseen

They were all red.

The first time she encountered them, it was a floating shadowy visage outside her bedroom window. A disembodied head with creepy tendrils for spine, its striking red eyes boring into her soul. Elena remembered how she clenched her pillow in fear, thinking of all those ghost stories of her childhood coming to life.

The second time, it was after a night shift. A hunched long haired figure. The crimson eyes locked Elena in fear as it blocked her path. That night, she discovered her latent power in the form of a shiny silver dagger manifested in her palm.

And most recently, the three Beings back in Bangsar. Its long tongue-appendages dangling menacingly in front of her, slowly advancing. The eyes, scanned Elena's body like a depraved predator.

This one right now was no different. Different form and size with its childlike-size and sickly grey-green skin. But the eyes. All the same.

"I guess it started to notice us." Arif's voice snapped Elena from her thoughts. "Go on then, Miss Future Bayangan agent."

Arif's sarcastic taunt went over her head, she was more concerned about the Being in front of her. 

Elena's heart pounded in her chest as she faced the Being, its wicked claws glinting in the night. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, but the adrenaline coursed through her veins like a raging river. It never gotten easier facing them even after multiple encounters. She needed to steel her resolve and strength.

Elena closed her eyes like she always did. Searching for that soft tugging on her soul. It can be elusive, shying away from her call. It needed a little push at little.

"Let's go!"

Her mind latched onto something and her eyes flew open. A burst of energy flooded through her body as it shone in a fiery indigo aura. The sensation of strength and power sharpened her focus, making everything crystal clear. The aura flickered and danced around her, casting an ethereal glow against the darkness of the night.

From the corner of her eyes, she caught Arif giving her a slight frown before softening again, observing her.

When Elena focused back on the Being, its eyes changed. No longer it was merely sizing her up, the eyes were filled with ravenous hunger and desire. The intense gaze of a predator. 

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Elena returned to her stance, her right palm open.

"Com-"

The Being jumped down from the rafters, snarling. Its claws lightly scraped the ground as its body lowered, as if ready to pounce.

Elena gritted her teeth, her mind trying to find that dagger in her soul. As if on cue, A swirling vortex of deep, sapphire energy gathered in her palm, its intensity growing with each passing moment. As the brilliant light subsided, her dagger materialized in her right hand, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly luster. 

She finally learned the name for this power - Pusaka, the weapon manifested from the depths of her soul.

She had no time to continue her thought when the Being sprang forward with terrifying speed, its wicked claws outstretched. Elena's eyes widened, and she barely had time to react. Instinctively, she jumped back, the sharp claws missing her by mere inches. She could feel the rush of air as the Being's attack whizzed past her face.

The Being didn't let up, launching another swipe at Elena. This time, she was prepared. With a swift motion, she brought her dagger up, parrying the attack. 

A bright clink and a spark of otherworldly energy erupted as the dagger and claw made contact, sending a jolt up Elena's arm. The force of the impact nearly knocked her off balance, but she held her ground, gritting her teeth.

The Being pulled back, claw grazing on Elena's arms. She winced instinctively. Although no blood was drawn, and no physical pain registered, she felt a searing sensation deep within her being. It was as if the creature's attack had struck at something intangible yet vital inside her.

The Being jumped back, its legs tensed up again. Elena caught that movement. Knowing its next move, Elena drew her right leg up, tucking her knees to her chest. As it pounced again, she was ready and released a strong kick square on its chest. A loud snarl echoed through the area as the Being was launched back, landing on its side.

That black belt in Taekwondo back in school does come in handy.

Seizing this opening, Elena ran forward with her dagger Pusaka in a reverse grip. She thrust forward but the Being has already recovered, dodging it with a grace which surprised the rookie Mambang. Another thrust. Another swipe. Another stab. Elena kept on missing her target.

"It's fast!" 

Her thought was cut short again as the Being countered with a swipe. She was left open and it was too late to dodge. She put her arms in front of her in a defensive position, as the Being delivered a clean slash across her arms.

Her aura flickered upon contact, indigo flares spilled out as if it were her blood. She winced at that phantom pain hitting somewhere inside her. It was not painful on her…but it was painful in her mind.

The second swipe of the Being's claw was dodged by Elena and she turned her heel before springing to a sprint. She needed space and another opening. She ran away from the Being as fast as she could and she could sense the child-demon-being giving chase.

She took a few strides away, then shifted her weight and turned around. Those red eyes locked onto hers. With a flick of her wrist, she threw her Pusaka. The dagger flew swiftly towards its target.

It missed the Being, its trajectory a few inches higher than the Being's head.

But it was all according to Elena's plan.

Elena felt a similar sensation of energy as her body flickered out of existence in a simmering scarlet light. The scene in front of her vanished in darkness as if she shut her eyes.

A heartbeat passed. And a brilliant light of scarlet refractions burst out behind the Being.

Elena's vision returned, and she found herself where her dagger had landed. She was suspended mid-air, her body poised with the grace of a gymnast. The dagger, brandished and ready, felt natural in her grip. Despite the sudden teleportation, Elena was not disoriented and remained focused. Her goal was clear.

"Gargghhh!" A loud cry escaped her throat as she swung her dagger deep into the Being's skull. It went in clean. A loud monster-like screech rang through the compound before the Being dissipated in smoke of dark indigo wisps.

Elena landed on her feet lightly as the dark smoke swirled around her. Her heart beating fast and a lone sweat dripped across her sweat. She panted slightly, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through her body.

She wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, adrenaline slowly ebbing away. The silence that followed was almost deafening, broken only by the distant chirping of crickets.

"Not too bad." A voice cut through the stillness, jolting Elena back to the present.

Startled by the voice, Elena jerked her head in its direction. She had forgotten about Arif's presence, her focus solely on the battle. His expression was neutral, making it difficult to gauge whether he was impressed or not.

"T-thanks" Elena relaxed her stance despite her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her Aura softly disappeared from her body.

"Still a long way for you though because that's an amateur move."

As soon as Arif's words were registered in her mind, she felt a tingle in her spine. Her instinct took over and her head snapped towards her source. 

Another similar child-like Being with green skin and sharp claws. And it was lunging towards her. Where did it come from?

Before Elena could do anything, the Being reeled back from a flurry of Dark Energy bullets. Its screech was short-lived as the bullets ripped through its body before it dissipated in tendrils of smoke.

"Don't let your guard down like that."

Elena looked back at Arif, his left hand extended and pointing to where the Being used to be. In his hand was his Pusaka, a handgun with a futuristic, otherwordly design to it. The sleek, full black body had lines of eerie dark blue across accenting it. The barrel was slightly wider than the handle, adorned by the same dark blue accent.

What caught her eyes however was Arif's Aura. It was not fiery and flickered like hers but it was dense, almost liquid-like, waving in a slight ebb and flow. A soft pulse of indigo enveloped his body, matching the same color glow in his eyes. Was her eyes like that when she activated her Aura?

Elena stared in awe at her mentor's display of strength

"Your Aura determines if you live or die. Don't deactivate it until it is 100% safe." Arif spoke sternly, lowering his Pusaka.

"It's safe now but you need to work on your control and your senses." This wavy aura disappeared along with the glow in his eyes.

"Sorry about that…I'll take note," Elena replied, avoiding his eyes. 

"But your Pusaka's ability was interesting though." Arif crossed his arms. "I haven't seen a Mambang who can teleport to their Pusaka like that."

"Really?" Elena shot up, feeling some pride inside her.

Arif cracked a rare smile before turning around. "Let's head back."

Elena frowned slightly at her mentor's coldness but she softened her expression. She will take that as a compliment. "Aye aye, mentor." She followed behind him.

Unknown to her, Arif's expression faulted. A mixture of concern and trouble painted across his face. He muttered to himself, in a soft voice. 

"Her Aura…"