Supernatural Influences: Shadow War

The Princess of Light

Leo stood rooted to where he stood struggling against his unknown adversary, puzzling about how he didn't see her coming until it was too late. His footing was beginning to slip from the pool of blood oozing from his fallen enemy, whom he himself slew. As he continued to struggle, he scanned over his new opponent. He was clad all in white from his boots to the cowl that was shielding his face. The blade that was clashing with Leo's was also white with the hilt adorned with crosses and a symbol of three interlocking rings. Who the hell is this guy? Just then, the white fighter spoke.

"Why did you kill that man?" Leo was shocked at first, because instead of a man's voice, the sound that met his ears was much higher than he had expected. "Why did you kill him?" the swordsman repeated. "What's it to you?" Leo retorted, still trying to keep his footing. The white swordsman pushed Leo hard, causing him to stagger onto the floor. Leo hit the ground, splashing blood onto the cowl of his opponent. The swordsman held the tip of his sword to Leo's throat and sternly muttered, "I want answers! Why did you kill my suspect?" Leo swung the sword back and got to his feet, dodging an attempt to get him back down. Leo turned, swinging his sword down to cut the white swordsman in half, but was deflected just as quickly. Leo then jumped back fast, skidding to a halt, bending himself into a battle stance. The white swordsman stood completely still; his sword pointed diagonally in front of his legs. Leo's eyes narrowed with focus and determination.

"Listen you!" he yelled at the figure. "I don't kill people unless they deserve it. If you were here to try to protect him, you've already failed. If your mission is vengeance against me, however, know that I will not back down, even to the likes of you!" The figure sighed. "I'm not here for either. In fact, my mission is my own. You did however cause a huge setback, and I can't have you make anymore." Leo shook his head. "What do you mean setback? What is your business here?!" "I told you, my business is my own." The swordsman took a step forward and knelt down next to the lifeless corpse of Duane. The figure removed his right glove and put his hand on top of the man's head as white light began pulsating from the figure's body. Leo stood confused. This power was just the same as his, only light instead of shadow. Leo was in for another shock however as the cloak was blown off the swordsman's head, revealing a string of pure white hair. This swordsman was in fact a woman. Leo began to ease up at this realization, beginning to straighten his back. From her eyes, white energy flowed like waves of mist.

The woman, having finished with whatever she was doing, stood up again and looked straight at Leo. "I have taken what I needed. Now, if you'll move aside, we can end our confrontation here." Leo, on the other hand, did not move. He stood there, questions beginning to flow through his mind. One question in particular sprang from his lips before he had even had the time to restrain himself.

"Who are you and how did you get that power?" The girl looked at him with an expression of indignation. "You do know it is rude to ask a lady her name and powers before revealing your own?" Leo frowned. "You know it's rude to sneak up on someone and attempt to gut them from behind?" The woman breathed rather hard at this retort. "Still, at least give me your title." Leo still stared unblinkingly at her, not letting his guard completely down until he knew he was safe. However, he did want this needless loitering to end, so he said with a sigh of annoyance. "Fine. Let's just sheath our blades first." The woman pondered on this for a second, then sheathed her sword. After a second, Leo sheathed his as well. "I'm Leo. My enemies know me as the Black Death. Don't really have any title." Leo expected a quick answer but found that the woman was staring at his sword. "What is your allegiance?" The woman said sternly. Leo's face was scrunched in confusion at this. "What the hell do you mean allegiance? I don't align to anyone." The woman started getting quite heated at this point. She then noticed something glowing from the bullet holes of Leo's shirt: an orange glow, similar to the glow of fire.

"Show me your arm. That will show me your allegiance." She demanded. Leo then saw her draw back her left sleeve to reveal a glowing symbol located on her left forearm: a triangle enveloped in a circle. Leo stood frozen and confused, anger starting to rise in his throat. His impulse was to draw his sword again, make a run for Ray, who by the sound of it was still fighting gangsters in the parking lot. Instead, something in the back of his mind beckoned him to reveal the symbol.

Without hesitation, Leo pulled his sleeve up to his shoulder, revealing the cursed pentagram. The woman gasped loudly and stepped back, appalled at the sight of the mark. "You're one of them." She screamed. "One of what?" Leo called. The woman then drew her blade, enveloping it with white light. "Don't lie to me, Necronite!" she shouted, starting to back up towards the wall behind her. Leo was full blown pissed now. "What are you even talking about? What the hell is a Necronite? Why is this symbol so important to you? How'd it even get there in the first place?" At this, the woman cried loudly, "In the name of the Creator, I, Maria, Princess of Light, will send you back to your dark master!" Maria then charged headlong towards Leo. At this, Leo enveloped himself in his rage, dark shadows pouring out of his eyes and fusing with his blade. "Stay back you crazy bitch!" Leo shouted as he swung hard at Maria, causing the blades to collide.

Outside, Ray blazed on, standing triumphantly over his enemies. The corpses that were once Moccasins were now skeletons littering the parking lot. Ray wore an expression of exhaustion mixed with triumph. "You boys never stood a chance against me." Ray said, still wearing the grin from the start. The flames began to quickly ebb away, extinguishing completely as Ray checked his phone. The time showed that it was 8:50, which made Ray frown a bit. "What the hell is taking him so long? Doesn't he know that he's supposed to be at that gathering in like 10 minutes?" At that, the phone rang. The name Mrs. Strauss shown on the phone. Ray sighed and answered it immediately. "Ray here."

"Ray, it's Holly." "Mrs. Strauss, hey. How's everything going tonight?" "Why isn't Leo picking up my calls?" "Must not have got around to it, Mrs. Strauss." Ray chuckled. "Ray, I know what you're doing." The smile that Ray wore up until now had vanished instantly. Sweat started to bead Ray's face. Had Leo's mother really found out about the Moccasins? Had she known about Leo's constant thirst for revenge against his father's murderers? Ray was holding his breath until…

"You're playing video games with him again and forgot to remind him about tonight's gathering." Ray was too shocked to reply, he then let out a sigh of relief. "Shit, that's right! We totally forgot, Mrs. Strauss." Mrs. Strauss let out a stern grunt. "I thought as much. You both know how much time I've invested into this gathering. Tireless hours cleaning the house, organizing the guest list, sending out the invitations, calling the catering company, all for tonight!" Ray let out a sigh of forced innocence. "We're sorry. We'll be straight over."

Suddenly, an explosion erupted from behind Ray, forcing him out of the parking lot face first into the pavement. The calls of Mrs. Strauss were drowned out by the ringing in his ears as Ray slipped in and out of consciousness. The last thing he saw before passing out was the inferno blazing from the hole in the building on the third floor where the window should have been and the numbers 3, 2, and 7 bouncing in the parking lot exactly where he had last stood.