Kapitel 28: Ch 28: Shadows

The sun was bright, and a soft breeze carried the scent of wildflowers as it played through the clearing between their cottages.

A colorful blanket spread across the grass served as their dining area, laden with an array of homemade dishes: fresh fruits, sandwiches, pastries, and drinks that sparkled in the sunlight.

Serena sat cross-legged on the edge of the blanket, arranging the food with practiced ease. Beside her, Brianna was slicing a loaf of freshly baked bread, the golden crust crackling under her knife.

"You know," Serena said, tilting her head thoughtfully, "I was thinking of making beef stew tonight. Something hearty, especially if the kids want to help in the kitchen."

Brianna chuckled softly. "Beef stew sounds great. I was leaning towards roast chicken, though. Leon's been asking for it all week. Maybe we can combine efforts and make both?"

Serena nodded, smiling. "Perfect. We'll have a feast."

A few feet away, Cristina babbled happily from her stroller, clapping her hands at the antics of her brother Rodan and his best friend Leon.

Rodan crouched low to the ground, imitating a monkey with exaggerated movements, while Leon stumbled through a clumsy attempt at a handstand. Cristina giggled uncontrollably, her laughter ringing out like a melody.

Under the shade of a nearby oak tree, Cecilia and Valerie stood deep in conversation. Their voices were low but animated as they discussed new training routines for the children.

"I think Rodan needs more agility drills," Cecilia said, her arms crossed thoughtfully. "He's quick, but his endurance needs work."

Valerie nodded in agreement. "True. And Leon hesitates too much during combat simulations. If we focus on his precision, he'll grow more confident in his decisions."

Their discussion was interrupted by the sharp ring of a phone. Cecilia frowned and reached into her pocket, glancing at the screen.

"It's mine," she murmured, answering quickly.

At the same moment, Valerie's phone buzzed. She stepped aside to answer her own call, her expression quickly shifting from curiosity to concern.

The group on the blanket noticed the change immediately. Serena and Brianna exchanged puzzled glances, their lighthearted conversation pausing mid-sentence.

When Cecilia and Valerie ended their calls, they turned to each other, their faces grave.

"What's wrong?" Serena asked, rising to her feet and approaching them.

Brianna followed, a loaf of bread still in her hand. "You two look like you've seen a ghost."

Cecilia exhaled slowly, glancing at Valerie before speaking. "We just got word from the Hunter Association. It's about a cult—a demon cult. They're planning an attack."

The words hit like a thunderclap, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.

"A cult?" Brianna repeated, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Valerie nodded, her expression grim. "The details are vague, but the Association is mobilizing. Every S-rank hunter is being deployed to cities across the region to prepare."

Serena's face darkened as she crouched beside Rodan. She spoke softly, her voice steady despite the tension in her posture. "Sweetheart, can you and Leon take Crissy inside? Play with her for a bit, okay?"

Rodan hesitated, his youthful excitement replaced with confusion. "Is something wrong, Mommy?"

"Just grown-up stuff," Serena said gently, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Go on now. Keep an eye on your sister."

Rodan nodded reluctantly, taking hold of Cristina's stroller. "Come on, Leon," he said, glancing at his friend.

Once the children were inside, the women gathered closer.

"Why didn't they call us earlier?" Brianna demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. "We're S-rank hunters too."

Cecilia shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe they're still organizing things."

"It doesn't matter why," Serena interjected, her tone firm. "What matters is stopping them. Do they know where the attack will happen?"

Valerie sighed and took Serena's hand, squeezing it for support. "No. That's the problem. They don't know. That's why they're deploying hunters everywhere to be prepared."

Before they could delve deeper, both Serena and Brianna's phones buzzed simultaneously.

"Speak of the devil," Brianna muttered, quickly answering her call.

Serena listened intently to her own conversation. A moment later, both women ended their calls and exchanged uneasy looks.

"We're being deployed too," Serena announced. "But not on the frontlines. Our task is to protect civilians."

Brianna frowned. "Figures. But there's something I need to know." She dialed back her caller and put the phone on speaker. "Before you go, where did you get this information?"

There was a brief pause on the other end before the voice replied. "We've been tracking a disturbing pattern. Civilians have gone missing in large numbers. When they're found… they're already dead. Drained of blood."

A heavy silence fell over the group. The peaceful afternoon felt like a distant memory.

"Thank you," Brianna said tersely, ending the call. She looked at the others, her expression troubled. "This isn't just an attack. They've been active for a while, and we're just catching up."

Cecilia rubbed her temples, her shoulders slumping. "We need to be ready. If this goes wrong…"

Serena crossed her arms, her jaw tightening. "It won't. We can't let it. Too many lives are at stake."

The women nodded in unspoken agreement. As they packed up the remains of their picnic, their minds were already racing ahead, preparing for the chaos they knew would come.