The Beast

Umbra was in the lead, powering his way through another flight of stairs. His long legs overtook nearly three steps at a time, far faster than Matthew or Aunora. Seraph, in his cat form, hung around Esper’s shoulders, while Morena held the rear of the group.

Umbra's heart was pounding, blood roaring in his ears. He was so close to finding his baby. His energy was bubbling at the surface, unable to keep himself calm.

The faces of nearly thirty guards met Silver Moon, far more opposition than they had faced earlier.

“They're dispatching more men,” Matthew growled next to his ear, “This place must be important.”

A series of quick glances spoke a silent conversation: Matthew had seen the sun tattoo on the man's arm, but this wasn't the place to discuss it. That wasn't the point of the mission.

“This is the last floor before the top, right?” Morena hissed, “So we're almost here?”

Umbra nodded in affirmation, his attention on a group moving towards the next staircase. Towards his son.

“Cover my back,” Umbra murmured, clenching the staff of his weapon, “I'm going on ahead.”

“Alone?!” Matthew cried, sweat running down his brow, “Are you sure?”

A violet flame burned in Umbra’s eyes. “I'm getting Victor.”

Umbra broke out into a run, plunging into the crowd, cutting a bloody path across the room. His combat was messy but effective- he wasn't looking to win, he wanted to move forward. He danced between foes, slicing anything in his way.

Behind him, the rest of the team was thick in the midst of combat, fighting like a well-oiled machine. Umbra wanted to be there with them, supporting his family. But the tattoo on his back told him where his priorities lie. He peeled his lip back in a snarl as blood splattered against his shirt.

He wasn't going to let anyone get between he and Victor.  

----

An alarm was ringing. Salvador flinched, instantly on alert.

Victor gasped, torn from his slumber by the sudden noise. He picked his head off the floor, starting to tremble. Frantically, he glanced up at Salvador, hoping for answers.

“Something’s wrong,” Salvador rasped, coming to his feet, “I've never heard that siren before. It must be serious.”

Wrong? Victor thought, blood running cold. He hovered closer to Salvador, the authority figure he had access to.

Outside, footsteps rang out, followed by the unmistakable sounds of battle. Victor grimaced as he heard a scream, and then the sudden thump of a body hitting the ground.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Salvador gave him a smile, but Victor could tell he was just as terrified as he was. “Don’t worry, kiddo,” he said with a dry throat, “Everything's gonna be okay. I'll keep you safe.”

Salvador stood at the door, taking a shaky breath. “Keep quiet and don't come out of this room no matter what, understand?”

Victor hugged his chest, dark hair spilling over his eyes. He nodded.

Salvador kicked the door, grunting with effort. Finally, it opened, and he slipped out, shoving it closed again.

A scene from a horror film appeared before Salvador’s eyes. Scarlet covered the walls and floor, the maimed corpses of guards scattered before him.

In the midst of it all, stood one man.

He was tall and slim, wearing a silken dress shirt and black slacks. His back was hunched over his blood-stained blade, sharp teeth exposed in an animalistic show of rage. Two predatory eyes cut through him like a knife.

He spoke, his voice a grim baritone, “What? Are the last goon standing or something?”

Author's Note- umbra calm down on the crazy sauce