Chapter 40: Ruka 1

Chapter 40: Ruka 1Screeeechhhh—

The sharp sound tore through the cold night air, echoing across the quiet forest like nails against metal.

"...What the hell was that?" Lane whispered, her eyes wide, voice barely a breath.

"No idea... but we need to leave. Now."

Fel’s voice cut through the tension, low and serious as she spun around, her flashlight trembling slightly in her grip.

The four of them—just a group of girls on what was supposed to be a peaceful weekend hike—stood frozen outside their tents. Trees towered around them like silent watchers, shadows thick and endless. They were deep in the woods, way too deep.

They were only supposed to hike and head back. But Fel had insisted on camping. "To make memories," she’d said.

Now? It was a horror movie waiting to happen.

"I knew sleeping out here was a bad idea," Lane snapped, hugging herself tightly. Her breath came out in white puffs. "We could’ve just gone back, but nooo—you wanted the ’full experience,’ Fel."

Fel turned slowly, her blonde hair messily tied back, her jaw tight. "I made a suggestion, not like I dragged your ass into the tent and tucked you in. You could’ve walked your scared self back to town, but here you are."

Her voice rose, raw with tension. "So if you’re gonna cry, do it quietly before I help you lose that loud mouth."



The air went tense.

They were scared.

They were angry.

But more than anything, they were surrounded by something they didn’t understand.

Because whatever was out there—it wasn’t normal.

Earlier, they’d heard it. A deep growl. A roar that shook their bones. A shadow, too massive to be a wolf or bear, had moved past their tents like a ghost. Huge. Four-legged. Silent.

Now even Fel, who didn’t believe in monsters or myths or any of that "supernatural crap," was starting to feel the fear clawing at her spine.

"It might be a mountain lion... or a bear," she muttered, trying to convince herself. But even she didn’t believe it.

"Shut up, both of you," Sarah hissed. She was crouched low, her long black hair clinging to her face from the mist. "If it is something supernatural, it can hear us. Smell us. Feel our fear."

Fel rolled her eyes, but didn’t argue.

Not this time.

"Okay, stop," Grace said calmly, stepping forward. Her tone was firm, but gentle—like someone trying to soothe a pack of frightened animals. "Fighting won’t help us. Let’s just keep our heads down, stay quiet, and make it through the night. When the sun comes up, we’re out."

They all looked at her.

Even Fel.

And slowly, one by one, they nodded.

But just as they turned to head back toward their tents—

Crack.

A branch snapped. Close. Too close.

Something was watching.

And it wasn’t human.

Somewhere deeper in the forest...

Mob sat at the edge of a quiet hilltop, legs crossed, eyes fixed on the sky.

The stars were bright tonight. Scattered like diamonds, silent and endless.

He always found himself here after dark. Ever since he found out he was a Nephilim—half angel, half human—he just... kept staring at the sky. Hoping for answers.

Who was his father? Or his mother? Could God even hear him?

Sometimes he joked in his head—maybe he was the son of Michael, the mighty warrior angel. Or maybe the child of Lucifer, the fallen one. Wild guesses, sure. But hey, a guy can dream.

Tonight though, he wasn’t here to dream. He was here to fly.

He stood up slowly, dusting off his pants as he walked a few steps back. He had no teacher, no guide. No manual on how to unlock angel powers. Just instincts—and a stubborn will.

"Alright..." he whispered.

Then—

Boom.

He dashed forward at crazy speed, the wind slamming against his face as he launched himself off the hill.

WHOOSH.

He soared into the air, higher than before. The cool wind whipped around him as he closed his eyes and focused.

"Come on... wings... just once..."

But nothing happened.

And gravity didn’t wait.

His body began to plummet, slicing through the air like a bullet. Trees below grew closer. Still nothing. Still falling.

But he didn’t scream. He didn’t panic. He just kept his eyes closed. Holding on to that feeling.



Then—

"AAAAAAHHH!!"

A scream.

No—screams.

Mob’s eyes snapped open.

FWOOM.

In a burst of white light, two pairs of glowing, feathery wings exploded from his back. His eyes shone bright, reflecting the moonlight as he stopped midair—hovering above the trees.

He laughed.

A real laugh—raw, surprised, happy.

But it only lasted a second.

Because the scream came back to him.

Mob turned serious.

His glowing wings flared behind him as he looked toward the source.

Four people.

All female.

And something dark nearby.

Without a second thought, he shot into the night like a streak of white lightning.

Mob had taken flight.

Back to the girls

A soft gust of wind blew through the clearing.

Leaves rustled.

Then—he appeared.

Right in front of them.

Tall. Quiet. Unshaken.

The man looked like he had stepped out of another world.

He had long, dark hair that flowed down his back, like strands of night itself. His eyes were deep, pitch black—like staring into a bottomless void. You could get lost in them if you weren’t careful.

And behind him—two enormous black wings, stretched out, the feathers sharp and smooth like blades. They shimmered lightly under the moonlight, casting shadows across the trees.

His skin was pale, almost glowing against the dark woods. His expression calm. Almost... bored.

He looked at the four girls, all frozen with fear.

Then, he sighed.

"Seriously... what are girls like you doing out here this late?" His voice was smooth, low, almost lazy—but it carried. "You’re lucky I was passing by... if not, you’d have already been dinner for something nasty."

Fel instinctively took a step back, dragging Lane with her.

"Wh-Who are you?" Grace asked, trying to sound brave but her voice cracked just a little.

The man tilted his head slightly, studying them.

He raised one hand, palm open, and the shadows around them shifted, like they were listening to him.

Then he smiled, just a little.

"Relax. I’m not here to hurt you."

Sarah’s eyes widened. "You’re not human... are you?"

The man just chuckled softly.



"Nope."

His wings folded in gently as he turned, eyes narrowing toward the darkness behind the trees.

"...But something else is."

And just like that—

A loud snarl ripped through the forest.

Something big was coming. Fast.

The man took a step forward, his body glowing faintly with black energy.

He didn’t turn back to look at the girls.

He just said, quietly—

"Stay behind me."

Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished into the darkness ahead.

The forest exploded with sound.