Twelve against one in a battle and anyone would immediately question the nobility of the twelve, forgetting all is fair in war.
It wasn't the same thing in this case, however, nothing was ever what it appeared once it was supernatural. It couldn't be helped but there was a reason why such a realm and the
matters related were always handled with utmost care and secrecy.
This fight was no different. Even with the advantage in numbers, they held nothing against the dancing phantom.
His graceful moves were deceitful, masking the lethality of his attacks. He was as sturdy as a knight and as swift as a mother mamba.
Being tossed around like rag dolls, not even being able to get a simple hit in, they rolled, groaned, and wiggled under the sublime attack of the transparent dancer.
How wrong were they, mistaking his deliberate steps on the garden floor as weakness? The lights flickered, warning them to let him dance in death since he was unable to when alive.
They would if he was truly as harmless as he appeared.
His terror had spread far and wide in the school; it was alarming. The school authorities, unable to provide any credible explanations for constant disturbances tried as hard as possible to make sure a word of it didn't escape the four corners of the school.
His activities were no longer constricted to the dark; he also oppressed students during the day, moving objects and creating realistic visions and illusions.
He was growing stronger every day, feeding on their fear, and a painful reminder of that was the air hitting his face as he kissed the ground, rolling backward on impact.
"Fall back!"
A voice shouted, throwing all caution out of the window. There would be no need to hide their identity from the rest of the school if they were to die tonight in the hands of this malevolent ghost.
There was no embarrassment in fleeing for one's dear life. As they got up and ran, not daring to look back, they all made a mental note to never attempt such a futile fight again. At least not anytime soon.
----
The next day, when the fatigue hit, was the worst time for the group as they fought through the pain, trying to go on with their normal daily lives, preventing suspicions.
Suspicion be damned, but their Master/Vice principal would never hear of it. Anyone at first impression would look up to him as a father fire but it was a facade to hide the true nature of a merciless instructor.
Even with the school turning upside down and inside out, he maintained surreal calmness and never for once intervened in their fights if it wasn't practice and training.
Groaning through the day and frowning as they comforted each other with their eyes during lunch, they waited for a lecture in the evening once they'd reported on yesterday's mission.
Seven, even with Zephyr's harsh teachings, found it hard to adjust.
He could have easily passed off as the most confused in the group. Everything was new to him: the orderliness, the information and knowledge he didn't know before, and most of all teamwork, especially in the combat session.
Without much in his control, he left that to be figured out later.
He might not be used to those things, but definitely, he was used to having his arse handed to him. He wasn't used to pain, pain was tired of him.
Forcing the food down his throat, he racked his brain just like everyone else on the team sitting around the round table. Nothing was coming to mind and even though they all refused to admit...
It was pretty much a lost cause.
Their only lead(s), The bullies: one was convicted of murder and was possibly serving his time, the other left weeks ago to God knows where and the other was six feet below.
The thought of the school closing was just as unbelievable as this case was hopeless, but one would have to happen, and it was already shaping up to be the latter.
The school can't keep the secrets of the students shut anymore.
A rebellion was brewing, and soon, students would start trooping out of this place.
Not unless their Master had anything to do with it, but like the other two, it was far-fetched. They just knew it.
---
It was evening, and they dragged their feet to their lair, which was the school's basement; their ears caught a faint sound.
As they drew closer in measured steps, they saw a student ravaging the garbage can.
Confused at first at the scene before their eyes, they reached out slowly only to be attacked by a lady.
Priscilla, who was the closest in the heat of the moment, retaliated with a punch, sending her sprawling on the floor.
"What the hell was that??" She asked, her eyes widening.
Noticing the exchanged glance from her to the crazy lady, she scoffed. " You guys can't be serious. What could I have done?!"
"It's indeed strange..." Cordis said. "Dice you should check if she's okay."
"Why me..."
Before an argument started, a testament to how frustrated everyone has been, an Auburn guy stepped forward, holding his hands out to stop the chatter.
With cautious steps, he gently squatted down and turned the lady so he could see her face. Checking her vitals, he saw her snap her eyes open instantly...
He jolted back, his heart crawling up to his neck as he desperately retreated a few more times.
Everyone stepped back, their eyes squinting in caution, betraying their experience, which was molded by the dealings of the abnormal events that have recently become an everyday routine for them.
Her movements were robotic and mindless, then she stood up and started walking away...
With no choice but to follow her, they walked faster, sprinted, and at some point ran to match up her speed, but once they reached what could be assumed as her destination, their eyes widened.
Students, 20 or more, were gathered around the tree, which had famously been the root of all the evil going on in the school.
The occasional appearance of a dancer, nor the melodious hypnotic hums that subsequently led to the missing of a few students, was enough evidence. The spark that threatened to paralyze one forever was a more grave reason and yet...
This many people gathered, bowing, dancing, and doing all kinds of fetish worship.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Cordis managed to say as they drew closer, their brain refusing to comprehend the crazy scene.
When they were close enough, unbothered about disturbing them as they were so engrossed in what they were doing.
All of a sudden, things turned grimly quiet, and everyone snapped their head towards their direction...
"That can't be good!"