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Beyond the Veil: Kiran's Supernatural Hunt

Chapter 1: Prologue

Slovakia, United States Operations Base

"Gentlemen, yesterday a special team went out with the advance reconnaissance squad to investigate Orisku when they were attacked by the usurpers. We could hear the entire recording, but the communication was cut off." Dominic stood in front of the soldiers he commanded and said, "The only thing we could recover is that the source of the answers is in this building here."

Dominic pointed to an image of a ruined building, looked at the soldiers, and said, "We believe that what's left of the advance team is on the fourth floor."

After saying that, Dominic pointed with a serious expression, "And one more thing: before the advance team was ambushed, anomalies in the air were detected through the visors. Your mission will be swift. We'll enter for them, and we must bring the source of our questions at all costs. However, if they attack, neutralize the anomalies on the spot, no matter what appears in front of you."

"Neutralize them? How?" Asked a soldier with a passive expression.

"Yeah, what are those things?"

Dominic took a deep breath and said, "We believe they are soldiers with advanced electric camouflage equipment. Be precise when you shoot. I will personally lead the operation; we'll have open communication. Get ready."

"Very well, gentlemen."

"Let's go."

"It's time to work."

Dominic watched as all the soldiers prepared for the mission, looked at his right hand, and shook his head. "I hope to finish this; soon, I'll be back home, Kiran, my son."

A few hours later, about six armored vehicles headed to the building, where communication with the advance team was lost. Dominic carefully examined the information displayed on the screen. "Attention, we are entering the abandoned zone, expecting strong enemy resistance."

"Special helmet cameras on; do not turn them off under any circumstances," said Dominic as the soldiers began to surround the building.

Slowly, soldiers in groups of four began to clear the building. Dominic, who remained on the first floor, surveyed the surroundings carefully.

"It's Carl from the advance team, confirming death in action. None seem to be bullet-wounded; there are no signs of entry or exit." Dominic looked at the corpse in the debris and discovered that the deaths were related to the specters.

Just as he was about to advance to the second floor, he heard the logistics voice. "Sir, we detect movement at two o'clock."

"Where? We don't see anything," said Dominic with a vigilant look.

"It's right in front of you, sir, under the bathtub." Upon hearing this, Dominic and some other soldiers moved toward the bathtub in the debris.

"The bathtub. I want you to flip the bathtub." Dominic pointed his weapon at the bathtub and ordered, "Aim at whatever is underneath."

"Aimed, sir," said a soldier with cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

Just as the bathtub was flipped, a man with a terrified expression held an old book. "We found Sergeant Colson from the advance team."

Dominic held the sergeant and said, "Hello, friend, where is the rest of your team?"

"They're upstairs, but they're all dead," replied the sergeant, saying, "They got under their skin."

"What got under their skin?" Dominic asked calmly.

"I saw them, like a white blanket. Like an ice blanket, they sought the living as if they were ghosts," said the sergeant with a pale expression.

"Where is the rest of the advanced team?" Dominic asked once again, but this time his voice became more serious.

"They're dead; yes, they're all dead. And we protect this book." The sergeant looked at Dominic with a crazed look.

"I'll take care of that book for you; give it to me." Dominic took the old book from the sergeant's hands. With drawings and strange symbols, Dominic could see that there was a lot of important information that could help him uncover what the anomalies were that had been killing innocent people and soldiers all over the country.

"Ah, they haven't seen that thing properly. I saw it; you know I believe in God... Well, this, Dominic, is the opposite of God." The sergeant looked at Dominic and responded nervously.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just as Dominic was about to give the retreat order, loud shots were heard on the fifth floor.

"Report, what is the situation?" Dominic asked as he headed to the fifth floor.

"Sir, bullets pierced through the bodies of those things. A soldier just died under an anomaly attack."

"We confirm a casualty on the floor team, unknown anomaly target, fifth-floor northwest corner. Switch to heavy caliber or whatever is needed to eliminate that thing." Dominic quickly advanced to the fifth floor to support the attack.

As Dominic climbed the stairs, he could hear the sound of gunfire. One after another, the soldiers he led were killed as quickly as he breathed.

Gunpowder couldn't hurt them; there was nothing that could end those things. So fast that one could barely react to the white blanket in the air, a skeletal bowl, white and pure like thick fog, was the last thing everyone saw before dying.

When Dominic realized that fighting those things was impossible, it was too late. The white demons, who were quickly massacring all his soldiers under his command, had appeared like a swarm.

"Everyone evacuate the building; don't wait for anyone; and return to the armored vehicles." Dominic looked with a shocked face at his team and said, "Move; I'll cover you and follow closely."

"Sergeant said this old book was the source of our questions, but now there's no way out of this place." Dominic took some grenades and held them tightly in his hands.

When Dominic looked at the cold and empty room, he felt demonic eyes staring at him coldly. "Maybe gunpowder does nothing to them; damn demons, they'll come with me to hell."

The next moment, Dominic felt cold air pierce his soul. So cold and bitter, those anomalies had bodies like humans, but he knew that was his end.

As his life left his body, the grenades in his hands exploded, and everything turned black. "I'm sorry, son..."

Boom!