Jace witty

Chapter Two : Thief of souls

The morning sun barely pierced through the thick clouds over Fallcreek, casting a dim, gray light over the city. Jace Witty leaned against his desk in his small, cluttered office, his eyes scanning the latest reports. The hunt from the previous night had left him weary, but there was no rest for those who pursued the darkness.

A sharp knock on the door snapped him from his thoughts. Detective Laura Bennett stepped in, her expression grave. "Jace, we've got a problem."

He straightened, sensing the urgency. "What is it, Laura?"

"Another body was found in the Old Quarter," she said, handing him a file. "Same as the others. Drained of its soul."

Jace flipped through the photos, his jaw tightening. "The Soul Reaper."

"Yeah," Laura nodded, her eyes darkening. "And it gets worse. There's a witness this time. They saw the Reaper heading towards the industrial district."

"Then we've got a lead," Jace said, grabbing his coat. "Let's move."

---

The industrial district of Fallcreek was a maze of abandoned factories and decaying warehouses. The perfect hunting ground for a creature like the Soul Reaper. Jace and Laura moved with purpose, their senses on high alert.

"Keep your eyes open," Jace murmured. "The Reaper is cunning and dangerous."

They split up, each taking a different path through the crumbling structures. Jace felt the familiar tingle of demonic energy. It was faint but growing stronger. He followed it, his heart pounding in his chest.

Suddenly, a scream echoed through the corridors. Jace broke into a run, his instincts guiding him. He burst into a large, open space, just in time to see the Soul Reaper standing over a terrified man, its ethereal scythe raised high.

"Stop!" Jace shouted, drawing his weapon. "Let him go!"

The Reaper turned, its hollow eyes locking onto Jace. "Ah, the hybrid. You are too late. This soul is mine."

With a swift motion, the Reaper plunged its scythe into the man's chest. A spectral glow enveloped the victim, his soul being ripped from his body. Jace lunged forward, but the Reaper moved with unnatural speed, evading his attack.

Laura arrived, gun drawn. "Jace, behind you!"

The Reaper swung its scythe, and Jace barely managed to block it with his blade. The force of the blow sent him staggering. Laura fired her weapon, but the bullets passed through the Reaper's ghostly form, useless against its spectral essence.

"We need to bind it!" Jace shouted, regaining his balance. "Distract it while I prepare the spell."

Laura nodded, keeping her aim steady. "Over here, you freak!"

The Reaper hissed, turning its attention to Laura. Jace knelt, drawing a sigil on the ground with chalk. He muttered an incantation under his breath, his hands moving with practiced precision.

Laura fired another round, her eyes never leaving the Reaper. "Jace, hurry up!"

"Almost there," he replied, completing the final mark.

Just as Jace finished, the Reaper lunged at Laura, its scythe aimed at her heart. Jace activated the sigil, a burst of energy erupting from the ground and encasing the Reaper in a glowing barrier.

The creature screamed, thrashing against its bonds. "You cannot hold me, hybrid! I will return, and I will feast on your soul!"

With a final, violent shake, the Reaper shattered the barrier, its form dissipating into the shadows. Jace cursed, the failure stinging more than any physical wound.