Curse Of The Aswangs (The Vasquez Brothers #1)[COMPLETED]

46: JASPER

The aswangs emerged from the trees, their grotesque forms slinking into view like shadows slipping from the dark. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing the urgency of the moment.

Zade was at my side, his pistol drawn and aimed at the nearest creature, while I gripped my fists, feeling the power within me swirling like a tempest. The grotesque faces of the aswangs twisted into snarls, their eyes gleaming with hunger as they lunged toward us.

The first one charged at Zade, but he was quicker. He pulled the trigger, and the shot rang out, a bright flash that momentarily illuminated the darkened forest. The aswang collapsed, its body crumpling to the ground. But there were more—always more.

I charged forward, feeling the energy of my newfound power surge within me. I focused, channeling it, and as I unleashed it in a brilliant burst, the force knocked the next aswang back, sending it crashing against a tree. But the moment was fleeting; another one was already on me, its claws poised to strike.

I sidestepped just in time, countering with a punch that connected solidly with its jaw. It reeled back, and I didn't hesitate, following up with a series of quick jabs. Zade was at my side again, firing off another round that took down another aswang, but we both knew this wasn't over.

More of them surged forward, and I felt a rush of adrenaline push me to fight harder. I twisted and dodged, my fists flying as I struck again and again. The forest was alive with the sounds of combat—the snarls of the aswangs, the crack of gunfire, and the dull thuds of bodies hitting the ground.

Suddenly, the tide of battle shifted as Zade fell back, his face twisted in concentration. I turned just in time to see him fire another shot, taking down yet another aswang. But even as we fought, I could sense the danger intensifying.

Then, just when it seemed like we might be overwhelmed, a figure burst into the clearing—Ash. His presence was electric, fire flickering around him as he leapt into the fray.

I barely had time to register his arrival before Trevor appeared behind him, his expression fierce, determination etched into every line of his face. In a swift motion, he hurled the scroll toward us, the ancient artifact spiraling through the air like a beacon of hope.

My eyes widened as I reached out, catching it just before it hit the ground. The weight of the scroll felt heavy in my hands, pulsing with an energy that was both familiar and foreign.

Enrique stepped into the clearing, his presence dark and foreboding. The flickering light from the scroll illuminated his features, casting shadows that danced around him like whispers of impending doom.

Dylan wasted no time. With a fierce determination, he charged at Enrique, tackling him in an attempt to take him down. They crashed to the ground, the impact sending a shockwave through the earth beneath us. But Enrique was stronger than he appeared. In a swift, brutal motion, he threw Dylan off, the faerie tumbling aside like a rag doll.

"Stay out of my way!" Enrique spat, his voice laced with a mix of rage and amusement.

Trevor stepped forward, blocking Enrique's path, his sword gleaming ominously in the dim light. The determination in Trevor's eyes blazed like fire, but as he gripped his weapon, something shifted within him. His eyes began to glow a deep, fierce red, reflecting the fury that coursed through his veins. It was a power I had only seen glimpses of before—a primal force awakened by the threat before him.

Enrique's features twisted, contorting into a grotesque form that belied his human appearance. His skin rippled, revealing fangs and elongated claws, as his eyes morphed into soulless orbs filled with malice. The air around him crackled with dark energy, the very essence of the aswang emanating from him in waves.

With a roar, Trevor lunged forward, sword aimed at Enrique's heart. The two figures clashed, metal ringing against metal as they fought, each blow echoing with the weight of their shared history.

I stood back for a moment, my heart pounding as I took in the scene. Dylan was regaining his footing, his expression fierce as he prepared to join the fray again. I gripped the scroll tightly, feeling the energy pulsing against my palms, and knew that it held the key to our victory.

But Trevor was already locked in battle with Enrique, the dance of swordplay unfolding with a ferocity I'd never witnessed before. Each clash sent sparks flying into the air, illuminating the grim faces of the aswangs still lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike.

As Trevor fought, I could see the strain etched across his face, the struggle between his humanity and the power threatening to consume him. Enrique was relentless, his grotesque form twisting and turning as he evaded Trevor's strikes, countering with a ferocity that matched Trevor's rage.