Chapter 12 Terror In The Night

Samuel and Elena walked out of the convent and waited for a jeep to take them into town. "Let's just wait here for the jeep to arrive," Elena said, glancing down the road. "Do you think I'll even fit in? You know how big I am," Samuel asked, scratching his head nervously.

Elena chuckled. "Nah, you're only about six and a half feet tall. You'll fit just fine." When the jeep arrived, they climbed in, and the other passengers stared in awe at Samuel's towering frame.

An old man sitting across from them grinned mischievously. "Hey, miss, is this your boyfriend? You sure you can handle him in bed?" he quipped, eliciting a few chuckles from the other passengers. Samuel's face turned bright red, while Elena burst into laughter. "No, we're just friends," she replied, shaking her head. "He's not from around here. I'm just taking him to the night market to show him around."

As the jeep rumbled along, a young woman sitting nearby smirked and leaned toward Samuel. "If he's not your boyfriend, then maybe he'd like a woman like me," she said, her tone flirtatious.

But before Samuel could respond, Elena shot the woman a death stare so intense that the girl immediately shrank back into her seat, her confidence evaporating.

Samuel glanced at Elena, who was now casually looking out the window as if nothing had happened. He couldn't help but smile, realizing just how fiercely protective she could be.

Now, they arrived at the night market. As soon as Samuel stepped in, he was overwhelmed by the vibrant atmosphere. The colorful lights, the lively chatter, and the enticing smells of street food filled the air. "WOOO!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.

The night market was a bustling hub of activity, showcasing the best the town had to offer. Stalls were lined up in rows, each displaying unique products from different parts of the town—handcrafted goods, fresh produce, and intricate trinkets. There were also game booths where people could test their skills and win prizes, their laughter and cheers adding to the lively ambiance.

The aroma of sizzling street food wafted through the air, tempting passersby with grilled meats, sweet treats, and savory snacks. Samuel and Elena decided to grab some food to enjoy as they wandered through the market, taking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the vibrant night.

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They were circling a corner when they spotted a giant man with a frame similar to Samuel's, but even bulkier. He was issuing a challenge: anyone who could beat him in arm wrestling would win some money. One by one, people stepped up to try their luck, but the man effortlessly defeated each challenger, taunting them with a smug grin. "What if two of you try at once?" he jeered, but even then, no one could match his strength.

Samuel's attention was immediately caught by the scene. His demeanor shifted, a competitive spark lighting up his eyes. Elena noticed the change and tugged at his arm. "Hey, you're not thinking of challenging him, are you? Do you even remember how strong you are?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Samuel smirked. "Who retreats from a challenge, my lady?" he replied confidently. Without hesitation, Samuel pushed through the crowd, his towering frame drawing gasps of awe from the onlookers. He sat down at the table, and the man across from him removed his cowl, revealing his face.

"Beneto? What are you doing here?" Samuel asked, surprised. "Save the formalities, cousin," Beneto said with a grin. "How about you show me how strong you've become?" Samuel chuckled. "Well then, give it all you've got!"

The two men set themselves up for an arm-wrestling match. The crowd erupted in cheers as the two giants locked hands, their muscles straining and veins popping as they pushed against each other. It was a battle of equals, and the tension was palpable. "Let's take this up a notch!" Samuel growled, suddenly tapping into a hidden reserve of strength.

"Oh, so that's how you want to play, huh?" Beneto shot back, matching Samuel's power with his own.

The table creaked under the pressure, and the crowd's excitement grew. Sister Elena, watching from the sidelines, grew increasingly worried. "Oh God, this is going to cause a commotion. They need to be stopped, but how?" she muttered under her breath. Just then, a woman appeared out of nowhere. She calmly walked up to the table, reached out, and pinched both Samuel's and Beneto's ears. "ARRRGH!" the two men yelped in unison, their strength instantly forgotten.

"What in God's name are you two doing? Flaunting your strength in public like a pair of show-offs?" the woman scolded, her voice sharp but laced with familiarity. "Honey?" Beneto groaned, wincing in pain. "Tara?" Samuel echoed, equally agonized.

"Come on, people, the show's over!" Tara announced to the crowd, her tone leaving no room for argument. The onlookers groaned in disappointment. "Aw, come on! We were just getting to the good part!" someone shouted, but Tara ignored them. She finally released the two men, who rubbed their ears sheepishly. Elena, who had been watching the scene unfold, locked eyes with Tara.

"Hey there, beautiful lady. You can go now," Tara said dismissively. "No, I'm with Samuel," Elena replied firmly. Tara raised an eyebrow, a cheeky smile spreading across her face. "Wait, you're with this goof? So, you're his girlfriend?" Elena's cheeks flushed. "Not really. We're just… getting to know each other. I'm still technically a nun," she admitted.

"What?!" Beneto and Tara exclaimed in unison, their jaws dropping in disbelief. "Why are you two here?" Samuel asked, looking at Beneto and Tara with a mix of curiosity and concern. Tara crossed her arms and replied, "One of the oracles warned us that darkness is looming over this town."

Samuel frowned. "But we already defeated Ishtar at the convent. What's left to worry about?" Beneto stepped forward, his expression serious. "We expected that, but this is different—and far more dangerous. It's not a demon possessing someone this time. It's a human, someone who has suffered so much that their rage and despair are causing an imbalance in the natural order. I'm worried the Dark Artifact might use that man as its vessel."

Elena's eyes widened. "What's the Dark Artifact?" she asked, her voice tinged with unease. Samuel shook his head. "We can't discuss it here. Let's head back to the convent and regroup with Aunt and Hageo. We'll need a plan to figure out who this human is and how to stop the Dark Artifact from taking hold."

Elena nodded. "Come on, let's call a jeep and hurry back home." Tara smirked and waved her hand dismissively. "There's another way." With a graceful motion, she wove her hands through the air, and a shimmering portal materialized before them. "After you," she said, gesturing toward the portal.

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