The night was heavy with an oppressive silence, broken only by the faint creak of wooden boards as Father Yam Cohen stepped into the dimly lit house. The air was thick with an unnatural chill, and the faint glow of candlelight flickered erratically, as though recoiling from the presence of something malevolent. The man chained in the corner thrashed violently, his eyes glowing with an eerie red hue. His guttural growls echoed through the room, sending shivers down Yam's spine.

  Yam tightened his grip on his ancestral sword, its blade shimmering faintly with divine energy. In his other hand, he held a leather-bound Bible, worn from years of use but still potent against the forces of evil. The priest's voice rang out with unwavering authority.

  Yam: "I, Father Yam, will handle you, demon! Now reveal yourself!"

  The possessed man ceased his struggling for a moment, his lips curling into a sinister grin. A guttural laugh erupted from him as the demon within began to speak.

  Tenebris: Hahaha! Oh, look at this—a priest who thinks he can challenge me. And if it isn't Father Yam himself. Tell me, how did it feel to watch your reputation crumble? To see your precious faith turn against you? You were always a freak—blue eyes, blue hair. Divine favor? No! You were always destined to be cast aside."

  Yam's jaw tightened as he ignored the taunts. He opened his Bible and began reciting the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel.

  Yam: "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil..."

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  As Yam's voice grew louder and steadier, Tenebris shrieked in agony. The demon's shadowy form began to emerge from the man's body—a towering abomination with glowing red eyes and jagged horns that scraped against the ceiling. Its claws twitched menacingly as it stepped forward.

  Tenebris: "You dare invoke him? You dare challenge me with your pathetic mortal prayers?"

  The demon lunged at Yam, but he swung his sword in a wide arc. The blade connected with Tenebris's arm, causing it to recoil in pain. Holy water splashed onto its grotesque form as Yam continued praying aloud.

  Yam: May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host..."

  Tenebris screamed in rage and pain, its shadowy form flickering like a dying flame. It clawed at Yam's chest but was repelled by the divine aura surrounding him. Yam seized this moment to strike again, driving his sword into the demon's neck.

  Tenebris:" "You wretched mortal! You think this will stop me?!"

  Yam stepped back and hurled more holy water onto Tenebris’s writhing body while continuing his prayer.

  Yam: "...by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and all other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls!"

  The demon let out an ear-piercing scream as its form began to disintegrate into wisps of black smoke. With one final cry of agony, Tenebris vanished into nothingness.The room fell silent once more. Yam turned toward the man who lay slumped on the floor, freed from his chains but visibly shaken.

  Male: "Ugh... What happened? Where am I?"

  Yam: "You are safe now, son. The demon that possessed you has been vanquished."

  The man looked around in confusion before noticing the chains that had bound him.

  Male: "Chains? Why was I chained up? Demon? What are you talking about?"

  Yam placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

  Yam: "The people of this town feared you because of your actions while possessed. But you are free now; no harm will come to you."

  As Yam prepared to leave, he refused any offer of payment or reward from the grateful townsfolk gathered outside.

  Woman: "Thank you, Father Yam! We owe you so much."

  Yam: "No thanks are needed. I serve not for recognition but for faith."

  Returning to his modest home, Yam sat down and opened his Bible once more. Though victorious tonight, he knew this was only one battle in a war against darkness that would never truly end. As he read by candlelight, whispers from unseen forces lingered at the edges of his consciousness—a reminder that evil never rests.

  Father Yam Cohen—the Cassock Shadow—would continue his fight against malevolence wherever it dared to rise again.

  to be continued