Awakening Of The HollowShadow

Chapter 18

The change in the weather made most, especially the traders in the city worried of it pouring down, due to the color of the sky, and the gathering of the clouds. As the impact of it raining, and affecting their sales for the day left a disappointing look on their faces, while they took all needed precaution to protect their goods and items.

Unaware of what was really happening, while the demons in the city who were aware of the sudden, and rapid change of event were suspicious of the changes. Especially those from the western region, as the circulation of the darkness was almost complete.

Leaving only the meeting point between the Northern and Western region to be covered, as the darkness rapid increase was still on-going.

Horrified by what was in view, Mr. Adeleke and the other teachers in the lab became unsure of what to feel. As even the worries, of if Mutiu could address the issue of the plague and demons, while securing the lives of the city folks became of little to no concern. Due to the possibility of him hijacking the plague of darkness, which contradicted their core believes, of such ever being possible. Making even what they witness difficult to accept. And at the same time horrified by the act.

Especially when they were aware of his current state. Knowing for a fact that he could only use a small fraction of his energy, due to the seal placed on him, which was meant to leave only enough energy to keep him alive. Rendering him powerless, but somehow within the past centuries, he found a way to manipulate it into making use of 3% of his energy.

Granting him access to an extra 2% of his energy, which they believed would only allow him, the use of low level arts. While granting an increase to an horrific sense of pain which was in place, as his energy flows. In effect to the curse mark branded on him.

With that in mind, and the fact that he’s a hunter, they were convinced it was impossible for him to influence, or overwhelm that much darkness, in order to turn it to his own. Regardless of how powerful he was, due to its mass, and given how that would be difficult than destroying it, as that of the mass of energy one would need to achieve such, which he doesn't have.

Knowing that, the fact before them, became even more difficult for them to believe, or comprehend how he could achieved such feat, if it were him. Since they doubt the plague could evolve to a point where they would be unable to sense its present. Believing at most, even if it evolves, the mass level of its darkness would just increase, or become overwhelming. But they would still be able to sense it, given what they were.

While they were perusing on thoughts, in order to comprehend, and make sense of what was before them. Mr. Adeleke couldn’t help but be compelled to believe that it was Mutiu’s doing. When the thought of his last request resurfaced in his head, and when he took note of the timing.

“If this is truly his doing… Then I pity for all the demons that will refuse to heed his warning” Mr. Adeleke relayed in pity, while partly accepting the change of the event to be the work of Mutiu, even as such thoughts overwhelmed him.

Making him lose a bit of his stamina, as it forced him to grab hold of the burglary proof of the window before him, while the others in the lab was curious of the meaning of his words. But unsure of if they really want to hear his answer, which made them preserved their silent.

After partly accepting the change of things, Mr. Adeleke returned to his seat on the podium of the lab, while ordering the other teachers to execute the request of the withdrawal of all investigation. And made it clear that all clansmen must avoid the drones of the tower, as he also relayed to them the last request of Mutiu.

Comprehending the uttered words of Mr. Adeleke they came to see things under same light. Making the thoughts of if to was. As Mr. Adeleke prepped for the execution of Mutiu last request. While the others sat, each on a stool of the lab, waiting to bear witness of the event, as they used their art to transmit the relayed words of their master to all clansmen. Suspending all investigation, as they shared the warning of their master to all clansmen.

Meanwhile, the change in the weather, caused a bit of commotion in the school as most students felt disappointed. Thinking it was going to rain before and during their break, as all thought and expectation of basking in the sun with their pairs for fun activities, was murdered.

Even Tobi had same thoughts, but couldn’t help but felt a certain sense of familiarity to the color of the sky, but since he couldn’t sense any energy emitting from it. He thought the lessons he was taught was starting to get to him, or was making him lose his sense of things. While he comfort himself, with the countdown to the break from all lessons.

“It seem all is going as planned… And judging by how, it’s still yet to leave the tower… Things must be going as anticipated in its end… Now, it’s left to Mr. Adeleke to take the stage…”

“Hopefully, the demons will have the brains to heed his words before they all get killed…” Mutiu pondered looking at the window not fazed by the change of things, as he sat resting his cheek on his palm and his elbow resting on the desk of his seat. With a boring expression on his face, while he looked at the sky, with little to no attention to the lesson being taught.

Aware of the progress of his messenger, since he could still sense its energy in the tower, knowing it would soon be time for his physics teacher to take the stage. He hope the audience would comprehend the message passed, enough to act on it, and not otherwise.

At the tower, moments after the vice-captain had vacated the main hall to his office, with his secretary. The atmosphere in the hall became rather settled, with a stain of confusion, as the reason for his act was yet to be comprehended by the scouts.

Although it was obvious he didn’t want to accept the help, or come to terms with the demand of the crow, due to his personal feelings, which they tried to understand. But given the circumstance, his speech on how essential it was to endure the horrors of the job, and preventing it, as that of his post.

They couldn’t help but expected more from him. Especially when he couldn’t come up with any alternative, which in turn made them wonder what he was trying to accomplish by leaving the hall, as the thought of him being all talk came to mind.

“So, pray tell, what do you have plan, to achieve the success of the quests, as you called it… If you don’t mind sharing? And is there any way we can be of service?” the chief asked, with a straight face. Pressing on with the issue at hand, as he put to rest the silent in the hall, while curious of Mutiu’s plans.

“Well, I can’t share such, but now that you mentioned it… Yes, you sure can be of service… Given how purifying the eye, or divine eye directly will be most effective than otherwise”

“I see… However as regards to purifying the eye directly, I don’t think that would work… Given how we've been doing that for the past months now, with it baring no positive fruit… Only leaving most of my team members drained to almost nothing, during each rituals…”

“Although, your explanation of how the darkness as you called it works, has cleared the air, as to the cause of such occurrence… Even so, I hope you’ll understand if I can’t help but oppose such, and ask for another alternative?” the chief asked, in concern of his team mate wellbeing, as he brought to light certain events to help his case, with hope for another alternative, in response to the crow's words, as they talked.

“I understand what you're saying, but your manner of approach was to be expected as that of the results… Given how you were all trying to purge the darkness with just your energy, instead of with the eye’s energy… It's not your fault though, you were only working with what you have…”

“Besides, the only way to purify the eye of its darkness given the circumstance is by Slu va art of purification... Anything else would be.... Well let's just say it's not so productive” the crow relayed making its thoughts and propose solution known.

Its uttered word threw the chief and his deputy to a bit of a haze, as they were surprised by its proposed solution, to purifying the eye. Since they knew the art of purification he mentioned, was rendered a taboo to most, due to the concept of it.

Most higherups rubbished the art, based on that and it’s inventor, by making it seem like an inferior version compared to the other art of purifications, as lessons of how to actually utilize it was deprive from most.

The councilmen in the soul sector even went as far as to implant the thought of using it to be an insult for high ranking hunters, which made it hardly used by them. And in due time even most ordinary members neglect the use of the art for decades now.

Making the theories of it being explained died off, with that of reference of it in text. Leaving the knowledge of it known to less than a hand full of people, and less even dared using it.

As the art of purge instantly replaced it, with that of individuals and clan art of purification, invented along the line. In believed that the art was inferior and useless, the chief and his deputy couldn’t help but wonder why he would propose such, as the thought of him joking came to mind.

Although the chief believed Mutiu probably has his reasons, but the propose solution contradicted all he knew of the purifying art.

While the chief’s deputy couldn’t help but thought, if he was actually serious about its proposed solution, it would only show sign of him being insane. Given all the standard class of purifying art they’ve tried, and bared no positive fruit. Him thinking some outdated art would be better, was nothing short of madness, which in a way made him excited, as he became curious of what was going on in its head.

Meanwhile the senior scouts were unfamiliar with the proposed purifying art, but was unable to tell, if it was a key to the problem of the eye. Given the expression on the chief and his deputy face.

However most of the ordinary members seated were unfazed by the proposed solution, though unaware of the status and rating of the technique, as few were trying to recall where they’ve heard the name of the technique before.

“Slu va huh…? Do you mind telling me why you would propose such…? Surely, you know how…” the chief asked but was distracted by the outburst of one of the ordinary members. In remembrance of what the Slu va was, and where he heard it.

“I got it… That’s the purifying art the captain taught us… And explained to be an art that purge darkness by enhancing the core or host with one's pure energy, instead of using one's energy to purge the darkness…”

“And the stronger one’s will is the more portent it is for the darkness, making it more effective than any other art of purification” one of the ordinary member voiced out sharing, what he recalled. All in excitement, unaware his voice could reach all present.

All were surprised by his outburst. The crow, by the supposed act of the captain. The chief and his deputy by the meaning of his uttered words, and the knowledge of the captain. While the senior scouts by his act of boldness, and his mates by his consciousness to things.

“Is what he said true?” the chief asked, directing his question to the crow. Ignoring the act of the ordinary member, as he paid more attention to confirming the ordinary member’s claim.

While the ordinary member was made aware of his act, by the chief’s question and his mates. Plague with embarrassment he became unable to apologize, and thought doing so at the time would only be him interrupting, things further. Instead, he bowed his head from where he sat, in embarrassment.

“I don’t know about the will part, but I do know the stronger the core or host is the portent the art gets... With that said, I'll like to believe that's what his trying to say... Given how all else he said reference to the Slu va... After all, it’s the only art known to the council that focus on enhancing the core of pure energy, which they rubbished, and made sure the knowledge of it, died out…”

“Due to the change in concept, and their pure ignorance… Am surprise the captain was even aware of such, let alone was able to learn and teach the art… His truly an odd one, but his act does make things easy, but just in case, I’ll give a brief walk through, as to how to use the art, to make it less demanding and most efficient when used…”

“That is if you’re willing to try it… After all, i won’t want you going against the sector, just to save the young lads, and that of everyone else in the tower, by using the art” the crow relayed in a bit of sarcasm, as it confirm the claim of the ordinary member of the scout. While curious of the chief acceptance of the art.