Awakening Of The HollowShadow

Chapter 8

Over 17 demons was spotted, all in human form, toying and preying on most of the folks living in the slump of the ghetto. As a fog of darkness plagued the area, while most of the people were being rounded up, about half of them seemed to be bounded up to be butchered.

Few tried escaping, but less could flee with their lives intact, from the clutches of the demons, while those of the ghetto scattered, a few who saw what had happened. Running away from the slump, into surrounding buildings, and corners of the ghetto to take cover, thinking being out of sight would be best, than otherwise. While in fear for their lives, as the grounds of the slump were covered with a few bodies of the folks, some bodies were dragged further in, within the slump, as the fog of darkness gained more ground.

He continued, saying they couldn't sense the demons energy in the area, even as they had laid eyes on them, and when they tried. But they felt a somewhat intimidating present from the area. The air around was thick, and filled with mass level of dark energy. It was hard for them to breathe, or stand around the area, even from where they stood scoping, as time passes, with that they knew they stood no chance in direct confrontation.

So, they hid, and thought it wise to report in, and ask for backup, but was unable to get in touch with anyone using com-rings, so, instead they used a shadow art, they were taught by the captain to use in-place of their com-rings, if they were ever in any danger.

"A shadow art?"

"Yes sir… It's a means to contact one of two persons: the first being one of our instructor a person by the name Tobi, while the other is an alien to me, but his name is said to be Mutiu…"

"We can use the art to contact them whenever we find ourselves in a pickle… I mean trouble… Sir… It is called shadow-com" he said answering the vice-captain's question, explaining all he knew in a bit of panic, as he indicate the captain's advice, and Tobi's involvement. While trying to keep his words formal, rather than otherwise, as he proceed with the content of his report.

The ordinary members on seat nodded in support of Emekah's claim, while adding that its one amongst other things, the captain gave and taught them towards the end of their training, as recruits few months ago.

The old man who made the vice-captain aware of his influence over the scout felt intrigued by how things was playing out. Knowing the vice-captain has quite a strong opposition as regards to the matter of Tobi associating with the sector security, due to his relationship with Mutiu.

Even the sound of the name Mutiu disgust him, and do tend to make him lose sense of things for a brief moment, engulfing him in rage, which he finds hard to suppress.

And as expected the vice-captain facial expression had changed. He was infuriated, because he knew the captain was very much aware of the harm in dealing with Mutiu directly, or indirectly, since his still in exile. But yet he established and shared his contact to the recruits without even, going through the trouble of telling them to keep it a secret.

"Is his strength really what sacrificing your life for?" the vice-captain pondered enrage, as he tighten his fist, concluding that the captain was just being reckless regardless of his reasons. But he couldn't overlook the fact that his decision has always been one that was most effective, and the current situation, amongst many others were prove of it. Due to that the rain of his rage was brief, after settling his thoughts, he then asked the hunter to continue with his report.

"After using the shadow-com, we were able to reach Tobi and explained the situation, but as luck would have it he was somewhat close by… The regional scouts in the east had already called him up for backup, and they were done with the purge of the area, so he headed our way next…"

"Momentarily, he made his way to our location, and upon noticing how hard it was for us to remain standing, due to the malicious energy around... He taught us how to overcome it by increasing our energy flow circulation around all parts of our bodies, in order for us to withstand the dark energy around…"

"While concentrating an additional flow to our weapons for attacks to make it more effectively strong, and reverse for defense… Which we did after observing him, as he went ahead of us to purge the demons and decrease the level of casualties…" He continued.

"So, that pest is even a good teacher… I guess I can see why the captain kept him around… How annoying" the vice-captain thought a bit surprised by the trait Tobi seem to possess.

"So he was the one responsible for their growth, impressive… Am curious to meet this Tobi fellow" the chief thought smiling.

"After getting the concept of the technique, we joined the fight, but it was difficult for us to keep up with it during combat, due to that he ended up doing most of the purge, and seemed to have taken care of most of the demons, as that of their apparent leader…"

"While fending off the remnants from the remaining victims that were still alive… We could only aid in cornering the remnants and purging a few… After the purge we thought it wise: mainly Tobi to track the source of the malicious energy, in that account we went further into the scene of the event, checking for other victims that might be caught in the malicious energy…"

"But unfortunately we found none, only butchered corpses, it didn't seem like they were eaten or devoured… They were just… Slaughtered… It was like… They were creating an exhibition… With bodies, and body parts… it was..." Emekah said, unable to continue his report, as the memories of a more gruesome sight than the killing, and butchering of the slump folks they first witness overwhelmed him.

Placing him in a state of shock, while short of words, as the images were playing back in his head, and his partner seemed to be experiencing something similar, as he wrapped his hands around himself, while shivering after hearing Emekah's words.

"Hmm… Although, am certain you were all told of how the scenes of our cases might be, as that of the risk in being a hunter… However judging by the look on your faces am certain the pictures, and words did little justice compare to the real thing…"

"It is okay to be in shock… After all, it is a sight no one should ever bare witness too, especially kids, even so, we can't let such break us… We owe it to the victims to make sure such occurrence never happen again, while putting them to rest…"

"So, let the images sink in, while making it your goal to never let such sight ever come to be, so long as you can help it" the vice-captain relayed, after observing Emekah sudden pause, and his partner facial expression, and body gestures.

"Yes, sir! We'll do our best" Emekah and his partner responded bowing, trying to overcome the thoughts they had, after hearing the words of the vice-captain.

The other ordinary members on seat couldn't fully relate to the scenario on ground. They were yet to witness such, and hope to keep it that way, since they don't think they could stand such sight being saved in their heads. The senior scouts on seat could relate a bit to what they witnessed, since they've had their own fair share of the sight of butchered and devoured victims.

While the chief's deputy showed no sign of interest in the meeting as it progresses, having a doll like expression of boredom. But the chief on the other hand was not move by their episode, since he knew it to be a common reaction amongst recruits or ordinary members, when they witness the gruesome parts of the job for the first time. Instead he was more moved by the speech of the vice-captain and how fast he was able to notice the cause of their troubles.

"Hmm… I'll admit I had my doubts as to if he'll be able to relate to the members, due to his temper, but I guess my doubts might have been unfounded… Hopefully at least" the chief thought a bit impressed by the vice-captain's quick, and rather effective assessment, while stroking his beard.

"Good, can you now proceed with the rest?"

"Yes sir… I'll do my best!" Emekah replied.

He continued his report starting from a more convenient point, to ease the thoughts in his head, before resuming from where he stopped. Stating that during the purge of the demons, 7 tried escaping, but 2 were purged in the process but the other 5 got away, although they were injured, but they doubt the injuries were live threatening.

After the purge was done, they called the cleanup team to come pick up, and treat the victims, but were unable to reach them, as the com-rings were still not connecting with other hunters, or the tower for some reason.

Most of the surviving victims were not severely injured, but about 7 of them were, while 13 were partially injured, but were all unconscious after the purge, they believe it was because they were short of strength, at least for the severely injured, while the others were probably, because they were relieved, they were saved.

Although transporting them was an issue he and his partner didn't know how to address, due to the severely injured, but with luck on their side Tobi was able to seal their wounds, with his energy, and at the same time transported all 20 victims, one by one to a nearby hospital, in league with sector security in a split seconds, his speed and decisiveness left them speechless, he relayed unconsciously.

"Now… I think he's just exaggerating… But it does explain why his name was in the hospital reports…" the vice-captain thought, a bit disturbed by the productivity of Tobi.

The other scouts on seat were not really surprised by the capability of Tobi, since some were acquainted to him, especially the senior ranked hunters, but they still felt Emekah was exaggerating his capability a bit. While the chief was not in any way surprised, since he knew who his master was, he believes that expecting anything less than incredible would be an insult.

"He is not just good in combat, but also in rescue… impressive… if he keeps this up the soul sector will be forced to recognize him… I wonder if that would be in his favor" the deputy of the chief pondered, while impressed by Tobi's credibility, as his doll like expression of boredom, remained unchanging.

After transporting them safely, they went further, into the slump to check, if there were any other surviving victims. Other than the corpses that were dragged in, since they couldn't sense anything, but mass level of darkness further in, within the dark fog plaguing the slump.

Believing the source lays within the dark fog. They matched onward to confirm their suspicion, while regulating the flow of their energy, as Tobi led the way. They added a bit more to the outward flow of their energy, as the malicious energy around the area seemed to be getting stronger, as they went further in.

Upon reaching the heart of the slump, they were able to witness the physical form of the darkness. A dark, thick and suffocating smoke, which seemed to be emanating from one of the uncompleted buildings deep in the slump of the ghetto, and seemed to be the cause of the dark fog. It was at that time they witness the gruesome sight, when they entered the uncompleted building emanating the dark smoke like energy.

He stated resuming from where he stopped, with his thoughts of the gruesome sight not as tense as before. He proceeded saying after entry, they found the corpses of the dead victims, and it would seem their bodies being butcher didn't seem to be without purpose.

Explaining that the smoke like energy was emanating from a large magic circle, on the ground of the presumed living room of the building, which seemed to be made with blood. And a mountain of body parts were set from the center to the edge of the magic circle, as it convert the parts into malicious energy like smoke. It was like the body parts were fire wood being burnt, to generate malicious darkness spreading out to the sky.