Awakening Of The HollowShadow

Chapter 17

All demons present nodded acknowledging the words of the general. Convinced his kindness was genuine due to his appeared bluntness of things, which made them believed he had a sense of honesty, as the possibility of him ever lying to them vanished.

Making the remnant believed, he was somehow trying to make utmost use of the darkness their lord was creating in the south region, all the while they were in the city.

Given how little they knew of their lord’s reasons for his act, as their new found devotion also blocked them from seeing the abnormality of things, or paying much attention to the exact meaning of his words, which made them unaware of the darkness energy around the region and city.

Even lord Oka was distracted by the supposed power of the crystal, which made his imagination run wild, and unaware of the darkness energy plaguing the region atmosphere. As he paid little attention to even the uttered words of the general, while the grip of his caution and suspicion loosen more.

Although the thought of the effects the general’s words had on his subordinate still annoyed him. Especially, when he knew it was able to gain their devotions, but the thought of making the most of their situation was something he could relate too.

Given the benefits that came with the co-operation. Blind sighted by the lust for power, he loosen his grip of all thought of caution and suspicion he had of the general. And at the same time awakened his devotion to the general unconsciously.

“Given how most here are demons from the dark sector, I believe it’ll be safe to assume that most are aware of what the darkness is? And its effects, correct? If that’s the case then, I am certain, the thought of a profound assurance to the success of the invasion would come to mind…”

Given how the darkness is spreading in the city, with little to no resistance, correct?” the general asked to confirm their knowledge and thoughts of things, as he moved on with his talk.

All demons present paused for a brief moment, pondering on what the general meant by his question, which forced them to pay more attention to their environment. Sensing if there was any form of dark energy spreading as he said.

But to their surprise, they sense a significant level of malicious energy increasing in both range and energy, steadily. At that moment the demons from the dark sector understood what the question meant, then gave their response.

“Yes sire!” the demons of the dark sector, with the remnant of lord Omiha's party inclusive, responded as they stood in queues of 7, 5 of the queues consist of original members of lord Oka’s party. An even of 7 demons in each queue.

And the two last queues, consist of both rogues, and the remnants of lord Omiha’s party. The rogues were 11 in each queue and the remnant were 5, making it and uneven queue overall. As all were in possession of a crystal on hand, making the total demons present 53 in number, with the demons outside inclusive, but excluding lord Oka, who was still sitting by the middle end of the living room.

The rogues present stood dumbfounded, having no clue of what the general was making reference to, given how this was the first they’ve heard of the news. But could sense the fierce power of a malicious energy spreading around the region, at the time, which made them pondered, if that was the ace he had. As the thoughts of how they could had achieved such feat plagued them.

“I see… Then this should be easy to comprehend, and I won’t need to go into much details… As you know the darkness, or preferably the Plague of darkness grants certain effects, which gives us an ace against the hunters… Due to them being partly humans… But the one spreading, as you will soon come to know is not the plague of darkness…”

“It’s a somewhat tweaked version of it… An alternative version, you might call it… It’s not as strong as the original version yet, but it does grant similar effects and results, with the right conditions and tools in play… In simple terms the darkness doesn’t provide the luxury of leveling up, on its own, but that’s where the crystal I sent come in play…” the general explained, making them aware of the role of the crystal and the darkness in the city.

“You could say the crystal compensates for the darkness shortcomings… However, to make use of the crystal, you’ll need to first activate it, by swallowing it whole... Although, the crystal grants a significant boost to one’s level, but in other for it to take effect, one has to first absorb certain amount of the darkness energy, to oneself, after or before activation …”

“But please note, once the crystal is activated the seal I gave you all will lose its power… Making your present and energy visible to the hunters around, or with high senses… And the boost doesn’t work instantly… It takes about a minute, for it to take effect…”

“So, it’s advisable to first, absorb the darkness energy to oneself, before swallowing the crystal, or think of proceeding with the stated objectives, to avoid unfortunate incidents… Although, the darkness like the one you’re familiar with will serve as an infinity source of energy for you all…”

“And normally that would be enough, until it corrupts the humans and hunters after it completes its circulation…”

“But due to the abnormally of the hunters’ strengths here… It’s advisable to secure your upgrade to assure your chances of survival, given how the success of the invasion, depends on your ability to achieve the objectives” the general relayed concluding his explanation, after he had instruct them on how to use the crystals, as that of the conditions for it to work amongst other things.

“Noted… And how do you suggest we proceed with the execution of the objectives… Sire”

“I’ll leave that to you to decide, Oka… Given how you’ll become a ranked level demon soon, I’ll like to see how you’ll handle things… So, try not to disappoint me”

“Yes sire… I won’t disappoint you” lord Oka answered, with utmost respect, standing up from his seat, taking a bow. Concluding their talk, while the general’s sphere shaped mirror fade to nothing after hearing lord Oka’s response.

The concluded discussion left the demons ecstatic to things, especially when they’ve obtained the knowledge of how to use the crystals, which made them eager to test it out. Filling them with thoughts of being invincible, as they all stood awaiting the order of lord Oka.

While lord Oka on the other hand, was a bit occupied with the thoughts of how to approach things. In order to make the execution of the objectives go smoothly. With consideration of the condition stated in mind.

Since a careless form of rampage doesn’t seem to be what the general had in mind, as he was also trying to suppress his thoughts of testing the crystal, as he stood, yet to return to his seat. While the others had an obvious look of bloodlust. Especially the remnant demons.

Meanwhile, at the school, where Mutiu attend, it was almost break time, and most of the students’ were excited. Knowing, it was just moments that remained for them to be free of lessons, for the next half an hour, as most couldn’t help, but stared at the clock in each class, especially the ones being taught.

Counting down the minutes, and seconds left. In the anticipation of the bell being rang. As the thoughts of being free of lessons, to bask in the light of the sun, and the joy of playing with their pairs amused them.

At the lab of Mutiu physics teacher, Mr. Adeleke. He was still in his lab, looking at the sky from the center window of the lab, as he stood by it. Pondering on how effective Mutiu last request would proof to be.

While Graced by the present of two other teachers. A male and a female teacher, who appeared to be within same age range, if not a bit younger than Mr. Adeleke, which he summoned to his lab, as regards to Mutiu’s request. Given how they were of same clansmen, and were amongst the set of teachers he met and tasked earlier upon arrival to the school, like him.

“So, Has Master made his decision? I hope our contribution to the investigation was helpful”

“Yes, It would appear so…” Mr. Adeleke said, placing his hand backwards. Holding one with the other, as he kept looking at the sky, with a look of distress, as his voice expressed same. Answering the question of his clansmen. While they stood behind him, by his right hand side. But was able to gain a side view of his face.

“Okay then, don’t leave us guessing… What did he say?”

“He said to leave the issue of the darkness to him, as that of the demons… All investigation should be suspended till he instruct otherwise… And lastly, all clansmen should stay out of sight till all is solve, due to the drones he believe the sector security would have deployed to keep watch of things”

“Okay… Those are all good, and anticipated measures, so what’s the bad news… Because your face kind of have the expression that there’s one” the male teacher said, curious of what was troubling him. Acknowledging the word Mr. Adeleke uttered, while the female teacher stood pondering.

“Would he be able to pull it off…? Not to doubt his capability, but at his current state, the difficult level of purging the plague, won’t be the only hindrance in his way…”

“The unavailability and utilization of his energy, as that of his curse mark will pose a great hindrance than the plague… Besides destroying the plague would be greatly easy for us than any hunter... So why not have us take care of it?” the female teacher relayed lost in thoughts, sprouting out her words of concern unconsciously. Confused of the reason for Mutiu’s decision, as her words reached the ears of all present. Before Mr. Adeleke could answer the male teacher question.

“I also have similar concerns… But he made it clear that we can’t interfere, given how it will beat the point of us staying in the city… It’s not something I agree with, but that’s the true to our situation, Mrs. Adeshakin…”

“We’ll just have to believe he can pull through, and aid in any way he allows us… After all our safety is what his trying to secure” Mr. Adeleke answered, facing the female teacher. Mrs. Adeshakin in response to her words. She acknowledge his words, which made her apologize for her relayed words, and thoughts, upon actualization of her unconscious act.

“Well said, am almost convinced you have absolute faith in…” the male teacher relayed in humor to Mr. Adeleke words, but fell short of words and puzzled as to the change of event, when he suddenly sensed the absence of the plague, within the city.

“Mr. Fayemi, are you okay…?”

“Can you still sense it…The plague I mean?” Mr. Fayemi. The male teacher asked Mr. Adeleke, in a bit of agitation, curious of if he was the only one aware of the change of things.

“What are you talking about of course I…” Mr. Adeleke replied, but paused at midsentence, as he also became aware of what Mr. Fayemi was trying to point out.

“What the hell is going on…? Did it got purged…? No… No, that can’t be… There is no hunter that is strong enough to…”

“Wait a minute could he have? No… No, it’s not possible” Mr. Adeleke continued, as he pondered on what was happening after sensing the absent of the plague, like Mr. Fayemi. Confirming the changes of things, while Mr. Adeleke pondered on the possibility of the changes of things being the hand work of Mutiu, but believed such is unlikely, due to his current state.

While Mrs. Adeshakin paid little attention and concern as to why both male teachers were in panic. Believing the result in the absent of the plagues present had only one reason. It being purged. The question now was who was behind the act. However when she caught a glance of the sky by looking at the window of the lab, after she noticed the sudden change in the weather, her thoughts changed instantly. Convinced this was the reason behind Muitu’s decision.

“Sir. Adeleke and Mr. Fayemi… I think you should look at the sky, you might find the answer to the question you seek there” Mrs. Adeshakin suggested. Directing their attention to the window, for them to gain view of the sky. Believing they would come to comprehend the issue at hand with just a glance.

Both male teachers looked, at the sky through the window of the lab closest to them. Witnessing a mass level of increase of the plague, covering the sky within view. Sensing no energy from it, as that of its present, as the color of it was deep grey, making the sky look like it was going to pour down. As they became aware of what Mrs. Adeshakin was trying to point out, instantly.

However, they couldn’t help but be in shock, as to what was within their sight. As they stood unsure of how to take it, even when they recognized the current plague to possess a similar color to that of the energy of Mutiu. And like his they were unable to sense it.