Awakening Of The HollowShadow

Chapter 9

"Micheal… Send me the holographic clips of the scene of yesterday now, as that of the reports" the chief relayed a bit agitated, pulling a holographic dialog box from his table, after hearing the description of the energy emanating from the scene. As he previewed clips of the city, using his finger to slide through each.

"No problem" the vice-captain replied, surprised by the sudden request, and the look of agitation on his face when he asked, while looking for the file, before sending them.

The others on seat didn't pay much attention to the chief's agitation, as they were still listening to the report. Knowing they'll probably be called up next to do the same, especially the ordinary members from the east, while Emekah was a bit curious, as to why the chief would react so after hearing about the energy they saw. Thinking he probably knew something about it, too had trigger such reaction from him, Emekah became a bit anxious, as he continued with his report.

He proceeded with his report, stating that the smoke emanating from the house, had the same energy to the one that drew them to the ghetto, but was much stronger. After taking a look at it, Tobi cut the flow of the darkness, by destroying the magic circle with his machete. The emission of the darkness stopped.

Afterwards, he purged the house, and they purged what was remain of the victims. Although they could still sense the darkness within the areas, but it seemed to be fading bit by bit, as the dark fog seized to be. They left the house concealing their present, while sensing certain levels of energy lurking from afar.

They believed it to be the escaped folks, or the ones in hiding in the ghetto. On their way out they saw some people from afar peeking, and that confirmed it for them.

It was some of the folks living in the ghetto, who fled into hiding after the demons took over. Knowing that, they left the area afterwards to continue their patrol, with Tobi checking other areas for demonic activities. But found none of such, and that was it, sir, he relayed concluding his report.

"How troubling…Could it be that the demons has found a way to conceal their energy? At least, that would explain why we can't sense them in the city… And with the status of the eye as it is, it will be next to impossible to track them… if that's the case, then the only option would be probing the city for their present…"

"But we don't have enough manpower for such… And there is still the issue of the dark energy they mentioned and the com-ring… They truly are taking advantage of our current status, those cocky bastards" the vice-captain thought, analyzing the potential problems stated, while frustrated by the thought of it, and the timing of everything, as he tried keeping his composure.

"Nice work, you did well" the vice-captain said, giving a good appraiser of Emekah's report, after he took a breather to settle his thoughts.

"So, Chief Ahmed, what do you think about the issue of the darkness, and that of the com-ring he mentioned? Is there a chance of them being related?"

"Judging by what have gathered, from both the clips, and their description of the darkness… There is a high chance, both problems are related… I can't say anything with certainty yet… But if my suspicions are right… The com-ring connection will be the least of our problems"

"And what do you mean by that, chief?" the vice-captain asked, curious of what the chief might had figured out.

The chief explained his thoughts of the cause of the problems, by first giving a basic understanding of the com-ring. Stating that, theoretically speaking, com-rings works similarly to a mobile phone, communication-wise. It sends and receives wave signal in form of energy, which in turn allows communication between parties, but unlike phones it has two main signal receptions or channels, pure and dark energy.

Although, most might argue with such concept, since they believe energy varies, due to the host and element type, but the truth is they are one of two source, pure or dark energy. At least that's the gist of it, he said.

Then went further, explaining the two source of energy. Stating that pure energy varies depending on the host, and takes the form of various element, and same could be said about dark energy. But when compared to dark energy, pure energy tend to be sane in a word, for all host. It doesn't devour the host, or corrupt them, but same couldn't be said for dark energy, which in turn makes pure energy preferable to use compare to dark energy, at least for humans.

Based on that, with the fact that pure energy can purify dark energy, amongst other reasons, was why most hunters utilize pure energy to purge demons, while erasing their dark energy, along with every other spiritual being with darkness. Conforming pure energy to elements one could utilize subconsciously, or otherwise was what gave birth to various techniques, amongst other things, one being the com-ring art.

He continued stating, that com-ring was an art utilized to aid in communication with other hunters, one amongst many. But it was powered by using pure energy, and doesn't require much of it, while the art the ordinary members utilized was a shadow art, or dark art, that makes use of dark energy, but serves the same purpose.

"Knowing this, it will be safe to assume the dark art worked because of the existence of darkness in almost everything, especially humans, and the darkness they sensed probably enhance the reception of things…"

"While the pure art didn't work because of the same darkness, which probably overwhelmed the pure energy around… In other words, there is a chance the demons has found a way to remove or consume the source of the energy we utilize" the chief relayed explaining his thoughts of things, as he answered the vice-captain's question.

"Is that what you think? Or a fact?"

"I can't lay claim to anything yet… However, going through a bit of the report, I noticed it was also highlighted that the regional scout of the east experienced similar issues... Isn't that correct?" the chief replied the vice-captain, while asking the regional scout of the east to confirm certain content of their report of yester night.

The regional scouts of the east, were hesitant to answer the question asked. Since they were occupied with thoughts of what they might say, or how to start their report, if eventually they were called upon, to have heard what the chief asked. Due to the just concluded report of Emekah, which left them a bit whelmed by the appraiser he got. At least until Thomas whispered to them that they were being asked to confirm content of their report.

While the others scouts, from the senior scouts, to the regional scouts of the north, and Emekah were trying to keep up with the flow of things, in order to comprehend the uttered words. As the chief and vice-captain discussed.

"Adewale Olabiye, and Kehinde Akintunde… You are the regional scout of the east correct?"

"Ye-Yes, sir"

"Good then… It was stated that in your report you also had similar issues, in terms of the com-ring, as that of the regional scout of the south… Could you be so kind as to confirm it, if it is so?" the chief asked in response to his question, as they were eventually aware that his question was directed to them.

They nodded in response to the question, then said yes, it was so, as they explained how such came to be. Stating that it was before they had raided a set of demons, whose group seemed to be abducting people around the region for a month that they knew of. While adding that they found their hideout to be a warehouse, after they had spoiled the a*******n of one of the demons.

They narrated that in order to find their hideout, and put a stop to such. They made him think he had gotten away from them, while using the chance to report in, with hope of back up, as they tailed the demon to his base. But failed to reach the tower, and any senior hunter, which led to them calling Tobi instead, since they believe the demons might be a bit much to handle. Based on their numbers, upon getting to their hideout.

"Okay, but did you witness or sense any dark smoke like energy around, or in the warehouse? And was there, by chance need to use energy circulation?"

"No sir, we didn't see anything of such... But we did sense a little level of a somewhat weird malicious energy within the warehouse, at least, before Tobi purged it, as he rushed in to save the victims, inside the warehouse, while we handled the ones outside…"

"However the only thing that did strike us as a bit odd, was while moving all the victims still conscience out of the warehouse, along with the injured, to the nearest hospital with the sector… We noticed certain set of belongings found in a rather large magic circle…"

"And when asked if the belongings were of any of the victims, they said no... Adding, that they also met them there, when they were brought to the warehouse after a*******n, some a week ago, and others days ago, but they saw no persons, or bodies around to tag the belongings too"

"But... As for the use of energy circulation, I can't say there was any actual need to use it, although the demons were strong to some degree, at least from the ones we normally encounter, but we only used energy circulation, since we are still trying to master the art of it, after Tobi had taught us, a while back" Akintunde answered, explaining all he could remember to the chief, as that of the oddity observed.

"What? He taught you two as well?" the vice-captain asked in a bit of annoyance, as his emotions got the best of him.

"Yes sir, since we are shorthanded of hunters all around, and there were increase in demonic activities in certain regions in the city, we taught it would be wise to up our game a little... I meant increase our strength, and speed for better coverage, and for the safety of the folks in our region... In case we encounter similar issues to the other regions..."

"So, we reached out to him, since he was our instructor during recruitment... And luckily he agreed and has been training us once a week, for the past two months since then, sir" Olabiye said answering the vice-captain's question. As she explained the reason for their training with Tobi, while wondering if it was a bad choice to make, as that of her partner and the other regional scouts. After noticing the expression on the vice-captain's face, and a stain of anger in his voice.

"Nice work, you two, that was a good call, However moving on to the issue at hand..." the chief complemented, as he press on to a more relevant issue, preventing any further emotional outburst of the vice-captain, while impressed by the regional scouts sense of duty, as the cause of the changes in the energy of the four regional scout was revealed.

"Judging by the description of the scene, there is a possibility another darkness like the one in the south was created… And if that's the case, it'll be safe to assume, the demons are working together, therefore giving claims to our suspicion, and making it known that the demons in both regions has been releasing a certain form of darkness to the city…"

"But judging from the effect on the ordinary members, and description of the scene, it'll be safe to conclude that, the darkness was consuming most, if not all of the pure energy in the area, which in turn will prevent one from using pure arts, as it plagued one of their pure energy… Based on what I could gathered, after hearing the scouts of the southern region report at least…"

"With that said, I believe that was why the regional scouts had issues with their com-rings… And why the regional scout of the south had a hard time withstanding its present, as that of why it was hard for them to miss, due to the mass level of it, in the area…"

"But noting the fact that the east regional scout sensed, a little of the energy, it would seem quantity doesn't really matter for it to gain effect of blocking pure art, or devouring pure energy"

"What do you mean? Do you by chance know what the darkness is?" the vice-captain said confused of his choice of words used in answering his question, while ignoring his emotions as to Tobi's assistance.