A Shadow's Requiem

Holy Spirit Village

Today is just like any other day, me and my brother doing our daily routine then calling our father after cooking us breakfast. Brother was coming back from the forest after gathering firewood.

Yeah, it was normal until I heard someone shouting. "Pig! You've turned from trash to a monster" It was the carrot village head, he came to scold father again. If only he knew who the person he is shouting at.

"Old man you're too loud" Replied my yawning father who reeks from the stench of alcohol.

"Tang Wu [That's the fake name father used to hide his identity] Your sons, Elinox and Tang San are now six years old, both of them will be attending the spirit awakening ceremony, don't be late."

Both Elder and Father started bickering. After Elder said his piece he left but before he did he reminded us to come to the ceremony tomorrow.

Nothing out of the usual, then Tang San asked for a piece of metal, that piqued my interest. He will probably start his plans on making the hidden weapons.

The Next Day

The Elder came by to guide us to the spirit hall for the awakening ceremony, Tang San followed but Elinox said "You go, brother, I'd rather stay here with father, how can he survive without one of us taking care of him"

Tang Hao threw an empty glass bottle "What did you say brat." So they went on their way. I collected the empty bottles on the floor, then I swept the dust.

After my brother left, Father asked me a question "Why, why did you decided to stay?"

I wasn't sure how to answer. "From what I see father is very lonely, If both of us left then you'll be lonelier. If one of us needs to stay Ill gladly take up the role, brother is always curious, he craves for an adventure unlike me who just wants a simple life." Elinox said.

Well, this is simply an act since he can not think of a way to hide his other spirits he would rather stay here at home and let Tang Hao do the awakening ceremony for him. "Do whatever you want"

I did not notice it was already noon, Tang San should be coming back soon. Speaking of the devil, Tang San together with the elder entered, his face was covered with confusion, what could it be that bothers him? Elder started bickering with father again.

After elder left I congratulated Tang San. "Congratulations little bro, only talented individuals possesses spirit harmonization in their awakening"

"When the spirit is awakened, a mark appears on the master's body, what's yours?" father unexpectedly asked, he does care after all. I'll let them do their drama.

Tanga Hao picked up a hammer then heated the forge this is what I've been waiting for, each time father hammered the metal impurities disappeared. Speed, Strength, Precision, and Accuracy all of them combined to make this skill work.

The next day after Tang San left, I confronted father. "Tell me father are you really a drunkard blacksmith? Yesterday when I saw you removing the impurities from the ore it made me realize something was not right just by the skill level and the technique you used tells me something is not right"

Indeed he said slowly walking one by one spirit rings floated from his back I was awed soon I will also have those floating behind my back. "Father, can you also awaken spirits just like that powerful master from spirit hall?"

"That ant doesn't even stand a chance against me!" Tang Hao scoffed. "Come here I will awaken your spirits" Tang Hao said not even bothered to look at Elinox.

Tang Hao launched a spiritual blast forcing Elinox to release his spirits. Four marks shined, one from his shadow, one from his left eye, one from his left and, and another for his right.

Tang Hao's eyes widened from this revelation, not in million years did he expect someone can possess more than two spirits and yet his son has four of them not to mention three out of four can be considered uncategorized spirits.

"Elinox listen to me carefully, never let anyone know of this. keep this a secret until you are strong enough to protect yourself!" Tang Hao said firmly reminding Elinox this world is not full of rainbows and unicorns.

"I will father. Last night I have decided to go on an adventure, unlike brother, I prefer to be alone so traveling alone might be the best path I could take as of now if I want to be stronger. At first, I wanted to ask father but I know you have many things that you still need to do" Elinox elaborated his plan.

"If that is what you wanted how could I stop you from going. Before you leave I shall teach you the true way of forging, every night I see you holding this hammer silently practicing with it. Unlike your brother who barely understands the technique, I showed you yesterday, you, on the other hand, has fully grasped the foundations of it." Tang Hao said remembering what he saw last night, Elinox practicing the technique tirelessly.

Tang Hao heated the forge, he surveyed the ores and choose the one with the worst purity. He placed the ore inside the forge then hammered it in the anvil. Each strike multiplies, every time the hammer connected with the ore ten ripples of force is being transferred. This was a more advanced version of the technique he showed yesterday.

Elinox did not dare blink as he engraves each step of the process. Tang Hao smote the ore one last time. The previously tainted iron ore was transformed into this dazzling metal, it was not purified it has evolved to a higher ranking metal.

"Have you memorized it well" Elinox nodded "Then I shall take my leave, take care, my son, I can only hope that fate allows us to meet again" Tang Hao vanished wind the wind leaving a stunned Elinox who was still trying to understand what he saw. It was an indescribable feeling when his eyes spirit awakened everything changed and when he saw his father forging weird noises echoed from his head.

"This is too much for me to handle I'll just deal with it tomorrow, I need some sleep"