TRAILING SHADOWS

So, that was it, eh?...

Refuse to accept life as it comes?

It was that simple?

Not allow the mindset of others determine my emotions?

Just that?

Wait... That actually had to be it!

His death didn't have to depend on the mindset of the wolf about how much a failure he was.

No!

"Never!" Sunday sterns his face as the memory faded away.

He had to refuse to accept this life he was living. And the way to go about that was by not giving up!

And the time was...

"Now." His body jerked up as his eyelids flutters open. A crisscross of chaotic energy exploded over and around him, enclosing him in a cocoon of pure will.

"My Will is strong. And I do not intend to give up!" He chanted softly as a shockwave exploded in his soul space, setting the Wolf into emotions of confusion and anxiety and worry.

It didn't know why this happened?

Sunday's mind was already ruptured. Why this, again?

It was just about to taste freedom, but that seemed far fetched. Growling, it sent surges of energy into the host's mind, attempting to implode Sunday's senses.

But it was countered, a forcefield of pure will whisking it away.

'She needs me... I can't give up .. I'm needed... She needs me... She needed MEEEEE....' He muttered excited, andrenaline fuelling his physical body as it undid the Soul decline.

'she needs me..' He rose on fours.

'Niniola needs me...' He rose to his feet now, albeit slowly and painstakingly, sending ripples through space.

Turning back, he faced the Wolf. And at once he finally understood. What Trixius said, about the truth.

He remembered the shadowy form of Trixius, telling him while his face flaked off slowly that "Truth will set you free and the truth will break you too. And in the end, only Will matters."

Looking back now, he realised that somehow Trixius had trained him for all of this. After analyzing how his life had been been so far and coming across truth in his quest for knowledge, it broke him.

No wonder it is said 'Ignorance is Bliss' And now, he understood better.

But he also knew the truth now and then he knew that only will would truly matter , in the end. He clenched his fist , gazing fiercely at the wolf.

'Now I understand all of it. Those energies cascading from you. They are mine. '

'You taunt yourself, Sunday. I just decided not to kill you, remember' The wolf replied, it's mane rising into prickles.

'No, you're wrong. Your energy is mine now. All of it. I absorbed you in, saving your soul from dispersing into nothingness. You serve me now, Rare Classed Prickled Bane Winged Wolf. You refuse, I cut your essence off, sending you to the void that you were en route to. ' Sunday spoke, confidence welling in his c.h.e.s.t.

'Oh, you wouldn't dare. Just because you resisted my mind attack doesn't mean you have me in your control, Irunmole. I've faced Irunmoles, Demons, Giants greater than you. And I Triumphed.' The Wolf growled.

'Oh, you misunderstand. I'm not just anybody, I am the Descendant of Trixius the Great Demon DemiGod, a Prince of Darkness Classed and blood as humans say, is thicker than water. I'll show you how! ' Sunday growled, as energy burst out of him, trailing off to the wolf as they bore holes into it, setting it into agony.

The wolf howled, growling as tendrils of energy lashed and bore into it. This was not how it had planned the whole thing. It pawed the ground before bringing down it's head in submission.

Sunday noted it, and willed the energy trails to withdraw. As they did, they began to have an inescapable black l.u.s.tre.

________

Balogun stood firmly on the ground, ready to pounce at the intruding bird like beast.

He observed the features of the creature, sturdy beak, long wingspan that ensured its wind breaking speed, the reddened brood of feathers at the neck, down to the tail of a mammal that swung left to right as if trying to sway off flies from off it's behind.

And an intelligent one at that. But what business had this Gyphoon with the battle here. Why did it just swoop down like that.

From what he knew, Gyphoons were creatures that avoided conflict as best as they could. But this one dived right in the middle of one.

Whatever was the reason, Balogun thought, it was never going to one of such reasons after today. His hands bulged, forming fists as he propelled himself on sheer physical strength.

A little ahead of him were Ralia and Sena hurtling down in a stream of Eternal Flames. He saw that the bird had suddenly stopped sideways to avoid direct hit and having to go in between the Alphas.

It was smart enough. But not smart to know what was next.

THOOOM!

His legs pounded mercilessly on the Rocky ground as he threw himself up into heights, muttering some words in yoruba , he ascended quickly to the ranks of Ijakadi:3rd Form. The raw energy foowed through him, enriching and reviving his body as it furthered his impetus.

"Alphas Rage: Rumbling Boulders"

His fist went forward in one smashing hit. As it did, time seemed to slow down as dense light formed a fist, settling the image of a boulder on it.

The weight of the boulder was terrific, as his hand bent down about. He didn't intend to go easy on this creature and so he went all out, bearing the physical strain of the move he pulled.

The Gyphoon neared, it's face, a cortortion of surprise and rage, as it's two legs propelled it further. Balogun's fist neared, tearing heavily against space as it rammed into the bird, ripples of spatial disturbance scattering about.

That was the might of Alpha Class.

In one hit, he took the Gyphoon down... Or at least, what he thought was a gryphoon.

Tearing down heavily, he rammed into the ground, maelstorm of dust and rubble travelling about as the after image of the Gyphoon he had just hit, flickered off.

Revealing the real Gyphoon high, up in the air, as it crawed, emitting a peaceful aura about it.

"Damnit." Balogun muttered, rage tearing through his whole frame.

He had hit nothing but a decoy bird.

An illusion!

The Gyphoon had released it's special ability, essence transfer. It flew off, soaring through the wispy white clouds with it's prizes, unharmed and weakened in it's talons.

That was the only conclusion she came up with, her body weary and exhausted. All her will was focused on Sunday. He had being through alot, and if indeed she was abducted, for whatever reasons, then she should reserve what was left of her to fight their way out.

Niniola reasoned as the mass of Sunday began flaking away with each passing second.

There was really nothing she could do. Except to hope and keep her strength for what lay ahead.

''