TRAILING SHADOWS

"Uoops" Anu's c.h.e.s.t tightened as She gasped. Her eyes which had been a brilliant white began fading to normal.

"Nooo… This can't be." She muttered , rubbing the temples of her head. She was seated behind a desk that had various scrolls around. It seemed like she was the custodian of scrolls.

She raised now, her long loose black hair falling around her shoulders. Anu eyes revealed fatigue. Not necessarily fatigue. Irunmoles did not could feel tiredness although they could feel hurt. It was more like her eyes had dulled due to seating in one place all day long.

Her chocolate lean skin radiated beauty like never before, complemented by her flowing white gown that had golden arms. At her waist was a string of golden beads seated there, adding more radiance to her.

Her eyes whitened again.

"All Alphas prepare for extraction. First Prime, the elder has being… being attacked…"She stopped short as she put her hands on her h.i.p.s.

Anu was the 2nd Prime in Ilu Obatala. And being a prime, she was able to linked mentally to other Primes and hence could always be aware of any threat the other Prime had encountered. This was an ability shared with only Irunmoles at Prime Class.

Currently, there were five Irunmole Class. There were split into Earth/Messenger Class.

Messenger class irunmole were the basic form of irunmoles and their duty, was just what their class names implied. A messenger class irunmole was the irunmole who basically had to run errands between Orun and Ile aye(1). And they were the weakest, having no basic knowledge of combat.

So, for the messenger classed irunmole to effectively perform their duties, they had to be accompanied by Elite Irunmole who escorted them through the 2nd Heaven, also known as Orun Apaadi, warding off demon and beasts attacks.

Following closely was the pseudo-elite. This was the class where messenger irunmoles were beginning to take interest in combat. Also because, it was necessary for them to be able to defend themselves in Aye where they would be without the protection of the Elite classed Irunmoles.

The next was the elite classed irunmoles. This group had more combat knowledge and were the base form of warring soldiers. An Irunmole in this class was considered a proper Emi Ogun(2). This Irunmole could combat beasts and demons but only in their numbers. Single elite wanting to take down a demon would be wiped out, unless the demon was weakened.

There were Pseudo classes in between each class of irunmoles. Where an Irunmole could perform feats typical to the class above them. However, this was only temporary or something they called 'Blessings of the Gods'.

Ignoring pseudo classes, the next class after Elite was the Omega Class. What differentiated the Omega class from any other lower class was the fact Omega classed could 'Soul Gaze'. Soul Gazing was an ability that gave an irunmole important info about an opponent. Info like health stats, energy ranking and power levels. More so, being at this class gave more you more combat moves to use and independency from 'IMOLE MO' which was the basic weapon level of Irunmole.

Next was Alpha Classed Irunmoles. Irunmole in this category were stronger and much more powerful than other irunmole. This irunmole possessed the capability to communicate with Awon Orisha which was something a lower class Irunmole was incapable of. Aside from this, Alphas had the general capability to draw upon Creation power known as 'Agbara'(3) to make bend light into whatever they willed.

Finally, the most powerful class was Prime Class. Because leveling to a higher class took a considerable amount of time and experience, there were only few Primes in Orun Emi Ogun. Primes had the inherent Ability to communicate directly with the gods whenever they wanted to. Primes naturally had the blessing of the gods which was an innate barrier that surrounded them, magnifying their auras to god level. In some instances, the aura of a prime alone could be used to repel an attack. Also Prime class could also communicate mentally via telepathy to all classes of irunmole.

(A/N-Note that each class had a subclass/pseudo class in between. One had to reach that class and level up also before truly attaining the next class. And heyyy… It takes a lot of effort to really level up. Many Irunmole just stay stuck in Pseudo class for all their life time.)

"Elder is truly reckless. How could he go out with just the protection of Elite Irunmole? Not even Pseudo Omegas…" Anu nagged noisily to herself, clapping her hands continuously. She began pacing through the room over and over. It was her own way of letting out steam.

"What kind of carelessness is this? Why? Is it because he is The Elder. Does he not know that responsibility that lies on his head? EH? I don't understand oh. Even if you have all power.. I mean. Even Eledumare had to seal off Him. Why? Eledumare could have just left him roaming about. After all, Eledumare is the most powerful existence.. No… Eledeumare sealed him. That was Carefulness. Who does First Prime think he is. Eh?"

"Such arrogance! Ah… Now, imagine the type of strain, he is putting me through. What do I do? Now , I am the one in charge of governance here. I can't leave. And I don't trust those Alphas to effectively deal with whatever is attacking them there."

"Ah… Eledumare, egba mi oh. Ewo le leyi oh(4)" Anu nagged, putting her hands over her head, her face a mask of worry.

"Come sef(5), I don't even know what is attacking them gan(6). Let me contact Maerius again."

Now, her eyes gleamed white again. It flickered on and off, an indication that her telepathy was having trouble connecting. This meant that the contact senses were currently not balanced to pick on a telepathic message. Except in cases, where the person was extremely powerful.

"Chai(7)… Maeriussssssssss.. Steady your mind." Anu wringed her hands.

She bit her fingers now, trying to contact Maerius again for the situation level he was experiencing. If only she was there and not cursed with this custodian duty…

She gasped as her body went motionless.

"What ? Rare Classed? " Her heart ceased, joining in the motionless state her body was in.

Fear had crept up into her entire being. "No, no… If it floored Elder… No… No… no…" Anu gasped uncontrollably as the white in her eyes died out.

*** ***

The massive white building that had huge statues of Various Orisha basked with activity. The steel faced guards that usually lined all the entrance seemed to be in a state of uneasiness and unrest. It looked like trouble had opened in paradise.

And because of this, security was relatively low at the Council House. Enabling a girl to walk into the premises freely and unnoticed.

This girl was Niniola, the exiled one.

She smiled ruefully at the fact that the council house was agog with action. Something was definitely going on. She could bet her celestiality that it was big.

And she was going to be in on this.

Niniola had since been banished from her Ilu because her curiosity had taken the best of her. It was often said that curiosity made 'HIM' to rebel and d.e.s.i.r.e Eledumare's power.

Hence utmost curiosity had been forbidden among Irunmole. But she was stubborn too. Had sneaked into the council house of Ilu Aganju(8) to know what exactly was always discussed in there during the visit of Orisha Aganju.

And she was punished severely for it. In fact, she was not supposed to be existing as of now. Orisha Aganju had simply been too merciful to her.

But all that had not taught her not flee curiosity. What it had taught her was that she was never ever going to 'officially' level up as she was already considered outcast by all other Ilu. And for you to level up, you needed to be properly gauged and ascertained in the Class Exams.

Only by passing the exams could you be considered as to be leveled up due to your certificate badge. However, her current status meant she was never going to take any exams.

But she was resilient. There were other ways of doing things. After all, the exams tested your physical test. So what if she kept on practicing each time?

Hence, Niniola had taken to fighting beasts creatures in Orun Apaadi, leveling up faster than even those who had to obtain certificates. But this had a disadvantage as your Irunmole rank could never be known unless you were in combat mode.

Which rarely happened in Orun Emi Ogun.

'The only way to know what is what is to get an informant.' Niniola thought as she cracked her knuckles.

"Eleyi ma dun gan(9)" She said as her eyes narrowed on her target.

Name: Ayoni Abayomi

Class: Elite

Energy Rating: 10,000

Soul gazing was a feat only achievable by Omega Classed Irunmoles. And for Niniola to soul gaze, it meant she was high up in the class ranking. However, her soul gazing did not give sufficient information about her target which meant she was in Pseudo-Omega class

Her feet blurred as she flickered soundlessly on the ground. In a split second, she had reached for the arm of Abayomi and tugged viciously, throwing him off balance.

Just as he was about to hit the ground, she had picked up speed again catching him in midmotion. And in an instant, was in the safety of the trees.

"AHHH…!"

That was all Ayoni could say. All he knew was that, he felt a tug on his arm. That was all he remembered. Whatever and whoever had pulled at him was faster than he could react. Despite the fact that he was an Elite Irunmole.

"Ah" He muttered as he struggled to his feet.

It was bad enough that he had been 'hijacked'. What was worse was for him to remain off guard for less than a minute. But, he thought, whoever or whatever it was that had hijacked him could have killed him off since.

Why go through all the trouble to bring him when it was a risk.

"Ahem… Over here" The voice came from behind him.

He slowly turned, trying to anticipate the next action from the owner of the voice. As he turned back, he saw a girl with a carefree look that seemed to say you-were-too-easy. She was mocking him.

"How dare you? Hijacking me, an elite class. Ah o ti tan fun e(10)"He grunted, his aura spreading out immediately.

"Humph… See him, mentioning Elite, like as if I don't already know. I eat elites like you for breakfast" Niniola face palmed

"Y-YOU…" Ayoni grunted. This arrogant little girl. He needed to teach her manners.

"Okay, let's get things straight. You were hurrying somewhere previously, right? So, here's it . I want to know what's causing all this commotion here. Tell me this and I might let you go, after I spare your life."

"Spare my life…You wild mannered girl. You lack home training," Ayoni's hand balled into fists now.

His aura became more pronounced as rage seeped through every of his veins.

Why did he have to experience a spoilt rude girl on a day as this? His body blurred as he lunged forward, moving to grab 'the rude girl'.

But he missed.

Just as he closed in on her, she simply shifted to the right and leaned against a tree. Like as if she was merely relaxing.

'She's fast. But I will not be swayed by her.' Ayoni thought. He looked over to the right and said with steeled face.

"For breaking into The High Council House and for assaulting a council guard, you have committed crimes of high penalty. As an Elite Irunmole, it is my duty to…"

"Ah, you talk too much!" Niniola said, covering her both ears "Just tell me what is going on here and I'll let you go"

"I have a better deal. I will beat you to pulp and fling you into a dungeon if I win. Which I definitely will." Ayoni said with a smirk. This girl was simply too arrogant. The best way to teach her a lesson was to break her pride.

"Wow! I like that. Here's an even better one. You are a quick footed Elite, Niniola paused despite knowing that Elites were naturally fast paced. She wanted to butter him up so she could defeat him and watch him wallow in broken pride, so, if in one minute, you floor me, you get to have your beating me and all that. But if I floor you, I'll get what I want and let you go if you cooperate."

"Very well then"

Niniola could not believe her ears.

She had half expected him to decline and call for help. But it seemed like his ego was hurt seeing that he was dragged down here by her, a child. She laughed inwardly as she though, readying herself for combat.

He definitely wouldn't have wanted his other guards to see him like this. So, as his ego dictated, it was only natural that he flushed her out before calling for help.

"IMOLE MO" Ayoni Chanted and dashed out, his aura seemingly oppressive. This meant that his Imole mo attack was on a high level as aura fluctuated due to amount of damge dealt out and received.

NIniola feet kicked up dust. Her body blurred as she got within range of Ayoni. Swiftly. She twisted, channeling her energy into her right leg as she kicked against his loins, using that as leverage to push backwards.

Ayoni grimaced as his aura strength decreased greatly. That singular attack had cost him a lot of energy already. Just how powerful was this girl?

Then, it struck him. He hadn't felt her aura since. She had to be intelligent enough to know that unfamiliar aura at the High council house was attended to with a lot of force. And for her to mask it, even in combat…

She was… Probably an Alpha?

No, this brat was too young to be.

10 seconds gone.

Niniola face palmed again.

"Seriously Imole Mo? You couldn't have something better other than the basic attack? Well, I don't blame you. After all, you are merely Elite Classed. But seriously…" She stopped as she felt Ayoni's aura closer than before.

SLASHHH!

SLA.S.SHHH!

Each stroke of the Imole Mo exerted an extreme force that threw her off balance.

She had underestimated this Elite. He attacked her with the power phantom strike. A skill that enabled its user strike twice with the force or an explosion at an opponent with just a split second difference.

That attack skill was on Pseudo-Omega. Curse her low level soul gazing. Elite basic skills were merely, maxing auras and close combat with the Imole Mo or the Ida ti Ina(11)

An Irunmole at a higher level of a class could sometimes tap into the abilities of the pseudo class before it. This was however not the same for messenger class Irunmole.

Niniola bit into her lips as her body thudded into the vegetation below. "Ah…" She m.o.a.n.e.d, feeling for the back of her head.

45 seconds gone.

Ayoni did not relent. He rushed forward again, keeping his hands behind his back as he approached his opponent. He drew on all his energy, not minding the drain effect it had on him, greatly magnifying his aura.

"Hiyaaaa…" Niniola yelled as she got to her feet and charged. Now that she knew this particular Elite could draw into pseudo class, she was even the more cautious.

But really, what did she have to lose? 'Oh dungeon…" Niniola cautioned mentally.

She rushed at him now and flung her right hand down.

'Need to close up to deal this trump card'.

She saw him trying to react to her sudden movement. But her speed was on a higher level than his, thanks to her time in Orun Apaadi where she had to learn to be faster inorder to survive.

In a flash, light had gathered around her arms. The air went chaotic, wisps of light slashing all about as a light beam solidified into her clenched fist.

Slamming down with righteous fury into the ground with the now solidified beam of light, the air shivered for a second before becoming increasingly hot.

In no time, the air rocked aloud with a loud explosion, throwing dust shrapnel and beams of light everywhere and clearing off everything in a 1 meter radius.

Including Ayoni . He was flung violently backwards hitting into many tree trunks before he finally tumbled into the bush.

Niniola soul gazed again.

Name: Ayoni Abayomi

Class: Elite

Energy Rating: 659/10,000

Niniola smirked. She was pleased by the amount of damage she had dealt out within merely 15seconds.

She had thrown in a skill that she had spent time perfecting. It involved, channeling one's energy into a single concentrated attack that cleared everything within a 3metre radius.

It had taken her a lot of effort to control her damage extent. She knew that she had already attracted attention. But it would have been much worse if she had unleashed her full oko kiliasi.(* Light Clearance)

She gazed intently for awhile, as if trying to focus on something before shrugging her shoulders and advancing towards the fallen guard.

Ayoni gripped his left shoulder hard. His Imole Mo had vanished already and his aura was barely noticeable due to the damage he had received. He wanted to shout for help but his body did not respond.

Slowly, he rose unsteadily to his feet, gripping his shoulder while dusting off the dust that's had encased him already.

He couldn't just lose to this little brat of a girl. No, never. He clenched his fist willing himself to bend light into a weapon.

It took effort but he did it. In his hand was a large glowing bluish bow that had embroidered ends.

"Ah ah… You... we had a deal. One minute and it's over." Niniola started, raising her two hands in surrender.

"You think I would compromise my duty as an…"

"AAAARGHHH…" He tumbled backwards into a heap. He hadn't seen it coming.

Niniola had phantom struck him.

Quickly, he drew on his energy to hold off most of the damage. As he did so, he began to feel on exertion from his soul.

His soul was already entering decline stage.

This decline stage was the stage an Irunmole entered the moment the Irunmole had begun to die. It was after the decline stage that an Irunmole would disperse into the air as vibrant energy. Creation energy that would once more be reborn as another Irunmole.

"Shey e mo soro eh?(12) Will you talk now? " Niniola demanded. Her aura was still hidden despite the damage she dealt out.

"Yes, yes, yes… Please help me. I'm dying. Please… " Ayoni's c.h.e.s.t rose and fell heavily as he pleaded.

She shook her head disdainfully.

"Oh, Irunmole, you caused this upon yourself. We had a deal and you wanted to… Just tell me what is going on, or I'll quicken your death." Ninola warned, rising her Light spear as if she wanted to strike through his c.h.e.s.t.

"Ok, ok. It's simple. The Elder was attacked... help me, please… And we are getting mobilized to move in…"

Ninola eyes widened.

For The Elder to be attacked that it had to cause a mobilization of Irunmole, then something was really up. "Yes, who was he with and what attacked him?"

"That's all I know . Please…"

Niniola stood there thoughtfully.

She knew that Sunday was been taken to Ilu Ifa. Although this was top secret but she had her ways of knowing what went on. The advantage of being ignored by people. She had to force them to acknowledge her.

'So, if The Elder is attacked. Chances of Sunday surviving.. Ah… No… why I'm I even thinking of that. Sunday is strong.. He will make it. I trust him. He will make it for me. I just know it.' She began to tear up as her feet blurred.

"I have to help him. Sunday… I'm coming. I'm coming to help you. I swear it. No one would touch one hair on your head. Sundayyyyyyy…" Niniola cried as she raced on.

" Is everything… ready?" Anu yelled, wringing her hands in the air. She looked like she was out of her senses. But she really did not care. After all, she had been secretly nicknamed 'The Nagging Prime'.

She did not just get that nickname. Was it her fault that she demanded perfection and not mediocrity? Anu always expected the best. And anything short of that was going to be done for.

Getting news that The Elder had only gone out with Elites had unsettled her. She felt like wringing off The Elder's head with her hands.

How dare he put her into all this worry?

" Well, yes. Your message was vague , 2nd Prime." A lady spoke. She was dressed the same way Anu was except that hers was blue and less radiant plus there was the notable absence of gold beads. In its place were white beads.

Anu was currently standing with the Four Alphas she had as her trustees. Although they were few other Alphas but these were the minute four that High Council trusted with its leadership.

She frowned at the lady who had just spoken to her.

"Are you dumb? Don't you have a brain in your head? Don't you know how to decipher my messages yet and you have been working with me since?" Anu lashed out, tapping the side of her head vigorously.

"B-but 2nd Prime…" Ralia stammered.

Why was 2nd Prime Anu insulting her now? What did she do to deserve this? Was it her fault that she asked about what danger The Elder was? Didn't they have the right to be told of whatever situation The Elder was in so they could be better equipped?

"2nd Prime, Ralia has a point, you know. We can't just rush in head on without proper briefing." A redheaded man poke. He had large brown nose and a hulking body. Wearing, a blue dan shiki(13 ), he exuded great power.

Anu supported her head with her left hand while the other lay on her h.i.p.s.

"Eledumare. Oh Orisha, egba mi(14). What kind of dumb people do I have to work with?" She heaved.

The whole room went silent. Eyes full of expectations rested on Anu.

"2nd Prime, say something. What attacked The Elder?" Balogun, the man in blue dan shiki asked.

Anu heaved deeply.

"Fine… I'll have you all replaced after this. Dumb idiots" Anu yelled, shaking trembling fingers at them as a white halo began forming over head.

Already, her aura was oozing out, intensifying the air with tingly hotness. Seeing this, The Alphas with her suddenly tensed up.

An angered Prime was something. An Angered Prime who had their source of anger in range was another thing.

And this Nagging Prime… Well, No one could really trust her sanity.

Even 1st Prime, The Elder respected her, so much.

Anu slapped her face now after noting the reaction of The Alphas. She inhaled deeply for seconds, and then she let it all out before willing the halo to vanish.

"What I am saying.. I mean… Maerius told me that they had just been attacked by a prickled bane winged wolf, rare classed beast…" Anu cooled voice was interrupted by series of gasps.

Rare Classed? Rare classed were the most dangerous beasts to encounter. Aside from the fact that they were aligned with fate which gave them a victory edge, they were also the only type of beasts that Soul Gazing failed to work on.

Mythical Class beasts were quite powerful. They were in fact the highest ranked. But they could be soul gazed, enabling them to prepare beforehand.

With a Rare Classed, one never knew what he was going against.

The surest way to know was to allow it attack first. A dangerous move. Many Irunmoles, even Primes, ended up not surviving the first move.

"So, this wolf attacked The Elder and 3rd Prime. As for the other Elites, Maerius said nothing. I, myself do not believe that they would survive the attacks. " Anu scratched sadly at her temples.

"Alright then. We move out. Extracting The Elder is first priority. Everything else, secondary." Balogun said, flexing his bulging muscles as he spoke.

The Alphas stirred now but they still had their eyes on 2nd Prime.

"You Idiots. Third Prime and The Elder is First Priority. We don't leave our own behind."

Anu warned as she jammed her hands together, weaving symbols faster than the eyes could see.

"I change my mind. I go with you four. Just us. Send mental notes to your divisions. The other Ilu mustn't hear of this. If they do, we will lose face in their eyes." Anu rapped/

Before her, a wisping tear in space had appeared.

It was a barrage of light wisps moving in disordered fashion. The air around the room warmed up, crackling with electricity as The Alphas moved suit.

Willing into existence, a chaotic barrage of light wisps.

A portal.

.

.

(T/N)

(1) Earth (2) Spirit of war(3)Power (4)Eledumare, help me. Which one is this one now?(5)An Excamation(6) An exclamation (7)An exclamation(8) City Of Aganju. Aganju is the god of volcanoes, earthquake, healing and dieases (9)This one will be very sweet. (10)Ah, you are done for (11) Light Sword(12) Will you now talk? (13) A type of traditional dressing. Similar to Agbada. (14) Oh, Gods, help me

.

(A/N) Thanks for reading. 'Preciate.

I have already drafted the chapters already. Realizations is not supposed to take this long. But I think it's a good way to introduce other important powerful Irunmoles. I don't want it to be all about Sunday.

Irunmoles like Niniola-lol, I don't even know what class she truly belongs to. Remember, I said she is powerful enough to take down low level primes(Pseudo-Prime Class) in chapter 1? Which means she probably in Pseudo Prime or Alpha Class.

But yet, her soul gazing is so low, she can't see enough of Ayoni's stats, roughly placing her at Pseudo-Omega. You know Pseudo have the temporary abilities of tap into the next class skill. However, the strength of the skill can never be as equal as an actual class skill. I am so confused.

Anyways, ASUU has suspended the strike. Not sure I will be updating regularly, but fear not, mortal, I will Trail the Shadows for your sake. I won't drop it.