TRAILING SHADOWS

By now, Wole had landed.

And as he did, he lunged forward with one hand to stab while the other came as support. But his attack did not connect.

The first Saarin clashed against the Irunmole who arched his elbow to intercept. The elbow came crashing heavily on the Saarin, as mini shockwave erupted.

Wole was pushed back. But by then, his other hand flew in on reflexes, going for the lower abdomen.

But then, the other arm of the man hit against it, an explosion lashing against ferociously. The attacks took place within a short time, making the first explosion to linger enough before being reinforced but the second one.

The next second, Wole was blown off his feet by the combined eruptions. Just then, Shola's leg twisted, going for the head of the attacker.

But his opponent was faster. He Raised his hands diagonally, blocking the attack as an eruption threw Shola further away.

"Hmm... Is that all you have left‽‽ " The attacker straightened up, his smile twitching at the edges.

His two opponents were on the ground groaning.

"I suppose your challenge is over, children. If nothing else, I'll be handing you over for trespassing and breaking into restricted domain."

"Ah... I'll like to see you try. " Wole mouthed, taking the man aback.

"Shola, Ruler's Eye. Give me an opening. I'll take him headlong." Wole added, staggering to his feet.

His experience bar was filling up. But not enough to break through to Elite class. And if they were stopped, that meant, their ascension was going to be denied. At this stage, he couldn't afford that.

After all, how was he going to make face, if he failed this mission‽

Mission?

There was no mission. At all.

And that was what he would do.

Strangely, Shola didn't object. His eyes glittered as he shut them,, light escaping out from the eyelids as heavy sensation say upon his soul. Due to his using the ability without access to Agbara fuel.

Practically, abilities were of less use once a person could ascend. But for those at basic class, it was their everything. And a good ability meant that one was going to ascend easily.

His ears twitched at the warning Wole hasteningly gave out. Telling him to jump away. In response, his soul jerked, anxiety and worry creasing his forehead.

What was happening?

At that moment, Shola felt a sickening thud in his stomach. He bent over, doubling as raw pain went berserk in him.

"Oooff..." His eyes flipped open, but not with the majestic splendour of Rulers Eyes.

Rather, his eyes opened lazily to settle on the Irunmole that had launched his feet into his stomach.

BOOM!!!

Groaning weakly and looking into the eyes of his attacker who had a vicious smile on, Silas slumped. The effect of relying on his Rulers eye kicking in.

"Noooooo..." Shola roared, rushing forward, his two saarins beginning to glint dangerously. His feet rammed hard into the ground as he launched forward. Fuelled by emotions for his friend.

Shola had just being crippled.

His Ascension was not going to be anytime soon.

That thought alone spurred him on, roaring for a suicide match. He knew he couldn't face this man. But yet, his being wasn't going to just accept defeat like that.

Not after his dearest friend was crippled.

He was going to take revenge. He would fight, fight and fight till he too was crippled. But at least then, he would have left a lasting torment on this Irunmole forever.

Rushing forward on mad impetus, time flickered before him.

Or rather, time slowed.

Wole's vision became hazy for a brief second before clearing. After clearing, a sudden influx of energy hit him, dazzling him out for some other seconds. A twirl of stars barricading his vision.

He bent, gripping his knees as he blindly yelled. And as he did, his insignia beeped.

He had Ascended.

"Y-yu--you...you...you...you..." Wole cried, his breath ragged and hurried.

"Well, well. Look at you. You have ascended. That's great to know but you still trespass restricted domain. And as a warrior under the High Council, it is my duty to bring you in." The man grinned widely, cracking his knuckles as he advanced, slowly.

"Ogun Agbara: Iron Knuckles" The Irunmole spoke smoothly.

Energy compressed at his fists as it gained a metallic sheen. The metal expanded at the knuckles, growing into huge pointed tops that sparkled ferociously.

"I thought, since you've ascended to elite, I should step up the game further." Just then, his aura shot out and Wole g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

'This is bad. I barely know how to unleash the abilities of Elite class. Umph... And he's coming again... ' Wole frowned, seeing the Irunmole rush at him, with shining knuckles.

'oh, Eledumare, help me! ' Wole grimaced as he braced himself, clutching the already dented saarins in his hand.

THUD!

Something dropped down. He tried opened his eyes only to be blinded by the bright lights momentarily. The light lasted for seconds and in that moment, he could make out the brief sound of fist connecting with flesh and the backlash as the affected person crashed down.

He closed his eyes now. Opening them slowly to get rid of the temporary dizziness.

Immediately, his eyes lit open.

"OLUKONI MAYOWA...!!!" <<!!!Olukoni stands for team tutor or sensei in Yoruba language!!!>>

He squealed, excitement rushing out from him. For in front of him was his team tutor, Mayowa.

She stood gracefully, a smirk on her face while her both fists sizzled in white heat.

"Adanu, Shey o ni ekun mi shey ni?(1). That you want to utterly break the young boy? Haba... Are you not rather being unfair?' Olukoni Mayowa grumbled as the Irunmole referenced as Adanu stood up, his metal fists disappearing completely from view.

"What? After all, we are meant to be warriors. The earlier they know that, the better." Adanu protested in reply.

"Look at this one here. He barely could stand my ordinary kick." He grinned, pointing at the collapsed.

Instead, Mayowa, raised an eyebrow at him with a frowned plastered on. She ignored him, resting her shoulders on Wole.

"You tried. Even though your tester is but a battle maniac. You still held out and you've levelled up too. I'm proud of you. And Ibiyemi and Toyosi too. They levelled up also. Congratulations.!" She smiled sweetly at him.

But that didn't seem to go down with him. How come‽ Toyosi, how did he level up? That fatty levelled up and Shola is here, knocked out clean.

Oh my...

My reputation is ruined! Wole cursed.

(T/N)

1. Don't you have something else to do?

..