TRAILING SHADOWS

The flying saucer that wheezed through the Darkened SunDown sky began lowering itself diagonally as it's rotation speed fell. In short time, it rotated to a creaking stop as it settled itself on the large circular landing pad that was accentuated by a boarding station along the side of the busy market road.

Several Irunmoles in different attires and different baggages waltzed about the street, making way occasional for a caravan, cart and the likes to pass through and closing up the gap as soon as the vehicle was gone. The mix of several conversations mixed harmoniously into a huge hum that was attacked by heat of squeezed hustling bodies and occasional bells and rings of traders calling passer bys to their roadside stalls. Behind the stalls were several shops with doors open wide and various goods, ranging from clothing to artefacts to weapons to foodstuffs and whatnot on display.

Inside the Saucer, the gingerly voice that had spoken earlier resounded once more. "You have reached Central Market Landing Pad, Ilu Obatala. Thank You for Transport with Orun Travel Corporation."

Just as the words ended, the entrance doors at the extreme of the circular walkway between the passenger seats, opened up as air seeped into the vehicle. A general shuffling of feet began, beginning a procession that led to the exit doors. However, two Irunmoles seemed to stay put in the back by a window, one male and female.

"Ahh.." Ibiyemi softly exhaled as her eyes opened. For a minute or so, reality blurred around her as she rested backwards on the back of the chair. She turned her head about, blinking out the nauseous feeling that was building in her guts.

For a second or so, the jerking of bodies in the lull of the Saucer's movement seemed to stretch for longer, giving off the sensation of time slowing to a halt.

'Uh... Did Time slow down?' She thought, looking confused.

The next second, her eyes shone as understanding hit her. Olukoni Mayowa had often said that the higher in ascended their soul class, the slower their perception of time.

Which meant that she could now react faster than usual as she could see things move slower.

'Just how strong have I become?' She mused inwardly as she soul gazed herself.

____ ______

Name: Ibiyemi

Specie: Irunmole

Soul Status: Elite(Late/Pseudo-Omni)

Energy: 28,635/94,000

Principles: Principle of Illusion(11%)

______________

Ibiyemi heaved now.

It was not so much but considering the fact that a week ago, she was only basic classed meant a her growth had been tremendous and exponentially explosive.

At this rate, she would be able to hold her own against Wole and even be evened with her errant brother, Afolabi.

"I can feel you have gone far, right?" Shola said, smirking. "Heh... I wish I wasn't an Agbara Reject. Me and you would have being slugging it out in terms of soul growth." He added, chuckling lightly.

Ibiyemi giggled too, her hands clutching the top of the chair in front of her support.

"Thank You, Shola. This means a whole lot to me." She said leaning towards Shola by right.

"Did you break through?" Shola asked, his face suddenly becoming expressionless.

"W-well... Why so serious now?" She asked with a confused look.

"Sorry... I want you to go far if you ever will stand a chance against Wole. He's very shifty, you know."

"I know." Ibiyemi scratched her black shoulder length hair with the left hand, absentmindedly.

"I'm in Late Elite Class." She exhaled, looking downcast.

"Come on, that's pleasant development, you should have about a hundred energy points now."

"Well, yes..." She rolled her eyes before she straightened up, frowning. "Oh my Gods, I need to meet the team. I'll be be back soon." Ibiyemi chanted, raising a finger on each hand to Shola before she tore off, weaving in between the oncoming exiting traffic of Irunmoles.

Meanwhile, Fabian stood up, straightening his clothes before donning his mask. "All set, guys."

He received no reply but instead munch sounds from Elias and a stink eye from Elisa.

Just then, the curtain seperating the area from the rest of the commuters and Ibiyemi shoved in.

"The prodigal daughter returns at last." Elisa mouthed as she wore her mask with both hands.

"Go easy on the girl." Elias said, bite deeper into the pear in his hand.

"Of course, Her delay made it expedient for you to masticate as much pear as possible. The Pear bowl is empty, thank to you." Elisa's voice regained it's soft alluring tone as she mocked her partner.

"Most Certainly. But can't an Irunmole just eat out the delay?" Elias threw the tiny bit of pear into his mouth, rubbing his hands together.

"You two are definitely suited for each other." Ibiyemi muffled a laughter with both hands as she turned around, parting the curtain again.

Elisa, simply snorted, walking after Ibiyemi and making sure her behind shook luxuriantly.

"Hahahaha..." Fabian laughed heartily, his deep voice resonating about.

"Gnnk..." Elias grunted, his hands digging into the threadlike black hair of Fabian as he shook his head furiously.

"We should get going now." Fabian said, stiffling his laughter.

Upon exiting the Saucer, an female Irunmole wearing a stylishly blue outlined white gown stood at the exit, bowing mildly as the door began to lower down, shutting the Saucer's exit door.

"Phew! That was loud." Tobias commented, tapping his ears lightly.

"With activation of some many Runic engines, it's bound to be loud." Elias stated, looking at the tiny speck of the the saucer zooming further and further away.

"Runic Engines? I thought the Saucer was fuelled by direct infus.e.m.e.nt of Agbara into it by Experts." Tobias replied, picking his nose lightly with the left while the other hand rested on his waist.

"Why? Did you think the Infused Agbara would just pop into the saucer and make it move. No, The experts fuel the engines, the engines collate the energy and manipulate via a control array to use for the Saucer." Elisa added.

"Uh, guys..." Ibiyemi muttered. "Shouldn't we be going some where." She added, looking around her surroundings.

"Yes, Tobias, You're up. Oh, there's a line here too?" Elisa said, just noticing the disordered line of several impatient Irunmoles undergoing checks and questionings once more by stern faced warriors.

"Wait, where's Shola? " Ibiyemi asked, straining her neck to look through the meshed bodies on the disordered queue.

"Shola who?" Elisa asked, bending slightly. "You need to stay focused on this, not get carried away." Her soft voice had a stern edge to it.

Soon, they arrived the checkpoint as the last passengers from the Saucer.

"Mission and... BlueMoon Mercenaries... " The Crew cut, the white sleeveless shirted Irunmole on black trousers muttered. Behind him were two Irunmoles, male and female, each in white leather c.h.e.s.t and trouser armor with arm and knee guards with arms crossed as they stared with bored eyes at the Mercenaries. In the distance were similarly dressed Irunmoles chattering idly as they gazed into the market traffic while their hands tip tapped at their weapon holsters.

"Cleared! Welcome to Ilu Obatala.! Stay within the rules and hopefully, we won't have to expel you from here."can The Crew cut guard spoke, stepping aside to let the Mercenaries pass.

"Guys, I found them. They seemed to have just engaged in some battle." Tobias muttered, his eyes unfocused as he rambled. "We need to get to them very fast."

" Everyone link up! Keep their location locked, I'm using you as a channel now." Elias ordered as a hand went to the back and shoulder of each person.

With a finger gun beside his lips, pointing skywards, he Chanted. "Law of Chance, Vanishing Apparitions."

The sky rumbled, becoming darker as the four Irunmoles vanished from sight with Sparks of light.

"Hmm... " The Crew Cut guard sighed, eyes sterned.