TRAILING SHADOWS

"Alright, then!" Niniola shrugged, leaning forward with a leg drawn back. "flank it on the sides. Avoid direct attacks. If this man summoned his beast instead of going Sage, it means he plans on doing something else to Sunday. I'll handle him from there." Niniola gave directions just as the outlines of a hulking grey Eagle slowly solidified into view.

SKRRRRRRRREEEEEECHHHHH...! The Eagle screeched out.

Its beaks were golden and contained killing intent. The wings each had some sort of pauldrons that streaked off into the air, forming a shoulder of sorts of gold as well. The claws too were not left out, containing superficial claws of metals on it, all of which added vibrance and dangerous sensation to the dull l.u.s.tre of the Eagle's feathers.

It stretched its wings but because of the small space, the wings got cramped up. Visibly annoyed, the eagle c.o.c.ked it's head down and backwards at Obedi who still had his hand on the now vanishing summon circle.

"Hey, Obedi. What's up with this? Trying to get me killed? Why'd you summon me in this small space?" It crawed angrily.

"Just finish those bastards off. Create room if you need to!" Obedi huffed, rising from the ground.

"Fine by me!" The eagle crawed again. 

It ruffled it's neck and simultaneously, a burst of energy exploded, shattering the walls and roof to ruins. With the restrictions out, it rose to full height, towering for up to 12ft high. The equivalent in meters being 3.6meters, daily dwarfing the averagely heighted Irunmoles before it of 7ft.

"Metal plated Dip Eagle- mythic type. maximum soul stage is Elite Class, but this one is Lord Classed. Max energy is 5, 894. law, law of War; principle: Fervor." Niniola chanted out, staring at the Eagle before her while her ragtag party members stayed at her sides, each with weapons drawn and ready to spring.

"W-what?" Ibiyemi asked, confusedly, without taking her eyes from the front.

"She's soul gazing the eagle." Tayo muttered. "Soul gazing allows you to read the rank of an opponent and determine a strategy to counter it effectively or to decide when to retreat. A Lord Classed shouldn't be so much trouble for me and you, being two Elites in here."

"What about her?" Ibiyemi shrugged. 

"I don't know." Tayo muttered. "She's hiding her status from being gazed. Can't tell. So let's focus on what we can tell."

"Wow. Hiding ones soul status can be done, too?" Ibiyemi gaped, respect filling her for the people with her.

Without doubt, these two were not on her level.

—

"Stay sharp," Niniola warned as the Eagle stretched its wings. "The eagle is a fervent believer in the law of war, utilizing the principle of fervor in gaining speed bursts and metal protection. This creature will lurk in the shadows awaiting the perfect time to dip and strike its prey from above."

"War! Sounds fine by me." Tayo replied, dashing forward in a tingly cloud of sharp, cutting aura. 

Seeing him, the Eagle flapped it's wings, trying to lift up with a croon, into the sky.

"I'll cover you!" Ibiyemi replied, her eye of chance flashing. "Aaaaarghh..." She yelled, falling to her knees. She would have fallen to the ground flat, but got supported by Niniola instead.

"Don't be silly. That thing is Lord Classed. Using your eye on something higher classed than you has some serious drawbacks. Most of the times, it would fail." Niniola muttered, trying to get her to rise.

Ibiyemi rose up with her aid, her right eye bleeding white essence down. Shortly after, her nose began to bleed as well, followed by a trickle from the edge of her mouth.

"Thanks!" Ibiyemi muttered. "Law of Chance: Abefele Iruju." She chanted, dashing up. From box to box, she leapt up high into the air with double illusionary blades to the Eagle and Tayo who slashed and pecked at each other in the air.

"Hm!" Niniola sighed. "Still basic elite, eh." She grinned, turning her focus to those on the ground.

"Aaaaarghh..." A yell erupted and Niniola quickly slid on her left foot to the side. Luckily, she was just in time to escape several sizzling hot spears of light that dissipated past her.

Frowning, she looked forward to the huffing figure of Obedi. She noted the location of Sunday and saw the elderly looking one smash an orb to the ground.

Afterwards, vines stretched out, grabbing the man till he was dragged into the earth, completely vanishing from view.

"Perfect! That makes a fair fight! Not that minded, anyways." She smirked, slamming her feet on the ground as she zoomed into the air in a jump.

Obedi gritted, clasping his fingers for the next technique. He had forgone Sage mode because he felt outnumbered earlier. And indeed, he was, but that again was not exactly why. The reason was that he wanted to have a go at Sunday. Going Sage mode might not have allowed him the chance. Sure, he could have engaged them in Sage Mode but a move like that would place heavy, even suicidal concentration on him, preventing him from moving away.

But with his soulbond summoned, they would have something to deal with, while removing any attention from him completely.

Damn her... If only that Agbawo had stayed back and threw a helping hand.

No time to cry over split milk now, was there?

"Law of light; Light Shields." He chanted, hurling his hand to manifest a shield at the airborne Niniola.

"Ha! Really?" Niniola scoffed, landing on the shield like a landing pad, just above Obedi.

"Law of light: Light discs combustibles.!" Obedi sighed as two circling, razor sharp discs made of white light spiralled into the air, just as the shield vanished.

Without a shield below her, Ninola's leg channeled down, intent on crashing down on Obedi's head. However, she fails to notice the discs of energy coming for her, from below.

The shield was only to stall time.

BOOOM!

BOOOOOMMM!!!

Niniola hurtled down, totally caught up in the explosions. Behind her, Tayo crashed down, looking briefly at the downed Ibiyemi. He heaved, chanting. "Law of War: Collision blades." And with that, he leapt up again, putting himself in line with the swift bomb-diving Eagle.

However while that happened, Obedi huffed. Flinching, he turned back only to see two figures materialize into the air.

The same very mercenaries who Ibiyemi had fought from before. With battered faces, they each reached out hand and grabbed Sunday by the shoulder just as reality contorted and they phased out.

With Sunday!