Condensed Aura

My journey, as well as my training resumed. I wanted to completely condense my Aura, as soon as it was possible. Besides my Aura training, I also practiced my Stringed Hidden Weapons skill. Although my control was already pretty good, I wanted to make sure, it was perfect. I had loads of spare time, since I didn't grow any plants, nor did I study them. I decided to spend my time, on my Aura and Stringed Hidden Weapons skill only.

Time passed. I walked through the Wilderness for a long time, before I reached Crow' meeting place. The area Crow designated on the map, was a very small forest of dead trees. 'He really likes these type of areas' I thought. Crow was not there, the black ribbon was not there either. I decided to wait for him. I didn't know, how often he frequented that place, but it didn't matter much. I had stuff to do, while I waited.

The time slowly passed. I condensed my Aura more an more. I was not very far away, from reaching my goal. One day, as I was condensing my Aura, something surprising happened. When the Domineering Aura was only centimetres away, from staying attached to my body, it suddenly stopped leaving my body. "Did I succeed?", I asked myself.

I didn't feel anything unusual. I knew that my Aura, was now pretty much stuck to my body, but nothing seemed to change. "I didn't think, that I would be able to succeed, without breaking through my Inner Limits" I said to myself. I wanted to try it out, and check what type of effect, would my condensed Aura have. Unfortunately, there was nothing around, that my Aura could be tested on. 'The location that Crow chose, is really quiet. I've been her for a while, and I haven't seen anything pass by' I thought.

Because I had nothing better to do, I decided to play around with my Aura a bit more. I released, and contracted my Aura for a while, and another idea popped into my head. 'What if, I try to condense it even more? So that the Aura stays within my body, instead of staying on my body' I thought. I immediately tried to condense my Aura a bit further, trying to make it enter my skin. After a while, I felt that it was possible, and I could achieve that. The difficulty of achieving that though, was something else entirely. After all that time, I only managed to condense it to the point, where it would stay on my body. I reached my goal, but a new goal was born at the same time. 'Making the Aura enter my body, is at least ten times harder, than what I did till now' I thought.

'I can feel, that this is possible. It will require a lot of work, but I may be able to achieve that. Even before, I break through my Inner Limits' I thought. On the other hand, I managed to gain superb control of my daggers and strings. Although that was only the first step in that skill, it was already very powerful. 'If I simply threw my daggers, I wouldn't be able to attack so quickly, and efficiently. This skill, is already monster of a skill. If I could only add an Aura, or make my daggers hidden somehow' I thought

Creating an Aura, was not something I could just do on a whim. Through so many years of my travels, I managed to awaken two Auras only. The first Aura, was the Domineering Aura. I comprehended it, when I was trying to break through, to my Outer Limits. The Second Aura, was the Bloodlust Aura. I only awakened that Aura, because of that Eterian woman. It was rather coincidental, and not planned at all. None of my Aura awakenings, were planned anyway.

'So far, I had four Auras. The two, that I awakened myself. The Unyielding Aura, which seems to be a part of me, and was always there. The last Aura, is the Aura of the Dark Traveller. I don't know, if I still have it though. I didn't have any dreams, for a long time now' I thought. I had no idea, whether Humans had a limit, of how many Auras they could possess. I also didn't know, how to creating one. I tried many times already, but wishing for it, would not grant it.

'If not the Aura, then what else can I use, to make my daggers hidden?' I asked myself. It was a question, that already baffled me for years. Avoid the Light, Become the Hidden Weapon… I felt, that those things had something to do with Auras. I could avoid the light, if my Aura allowed it. I could become the hidden weapon, if my Aura allowed it. The problem was, awakening such Aura.

I contemplated on that for a long time, but to no avail. I only had one clue. Auras awakened due to some sort of events. Something must change in me, or happen to me, in order to awaken the Aura. If I just wished for it, it would not appear. 'In other words, some sort of conditions, have to be met. Otherwise, I can try for my whole life' I thought. What those conditions were, I had no clue.

I stayed in that small forest for long time, but Crow never appeared. I decided to just visit the city called Sedon, and find him myself. Sedon was not very far away, from the location of our meeting place. After a few "days", I arrived near the city. To my surprise, the city pretty much stood on the Sludge Factory. 'Fortunately, there are some bridges, which connect the city with the Wilderness. Otherwise, I would not be able to enter' I thought.

The city was rather gloomy looking, with high walls made from bricks. It had a large castle like building, in the middle. I could see it, because it was elevated, as if standing on a hill. I could also see Shades, as well as other races walking to and fro the city. It was much more lively here, than it was at the meeting place. I stepped onto the bridge, and walked towards the huge gate, that was at the other side.

No one bothered me, as I walked on the bridge. Shades usually used the Sludge Factory, to walk on. Sludge Factory would not attack them, as they were from the same race. Other races, such as Lizards and Humans, had to use the bridge. I stepped through the gate, and looked around. The city looked rather normal. Wide streets, with buildings on both sides. Some side allays and road forks, were pretty much everywhere. Although the city looked gloomy, it was rather clean. There was no rubbish laying on the streets, or anything like that.

I walked on the main street, and checked the buildings out. Most of these buildings, were Shades' homes. There were some shops as well. I checked out a few of them, but they had nothing of interest to me. They usually sold stuff, that I would throw away. I tried speaking with a few Shades, but they didn't seem like the talkative sort. I was ignored most of the time. The weird thing was, when I asked about Crow, they would avoid me like plague. But when I asked about an inn or a bar, they would answer.

'Something's wrong here' I thought, and decided head towards the closest bar. After a while of walking, I managed to find the bar. When I walked inside, I noticed a Shade behind the counter. 'So, not a Lizard. There are probably other inns, and bars around the city. I'm sure, I would find one with a Lizard' I thought. I was already there, therefore it wouldn't hurt me to ask about Crow. The place was deserted, not even a sleeping drunk was inside. I walked over to the counter, and asked "Can you tell me, where can I find Crow?". The Shade looked at me, and replied "I don't recall the guy". I smelled a lie there. Mostly Shades would simply avoid me. He replied, and in a specific way. I asked again "Are you sure? We were supposed to meet at our meeting place. Crow didn't appear, so I came here". He replied again "I told you, I don't recall that guy". I smiled, and asked "Then how do you know it's a guy? If you want money, I will pay you".

He was shocked, but I already knew, that he was aware who Crow was. He walked over to the doors, closed them, and said "Follow me". I was a bit confused, but followed after him nevertheless. We entered another room, while the Shade asked "Why do you want to find him?". I said "He is a friend of mine". He was again surprised, when I said that. After a while of deliberation, he asked "Can you tell me something about Crow?". I was a bit confused, and replied "I don't get it. I just want to know where Crow is. Is this some sort of secret? I was supposed to meet with him, at the designated location. He didn't appear for a long time, so I came here. Just what is going on?". The Shade asked "What is the location?". I replied "North east from here, in a small forest of dead trees. Tell me, what is going on". He still asked another question "How would you know, he would be there?".

I was starting to get pissed. I replied "He has a black ribbon. My patience is limited. I'm already aware, that you know where he is. Tell me, or I will make you say it". The Shade shook his hands and replied "Calm down. It won't be necessary. I now know, I can trust you. I had to ask, to make sure". I said "Fine, where is he?". The Shade replied "Hiding. He is in deep shit for sure. I told him to leave that woman alone, but he had to mess with her. That idiot".

I was still confused, and I still didn't receive my answer. The Shade noticed, I was getting impatient, so he continued "I will give you a map of the severs. This is where he hides. It's a good thing, that you asked me. Those that are after him, could even try to interrogate you". He then passed me a map. I checked it out, and it showed a whole system of severs, beneath the city. I asked "I know he is in the severs, but where?".

The Shade shook his head, and said "I don't know. You will have to find him by yourself. Make sure no one follows you. There are three entry points to the severs. I suggest this one", and he pointed at one of the entrances. The Shade then continued "This place, is usually deserted. I will show you where it is". He took out another map, and showed me the location.

I nodded my head, and asked "How long, has he been hiding?". The Shade replied "Not that long actually. He should still be there, if they didn't find him of course". I nodded my head, gave him a Black Hal, and left. 'I don't know what he stepped into exactly, but I have to find him' I thought.