Awakening

There was no time to lose. Although the phenomenon would last for at least another five to six hours, enough to complete the procedure around three times, he could not wait any longer. He had already spent five years dreaming of this day. He entered the meditative state once again, but this time with unprecedented concentration and attention. Everything had to go smoothly, so he had to forcefully suppress his excitement. As soon as he started feeling the surrounding energy he noticed the difference with before. The worldly energy wasn't denser or more powerful, instead it had gained a certain softness and gentleness to it that was difficult to put into words. This trait was further reinforced by the eclipse collection room he was in. This was all to prevent the aperture from shattering. Minutes after minutes he continued to calmly guide the energy until at the half an hour mark he once again arrived at the aperture hidden deep within him. But this time he did not hesitate and immediately started pouring energy in, slowly, without rush. Even a single crack would determine the collapse of the whole thing, he had to be careful. The process was long and extremely tiring for the mind, but he endured.

Soon he reached, the first hour mark, then the one hour and a half mark, finally the he reached the two hour mark, the average point for awakening, but the aperture was still greedily absorbing energy. He was already mentally prepared for this, the Smirking Shadow esoteric art was created by his own ancestor and was perfectly suited for his bloodline, moreover each sect head would raise his descendant according to the same principles and teachings in the scripture, this was also to increase the compatibility with the art. He continued to persevere.

Two hours and half soon, three hours, but still no signs of stopping. At this point even Helios was startled. He knew that this was the usual ending point for the past sect leaders, his father being no exception. He was feeling extremely tired but had no choice but to continue, or all his effort up until now would have been for nothing. Three hours and a half was when the aperture finally started to show signs of being full, but just like a true glutton it seemed like it would continue eating even at the risk of an indigestion. Finally at the four hours mark the situation changed. The originally dead dot in his belly stopped absorbing energy and started emitting a blinding light. Helios was stunned for a few seconds before finally rejoicing internally. He had succeeded! He did not betray the expectations others had in him. More importantly, he did not betray himself. After four hours of strenuous mental distress, his head was aching badly, but he could not yet rest.

Next was the signing. He rapidly took the egg in his hands and brought it next to his belly. A huge and pure white ray exited from the aperture and went straight into the egg that started shacking visibly and lighting up. It continued to tremble for about thirty seconds before the first few cracks appeared, allowing the new life to see the light for the first time. Then the egg shells turned into light spots and disappeared, finally letting Helios take a look of hi first pokemon. It had a small humanoid form with a helmet-like head on which started a fairly big blade. At the same time blades also made up its torso and arms, so much so that even though it was just born, it was already giving off a sharp and dangerous aura. Most importantly, in its eyes was a strange look, as if it was mocking the whole world. Indeed, such was the signature pokemon of the smirking shadow sect, Pawniard, the Sharp Blade Pokemon. However this particular pawniard was not like all the rest: firstly it was about 70-80 cm tall, contrary to its species' average at 50cm, and secondly it was not grayish black and red like it should, but instead black and blue. It was a shiny. This was the results of the painstaking efforts of the sects to breed an exceptional pawniard for their heir. Although being shiny did not equate to being stronger, it was a testament to its incredible talent and limitless potential, as well as a source of honor for its trainer. The more Helios laid his eyes onto his pawniard the more he grew fond of it, eventually making the newly born pokemon feel embarrassed, as it tried to cover itself with his blades.

"Pawwwnn". Seeing the sudden change in its expression, Helios laughed heartily, finding it quite funny.

"As much as I would want both of us to rest right now little buddy, we still have the last step to do. Don't worry tho, it won't take too long."

As he said so the finally allowed the aperture in his belly to take in the dark/steel energy originating from Pawniard and started organizing it following the instruction in the Smirking Shadow esoteric art. In turn the insides of the glass orb that had been empty all along started to change forming a particular scenery.

"Let's go Pawniard, let us see our new Headquarters." As he said so he used the contract to transport Pawniard inside before entering it himself. Thus the Eclipse collection room suddenly turned empty as they both vanished without a trace.