Chapter 61: Shadows of Power

Olutola stood at the center of his spacious living room, his eyes closed in concentration. He felt the presence of his shadows, an army at his command, ready to obey his every command. Zara and Lina watched from the doorway, their expressions a mix of awe and curiosity.

"Show me," Zara said softly, breaking the silence.

Olutola opened his eyes, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Watch closely," he replied. 

With a simple thought, he summoned his shadows. The room darkened as they materialized, each one a dark, silent figure, their eyes glowing faintly. There were hundreds of them, their ranks stretching back into the shadows of the room.

Zara and Lina exchanged a glance, their admiration clear. "Incredible," Lina whispered.

Olutola nodded. "They're more than just soldiers. Each one has unique abilities, strengths that I can use to my advantage."

He raised a hand, and one of the shadows stepped forward. It was larger than the others, its form more defined. "This is one of my generals," Olutola explained. "He's stronger, faster, and smarter than the rest."

The general bowed slightly, acknowledging Olutola's command. 

Olutola then pointed to another shadow, a smaller, more agile figure. "This one is a scout. Fast and silent, perfect for gathering information or striking from the shadows."

Lina's eyes widened. "You can send them out on missions?"

"Exactly," Olutola confirmed. "They can do almost anything I need them to. And because they're part of me, I always know what they know."

---

Later that day, Olutola decided to test his shadows' capabilities. He chose a target—an old warehouse on the outskirts of Lagos that had been reported as a hideout for a notorious gang.

"Stay here," he told Zara and Lina. "I'll handle this."

Zara frowned. "You sure you don't want us to come?"

Olutola shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I want to see what my shadows can do on their own."

Zara and Lina nodded, understanding. They watched as Olutola left, his shadows trailing behind him like a dark tide.

---

The warehouse was as decrepit as the reports had indicated. Olutola stood outside, assessing the situation. His shadows moved silently around him, awaiting his orders.

"Go," he whispered.

The shadows surged forward, slipping through cracks and crevices, infiltrating the building without a sound. Olutola closed his eyes, focusing on the information they were feeding back to him. He could see through their eyes, hear through their ears.

Inside, the gang members were caught off guard. They had no idea what was happening as the shadows moved among them, disarming and incapacitating them with eerie efficiency.

Olutola moved in, his form a blur of speed and power. He dispatched the remaining gang members with ease, his movements precise and deadly. His shadows mirrored his actions, ensuring no one escaped.

Within minutes, it was over. The gang was subdued, their weapons confiscated, their hideout neutralized. Olutola stood in the center of the warehouse, his shadows forming a protective circle around him.

"Return," he commanded.

The shadows vanished, melding back into the darkness from which they had come. Olutola took a deep breath, feeling the rush of power and satisfaction.

---

Back at his house, Zara and Lina were waiting. They looked up as Olutola entered, a triumphant smile on his face.

"How did it go?" Lina asked.

"Perfectly," Olutola replied. "The gang is dealt with, and my shadows performed flawlessly."

Zara stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. "I knew you could do it," she murmured.

Olutola kissed her forehead, then turned to Lina. "Thank you for believing in me."

Lina smiled, her eyes shining. "Always."

As the three of them settled into the evening, Olutola felt a deep sense of contentment.