Spark in Darkness: Unworldy encounter/Prototype

Spark 19: Subduing the spirit

Haruki, Shinesh, and Shiro had left the town, and were trekking along a rocky pavement leading up to the rock mountains called Abusah mountains.

What was unique about it was that in the center of the mountain range itself, a plateau was present, much lower than the mountains around it. Legend has it that it was caused by one of the fights between Nyx and the seven Sparks, that they had wiped out half a moutain in their fight. Of course, it was just a tall tale to Haruki, who read up briefly about the formation of rock landforms, but still, given that this world has magic, nothing could not be entirely treated as simply a legend.

It was a tiring climb, but the way had already been paved for them by countless expeditions of Sparks before them, so it was not as dangerous. Nevertheless, when Haruki and his friends reached the top, their limbs were quite sore and they were out of breath.

"So...why did you choose to go over this plateau, Shiro? Aren't there other alternatives for us to go to that Spark hideout?" Haruki asked as he too a swig from the water pouch.

Shiro shook her head. "The Abusah Plateau is a famous location for Sparks because it is the ideal place for them to train. There are quite a number of ley lines passing through this place, allowing Sparks to seek greater progress in their training. Quit complaining. We're all in this together."

Haruki vaguely remembered about ley lines that he had read upon arriving here, but it was still quite the mystery to him. As for Shiro, once he got to know her better, and vice versa, he realised she had a sharp tongue. Speaking of which, he replayed what Shiro said about the Abusah Plateau.

"Wait, we're going to train here?" Haruki and Shinesh exclaimed in unison.

Shiro looked slightly surprised, like she had not expected this. "Well, of course, since we're going to fight against the Nayshards. Our powers as they are now won't be able to do much damage to the Nayshards, so of course we're going to train for a week."

"A week? But didn't you mention that the Nayshards were going to attack soon?"

"I never stated the exact date, did I? From what I have heard, it's around one week from now, so we have to train for the whole duration." Shiro stated coolly.

Haruki realised Shiro was those type of 'tough-commander' type of girl if she was going to be an instructor.

"So what do we have to do?" Shinesh voiced out what was on the mind of the two boys.

"Well, that's easy." Shiro pointed at her right arm, the bandage draped over the markings. "We'll have the two of you subduing the Darkness in my right arm."

There was a moment of silence as Haruki and Shinesh took in what they just heard.

"Erm...come again?" Haruki asked.

Shiro repeated calmly. "You two will subdue the Darkness residing in my right arm."

"But didn't we just did something like that?"

"That fight was easy because I tried to control it. This bandage over here was devised to trap the immense power in my arm, because the crazy scientist forced a familiar's spirit into my body. It has been rejecting me all the time for the last eight years."

"So I presume we'll have to fight it's full wrath?" Shinesh guessed.

"But doesn't that mean you won't be training?" Haruki complained. So much for the 'we're all in this together.'

"I'll try not to get killed by the spirit. My Spark's ability will be rendered useless, so I guess I'll have to rely on the two of you to defeat it for me."