Chapter 360: 360

Some souls hesitated, sensing the strength of the ancestral bond. A few fell back seeing how united they were, unwilling to challenge such power. But others surged forward, their desperation and defiance giving them form and ferocity. These were the ones who would not yield without a fight as they knew the benefit if they won.

A phantom of the branch appeared above Ezinne’s head, from the branch extended grew lights like roots that connected each ancestral soul around, covering them in the same green glow as Ezinne.

The ancestral souls each taking up a position to shield and support her. In their hands grew out a green weapon, which they used to fend off the attacking souls.

A soul with a heavy light of intelligence in it’s eyes used the opportunity to grab hold of weaker nad retreating souls as it grew in size soon large and menacing spirit lunged toward Ezinne, its form flickering with unstable soul energy. Ngozi moved swiftly, raising her hands to summon spectral vines that lashed out, binding the spirit in place. “Now, child!” she shouted

Ezinne thrust the branch which appeared on her hand forward, and its green light exploded outward, dispersing the huge bound spirit into harmless wisps of energy that gathered into complete souls, those that were swallowed up. Around her, other ancestral souls were working in unison, their combined efforts driving back the opposition.

As the battle raged, stronger spirits from the outskirts began to approach. One, soul figure it’s figure more compact, paused to assess the scene. Its deep voice rumbled through the air. “A family seeking to carve a place for themselves. Rare… but dangerous.”

Ngozi turned toward the figure, her eyes narrowing. “This land is claimed by us. Stand aside, or be driven out.”

The figure hesitated, then gave a low, rumbling laugh. “Very well. I will not interfere… this time. But know this—staking a claim in the underworld draws attention. Be prepared to defend it.”

With that, the figure turned around, following behind him were other stronger soul staring at the land Ezinne was claiming with greed.

The plains began to quiet as the last of the resisting spirits were driven away. The green light surrounding Ezinne flared once more, and the ground beneath her shifted. Where once it was barren, the land began to bloom faintly, patches of soft grass and spectral flowers emerging, infused with the energy of her claim.

Ngozi stepped forward, placing a hand on Ezinne’s shoulder. “It is done. This place is now ours. Your journey has brought honor to our line.”

The other ancestral souls gathered closer, their forms glowing with satisfaction. They spoke in unison, their voices resonating like a chorus. “May this land remain a sanctuary for all who carry our blood.”

Ezinne, exhausted but triumphant, knelt on the soft ground, letting the glow of her ancestors envelop her. She had done it—carved out a domain in the underworld, not just for herself but for her entire lineage.

As the light of the reclaimed land bathed her, Ezinne felt a warmth she hadn’t expected in the underworld. The spectral glow of her ancestors dimmed, their voices softening into whispers as they withdrew to their new sanctuary. Ngozi lingered, her presence still strong as she placed a hand on Ezinne’s shoulder.

“You have done well, child,” she said, her voice filled with pride. “This place is now bound to our lineage. But your journey is far from over. Return to the living world and carry our legacy forward.”

Ezinne nodded, gratitude shining in her eyes. “Thank you, Great-grandmother. I will honor this gift.”

Ngozi gave a faint smile and turned to bow to the empty air. The spectral deer reappeared, its glowing form shimmering with the energy of their reclaimed domain. It knelt beside Ezinne, urging her to mount once more.

As Ezinne climbed onto its back, she glanced around one last time at the land she had claimed. The faint greenery and spectral blooms pulsed with life, a stark contrast to the desolation that had greeted her earlier. With a final look at Ngozi, she nodded her farewell.

The deer began its ascent, leaping upward as the world around them blurred. The underworld’s oppressive darkness gave way to streaks of light and warmth as the deer carried her back to the surface. Ezinne felt her spirit tethered, the pull of her body growing stronger with each passing moment.

Finally, the deer slowed, and with a gentle nudge of its head, it lowered Ezinne to the threshold of her physical form. “Go, shaman,” it said, its deep voice resonating in her mind. “The green glow will guide you always. Do not squander it.”

Ezinne bowed her head in gratitude, touching the deer’s snout briefly before stepping forward.

The magic circle surrounding Ezinne’s body pulsed faintly as her soul re-entered. The shamans circling her paused, their murmurs growing softer as they sensed the completion of her journey. The green glow from the branch faded, absorbed into her body, leaving only a faint shimmer in her hair and skin.

Ezinne’s chest rose sharply as she took in a deep breath, her eyes fluttering open. Her gaze was distant for a moment before clarity returned. The room was silent, the gathered shamans watching her with a mixture of awe and reverence.

“She’s returned,” one murmured.

As Ezinne stood up, her former old and shrunken form shifted as she grew younger. Her back straightened, her grey hair still partially grew but some part are streamlined with dark green colour.

Nwadiebube and his sister was close by with the princess having a bright smile on her face seeing Ezinne change, meanwhile Nwadiebube only clenched his fist with a thinking look on his face.

The princess ran to the circle holding Ezinne’s hand and excitedly asking her how it was. Ezinne took time to calm the princess before looking at Nwadiebube and seeing the serious look on his face.

Raising the branch on her hand, she said “It still can support one more death shaman advancement” Nwadiebube nodded as he gestured for Ezinne to follow him to a more bigger space.

Nwadiebube turned to Ezinne, his gaze sharp and focused. “Call it forth,” he said, his voice carrying both command and anticipation.

Ezinne inhaled deeply, feeling the connection to her domain stir within her. She raised the branch, its green hue intensifying as it resonated with her energy. Closing her eyes, she focused on the memory of the underworld—the reclaimed land, the spectral blooms, and the presence of her ancestors.

The air around her began to shimmer, and a faint green mist spread across the courtyard. From the mist emerged ghostly forms: her ancestral spirits, their figures translucent yet vivid. The reclaimed domain took shape, with patches of spectral grass and flowers appearing underfoot, accompanied by the faint sound of wind that seemed to echo from the underworld itself.

Nwadiebube gave a slight bow to the ancestral soul before he turned to Ezinne “You know this isn’t what I was looking for, show me it’s capabilities”

Ezinne nodded as as she stomped the ground, creating a crack in it where dead bodies began to climb out of, among these dead bodies can bodies of people of Björn be seen.

This was the bodies traded from the merchant of death, after the dead bodies all climbed up, numbering in hundreds, Ezinne nodded to the ancestral souls as they all turned into a dot of light each getting into a body the fell is perfect for them.

As the ancestral spirits merged with the bodies, an eerie transformation unfolded. The previously lifeless corpses stiffened, their hollow eyes flickering to life with an otherworldly glow. Each body seemed to adjust to its spirit host—wounds knitting together, missing limbs reforming with spectral energy, and once-ragged clothing mending into an ethereal semblance of their past forms.

Ezinne took a step back, A staff appeared in her hand pulsating like a heartbeat, synchronizing with the newly reanimated warriors. A ripple of energy surged through the group as they collectively stood taller, their presence commanding. Each spirit now seemed perfectly aligned with its vessel, creating an army of the undead infused with ancestral power.

Nwadiebube’s eyes narrowed, studying the display before him. He strode forward, “React to this,” he said sharply, slamming his foot into the ground and sending a pulse of kinetic energy through the courtyard. The wave collided with the spectral warriors, but rather than scatter, it passed through them like they weren’t there with the force and remained steadfast.

Nwadiebube his voice low but firm. “And their connection to you? Can you serve them at will? Reclaim their energy if necessary?”

Ezinne’s expression hardened. She raised the staff again, and sickly green glow intensified. One by one, the warriors began to dissolve into motes of light, the spirits returning to their saanctuary. Within moments, the courtyard was still again, save for the faint shimmer of spectral flowers marking where the army had stood.

Nwadiebube nodded as he ordered “Prepare for the next advancement, also contact with the merchant of death and see if you can get your hands on stronger dead bodies”

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