( chapter unfolds:15" Hint")
Thus, many days passed. They had learned every stage of their newfound power. It was the aim of the Master and his aide, Nobaya, to swiftly prepare them for their first hunt.
Nobaya alone stayed with them, as Daisho could not always remain at their side.
Daisho had sequestered the four disciples in a separate location for a specific reason, while the remaining students in his dojo continued their normal training as before.
"What became of the children who disappeared?" Master Henso asked. He was unaware that Daisho had moved the four away.
"I do not know, Master. They might have perished," Daisho replied, lowering his head.
"Might have perished, you say... How easily you utter those words, Daisho," Henso responded, his voice hardening with anger.
"It is your responsibility to protect the chosen children here, is it not? Yet you failed that duty."
"Forgive me, Master. I am carrying out my duty, yet if they have gone missing despite that, what am I to do?"
"We all know who is behind the disappearance of every single one of them, do we not...?"
"Yes."
"Yet still..." Henso rose in anger and left the room.
A short while later, Nobaya entered.
"Nobaya, why have you come here? Should you not be with them now?"
"They are safe, Master," Nobaya assured him.
"How is their training progressing?"
"Everything continues. Each of them is rapidly gaining control over their respective powers, Master."
"I am pleased to hear it. Everything must be quick, for I have sensed the presence of a Zek nearby."
Nobaya looked at Daisho with doubt. "Where?"
"At that farmer's house, there... The farmer was slain by a Zek."
"But we inspected that house, Master. Who could it be?"
"The boy," Daisho said, recalling Ray. "The farmer's son. He is the Zek we must eliminate."
It was then that Nobaya recalled Ray's face.
"I had my suspicions even then, but it takes many days to confirm if a boy is truly a Zek or not, which is why I said nothing. But now, I fear the moment I dreaded has passed. We must look for him."
Daisho turned toward Nobaya.
"We must return to that house once more, Nobaya. If my suspicion is correct, he will not be there."
The next moment, Nobaya and Daisho went directly to Ray's house. Daisho believed Ray was a Zek, and they were going there to confirm that suspicion.
The house was only a short distance from the dojo. And so, they set off.
They approached the farmer's isolated house, which they knew well. As they drew close, a stench, so foul they could barely stand it, began to assault them.
As they crossed the broken fence and stepped inside the compound, the odor intensified. Nobaya had to turn away, almost retching. The smell was overwhelmingly repulsive. Since there were no other homes nearby, no one was visible around the house.
"What is that smell, Master? My gut is turning inside out," Nobaya complained, unable to bear it.
"It must be his body inside, without a soul to inhabit it, beginning to decompose," Daisho said, looking around the exterior.
"Then the work should be easier!" Nobaya said, relieved.
"You must inspect the inside. I will check the perimeter."
"But Master"
"Do not fear. They are weaker when they begin to rot."
The Master went behind the house. Nobaya went inside.
Behind the house, the Master investigated the spot where the farmer had died. There was nothing to see.
Inside, Nobaya saw the entire room looked as though someone had violently attacked it.
It was then that Nobaya noticed it: the residue of ash scattered across the floor. Nobaya touched it; the ash felt slightly cold.
Looking past the ash, Nobaya gasped and recoiled in horror.
"MASTER!"
Hearing the shout, Daisho rushed inside and stood still, shocked.
Leaning against the wall was the body of the woman the mother. It was decomposing; flies and maggots crawled over it. The stench of that rotting corpse was what had assaulted them earlier.
"Master... this is"
"He is gone, Nobaya," Daisho said.
Daisho confirmed his suspicion, looking at the manner in which the body had been slain.
"This is not the mark of an ordinary Zek. This Zek is under the influence of Shapta."
"Then Ray?" Nobaya asked.
"Yes, he is the influenced Zek. If he were weak, he would be here still. His power is now awakened. That is why the color of the woman's body is like this."
"Where has he gone?"
"He will first attempt to leave this area and cross the Eastern Valley."
Hearing that, Nobaya stiffened. "But Master, that is where"
"I know. That is where they are. Let this be a trial , Nobaya. Ray is a trap. If they survive this trial, they will become complete Sapahans. They must not fail, because a Zek influenced by Shapta possesses immense power."