CHASING ADVANCEMENT 1 [II] (Ch. 145)

Raven rises from the bed, putting the book aside he heads straight for the combat area. Arriving there he takes the center are before promptly falling to a lotus position, letting his mind free he concentrates on the 'Force' within and around him, he first rouses the imprinted 'Force' within him then begins pulling on ambient 'Force' while maintaining the cycle, seconds, minutes and hours tick by, the sense of immobility having long become the only sense of perception available to his senses, nevertheless Raven persists, the pressure mounts on his body causing it to shudder, his bones creaking ever so slightly, 

{E..no...ugh} Silver's voice states through the fractured link, Raven finally expels majority of the 'Force' within his body, his frame slacking as his body quivers lightly, 

{Rest, the recovery part is where strength is built} Silver states,

(I should teach the guys this) Raven states,

{Agreed, but how will you explain such a discover?} Silver questions,

(The book of course) Raven replies,

{You're comfortable with allowing them know of it's existence?, As well as it's contents?} Silver questions,

(Why not?, Shouldn't be a problem is it?) Raven replies, Silver remains silent before finally giving a reply,

{Very well, do be wear that the knowledge within that text is one that even Shifters of considerable would do harm for} Silver replies,

(Shifters do harm for much less, hoggin information like this won't do us any good, every good leader also needs good comrades) Raven replies,

{I see} Silver nods before pondering to itself, {Comrades eih, not subordinates, i see} it smiles.

Raven raises himself, picking his phone place away to the side he finds that he'd cycled long into the morning, the gang would be stepping out of their quarters for training soon, heading for his room he takes a quick shower, changing into training gear before stepping the combat area where the whole crew had gathered,

"So who's this mystery mentor you've been taking about" Jayson questions,

"Good morning to you too Jay" Raven chuckles, on que his phone buzzes, a message coming to sight, "Speak of the devil" Raven muses before turning to see a familiar white haired lady walk through the sliding doors.

Evelyin surveys the group, her eyes sharp, almost intrusive despite her amicable smile,

"My sources tell me you kids have been through quite a bit" she states in amusement, "basically you lot weren't strong enough, i'm here to change that" she declares, "pack up what you need, where heading to the mountains" she follows before turning to exit.

"Well that was a welcome" Laura states, 

"You heard her guys, get packing, we've got work to do, oh and... i've got a little surprise for you lot" he states with a grin,

"Oh?, What is it?" Laura inquires as the others look to him questioningly, 

"The fastest way to advance, that is from a pure standard of accumulation" he follows,

"So like a technique?" Jayson questions,

"That's one way to put it",

"Fantastic, let's get started right away!" Yanick replies with obvious enthusiasm, James follows with a silent nod, while Maya and Laura ponder to the same end,

(If it allows us advance faster then...we can finally be of help!), 

Mari stares at Raven keenly, 

(I've never heard of such a technique from anyone, not even home, could he have gotten it from his mom?) She mules, 

"What're you waiting for show us!" Dennis demands with avid interest,

"It takes several hours to complete one cycle, plus i doubt you want the white haired lady back hear in a less than pleasant mood" he responds, that got them moving.

The sun shone harshly against the buzzing streets, Jimmy made way through the crowd with a heavy hoodie on, lucky for him his father's cautious nature had prompted the man to have himself and his wife abdicate the country, or to be more frank with himself, MURAKAN had allowed them leave, nevertheless the we're safe, however little that may be, even with his nature he had some modicum of filial piety. Jimmy however now had far more pressing concerns, those concerns?, How he would rise to power, the path of individual strength was the most suitable, but realistically it would take far to long, he could feel it in the air, he almost wished for the non's blissful ignorance, knowledge was both power and a bane, another path was to inspire loyalty in those who had the power, that would be nigh impossible, he'd long thought it through having come to one conclusion, the MERCHANTS leader was an outlier, his brother and his intellect where his greatest strengths, Jimmy didn't believe himself nearly as intelligent, resent happenings had ensured his humility, he'd be used as a pawn, he'd known, somehow he'd expected a different outcome, one where he'd expected a hero's end, he'd grown from such naivety now.

Jimmy takes a left turn heading deeper into the business district as the workdays rest hour rush carries on. Jimmy eventually comes before an unassuming skyscraper, clear for all to see was the well known symbol of a diamond like shape having both bottom lines stretch out beyond the shapes vertex, ANAN. Jimmy steps in though the front doors heading swiftly to the receptionist he pulls out a card before she even has a chance to speak, he watches as she pushes a button beneath her work station subtly, moments latter a security guard comes forward ,

"Right this way sir" the man states leading Raven into the opening elevator, the man punches in not a number but a combination far to fast for Jimmy's eyes to pick,

(Good thing i'm recording, just have to make sure they don't see the body cam or i'm dead) he mules, the body cam had been sown into the matt black fabric covered heavily by the hoodie's material. the elevator comes to an eventual halt, Jimmy follows the guard stepping out of the elevator,

"Right in here sir" the guard states pointing him straight ahead into a spaced office large enough to host several dozen people. Jimmy feigns nervousness before turning his head to the man in inquiry,

"P...please, where's the toilet", the guard stares at him momentarily before nodding in an understanding manner, he leads Jimmy the toilet, standing outside Jimmy steps in, turning the tap on then taking a stall, quickly he pulls apart the body cam from the hoodie, popping the SD card compartment open he pulls out the card then pockets it for safe keeping, following that he dumps the small cam into the toilet then takes his piss, then flushes the cam down. Upon exiting the toilet he inhales then exhales in an almost exaggerated fashion before following the guard back to the office entrance moving pass him into the office, seated in place are Anan's executives, with the company leader gone control of it's operations had been designated to the crew's acting head,

"Harden" Jimmy calls, 

"Jimmy" the latter replies,

"It's time" Jimmy follows,

"Very well, i'm a man of my word" the latter replies,

"I'd hoped as much" Jimmy begins, "but before i state my demand how about i propose another deal?" Jimmy questions,

"I'm listening" Harden follows,

"I'm aware of your arrangement with Ethan Raine, i'm sure i have information that may be of some importance" Jimmy replies, Harden holds silence momentarily, 

(Though i'd rather not do this we can't afford even a conceivable chance of defeat) he ponders, "and how recent is this data" he questions breaking the silence,

"As recent as your recent expedition west" Jimmy replies,

"Interesting, i'm inclined to agree, but i prefer to have the deals separate, not compiled" Harden replies,

"I'm of a similar thought" Jimmy promptly replies,

"Then state your ask, within reason of course" Harden follows, his gaze rested. Jimmy had long come to gis decision, despite his obsession with power, especially one of immediate possibility, the reality of SHIFTERS is for one to hold true power one must first have on and individual level true strength, Raven had believed he'd betrayed MURAKAN, he had, to everyone else's perception, afterall what good was an act if it was so easily discerned. Jimmy is well aware his current situation leaves him relatively free from their control, allowing him plot and execute his preparations exquisitely, he'd received an interesting piece of information from MURAKAN'S delegated consultant having executed their orders, even if it's outcome was to no avail, one that is pivotal to his expansive plans. Jimmy draws himself away from his wandering mind, 

(Let's deal with the first matter at hand shall we?), "Strength" Jimmy replies after the minute long pause,

"Strength?" Harden questions with obvious confusion,

"Help me attain the strength i desire" Jimmy replies, his smile resembling a fox's grin.