Chapter 279
A question. Did you guys notice the difference between these two power system and other power system showed so far?.
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The king sighed deeply, before asking "what about the shamanic route, has the fifth stage being found yet"
Ezinne looked troubled as she said "Progress has been made but it’s requirement is something very troublesome as it requires going to the underworld"
The shamanic route emerged as a result of the limitations imposed by the physical route’s age requirement. While younger and middle-aged individuals could easily undertake the physical journey, the elders found it increasingly difficult to do so. Feeling sidelined and determined to contribute, the elders embarked on their own research, eventually giving birth to the shamanic route.
The first stage in the shamanic route is called "Whisperer of Bones." In this initial stage, the shaman begins their journey by focusing on the bones of animals, unlike the physical route where practitioners must bond with a living animal. The shaman’s path does not require a living bond but instead involves connecting with the remnants of the deceased. Animal souls, being too weak to traverse to the underworld, often linger around their physical remains after death, their essence gradually dispersing. The shaman must locate the bones of their chosen animal before the soul has completely dissipated.
Once the bones are found, the shaman engages in deep meditation, especially with the bones of their chosen animal, attuning themselves to the spiritual energies of death and the afterlife. This meditative practice allows the shaman to connect with the lingering spirits and hear their whispers. Additionally, this meditation is accompanied by the worship of Keles, the goddess of death, who governs over the souls and their transition.
The shaman’s meditative state enables them to visit sacred sites, such as ancestral shrines or burial grounds. Here, they perform rituals to briefly communicate with the spirits of the dead, often involving offerings, chants, and the use of sacred herbs or incense. Initially, communication with the spirits was difficult and sporadic, but as time passed, it became a crucial aspect of the shamanic path, especially as the souls in the underworld began regaining consciousness.
The second stage, known as "Spirit of Swift Death," involves honing the ability to track and interact with spirits, particularly those associated with death. This skill includes entering trance-like states, where the shaman can follow spiritual trails or use divination tools, such as bones or shells, to sense the presence of nearby spirits. They learn to invoke the spirits of predatory animals, calling upon these entities during rituals or to imbue themselves with the animals’ strength and swiftness. These practices often require specific offerings and chants to honor and summon the predatory spirits.