Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Ezekiel and the priests readily accepted these words from Arthis...

They knew very well that they were indeed lucky enough to have these statues providing significant assistance to their training.

Perhaps, they would be able to learn how to Aura in a shorter time than everyone expected.

After all, these priests weren’t normal Survivors either!

They were high-level Foreign Survivors who had killed thousands of Zombies over the past year!

Seeing that the Priests understand, Arthis raised his staff.

”You should’ve rested enough... Today, let’s begin. Aura is not learned by watching... it is learned by breathing and by repetition. You will start now!”

Just like that, the historical event of Priests learning Aura had finally begun.

Arthis gestured toward the courtyard, where the faceless statues could be seen...

”First, you must remember that Aura is not spirit magic. It is not prayer either. It is the rhythm of life itself. To touch it, you must master your breath.”

The priests found the last part confusing, but these are monks. So they had to view things from a different perspective.

Thankfully, the monks demonstrated slowly for them...

They started inhaling through their nose, holding the breath, then exhaling in a measured rhythm.

As they did, faint traces of invisible energy around their body.

”This is the foundation. Breathing in harmony with your spirit...”

After this, they taught the exact counts and rhythms they must follow.

The priests then copied their example, and of course, it was awkward at first. Some inhaled too quickly, others lost rhythm.

Arthis corrected them patiently, tapping his staff against the stone.

”Slow. Steady. Feel the air move through you...”

***

At this point, Jillian and several others were quietly watching from the sidelines.

Their curiosity was evident since many of them had attended the monks’ lessons before. However, they were still unable to grasp Aura.

Jillian herself was among those who had tried and failed, which made her all the more intent on observing how these priests would fare.

’If they managed to learn Aura... Does it mean I’m that stupid?’ She thought to herself.

With this in mind, she watched their progress.

Minutes passed, and the courtyard filled with the sound of synchronized breathing.

However, only after four hours did Ezekiel feel his chest expand as his thoughts cleared.

Soon, his mechanical foot pressed firmly against the ground, and just like that, he sensed a faint warmth rising through his body... It was not some kind of healing energy or blessing that he was familiar with, like his holy energy, but something different.

”Amazing... This feeling...”

Arthis nodded as he noticed Ezekiel’s faint traces of Aura being gathered around his chest.

”Good. Now, mind your posture. Aura flows through the body’s channels. Since you’re just starting, if your stance is weak, your circulation will be disrupted... Remember the stance!”

As he said this, Arthis also shifted into the Sunflow Stance to remind them.

The stance was simple, feet apart, knees bent, spine straight.

His staff then rested lightly across his palms. ”This stance opens the channels. Hold it.”

The priests already saw this stance yesterday as the monks were practicing.

They mimicked him and soon, their muscles strained, but the buffs from the statues steadied them.

”We’re going to learn Aura!”

The priests encouraged themselves as they followed Arthis’s instructions.

Soon, Ezekiel felt his balance improve...

The clarity from the Statue of Discipline merged with the rhythm of his breath, and suddenly, the stance felt natural.

Arthis’s eyes swept across them.

”You feel it, don’t you? Not Aura yet, but the preparation...”

Sweat beaded on foreheads, but none of them stopped. They were liking this training despite their injured bodies!

”This is it!”

”I feel stronger again!”

”Hey! Focus! That’s not Aura yet!”

”That’s just the Statue’s effect!”

The priests were veterans, hardened by battles against zombies after all. This physical training was certainly helping in a different way.

After a few more hours, Jillian finally heaved a sigh of relief.

None of them was able to emit Aura...

”I guess they’re all just normal.” She muttered.

Arthis also clapped his hands.

”Enough for today. You have taken your first step. Tomorrow, we will deepen the practice. You will learn to circulate Aura through your limbs, to feel its weight and its flow...”

Ezekiel and the others bowed.

”We understand. Thank you, Brother Arthis.”

The monks behind Arthis remained silent, but their eyes showed how satisfied they were with the priests...

They were all excited since, after so long, they finally had some decent students worth teaching!

They could no longer wait to intensify their training!

***

Meanwhile, as the night came, Asad stepped through the gates of the Blue Bubble Shelter. It was filled with the scent of smoke and soap...

’Just like what Travis said... This place is the main supplier of soap...’ Asad mused.

He then paid the entrance fee, two Zombie Cores, without hesitation, before blending in with the other zombie hunters who came and went.

His appearance was carefully chosen. Just worn leather armor, a hunter’s bow strapped across his back, and a satchel filled with ordinary supplies.

To anyone watching, he was just another survivor seeking rest and trade.

But none of them would ever imagine that he was the Rank 2 Survivor, necromancer of the Eclipse Revenant Clan, and one of Shane’s trusted operatives.

His mission was simple...

With Shane’s instructions, he must locate and destroy a Phoenix Phalanx branch shelter hidden in Sector 15.

It wasn’t a major stronghold, but according to Natalie and Travis, who had far more skills in gathering intelligence, it housed about eighty to a hundred survivors.

Furthermore, they guarded access to a rare plateau plant. It was a resource that could be used to weaken the Zombie Virus and allowed high‑level survivors to endure infection.

That alone made it valuable enough to target.

He still had to find it, but for now, he needed to rest.

”There should be an inn around here...” Asad muttered as he looked around.

Blue Bubble Shelter was a neutral shelter, known for its fragrant soaps and bustling trade.

Merchants peddled bars of lavender and citrus, claiming they masked the stench of blood and rot. Hunters moved through the streets with trophies strapped to their belts...

Even bones of the undead were used for display.

The atmosphere was lively, but beneath it all, Asad sensed the tension.

Neutral shelters were crossroads of information, and information was exactly what he needed.

He kept his pace steady, nodding politely to guards and vendors, until he reached the tavern district. He was familiar with this place that was filled with the scent of sweat, ale, and others.

Zombie hunters gathered in clusters, boasting of their kills, arguing over who killed the strongest, and of course, they were also spreading trading rumors.

Asad slipped inside one of the larger taverns...

Just like everyone else, he ordered a drink, a watered ale and nothing strong, Then, he took a seat near the corner.

His eyes scanned the room as his ears tuned to the conversations around him.

”Let’s see...”

Hunters were careless when drunk, and taverns were the best place to gather intelligence.

Thankfully, it didn’t take him long enough to hear what he wanted. As expected, it seemed that his target here was quite famous.

”...heard Phoenix Phalanx’s boys are still guarding that plateau,” one hunter muttered, slamming his mug down. ”They think they own the plant. Charging anyone who tries to harvest it.”

”Yes! They’re bunch of bastards!”

”Hey... Some of them might be here...”

Another spat on the floor. ”Idiots. That plant’s the only reason they’re here. Without it, they’d have abandoned this sector months ago. But they’ve got control over some Zombie Kings for some reason... They also have strong Archers on their side, so they’re not moving anytime soon.”

Asad sipped his ale, feigning disinterest. His mind catalogued every word.

They were indeed guarding the plateau and as expected, they were also attacking outsiders. That matched Shane’s intelligence.

Further down the table, a group of younger hunters laughed. ”I tried sneaking close once. Nearly got shot. Aside from the three Zombie Kings, they’ve got turrets rigged from scrap, and some kind of barrier generator. Not much, but enough to keep scavengers out.”

”Barrier won’t stop a horde,” another replied. ”But it’ll slow down anyone trying to raid them. Phoenix Phalanx knows they’re vulnerable, so they’re clinging to that shelter like it’s gold.”

Asad leaned back, as he continued listening...

He didn’t need to ask questions... The hunters were giving him everything as if they wanted someone to hear them and plan their own attack...

Anyway, the branch shelter was indeed fortified, but not impregnable.

Turrets, barriers, archers, Zombie kings... And all for a plant that weakened the Zombie Virus.

”I guess this is the hardest mission Shane has given me...” Asad muttered.

He then finished his drink and moved to another table, striking up casual conversation. ”Busy night, eh? Any good hunts?”

The man beside him grinned, showing broken teeth. ”Bagged a Hunter Zombie earlier. Tough bastard. Nearly took my arm.” He laughed, then observed Asad’s outfit before he lowered his voice with a smile...

”So, are you also here because of the rumors? Those bastards from Phoenix Phalanx, they’re experimenting with the plant, trying to make their elites immune to infection and harness the power of the Zombies, right?”