₦airaland Forum

Chapter 16


Mark had just been driven out of one of LEXA Corp's warehouses after taking possession the device send to them by David and William Thorne, brothers and very extraordinarily brilliant gentlemen who brains were one of the few that match scientist on Zoltron and give them a run for their money.

The device in question was part of component of the propulsion engine of a secret a extra orbital defence weaponry system that was being created for Earth's protection against extraterrestrial threats and aggression. It was backed by funds of twenty super power countries on earth and managed by LEXA Corp.

The Extra orbital defence weaponry system or EODEWS was part of a defence program started two decades ago. When the excesses of the Aronzian contingents were secretly leaked to the human government; by no other than the Alexanders themselves. They also strategically positioned themselves through proxies to take charge of building the EODEWS

The EODEWS consisted of four phases which included surface to air combat protocols which served as the last line of defense. Should all other pre - defence system, aerial combat with the aid of specialized crafts fitted with weapons systems salvage from wreckages of crash landed or shot down crafts of extraterrestrials who had the unfortunate luck of been seen, their tech, salvaged and reversed engineered by human scientist and engineers for reuse to their benefits. Hand held weapons were also crafted to specifically suit each solider's need.

Shield cloak generator and off world offensive regimen, which was the current phase they were in and hoped to complete and launch very soon. It involved harnessing the power of the sun through the use specialized solar panels to power up generator specifically made to generate a powerful shield enough to deflect Aronzian grade, class three proton exgenis canons . Of course, that part was secretly added without the humans knowing. The moon also housed over a hundred strategically placed cannons that shot high powered proton exgenis suitable for taking out lighter attack crafts. Creating heavier armoury capability would raise suspicions of the origins of such tech and how they came about it. And the Alexanders very much wanted very much to remain at the background. For now, the lesser the humans knew their involvement and true origin, the more better they couod effectively and efficiently work from the background
Then finally, there was the exploration and cultural assimilation and exchange program. It involved developing and building space crafts, using combination of materials from both human as well as other sentient Beings technology. These crafts would be capable of inter-galatical space travel and armed to defend itself against aggressors. The program, whichever decade it would be ready,would be funded by the Alexanders and guided indirectly by Zoltron and it's allies to explore new world and open the humans to diverse races, other life forms and cultures difference. All these had to be introduced gradually to the humans else they became spooked and felt threatened.

As Mark drove home, his mind also wandered to the two brothers Katherine had earlier gone to conclude the business of the device with. She had told him that they had wanted to back out in the last minute and sell to external client when she had to spring out the "LET" card on them. It was either that or she had them "blighted", a fancy word for killing them right there and then for their flagrant betrayal of trust and breech of contract. She had said the she was feeling rather forgiving so she let them walk away unharmed despite their disrespect.

He snorted within himself. It was truly hilarious to think that Kath would say such. To even act it out was even much more unbelievable.

The LET program, short for Life Enhancement Therapy, that Kath had threatened with, was one of the programs running secretly under Hitler's reign of terror. It was no secret that the "late dictator", during his reign, dabbled into a lot of things which included fringe science, demonology, the occult to name but few but what saw him smile most often and eager to fight more and push harder was the division of his fringe science team that dabbled into the immortality craze.

Hitler wanted to rule the world and he also wanted to live forever and shire a perfect race of men and women who transcended death and illness, perfect in his likeness. For all intents and purpose, He wanted to become God. And for all intents and purposes, thanks to the Aronzian tacit interference and secret meddling by supplying him with their DNA to work with, he had almost succeeded.

The allied forces had come about the information by chance when one of the Nazi convoys transporting an almost successful test subject to a more secured location to avoid interference and discovery by the then pressing allied forces. Unfortunately, the test subject died in the attack along with the scientist accompanying her Fortunately, the scientist documents and documentary on the work was by his side.

News had reach Kathrine, who, either by coincidence or act of providence, by that time had come to Earth on her routine visit to access their assets stationed all-over the planet, their wellbeing and to also escort a cargo of food and goods meant for Zoltron, safely, through one of their insider within the allied ranks. She had promptly moved into action, activating all sleeper agents within the Nazi camp to find out the stage of work so far on project LET. The news had been nauseating as all indicators pointed to them already perfecting the serum, finalising with test subjects was on the way. She concluded that all needed to be done to make sure Hitler never succeeded

On the day set for live demonstrations, in which Hitler himself along with major sponsors, donors, high ranking personnel within his inner circle that were in the know, graced, ten subjects were selected for the demonstrations.

All test subjects were captured civilians from various works of life before the war that didn't bow to a crazy man's ideology. Out of them stood two brothers Mikael and Gregor Schindler who had promised each other a vow to live and not fall to the threats of a dictator.

After about an hour after the serum administration, Of the ten subjects, only five survived the tests, out of the five, one became pychotic, one lobotomized, and remaining three were responding to the serum positively. Of the three, one was a male negro who was a capture prisoner from the allied camp and the two brothers. Once the three perfectly stable test subjects were stabilised, the lab was in joyous mode for the successful trials, as their principal had issued the green light for a breeding program to begin for further expansion to meet the primary objective - world domination with perfect soliders.

Their joy was cut short when the secret lab was hit with a series of explosions. Zoltan soliders had breeched the security and were taking out the Nazi soliders and scientists. Their orders were simple, save all prisoners, kill every other person, scorch the entire area. Their participating in the war must never be discovered. Hitler and his inner circle barely made it out alive. They had seen certain victory but couldn't attain it. It was a big blow to their years and years of work as all the scientists in the know of the project were all present that day and all were killed with no exceptions.

Not long after, the war was lost and the relics of Nazis empire crumbled but the remnants never forgot the failure and betrayal. A special secret unit was sent to hunt down their priced achievement but never succeeded. Till this day, that unit still existed and were actively searching.

Meanwhile, Mikael and Gregor Schindler were now transformed to David and William Thorne. New lives and identies were created for them to live out long natural lives. Thanks to their new ageless feature, they knew well to avoid public eyes and also keep any of their offsprings of public records to avoid drawing attention. One of the draw backs of the serum was that, since it was not part of their original biological makeup, they could not transfer their agelessness gene to their offspring..... thankfully. The only advantage children from their bloodline shared was quick tissue regeneration, heightened sense and an acute sense of precognition. They had only known of these because they more or less kept tabs on them without even they knowing

dawno2008:
@Emempaul this updates are getting smaller by the day
Good job though, keep it flowing ma man

Not all chapter are meant to be long and besides I am introducing characters and how there every day lives look like

Chapter 15

Three Hours later........

" Gentle Men, are we here to conduct business and get out of here or are we just going to stand here and watch the night skies?" Queried Kath, not moved by their delay tactics. She had a feeling that the transaction was going to be stalled by a third party interference hence she came prepared

" We are here dressed for the occasion ain't we? Just your price tag isn't bending to our will and we are yet to come to compromise on the terms and conditions of the device. It is far below was others have offered to pay and we are seriously reconsidering the sale agreement we have with you." Spoke one of the guys with a dirty blonde, whose facial expression of nonchalance revealed experience in black market negotiations. Which also meant that he wasn't bluffing. Kath glanced to the second guy, his tussled shaggy brown hair was a deliberate effort to give him the millionaire playboy look that came with the age they currently claimed. He betrayed no emotion as he sat more favoured to his left side, relaxed and fingers quietly tapping the table in front of him.

" Our price remains our price and not a cent more take it or leave it" she retorted calmly. Two could play the game, but they didn't take to cognisance the fact that the moment they mentioned others in the race to acquire the device, they inadvertently shot themselves in the leg.

" Miss Alexander, understand that this is business and we will not hesitate to look further down the stream for bigger fishes. Fifty or no deal" both men stood up, signifying that they were done and turned to go. Kath was, though maintaining air of calm, deep down fuming. These men were skating on thin ice and they didn't even know it. She reined in her anger and went for the kill

" The Germans are still looking for the two crazy buggers who had the gutts to run away with their most priced achievement and betrayed them on project LET. The wars may have been over, Hitler dead and rottening away,....or so they think, his inner circle, assimilated or killed dependent on their crimes and / or willfulness and cooperation - " she paused for added effect and raise the suspense bar high up as both men stopped in their tracks , shoulder tensed and breathes hitched. She could even literally sense the fast hammering of their heart beat from were she sat

" But" interjected the male with the shaggy brown hair, who had turned around to look at her as she confidently sat with a lax gait. His one word urged her to continue. She raise a brow in mockery then smiled at them - smile that she had them by the balls. How shallow they were to think they could win her and walk out of there unscathed.
Finally, she had elicited emotions from both of them

Fear. Uncertainty. Defeat

She smiled at the fear and uncertainty clearly written on them and their stance. Their once power and confident aura was suddenly riddled with fright.

"- But....... you and I both know that the Nazis never forget and they most definitely never forgive" she finished off.

Both men were shakened as this was a secret they thought no one alive knew or remembered. They both returned back to their seats after eating the humble pie.

"So this was what dealing with the legendary Alexanders felt like."
thought the dirty blonde hair man.
The rumors were then true that very few who double crossed the Alexanders and lived to tell the story. They never had the upper hand as they were made to believe. It was just a ploy to make them feel a fake sense of power.

The most troubling thoughts graced the mind of the other male and moment his butt touched the chair again, he fired his question

" How did you know about project LET?"

" Who do you think broke you out in the first place" she queried back

" That is impossible!!! " He exclaimed but continued " It can't be..... It.....it would mean........... But You look just below thirty" he looked awed, shocked and still afraid at the same time

" Yet here we are, over seventy years later and you still look no a day younger than when we did the plastic surgery to hide your true identities David." A sarcastic smile graces her lips. It was time to ends this now
Fear ran down the spine of David as he watched the female in new light.
" You wouldn't..." David spluttered but he didn't have the courage to complete his statement, fear still evident in his words. The fear of what would be done to them if they were caught
Katherine saw this fear and suddenly it felt wrong to have used it against them. No one should have to face the horrors this two face in that camp

" No I wouldn't.... Doesn't mean I will let you betray us by going to our competitors. Twenty will be transferred into your account by the end of the day. My device should be delivered to our warehouse on or before 9am tomorrow at this address along with a technical team to run us through installation" she instructioned handing them a piece of paper with an address on it then continued speaking " failure to do so and you understand the consequences, cross us and you know the consequences. Good day gentle Men, it was nice doing business with you" she stood up and walked out of the meeting leaving both men stunned to their marrow

Moments later, David's phone pinged signifying an incoming message. He checked it and sure enough, twenty million had been credited to their off shore account. He show it to his brother who just shrugged.

" Ain't you bothered by information she just used against Williams" questioned a still stunned David looked to his friend's casual attitude

"Dave, if she wanted to hand us over, I can very much assure you that no mountain on earth and no amount of deal with the devil in hell can hide us from her. This was a nice pat on the back to warn us to thread with caution in dealing with them. And I don't think I'm going to forget it anytime soon" he sighed

" I'll call Philip to prepare the device for shipping"

" Philip has already done that, Will. Just text him the address and he'll be on his way. Let's get out of here, this place is making me remember things that are best left to forgotten memories.

Both men stood up and left the building, each still dazed by the day's happening

At the end of the audio conversation, Kath excused herself to make some calls. When she was done, she walked back to apologize to him

" Hey, big guy I'm sorry. Apparently, we have a back stabber in our midst and his currently on the run. My hands are just itching to get hold of him" she was furious at the betrayal, just as looked apologetic to him

" I am only going to accept that apology on the condition that you have dinner with me" Zach Darren was an oppotunistic bastard, and he'ld be damn if he didn't dive at this chance. He was tired of beating around the bush
Kath didn't know when she started blushing but quickly righted herself
" Wait. Is the great Zach Darren, asking yours truly on a date" she hide her excitement while trying to turned the situation against him.

" I can't help but try" he grinned sheepishly. Deciding to put him out of his misery, she conceded but laughed out loud at his expense

" Geeze. You do know how to kill a man's grove

" Alright, alright. Text me a time and place within the week." Even she was suprised how easily she agreed. But there was no denying it, she did have a tiny bitty crush on Zach and with the way she smiling inwardly maybe it was more than just a tiny bitty crush.
They both had small talk on other things before she took her leave, a smile still plastered on her face

Chapter 14

New York
U. S. A.


" Thank God its Friday!!!" Yelled a group of over enthusiastic working class ladies gathered round a table as glasses of drinks clinked to the cheers. It was indeed a Friday that signalled the end of a working week and indeed " The Helix " was a testament to that fact as it was filled to capacity with teeming young adults looking for a means to burnout their stress of the the week.

Now there were different categories of people who visited the " The Helix". There were those who saw it as their place of solace to drink, dance whirl thier troubles away. There were also the one night standers club who were just there for the " pick-ups" in other to ensure their " engines" were kept functional and in good condition. There were also the " newbies" who were, as their name entailed, news tothe cycle of " the extra fun" live. The of course, there were the " business" men and women who used the facilities of "The Helix" to transact their " businesses"

The Helix club was, for all intents and purposes, built to cater for all the "needs" of its various patrons and the establishments owner, spared not expense to leave up to it name and expectations. So while the upper levels held the main club party hall that was three stories high and accessible to its normal clients, workers and all, the sublevels which was also three levels below ground, were meant for the " business men and women" who did not want their " business transactions" exposed to the public eyes.
The sublevels of " The Helix" was accessible only through the a purpose built two lane tunnel wide enough to allow golf carts drive through with ease. Its main entrance was through a packing garage sharing a fence with The Helix but served the office complex that was still under construction and also owned by the same.

Patrons seeking to use the facilities often booked before hand Stating their business. If the terms of the Helix was accepted, one of the most important being that blood shall not be spilled in any way form or manner, date was booked down for the meeting and other modalities ranging from security, privacy and other necessities were put in place before the day of the meeting.
It was no wonder it was the favoured destination of spies from their different agencies world over as a neutral ground to trade, negotiate, buy, sell, steal, deliver messages and send messages to clients, enemies and rivals. The Helix didn't just serve as a meeting point for the mundane but it was also a converging point for the supernatural for treatise, negotiations and alliances. The entire building was so entirely fortified that the moment any supernatural stepped into the place, they automatically lost their ability to shape shift, for shifters, wield their powers, for the gifted, conjure and summon, for the so called mages. And all, both mundane and supernatural, knew not to break the rules that governed the Helix and none knew the true identity of its owner.
......... Well save for one family
The Alexanders

Katherine Alexander was ushered into the private office of Zachary Darren who was currently making a call and from the looks on his face, it wasn't a happy call. She took her seat sofa that was located at the corner of the office to give him privacy for his call. His Dutch flew out his tongue in rapid succession that she was sure were more of threatening than conversation.
After awhile, from the sound of his tone while speaking, it seemed that whatever argument he was having with the person on the other end of the call had been somewhat resolved. He ended the call and gave a loud sigh that was more of a defeat than a relieve. He had immediately schooled his face when he remembered that he had a visitor and turn back to find the person. Once his eyes found its target, he smiled. Only she had the power to effect him like that. Only she could make his face light up like a Christmas tree after a rough bout of anger. Only the sight of her could calmed his aching heart and loneliness while here in exile. Yet she wasn't his and the were worlds apart
" Kath!" He gave a boyish loop sided grin and walktowards her hugging her and kissing on both cheeks as a standard greeting and took a seat beside her
" Zach. It's been quite a while. And let me guess the reason for that call. Home trouble?"
" You have no idea. But at least I've smoothened things out. But you on the other hand do great injustice to me by hiding your beauty from my eyes." He said, feigning hurt

" Drama Queen" she snorted

" What did you say"

" I said I'm sorry big guy" she cooed playfully. But she also tried to explain her absence " you know that our hands have been tied with this Aronzian crazies. They've been getting bolder by the day."

" Those fools are something else. The came here some time back and threatened to burn the Helix down if I didn't dance to their tune and cut ties with you guys."

" No way"

" Yes way. So I paid them a return visit and told them it was in their best interest to not be my enemy. That I had a thousand and one ways to make them pay if they crossed me as an enemy. They may be a formidable opponent but I am a very vicious to enemy" he brievely recounted his encounter with the Aronzians, then switch topic as not to raise her curiosity for him to divulge more
" So what brings you to the Helix princess?" He asked curious to know as it was not easy a task getting her to visit. So for her to come here personally, it meant something was up.

"These" Kath took out an envelope from her hand bag and handed it over to him. He took the envelope, took out the pictures and studied it as recognition dawned on him at the weapon he was looking at

" Ah! Those. They were here for over a month as I vetted them through back channels to ensure they didn't come from warehouses of my very special clientele. Once no one claimed ownership, it went up for sale last Tuesday during the auction. I must say, it did fatch me a handsome amount as finders fee" he explained.
" That weapon was one of the prototype from our factory. It was meant for security and warfare back home and not for earth and humans. This was among the batch that was stole off the crate by some lucky jackers. Fortunately for us, we got them before they dispersed. Unfortunately for us still, we couldn't get everything. These are a few of the stranglers left.
If this had gotten into the wrong hands and they were crazy enough to reverse engineer it, this wouldn't be a funny story Zachary. It purely an act of fate that our guy who had knowledge of our weaponry was present during your auction and bought it off before It got the curiosity of others" mid way through her rant, she anger and agitation had caused her to stand and pace the office as she ranted on. He smiled sneakily at her antics

" I remember the guy. He place a five mil not contender tag on the merchendise. Everyone was shocked. Even I. Secondly I did contact your people and they said you guy didn't own such hot cakes" he replied her calmly, still seating.

" My people said they didn't get any contact or inquiry from your end"

" Kath, Kath. You've known me for what, two centuries and you of all people know that I don't talk if I don't have proof. He chided her while standing and walking towards his table, pick a remote control console clicked on a series of bottons. A screen rose from inside a hidden compartment on his table. He scrolled down to the call lovhe wanted and click on it. It played a recorded conversation between Zach and a representative of LEXA DEFENCE.

Chapter 13


Present Day
Lagos, Nigeria.
West Africa.


Kenechuwku came back from street shopping very tired. The sun was high and scorching making a normally pleasant stroll seem an odious task. He wonder if he could get any darker from the amount of time he had had to enter that unkind weather. His mother had creative ways of sending him on errands at odd times that she knew on a normal day he would refused and one of those ways was bribery. Now he was beginning to think if the bribe actually commesurated with the effort and the blind sun outside he just escaped from.

" Kenechuwku did you get the bread I sent you to buy? I can't see it bag." His mother asked. Mrs Udogi, a woman in her early fifties was still a beauty that turned heads of men to look twice. Her light skin was a gift she bequeathed all her children. Her greys had began poking out visibly and she rocked it to it fullest on a well maintained low cut.
Kene groaned in frustration at the fact that he was going to have to endure another trek outside the harsh weather he just escaped from

" No ma, I forgot to buy it. I'll go back and get it" it was not a wholehearted decision but never the less, he had no other choice.

" Okay, use that opportunity and buy recharge card, roasted titus fish, and Cameron pepper. Remember you are the one going to cook the soup oooo. " His mother added as a reminder so that he would know that she hadn't forgotten their deal of him handling the cooking that very day. After all, it was his birthday.
"That woman was one conniving old woman. Can't she, out the goodness of her heart, prepare the food, after all, it was his special day. " he thought to himself as he began his trek back. He wasn't feeling very fly with this added journey or the cooking.

When he came back a second time, he was totally fagged out. He dropped the nylon bag in the kitchen, went to the sitting room and plopped heavily on the chair while letting out an exaggerated sigh of tiredness.

Today, he turned ninteen years older but it wasn't a thrilling day to him as it always brought back memories the unfortunate loss of his lose father three years back. He had tried to forget that day and wished somehow that he could just forget his birthday as it was the day he lost his father
He didn't know when tears pulled down his eyes against his will nor did he take cognisance his mother's presence by door connecting the sitting room to the dinning room, watching him cry his heart out In silence
It hurt her to see him cry on a day that was supposed to be a special day of joy for him. Even though the incident had been very painful, loosing her husband to a recklessness a danfo driver, whom till date could not be caught, what hurt more was her son still believing it his fault. After all, he had gone out in a hurry to get the chicken from the market that they wanted to use for the mini celebration they normally had on each year for each of their children.
According to eyewitness account, he was about to cross the road when a danfo bus, being chased by police for traffic offense, sped out of a street opposite him. The shock of the sudden appearance didn't give him time to evade the bus. The bus rammed into him heads on, sending him flying some distance away from the spot. His death was instantaneous.
News got to them in the house causing a massive hysteria of cries, wails of agony to rock the entire household. Mrs Udogi quickly pushed away the memory that threatened to overwhelm her and march towards her son

" Kenechuwku Gịnị mere ị na-ebe akwa ( why are you crying )" she asked, seating beside him on the sofa and drawing close to herself in other to comfort him.
" I know it's painful to think about and I know you so much want to blame yourself for his death mana Kenechuwku agaghị m ekwe ka i meere onwe gị ihe a. Ezuola m gị ka ị na-azụ onwe gị n'ụzọ nke mbibi onwe gị. Ma n'agbanyeghị na ọ na-egbu mgbu, Ọ dịghị onye n'ime anyị gaara agbanwe akara aka ya ọ bụrụgodị na anyị nwara. Ka ọ̀ ga-abụ nna gị ụtọ maka ụzọ ọhụrụ a ị họọrọ ịga? ( But Kenechuwku I will not have you do this to yourself.I have had enough of you herding yourself on the path to self destruction.And though painful, No one of us could have changed his Fate even if we tried. And would your father be happy with this new path you have chosen to thread? )

" No ma" the young man replied his mother while using the back of his hands to clean away his tears. It really pain her heart to see her youngest beat himself over things he had no control over

" Onye agha m nke ọdụdụ ( my youngest warrior ) clean your tears away. Let's make this day a joyous day for you. Remember Amarachi and her "league of little minions" will be coming today. Let's not forget Udo and his "twin devil's". I can already feel the headache they are going to inflict on me" Kene snorted a laugh at his over dramatic mother. llplHis mother had managed to wipe the gloom that had overcomed him some moments ago and now he was somewhat back to himself.

The " league of little minions" his mother refered to were his elder sister's children and second child of the family. Those three children aged seven, five and two, all boys, were capable of bringing the entire House down while still smiling and giving you, the adult, innocent faces and one wouldn't be able to do anything to them. They constantly had to be checked on in other to ensure that they were up to no mischief that couldn't be quenched untime before it escalated.
The " twin devil's" were refered to the children of his eldest brother and first born of the family. They were, a boy and a girl, aged nine and a really bad influence on Amarachi's three kids- not like they minded anyway. While Abel was the " Chief manufacturer and inventor" of new mischief, Mabel was the executioner of their planned work. The oftentimes got into a lot of trouble with their parents that had them being sent to stay with their maternal Grandma on as punishment. They knew well to behave as she didn't shy away from the cane.

When those five kids were together in the same place under the same roof, one was bound to have a migraine before the end of the day.

" Kenechuwku better stand up from that chair and come and help me. The thing will not cook themselves " Mrs Udogi mock scolded just as she stood up and marched towards the kitchen.

" But mommy, I'm the birthday boy. I'm not supposed to do anything today but lazy about and eat " Kene pouted. He had been hoping that somehow, his mother would get a work free card for him today to just lazy about and do nothing

" Ta ta ta get away you. See your head like birthday boy. So it is me you want to kill with work ba... Stand up from there and come and meet me in the kitchen. Who do you want leave all the work for?" She said, standing by the door, waiting for him to join her. When he saw that his mother was serious and not shifting grounds, he groaned and grumbled, stood up folded his arms and marched past her into the kitchen. There was no winning his mother. She joined him as well and they both worked in sync to get the dishes prepared.

&&&&&&&-------------------&&&&&&&&&


The mini party as Amara had always loved to call it each time they came visiting en-mass as today, had been fun as it was one of the rare moments that had the entire family gathered under one roof. Kene laid quietly in bed , the excitement of the day ended and each family retired to their rooms for the day. His mother resting peacefully in her room, the exhaustion finally catching up to her. He was pretty sure that and earthquake could occur and she wouldn't even feel it.
He too had been exhausted but sleep evaded him as he now quietly counted the ceiling board in his room. His exhaustion was only partly due to the days event as the main reason for his lack of sleep could be attributed to the recent barraging of dreams that kept him constantly on the edge each time it occurred. He was having less sleep for the past two weeks and it was telling on him.

Those dreams often felt as though they were real and sometimes even felt the emotional spill over from such dreams into the physical realm in the sense that he could get easily agitated over nothing and remain in a sour mode half the day. When such experiences occurred, he often dreaded falling into sleep for fear of him getting more angered and aggressive and extending that aggression towards any one near him.
Within him felt them to be not just ordinary dreams, it felt more like memories- memories of another life.
He scoffed at his thought line and muttered quietly to him
" Yeah right. Memories my foot. I am not crazy to think that those were my memories or anyone's for that matter.......
" But what if....... " His inner voice spoke but shook his head again as if to dispell the thought line

" But what if they were" his inner voice pressed on

" It can't be. First of, from their technical advancement, that can't be earth as we are nowhere near that kind of tech. Secondly, their morphological and demological appearance favours oyinbo people and I am black as I can be, no changing that. Thirdly, from what I am seeing, then those beings are powerful entities. I can't even push a bloody wheelbarrow. Fourthly, with what I saw happen to that other guy, I don't I like them and their haughty characters very much. They are damn bullies" He argued hard with his subconscious mind

" Humor me" it argued back.

" No it can't be. It is outrageous and impossible. Now stop making me look crazy arguing with my mind. I want to sleep you too go and sleep." He commanded his mind while he too tried to get some rest. But sleep seem to love forgetting his address as he laid awake again into the early hours of the day

[center]PART TWO




UNHAPPY REUNIONS AND



UNIMAGINABLE REVELATIONS

[/center]

I don't get it Chebs "

" What don't you get Seph ? "

" The ways of man. They marry, they then enjoy the bliss of sex between married couples as should be, as declared by the creator, the females even ready to house a future of their generation. But when it gets to time of delivery, you hear young woman cursing fire of damnation on the man as though he is the one who committed a grievous offence on her. These human females are all too confusing."




Seph looked to his companion as though he had just grown a second head.

" Chebs, I love you and all but you can be very dense sometimes. Had it been we were not created from the same comic dust, i probably would asked what part of cosmic dust you were currently high on.

You and I were both there when man and his female were created, you and I were both there when they fell from grace and we're driven from His presence, you and I were also there when their first child was birthed. So how come you ask me the inner workings of the human female in relation to their birthing habits when I, am just as confused as you. You could as well redirect your questions to the proper channel" he chastised Chebs for his apparently stupid question.

" Someone thinks me high on comic dust when that same someone once thought a T-Rex, a natural predator, created solely on instincts to procreate, hunt and kill even larger predators, by an even more essentric, crazy and exuberant bunch celestials, to be an animal capable of domestication. I think that notion of yours was quickly righted when you saw first what the remnants of that epoch did to humans, once they were driven out of their home. Grace was the only thing keeping Adam and his offsprings alive untill it remnants died of in the flood. That and the fact that he had a reason worth fighting for." Chebs words were a dig back at him of their earlier days when they had a first hand at creation. Seph was embarrassed at the memory, smiled at his comrade but choose not to defend himself or push their topic of discussion any further by switch the conversation to a more serious one


" So how are protectors taking the return of their sister and how is Anabelle readjusting to being back?" Asked a curious Seph seeing that he was sent on another errand while Chebs was responsible for her reintegration into her old live

" Interesting I may say. But she has refused returning to the king even after I told her that he and her old family were worried over her whereabouts.


"So, do we intervene seeing that it was we who meddled with their lives or do we let things work themselves out naturally"

"We will have to seat this one out and watch every thing workout themselves naturally. If their love was natural and meant to be then they would always find their way back to each other" Seph replied as they both turned their attention to look at the new entrant into this world.

At long last, the boy had been born.

All traces of the humor, fun and light hearted atmosphere was gone, replaced with a seriousness that despict the seriousness of the situation of the child that was currently suckling on his mother's breast

" Once we do this, we can never interfer with his life Chebs, until his second will awakens. We can only watch from afar and let fate do her work. Nobody dares contend with the boy with her on watch." Seph admonish is friend.

" I know, I know. Protocols and all. But we a about to turn his life upsidedown and it's not fair to the little one" Chebs whinned. Though he knew the implications of them interfering, even in the slightest, would bring undue attention to the boy even before his time, which would end up being a catastrophe and set back to them and their many years of planning. He couldn't help but feel attached to the child. Seph saw this and was worried as even he was taking a liking to the child. He filed that thought at the back of his mind to present before His Ambassador.

" We talked about this already Chebs. When the time comes, we will be taking full guardianship of the child but until then, for his own good, we stay at the background and watch. Also, remember we have that other job to take care of" Seph offered, watching his friend of endless countless time infinite, brighten at the reminder of the news.

" Then we better be done with this child and get going" Chebs excitement could be seen in the way his feet bounced up and down in nervous energy as he stretched forth his left hand and the jar containing Hali-chak's Life essence materialized into his hands. He then handed it over to Seph, out of respect, to start with the Bestowing

" I think this is were you take the honors of blessing the child Cherubs." Seph said pushing Chebs hand back. Chebs frowned at the nickname Seph called him.
It was humans imagination of a baby in diapers, having wings and holding a bow nocked with an arrow to shoot love into the air. It was their own imaginary angelic celestial rendition of Cupid. That arrogant and imbecilic younger brother of theirs didn't see anything wrong in the name and flaunted it with pride.

That name irked him to no end as it robbed off wrongly on him and Seph knew this, knowing when to pull it out and strike him with it. This was his payback for earlier.

" Seph, call me Cherubs one more time and your behind will be having a very important meeting from Zeus's bolts" Chebs faked anger

" Secondly, thank you for this."

Seph smiled as they both turned to face a sleeping baby beside his mother. Chebs stretched forth his hands over the baby's head and began the Bestowing


" Your days shall be numberless. Your light shall brighten every darken path that seeks to block your growth. Your life may be rough but it shall be a polish for your greatness. Your enemies will be numerous, your trials, tedious, but you shall overcome . When the dark clouds of corrupted emotion arise to threaten and pull you down, Grace shall see you rise

As human, you will falter, you will fall, but rise shall you, stronger"


Chebs concluded and stepped away for Seph to take over the final part of the Bestowing

" A very treacherous path lay before you child. Your Enemy connives with even darker enemies to bring harm your way. Your enemies will rise in numbers to destroy you, friends will disavow you, acquaintances will betray you. You shall be surrounded with multitude of snares that lay wait for your destruction. Your star shine bright, yet your foes plots to overshadow it with their darkness.

Your path set out for you to thread indeed is treacherous.

But your name shall not be called failure for you are born an epitome of Greatness, a product of Grace, the touch bearer who's light illuminates the darkest hours, who's will shall subdue his foes, who's power , shall no enemy contend with and prevail for you are blessed above all your adversaries.

Sleep child, grow strong and stand firm, for you battles shall be numerous. Scares, unending. Betrayal, bountiful. Love, enduring. Hope, unyielding. Grace, unending, as your name shall breed fear to your foes of multitude

" We bless you this day child that even as we merge your souls together, with one who's path entwines yours, in unity shall you both work. And as you two shall become one, in oneness shall you rise to subdue every insurmountable Enemy that threatens the work of the Creator." Chebs concluded the Bestowing by pouring Hali-chak's Life essence on the baby and the baby's body absorbed every drop without flinching from his sleep

Both celestials vanished leaving both mother and child in peaceful sleep.


[center]END OF PART ONE
[center]FLIGHT AND FIGHT[/center]

Chapter 12


Somewhere in
Lagos, Nigeria
West Africa.
Earth. ( Terra Noxx )
2004



The General hospital was busy as always with patients trooping in the see the few doctors available to attend to them either as a referral for treatment or consultation. But something was different about this very day

The country was having its general election to elect a new government. As with all other elections common held before now, it was marred with electoral violence as it was always the most cunning and violent that won the elections. Also, as was common to the elections held, flash riots erupted in some parts of the city led by both opposing side, leading to the destruction and looting of properties along with lots of injuries inflicted on both parties and including the innocent. This tasked the medical staff to their fullest, leaving other patients unattended to.

Mama Uzo had just been rushed to the hospital due to the labour pains she was having. Her water had broken some half hour ago and even the journey to the hospital had been a perilous one as first of, she kept having contraction cramps at irregular intervals. Secondly, the restrictions on vehicular movement due to the elections holding mearnt that they had to stop at intervals of five minutes to answer questions from security operatives that mounted road blocks to ascertain that they weren't ferrying illegal election materials for rigging.




The journey was grueling but they eventually made it to the general hospital only to be met with another hurdle; the crowd of injured men and women lining the halls and crannies of the the hospital waiting to receive attention from the already overstretched doctors, nurses, interns and emergency medics.

Mama Ugo, on seeing the chaos in the hospital didn't know if to cry out in distress for the cramps she was having, panic that her baby was coming and nobody to attend to her or just outrightly sob in defeat that she was going to loose her baby. Helplessly still clinging in-between her husband and her sister , who at the time was visiting her and opted to stay the night with them. She let out a loud sound that was a hybrid between a laugh, cry and plea as the baby kicked again.

"Sweetheart please take it easy..... Sorry..... We'll find a doctor or a nurse...... or someone who can attend to you" Papa Ugo tried to calm his wife's histeria down, he himself not even sure of what he should do or were he should go in all this chaos and mess. But it seemed that it only angered his wife the more

" Papa Ugo, you dey craze for head......" she said through blind pains "....papa Ugo, God go punish you.....ye.... ye......ye...... Papa Ugo, you dey tell meeeeee......ye.... ahhhhhh...... You dey tell me say make I take am easy when no be you dey Carry this belle......... I no no blame you, na day thing wey dey the center of your leg na him I blame. If to.....ye......ye.....ye.......carry this belle you for no dey tell me say make I take it easy all." Mama Ugo fired back at her husband. Beinging in her current state of mind, he was being inconsiderate idiot.

" Ahan, Sister Chidiebere, don't say what you will later regret ooooo."she chastised her sister then turned to her brother in-law, finding a way to save him from his wife's pain induced anger and froward mouth and told him to get find help while she kept her sister company through her labour cramps




" Chika, this baby no one gree at all ooo. E be like say him wan drop na na na" mama Ugo said later on after her husband had departed to go find help and the contractions had lessened a bit in other to give her a breather.


Chika smiled and gave her hand a squeeze without replying her to show that she was there with her. Just then, Papa Ugo reappeared, walking briskly towards them with an elderly looking lady in a nurse uniform and a younger one, probably an intern, by her side

" Sister me, e be like say your husband don see person. Them don dey come." Chika informed her sister who had began writhing in pain again

The older lady introduced herself as a midwife and with her and her husband's permission, proceeded to carry out an initial examination.......

All through the commotion, two Beings silently watched the scene unfold before them.

( MATURE SCENE UP AHEAD PLEASE TAKE NOTE)





Chapter 11

Location: Unknown

" Lucian" she called out through moans of pleasure as Lucian worked his tongue in-between her thighs

" Will you be not be s....end....ing your peo..ple to follow the exp...edi....tion to ear....th" Sam said trying to control her breathing as she nearing her climax. Forming words was difficult when you enjoy such ecstasy most especially when the one ministering was Lucian

"No I will not. Now keep quiet, I'm busy" he paused to reply her before returning to his ministration , this female had a very enticing fold that tempted him always. When he saw that she was close but still holding on, he bit her between her clits so that she couldn't hold it any longer and she came undone. Due to the fact that they both had inhabited a human body as their vessel for far too long than necessary, they had naturally developed the instincts of primal sexual urges, the euphoria was blissfully more compounded for them

" And besides, if there's anything I've learned through out my existence, it's that with careful planning and patience, all things tend to land on your feet without stressing" he added with a sly smirk as he drew her closer so that her opened thighs met his angry junior that was spoiling for action

" Any words from your people within the lower heavens" Lucian asked as his hands trailed painfully slowly all-over her body while he kissed his way back up to her lips. If it wasnt for the fact that he was used to her bodily reaction to him, he wouldn't have noticed her tensed body which only took few seconds before it relaxed again. He looked up to her ,his eyes meeting hers

" Sam, what is it? What have you learned that makes you nervous" he asked weary for an answer from her

" That's the thing Ras, I haven't heard from them for some time now. It's as if a blanket has been put over their realm. No message coming in, none going out" Sam reported back

" This just keeps getting better and better. If that old goat and that entitled pampered brat are involved, then this just got complicated" Lucian sighed as he made to stand. He was stopped by Sam's hands.

" You don't leave a girl high and dry, Ras"

" I'm not in the mood Sam"

" Then find it " she flipped him over so that she positioned herself above him and impaled herself on his still rock solid male stick and started riding it. He was mad 'cos nobody took advantage of him so he flipped them back so that she on her back and he, not giving her to adjust to the intrusion, hammered away into her female hole as she screamed in pleasure but she would not let him win. He was too concentrated on teaching her a lesson and also his pleasure reaching it's peak that he lost his guard. She used the opportunity to cage him with her two leg round his hips and used her strength to push him, he fell on the ground, back to the ground with Sam on top him, caging both his hand, riding away her pleasure to the fullest just as he heard him groan. He too had reached his climax. She leaned in kissed him on his lips passionately as emptied himself into her with one final thrust.

" I will pay you back in your own coin soon" grumbled Lucian

" Oh I will be expecting that soon, after I return. I need to see things for myself so as to know how we proceed further." Sam intimated him on her next line of action

" Be careful. I can't afford to loose you Samanthiel." He drew her close to him fearing that it might be the last time he see her

" You wouldn't Ras"

ashatoda:
Abeg wetin you dey talk sef. Day your neighbor wey take the manuscript don return am or wetin before I start to dey curse all him generations altogether go inside hell fire. Abeg answer my question o. This no be joking matter

I no fit shout ooo. Na the first thing I collect before I stroke him papa life finish.. the mugu still dey carry face for me as I dey type

The way my neighbors carry the matter for their head enter am, even me come dey pity am

I near had a heart attack today when I didn't see the original manuscript of this book 2.
You need to see my room today. Russia and Ukraine no fight the kin war I fight with my cloth and bed

My stupid neighbor had come in when I went to buy something from the next compound to find sheet of paper to do permutations for baba ijebu. When I sight book for him hand........ We still dey on the matter as I dey talk

Him still dey carry face for like say him get right to carry anything from my room right like say me and him dey pay rent together. I sha lock up for the guy matter ..... The guy no Sha understand as e dey be.......


Dat side.... Five more chapters to the end of part 1. I need you people to pay really good attention to these last two chapters very well cause we'll be referring back to them in part 2 as they are the foundation for for the remaining part of the book

" True, his is the key to bringing down Zoltron, but I ask, do you even know whom you look for because when last I checked, even then Zolts don't know his new identity on Earth and would be waiting for his medallion to be triggered before the search begins, when that is , we have no idea. So you are willing to waste time gallivanting round the globe, flying blind on a mission were your primary objective is yet to be identified?! Or would you rather send a runner team first to earth to be our eyes and hears while we move forward with blocking trade routes and cutting supply routes to and fro Zoltron thereby bringing them to their knees?! Some fancy strategist you Chrysler. " Garak scoffed at the Lord General. That was a knee bending jab he struck at Chrysler. It was no news that Chrysler had wanted Garak's position to return back to his family as he felt that the job of a spy chief was not fit for a nobody will the no ties to the original founding families of Aronzia.

" Yes some fancy strategist I am, yet you and your well tailored plan after many red suns of wasted funds and excuses, the incursion of our advanced team fell even before our arrival. And goes to say alot about its planner"

You, I and everyone in that room that day knew that I was being sabotage from the onset even right from here, in Aronzia. Even from your very own men and when last I checked, under your authorization " Garak defended, emotionless mask gone, anger visible

" Excuses, excuses. They don't fit you one bit, Garak. So grow so some balls and take responsibility."

"Says the one who's job is to send other to do " his job". I wonder what example you set for the younger generation of you family, Chrysler" Garak words were double edged as very few seated could decipher it's meaning.
Chrysler went red in undulating anger and made to lung for Garak who was already on his feet ready to defend himself. It definitely wouldn't be a fair match as Garak, apart from the anger Chrysler seemed to be cruising on, by far outclassed his opponent. Before any move could be made by both parties, a powerful growl followed by a thunderous command them on their knees. The sheer force of the command had them gritting their teeth as the oppressive aura of the King had everyone in the chamber fighting to free themselves fromits weight.

" Enough both of you!!!" The Emperor snapped his irritation visible that this two advicers were behaving like juveniles younglings

" You both are meant to have overcome your petty rivalry since your youthful days. You both are meant to be respected leaders and Lord Generals whom your men look up to. Yet , here you are behaving like younglings on drugs.

Chrysler, Garak as made a very hefty allegations against you. Even after all these time, I often wonder how Garak's plans in which everyone in this room followed up every step of the way fell through at the last moment." The Emperor's eyes narrowed at his Lord General of the Army
" Your Highness, all are rumors. I Chrysler Ragala, child of the Cuua, would never circumvent your authority. My alliance is to only you, your family and the throne. Garak is only trying to save face now after his failure those many red suns back. I would ask him, why now? If he is not trying to be mischievous to cause rancour." Chrysler defended himself. He was happy the Emperor gave him a chance to explain himself. That fool thought that he could rattle him so as to loose his focus on the enchantment on the enchantment created to protect him from the one casted around this room to revealed malicious intents. It would take more than that for him to fall to that bastard's devices.

The Emperor turned his attention to Garak

" Do you, Garak, have any proof of your accusations?"

" Your Majesty, through out the red suns, I have tried gathering evidence of sabotage within my ranks and those of every other unit involved in our last invasion of Zoltron. Each and every commander involved is either dead or missing in action, with majority coming from the Army. Of which Chrysler is aware of, so its either he is involved or the most incompetent Lord General of the army" murmurs were heard through out the chambers from the others present.

The Emperor pondered over the information before him but decided to set it aside for a later time as to when it was more convenient to discreetly investigate it himself. Right Now, Zoltron was his demand, Zoltron was his price and Zoltron,he would get.

The Emperor relaxed the exposure of his aura so that everyone in the chamber could relax also. The tension sweating through their powers was causing him more grief, but his focus still remained on the two still on their knees and heads bowed but shoulders still stiff with defiance

" Rise" he commanded to which both male obeyed and looked towards the King.

" We will continue this discussion on a latter date but for now, these are my orders.

Chrysler you and a tribe of soliders will proceed to Earth and set up camp. With Garak's assets within the Zoltarian camp, we can keep in contact with the movement of the Zolts without raising suspicions till we get our target, dead or alive. Endeavor to set-up shop so as to blend well with the humans. Need I remind you not to draw unwarranted attention to yourselves at least for the time being, until our other plans have been set in motion" Chrysler bowed to these while the Emperor continued

"Chief Commander Duraka, work with Lord General Garak in coming up with an actionable plan within the next red sun on Garak's idea. I am very fascinated over it and its workability." Duraka tilted his head to a bow to show he acknowledged his orders.

"High Commander Fuhjica, you captain our emissaries is that not?"

" Yes your Majesty"

" Good. Send your people on a campaign to demarket Zoltron amongst other sentient Beings outside the L.O.V.. We don't want them extending their reach for sustenance beyond were they are."

" Yes your Majesty" replied Fuhjica

" Garak"

" Your Highness"

" Is there any way getting fresh eyes behind the Zolt's ruling houses"

" Your Highness you know I don't see impossibilities, but what you ask for is a task I myself have been try for quite some time now. It's safe to say that it's impossible to get through as no outsiders are allowed and even the insiders go through so much checks and balances that in tye end it isn't worth the effort" Garak replied the Emperor. The Emperor mulled over it before conceding. It seemed they would just have to make do with the tibits of information they got for now



When the King saw that there was nothing else to discuss about save for trivial issues that the district Lord Generals could handle, he dismissed the in-council meeting. When all had left and it was just him, he stood from his seat and walked towards the adjoining room to which he unlocked it and entered.

He rested his head entire body on the bed and stared at the holographic projection of the image of a female. The female which was once his, the female who held his heart and knew just how to calm his raging beast, the female who stood by him, fought by him till Aronzian rose from obscurity to become an Empire that was not to be trifled with.

A female who took away his will to live when she was brutally murdered. He became the monster he was when they decided to take his joy and replace it with sorrow. By the time he was through with Zoltron, they would have wished never to have sanctioned his queen's death. And damnation would freeze over before he showed them any mercy.

" Just a little while my love..... Just a little while" he mumbled to himself before sleep took over





........... Not edited

Chapter 10


Palace Dagora,
Summit of Mount Naxis,
Planet Aronzia.
Circuzu Galaxy.




The male walked swiftly past the palace guards, scribes, officials and staff that littered the palace grounds, sparing not time to reply salutes and small talk. He on a mission to deliver a very disconcerting news of great importance to the Emperor

He was past every security check point unhindered. On a normal day, under palace protocol, irrespective of rank and position, they were supposed to search everyone. Exception were made in the case of an emergency when protocol needed to be set aside, the color of the cloak the messenger wore determined it's urgency.

To aviod bastardising the importance of the different colors and their meaning, it was sanctioned to be a color only for the palace and no one was allowed to use the color so freely irrespective of rank and class except when the urgency and expediency of a matter called for its use

So when the guards saw him approach, the red color of his cloak which he wore over his standard military garb, it signified that the matter his wished to discuss about with his principal- the Emperor, was of uttermost importance and protocols were laid aside for him to pass

He turned hastily to the final hall that led to his destination - The king's office chamber, were he was sure the King was currently seated attending to kingdom matters.

As he approached his destination, two guards stood sentry over the door. Here they neither his rank nor cloak color granted him special privileges. Here, no matter who you were, protocols were observed to the fullest. So he stated his request to speak with the Emperor over urgent matters

" I Lord General Garak wish to speak with the His Majesty on urgent matters and its expediency to tackle such matter"

". He is currently in-council with the his advicers Lord General Garak" replied the guard on his left. Turning to the guard that spoke with a face that betrayed no emotion and replying him.

" And I don't care if he is in-council or currently exploring the anatomy a female, you will inform the king of my presence and my wish to speak to him." He stated matter of factly which left no room for argument.

Both guards looked at each other probably communicating telepathically. Then the one on the left looked back at Lord General Garak and informed him

" You request is being forwarded to the Emperor." To which Gurak nodded. Some seconds later the guard looked back at him, bowed his head and opened the door for him to proceed into the chambers. He was escorted the meet the king.

The in-council chamber was like any other chamber in the palace, the only difference was that this was the only chamber in the the entire palace that was enchanted by Emperor's predecessors to detect anyone who sort Ill against the Emperor, his offsprings and the kingdom. And the individual would loose all his senses immediately start bragging about his nefarious plans. The Emperor might have thought he was secured in this chambers but little did he know that more than half of his in-council advicers had beaten the enchantment and were doing as they pleased, to the detriment of the Aronzian empire. But would he expose them only to have himself and his family exposed to the fallout their power crazed fall?

Never.



The Emperor was currently in section with his advicers which included the Chief Commander of Aronzian fleet, Lord General of warfare and tactics, Chief Commander of Aronzian Army to name but few. From the way the atmosphere within the room felt, he knew that this must have been a very intense meeting.

The Emperor was the approach of his "Spy Chief" with a guard and paused what he was saying to acknowledge his presence with a slight nod then dismissed the guard to return to his post.

" Garak, Take your seat. It's not everytime you grace us with your presence and when you do, it's either a good bad news or a bad bad news so which is it" the Emperor spoke, not give chance to relax. Though his voice was tinged with humor, Garak had to be careful with the words he said or his body language towards the Emperor so as not to give out a sense of familiarity with the him as he was in the presence of backstabbing, rumor mongering, power hungry ripetors that were ready to use any means necessary to expand their ranks.
Garak shrugged causally and answered

" Depends, on how you see the news I bring from our spies on Zoltron." And proceeded to inform the Emperor of the latest happenings from Zoltron. When he was through, everyone was quiet and pondering on the new information
It was the Emperor that first spoke to break the silence by asking his good friend his opinion.

" What do you, Garak suggest we do?" To which Garak didn't hesitate to answer.

" At first, it would have been my suggestion that we go after the reborn prince and find him and take him out before he causes us more grief. But seeing that we aren't dealing with on ordinary child and the fact that Zoltron's food crisis is pushing them to expand their frontiers to ally with other planets within their L.O.V alliance in exchange for arable land to grow their crops. I'd say we focus more on Zoltron by creating embargoes on their trading routes, bully their allies to circumvent their agreement with Zoltron even they were made iron clad in bloodbonds. We use their misfortune to bully Zoltron into submission or they die of hunger and starvation" it was no news that Zoltron's primary star had refused to shine, causing food crisis in Zoltron. The good thing was that Zoltron was proactive and before the issue became a major problem, sort solution in growing their food and cash crops of planets amongst allies Planet whose weather and atmospheric condition favoured crop growth native to Zoltron.


To him he knew that this was a bastard tactics that only the depraved mind and soul employed but did he really care. They had far more better things to think about than they going after a child that held no importance to them. Zoltron was a way more bigger fish to fry so why settle for the fingerlings

" If I didn't known you or seen how mind worked Garak, I would have thought you had suddenly gone soft on us." Lord General Chrysler mocked Garak. He was in charge planning and strategy of any war plan, exploration and expedition sanctioned by the Emperor and he also headed Warfare and Tactics.

He was also a bitter critic of Garak as he claimed, though outsider the hearing of the Emperor, that Garak earned his seat as the spy chief not by merit but because of his familiarity to the throne.

Chrysler continue his jabs at Garak

" Do you really not understand the importance of young male to us. We kill him or hold him ransom and their messiah suddenly becomes either our bargaining chip or our means to demoralizing the Zolts. It will weaken their fighting spirit. Like you said, with their worsening food crisis and since, by some means of the divine, the young male's life-force is tied to their primary star, all the better to our advantage. After all, he is the key to bringing down our Arch enemy"

Garak was raging within him but had to rein in his anger to be able to think clearly as he prepared his counter.

This chapter is not edited.i Will be going over it later in the night to edit it

" Don't you Katva me. I LITERALLY BEGGED YOU BOTH, ON MY KNEES, TO END HOSTILITIES AGAINST YOUR OWN BLOOD. I BECAME AN OBEDIENT FEMALE TO YOU FATHER IF IT WOULD SEE ME PROTECT HIM FROM YOUR ANGER. YOUR VERBAL INSULTS AND EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL SAW THE ENTIRE PALACE SEE YOUR OWN SON, YOUR SHIRE, YOUR BLOOD, BECOME LESS THAN A SLAVE IN HIS OWN FATHER'S HOUSE. I HAD TO TAKE HIM AWAY FROM THE PALACE FOR A TIME SO THAT HE COULD HEAL AND BECOME THE CHILD HE WAS MEANT TO GROW UP TO BE BEFORE BECOMING THE PRINCE THAT HE WAS BORN TO BE.

I, KEVAN AND A HAND FULL OF FRIENDS - NOT YOU, HIS FATHER NOR YOU, BLOOD OF HIS BLOOD, HIS BROTHER - PICKED THAT YOUNGLING AND TAUGHT HIM THAT FORGIVENESS WAS BETTER THAN A BITTER HEART. THAT FAMILY MEANT MORE THAN WHAT HE ENDURED IN THE PALACE. A BOY WHO'S INTELLIGENCE SAW HIM CREATE EXPOILTS FOR THE VERY ZOLTRON THAT LOATHED HIS EXISTENCE." Turning all her focus to her brother she continued

" So Mak, compared to Chak's anger, Izula, the fates and all the bloody gods, goddesses and Patreons, they bloody damn kind as compared to if Chak had successfully spiralled down the hole of bitterness and vegeance, you both will not be sitting down here and speaking about respect. You and a whole lot of people would have been DEAD." her chest was heavy for the anger she felt towards to two males the sat quietly as she rattled them with her words.

Yes she might have forgiven them and moved past her bitterness phase, but she damn well couldn't forget neither did she plan to any time soon. Hali-chak had been her one light and a constant in her life that it hurt her to no bounds when those two bumbling fools of males to it away from her.

She had to take deep breaths to calm herself down. She had emphasized the " DEAD" for them to understand the weight of their crimes against Chak and them to also understand that she was doing them a favor by going with team leaving for earth for the search. This mission was like " looking for a needle in a haystack" a Terra Noxx term for a hard task set before them

Her eyes narrowed at her father who had said very few words since only the three of them were left in the room alone. She had hoped to use her anger and strike at him more to rile him up more, to make him feel shame so that she could be satisfied. Call her petty but right that moment, she didn't care.... or so she thought.

Just one look at her father and all the anger melted away, for what she saw was not the all powerful king who's strategies won victories for Zoltron, who's wisdom calmed angered minds, who's rule brought prosperity to Zoltron, whose only mistake was his nonchalance to the care of his last shire.

What she saw was a tired father who knew he had failed his children and as she watched his tears run down his eyes, she suddenly wished she had not spoken so harshly to him. The sight was too much for her that she looked away from him in other to hide her own tears. The three of them remained silent each haunted by their own personal demons of failing Chak

" Katva if only you knew the truth, if only......" He paused to gather himself, taking a deep breath, it was time to tell them the truth. He was still trying to prep himself to speak when Katva walked up to side and knelt before before him with imploring eyes

" Then father, I beg of you help us understand all these..... Help us understand what is really going on so that we can make sense of everything." She begged her father. Her intuition had told her that her father was hiding a big secret. Big enough that it weight down on him and his reign but try as she could, she just hadn't succeeded in finding out as all her efforts to pry it out of him were futile. But from the way her father looked backed at her with defeated eyes, she knew that her wait was finally over

He nodded to her in response and calmly ordered her

" Take your seat Katriva, for today you both know the truth"



-------------+++++++-------------



The loading dock was a hive of activities as crew members from all specialties were seen boarding the ship in preparation for their voyage. All crew members were forewarned to say their final goodbyes as this was a mission that entail a very long extended stay with a possibility of returning either in an urn or old age as the atmosphere of Terra Noxx encouraged rapid deterioration of their skin cells

In order words, according to Terra Noxx aging calculation, a Zoltan living in Zoltron lived up to more than two thousand years while a Zoltan on Terra Noxx lived only nine hundred years at most, hence stay on Terra Noxx was limited essential staff who had no family ties back on Zoltron to return home except were exigences and emergencies permitted and required their return. It was also for that reason ninety percent of the crew selected for this mission were single, unattached.

Blending with the humans was easy as morphologically, both Terra Noxx human and Zoltans were indistinguishable. The only difference was their DNA makeup which, though, was a Marker more than the humans on Terra Noxx that stood at twenty four, that singular difference was all it took for them to stand superior to the humans.

Secondly, their presence on earth Terra Noxx was already established since the 1400s, creating a strong family name - the Alexandas. It had held sway in politics and industries. Even in to the present time, they controlled some of the affairs of men from politics to warfare, right from the background. Never straying onto the spotlight to avoid unanswerable questions

Goodbyes were said, tears shed, minds set for the new chapter of their lives about to begin. And as the ship left the docking bay and ascended the skies, all were with one thought and that was to bring back home their lost prince. And if it meant dying so that he may live, then they were ready to lay down their lives.

And thus their journey began






---- finally edited

Chapter 9


The throne room was quiet, the High Council had left the Royal family to discuss further. The news that had just been dumped on them was ground shaking for the two heirs but more on Mak as Katva already had a fore Knowledge of some of the things revealed. Knowledge that Chak was blessed by their mother to be Izula's choosen was not new to her as she had refused the blessing herself.

She knew that she was headstrong, strong-willed and had a sharp mouth that had on many occasions put her young self at daggers drawn with her father, thereby drawing unwanted attention on her. It was in her very nature to unwittingly draw attention to herself, that, being a no no for an Izula's choosen. Her mother knew this and opted to bless Chak instead. The other information, she was just as shocked as Mak was about the rebirth of Chak on Terra Noxx.

Reincarnation was an outright impossibility. The humans on Terra Noxx believed deeply in reincarnation of a person, were the life given force of an individual could be transferred to another body, at their death due to a Divine touch, blessing or favour from a powerful Deity or a curse from a powerful or enchanter

Originally, according to the lores of Zoltron, to which their science also to an extent agrees with, each individual was born with a unique life force coded specially to that said individual, at the death of the individual, his or her life-force dissipates into the cosmics to be reunited with the Live Giver - The El.
So if one were to follow the religious superstition and fanatisms of Terra Noxx then, one of the souls, usually the most dormant would have to die or be supressed for the the other to possess the vessel it occupied. Never before had this phenomenon occured on Zoltron since it's creation and for it to happen now, even going to extent of invoking vision and causing sacred object that once belonged to him to levitate and speak to lend Credence to her suspicions that there was more to the life of Chak than what was presented to them on Zoltron. And there was also more to it than met the eyes with his death
.... His rebirth said it all

Mak's mind was also reeling from the information dump he just received from the High Council. Reincarnation was an impossibility or at least that was what they thought for a numerous many moons over moons. But Chak always seemed to break stereotypes, creating possibilities were impossibilities were made laws. Only he, even in death, was able to rally allies to save Zoltron, only he was able to challenge their father and walkout unscathed, only he could, for whatever reason, anger the Aronzians enough to issue a bounty on his head, yet walk out through the front door of the Imperial Rian City majestically without nobody raising dust to challenge him. So if anyone could pull the impossibility of reincarnation, then surely, it would be Chak and his craziness

Then there was the talk of a waiting evil as old as time seeking to subdue and enslave Zoltron. With only Chak being the only one to suppress the said evil. Were those Celestials Fates high on cosmic dust when they decided to give such prophecy? Or, were they just out to deal the karma card on Zoltron for their wrong against Chak?

Well, given their antecedents, he'd say the latter as he knew, convincing Chak to return to the very place he felt unsave would be a near impossibility. He only prayed that when they eventually found him and brought him to safety, he would at least consider the innocent younglings who had no hand in his travail. Even that, according to the saying on Terra Noxx, was given hope to a dead horse

Their thoughts were interrupted when their father began speaking

" Need I not remind you both that if we now know of Chak's rebirth, so do the Aronzians. They will not take kindly to the news that the one who caused them to loose their priced victory has been rebirthed on the one planet they covert so much yet can't have." Katva remained silent not seeing any need to reply him. Not when the revelation of the High Council had somehow torn open unhealed wounds.

" We are very much aware father. Just as we are aware that they would also be spoiling for a fight " Mak responded to his father's warning. He knew that Katva and their father were still at odds over Chak's death

" Prepare yourselves and the ones you take along for an extended stay. The task before you both will not be an easy one" their father adviced but this time, it drew the ire of Katva

" Well whose fault is it?" She fired back at him

" Katva!!" Voiced an exacabated Mak. She didn't mind her brother but kept glaring at her father who just stared at her in sadness and defeat.

"KATRIVA ! ENOUGH !!." Mak ordered more firmly before she tore her eyes away from her father. Mak knew of her running battle with her father over Chak's death , for though it happened quite moons ago, it still remained fresh in their hearts. They both had not been on talking term until only recently. Even then , it was no more than a subtle nod, a polite but short and clipped reply to any question or strained smile in public gather.

" I will not have you disrespect your father so balantly, in my presence. He has made his mistakes with Chak, so have I and those mistakes and guilt will forever haunt us, just as it has come bite us on our asses now and every single Zoltan' guilty or not, are paying for sins of our past so don't keep rubbing it on our faces, Endazul is currently doing a good job at it" Mak chastised his sister over her behavior to their father. He was still simmering in anger but not at Katva but at the truth of his own words. It had finally glaring to him that this was Izula dealing retribution to them for their hand in Chak's torment and the cosmic Fates were also his tool for judging them

" And yet here we are. And I having to clean your messes. If you both had jus-"

" Katva" His frustration over his sister's confrontation with their father was visible on his face. But she would have none of it from Mak, her many moons of bottled up anger had finally come to the spill



---- edited

ashatoda:
Yes things are really getting interesting. I was expecting Mak to at least behead one of those stupid idiots blabbing nonsense but I think that decision of his is better. Those ladies are damn stupid even if it's not a royal family you shouldn't rub such sensitive issue in their face.

don't worry. You will be seeing plenty of action from all parties in part 2

Did I remember to add that book 2 is divided into 3 parts... Sorry my bad.

We have 6 more chapters the end of part 1

Woah!!!! Thing are get a bit hectic. So are take this chapter now that the story is going somewhere

Katva saw this and smirked, receding hers to the background as she watched the show play out. No she would not take this from him. He had been seeking ways to atone for his sins and misdeeds but the statement the old hag uttered, that triggered sour and painful memories that Mak would have rather had buried.

She also knew that he wouldn't harm anyone sitting on the table.....well that is if they behaved and shut their traps, but this was his way of setting the record straight in memories of Hali-chak.

" I have watched you all from the background moon in moon out, slander each other and find ways to pull each other down.

I have kept my peace

I have watched your power plays and your politricks of subversion and subtifudge from the background but I have held my peace.

I have watch you all, moon in moon out, destroy people lives, reap families apart, tear down cities with your useless, senseless and baseless gossips right here on this table but I have held my peace -" his glowing eyes moved round the table, all seated were shaking in their seats, both males and females, whimpering in dread and fear for their lives.

Mak's wrath was legendary to the extent a poem was coind for it amongst the armies and allies of Zoltron who had witnessed,first hand , a Vengeful Mak


" An Angered Mak is a Wrathful Mak, a Wrathful Mak is a Vengeful Mak and a Vengeful Mak is a Deadly Mak. Beware of a Vengeful Mak "

Then his eyes found its target, seating close to him, wishing she was anywhere but near him right now. She could feel his gaze on her, challenging to look up and accept the inevitablity of her end but she dared not rise to the challenge. She willed herself to become even smaller so that his attention would move from her unto another but he never waivered in his condescending gaze filled with pure Malice against the female


" - But when you decide to pick on the name of the blood of my blood, the sole reason we on this table now have a reason to celebrate and be thankful, the reason that kreks like you still have a Planet to call home........ and slander it in mockery, I will not hold my peace. I will not listen to you lot disrespect a pure soul that held no faults other losing the favour of those that were supposed to be his family

You, Chigra, are henceforth banished for the tables of the Royal house, its chieftains and affairs. You will seize to be seen in public engagements as as representative of the Royal house and its families. Your position as an emissary of the Royal house is henceforth revoked. Out of courtesy for your companion with you be allowed to any event hosted by the royal house and its families, only with him in attendance. You shall not be allowed to speak , spoken to or make small talk with anyone in such occasions. You shall remain isolated and orchesticed from the affairs of the Royal house else the repercussions will be sever not withstanding your companion's position.

You want to see how isolation feels well you've got it. Enjoy it because you will be serving it for a very very long time. "

He felt Chigra's want to protest her sentence but life preservation suppassed her wants so she maintained her current position. He knew she would have her companion tender her case before the King to help speak to his male to water down her sentence but even his father knew not to interfer considering the fact that the topic that brought about the female's punishment had been a sour one in his family for a very long time. It was only in recent Northern Moons that Katva began giving him an audience after a long self imposed exile to Terra Noxx.

His eyes turned to the rest of the room, he wasn't done with them yet and the female called Forine was his next target as his eyes narrative wed in on his next target.

By the time the Head Trav-nzuga entered the room, it was so thick with tension that was suffocating. The male had to pause a bit to catch himself and shake off the sudden overwhelming feeling of fear and trepidation that permeated the entire food court and surveyed the Hall in order to assess the current situation. What he witnessed didn't tally with the tension renting the air.




But he only observed that the food court was more quiet than normal. He had been to occasions like this with the King sometime as his guardian, other times as a fellow guest so he knew how noisy it could get. But to meet an eerily quiet food court with only the sound of cutleries scraping against plates then he too needed to thread carefully.

He saw his reason for leaving the king's side and coming here in the first place, sitting and observing the table with the kin eye of a predator, the princess smirking at the glaring prince. She looked as one who just won a lottery while he looked like one who just lost his favorite toy. The prince took notice of him and nodded for him to approach. He heaved a quiet sigh and approached him and whispered his message to prince's hearing before stepping aside to wait for the prince and princess to excuse themselves as courtesy demanded after which he would lead them to the King as duty demanded.

Mak look at his sister who's smirking was wiped off and replaced with a frown, the moment she saw the Trav-nzuga approach them. He nodded his head to the side for her to know that they both show exit the food court. They both stood up made their polite excuse to leave the table left to exit the food court.

The moment the the doors to the food barely closed, it went into a frenzy now that the demons keeping the quiet peace had left them alone

" Moronic kreks and ghazs" the mask was finally off Katva and she wasn't smiling

" And here I thought I was the vugular one " teased Mak. His mask was also off and though he was smiling now the popping out of his veins at his neck region was a clear indication of the stress the food court had put him through. Katva, determined to forget the incident switched topics

" Any idea what this summon is all about?" She asked

" I have no idea but I have a feeling that what we are about to find out will be very interesting for a Trav-nzuga to be sent to get us."

As the approached the throne room he stop and looked at her then engulfed her in a bone crushing hug then whispered to her hearing only

" Thank you Katva" the hug had caught her off guard but she eventually hugged him back because she somehow felt he needed it. When they both disengaged she asked

" That doesn't mean I forgot. You still owe me three fifty" she reminded him

" For you, I give a thousand. Now stop stalling. We have a summon to answer" he brushed passed her to escape her come back which she didn't have time for as the door opened immediately they neared it. But trust her for always have the last word reached into their sibling bond

"Bastard" she whispered through their bond

" And yet you love me just as I am" he replied back before blocking her off. She composed herself as the stood before their father

" You summoned us father" she stated blandly

" Yes, as a matter of, I did. Now take a seat"

Katva grimaced at the thought of seating in a room full of power hungry kreks. Though she knew to not poke nose into affairs that didn't concern her, she also tried not to engage in any discussion so as not to give out any ideas to the gossip kreks to feed on.


" That's if I get through it without cracking their necks first" Katva joked back in a way to futher lighten the mood but made no move to leave her spot
" Stop stalling Katva and let's go. The earliest we get this done with, the better for our sanity "

" Sanity! Who say you were sane? " She asked playfully. She walked past him whispering the last part so that only him could here " Try not to kill them..... Yet" she walked out, destination was the food court and he was right behind her.
He purposefully stopped her from entering.

" A hundred gold frills against the first to react" he was placing a bet on both their anger. He was so on and she was up for making interesting

" Five hundred" she raised the stakes

" Two hundred" he countered

" Three fifty and not negotiable"

" Done" they both shook hands and entered each going to their respective seats. Both smiled hoping to win each other.

Moments later both were seething in unbridled anger but kept up appearances as none wanted to lose to the other but all that was about to change as conversation stirred towards dangerous terrain. It started with causal talk over Zoltans and their welfare

" So... Hali-Mak, how is the reconstruction on the Scavix hold. They seem to be the last realm to benefit from reindustrialisation push of the Crown" the male know to Mak as Chief Underlord Karis of the House of Guardians asked. It was a simple question which demanded a tactical answer as a direct answer would lead to more questions of which he wasn't in any mood of answering. Secondly, the asker was a known trouble maker who knew how to incite trouble with mere simple words like the question he just asked.

" The reconstruction and reindustrialisation of the Scavix Hold is moving as fast as every other Hold under the Crown. Underlord Karis, I would very much suggest you either ask your real questions and stop fishing for trouble or shut your trap of a mouth up and eat your food. Oh, and This, is me asking you nicely" Mak challenged male to speak further to which he wisely saw a lost battle and from any further conversation with the prince. But the trap had already been set and different discuss sprang out from every angle of the food court and all targeted at the Royal house's affairs towards it citizens

".......... Why should we be spending on the ungrateful fools when it was they who started the whole carnage in the first place"

"............... I hope the reconstruction and reindustrialisation of that Hold pays of because I can't imagine I and my companion footing their bills without seeing possible cash outs"

"..................ggest you keep shut and watch your tongue. Prince is not yours, he's mine"

". ...........did support the empire's fall.........be oschestratise instead of pamp........them"

The words and chatter flew around freely but it didn't border him much he was used to it but as the discussions and small talk dragged on, they began nearing a dangerous topic that the males present that were in the know, squirmer on their seat and watched the prince and princess body language and movement for any sudden sign of agitation.


Males close to their companions gave tacit eye or verbal warning to keep clear the topic, while those far from them prayed to whatever Divine beings to give their companions wisdom to keep silent.

While they watched Mak and Katva, Mak watched Katva with keen eyes. It was no longer about any stupid bet, it was about not unleashing their anger on this table and killing every one. Just one slight misword and everything would spiral out of control. One of them had to be the responsible one in other to rein in the other's control

As Mak watched Katva, Katva ignored or tried to ignore the words spoken by busying herself with the food she ate t while the others talked over her. She noticed that the table had become relatively calm from all the chartering just a few stragglers dancing round a forbidden topic which all knew to keep clear off but not for stupidity imbued kreks like the Females, Sabora, Chigra and Forine. Companions to males of Importance that were earlier called out with the King. They felt their companion's place with the King and the Ruling House granted them immunity to speak carelessly

" ......mbered back then, rumors had it that two of the shires of the House of Royals were seen fraternizing with the leaders of the rebels" tutted Forine to her friends not minding she was at an earshot from the princess who sat just three seats away.


" They were not rumors Forine. My companion had on one or two occasions accompany them for safety reasons not even minding for his own safety. It was brave of him but it was selfish. Consideration for me or his new shires were not taking. He just loved putting himself in harms way then says it's the thrill of the job" Chigra complained and though the event they were talking about was the citizens revolt that led to the civil war on Zoltron, Katva knew that her statements were tactical swipes at the Royal house, with her ill completed statement. She also had and idea of what they were talking about

" Who were the princes anyway? The house of Royals don't have any significant princes save for the Crowned prince himself" Forine asked nonchalantly with no care for repercussions.

At that, Katva had to look her brother's direction to ascertain his state. That definitely would get a reaction from him.

And she wasn't disappointed.

He held his chande with the poise of a King and drank his wine calmly. If she hadn't looked carefully, she would have missed his tight grip on the chande that, if not for the quality of material used to make it, it might have probably shattered to pieces by now, before placing back beside his nearly untouched Plata. She smiled glad to know that this discussion was affecting him just as much as it was affecting her

"...... happen to be Hali-Chak and Hali-Kevan, would it?" Asked the third of the group, Sabora. She had be relatively quiet which was strange even for her. She seemed genuinely surprised, Katva observed.

" The forgotten and abandoned princes. It was even rumored that they went in, against the wishes of the ruling Houses and High Council, and negotiated a cease fire with the rebel leader Urusal." Forine scoffed at the degoratory name but continued with her rumor asking, fact finding, mission.

Now This, Mak did not know of. Kevan and Chak going to negotiate with the rebels back then. He definitely was going to have a discussion with their cousin.

" And they would have succeeded if not for the last minute murder of Urusal. Someone wanted the war to happen, someone planned to benefit from the war at the cost of countless loss of lives and that someone saw the Urusal's withdrawal as a fail to his or her or their plans and took him out. His death was certain to spin things out of control and to their favour. So stop castigating the two princes, who sort to intervene on our behalf and stop the war even before it started" Sabora rebuked
Forine to which Chigra scoffed and fired back at Sabora

" And yet he couldn't find his way to one of the various escape ships that waited a long enough. Even rascals and thugs were picked up at the last minute but your precious waste of space coul-" Katva and Mak saw red at the insult, all composure gone, a blade sliced through the air and it was out share luck that it missed Chigra eyeballs and slice the side of her head. She was lucky to be still breathing, consequences be damned. A shrill left Chigra mouth at the sudden pain.

From the posturing both Katva and Mak employed, it was clear who threw the blade and the miss was on purpose for Katva never ever missed a shot. The hall suddenly became engulfed in a very oppressive aura that commanded absolute authority.

Their auras of complete dominance had finally been unleashed and it was both suffocating and domineering. Raw Energy gyrated round Mak's body, his eyes glowed, his grip on the chande tightened until was squished. He anger pulsed through the hall and anyone not strong enough fell to the ground.

His aura engulfed him like a second skin standing tall and proud. This was but a tiny bit of power of a true heir of Zoltron

Normally it wouldn't have been any problem for him as he experienced this time and time over, standing in for his father absence. But this day seemed to be different as time and time again, old wounds that only scabbed over but not heal, were being peeled off, layer by bloody layer. Anger at his own behavior towards his own blood, didn't help matters, his short comings, his harsh words, his disgraceful acts, his....
He couldn't think straight, and the bastards in front of him didn't let him as they kept on reminiscing on acts or the lack off and commands that directly or indirectly influenced regrettable actions not just against his own blood - his name seem these to be so heavy for his mouth to speak, but against those that he would someday call his subjects and swear oath to protect.

His anger was spiking to levels that he found it hard to control his Aura as it had began crackling within his being and leaking minutely through the pores of his skin. He was still grappling with the last of his will to hold in his aura when a voice he recognized through his hazed vision, excused them both and he was literally but politely dragged out of the hall, arms stedfastly chained to the female's who's strides were purposeful and eyes, determined, to get to their destination without a distraction or blockage.

When they to their destination, which happened to be outside, with fresh cold winds whipping all around them, she shoved him hard that he stumbled but gained his footing and glared at her. His aura was still at the threatening surface ready to unleash itself on the one who dare manhandled the crowned heir to Zoltron's seat. It was like a challenge to which his Aura of authority was ready to respond

" MAKRONA ALI-ECK-SZAN-DEK ! -" the voice warned, it was familiar. It was of blood but he couldn't put a face to the voice as his haze of anger was still clouding his judgement "- it's either you calm yourself down and sheath your aura or I beat the bloody damnation back into you. Your choice" Ha! He exclaimed within himself. Only one person in the entire Zoltron other than his father, that could talk to him like that and walk away unharmed. Well mostly because she could give as much as he threw at her and to think his the elder.

He, using every will he had left, forced the will of his aura to submit and reced to his mind. It grumbled and snarled for not letting it have fun, after all it not like it rose by its will, it was summoned. Mak had to, within his mind bribe it for a next time before it finally receded to the corners of his mind, though grumbling but no longer snarling at him.
When he opened his eyes, Katva had been standing by him holding his hands as a support. She'd never let him fight his battles alone even though there were time she just wish she could punish him for Chak's death but she wasn't so heartless. Yes mistakes were made and a dear life, precious to them was lost but that guilty, he would live with for the rest of long damned life, so there was no need making him more miserable. Though she couldn't say she moved on from the pains of the lose but she'd bear it like a battle scar.

Mak eyes conveyed his appreciation even before he spoke it out loud


" Thank you Katva"
" I don't even want to imagine what they said to get you riled up so don't tell me because I know that if I heard it, I might probably go in there and kill them myself "

" You definitely would. It seems like you fared better than me, seeing how composed you are." He was pulling her legs as he knew that she didn't fare any better. But unlike he, she was quick to excuse herself before it escalated.

" If I told you, you would probably find the idiot who suggested such and his family, string his cock and drop him inside a pit and let his family have a front seat of his slow and agonizing death. That's if I don't do it first but I am still thinking of who to kill first. Your group or my idiot" Katva answered causally as though there was nothing to it.

" That bad?" He asked, he didn't sound too happy but this was Katva. She was no dainty damsel. Woe betided the slowpoke who brought whatever suggestions to her
" Yes, that bad." She replied. They both kept quiet to savour the peace they both shared now before they dived back in, to face those hordes of leeching bastards.

" It's best we return to the celebrations. It's bad not seeing any member of the Royal house at the food court even though I have the feeling that it's going be hell and I might just actually get the chance to finally literally strangle someone there." Mak tried to joke but also knew it to be the truth as food court was were the fates conniving Overlords and Underlords were decided, for good or bad through uncensored gossips between power brokers and power leeches. There, one got to hear the escapades of unloyal companions and their trist, greed Overlords and their misdeeds, Underlords who sook to taste power but we're blocked and so on. It was also were there schemers caught gossips and paid heavily to get proof of their rivals shortcomings in other to be used further at a later date for blackmail.

Chapter 8


As with the custom that guided the elite during the Celebration of Unity, at sundown, the elites of both the Ruling houses, High Council, Nobles of higher and lesser families, those that sort to make names, powerful males and females of the empire, power brokers and politians met in a grand hall, over wine, light edibles and Grand pagentry. Wearing masks of fake smiles, dry and humorless laughs, chitchatting beautiful nonsenses amongst themselves while meandering through the politics of power with each trying to outsmart, outwit,outplay and each other. Infact what was supposed to be a celebration to remind each other of the power of Unity, it instead became an avenue to pull each other down. Unity was only for the masses. Power and more power was for the elites and if it meant bring another down then they were okay with it.

Katva shook her head as she manuevered through the crowd of guest, she had been praying to whatever gods and goddesses out there for the day to quickly run its course as she was beginning to seet in anger and her mask began to drop at the amount of favours that were expected of her just because she was a princess and sister to the crowned prince. Earlier on, before the mingling began, her father and the ruling house had been called upon for a very urgent matter that needed their attention so in their absence, they had to play good host to the teeming schemer all around them. She had nearly whipped out her powers to choke one of those power hungry fools who had not subtlely suggested a marriage of convenience to form an alliance between both families. The buffoon of a had spoken it so causally at though he was asking what time of day it was. She nearly choked on her drink when she calmed herself, she glared at him to show that she was not impressed with his suggestion , eyes turning shades of green that were darker than normal, a telltale sign that she was about to unleash her aura before then composed herself and, according to her etiquettes training, politely told him that she would think about it. A hint of his fear pervaded the air but she ignored it and him and walked away, trying to find a quiet place to calm herself before she couldn't hold back and truely killed someone. It was times like this that she missed her mother. That female always knew how to calm her while making her laugh. She had once told her that life of the Royal court was one of people having and wanting many expectations from you. You just had to find a way to tell them, kindly, to shove it up their asses while still smiling and showing teeth to being agreeable

That female, Izula bless her light, knew how to make males take to their heels and the so called ones that call themselves alpha males, pee on themselves when she ment to beat up some sense into their heads.

She shook her head again at the memory of her mother whole she looked around for an escape route. Her eyes caught Mak who was on a group of males. She could see through his mask of polite smiles that looked more like grimaces and shallow laughs that didn't pass his lips show ed that he was also not having it easy either. His tense shoulder, his tapping his fingers on his sides as a distraction and the tight grip he had on the chande holding his wine were give away signs that he was about to explode. Whatever they were saying was pushing him to the brinks.

All thoughts of escape for her were thrown out the window, Mak seem to be in a tighter fix than she was and she needed to safe the hides of those blandering fool before he let loose. It was a known fact that after their return from SafeHaven, Mak had become a ticking bomb that was ready to explode were anything negative concerning Chak was involved and everyone wise enough knew to keep off that sensitive topic when in the presence of the Royal family.

Mak, as the heir to the throne, had so many duties and expectations required of him and the pressure was so much that even at the times he was supposed to wind down and relax, he was still tense. The celebration, normal as always, was supposed to be a time were, for himself, ignore the politics of Zoltron and just relax and possibly get a free lay till Sunhigh, heavens knew it was a long since he had a good lay. All was going good until his father along with some Grand Highlords of the ruling Houses were called aside for a meeting.

Hey guys please bear with me. Nairaland is not making editing of this work easy for me ooo as all the bolding and italics are not responding and adding it here is not easy. So incase you don't understand anything on this chapter please tell me and I can break down the explanation for you guys

Many northern Moons later, Katva found him. How she did, he didn't know, but he was glad she did. She reminisced old times before dropping the bombshell of Chak's travails until his very last breath. His companion, who had her misgivings and stereotyped the princess in the class of a snub and pompous entitled female by virtue of her birth heritage, began seeing her in a new light from her companion's perspective.

As he looked at his twin sons of thirteen northern moons, if not for the current situation, he didn't know whether or not to remain angry with them and just laugh at their obnoxiousness or just outrightly scold them.

" Which of you is responsible for this desecration" he asked calmly, pointing to the medallion suspended on the air. It was a tact he had learned when dealing with young Chak and Katva. If he threaten them with fires of damnation, he wouldn't get the truth or even a confession but calmly ask them, even offer a bribe and he'd get a baby face, a plea of repentance and for their mother not to hear of it. It worked like a charm every time even on the two bug heads that stood Infront of him

The twins look just as surprised at the suspending medallion. Above that, they knew who the medallion belonged to. The implications was not looking up to their favor giving their antecedents

" Father we beg of you, we know nothing of this. We know not to play with sacred paraphernalia and relics of Zoltron most especially that, which you, hold dear ." Grevat begged, hoping his father would believe them. He was the most outspoken, erratic, go-with-the-flow and notorious of the two while Srevat though notorious, was more composed, articulated, calculative,manipulative and quiet one.
" And how am I to believe you both given your antecedents in mischief and curious meandering in trickery and pranks" their father countered, his face, shoulder muscle and gait not relaxing from its tensed stans. Their punishment would be lasting them many southern moons for them understand the implications of them taking their youngling trickery one step too far if he were to find out they did it. But it also raised the question of who was capable of doing such.

The medallion couldn't take itself out of the strong room of the Store Keep, remove itself, from its casing and suspend itself mid air - a clear indication of the use telekinesis.
What bothered him even more was the fact that nothing else was touched and there was no sign of forced entry, unless the twins had somehow managed to learn the ancient writtings, understood their tongue enough and raise enough power to bend the will of the enchantments on the entrance for them to have access to the strong room of the Store Keep, then it was fare to them to say that it wasn't them because they had neither the knowledge, strength nor stamina to achieve such.

" Father, you can ask from Overlord Frazt. We have neither left his side nor strayed from his sights for more time than he allowed us. And besides father we have yet to learn the ancient tongue so how can it be that you accuse us for a crime we didn't commit when we aren't even capable of committing the crime in the first place or have the such required knowledge to do so" Srevat challenged his father's opinion of them, howbeit respectfully. He articulated his arguments to proof their innocence

Though his arguments caught him off guard, he was not ready to have his young shires outwit him, so Corden fired back

" Not when your previous antics and pranks preceeds you. Not when you both have histories of picking relics and playing with it like toys, not when you both don't take guarding our history which so happens to also be our identity, seriously. Not when you both put your mother and I thr........ - " he paused his rant mid sentence to turn behind him and look at what Grevat was pointing at and what caused Srevat's mouth to hand open

The medallion began glowing in hues of orange, the figurine of the firebird at the center of the medallion who's oblong shape took the semblance of an eye began burning bright with a different hue - it was as if it was on fire. It moved round the Store Keep till it positioned itself on a pedestal that held an emblem of a long forgotten kin of Zoltron - The Eyes of Izula.
The three pairs of eyes watch the scene unfold before them in awe and fascination just as Corden mind began spiraling in random thoughts and suggestions until he was able to streamline them into coherent deductions


The emblem of the Eyes of Izula was a striking replica of Hali-chak's medallion which meant one of two things. Either Queen Hananel unknowningly crafted the insignia of the Eyes of Izula and gave it to her young shire just out of mere fascination and to also give the young shire a sense of belonging since the King had refused to acknowledge the youngling even before he was born as a bonafide seed of Ali-eck-szan-dek, so that wearing the official insignia of the Royal house of Ali-eck-szan-dek became a hectic chore for the young shire. Or, she knew all along who he was by virtue of his true bloodline which also meant she was of that same bloodline which also meant that her two other shires had the same bloodline.

According to the tomes from the archives of the House of Sages that his was privy to, though the members of the Eyes had Izula's bloodline, only those blessed by the Effgah went on to wield Izula gifts as his choosens. Effgahs were like oracles, spiritual guardians, teachers and leaders, all- in- one package for the members of the Eyes. In this case, the three shires of the King, due to virtue of their bloodline through their mother were members of the Eyes and their mother, by virtue of her being the elderly last of her kind was their Effgah.

She couldn't bless Hali-Mak because by birthright, his fate to the throne was already sealed. Little could be said of Heli-Katva, as even at a tender age and growing youngling shire, she was a spontaneous spitfire, whose arrogance and craziness drew a lot of attention to herself. Definitely not a candidate you would pick to such task that need one off public eyes.

Then there was Hali-chak.

Immediately the thought came to him in his erratic mind, the medallion glowed brighter a vioce could be heard , whispering at first, then it got louder until Azolian spoken was audible to all in the room

"Kin of our kin, blood of our blood, life of our life, flesh of our flesh.

Izula's eyes sees again against all odds, though darkness strives to conquer, light shall prevail


Yet a little while, chaos , as old as the beginning of time itself shall rise again but unless the weapons of hope be Forged in the furnace of forgiveness, Zoltron will fall

Find him, teach him, nuture him"

All at once the room dimed and the medallion fell into its original casing that had move along with it closing itself shut. All three were still awed by the display, but for the twins, it took them a little while to comprehend the message they just heard. Though it meaning was very clear to Corden

Hali-chak was alive

LOnly that thought alone caused him to first smile then snap out of his daze and issue instructions to his males
" Tell Overlord Frazt to prepare the cruiser. We leave for Zoltron immediately and you two are coming with me" the males exited the room only too glad to escape their father's previous wrath and also excited to be going to Zoltron and reunite with their kins.

Corden picked up the casing housing the medallion the care as though it was an egg and walked back into the strong room of the Store Keep to return the it to it's previous seat. When he looked around and saw that every other thing was in order, he shot one final glance at the medallion before exiting the strong room. He spoke the ancient words that vaulted the strong room secured and left to prepare for his departure.

"This visit to Zoltron was going to be a very interesting one " he mused to himself walking down the hall

When they had returned from their temporal stay at SafeHaven, Heli-Katva had approached him and entrusted the safety of the medallion begging that it was the last thing she had of her youngest sibling, the official seal of the House Ali-eck-szan-dek of the House of Royals. Each family within each ruling house crafted medallion bearing the insignia of the said family and gave it to each of their shires. Normally, it didn't fall under his purview to take charge of such mundane paraphernalia, but from the request was asked from and to whom the request was directed to was one he would never refuse.

Katva and Chak were like the annoying children you couldn't help but love despite their obnoxious ness. And they grew on him and didn't take his harshness with a pinch of salt and always found a way to make him smile and on rear occasions, laugh hard
Though he took a companion latter in life that gave him the two demons that were currently standing in front of him, breathless, from running up several steps,those two thought him patience and love that was absent from his childhood and for that, he would always be greatful to her majesty, bless her soul In the afterworlds, for forcing those two small monster who made their earlier days together with him , a dreadful duty he soon turned to love and cherish.

When news of Chak's death reached him, he cried as though he had lost a shire, for many Sundowns. His companion though not understand the attachment he had with the prince and princess, she was patient with him till he came out of his somber state. For her to understand his sorrow, he explained his loveless childhood growing up and how Queen Hananel, despite his cold stands and demeanor, saw a prospect in him. She took it upon herself to groom his younger self, showering love when needed, encouraged him when he needed it and reprimanded him when he did that which was a disappointment to her and unbecoming of him. She stood by him until she was sure he could become his own person and put him in the charge of then Targentis Matez to groom him for takeover from him as the former didn't have a shire to call his own as he couldn't shire any.

When Corden took over post, he took it with all seriousness to the extent of refusing himself the funs and cares that the gift of living brought along. And while he thought no one watched as they were too busy to pay him any attention, the queen secretly schemed, placing her last two in his care to mentor. The King disagreed with the idea vehemently, wanting to put the commoner card to which she rebuked him instantly, giving him and ultimatum that he had no other choice than to succumb to her request. Already he had began showing signs of hate and unlove to her last and had also confided in him of her Sundowns not lasting longer due to a strange ailment that had befallen her that with all their advancement, were yet to find a cure.

At first, it was a heavy chore for him and he took out his aggression, verbally, on the younglings, the female being ten northern moons and the male only four northern moons. The male eldest of fourteen northern moons stayed with his father's trusted and seasoned advisors to be trained on kingship and rulership management. As time went on, his aggression fissiled out and he began to see himself as mentors to the younglings. Just the queen had once groomed him, he reciprocated the gesture to her shire and they inturn groomed him on how to smile, laugh, beg, please, negotiate, play and the list went on and on.

However, their time together was short, only three northern moons before double tradegy struck.

First, the queen after a long battle with whatever ailed her, past and for a time, he couldn't be allowed access to the younglings to console them because of the mourning period of seclusion. Secondly, the Store Keep was broken into while he was away on official duty off planet and though the perpetrators were caught and some of the relics recovered, the Store Keep had to be moved to a more secured location off Castle grounds far from prying eyes. A location only the King, himself, the Provodent Soriti and the Sagelis Archivian. Knew of. It also meant he would not be able to say goodbye to the younglings. No matter how he begged for a chance to say goodbye, he was refused even by the King himself. He left down casted.

The female stood in the fields that spanned as far as the eyes could see. It was an endless field of green grasses with scanty but lust trees here and there. Scenery was bright as day yet no sun shone, the clouds moved freely yet no wind blew. She stood there not knowing what brought about this vision. The last she remembered was she looking up to the now deemed Endazulian star that once brought joy with it's coming, warmth with it's brightness and life with it power and wondering what could have possibly caused the star to deem.

As she made to move around to inspect her surroundings, a movement in the sky caught her attention. At first, it looked like an Artilian, creature of the air whose expoilt in hunting it's prey was legendary. A scant of fear invaded her mind as she was the only possible prey in the vast open expanse of land, but then she remembered that she was in a vision so she watched with fascination as the creature flew closer and lower.

It was when the air creature got closer, she recognized it was a firebird, the air creature whose image graced the emblem of the House of Sages, a representation of wisdom, power and a beginning without and end. What was strange to her was that neither she nor any of her kin had any bloodline related to the House of Sages so why was she seeing the firebird in her vision, a first to ever be heard of, from a Provodent Soriti, the head of the House of Seers.

Firebirds were held in high esteem as Guardians of the Undying. The Undying were those granted the gift of rebirth without actually tasting death. Just like the Eyes of Izula, they vanished into oblivion with no way to trace their bloodline. Though stories of their legendary expoilts were scattered throughout history of Zoltron, what happened to them still remained a mystery as they just upped and left without a trace. A Firebird were also known to only make appearance when one blessed as an Undying was born and rumors had it that one was sighted when the late Queen gave birth to their last shire - the Forgotten prince. But to see seven firebirds in one location and to appear to a non-undying was really disconcerting.


As she marveled at the magnificent creature dancing in the clear skies while also trying to decipher the meaning, the firebird was joined by another and another and another until there were seven firebirds in the sky above her, dancing to a melody only they could hear.

This continued for a while until they started flying around in a pattern. At first sight, it looked like uncoordinated swiveling around in the air but at a closer look, to which she did, a pattern was formed. While the first firebird maintained its circling through a shorter distance, the other firebirds circled round it such that it was in their center. As she looked closer, trying to decipher the meaning of the pattern, it suddenly dawned on her what tye pattern was.

It was an eye, more bluntly, the Eyes of Izula

As if realising that she had finally understood the pattern they had been trying to show to her., speckles of golden cosmic dust descended from above her and a scene unfolded before her. She was shown the birth of a child, a Terra Noxx child, with voice saying

Light of Endazul is reborn, choosen of Izula arises, hope yet burns, but darkness is swift to come upon Zoltron. Yet the choosen must return to set wrong, aright and quench the march of the one who's malicious greed and thirst for power consumes Zoltron

Dira woke up from her vision all flustered. She had fallen asleep on the cushion by the window while grazing at the moons of sundown. She immediately made to change and head for the Castle at once. Blessing the heavens that the festivities was still ongoing, a good cover for her visit as it wasn't common for The Provodent Soriti to personally pay the King a social visit out of the blued. With the festivities, lesser questions were asked of her presence


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" Grevat !! Srevat !! Come in here now!!! Bellowed the Condren, with a lot of displeasure laced in his voice. His target were his twin sons who were so full of mischief but this was taking their youthful pranks too far and a direct insult on the soul of the individual who once owned the madalion that now dangled mid air at the center of Temple.

As the Targentis Matez, or the Store Keeper, his job was to ensure the safety and protection of Zoltron's relic heritage both the good and bad. It was his duty ,just like his fathers before him and their father before them, to know every history of Zoltron's relics and paraphernalias used by all the Houses that made up the High Council, the good, the bad and the ugly sides of their usage as well as the working mindset of those that had used it.

Chapter 7


Before the High Council meeting............

Times and seasons changes had a way of invigorating the soul of any being. Be it the dropping of leaves from it's parent plant , a sign to that the Crazodulian star would rise soon and that all should make ready for its blighting heat . To the springing forth, from the hard cracked surface,devoid of any moist, the plants that had successfully weathered the Crazodulian heat to bask in the warmth of and refreshing tears of the Endazulian star. Even the exotic wildlife were not left out from experiencing the exhilarating anticipation of the change season.

And locked in the archives of The Sagelis Archivian were detailed descriptions of how times and seasons should be, how it affected the inhabitants and wildlife of Zoltron as well as weird alterations and deviations from the normal pattern, its causes and what was done to ameliorate the situation. The archives were updated regularly as either remembered or were something significant happened

It was so normal to them that even after their return from SafeHaven and found that either due to providence or just shear luck, little or nothing had been touched on the palace grounds or within the palace itself of The House of Sages, the excitement and euphoria of meeting their citadel and home in one piece made them fail to take cognisance of the subtle change slightly cool breeze that caressed their skin in what was supposed to be a period of scorching heat...... or they just pushed it to been the effects of the heat emanating from the canons and weaponry used in air combat as well as those used in space that had affected the weather pattern of the planet. It was not until five Northern Moons of continued cooler winds,less intense heat during the Crazodulian season and the dimming of the Endazulian Star, did they start to take it as a serious matter.


Now Here they were, twenty two Northern Moons later, after scàvenging the entire archive pouring through scripts and anals of those before them, did they finally find a breakthrough in the cause of the decline of the Endazulian Star

In one of the archives, whose section was covered with the webs and empty cadavers of small creatures sucked dry by the arachai, an equivalent of the insect called a spider on Terra Noxx but with a much more larger body size, laid tomes upon tomes, laying encased in Amber and sealed with the first seal of the House of Sage - a serpent coiling over a book, meaning cunny and wise. It was the official symbol of the House of Sages for hundreds upon thousands of northern moons untill it was changed some five thousand northern moons ago to a firebird who's wings were spread wide, standing majestically in front of a tome that had the inscription carved in Azolian, its meaning common to the entire House of Sages as it was drilled into them from a tender age -

Through fire, Knowledge is Refined,

Through Knowledge, fire is Defined

Breaking the enchantment protecting the tomes was no easy task as it was cast at a time power of the Sages was still at its strongest purest form, with the craze for pure bloodline pairing between potential companions very rampant back then. It had taken the Sagelis Archivian, Sagelis Votalis, Sagelis Filiyu, all heads of the different ranks within the House of Sages to break the enchantment and even then, the toll on them was so enormous that all three of them were incapacitated for many Sundowns in other to recuperate.

With them finally able to break down the enchantments, they were rewarded we historical records thousands of northern moons old. Myths and legends once thought to be fables to entertain the minds of young shires were in fact confirmed authentic truths. Woven truths that were spind to become accepted truth were confirmed fabricated just to ease a certain Grand Highlord's ego. The list went on and on until they had finally found a similar situation that happened many eons ago that best reflected their current predicament.




................ It's was in the reign of His Majesty, King Salasury Mondec Ali-eck-szan-dek, seven hundred and fifteenth ruler from the pure line of Izula, ruler of ages, Guardian and Protector of Zoltron, that did the Omnisee of the Eyes of Izula revolt against his own and blood was spilt. Omnisee Werltsrad ran amock in craze, killing every male, female, youngling and suckling within sight without remorse.

The citadel that housed the Eyes of Izula bled blood,gore and tears, then silence. It was said that Izula cried for the death and destruction of his choosens as the clouds bled water and the skies roared in anger. Yet Omnisee Werltsrad stood tall and walked majestically towards the King's army that had layed seige to the citadel in other to save the remnants of the House of Izula.

With a proud voice, he declared his victory over Zoltron's pompous pride, arrogance and domineering status, saying that now they had no more, Eyes of Izula, it was now a level playing field for anyone who could try and conquer Zoltron.

Omnisee Werltsrad, after his declaration, cleaved himself to death in the presence of the King by calling on the lightening that struck him and burned him to ashes, a final mockry to the Zoltarian throne as he didn't grant the King the satisfaction of kill him for his dastard act .

The skies deemed for may Northern Moons, Izula's pride refuse to bring forth it warmth that graced our crops, skin and watered our forest. Crazodul became bitter with a coldness that froze the bones and killed the forest for the sin committed against his brother, Izula. Hunger scourged the land and enemies sook to invade Zoltron at it's weakest. Rumors of a possible assault from Aronzia and its allies burned the ears of many and all prepared for the worste.

But hope arose from the South of the Vales of Hifa, a family of four had escaped the ordeal that befell their kin only by providence, as they had been on a family retreat. But they refused to return, neither did they reveal their identity for fear of their safety. Only when Zoltron needed them the most did a representative visit the King with instructions and words of wisdom to aid them.


Crazodul's anger, on behalf of his brother, Izula, receeded having felt the latter's joy of reuniting with the remnants of his choosens. The brightness of Izula's wrath deemed and his warmth felt again all over Zoltron while Crazodul's cold anger thawed to once again scorch the land to balance Zoltron's ecology. But the Eyes of Izula never congregated again, chosing to hide their identity in plain sight by blending in with the other Noble Houses in other to maintain and propagate a somewhat pure bloodline for the survival of their kind, yet keeping true to their real identity.

Their sworn oath and loyalties to always come to the Zoltron's aide stood but never would they make their identities and abilities known so publicly

**********

In the reign of King Jasger Fortil Ali-eck-szan-dek, nintith from his fathers Josra Fuskil Ali-eck-szan-dek, also known as the Crazy King..................

That section of the time was read and reread over and over again to be sure of what they were seeing. If this was true, then this was definitely a repeat of what happened eons ago and they were just only in the early stages of Izula's anger. But the only problem now was the identity of Izula's choosen was and how he or she probably was killed and if there was any way to mitigation the effects of their folly.

It had taken many Sundowns for them to narrow down possible likely and unlikely candidates. While all the likely candidates were all eliminated, the unlikely candidates - or in this case, candidate, just kept popping up. They chose to first ignore the person as they didn't have a good historical interaction with the individual. But with the elimination of all the likely candidates on their list and when it became even more evident that all indications were pointing towards this individual even with his last act of bravery, distraught and shame overshadowed the room.




This was that very one individual that they, had cast aside for no just reason, disregarded, harmed, bullied, disgraced and when he decided to stand up for himself and refused to be down trodden, they ignored, had actually been the one they were supposed to acknowledge and even protect from harm. The Sagelis Archivian didn't want to dwell on their erring's yet as no good could come out of it. The self loathing and shame would come later but right now, they had a job to do by informing the High Council of their findings.

Luckily, the Celebration of Unity was still at its peak, so his presence at the Castle wouldn't raise any suspicions of his visit.


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