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CHAPTER SIX

He could hear the shouts outside. I bet that they came here for a show. He promised to give them one.

You are a vampire and my son. How is he suppose to react to that, especially as his life is on the line as well. He understood why the man had to say it, if he was really his father but the timing has messed up whatever emotional stability he had.

At least I won't die like a chicken. When he was asked to select his armour, he choose a simple leather jerkin and two short swords. I can barely carry myself, not to talk of some heavy armour. He needed every advantage he could get in this fight.

When he entered the velodrome, he could understand why it was so loud. This crowd will put most stadiums to shame. He could see some empty spaces as well.

The trumpets stopped and he saw a black lady dressed in gold and silver raise her hands to address the crowd. She was beautiful with golden eyes but he could sense something else. She hates me. Their eyes met and Jake saw his mother beg for his life, she and the man called his father. What is she doing here? Before he could answer that question, he heard the conditions. So now they added his mother's life to his. The lady ended her speech and the trumpets blasted for the last time.

As Jake looked around for his mother, he suddenly saw a mace coming for his face. Quickly he skipped round the attack, hopping lightly. His opponent followed with incredible speed. I doubt that I can keep this for long. Jake hopped about, dodging attack after attack, waiting for an opening. His opponent swung his mace with increasing speed, until Jake could only see blurs. Yet he managed to stay away from them by keeping the fight in the middle of the velodrome.

His opponent then miscalculated and lunged forward, missing his attack totally. Jake drove at his feet, using his sword to cut at his knee. The sword simply broke off, made completely useless. Here was I hoping that it will be an advantage. He quickly used his second sword to block the response. The mace threw him and the sword to a part of the velodrome. I have broken my ribs. He looked at his second sword and realized that it had been beyond repair. I am now weaponless. He tried to stand when a spear came from nowhere and stabbed him, driving him to the ground.

He could hear the cheers from the crowd and his life seeping away. He also heard his mother scream. I am sorry, Mum. He started to drift away from life.......

Then he was suddenly in a hospital ward, his mother besides him.

This was when I had Typhoid fever, when I was five years old. His mother was crying, yet he could hear her voice.

"You are special, Jake. Many times they told me you could have died, but you have survived. Even when I was told that your blood cells were eating themselves and that you won't last a day, you still survived. You will survive this."

Jake suddenly heard another voice.

"You are a vampire and my son."

"You are a vampire and my son."

"Vampire and my son."

"Pire and my son"

"And my son."

"My son!"

Suddenly he felt a surge of life run into him. Am I going to heaven? He saw a light coming close to him, illuminating his sight......


Then he found himself in the velodrome, with the lady about to announce his defeat. Quickly he snapped the spear and removed it from his chest. The last looked at him with shock and the cheers stopped. His opponent turned round and saw him up.

"You are dead! Die!"

He rushed towards Jake but he could have been a snail for all he cared. Jake simply walked towards him and caught his mace in mid air, dragged it off him before punching him to the walls of the velodrome.

His opponent made a crunch sound with the wall. Silence turned to screams. Jake looked around and saw his mother. He gave a little smile and ran towards his opponent.

The man was getting up gingerly, totally unprepared for what was about to happen. Jake moved towards him, pinned him to the wall and then drove his hands towards his chest, punching it open before ripping his head off.

Screams covered the velodrome as the audience sounded their shock. It took five minutes of the trumpets blasting to stop the chaos.

He smiled at the lady, who gave him the most hateful look she could give, before she proclaimed him victor. He couldn't care. He has saved his life.

His and his mother.

CHAPTER FIVE

Gerald looked at the velodrome and seethed. I won many battles here, including the one that made me Emperor. Would it that I can win the life of my son. The revelation seemed to upset Jake. I hope he will be able to fight properly. It was illtimed,but considering he may not survive this night, he had to know.

The velodrome was getting filled up. The Pureborns took the upper parts of the seats, far more than the Half-bloods. The lowest level was empty. That was were the Imperious sat before the rebellion. He wondered if it will come back to the way it was.

He saw Simi and the other Lords. The She-God is here with her pets. He suddenly decided that he was not sitting there. Chidindu will need him, whether she knows it or not.

He found her sitting right on top of the entrance, with Reese by her left side. Reese was the only one that understood what he was going through.

He quickly skipped to where she was.

"Thought you will sit with your queen?" She threw a shot at him.

"Not in the mood for jibes, Chidindu."

She smiled and rubbed his back. "Thanks for coming here though. Do you think Jake stands a chance?"

Reese answered for him. "Most fighters who face Remus die, so I have my doubts about your boy. That said, he is the Emperor's son and his Greatness is strong. He is also an Imperious so that's another thing to consider."

"You are very kind, sir but I can see you are just trying to reassure me."

Before he could come up with a reply,the trumpets sounded. First came Remus, with the lava forged Hell raiser and the accompanying armour. The Jake came out with a light jerkin and two short swords.

"What is he thinking? Why isn't he with better armour?" Reese asked, very shocked.

I bet it's Simi! He knew her to be selfish and jealous, but why she wants to see him die so badly he couldn't tell.

Simi ordered the trumpets to stop.

"Today we are here to witness and judge the right to life for this Imperious." Boos filled the velodrome. "I know you all want him dead, but his mother pleased for his life. What a sweet woman." More boos followed. "So for that fact, this contest will judge the rights to life for both the Imperious and his mother." Cheers filled the velodrome while Chidindu sat in shock.

"But we didn't agree to this."

We didn't need to. Simi just used her veto power there.

CHAPTER FOUR

His eyes roved around for something to do, even if it was to stare. For the past few days he had been locked here with no contact from anyone, not even to tell him what he had done wrong.

His room was sparkling white, so white that it frier his nerves that he was the only colored object: he and his clothes that is. He stank terribly from not having the chance to bath and he hadn't even been given food to eat.

If they want to kill me, there are better ways about it. He starved but was alive, why he was alive is something he couldn't understand. Most people of his age would be dead by now. Unless he wasn't normal. After all, that's what started his journey here.

He was wondering what his mother would have done or rather how worried she will be. Normally she would have called the police and declared him missing by now, but this situation was not normal.

He was thinking of her when the door opened and he was dragged up by two ladies: the first a dark, slim lady with sharp eyes and white hair and the second a busty copper colored girl.

" Come with us, it's time to die." The dark one spoke.

"How are you sure that he would die? What if he defeats Remus, Shade?"

"Really Cleopatra? Remus is one of our finest warriors who has not suffered defeat. He can't lose an aidokai, especially to this one."

Jake listened with rapt attention, trying to understand what they were talking about. He could see that the aidokai was a fighting competition, although why he was in this competition was anyone's guess.

They suddenly knelt down in front of a dark man richly dressed with an air of authority. One of their leaders, perhaps?

"Greetings to our Radiance and Moonlight!"

He gave a curt nod then faced Jake.

"How are you doing?"

Jake looked at him suspiciously. I have been detained and kept against my will and you ask how I am doing? He felt his anger rise. That and hunger.

"Very hungry sir. I haven't eaten a morsel since I have arrived here."

"What! Shade, Cleopatra, why hasn't he been given food? Is this how you treat prisoners?"

The two ladies bowed down, shaking.

"It's the express command of our empress, please forgive us!"

"Simi did this? Go get him food, now!"

"Yes, Our Emperor!"

"Bring it to the armory."

At that point Jake fell down but before he dropped to the ground,the man picked him up and took him to the armory.

The colors were black with silver light emanating from the bulbs. Jake saw different weapons: knives, swords and maces; shields of different types and colors and various battle gear.

"I am sorry to how you have been treated. You need to know some things I am sure."

Jake nodded slowly.

"First things first, what did your mom tell you about your father?"

Jake eyes searched him. Why asking this question? What has mom got to do with this?

"She said that my father is dead."

"I see." Food came in the shape of jollof rice and a whole chicken. Jake wolfed it down with passion.

"I guess she couldn't find a better way to talk about an absent dad. Let's move on. Do you know who you are and why you are here?"

"No. I wasn't told anything. Infact no one has talked to me since my arrival here."

The man grimaced. "Okay. What you need to know is simple. You are special, Jake. You are a vampire and my son."

Jake looked at him. what is this man smoking? Then he stared into his eyes and saw them.

He and his mother making love.

Making him.

Jake was so shocked that he threw up.

"What, what's wrong with you?" The man held him tenderly. "Is the food bad?"

Jake recovered enough to say no and then sat back to pick the chicken and the rice.

"My Radiance! He needs to prepare for the aidokai!

The man stood up. " If you survive this, we will speak later. Try and win, Jake."

Jake watched him go. How am I suppose to fight right now? He couldn't process everything at once and he was to fight for his life.

The timing couldn't be worse.

"I know this is a bad time, but you need to dress up and pick your gear." Cleopatra spoke. _You have less than five minutes."

CHAPTER THREE

"The meat is here."

Gerald stood up and looked at Laura, his personal assistant.

"Chidindu? Don't call her meat, she is a human being."

"Drink then? There is no difference between the names to me, she is dinner. Although I can see why you luster after her. Was she dressed in silk or latex?"

Gerald growled. Laura can be annoying. "Where is she?"

"She is at the lobby. Glabach ordered your boys to drop her there."

Glabach! "He knows why she is here?"

"Only that she wants to see you, nothing more. I hope he hasn't told the Empress Simi."

"I hope so too." That will only complicate things. "Take care of that report, I am out."

"To see her?"

Gerald didn't answer her. Instead he focused his mind on Chidindu . Hope I made the right choice? He had to convince the council to keep Jake alive but considering the Imperious law, that will be difficult.

He quickly walked past the hallway, receiving half heartedly greetings from his subjects. He didn't want Simi to be there. Yet Glabach can't be trusted not to tell her.

As soon as he got to the lobby, Chidindu walked towards him.

"What happened to Jake, Gerald? Why...."

Chidindu found herself slammed to the wall by Bros, one of the guards he sent to pick her.

"Bros, leave her alone." He looked at Chidindu and brushed her ruffled hair. "Sorry about that but here I am Emperor Gerald. So you can call me 'Your Highness's or 'Your Greatness', not by my name."

"You are really high! You dragged me from my work and told me to come here because of Jake and instead of ......"

"Is that how to speak to your superior, meat?" Good Lord, not Simi!

"And who are you; fish?"

"Maybe I can show you with my hands. I will snap you to pieces."

"Please try..."

"SIMI! STOP IT!" His voice boomed, causing Chidindu to block her ears with her hands.

"So you will defend the wretched food while I defend your rights, Gerald?"

"She is here because of her son, so she isn't food. Give her some respect, after all, the boy is my child too."

She hissed. "Your child. Is that why you brought him here, to flaunt him to everyone? To make people mock me? You, who claims to love me will do this to me?"

"Simi, just stop. She doesn't know our laws here and besides she is here because of the boy. As for flaunting the boy, ask Glabach. He is the one who brought him here."

"So I heard." She walked away.

"Chidindu, your presence won't be welcome here. Can you just endure whatever comes until we are done with this?"

She nodded. Gerald took in a gulp of air and started to walk into the hallway, Chidindu following him.

He got to the elevator and entered in, pressed the button to the topmost floor and faced her.

"I am taking you to the council. They are the most powerful body in this coven and they will decide what will happen to Jake. I just want you to keep quiet unless spoken to and don't try to initiate any conversation. I will talk our son out of this." That's if I can.

She eyed him suspiciously. "What if they declare that he dies? Am I suppose to fold my arms to allow him to die?"

He sighed. "Unfortunately, yes."

"No!"

"Chidindu...."

"No! You left your seed in me and disappeared all these while. You never cared for him, never even thought of him as anything. I raised him all by myself. He could have died three times before today but he survived because I was there for him. You can't ask me to step back and watch him die. You can...."

She started to cry. All women are the same. Argue for some minutes, then start to shed tears everywhere. He waited for her tears to run its course. By then, they were at the topmost floor.

"I will try my best, Chidindu. I promise you."

The door opened and they walked inside.

The council was seated, the six of them. Regan was at the far left, his golden eyes judging them already. Kike had her red eyes on Chidindu for a microsecond, hissed and adjusted herself. Reese looked positively at them while Uche looked menacing.

It was Glabach and Simi that worried him the most.

"My Lords! My Empress! I have come to plead for the boy Jake. I have come to plead for his life!"

"What is she doing here?" Simi asked.

"She is his mother, the woman who bore......"

"I asked what's she doing here, not who she is."

"She has come to add her voice to my own."

"Really?" Kike eyed her. "Is she dumb?"

"No." I told you not to speak!

"I see." Her eyes studied her.

"You know the law, Our Emperor." Uche spoke this time around. "Any Imprevious found will be executed. That's law."

"True. But this law, my Lords......"

"Is final." Simi spoke, eyes shooting fire. "He dies by midnight. Maybe his blood will serve us well."

"No!" Don't speak!

"The meat decides to speak." Regan looked at her in anger. "In this council, this thing, this food opens her mouth to...."

"Speak. Yes. I will speak for my son if his father won't!" Chidindu moved forward, almost pushing him. She is angry! "I don't know what laws I and my son has broken....."

"You have broken many." Simi looked at her maliciously. "I will want her head as well."

"She is my guest!"

"She is food!"

"You will not have her as food!"

"If I don't, you..."

"I will cease to be your Emperor and join the Deviants!"

The hall was silent. They should not forget who they are talking to!

"Lords? My lady?" Chidindu spoke with a softness he hadn't seen before. "Forgive me if I don't know why you are all upset. I won't be here on a normal day. I love my work and know nothing of this world until a few hours ago."

"You shouldn't have known still!"

"Maybe that's so. But I came here for Jake. He knows little or nothing of this council or even this world. He doesn't even know that his father exists. Should he die because of something he doesn't know about?"

"A goat doesn't know it exists for the dinner table, yet it doesn't question it's existence or it's death!"

"I preceive that you were once human, My lady. Tell me, do you just kill a goat you just brought? No, you feed him and allow him to grow, then you kill him at the appropriate time."

"What are you trying to say?" Glabach asked.

"Jake is not a goat. He is human or a vampire or whatever. If you can treat a goat that way, why not Jake, who is far more important than a goat. If he proves himself, will it be too much to keep him?"

"You don't want him to yourself?"

She sighed. "Jake was my sweet boy. Young and intelligent. He grew very fast, true but he was not the trouble making type. But with this situation, I won't be able to take him back. He has to learn and know what it takes to be a vampire. More importantly, he has to have a chance at life."

"Well, there is a way we can allow him to have his chance." Simi smiled, that devilish smile that makes him regret having her. " I suggest aidokai. It won't be said that we didn't give him a chance?"

The council looked at themselves and nodded.

"Here is the judgement, woman. Your son is to prove his worth in aidokai against Remus, one of our finest warriors. If he defeats him, he lives and will be part of our society. If he loses, he dies!"

Gerald was fuming. He could see Simi's plot. He would die! Yet Chidindu knelt down in appreciation.

"You have showed great wisdom, my Lords and Lady."

CHAPTER TWO

"Has the #1.5M going to Orion Corporation been sent?"

"Yes ma. Mr Steve's sends his regards."

"Okay."

"He also asked for dinner."

She hissed. "Tell him I am not available."

"I already did, ma."

"Thank you Justin."

Chidindu smiled and faced her work. As the relationship manager of High Towers Bank, she always had a lot in her plate as regards work. A lot of clients, both high class, middle level and the poor come here for various services and at times, things could become sticky. That's why they employed her. She enjoys the job: the pay helps in that aspect but the chance to meet people of influence also plays it's role. Of course you meet people like Mr Steve who wants to mix business with pleasure, but she keeps a shut door to that.

Maybe she shouldn't be so uptight. Since that one night thing with Gerald, she hasn't had a man in her life; apart from Jake. Jake has been more than enough: taking care of him, watching him grow amazingly fast and handsome.

Still, a man won't be amiss. Just that Mr Steve won't cut it.

"Miss Chidindu, we have two men who request your presence."

"Tell Nonso to answer them!"

"They are straight from the general manager, ma."

Chidindu raised her eyebrows. Such people are usually high class clients.

"Send them in."

"They request that you meet them outside."

"Fine! I will be there in a minute."

She hated the fact that she had to go outside her office to answer people as it reminds her of the past when she had to work in marketing. She hated it.

She straightened her cloth and wore her red high heel shoes that ached her so much. Then with as much comportment as a senior staff can muster, she walked out of the office and the bank.

The sun was scorching. She noticed a black tinted car in front of the car with two men in black suits.

Something isn't right. She walked cautiously towards them. She was in a busy part of Lagos but that doesn't stop some people from committing crimes. Especially kidnappers.

"Good afternoon ma." His teeth were white, perfectly contrasting with his black face. Their hands seemed a bit burned though.

"How can I help you?"

"Can we have a discussion inside the car? The sun is out in vengeance today."

Now I am sure that they are kidnappers! "No!" She started to sprint walk back to the bank.

"Emperor Gerald sent us."

She turned back, a safe distance from them. " I know nobody with that name."

They looked at themselves and brought out a phone.

"Look, I am not interested in....."

"Chichi baby!"

She looked at the phone. It was Gerald all right, with his black face and silver hair.

"You!"

"Wow, that's a sore way to greet an old friend."

"What do you want with me?"

"Straight to the point, like the first time we met."

"Are they yours?"

"Yes. Please let's talk in the car, I can assure you it's quite comfy."

"Very comfy and nice. Am sure it's soundproof as well?"

"I don't plan to kidnap you, Chidindu."

"Nice mind reading. Why should I come to the car? Why should I listen to you after all these years?"

He groaned. "I know I disappeared on you, but I did it to protect you. At least that's what I hoped I did."

She hissed.

"We can discuss us later. It's because of Jake that I sent for you."

Alarm bells started to ring in her head. "What do you know about Jake? How did you know about him? If anything happens to ....."

"Nothing has happened to him, at least not at the moment. It's to protect him and you that's why I contacted you. Now please enter the car."

"My job....."

"I have spoken to your boss, it's fine."

Chidindu looked hestitantly. It was ominous. Once inside the car, she will be in the control of those men and Gerald, whoever he is.

Yet Jake is in trouble. How can she forgive herself if something happened to him?

She found herself inside the car.

"Thank you....."

"Let's go straight to the point."

"As you wish. But first of all, have you noticed that Jake is special?"

"Obviously, he is special. He is my first and only child."

He smiled. "So typical of mothers. But I meant in other ways."

She frowned. Of course he was different! His eyes, growth spurt, his sheet strength at times.

"His eyes. They are red like yours."

"True. Have you heard of vampires?"

"Vampires? Like the ones in Underworld and Blade?"

"Yes." He smiled.

"Those are just movies. What concerns Jake with them?"

"Well, those are movies but vamps are real. I am one for example."

Chidindu couldn't suppress a laughter. "Please, if you are a vampire then I am the queen of England."

He didn't return the laughter. "I am serious." His upper teeth suddenly became longer. His canine teeth only.

Chidindu was transfixed. It's a lie!

"Why, why didn't you....."

"Bite you? I had the desire, true. Many times I would have sucked you dry. But that day, I resisted. Chidindu, you may not believe it but it was my love for you that stopped me from harming you."

"So Jake is a vampire too?"

"Something like that. He is half vampire, half human."

"Why?"

"Because unlike other vampires that were born as vampires or infected by a vampire, he was born of a human being. The truth is that it was a freak of nature that Jake was born alive. He should have died in the womb."

"No, it was a miracle."

"We don't believe in miracles. Anyway, he has kept surviving, to my amazement. If he had died any time earlier, we won't have met. I would have continued my life and you yours. But now he is coming of age and we need to act."

"Coming of age? What do you mean?"

"Jake is approaching manhood. He will start to exhibit vampire tendencies. Already he has almost killed a class mate with his power, though that was not his fault. Now the High Council has asked for his arrest and will soon capture him. What happens next is not sure, but I can prevent him from dying. However I need your help. So can you trust me, Chidindu?"

She looked at him.

"I can't lose Jake. If you are lying...."

"I am not."

"Then I will come. For Jake."

CHAPTER ONE

"PASS THE BALL, JAKE!"

Jake quickly accessed his options. The youngest member of his class team was running out of time. Chukwudi was his best option, his speed could do wonders. But he was tightly marked. He then saw the opposition goalie was off his line.

Like a flash, he took a powerful shot that managed to beat the two players coming towards him.

The ball beat everyone and nestled inside the net.

"OH MY WORD! OKAFOR JAKE HAS SCORED A MIRACLE."

Jake ran all the way to where Chinaza stood, beaming a smile as he picked a flower and dropped it on her feet. The shy maiden( she is a little girl) blushed in different shades of black before his teammates picked him up.

He could hear the screams of "Jake! Jake!!" from the crowd as he was lifted up and dragged back into the pitch in celebrations. The SS3 students were rather furious though.

Soon enough, the match ended, causing the whole junior class to burst into the field, holding and lifting Jake up. Jake could feel their joy and hands, struggling to touch every inch of his small body. He could also smell their skin; the little rich girls and boys with a thousand fragrances, the sweat and dirt from his teammates and the general mundane smell of boys in their early teens. He could also smell their hunger and more weirdly something awkward and emotional, like some of them wanted to kiss him and do more. He felt a strong thirst for water and something else.


Quickly, he forced himself down and ran to the class for some water.

"Jake! Jake!!" Chukwudi came running after him. "How can you run so fast?"

He gulped the water. " No, you are too slow. You must be very tired." He could smell Chukwudi's blood. The thirst increased a notch.

"You get mind o! See as you chip Senior Imoh!"

"Mschew! He made it easy for me jare!"

"That's true, be careful. Senior Lateef and Senior Immaculate said that they will beat you and rape your nyansh."

He eyed Chukwudi warily. " For what? Are you sure they said it?"

"Yes. They were very angry that you scored them from that distance. Biodun was angry too: he claimed that you are showing off."

He hissed heavily. He realized that he wanted to hug Chukwudi.

Hug and bite him down.

"That's their problem. I am going home."

"Not before you take your award." Principal Adewunmi spoke. " We are waiting for you."

He dropped the water and walked back to the school pitch.

" THATS THE MAN OF THE HOUR, OKAFOR EMMANUEL JAKE! HIS WONDER GOAL FROM HIS OWN HALF WAS....."

"Can't Marcus shut up about the goal?"

"It's like you don't know how difficult that skill is. Besides he bet against Senior Lateef that we will win."

"How much?"

"#5000. He also bet another #10,000 that you will score against them."

"From Senior Lateef?"

"No, Senior Immaculate."

He smiled. Typical Marcus. "He has collected his money?"

"Yes. He wants to carry Chinaza out."

The smile was wiped out instantly. Chukwudi noticed.

"She has left the school anyways. See, that's your award."

Jake smiled as he held his award as the best player up, taking pictures everywhere and with almost everyone. Marcus tried to coax an interview from him but he refused, claiming that he was tired. He was tired but not due to the game; he was just beseiged by many things running through his mind.

Including that smell of blood.

He got to the class and kept his award, then changed his dress and left. Thank God today was exclusively reserved for football, he couldn't concentrate on anything else.

He walked down the quiet sandy road that connected Glory International with hustle of Lagos. He couldn't afford to walk through the main road, many people will beseige him with compliments and questions. The last thing he needs is ignorant and excited boys and girls asking him various petty questions. Some of those girls wanted more.


He wondered why they wanted him; the girls that is. He was a fair guy to look upon, but Senior Imoh is a fairer guy still and Senior Ovie is the most handsome boy in the school. Marcus is rich and cute, Chukwudi is popular. There are more qualified people for those hungry girls to have a romp with rather than him. I need to ask Mum about this.

He smelled them first before they appeared on the horizon. Senior Lateef and Immaculate. Biodun was with them too. Is he that bitter?

"Come here, idiot!" Senior Lateef boomed out, his muscular hands ordering him.

"I don't want trouble."

"[/i] "I don't want trouble.[i] See as he is talking. Senior Immaculate's tiny voice came through.

He ignored both of them. "Biodun, what did I do to you? Are you so bitter that you want to join them to rape me, a 9 year old boy?"

Biodun hissed. "Mr ITK. Are you suppose to be in our class sef? With your age, you are suppose to be writing common entrance, not junior WAEC. JSS 3 is not your level."

"Yet I am always scoring better than you. Is this jealousy I smell or fear?"

"Are you mad! Lateef slapped him. "I dey call you and you dey follow person talk. Immaculate remove his trousers, make we see the tiny prick him carry."

"Leave me alone!"

[/i]" Leave me alone!"[i] "Who you think you be?"

Jake could smell Senior Lateef's blood, mixed with garlic and some alcohol. His heart beat was ramping up.

"STOP!"

He heard Biodun's voice.

"What did you say?" Senior Immaculate was threatening.

"I,I don't want us to rape him na. You said that...."

"Shut up there, idiot!"

"Immaculate, fu#k that boy make I do this one!"

Jake couldn't take it anymore and as if on cue, he threw Lateef to the ground.

"Biodun run!" He didn't need to tell Biodun anything as he knocked Immaculate to the floor.

That was very fast. Too fast. He smelled Lateef stand up and raise a fist towards him.

Quickly, he turned and captured his arm then taking him down and twisting the arm. He then put the arm at him back and knelt on the back.

"So you want to rape me ba? You want to rape me like the other students you have raped before ba?" He ripped Lateef's trousers, the blood screaming at him. "Let me show you what it means to be raped!"

Lateef's eyes became boiled eggs. Boiled eggs with tears for stew. "Please, please don't rape me. I, I swear I won't touch you again."

"What about others? You will still touch them?"

"No, no, please."

He looked at Lateef and realized how small he is.

"Get up! Next time you try anything to any junior student, I will break those arms of yours and then I will dragged every junior you touched or raped to do their own back. DO YOU HEAR ME!?"

"YES, YES SIR!"

Jake released his arm and towards to face Immaculate only to notice that he was gone, leaving Biodun alone.

"Jake, Jake, please forgive me."

He looked at Biodun. "But why? Why do you hate me so much? Is it a crime to be intelligent?"

Biodun looked at him like someone had just cut his tongue off. Jake could smell fear from him. Fear and anger. That's not right, Biodun was certainly scared but not angry at him.

Jake turned just in a fraction of a second and caught the fist aimed at him. Senior Lateef again.


"Seems like you are stubborn." Jake was very angry and thirsty. This time it was blood he wanted.

"It's impossible, I was quiet...."

"Like a hurricane, hmm? You don't know anything." With that Jake twisted his hand, heard the crunch sound of bones cracking and the screams of agony from Lateef.

"Now get out!" He thrust Lateef out with a throw, sending the senior thirty meters behind.

[/i] Something is wrong with me![i] He quickly decided that he had to see his mother.

Jake started to run but as he ran he realized that everything else was in slow motion. [/i] What's happening to me?[i] Before he could answer, two men stopped him on the way.

"You are under arrest, Mr Jake for breaking sacred Legion rules."

Who are these geezers! " Who are you?"

They looked like Nigerians, yet their eyes were blue. Very blue.

"He knows us not."

"Doesn't matter. If you resist arrest, you will be subdued."

"Sub what? I think you have the wrong person."

Jake tried to run but suddenly found his legs unable to move. [/i] This are kidnappers!"[i]

"Don't try to cause a scene. We won't harm you......"

"But call my mum for a ransom." He managed to gain speed and run some meters before he was tackled and chained.

"You are an Imperious, I see. Lord Gladbach will be interested in you."

LarrySun:
Yes, sir.

Oga! Long time!

PROLOGUE

"Push!"

"Arghhhh!"

Chidindu screamed at the top of her lungs, sweat and blood working their way to her face. She couldn't have imagined that this is what she will face.

As she sucked in a breath of air to steady herself, she remembered how it started for her.

She was lonely and bored when she met him.

Gerald that is.

She swore that she never seen a finer man. His silvery hair which was cut combined well with his dark skin and fit, sturdy look. She moved and stroke a conversation with him.

Later that night, they had the most passionate sex she had gotten from a man. Chidindu was not worried, she had been taking birth control pills and knew her cycle permitted her to have sex without worrying about becoming pregnant.

"Push!!"

She heaved and pushed her inner walls one more time, yet the child refused to budge.

"We may have to do a Caserian on her." The head doctor said. [i] A Caserian?[i] She didn't want a Caserian surgery.

"Please sir, let's try again."

The man looked at her without pity. "You have lost a lot of blood, Madam. If we continue this way, we may lose you and the child."

As if the child heard what was been said, he started to claw his way out.

"Doctor, Doctor, I feel movement." She breathed in once more and pushed.

"I can see the child's head!" One of the nurses screamed as they scrambled to organize themselves.

As if on cue, the power supply went off.

"What the hell! Tell Lawrence to switch on the generator."

Chidindu remembered the first time she noticed something strange with her body. She was feeling nauseous and dizzy at the bank where she was a manager. She was about to take a leave when she fainted.

When she came to, she was in the hospital bed and was told that she was seven months pregnant.

The power came back quickly and not a time sooner.

A nurse quickly dashed and caught hold of the baby that was about to drop.

Shouts of Jesus and Allah reigned as the astonished staff looked at the baby for a few minutes, ignoring his bellowing cries. No child has delivered his or herself before in any hospital.

"Please bring him to me." Chidindu said softly.

The nurse, still dazed found it in herself to cut the umbilical cord and clean up the baby before giving him to Chidindu. As she held the baby, he stopped crying and sucked her thumb. She was reminded of Gerald once more: his smile. His conversation and knowledge. The way he filled her up when he thrust his pillar into her valley.

As the baby suckled on her finger, she looked at his eyes and smiled. He has the same eyes as Gerald; black with a dot of red in the middle.

Good evening everyone. I want to start another story but noticing the way the last story went, I will want to put down some ground rules first.

1). I hope to update thrice a week
2). If I don't update, it may because I have a lot on my plate or mind, am broke or data has finished. Please be patient
3). Nobody should copy or publish this story in any form.

Epilogue

The bells chimed. It was time.

Francis, resplendent in his uniform, walked towards the stage. The ceremonial oath of office was the most boring part of it all, but it had to be done.

He looked around. Most of the people there were strangers; foreign dignitaries and local officers and politicians, men of industry and commerce. All of them ready to see the new President.

He was soon done with the oath and was now the sworn President of the Federation of Nigeria.

He faced them but saw all the people he knew; Emmanuel, Eric, Marcus, Ksenga.........

He promised Ksenga that he will make things different and he will

So help him God.

The end.

"No!"

Francis rushed towards Emmanuel,who was grasping at air.

"Don't, don't talk. Take it easy."

"It's burning, Francis."

"Marcus, take him to the clinic. Now!" Emmanuel held his hand.

"Don't be too aggressive, Francis. There is nothing you can do."

"I can't allow you to die here." Francis removed the blade and flung it away while using his hands to heal him.

"It's hopeless." Onyeka whispered from his mind.

"I can't allow hi....."

"Don't waste your energy on me, Francis. From the very beginning, we have not been the best of friends. But I have been okay with that. I just wanted to be there for you, especially now."

"Why?"

"Don't you know? You are the greatest of them all."

Emmanuel suddenly become limp. Tears welled up on Francis face.

"The rat is dead, I was wondering......."

Francis suddenly flew towards Chaos, sending a punch that forced him towards the end of the room.

Straight to Ksenga holding the knife.

"No! How can it be?" Chaos looked stunned. "You were supposed to be dead."

"We die together, Colonel." Ksenga said as Chaos screamed, his facade falling off and melting into obilivion.

Francis walked towards Ksenga, who was on the floor.

"Ksenga! Ksenga!!"

"I can still see your face. Forgive me for everything, Francis. For betraying you, for planning all of these, even you getting the flash and been dragged to this mess."

"I don't understand. You ....."

"I told the Senator who to give the flash to if things went bad. It was not by accident that you got the flash. Everything...... Everything was done to bring you to this place by Colonel and I. But you changed it. You gave me hope, even though I betrayed it."

"Don't talk too much. You need....."

"Please don't waste your time on me, Francis. Just do me one favor."

"What's it?"

"Rule. Rule fairly and help this country heal. The Shivites....."

"Will be well taken care of."

Ksenga sighed. "I can rest now."

Francis closed his eyes. It was over.

Dragon HQ
03:00am.

Francis stood still, using his hands to create an invisible wall to block out Chaos fire. Despite the presence of Marcus, Emmanuel and the other guy, the one Onyeka told him to pick, this battle was not tilting to their favor.

"What's the plan?" Marcus asked. Francis looked grimly at the rest of the squad. The Dragon Core is almost dead.

"Can he create a diversion? We need to stab the monster with that knife."

"Will that kill him?"

"Yes, but we have to be quick. The more he stays here, the more powerful he becomes. Same with me and him." He pointed to Francis.

"You have been bled for a while, Sir."

"The name is Eric Anyanwu."

Francis smiled.

"Okay, Mr Eric! But you are not strong enough right now."

"With him, I am. The important thing is to send that blade into his body. We will distract him enough to cover your tracks."

Suddenly, Eric flew up to the ceiling and started towards Chaos.

"You think you can stop me, Zero?" He leaped to attack him. The impact of the jump sent cracks on the floor. He crashed into Zero, sending what was left of the ceiling tumbling down. Francis swerved away as he held Eric by the throat.

Francis twisted his hands and drew them back, somehow forcing Chaos towards him.

"It seems like we all get more powerful here." Chaos said, using his free hand to control the pull Francis was using. Eventually he released Zero and turned towards Francis. Zero quickly regained composure and landed a punch into Chaos ribs.

Chaos turned and kicked Zero to the edge of the room and turned to meet a huge ball of fire from Francis. He fell down with Francis following up with multiple punches, creating cracks beneath Chaos.

"You are more powerful than him,I grant that." Chaos lifted Francis and tossed him aside. "If your plan was to end my life with force, then you will fail."

"No. My plan was this." Francis took a bit of the skin covering Chaos and showed him. "Now we can finish you off."

"You and who"

Chaos suddenly turned and caught the knife in mid air.

"I knew you will try that, small rats!" He smiled before throwing it back at Emmanuel, instantly killing him.

Dragon HQ
02:45am

"Tell me, Emmanuel, why are we like this?"

"Like what?"

"Like this. We are a people divided. Igbos, Yorubas and Shivites with all the minor tribes always complaining of one thing or the other, fights and battles in different parts of the country, as if the meoter that destroyed the northern half of the country is not enough. Hate, directed at the Shivites."

Emmanuel sighed. "Well, that's because we never really give ourselves the chance to heal. Even before the meoter, when Fulani and Hausas we're distinctive and not jammed together as Shivites, there was still a lot of hatred and mistrust of them. Most likely it will continue to the next generation."

"But we can't allow that to happen. If I was the President, I will change things."

"You will die. You think people haven't tried? The powers that be won't allow such to happen. They benefit from the chaos."

"Then I will destroy them."

"Your naivety doesn't stop to amaze me. Anyways, first get a better job than to be an usher before thinking of changing the world."

Ksenga listened to the back and forth, wondering why he was here. Emmanuel then disappeared, leaving Francis behind.

He turned and faced Ksenga.

"I was going to change things. I really, sincerely, wanted a better country for everyone, including your Shivites. Why betray me?"

Ksenga felt his face drop. He had rested his hopes on Colonel Mohammed and now whoever that is won't fulfil anything.

"I am sorry. I am very sorry. I thought that hope was lost, that the only way to change things was to go with his plan. I never thought......"

"It doesn't matter. What matters now is that you have the chance to redeem yourself. The Scarlet knife is with you. Do what you have to do."

Dragon HQ
02:30am

The ground was cracking open,but Francis could not afford to bother. He had tried most things in his arsenal, carefully helped by the spirits but Chaos has proved to be too powerful. Most of the acolytes of the Dragon Core had fought and are now dead. Is this the end for him?

"You are still standing. I am impressed." Chaos spoke. "But that's going to end now."

He stretched out his hand and Francis found himself floating in the air, a tight grip on his throat.

"Now your reign ends."

He attempted to twist his neck, only to find himself falling flat on the ground

"What's happening? Why can't I finish you off?"

Francis staggered towards him, coughing. If he could stand him with the Blade of Helios, he would end the battle. Unfortunately, the battle was closer to Chaos than him.

As he drew near to Chaos, Chaos waved his hand, sending the ceiling falling towards Francis. He quickly ripped the debris apart, hurling some towards Chaos. The effect was like a grain of sand touching a full grown man on the chest.

"You still have some power, good. Now, take this."

Water suddenly gushed out of the cracks below, sending Francis back. He could see Chaos weaving his hands but couldn't make out what he was doing.

The water started turning cold and he realized that he was about to be frozen. Quickly he heated his immediate surroundings, using the hot water as a shield and moved slowly towards Chaos.

As he drew close, Chaos charged at him, using his right hand to choke him and his left to pin him down.

"Die! Die, you fool!"

Francis felt life leaving him as he tried in vain to drag the face of Chaos off.

Suddenly he saw two blasts and Chaos been knocked backwards, his right hand ripped off him.

"Finally he has arrived. We have been saved."

Dragon HQ
02:00am

"Wake up."
"Wake up!"
Ksenga raised his head in pain. Quickly he tried to feel the back of his head for blood but then stopped. This is not what he wore that morning.

"Why am I in clothes that are suited for ten year olds? My arms too, what's happening?"

"You are trapped in your subconscious, Ksenga."

He stood up quickly. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"I am your subconscious and you were forced in here by your friend and conspirator, Colonel Mohammed."

"Something is wrong with him. I have to stop whatever is happening. Let me out of here."

"I can't. You have to be ready to leave this place."
Ksenga looked around. The environment was distinctly Oshogbo, where he grew up.

"You took me back to when I was brought up?"

"Yes, yes. Maybe you can get ready for whatever you need to do here. It will remind you of what you forgot."

"What I ......" He cut his speech as he saw himself run from his previous house to a neighbor.

"He can't see you. Only you can see him."

"This, this is when I received my first kiss. Are these my memories?"

"Follow him and find out."

Ksenga ran towards the direction of the house. Soon he was in the living room.
"I wished that I will become the President of the country. I will ban people from employing Shivites as gatemen. I will make sure that anyone who disrespects us will suffer."

"Dreamer, I hear you." That was Oluchi, his first crush and his first love. "But that will be impossible."

"Why?" How face screwed up in anger.

"Ksenga, calm down na. Kis,kiss, my bubu!" She planted one kiss on his cheeks, pouring water on his face. Simple days. "See, I didn't say that in order to mock your tribe. I said that as the reality of things. How many Shivites are educated? How many care about education? Most of your kind just want to find cheap work, marry their kind and obey their leaders. Their leaders want it that way in order to control them."

She then faced Ksenga squarely. "If you really want to change things, then you must make education a priority for them, in fact for everyone in the country. If everyone is educated, prejudices and a lot of nonsense will end in this country."

"So if I got people educated, things will change?
"Yes. Even for the Shivites. After all, you are one and I can't help but like you."
His face beamed up. " You like me?"
She didn't answer. Instead she moved to kiss him straight on the lips.

Suddenly he was thrown out of that place and into the air, like a fantasy movie. He found himself facing someone back.

"Tell me Emmanuel, why are we like this?"

Dragon HQ
12:00am

"Wake up!"

Francis raised his eyes up painfully. They had been shut since that stab in the neck. His mind had been active all along.

"You are awake. Good. I want you to witness I obtaining the unattainable. With this I will change the face of this nation."

He noticed he was chained to the walls.

"Francis, it's a shame that you are here. After all, it's not up to a year since you were just serving as an usher. Time flies though and it's your fate that you are here. Wonder why you got that flash drive? Why Emmanuel saved you? That's because we have been watching you, grooming you for this moment....."

"Colonel, please spare him this talk, let's start the ceremony."

Colonel Mohammed turned towards Ksenga. "Don't interrupt me, young man."

"Ksenga, why?" Francis managed to ask.

"Oh, you are still rankled by the betrayal? Come on, you must have expected it. Those stupid voices in your head must have warned you but you thought you could change things, hmm. Well, here is your change!"

With that the Colonel walked towards a pool of burning lava. Francis also noticed the rocky nature of the room.

"Where am I?"

"You are at the Lake of Recognition. We have adjusted it to our needs."

"Ksenga, why do this? Why will you turn against me?"

Ksenga looked at him. "Don't take it personal, Francis. This is a result of a process years in the making. Even with your good intentions, I can't risk pitting all my eggs with you. This, this will change the country, tilt it to our favor."

" I have come to you, Elders of the Cores! For many years you have controlled the affairs of the Cores without merging them. Now, I present myself as a willing sacrifice to change that and bring glory to the Shivites! Accept my offering and make me a servant to the gods of chaos!"

The Colonel stepped into the Lake, chanting some incantations. The lava started to swerve and swirl around him, before engulfing him totally.


"AHHHHH!!! IT BURNS!!! IT'S BURNING ME!!!!!"

Ksenga rushed towards the place but was suddenly flung back, the black and scarlet knife falling from his hands.

Francis looked towards the lake, which had settled down. A figure stood in the middle of it.

Pick the knife now! He heard Oscar from his mind.

Pick the knife and break those damn chains!

Francis moved his eyes towards the knife. With a flicker of his eyes, the knife flew in the air and cut through the chains, bringing him crashing down. As he slowly stood up, he heard a maniac laughing.


"FINALLY! I AM INVINCIBLE! I WILL CHANGE.....AHHHHH!"

Ksenga woke up. " What's happening? Colonel?" He ran towards the man.

"Colonel is dead. I am Chaos and I am Alive!" He flung Ksenga towards the wall, almost killing him.

Francis stood up. "What's that?"

That is Chaos, my son. Onyeka spoke. We have been holding it off for years, since that meoter struck this country and devastated half of it. Now, it's only you that can cage it back. Only you.

The Unknown Island

07:45pm

Damn! Damn!!

Zero kept swearing as his body hung in the air, supported by two long chains, allowing his blood to drain into the big black earthenware pot. According to Colonel Mohammed, as long as his blood keeps dropping, the Colonel will increase in power.

Tears ran down his cheeks. The barbs in this chain were clinging tighter into his arm, forcing more blood. He was weeping for something else, however. He was weeping for himself, the betrayal and One.

When the Colonel explained his origins and claimed that it was the sole reason he existed in this world, he couldn't believe it. How can the sole reason for his existence be that? Just a pawn?

"Wake up! Wake up son of Anyawu!"

Those voices again.

"Why didn't you tell me everything before now? WHY HAVE YOU BEEN ABSENT ALL MY LIFE? WHY?"

"Because your blood was not yet activated." The voice spoke sadly. "We, the ancestors can't access your mind until your blood has been activated and powered!"

Zero tried to swing himself off the chain. The result was the same as the many other times; he failed to make any progress.

"Don't move too much. Rest and preserve your strength. This is not the end."

"Not the end? How is it not the end? I have been betrayed by the man I fought for to become a Lord, I have lost the man that I love due to the same Lord I served and my life liquid is slipping into that terrible pot. Tell me, how is it not the end?"

"It isn't. Listen."

"Don't try and......"

"Just listen."

Zero opened up his ears. Even though he was in the lowest level of the Island, he could hear noises; the sound of guns and lasers and the shrieks of people dying. Is there a battle above him?

"Eric Issac Anyanwu, Listen. Your time has come. Drop the mantle of Zero and rise as the Knight of Justice that you are meant to be. We have been waiting for this time."

Suddenly the door blewn open, it's pieces littering the whole room.

Some of his men walked in, bewildered.

"Sir?!"

"Commander?"

"Don't gawk at him, find a way to release him!"

Quickly they smashed the pot and then led the chains down, removing the barbs from his arm.

Zero was finally free. As some of his men stitched him up, he saw three men with the Dragon Core sigil with them.

"Who are you?"

"I am Marcus and he is Emmanuel. Our Lord asked us to pick you. We need you, Zero."

He stood up. "I am no longer Zero. I am Eric Issac Anyanwu and I intend to end whatever madness is happening now!"

Dragon HQ
08:00pm

"Wake up! Son of Anyawu, Wake up!"
"Betrayal brews her tea, sorcery fills her cup!"
"Darkness is about to cover you in her shroud!"

Francis jumped out of bed, panting.

"What's it?!"

"He asks whats it? The idiot!"
"You are about to be attacked, the moment is upon us!"
"Francis, we have been betrayed."

"Ksenga, is it?"
"Yes, but first we have to attack now. The Lion Core will be here anytime soon and it won't be for pleasantries."

Francis stretched his hand and pressed a red button.

An acolyte soon showed up.

"Call all my captains! Now!"

"To here, sir?"

"No, to the council chambers! Now!"

As the acolyte sped off, Francis wore his battle suit and prepared himself. This will be a long night.

He stormed into the council chambers, meeting Emmanuel and Marcus immediately.

"Where is Ksenga?"

"He seems to be delayed, My Lord."

"There is no time. I saw a vision of darkness and wrath unleashed on this Core and the country. We have to act."

"Act as in how, sir?"

"We are attacking the Lion Core, now!"

"But you said that........"

"There is not time for buts, Captain Emmanuel! Just follow orders!"

"At least may I know why we are attacking them?"

"The Lion Core has........"

A siren shattered the privacy of the council chambers.

A battle siren.

"We are under attack!"

Francie quickly moved out. Time has been lost.

Once out of the council chambers, he saw Ksenga.

"My Lord, I am......"

"No time for this, Ksenga! What's happening?"

"A portal opened from no where, flooding the building with water. We can't reach the armoury to prepare for anything."

"Where is this portal?"

"At the power station."

"AND YOU ARE HERE? DO YOU REALIZE THAT IF THAT IS SHUT DOWN, THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY IN THE CORE?"

Francis jumped out obstacles and acolytes, almost throwing one miles away. He did not need a crisis at the moment.

"There is nothing happening, young Lord!" Onyeka's voice crashed into his mind.

"It's a trick! You are been lied to!"

Francis stopped in his tracks. "You are lying to me. Why?"

Ksenga was shocked. "My Lord, I will never lie to you. The Power station is been fl......"

Francis pushed Ksenga just in time to save him from been hit by a laser. He moved in front and raised his hands, thrusting the assailants out of the way. Two more fighters jumped from behind him, Ksenga knocking one off with a kick and engaging the other in physical combat. Francis turned just in time to catch a flying rocket in the air and explode it, sucking in all the ballistic energy into him.

"How impressive! You are the first Lord who managed to absolve all the energy without been hurt."

"You are the one attacking the Cores?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, you won't be able to stop your Core from falling."

"You don't......" Francis suddenly felt clumsy. What's happening? He felt blood gush out of him and felt his neck. It was bleeding.

He turned to see Ksenga with strange knife, black with scarlet colors on it. He managed to hear one last statement from him before going unconscious

"You came too late, Francis."

The unknown Island.

09:00am

Zero entered the Island an hour ago and had requested to see Colonel Mohammed. He was successful, but the voices still lingered in his head.

"DON'T ALLOW HIM TO GET HOLD OF THE HORN! YOU MUST LEAVE HERE NOW!"

Nothing had prepared him for the hallucinations that occurred after he acquired the Horn. Even Al-Azim was surprised about the voices and his dreams.

"You really loved your friend, didn't you?" He asked, his face carving an empathic look. "You know I doubted your love for him and your resolve. Tell me, how did he die?"

Zero told him everything, his head replaying One jumping into the lava.

"Take this." He was given a blue liquid. "It will dull the pain and help you sleep better. You need to fulfil your mission. Tell Colonel Mohammed that I send my greetings. We have waited for so long."

"Who are you?"

"I am Al-Azim, your friend. I do know your Colonel, though I doubt he will remember me. My friend, that horn you hold now puts the world on a knife's edge. Quickly get it to Colonel Mohammed and he will know what to do about your dreams."

"You said the drink will....."

"Yes, yes. But it's not permanent, you see. You need to be fixed up and quickly before you run mad!"

That was the words Al-Azim told him and it was so. The dreams did not stop, even happening during the day.

Like now.

"WHY WASN'T HE BROUGHT TO ME IMMEDIATELY!"

He heard Colonel Mohammed sounding someone off. A flurry of feet opened the door.

"Colonel Mohammed will see you immediately!"

He held the Horn and walked straight to the conference room.

Colonel Mohammed stood at the end of it, with two strange men with him.

"Finally you have returned. What about One?"

"He is dead sir. Gone." Zero tried to sound official, but his emotions got the better of him.

"I am sorry about that, Zero. I know how you loved him. Is that the Horn?"

Zero went on one knee and presented the Horn of Distortion to him.

"The Horn of Distortion, such a rare artifact. You have done well for me, Zero! You should be rewarded."

Zero stood up. "Thank you sir."

He whistled."Shame that I have to do this to you."

"What...?" Zero could not asked the question before a punch took the wind off his lungs. His hand were bound quickly.

"What's happening? Colonel, Al-........"

"I am very sorry Zero, but you see, I need one more ingredient for the Horn to work. I need the blood of an Anyanwu. I did hope Ksenga will come with it, but since you have proved effective so quickly, I will have to take yours."

He looked at the two men. "Take him to the Dark Pools. We start tonight!"

OluwaGoverment:
Interesting story but please update more often abeg..

Thanks for your comment.

The reason why I have been struggling to update is because I am currently struggling as a person. Right now I have less than #1000 and I need to go to work throughout July. My situation is desperate and because of this, I have lost the verve to write. Please bear with me.


P.S. My issues have been sorted out, Praise God. I will resume with the updates as soon as possible

Dragon HQ

"Call me Emmanuel."

The young acolyte walked away, leaving Francis with his thoughts. He may have tried to shake the thought of a revolt off Ksenga, but he feared that it was not enough.

News had reached him about the fall of the Scorpion Core when he was done speaking to Ksenga. That news meant one thing: This revolt is bigger than he thought. He has to get ready.

"You waste time trying to negotiate with the traitor. Be off with his head, idiot!" He heard the rasp voice of Onyeka, reeking with anger.

"I have to give him a chance."

"What chance does a lion give a goat? Ksenga will rip your throat off once he has the chance."

"And take control of the Core? To what end?"

"To destroy us. To destroy our culture, our lives, to seize the land and change it's history. Can't you see this or are your eyes mere ornaments?"

"Onyeka, don't insult him,........."

"Don't lecture me Oscar!"

"Don't shush me!"

"Guys, guys please behave. If you all start speaking at once, I may become mad."


"Sir, Captain Emmanuel is around!"

Francis turned and dismissed the acolyte, leaving him and Emmanuel.

"Wow! You always seem faraway, Francis. Or should I call you Lord Francis?"

"In the presence of others, yes. But that's not why I called you."

"Why did you call me?"

"Emmanuel, when did you know about me? My abilities? Who I was? When did you know all these?"

"Why asking me this questions now? What's happening?"

"When I came with that flash, not knowing what to do, it's was you who took control and got me to safety, even giving up Sodiq in the process. Before that, you kept claiming that I was someone important, even though I was a broke man trying to make ends meet. So again, I have to ask you, when did you know this?"

"A lot time ago. I checked your family tree and did some other research. But why asking me now? Why all of these?"

Francis looked at him straight in the eye. "A storm is coming, Emmanuel and I need to know your loyalty."

Emmanuel looked shocked. " Come on, I am your sworn man. I will live and die to help you, save you if possible."

"Good. I need you to do something."

"What?"

"Spy on Ksenga and Marcus."

"What?! Wh......"

"Don't ask! You said that you will live and die for me if need be, do this!"

Emmanuel relaxer his face. "What am I suppose to look for?"

"Anything. Check the information they receive, who they talk to, what's gadgets Marcus is producing, anything! If you see any thing of interest, report to me as quick as possible."

"Fine. I will do this."

Francis shook his hand. "Thank you. You can go."

As Emmanuel walked away, Francis looked towards the monitors in front of him. "That's my roll of the dice."

Crimson forest

06:00am

Zero moved his head unconsciously. His vision was hazy and confused, yet he knew that he was safe, in a cave. How he got there, he did not know.

"Don't move. The poison is still strong in your veins."

"Who are you?"
"Your friend, Al-Azim."

He made to stand up, but he felt his hands burn.

"What part of 'don't move' don't you understand?"

Zero surrendered to the floor.

"What...happened....to....me?"

"Don't talk. You need to rest, so that my potion will work faster and better."

Zero slept off.

He found himself in the Cave, One jumping off the top to the lava below.

Then he found himself falling as well into the lava, hearing a single voice.

"YOU ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK!"
"WAKE UP! ERIC ISSAC, WAKE UP!"

"THEY NEED YOUR BLOOD!"

Zero woke up suddenly, blood spilling from his mouth.

"Easy, easy, my friend!" Al Azim cleaned the blood in his mouth, cleaned the wounds in legs and hands, changed his clothes.

"What happened?" His vision was now clear and he could see the Horn of Distortion on the floor, it's red and black colours shining brightly.

"Your horn is a rarity, even among the treasures of this desert. You were chased by King Cobras and their close kin, the King Vipers."

"Snakes or humans?"

"Snakes and humans both. For the crawlers stung you first, then the wild men that bear their name tied you up and dispossessed you of the Horn. If I had not passed by, you would have been dead.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. You have made a grave scarifice to get that Horn. Now you have to finish your journey."

Zero tried to stand up once again. He staggered about and fell again.

"You are still weak, even though the worst has passed. Rest and eat, then rest again. Tomorrow morning you can be on your way."

Zero nodded as Al-Azim served him some figs and a roasted pig, with a jar of water.