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Dragon HQ

07:00am

Ksenga looked out at the new recruits training and sighed. It has been a long and testing week for him. From creating liasions with other Cores to planning with Colonel Mohammed, it has really been a tough week.

But the biggest elephant in the room was Francis. The supposed Usher who is now more important than everything else. The flash he was guarding with his life has been discarded, forgotten. It's all about him.

"Your life is not yours alone." Francis words to him has been echoing in his mind. Not like he took his life lightly, after all that's what brought him into this dangerous game of taking over the Cores with the Colonel. But of recent he has been have second thoughts. What if the Colonel betrays him and takes absolute power? After all, for all of the noise about the Anyanwus been extinct, there are two of them in existence and one is with the Colonel, though he does not know of his true nature.

Then there is Francis, who claims that he wants to change everything. How possible is that? Francis is a bold one, he had to admit. His actions in the Eagle Core was very bold, though it was for the good of the Core. But can he do it? Can he change the way the Shivites are seen and treated? Even if he covenes a council, will he succeed?

Ksenga frowned, his mind thrusting itself from one option to another. To be fair, he does not want a war. A war is too bloody a thing to do.

He just has to wait to see what happens. In a few days time, it will be over.

Dragon HQ

09:00pm

"My Lord, Ksenga has returned."

Francis turned around to see the acolyte speaking to him.

"Bring him in."

Once the acolyte left, he walked towards a painting of Jesus and his twelve disciples at the last supper, observing it.

Ksenga entered and went on one knee.

"My Lord, I have returned."

"With good news I believe." Francis kept looking at the picture.

"Yes sir. Most of the other Cores are still behind us in abilities and tech. Their leaders seem oblivious of the attacks that has been happening."

"Until it falls on them. You know, I was at the Eagle Core today."

"I was told, my Lord. But why?"

"Those who told you should have said why."

"They did, my Lord. But interference in other Cores matters can be seen as a declaration of war."

"By whom, if I may ask?"

"By the offending party."

"Which will be me, of course. Only, I was there to stop a catastrophe. Tell me, Ksenga, why would someone target the strongest Cores?"

"Sir, these may be separate events."

"What events? I am only talking of one event."

"But you said someone was......"

"Targeting the strongest Cores, yes. The Lion Core has no Lord yet, the Dragon Core just gained a Lord and suddenly the Eagle, Scorpion and Hawk Cores lose their Lords. What does that make the Dragon Core?"

"Sir?"

"What does that make the Dragon Core?"

"An aggressor?"

"Exactly. Only that I have no interest in aggression at the moment." He turned to Ksenga. "Judas betrayed Jesus over thirty pieces of silver, right?"

Ksenga frowned." Why asking me about that, sir?"

"Just answer the f*cking question!" His eyes were bloodshot and fuming.

"Yes sir. I swear, I have no intention of betraying you."

Francis smiled, a smile of a maniac. "Good. Good! Remember Ksenga, your life is not yours alone. If we weather whatever is happening , with all the Lords alive and kicking, I plan to call a council of all the Lords."

"To do what, sir?"

"To reshape this country, giving every Shivite the chance to stand on the same grounds as every other tribe in this country. Your people can begin to be reintegrated with the rest of the country, changing history as we speak."

"But if things go wrong, even if your tribe gets to the top, other tribes will rise up and put your tribe down. When that happens, your tribe will be destroyed."

He touched his shoulder. "I know that things are tough. I know how much pressure must be on you to turn because of how things are. But I want to change it."

Ksenga nodded. "I will never betray you."

"Good. You can go."

Crimson forest
09:00pm

"Is this the place?"

Zero was uncertain. He remembered his vision enough to bring them here but this was not what he saw.

In his vision, the mountain entrance was lit with fire and lava, brighter than any artificial light he had seen. The surrounding area was alive and hot.

What was here was colder than ice.

"It is. Or is not. We won't find out without going in there." He walked cautiously towards the entrance, One following him steadily.

The entrance was eerily dark. Zero started to question what he saw when he saw One approach the cave.

"This cave is ancient. Look at this inscriptions."

Zero looked at the inscriptions One was observing. They were indeed ancient, looking like Babylonian or Assyrian rather than anything African.

"It's here." He was now confident of it. The vision he saw also showed him this cave.

He walked inside.

Once he reached the middle of the enveloping darkness, torches started to get lit up. He turned back to see One walking forward, astonished with the sudden light as he was. In front of him was a path with thick air steaming from it. At either part of the path was magma.

Zero and One walked to the end of the path.

"Where can we find the Horn?"

"WHAT DO YOU SEEK, YOUNG MEN?"

Zero turned around, looking for the person that spoke. One looked cautious.

"Who speaks?"

"WE ARE THE ONE AND THE MANY. THE BEGINNING AND THE END. WR ARE THE CAVE THAT DECIDES THE HEARTS AND DESTINIES OF MEN. WHAT DO YOU SEEK?"

"We seek the Horn of Distortion." One spoke.

"A BOLD ONE SPEAKS, BUT IS HE READY FOR THE PRICE?"

"We are ready!" Zero answered. They have come all this way, risked their lives and their love to make it this far. They cannot fail now.

"AN ULTIMATE GIFT DEMANDS AN ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. THRUST YOURSELF INTO THE LIQUID FIRE BENEATH YOU. THERE AND THEN YOU WILL GET THE HORN?"

"Are we going to die?"

"HAHAHAHA!!!! OF COURSE YOU WILL DIE! THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO THRUST THE MOST VALUABLE PERSON IN YOUR LIFE DOWN THE SEA OF FIRE BENEATH YOU!"

Zero looked at One and time froze.

He remembered how they first met, how he opened up to One and discovered their love for themselves. He remembered their struggles, how they fought to rise to become Zero and One.

He could not do it. Not this.

"Isn't there anything else I can give? Please!"

"DON'T DENY THE CAVE ITS DUE! IF YOU CAN'T DO IT, THEN LEAVE AND DON'T COME BACK!"

Zero moved towards the lava, imagining how hot it will be landing inside the heat. His suffering will not be much, if only he could push himself off this cliff.

"Zero, know this, I love you!"

He turned and saw One jumping into the fire.

"THE DEED IS DONE! NOW RECEIVE THE PRIZE!"

A blood red horn with gold and black marking was spar out by the lava.

The Horn of Distortion.

An injured Eagle Core member was forcing himself up when Francis and the Dragon Core came in.

"Easy, we are allies." He told the injured member. There was no response, just a silent breathing.

He turned to his squad members.

"Medics, treat him." He moved on, the rest of his Core following him.

"You do know that this won't be easy. The Eagle Core is one of the strongest Cores, so the assailants must be powerful enough to cause such damage."

Francis nodded and dodged as a bullet flew past them. He looked at the chaos.

The Eagle Core members who were in black and golden brown clothes were huddled near their Lord, a young sinewy man of about thirty years. They would be less than 50. Their enemies, in pure black, had surrounded them and was fighting fiercely. A few had stayed around their comrades, watching out for reinforcements.

They were the first to see them.

"Attack them!" Francis ordered and his squads flew into the scene, shooting and cutting down foes. Each squad member had two hand guns and a short silver blade, long enough to hack at enemies bodies but too short to be swords. Emmanuel was besides him, with the same weaponry.

Francis had a hand gun and a hand crossbow, specially fashioned. He did not need them at the moment.

"Emmanuel, follow me!" Quickly he moved round the assailants battling his Core members and went straight to those attacking the Eagle Core members.

His eyes shone golden and immediately fire sprouted from his eyes, engulfing the assailants. Shocked at the manner of attack, they broke and ran, Emmanuel shooting a few of them down while the rest stumbled and died.

That gave the Eagle Core some respite and they mounted a counter offensive, beating back the assailants and killing them in their numbers. Francis fired a few shots from his gun but he was mostly using his eyes to strangle them one after the other. One of of them was able to reach him but as he attempted to strike, Francis fired his crossbow at the armpit of the man, hanging the hand there while knocking him down with a quick kick.

Soon it was over, the Eagle Core sweeping up the mess that was present. Their Lord approached Francis.

"Who are you?"

The rest of the Dragon Core rallied round him, preparing for a strike. Francis raised his hand to ask for calm.

"I am Francis Anyanwu, the recent Lord of the Dragon Core."

The Eagle Core Lord and his members looked at him in surprise.

"We have heard that the Dragon Core has a new Lord but I did not imagine that we will meet like this."

"Nor I. I sent a diplomatic team to get ourselves introduced but then I received a report that you will be attacked, hence I am here."

The other Lord looked around. "We knew nothing of the attack until an hour ago. Someone had mare careful plans to eliminate us. Do you have any idea who that could be?"

Francis ignored the accusation in that tone. "No, but whoever it is, has guts and is highly connected. We need to be vigilant."

Francis wove his signs again and started to walk back to his clan. "Take care of yourself, Mr Dennis."

The bewildered Lord looked at him as he left, leaving Francis smirking.

09:00am

Dragon Core HQ

Francis looked at the new recruits training. From his vantage point, he could tell who was impressing their supervisors and who was not.

However his mind was on Ksenga. In as much as he was expecting a betrayal, he was hoping that he won't follow through. The last thing he wants was to eliminate all Shivites. That's what they were suggesting.

Even up til now.

"Your delay is going to cost you, young Lord!" Onyeka screamed in his mind. Since that day, they have been speaking to him in his mind and watching from his eyes, guests of his soul. The souls of the previous Anyanwus are loud and bold, so they will speak their mind.

"Maybe he wants to give them a chance..."

"Like you did, Dubem? What came out of that?"

"My time was different from his. We can't......"

"Another Core is going to fall, Francis! I see it now."

Francis looked at his two bodyguards, boys who were merely 15 years.

Shivites, both of them.

"Summon me Emmanuel and tell him to wait for me in the command center."

"Yes, my Lord."

As they walked away, he moved to the private quarters of the Dragon Lord. He needed the privacy.

"Where is this attack happening, Chika?"

"The Eagle Core. They will be lordless in eight minutes."

"Not if I stop it!"

"You can't go in there! As a Lord from an opposing Core, you will be suspected once you show up! Think, Francis think!"

"I AM THINKING, CHIKA!" He roared back. "I won't enter immediately, I will go in once the enemy has taken most of the Core out."

"Wise, but how will you enter? The Eagle Core is well guarded."

Francis thought for a minute. " There is a...."

"My Lord, Emmanuel is here!"

"Usher him in."

Once Emmanuel walked in, Francis faced him.

"I want three of our best squads ready within five minutes!"

"Yes sir! May I ask....."

"You will get to know when they arrive. Now go!"

Francis watched him walk away.

"You must not feel bad for answering him like that." Onyeka spoke. "You are now a Lord, Francis!"

He wore his battle gear and waited for them to show up.

As soon as they appeared, he spoke.

You know what has been happening in the other Cores, about their Lords been targeted and destroyed. So far the Lion and Scorpion Cores have lost their Lords. The Eagle Core is in danger of that as we speak."

He allowed the murmurs for a while. "Normally the Dragon Core should stay away from such business, however I can't allow such to continue anymore. As a Lord, I have to step in and stop these spate of killings before it's too late. We start now."

He walked down and started to weave some signs with his hands and fingers. Soon enough a portal opened and they saw the Eagle Core.

It was already under attack!

"Men of the Dragon Core! We go in there to protect the Eagle Core and destroy the plans of whoever started this. ARE YOU WITH ME?"

"YES SIR!"

"NOW LETS GO!" Francis said, running head first into the chaos.

Ksenga smiled.
"Hope it is safe here to discuss."

"Of course, brother." He pointed to a chair. "Sit."

Once Ksenga sat down, he faced him.

"What happened? The Dragon Core was supposed to he dead, not alive."

As Ksenga explained all that happened, his face developed a deep frown.

"Really? Did you have to keep him alive, Ksenga? Did you? Tell me, give me one good reason why he did not die once he stepped into your zone."

"That was because your people failed to retrieve that flash. Have you forgotten that if the flash was in your hands, we won't be discussing this? The plan was simple, kill the Senator and his PA, retrieve the flash and start the process of invading the Dragon Core. Once the Core fell, you would have no other Core standing in your way. Instead the tlash got to an Anyanwu, something I was not aware of until he was already a presence in the Core. Do you think I would be able to kill him then without any consequences?"

He pulled back. Ksenga was right about everything. But it was too late now.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Hoping I will get that from you. For now, I have to lay low with all my plans. I won't put it past those voices to point fingers at me."

"He has not started training on his abilities, right?"

"Yes. He is rather looking to establish the previous links to the other Cores."

"Good. Keep it that way. My plan is still in motion. Once I get the Horn of Distortion, I will be able to attack the Dragon Core. Then with your help, I can capture him and use his blood to merge the powers together. Then we will be on top, no matter who comes against us."

Ksenga nodded.

He held Ksenga on his head. "Victory is close at hand. Don't forget who we are. Don't forget what we have gone through, Ksenga!"

Ksenga stood up. "I won't. I have to be on my way, my team members must be looking for me."

The Colonel nodded and ushered him out of the conference room.

"We will work with the Dragon Core to establish order in the country." He patted Ksenga at the back. The other guy nodded and walked away, the door closing behind him.

Once he was gone, Colonel Mohammed sat down and looked at the monitors. Even though Ksenga was persuasive in his argument, he was not totally convinced of his loyalty. Ksenga may have other plans. He had to be careful.

Zero cannot come fast enough.

hotswagg12:
Guy this update is very short. After keeping us in silence for weeks. Please try and do better.

Am sorry for the length. A lot has been going on around me lately, so I have not been able to write as much as I would want to.


I will try and change and finish up soon

07:00am

The Unknown Island.

Colonel Mohammed looked at the monitors in front of him. It has been eight days since he sent Zero and One into the Crimson forest to get the Horn of Distortion and they were not back. He knew it was dangerous but he trusted Zero with everything.

I can't allow myself to be anxious. He told himself, remembering how he got here.

He was a Colonel in the army when Lord Zachariah picked him and brought him here as a warrior. Ten years it was.

Ten years of hiding in the shadows, studying the Cores, keeping his identity and his mission in vain. Now everything rides on Zero returning with that horn. It has to be Zero. One was a good servant, but Zero is key to his plans.

The buzzer came alive.

"My Lord, a contingent of the Dragon Core are here for diplomatic talks. Am I to allow them in?"

So he has started to move. The new Dragon Core Lord worried him. For a Dragon Lord to appear at this time was quite untimely. He needed to speed things up.

"Send them in. Bring their leader here."

A few minutes later, the head of the team was in front of him.

"Good day, Lord Mohammed. I am officer Ksenga of the Dragon Core. Nice to meet you."

Colonel Mohammed gave him a handshake.

"You are welcome." His monitors picked the presence of nano cameras. Spying huh?

"Let's meet inside the conference room, it's a lot more private there." Ksenga nodded as they walked into the room.

Once inside, Colonel Mohammed hugged him.

"Welcome, brother."

The place was dark.

Zero rubbed his eyes and tried to move. He felt someone's hands on him.

"Jesus!"
"Calm down, it's me."

He knew who it was with the voice.

"Where is the Oracle?"

"Gone. He said that we should rest here for a while. You need your strength to continue."

Zero turned around. "This place is dark. What's the time?"

"01:00am. We are safe though."

Zero moved away from One, feeling for the wall. Once he got it, he dragged himself there and sat down.

"So we are just to wait here until something comes to eat us?"

"The Oracle said that this place is safe. Nobody can locate here until we are ready to go."

"How can we be ready when the place is dark?"

He heard One move and then a light come up.
Rechargeable lamps.
He noticed the fireplace was cold like it had not been lit for years. Their clothes were dirty.

"We will need to bath and clean up."

"There is lake at the end of the hut."

"A hut with a lake? What is this place?"

One cocked his head. "I don't really know. But I believe it extra-terrestial. I am going to bath."

Zero followed him. As One said, at the end of the hut was a lake.

One removed his clothes and entered, Zero looking at his ass and dick as he swam across the lake.

"Come in!"

Zero hestitated. He remembered what the Oracle said. The price was heavy. If the price was One, will he be able to kill him?

"Eric?"

Zero turned to see One looking at him. He never called him by his name during missions.

"What's it?"

Zero said nothing but undressed and entered the lake.

"Eric, talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I am afraid, Dubem. Afraid of losing you. What if the price is you. Or me? Will you kill me for this mission?"

One walked towards him and held him from the back. "Shh. Always remember, I love you. I always do. Let's not think about that for now and enjoy today." He kissed him on the face and started to minister to him.

09:00pm
Crimson forest

"Are you sure we are in the right place?"

Zero looked around the hut. Cracks on the wall and rusting roofing told the story of the place; it was crumbling. Some red stuff like was likely blood was spilled on the floor and some marks were on the walls. There was a small fire in the middle. Zero did not know what to make of it.

"Yes. This is the place."

He looked at One uncertainly. One was the one with the map, he had studied it continuously and had even shown him. Yet his gut feeling was that this place was dangerous.

"You search for something?"

The voice filled the whole place. Zero turned around, searching for where the voice came from.

"It's the rabbit."

He made a mental note to check One's sanity. What rabbit? He then noticed his gaze and then followed it.

He saw the rabbit in front of the fire.

What's with this place and rabbits?

"You think the rabbit is the one that spoke?"

"You expect something else?" The mouth moved, filling the room once again with it's voice.

Zero was shocked but One quickly went on one knee.

" Great Oracle, we have come seeking for knowledge and information."

"Ah, one is in doubt while the other walks with faith. Bring your finger."

One made to stretch his finger but Zero dragged him back.

"Let me do this."

Zero moved his right hand towards the rabbit, going on his knees before giving the rabbit his index finger.

The rabbit took the finger and bit it, sucking the blood.

Zero almost pulled back, but One's face gave him courage. He started to feel dizzy and suddenly started seeing pictures of different places, including a huge mountain.

"Zero!"

He suddenly snapped out of his vision and noticed One was holding his body. He did not see the rabbit. Instead, it was an old, stunted dwarf.

"What you seek is very dangerous and quite precious, so naturally I took my price."

"Would he be alright?" One asked, dragging him up. Zero tried to reply, but he sounded like he was speaking gibberish.

"He will recover. However, the price for what you look for is very high. Can you pay?"

"You know what we are looking for?"

"I thought I implied that. Yes, I do know that you seek the Horn of Distortion. More than that, I have shown him where it is. It is left to you." He moved towards One.

"One, don't....." Zero started to see triple before he fell, slipping into oblivion.

He was still smiling when Francis walked towards him.

"Ksenga, follow me."

The abruptness of his summons surprised him. Have I been found out? He hurriedly wiped the smirk off his face. Trouble may be brewing.

Francis walked out of the building and into the field. Watching as servants watered plants and groomed the garden facing his apartment. He sat on a bench and beckoned Ksenga to do the same.

Ksenga sat there, expecting an accusation. Instead, Francis kept watching the servants for an hour.

Then he turned towards him.

"Do you know why I am now a Lord?"

Ksenga did not reply but he was tempted to say that he was lucky. His blood brought him here.

"Things are beginning to heat up around the Cores. It's not only the Lion Core that has lost it's Lord."

He has heard already? Ksenga had received the reports early that morning and had told the messanger to keep it to himself. How did he get to know?

" I saw the coup in my dreams and the next morning I intercepted a message bringing the news to you. Someone is shaking things up everywhere. War may break out, both among the Cores and in the country. Your people may be in danger."

" The Shivites?" How did he know where I came from. Oh, he would have my data book.

"Mistrust is a dangerous weapon, Ksenga. Emmanuel once told me that the Lords ended the second civil war. I don't want a third, but if a war is to start, I want it to end as soon as possible and I want us to win. Do you understand the gravity of your mission?"

He nodded.

"Remember, we are to act friendly. Some of these Cores will want to snoop around to know more about us. Give them as much as possible, without exposing us. Then use your squad to find out what and what they have."

He stood up. " I have instructed Marcus to give your squad some nano-cams to help you in your mission. They can be left behind for us to find out what is happening." He shook Ksenga and dragged him up, drawing him to himself.

"I am trusting you to deliver, Ksenga. Don't fail me."

He quickly wore his uniform and walked out.

The auditorium of the Dragon core was foreboding, with it's black paint looking like it was scorched by dragon's breath. Despite that, it was always cold.

As it was now.

Everyone was seated, including Francis. Instead of his novice clothes, Francis was decked with the splendor accustomed to a Lord: Red on black attire with golden chain attached to the top of the shirt. On his head was the better with the star signifying his rank. Same star was on his right breast pocket.

"I called you all to talk about the arrangements for my induction. I have heard that the Lion Core Lord was killed in his hall a few days back." He paused, looking at him. "I don't intend on that happening here, therefore I plan to make changes."

"Alfred, you will be in charge of the recruitment of squads from now on." A gruff man nodded in agreement. "Marcus, I have been told that you are the best in creating new tech in this Core and maybe throughout the whole Cores. I need an upgrade to what we have in the armory."

He faced Ksenga squarely. " Ksenga, you are the most recognizable figure in this Core. I need you to meet with other Core Lords and the leader of the Lion Core. You will meet them on the pretext of reestablishing diplomatic relations."

"What will be my true mission?"

"Find out about their military strength and weaponry. I need not to tell you that you must be subtle about it. I leave the details to you."

"Emmanuel, you will be in charge of my personal guard."

He stood up. "Dismissed, everyone!"

As Ksenga stepped out of the auditorium, he smiled. Francis has given him the chance he needs.

05:00pm

A room in the Dragon hall.

Damn!

Ksenga paced up and down the place. How could this happen, how could he have allowed this?

He remembered the sight, Francis drenched in water, eyes smoking out red and body giving off steam. His slightly frail body gone, now imbued with a more physical and powerful body. Everyone, including him having to bow down to him while the Lake kept changing colors.

" He was not suppose to be there!" He screamed at the frightened guards. He wanted to kill them, send them to the underworld quickly.

Francis stopped at that, using a cackle of his tongue to halt any move he wanted to make before diplomatically asking him to forgive them.

Francis is now a Lord and Good heavens, almost a god! It was not suppose to be like this!

His plan was to keep Francis in there for the time being until he could extract his essence: hair, blood and skin in order to start the preparations for the ritual that he planned. Once Mohammed got the horn of distortion, they could finish up and become the new Lords.

Emmanuel threw spanners into that by telling Francis of his heritage. Even at that, it could have been salvaged. He wanted to work him to the ground and one day kill him as part of a general hunting exercise. The assailant won't know who he is and will just apologize, something he would forgive easily. Or he could have just killed the man, making sure that there were no loose ends.

Now all that is inside the fire!

He had to make an excuse to get out of here and get to Mohammed.

"Sir, there is a meeting sir!"

He turned to see a junior officer behind him.

"Lord Francis wants all the squad leaders in the auditorium. Now!"

He felt like slapping the idiot. Commanding him that way. He could, but thought against it. Only God knows what Francis must have been told in that lake. Those old hags would have told him everything. Last thing he needs is Francis following him about.

"Go! I will be there."

The junior nodded and departed.

Please if you are following my story, use the comment section.

or at least give a like or two

Zero woke up with a start. Just like the other time, Al Azim was gone. One was grilling some meat.

"You are awake. Good. We have to move "

Zero quickly stood up and dusted himself up.

"Any spring here?"

"No, unfortunately. I do have a plan to get past the forest quickly but I will need your help."

"You do have my help and anything else. One, I am sorry for behaving that way previously."

"Accepted. Only don't take me for a fool again. I know the urgency we came with; I also know the dangers in this desert. There are a lot of unnatural creatures and plants here."

One stepped out and walked towards the forest.

"What's your plan?" Zero asked.

"Trust me. Here take." One passed him a big chunk of meat. Hold it but don't eat."

Zero held it gingerly, wondering what One was about to do with it.

As they got to the entrance of the forest, the snake came out of nowhere.

Zero moved away quickly but One stood at a spot. The snake ignored One and chased Zero.

"One, do something!" Zero shouted as the snake chased after him. One jumped on the snake and quickly brought out a stick.

"Drop the meat!"

Zero dropped the meat like hot coals and leaped away from it. He watched as One used a string to draw it towards the snake until it hung just above him.

One waved at him to hop at the back of the snake, which was trying to coil itself upwards.

Zero hesitated for a minute, then he ran towards One and climbed on the snake.

"This is our way through the forest." One said as he moved the stick towards the forest, the snake following through.

They passed through the vegetation of the forest quickly, with little time to observe the area. Zero could catch the scent of leaves and weird animals: monkeys, other smaller snakes, spiders and other creatures. All of them looking strange and different.

Soon enough, they were out of the forest. One jumped down the snake and flung the meat back to the forest. The snake chased the snake, dropping Zero.

"Sorry for the landing. Now we press forward."

Zero faced upwards and saw a snake charging down at him.

Like literally.

He quickly rolled out of his position, deftly landing on nearby branches and dodging twigs. He landed quickly but saw the snake raising it's head to strike. As he waited for his inevitable death, an arrow struck the eyes of the snake, causing it to coil in defence.

He turned and saw a man in the shadows.

"Do stand quickly and move before the snake recovers."

He recognized the voice but was too much in a haste to get away to ask questions. He followed the shadowed man and got to a cave.

In the cave, he met One over a brazier, cooking meat with the man; Al Azim.

"Why do you seek death so quickly, my friend?"

"It's none of your business." Zero fumed. He hated looking like a fool.

"Maybe I should just left you to be eaten, after all you will spend a week in it's stomach before you died. Maybe your friend would have rescued you."

"If I cared."

"If you cared?"

"Yes. After all, you did choose to go on your own. Did you care if I died?"

"One, that's not......"

"That's the truth! You rushed to your death like a fool. Do you think I don't know that we are working against time? What do you take me for? I know our mission and how important it is. I also knew what it means to be alive and be loved, something you seem to forget."

Zero felt truly sorry. He had been hasty about everything without looking at the bigger picture. Even if he got the horn, it was no use if he or One died.

"Am sorry."

"Good. Because we are moving tomorrow morning. Hope you still have the book?"

Zero searched for the book and found it in his back pocket. Opening it, he searched for the snake.

"That's the Karagoon you are looking for." Al Azim said, showing him the snake. "It is a huge and utterly wild snake, with it's skin as tough as iron. The only weak spot is it's eyes. That and acid it seems."

Zero was fascinated." You said that I would have been in it's belly....."

" For a week, yes. It digests most of it's victims for a week, slowly churning them while they are alive. Mind you the insides are as tough."

"You can only kill them by driving a stake to it's eye and holding it down. That way the snake can't coil around it's wound and you will be able to pin it down." One said.

Zero laid down. " We are safe here, I guess?"

"Yes. We are safe here. But tomorrow, you two will be on your way to the seer, yes?"

Zero nodded as One brought a chunk of meat.

"Dinner. Eat and sleep. Tomorrow, we may get a ride."

Larrysun
Ghostwritter
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Plus all my old fans.... I have forgotten your names but i cherish you guys.

Sorry that I have been out for long, a lot happened that affected me personally.
I am back fully and will try to update here from Monday to Friday because of personal circumstances. Thanks for understanding.

"Fine. I will be gone before you wake up. It is always profitable to start early here."

Zero walked towards the car and brought out two rechargeable lamps. "This is your price." He gave Al Azim. "Where is what you promised us?"

"Such haste for someone who would leave late." He brought out three small bottles. " These are the same ointment that I applied on you and your friend. Use them wisely."

He then brought out a small pile of papers. "This is my personal guide. It will be difficult to read but then I have this." He brought out a stash of little red books.

"You sell them?" Zero asked, looking surprised.

"Of course. Don't think you are the only ones that come here. Various people come here. Young couples looking for dangerous adventures, criminals looking for where to hide, government officials trying to reclaim land for the people, high class assasins working for their lords looking for relics." He eyed Zero in an uncomfortable manner. "Various people for various reasons. But they all need this book." He gave one to Zero. " Now our transaction is over, will you care for some meat?"

Zero wanted to reject his offer but his stomach rumbled loudly, betraying him.

"I take that as a yes." The man skinned the deer and walked into the cave with the lamp. Few minutes later, he came out with a brazier filled with hot coals.

"This is how we cook in this desert. This way, no troublesome creatures will show up." He started to roast the deer.

Zero was trying his hardest to stay awake but his eyes felt like they were lifting the world and soon he slept off.


It was bright and sunny when his eyes resumed their job. One was cleaning the ash of the deer.

"You are up, bright and shining." He planted a kiss on his head.

"I thought I will lose you."

"Well, am here and well. In fact stronger than I thought I ever was. Wonder what was rubbed?"

"His book will reveal.... Where is the book?"

"It's here." One came close to his chest and planted another kiss, this time on the lips.

"One, I don't want this. There is no..."

"But your dick says no. Come on, just a quickie."

Zero pushed him off. " Stop! Don't you realize that we are in the open?"

One stood up, almost angry. "Fine. You could as well clean up. There is a lake at the right side of the cave. Inside right I mean."

Zero stood up and noticed how clean One was. " How did you know?"

"Al Azim showed me. He showed me more than I ever thought I knew." He walked towards the cave.

"One, where are you going? Don't leave me alone...."

"Really?" One turned and Zero could see tears in his eyes. Of hurt or anger he could not tell. "Go bathe. You don't need me for that anyway."

Zero wanted to hug him there and then, but he knew that there was no time. He stood up and walked deep into the cave.

The cave was deeper than he thought. He managed to find where the hot coals we're from and soon came to the lake.


Twenty minutes later he came out, feeling refreshed and clean. One was already packing up.

"You are already set?"

One gave him a loathing look. "We don't have time, right? Let's be fast and get this done with."

Zero dressed up and caught up with One, who was already out of the cave.

The desert continued seamlessly although it was broken by a few signs of life: a groove here, a pool of water there. There was also mirages everywhere.

We could be here for a year and still make no headway. Zero thought. He watched as One kept reading the book and observing the area. He is hurt and angry. I should know that by now.

"We are supposed to find the Grand Seer at the pass of Hara Dur."

"Which is......?"

"Far from here." He stopped so that Zero will catch up with him. "See? We are here and the seer is there. We have to pass a forest and a waterfall before we get to this valley. Then we turned left and meet the seer."

"Did Al Azim tell you this?"

"He told me to tell you. He also claimed that you will reject me and make me regret knowing you."

"So that's what your sexual move was about?" Zero was rolling his eyes. "I never thought you....."

"It does not matter. We have to get to that cave by nightfall. I won't want to be visited by snakes."

"We don't have time! Are you forgetting we are on a schedule? The Dragon Core......"

"Can wait all they want!" One threw the book at him. "Take it and go. I wouldn't stop you from your death!"

Zero tried to hold One but he had stormed off, not looking at him. Great! Now I am alone.

He quickly took the book and picked up the pace. If it took him to enter a forest and a waterfall, then he better hurry up.

Soon enough, the forest appeared before him, it's luxurious green leaves an unsolved puzzle. Zero tore off a chunk of meat that One had shared and walked more hopefully, chewing up the meat.

By the time he got to the forest, he was too tired to do anything. He found a strong tree and climbed on a branch, preparing to sleep.

A hissing sound cut that plan from his mind.

Zero scanned around for One and found him on the floor,wringing in pain. The stranger moved towards him.

"Don't touch him!"

"Fine. But he would die if I don't get to him now."

Zero eyed the man. With his previous experience in the desert, he could not trust anyone. But One seemed to be in trouble.

"Fine. But if I notice anything dubious......."

"You can kill me and watch your friend die."

The man moved towards One and undid his clothes. Zero watched as he brought out an ointment and rubbed in the areas where One was bleeding.

"What was that thing that attacked us?"

"Those are the Beserker rabbits. "

"Beserker what?"

"Rabbits. At least that is what we call them. Your friend could have died of a thousand bites and infections if i did not arrive."

Zero watched as One stopped wringing and started to breathe easily.

"But he is safe now."

"Oh yes, he is safe. But I will advise that next time, you get a fluorescent lamp rather than fires. Fires attract all sorts of creatures."

Zero stood up. The rain had stopped.

"You also need treatment. For your leg." He moved towards Zero and applied the ointment.

"What is in that?"

"This? Its a combination of strange herbs found only in this desert. It is a real blessing. "

"Those rabbits....."

"Live deep inside the cave and were attracted by your fire. They can be quite delicious if caught and killed but otherwise, they can kill you. Smoke is good in driving them away."

He brought out his knife. "Now i have to eat my dinner. " He walked towards a sack and opened it, bringing out a two headed deer.

Zero was curious. "Are all the creatures so malformed?"

Al Azim smiled. "You new here? There is no normal person in the desert. Even humans that live here are a tad different. But its still habitable. "

"Really?"

"Yes. Don't be fooled by its reputation. There are a few places where you can get drinking water as pure as anything in the cities. Game and herbs are always available to cook, so what else? The dangers though are many. What brings you here?"

Zero eyed him. How can he trust this stranger?

"We came looking for some artifacts."

"Oh, archeologists! But you look like fighters not people concerned about the past. Anyways, if I don't know what you are looking for, I can't help."

"We will find it on our own. Thank you for your offer."

"I see. Good luck then. But I will be sure that you will return back here soon. It is difficult to find rare objects here, especially those of divination. If you need any help, you can always ask me."

"Will it be too much to ask for a map?"

Zero turned and found One sitting up.

"How do you feel?"

"Like a thousand needles operating on my body. Who is he?"

"You still need rest, my friend. The ointment is still weaving its magic in you. And yes, I can give you a map but I have my price."

Zero eyed him again.

"What's your price?"

"A rechargeable lamp."

"Thats all?"

"Yes, thats all. I can charge for more, but you guys will need all the help you can get."

"I won't mind some of this medicine as well."

"One,rest!"

"He isn't wrong. You will need a few things as well, knowledge on what to avoid and what to eat, the creatures in this area and so on."

"We have one here." Zero drew out a guide he had brought.

"Then why didn't you know about the rabbits?" He cocked his head. "That guide is outdated, you see. Things change very rapidly here and a place that was once safe can become a death trap in hours."

"So what are you taking for your knowledge?"

"Actually, nothing. I have too much here already. When will you be leaving?"

"Tomorrow. As soon as possible."

Creeping out of the shadows,eyeing Zero with red, malicious eyes was a rabbit.

A cute little rabbit.

"Awwn! What is such a creature doing here?" One said while cocking his gun.

"Don't be stupid, One! This is no mere rabbit."

"I know. We can't advance carelessly. I say we stand where we are and keep watching it."

"No. Whatever it is, its not friendly. The sooner we get rid of it, the better."

"What if we are in its house?"

"It dies then."


They began to advance towards the rabbit cautiously, watching it for any sign of trouble.

Once they were close enough to catch the rabbit, it made an ear piercing scream.

From the depths of the cave, rabbits started to pour out. Hundreds of them.

"Zero, lets get out of here!"

Zero quickly retreated and entered into the car, starting it. One was not so lucky, as he was forced to shoot off a few rabbits tearing through his clothes.

"One, lets go!"

Zero attempted to move the car, but the ground was muddy, therefore the car was stuck.

Zero tried to move out, but the rabbits were fast and were already tearing through the door of the car, chewing the glass like it was a piece of paper.

"Jesus!"


Zero began to shoot wildly,then from no where, a thick smoke came into the cave. The rabbits quickly fled, leaving Zero and One alone.

"One! One!!"

Zero broke the car door and came out, coughing and using his hands to search blindly for One.

"Don't panic, am here."

Zero looked up and beyond the smoke and saw One with a smoke bomb.

"Nice thinking. How bad is your injur......"

He looked at the person again. This is not One.

"Who are you?"

"I am Ali Azim and I am the owner of the cave you are staying."