'Dike! Dike!!' Muno called out frantically. 'Over here Angel', Dike responded, 'still trapped in our fancy ride; can't thank my co-travellers enough, their Blood Scent hid mine from those freakish creatures.'
Muno took a long look at the surrounding carnage... Headless bodies littered the deserted street and adjoining street corners, the decapitated bodies of the 'Slain' offered a grisly sight. The burning cars and buildings told the tale of an apocalyptic event.
Muno gestured towards the smoking rooftop on which the 'Bogs of Hell' converged.
'Not to worry about them,' Dike said, 'the residents of Victoria Island are no longer strangers to paranormal events. The "Fallen" do not seek discretion nor concealment, they desire to inspire fear... Perhaps they reckon they have been in the shadows too long.'
Muno stared angrily in the direction Dike was holed up. 'Shut up kid!' He yelled, 'How do you know so much about the "Fallen"?' Muno moved quickly towards the damaged remains of his Transport, which did a good job of providing refuge for Dike in the heat of battle.
'Are there any survivors besides you?' Muno yapped at Dike.
'They are all fine. I put them in a deep sleep, that way I could hide under their scent.'
Astounded by this mysterious lad, Muno muttered, 'You and I have got many a conversation to make', as he began to tear open exit points on the bus.
He reached out to Dike and pulled him from underneath the pile of bodies he lay under. 'Now awaken our travel companions.' Muno said.
'I wouldn't dare, not with your menacing semi-celestial state bearing down on them. Haven't they had a scare too many today?' Dike retorted, 'Could you look more earthly, while I get to work?'
Only then did Muno realize he was still in semi-angelic battle mode. 'I'd be around the corner; you need me in celestial form if you want to outlive the night.'
Dike was a boy of many gifts. He knew he was special, the entire gamut of his potential he was yet to discover.
Up until he was the subject of an intense manhunt by supernatural beings, he only knew he was a 'Deep'-a nomenclature for 'Offsprings of the Fallen' with mind reading and control abilities.
However, on this night of supernatural infamy, as he sought an escape from the supernatural bounty hunters unleashed against him: He discovered he could move objects with his mind.
So, to create a distraction and cover for his Blood Scent, he compelled a truck to ram into his Transport-the dingy bus of Muno's awakening.
And with his mind control ability, he put his co-travellers in a deep sleep, so he could isolate Muno for a conversation and hide under a pile of bodies when the 'going got rough'.
He was amazed at his unfolding abilities...
With a clap of hands and mind fixated on their reawakening, he roused the occupants of his Transport.
Screams of fright filled the night, as one by one, Muno's co-travellers awakened. Dike pointed them in the direction of a vacant bus, free from any sort of traffic encumbrance.
No questions were asked as to how Dike emerged a navigator and saviour on such a creepy night. Everyone was desperate to escape to safety.
'Angel! You can quit spying on me now, our travel companions are off to safety.'
Muno stepped out of the shadows, 'Where on Earth is considered safe in these dark times?' Muno asked, 'If I had my wings, I'd fly you up to my favourite star for safekeeping...'
'I know of a safe house on the outskirts of Lagos; yes, you are in Lagos, Victoria Island precisely. I was on my way there, until this ghastly interruption. We'd find people like us---sorry people like me... You are not human, are you?' Dike asked.
'No way am I getting myself bogged in a hole with people who yap half as much as you do. Can you allow me some silence to think?' The frown on Muno's face revealed his growing irritation.
'When you say people like you, do you mean "Offsprings of the Fallen"?' Muno asked with urgency.
'Well, yes--no... Ehm...' Dike struggled for words.
'Speak up boy, I haven't got time for this', Muno was clearly agitated now.
'Please Angel Muno, do not hurt them. They may be "Offsprings of the Fallen", but not all Offsprings are evil; in that sense, they are like me.' Dike made a passionate appeal.
'I and my friends in Safe House 306 are part of the resistance to the operations of the "Fallen", which have spiked tremendously in the last couple of months. Kill them and you very well have killed me...'
'Kill them?' Muno asked wryly, 'Who said anything about killing anybody? In fact, I can't wait to give you all a hug. This is the best piece of news I have received since I arrived your world. Thank you, CREATOR, I know you are behind this...'
'Hmmm.' Dike tugged on Muno's armour, 'Regarding the hug, could I get mine now, I am no fan of group hugs.'
A childish grin broke across Muno's face as he opened himself up for an embrace. 'Careful, my blades are deadly sharp.'
Dike snuggled up to him and asked. 'Have you got some sort of celestial Transport to take us to Safe House 306? I noticed you have no wings, perhaps you could ask the CREATOR to make your burden lighter, by providing some Transport...'
'Can you quit yapping?!' Muno cut in, as he pulled away from Dike's hug. 'The CREATOR has shown me great mercy by availing me a chance at redemption after my failings.
'I am the reason for this carnage you just survived; my failure let loose the Beguiler and his "Fallen" upon humanity and only I can restore order.
'I must stop the Beguiler and his minions with the resources at my disposal or die trying. Never mention "burden" and the CREATOR in the same breath again!' Muno railed at Dike.
Muno continued to speak 'I reckon I can attain a four hundred feet vertical and horizontal leap, with these gorgeous legs the CREATOR graciously provided me. I'd have to have you strapped to my back. It's going to be a bumpy ride.'
That said, Muno unfastened a giant leather backpack attached to his torso armour, from where he pulled out and adorned his forearm armour and gauntlet-to provide sheathing for his blades.
'My backpack is big enough for three mortals your size; strap in.' Muno got down on one knee and beckoned on Dike to mount his back.
'Wow! This is so cosy. Dude you've got some cool tools.' I like that I still get to have a good view of my surround.' Dike chimed, as he made himself comfortable in Muno's giant leather backpack.
'Buckle up, here we go', Muno arced his back and took a giant leap into the night sky. He travelled several hundred feet in the air and then, springboarded from atop a high-rise over several rooftops.
Dike found his Transport really comfortable; he expected a bumpy flight, but so far, tucked in Muno's comfy backpack, he could manage a light sleep.
Muno stood well over six feet, his broad shoulders provided a sturdy carriage for his backpack. Strapped against his huge frame, Dike appeared like a fledgling adolescent.
'Dike, keep your eyes peeled, or I'd treat you to a cold water splash. I need some directions.' Muno teased as he began to glide through the air. Excited by his new-found way of flying without wings, Muno engaged Dike in a chatter...
'There's no telling what this suit of armour can do. No wings, no problem. I just discovered that with a few good leaps, I can glide on air. I may not enjoy the altitude, speed and manoeuvrability my wings confer, but this gets the job done anyways... Dike! Dike!!'
'Are we there yet?' Dike awakened to Muno's barks. 'Not had a good nap for days, do forgive me. You were saying?'
Muno snarled at Dike, 'I have lost the mood.'
'Are we flying?' Dike asked. 'I thought you couldn't fly without your wings? You are full of surprises.'
'Dike, could you be kind enough to point us in the right direction?' Muno quizzed.
'Of course sir, you'd need to fly lower, so I can identify landmarks... Look out for Otta Rail Terminal; from this altitude, it can be identified by a cluster of buildings with parapets illuminated with an array of bright red lights.' Answered Dike excitedly.
The next ten minutes were travelled in silence until Muno spotted a cluster of red-lighted parapets. 'There, I guess that's the train station. What's next?' He asked.
'We disembark and negotiate the rest of the journey on foot. We are looking for an abandoned sewer or sewerage system underneath the station. I was told its manhole cover would reveal itself to me.' Dike lightheartedly responded.
Muno wide-eyed in disbelief, whimpered. 'Goodness me... Are we supposed to be looking for Safe House 306? I thought you were its gatekeeper. You never cease to amaze; first, you talk about your friends in Safe House 306, like you were roommates and now you have no idea where the safe house is.'
'Calm down Muno. Can I call you that?' Dike spoke calmly.
'Call me whatever you like, I just hope you know what you are doing.' Muno retorted resignedly.
'Over there! It has got to be it; that spot seems to be calling out to me.' Pointing toward some rather dense underbrush a good distance from the rail tracks, Dike moved swiftly towards the location.
'Who goes there? Stop! Turn around slowly! Ahmed!! Alert the others, we've got thieves in the premises.' Bright lights and the excited barks of dogs closed in on Muno and Dike.
'Put them to sleep, Dike. What are you waiting for?' Muno whispered.
'I need to make physical contact with at least one of the guards to do that.' Dike replied.
'I said turn around or I fire!' The guard yelled at the intruders.
'Hisssss...' A long hissing sound interrupted the stalemate and suddenly, everything and everyone within the facility went to sleep-lights, dogs, men et al. Of course, with the exception of the perplexed duo of Muno and Dike.
'Come, Dike, you have much to learn; bring your friend along.' A strong, but pleasant female voice spoke out in the dark.
Peering into the dark, Dike exclaimed wildly, 'Oh... You! I saw you at the scene of the carnage at Victoria Island. I read your thoughts... Yes, you instructed me to ram the truck into our Transport; still don't know how I did it: And asked me to put my co-travellers to sleep... Muno, it was she who told me you were there to help. Ohh! You have been watching over me!'
Dike was excited to meet his mysterious acquaintance.
'This way sirs', The mysterious lady pointed them in the direction of an open manhole and descended a flight of makeshift stairs. The manhole sealed shut once they were safely inside the sewer.
The sewer was an opening to an abandoned reconstructed sewerage system, redesigned to support human life with modest comfort.
It was more like a network of brightly lit tunnels, leading up to what appeared like a giant well-lit conference room, with tables, chairs, projector screens etc. Dike felt like he was in a lecture hall.
He looked around and noticed several tunnel openings in the conference room, revealing a network of hostels perhaps.
'Extremely delighted to play host to a Watcher Angel sir.' The mysterious lady spun around and under the bright lights, Dike marvelled at the beauty before him.
'My name is Annabel, a "Deep" in Offspring nomenclature.' Turning to Dike she said, 'You would know that, seeing how I put the rail station to sleep. By the way, they'll all be fine... I mean the guards, dogs and everyone up there. They won't remember a thing when they awake.'
'You can call me Muno. Are you the leader of Safe House 306? There isn't much time, there's much I need to know. Dike has been of tremendous help, however...'
'I'd summon the General Assembly', Annabel interjected.
'Hey beautiful, you didn't bother asking my name', Dike blocked Annabel's path with a boyish grin playing across his face. 'I thought I was the special one.'
'You are about to find out just how special you are darling.' Annabel sarcastically planted a kiss on Dike's forehead and briskly moved past him.
'Don't tell me you are thinking of copulation at this very moment when the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.' Muno snarled at the love-struck Dike.
'Oh not at the moment, but we'll make a fine couple if we survive these dark times... Don't you think?'
Muno burst out laughing, 'You are one messed up kid.'
'Bah-bah-bah...' A buzzer goes off to summon the General Assembly. As the loud chatter of young men and women filled the hall, Dike leaned toward Muno and asked, 'Do you have a girlfriend in Heaven. I mean does the CREATOR allow that sort of thing?'
Muno looked at Dike in disbelief and exclaimed, 'Oh my! With this level of carnality, you'd never make it through Heaven's gate. Little wonder the Beguiler is interested in you.' They both burst into laughter.
In the short time they had been together, Muno had grown fond of Dike despite his endless yapping. He was determined to keep Dike safe, no matter the cost.
'We are most delighted to be of service to you, servant of the everlasting CREATOR.' A heavily bearded middle-aged Caucasian man uttered, as he emerged from a tunnel accompanied by Annabel-who appeared of African descent and an Asian blonde.
'I am Maji, leader of the "Offsprings of the Fallen" who have refused to swear allegiance to the Beguiler. You already are acquainted with Annabel and here is Tomori; we all are in the CREATOR's service.' Maji spoke with refreshing candour.
'You are one giant supernatural being; never being this close to an angel, it is a privilege sir.' Tomori bobbed a curtsy to Muno and intently gazed at Dike as she spoke.
Muno spoke with a smile, 'Thanks for the warm welcome. I am most impressed with the community you have built in such perilous times.'
The conference room had by this time filled up with no less than fifty persons of different races, genders and ages; all united in exuberant joy and anticipation of the message of Hope Muno purportedly bore.
Muno nearly froze under the weight of expectation imposed on him by this traumatized but enthusiastic lot.
He cleared his throat and spoke, 'I am not your saviour, neither do I bring you a message of deliverance from the cruelty of the Beguiler. I am here seeking redemption; a chance to right the wrong that brought this torment upon humanity.
'Should I succeed, the world as you presently know it shall be restored to order; fail and I shall have twice failed the CREATOR; an outcome I cannot contemplate. I do not stand as an angel before the CREATOR.
'I am rather a rebellious "Fallen"; rebellious, because I have refused to bend to the Beguiler's will, choosing instead to pursue redemption and the CREATOR's mercy.
'You seek freedom to worship the CREATOR without molestation: You seek a peaceable existence, a normalcy in your relations with the natural and supernatural worlds.
'Our quests are inexorably fated and intertwined it would seem; for should I prevail in my quest for redemption, you shall have prevailed in your quest for freedom from the Beguiler's tyranny.'
A solemn silence fell upon Muno's audience; for at that point in time, they realized the one whom they thought would save them, was as much a victim of the Beguiler's rebellion. Obviously, the enforcement of their liberty would have to be a collective fight and responsibility of all...
Muno hurriedly queried, 'First of all, are the "Offsprings of the Fallen" Rh-negative? Why is the Beguiler in desperate pursuit of Dike; is his blood nomenclature any different from the rest of your kind?
'I need to know what you know about the Cherub Haggai and if there have been sightings of "Fallen" Watcher Angels. Please tell me what the Beguiler is up to... I need every resource I can muster.'
'Mighty Angel, please sit', Maji motioned Muno towards a chair, 'you must be tired and hungry, I will provide the answers you seek as best I can.' Only then did Muno realize just how hungry he was. 'To your first question... Yes, the "Offsprings of the Fallen" are born Rhesus Negative, we share same blood nomenclature as the "Fallen" celestials... We are your blood relatives.'
Maji fixed his gaze on Dike and muttered, 'Thank you for trusting me.'
Dike smirked, 'I had nowhere else to go and no one to turn to. You were pretty much my last resort. I am in your debt. Can we have something to eat now? Really famished.'
'We have recently run low on supplies, because of the upsurge in the Beguiler's activities in these parts. Maji rarely lets anyone out these days. I will serve you some mutton and porridge.' Annabel explained.
Muno noticed Maji's sheathed sword, strapped around his waist and asked, 'How do your Defences matchup against the Offence of the "Fallen"?'
Maji scratched his head and said 'Well, in close combat we do not stand a chance. I am the only accomplished swordsman and martial arts expert here, so I give them lessons in swordsmanship and mixed martial arts techniques. Wouldn't know if you are familiar with martial arts; are you?' Muno nodded in affirmation.
Maji continued 'Basic firearms training is provided by Bruno, an Ex-Nigerian army infantryman, however, the use of firearms is considered a measure of last resort. We collectively hone our paranormal giftings and when fully developed, could prove a handful and do quite some damage to the minions of the "Fallen".
'Tomori and Annabel are my most accomplished students; well-grounded in the mixed martial arts forms of Kali, Krav Maga, Kung Fu and Karate, coupled with exceptional supernatural giftings; they do most of the heavy lifting around here.'
'Perhaps a demonstration is in order then', Dike opined rather cynically. 'My Jiujitsu is pretty good and I dare say Annabel will bite the dust in a matchup against me.' Dike blustered.
The General Assembly erupted in rapturous laughter. 'I accept your challenge "butter-hands", you even get to use a fighting stick!' Annabel responded angrily.
Maji rose to douse the excited chatter in the conference room and said, 'Okay, we shall have Dike matchup against Annabel, after our guests have had a meal and are well rested.'
Muno's face bore a bewildered expression, as his gaze fell upon Dike. At the other end of the hall, Annabel wore an angry countenance, perhaps the temerity of Dike's challenge had irked her. Dike had tried to engage her eyes with a broad smile across his face, but Annabel gave him a stern staredown.
Dike wondered if he had gone too far in his attempts to make an acquaintance of her: He hoped he had not won for himself an enemy...
Maji invited Muno and Dike into his private quarters in Safe House 306. There wasn't much to see in his room... A dining table with room for four; a large double bed and a Wing Chun wooden dummy, was all the furniture in his brightly lit room.
'Where's your power source?' Dike asked.
'From the train station obviously, we have a utility team quite proficient in electrical power theft.' Maji answered perfunctorily.
Dike noticed that Muno's pair of blades had retracted and were now replaced by his huge forearms and hands; although he retained his semi-celestial armour.
As they dined, Maji spoke rather pensively, 'I guess you are interested in the blood nomenclature of the "Offsprings of the Fallen" because you intend to identify, dissuade or persuade and then recruit them.
'You needn't bother, you need only to spill some drops of your blood upon the Earth; a one-time event and your blood relatives will be revealed to you from several miles away.
'Some by scent, others by markings only visible to you. That's the reason we created three hundred and six safe houses; to provide sanctuary for those who would side with good. Medical science has long been puzzled by the emergence of the Rh-negative blood group.
'Till this day, its source remains unknown. Some scientists allude to extraterrestrial interference in the emergence of our species. Quite a number of mystics describe the Rh-negative blood type as the Blood of the Mighty Ones; alluding to sexual relations between the "Fallen" and the daughters of men; you would know because you were there...'
Maji cast an accusatory glance at Muno, who appeared rather nervous.
Maji continued 'Medical science, the science of the people, however, discountenances these allusions as utter gibberish. I couldn't care less, the survival of my species is all I care about.'
'What about Dike?' Muno asked.
Maji uncomfortably blinked several times and answered. 'I was once a reluctant soldier of the Beguiler. I was abducted two years ago... It was thought that my body was powerful enough to host the entirety of the Beguiler's being.
'Seeing that he had not the power to break free from the chains of his incarceration, he sought to transmigrate into a powerful host.
'To proliferate his seed in the daughters of men; he sought to create a million Beguilers, equal in strength and guile to him, but under the control of his devious mind. And with the power of the Goliath Stone, he would accelerate their growth from infancy to adult foot soldiers in one day.
'A million young women were to be trafficked from across the Earth to Africa, precisely to the fringes of the Lake Chad, a marshland spread across the border of Nigeria and Chad. A region ravaged by war for several years... A war precipitated by the "Fallen" to provide ample foil for the Beguiler's horrific activities.
'However, despite the assurances of Excalibur on my suitability as the Beguiler's perfect host; the transmigration failed, I simply was not strong enough. So, the trafficking operation was put on hold, until Excalibur discovered Dike's distinct Blood Scent and hell was let loose in Lagos, Nigeria.
'Dike has been the subject of a supernatural manhunt over a period of three months now. He was identified seven months ago in Hong Kong, China, at a Science Fair involving several universities from across the world. I was there, it was my task to bring him in, but Tomori had other ideas...
'She was sent by the now deceased leader of the Offspring resistance to the "Fallen", Mr Van Beek; to by all means, safely escort Dike to Safe House 306. Unbeknownst to me, Tomori was unto me, she is the kind we call "Deep" in Offspring nomenclature; with an uncanny ability to search the thoughts of men and supernatural beings, and in rare cases, control them.
'Tomori is more than just a "Deep", she's also a "Shadow", with a scary ability to walk through walls. She is one of few hybrids in the ranks of the "Offsprings of the Fallen".
'Nonetheless, she should have been no match for me... For I am a "Quick", as the name suggests, I am super fast and also a "Bull", with the ability to move things and people with my mind.
'Dike possesses a never before seen mix of three Offspring abilities; he is a "Deep", a "Bull" and a "Polaris"'
Perplexed, Dike yelled, 'You've got to kidding me, why the heck have I been on the run these past months with such powers!? I could...'
'Silence!' Muno bellowed.
Maji continued... 'With my hybrid powers and my extremely good mixed martial arts skills, I could have killed Tomori with a single blow. However, when confronted by Tomori, it was the face of another I saw; her mother, my long-dead Chinese love. Cruelly separated from me by one of many raids on the Offspings, by Excalibur.
'At the time, the Dutch Police concluded it was a case of abduction. Many years I mourned, because I loved her dearly and she was with child; my child. I had come to terms with my loss, until that fateful day at the International Universities Science Fair in Hong Kong, China... I found my daughter, I found Tomori.
'Being a "Deep" she knew just who I was, thus dispelling any doubts in my mind. I aborted the Beguiler's mission without a second thought. After all, I was but a reluctant soldier. Tomori and I spoke to Dike, as soon as we could isolate him, we told him of Safe House 306. Tomori trusted me enough to reveal that piece of information because she had seen my soul.
'Dike was headstrong, he didn't believe a word of what we said and we refused to abduct him, against the wishes of Mr Van Beek. We thus resorted to watching over him, without much appreciation though, until recent events brought us all together.'
Unusually sober, Dike asked, 'So you relocated to Lagos to watch over me? Damn! I am in your debt.'
'It is Tomori you should thank, her devotion to you is a story for another day...' Maji said, with a sly grin.