Muno watched Dike closely... Sat in a corner of the room they were to share for the remainder of the night; Dike appeared lost and forlorn.
He had lost his bubbly spark, perhaps as a result of all that Maji divulged. Muno wondered what exactly it was, that had got Dike miserably sober.
'Are you alright, Dike? You seem perturbed and confused. Did Maji's disclosures upset you in any way?' Muno asked.
'Not really sir. Although something he said about Tomori's devotion to me, spooked me a little.' Dike dejectedly said.
'Why? His statement was as innocuous as can be. Get some sleep; we do not know what tomorrow holds.'
Dike turned towards Muno and asked, 'What if I am betrothed to Tomori? I know you'd ask me to keep my hormones in check, but I am a "Deep", I inadvertently read the inner recesses of the mind and dredge up secrets. Tomori is a "Deep" as well, and she has successfully walled me off her thoughts.
'However, in Hong Kong, at the International Universities Science Fair; during my chance meeting with Tomori and Maji. I inadvertently slipped into her mind; at the time, I was confused as to what was going on, because I was still trying to come to terms with my abilities.
'I could hear Mr Van Beek's voice in her head saying "Should all measures of persuasion fail, then you must, by all means, get him to Safe House 306. Then by any means necessary, get his seed into you..." Like was she going to force herself on me and why?'
Muno burst out laughing, 'I thought copulation was top on your agenda... Have you caught a cold in your feet, Coward?' Muno reeled in laughter.
'It isn't funny!' Protested Dike, 'Haven't you seen the creepy way she stares at me, like she's contemplating Mr Van Beek's option. Perhaps, that's why Annabel wants nothing to do with me.'
'You are a man of many talents...' Muno taunted Dike some more. 'So, you also are gifted in the art of copulation? Why else would Tomori want to force herself on you?' Now they both burst into laughter.
'Seriously Muno, bring this up with Maji. What's with my seed? Honestly tired of being the subject of interest of the supernatural. I want to fulfil my dreams of becoming an Aeronautical Engineer; this life on the run doesn't suit my pursuits.'
Muno felt pity for Dike. Despite his carefree disposition, the young man was hurting.
'I can't say I haven't noticed her creepiness, as for Maji, he and I shall make conversation regarding this matter. Now cheer up! Tomori is a beautiful girl, just creepy and Annabel has no interest in you.' Muno teased.
'If these are my last days on Earth; can I at least get to spend them with someone I think I like or love... What's the difference these days?' Dike rhetorically asked.
'Get some sleep boy, tomorrow will be a busy day.' Muno counselled, as he pulled the duvet over his face.
The sound of the buzzer startled Dike, as he quickly made to rise from his bed. He wondered if it was morning already... Anyways, he was grateful for this sleep interruption.
For his sleep was riddled with nightmares that were as real as the hulking frame of Muno snoring loudly on his bed. It was hard to tell if it was morning yet, because there was no means of receiving sunlight or moonlight, in the bunker that was Safe House 306.
'Muno! Wake up!' Dike lightly tugged at Muno's arm. 'The buzzer has sounded. It's either it's morning or we are under attack.'
Muno jumped to his feet, 'Did you say attack?' He asked.
'Not sure what the buzzer is for...' Replied Dike.
Shortly, there was the sound of approaching footsteps, followed by Maji's wake-up call to his guests.
'It's a good day to be alive. Good morning sirs.' Maji offered a greeting from behind the curtain, that served as a door to the guest room occupied by Muno and Dike.
Parting open the curtain, Dike eagerly responded, 'Good morning to you sir. I trust your sleep was not as riddled with nightmares as was mine?'
'Nightmares?' Maji queried.
'Pay him no mind Maji. Dike is known to whine about everything and anything. Good morning to you.' Muno quickly brought an end to Maji's query.
'Oh! That's comforting, but did you happen to dream about the Cherub Haggai?' Maji asked.
Dike froze as he gave Muno a knowing glance. 'How would you know this, did you invade my dreams or are you manipulating my dreams?' Dike frantically asked.
Maji heaved, 'So you had a vision of the Cherub Haggai then... Do you often have these visions?'
Muno stepped between Maji and Dike and inquired, 'Maji is there something you need to tell us? You are acting weird.'
'Nothing to worry about', Maji retorted, 'after Dike's matchup with Annabel, I'd let you in on some ancient prophecies, regarding the silence of the stars and the missing Cherub.' He dismissively said.
'Can I respectfully pull out of the challenge sir? I don't feel too good...' Dike offered a feeble objection.
'Too late for that. You publicly challenged one of our finest and she accepted. She awaits you in the arena.' Maji insisted.
'Scared?' Muno asked, 'Don't wet your pants over a fight with a lady', Muno further teased.
'Will be at the arena sirs. Don't be late, Dike; you are a star around here. Put up a good fight.' Maji's voice trailed off, as he disappeared down the tunnel.
Muno arrived the arena-a quadrangle bounded by concrete walls, as Dike's cornerman with great excitement. His excitement was borne out of Dike's hesitancy and sobriety since Maji informed him of the fight schedule.
Dike had gone a full five minutes without uttering a word and this was despite the taunts of Muno.
To have had the pleasure of throwing unanswered jibes at Dike, was cause for celebration from Muno's point of view.
The arena had room only for a handful of spectators, who clustered themselves in a ringlike pattern around the quadrangle.
Annabel stood in the middle of the 'human ring'. Dressed in a sleeveless tank top and a pair of loosely-fitting knickerboxers; she looked absolutely gorgeous.
She had in her hand a club, Dike feared he had really pissed off his crush.
Dike stepped in the 'human ring' amidst cheers from the entertainment starved mob. He sighed heavily as he stepped up to Annabel.
'You look stunning, Annabel.' He managed to say. 'Save it for the Beatdown Breakfast you and I are going to have.' Annabel fiercely retorted.
Dike puzzled, mischievously asked, 'Beatdown Breakfast? What in the world is that?'
Annabel menacingly took a step toward Muno and muttered, 'Safe house rules demand, that after I beat you savagely, I get to have breakfast with you, so you'll have ample time to profess your fascination for me; that's if any is left after I fully express my violent intentions towards you.'
She handed the wooden club over to Dike, who appeared shell-shocked by Annabel's vitriolic outburst.
The cheering grew louder as Annabel settled into a Kung Fu Stance... Precisely the Cat Stance, her favourite... She rested her weight on her trailing foot, while her lead foot just slightly touched the ground, like the paws of a cat.
Annabel appeared to sit on air at a ninety-degree angle. She was a magnificent sight to behold...
With the crowd baying for blood, Muno quickly dropped the club and settled into his preferred Southpaw Stance. Suddenly the buzzer went off, although this time, it sounded distinctly different from the previous. It sounded like a warning.
And warning it was because everyone scampered out of the arena, and into the conference room. Over a public address system, Muno previously hadn't noticed, a warning was issued by a spotter-a sentry engaged for such a purpose as this.
'This is not a drill...' He said. 'The minions of the Beguiler have been sighted within the vicinity of the train station; so far, about two dozen Offsprings have been seen.
'We were able to detect an aggregation of "Bulls", "Deep" and "Polaris" in their ranks. What are your orders Maji?' The spotter asked.
'Kill off your Blood Scent sentinels and lie low. Should they come within two hundred feet of safe house entry, viciously counter-attack. We stand ready! The CREATOR be with us all.' Maji passed orders over the radio.
Turning to the scared residents of Safe House 306, Maji yelled, 'What are you waiting for!? Gear up and prepare for a fight to the last man! And should today be your last on Earth, make it a memorable one... Take everything from them... Give them nothing!
'In this room, the finest swordsmen I ever trained; the most powerful "Offsprings of the Fallen" I have been privileged to fellowship with, stand ready to preserve the light of the CREATOR even in these dark times. Fear not!
'We are not alone, a powerful Watcher Angel stands amongst us: For Muno it was, who slaughtered twenty mighty "Fallen" in close combat at the Battle of Sundown in the heavenly city of Flax. The CREATOR sent us his mightiest!!'
Excited chants rent the air. Maji had successfully roused his troops.
Muno wondered how mere mortals had come to the knowledge of his exploits at the Battle of Sundown. The aftermath of that battle resulted in the imprisonment of the Beguiler on the Mount of the Fallen.
That was a long time ago... This was a different terrain and in this semi-celestial state, he would have the odds stacked against him, should he engage the 'Fallen' in close combat.
Nonetheless, with his exceptional swordcraft, his devastatingly powerful lightning bolts-a recent gifting by the CREATOR, and his irrepressible will to right the wrongs his failure birthed; by far his most powerful weapon: Muno was ready to deal the Beguiler and his army a bloody nose.
'Maji keep your people safe, no one has to get hurt. I could take them all out with a single blow, but I prefer to negotiate their surrender and hopefully restore them to the path that's right.' Muno posited.
'It's too late for that now, since after my debacle in Hong Kong; all mortals in the service of the Beguiler, were made to perform the Harakri-a ritual which split a mortal servant's soul in half.
'One half rests in the Vessel of Souls, in the custody of the Beguiler for safekeeping and the other, with the serving mortal...
'So you see, the Beguiler owns his minions, they are part and parcel of his darkness. To destroy them is to show them kindness.' Maji dispassionately asserted.
'Then I must destroy the Vessel of Souls, for it is the prison house of the "Offsprings of the Fallen" who swore allegiance to the Beguiler.
'Unfortunately, many Offsprings will have their lives forfeited as collateral damage, in my quest to rid the Earth of the Beguiler's influence.
'However, I shall have saved many more, if I succeed in destroying the Vessel of Souls.'
As Muno spoke, he began to glow with celestial luminance; great hope engulfed Safe House 306.
'I shall not allow you brave lot come to harm because of my mistake. Remain in the sewers, this fight is mine alone...'
'No', Maji interrupted Muno, 'we can't risk the discovery of Safe House 306. I say we stay hidden, including you Watcher Angel, until it becomes impossible to avoid a confrontation.
'Our sentinels will launch an attack against the Beguiler's minions, should they come within two hundred feet of our hideout. Please we cannot risk a discovery...'
'Alright, I'd wait, but there's no chance I'd allow your sentinels take on those hideous creatures alone.' Muno emphatically declared.
Dike noticed Tomori had taken a position by his side, she had in her hands a deck of razor-edged cards, which she masterfully shuffled menacingly.
She let one fly and boy did it travel a great distance, before getting stuck, deep in a piece of furniture.
'That's a fine piece of weaponry you've got', Muno nervously said, 'I guess it's poisoned.'
Tomori affectionately held Muno's gaze and said, 'Yes it is. And fatally so, I'd do anything to keep you safe, you need only to trust me. When the time comes or if the time comes, please do as you are told.'
Dike looked at the pretty-faced assassin standing before him and wondered for how long he was going to be told what to do. He had needs of his own; dreams of his own...
He wanted to fall in love and fall out of love, like boys his age, but he knew better, his life was not his anymore. He ceased to exist the day he met Tomori and Maji in Hong Kong, China.
Dike's mind was clouded with conflicting emotions, he felt like crying, laughing out loud and even yelling at somebody. He had lost the power of choice, he couldn't even decide on whom to fall in love with; something as mundane as that.
He liked Annabel, but she wouldn't give him the slightest chance at friendship, because of some sick prophecy regarding him and Tomori. His nightmares had the Cherub Haggai and Tomori featuring prominently... He couldn't take it anymore, he let out...
'Damn it! Damn all of you!!'
Muno surprised at Dike's outburst, asked, 'Are you okay, Dike?'
'I am not okay with being told what to do, when to do and how to do... I am a twenty-year-old human being, with dreams of my own. I feel shipwrecked and helpless, needing to watch my back from those who'd enslave and kill me.
'And needing also the fortitude to bear the weight of slavery, those who claim to help, have imposed on me.' Dike broke down in tears.
'I was orphaned early, being an only child, I have had to navigate this Earth by my wits and the power of my choices; until you guys came along.
'I was in the process of graduating from the Faculty of Aeronautical Engineering. Now it feels like I have regressed into the Stone Age, with swords, pickaxes, demons and angels for company...
Yes, I am drawn to Annabel, but no, I have to be with Tomori...'
Maji puts an arm across Dike's shoulders compassionately and said, 'Son, do calm down, now is not the time; you have been misinformed...'
'No one misinformed me Maji, I've seen my future with Tomori in visions.' He swiftly turned toward Tomori, and said, 'Tell me I am wrong, tell me Tomori...'
Tomori began to tear up profusely. Dike suddenly felt great pity for Tomori. Only then did he realize, that his outburst might have hurt her...
Only then did he realize, that she was not a creepy overlord, intent on taking advantage of him; she was as much a victim as he.
She had pursuits of her own, perhaps a love interest of her choosing, somewhere out there. And yet his outburst seemed to suggest, she had a hand in his alleged betrothal to her. He felt terribly sorry.
'Tomori, please forgive me... I am grateful for all you've done to keep me alive. I didn't mean to hurt you.' Dike began to apologize.
'It's okay. No harm intended. No harm done.' Tomori spoke amidst sobs. Dike wondered why he didn't notice, just how beautiful and pristine this biracial blonde was. She took his tirade with equanimity. He swore never to hurt her again.
'Don't you tire of embarrassing yourself?' Annabel sniggered as she walked past Dike.
Muno grimaced at Annabel's remark, he wondered what Dike found fascinating about her. She was too cynical for his liking. He would never understand humans and their choices.
'To your stations! Man the entry and exit points!' Maji rallied his troops.
Amidst the nervous chatter and movements in Safe House 306, Dike crept up beside Muno, whose celestial glow at reached full intensity: His blades protruded from his upper arms and his eyes seemed to radiate a bluish flame.
'Are you angry with me?' Dike asked sheepishly.
'No, I am proud of you. Your young shoulders have borne huge responsibilities for too long. I am here to make light your burden.' Muno impassionately said.
'Thank you, Watcher Angel... Whatever happens today, you remain my favourite buddy.'
The public address system cracked into life and got everyone's attention.
'They are forcefully leaving with some guards and the Station Manager', the spotter reported. 'Armed guards are in pursuit... A firefight is ongoing sir. There's total pandemonium out here...
'The armed guards have been taken out; along with a number of Offsprings. The Offsprings are driving out of the facility with the abducted guards and Station Manager...' The spotter continued his reportage.
'Do nothing! Good job Sam.' Maji said over the radio.
'Why is the radio connected to the public address system?' Dike asked.
'So we all take responsibility for decisions reached regarding the safety of Safe House 306. No one is exempt from decision-making around here; our safety is a collective responsibility.' Maji explained.
'Can we have a conversation privately, Maji?' Muno's voice communicated an urgency.
Maji ushered Muno and Dike into his private quarters.
'Thanks be to the CREATOR, we get to live another day.' Maji said with an uneasy smile.
'The day's still young, we may yet die at some point', Dike volunteered his opinion.
'Quit being so negative Dike. It won't get you anywhere!' Muno yapped at Dike.
'About the prophecies, regarding the silence of the stars, the missing Cherub, Tomori and how all this relates to Dike? Would be a good place to start... To defeat our mutual enemy, I need you to come clean with me.' Muno demanded.
Maji cleared his throat and spoke, 'The immediate past leader of the Offspring resistance to the "Fallen", Mr Van Beek, was in many ways, a mystic.
'He could give interpretations to visions and prophecies, no matter how convoluted. Several prophecies regarding Haggai the missing Cherub were scrutinized and discountenanced.
'However, a certain Prophecy revealing why the stars had lost their sparkle, provided clarity regarding the visions revealing the missing Cherub. This Prophecy, Mr Van Beek received with trepidation.
'It revealed amongst others, a life-ending battle; in it was mentioned, the arrival of a powerful Watcher Angel seeking redemption.
'It was further revealed, that despite the heroic efforts of this Watcher Angel and the untainted "Offsprings of the Fallen"; Dike, the Beguiler's prize, would betray humanity and join forces with the Beguiler.
'And so, the only way to avert the doom of humanity, is the release of the Cherub Haggai...'
'Why?' Muno intently asked.
Maji answered, 'The Cherub Haggai, is the Beguiler's bargaining chip with the CREATOR. For as long as the Beguiler has the Cherub in captivity, the CREATOR will be hesitant to destroy the "Fallen".
'For the Cherub bears the wings of the CREATOR, with which he flew to the stars, to minister to the firmament; to inspire the worship of the stars for the CREATOR.
'Thus, the Cherub Haggai is the Winged One, he bears the wings of the CREATOR... Explaining the CREATOR's patience with the Beguiler, hoping someday he'd seek mercy and armistice, by returning the Cherub Haggai; for a lighter sentence.
'The CREATOR twice came close to destroying the Beguiler, his "Fallen" and all the inhabitants of the Earth, including the Cherub Haggai. Such was his rage, that he reckoned, he could do without his wings...
'Your cry for mercy Muno and the intercessions of the only begotten son of the CREATOR, saved the Earth and offered you a chance at redemption.'
Dike exasperated by Maji's long tale, asked, 'How does this relate to Tomori carrying my child? I saw this in a vision.'
Maji smiled and revealed some more... 'The Prophecy revealed that the Beguiler only has the body of Haggai, but not his spirit and soul. For upon his capture, the Cherub Haggai transmigrated into a pure human vessel; Tomori's maternal progenitor, a woman by the name Wang Chen.
'The Cherub Haggai hoped to be born anew, into this world, from where he hoped to escape to Heaven, to precipitate the vengeance of the heavenly Host against the Beguiler and the "Fallen"...'
Muno interrupted Maji, 'It is my sacred duty to sound the horn that releases the War Host of Heaven!'
Maji continued, 'Unfortunately for the Cherub Haggai, Wang Chen and her offsprings could bear no man-child and so, the Cherub has remained trapped in the loins of Wang Chen's descendants.
'Tomori is a fourth-generation descendant of Wang Chen, as are you a fourth-generation descendant of Darius, a noble "Fallen", Dike.
'Tomori was born on the eve of the 20th day of April 2001, as were you Dike. The Prophecy foretold, that only a descendant of Darius can release the Cherub Haggai, from the loins of Wang Chen's descendants: And the descendants destined for such greatness would share the same birth date, month and year.
' "Should all fail, then Tomori, by all means, must receive Dike's seed, to release the Cherub Haggai", these were the last words of Mr Van Beek to me. I am not wont to believing prophecies, but Tomori has been having visions as you have had.'
Muno cleared his throat and calmly spoke, 'I believe every man can shape and remake his destiny, Dike. The Prophecy reveals you'd betray humanity. I see no chance of that happening...
'I look into your eyes Dike, I see fidelity and a spring of goodness, such as never been seen in any man...
'Alas, your destiny is in your hands, the power of choice has finally been placed in your hands. Choose right! Disappoint the Prophecy! Disappoint the Beguiler!!'
Dike for once in quite some time, felt he had some control over his future...