Tomori and Dike in a chartered tricycle, headed for the train station, which served as an oblivious host of Safe House 306. For unbeknownst to the surface occupants of Otta Rail Terminal, a vibrant community of rebellious 'Offsprings of the Fallen', stayed hidden underneath.
With the chill in the air, it appeared the night was bracing itself for a storm: As was Dike, who, under Tomori's vigilant gaze, expected only stormy consequences, from the natural and supernatural worlds he was bound to upset, with his choices this chilly night.
'When we arrive at the rail terminal, stay hidden in the dark for a bit, while I negotiate to purchase a hooded jacket from one of many apparel vendors, around the facility.' Tomori spoke in a hushed tone.
'Is the jacket intended for me?' Dike asked.
'I'll need you in some disguise at the Terminal grounds, friends and foes might be out there looking for us.' Tomori hastily donned a baseball cap as she spoke and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head.
Her eyes were barely visible from under the drooping brim of her cap.
'Will you allow a lady pay all of your bills, Dike?' Tomori chaffed as the tricycle ground to a halt, a few metres from the Otta Rail Terminal entrance.
Mischievously, Dike reached for his wallet and opened its empty compartments with delight...
'Actually Tomori, having you around, makes me feel like a privileged lady, so, kindly do the honours.' They chuckled as they disembarked their transport.
'Make yourself inconspicuous, while I go hood-hunting... Your boyish charm is about to give way to something more villainous.' Briskly, Tomori moved towards the bright lights and blended into the large crowd of commuters and bystanders.
'Ignorance truly is bliss, especially in these times', Dike whispered. The unaware commuters and bystanders alike, knew next to nothing of the supernatural biracial assassin walking amidst them...
More worryingly, was the abject vulnerability and ignorance of the natural world, to the whims and caprices of the supernatural realm.
Without doubt, both worlds were heading for a collision, with catastrophic consequences for the vastly unprepared natural world of men:
Unless, Muno and his Offspring allies could somehow find a way, to preclude the fated life-ending collision.
Muno scoured the grounds of the train station, with his rapidly developing 'Deep' abilities for paranormal activity... He pried open the thoughts and intentions of hundreds of commuters and bystanders, for evidence of the paranormal.
Under the cover of darkness, in an abandoned fire truck parked outside the perimeter fencing of the train station; Dike honed his mind-reading skills. He needed all the practice he could manage, for time appeared an enemy in the race to truncate the Beguiler's sinister intentions.
'There you are, you got me worried for a bit.' Tomori exclaimed with relief.
'You needn't worry so much about me. I've got skills you know...' In an apparent show-off of his 'Bull' abilities, Dike moved the abandoned fire truck he was sat in, a few yards away from its previous position.
'Great, right?' He asked a visibly impressed Tomori.
'Now watch this!' He opened up his hands and let out sparks of electric current, which grew in length and reach, as he exerted and extended his mind.
'Enough, Dike... We are trying to be inconspicuous.' Tomori snapped Dike back into the reality of his surround.
'I am sorry, Boss, I got carried away.'
'Can you fit into this hooded jacket? Here's your ticket... We are officially Mr and Mrs Kolawale.' Tomori's eyes twinkled in the dark.
'Wow. I like how that sounded "KO--LA--WULI"' Dike pitched in.
'It's a quarter to nine', Tomori continued, 'boarding is already in progress, I suggest we follow different routes to our reservation on Seat 144. Please keep your eyes peeled and sharp; we rendezvous on Seat 144...
'I felt your energy rip through the station facility, as you scoured for paranormal activity; it was a bad move. Were a sophisticated "Deep" within the premises, you would have been made.
'Next time, spill a little of your blood on the Earth; a one-time ceremony, to open your paranormal eyes to your Offspring relatives, except they are masked with Lotus lotion: Which is however, near impossible, considering that our evil Offspring relatives do not seek concealment and discretion.'
Tomori spoke with unusual gusto, which got Dike gawking at her in awe...
'Are you okay, Dike?' She concernedly asked.
'I am fine. It's just that, yo--you look divinely beautiful when you take charge of my life in this manner... I like it. Can I have more of this, please?' Dike reeked of mischief.
'Hell no! Not after your outburst at the Safe House days earlier. I'd rather be docile and subservient around you my lord!' They both burst into laughter.
Maji left Annabel in charge of Safe House 306, as he set out for the recovery of Dike and his beloved daughter, Tomori: He had for company, Bashir, Roland and Kome, all gifted with 'Quick' abilities; in case there was need for a quick evacuation.
Stan and Bose were brought along for 'Deep' activities. While Pitt, Fuji and Li Wei brought to the party, their 'Bull' strength. Abbas was the only 'Polaris' selected on the team because Maji considered the 'Polaris' in his ranks, quite a reckless lot. His daughter's life was at stake, he couldn't jeopardize it for any reason or anyone, not even for Dike.
He had hoped that the acquaintanceship of Dike and Tomori, would blossom into a friendship, that would culminate in a marital union, to fulfil the prophecy regarding Cherub Haggai... Never did he anticipate an elopement into certain dangers, by this prophetically betrothed duo.
He was angry with Dike and Tomori, but more so with Muno, whose unexplained disappearance triggered the chain of events, that led up to this moment.
'Should any harm come to Tomori, Dike and residents of Safe House 306; I will seek vengeance against Watcher Muno.' He swore under his breath.
Annabel had picked up some paranormal activity on the surface, just above Safe House 306; precisely the Otta Rail Terminal. Upon further scrutiny, she discovered a 'Deep' was scouring the surface up above them for paranormal activity, like she was doing, albeit for a larger area.
This 'Deep' activity had a familiar signature... It was Dike's, although she wondered how quickly his gifting had matured in such little time and without much practice... To have been able to launch a mind-sweep of the Otta Rail Terminal was indeed phenomenal.
She informed Maji of her discovery, who with speedy dispatch, assembled an Extraction Team and was now on its way up to the surface.
'The boy Dike is gifted; he is rapidly maturing, he would prove a handful to any adversary. Do reassure him of your friendship, Maji.' Annabel advised.
Tomori and Dike reunited on Seat 144 in the fully booked train, having followed different routes to arrive at their rendezvous. Shortly afterwards, travel formalities were relayed to the passengers by the Schedule Announcer... In a few minutes, they would be en route Warri.
Dike was a nervous wreck, he could really do with Muno's assured poise right now. He wasn't sure of anything at the moment, he had a feeling of being watched and followed. By whom or what, he couldn't tell. He hoped he wasn't handing himself to the Beguiler, in fulfilment of the Prophecy...
The fate of his excited co-travellers and many more rested on his choices... He hoped he wasn't making a wrong one. In direct contrast, Tomori appeared collected and relaxed. She seemed to know what lay ahead of them and appeared certain she could handle 'whatever', however it came.
She thought of her father, Maji, she imagined how worried he would be. Truth be told, she was more devoted to the task of keeping Dike safe from the Beguiler than she was to making Maji happy.
Tomori was a thoroughbred soldier, a cold assassin, birthed in the cruel captivity of Excalibur and offered as a meal to a starved Warowl-a vicious magical bird of prey. It was a miracle she had any cordiality left in her...
She perfunctorily stuck to her moral obligation of returning her father's affection, nothing more...
The deceased Mr Van Beek was the father she knew and loved: It was he who rescued her from the bloodthirsty Warowl, meant to devour her flesh... To put an end to Wang Chen's genealogy and extinguish any hope of Cherub Haggai's rebirth...
Yes, the Beguiler deciphered the Prophecy regarding Cherub Haggai's rebirth and moved to truncate it. Hence, the abduction and torture of Tomori's mother. Under such grievously cruel circumstances, was Tomori born; without the warm gaze and cuddle of her mother, who succumbed to her torture wounds shortly after delivery.
Consequently, Tomori was raised to view life as a battlefield and her choices in her estimation, were military manoeuvres intended to inflict damage to her adversaries or establish a strategic advantage.
She was trained by Mr Van Beek-a master assassin in the eyes of the minions of the 'Fallen', to embrace fully, the stealthiness of a supernatural hitman and his creed; that nothing was ever a fait accompli, no matter how hopeless.
Consequent upon Mr Van Beek's murder, she vowed never to invest her love in any man, until Excalibur, the 'Fallen' responsible for the deaths of her biological and adoptive parents; died by her sword. So, Maji had not her love... only her fealty.
Dike, on the other hand, offered a challenge to her stoic resolve... He had a bit of all the men who had featured prominently in her life so far: Watcher Muno-if he could be considered a man; Maji-her biological father and Mr Van Beek, her much loved adoptive father.
Her heart seemed to beat faster whenever she was around Dike and her icy demeanour melted into a cheery warmth. Initially, she surmised that the Prophecy of her betrothal to him, was messing with her previously non-existent emotions.
Nonetheless, her devotion to Dike, even when she watched over him from afar, was like nothing she ever felt.
At the Science Fair in Hong Kong, against the revered judgement of Mr Van Beek, she refused to abduct Dike because she couldn't bear to see him in distress.
She knew she could lay down her life for him in a heartbeat... She previously didn't care if Dike didn't reciprocate her devotion, until he professed his liking for Annabel; that hurt her deeply.
Yet she couldn't be angry with him, nor stop her strange feelings for him... Dike was twenty, though with the disposition of a juvenile: She was twenty, with the carriage and composure of a forty-year-old, yet she was irresistibly drawn to his juvenile tantrums.
Tomori hoped this wasn't love she was feeling; she could scarce afford it. This had to be a devotion to duty on an escalated scale. She had to protect him and perhaps carry his seed, to birth the Cherub Haggai, if it came to that; nothing more she hoped...
But sat beside him on Seat 144, in a train bound for Warri, she knew deep down, that there was more to this feeling, she didn't know what it was... but this certainly was beyond her duty calls.
Maji and his Extraction Team missed the Warri bound train by a few minutes. Stan and Bose did a clean mind-sweep of the railway facility, for paranormal activity; while the others, deployed their giftings to seek out clues on Tomori and Dike's whereabouts.
Maji went up to the Booking and Ticketing office, to inquire about the operations schedule for the night. He was duly informed, that the last operation for the day had concluded with the outbound train for Warri, which departed minutes earlier. Armed with this information, Maji pondered deeply on what Dike and Tomori might want in Warri.
'What could they possibly want in Warri? They couldn't have got on that train.' He mused.
'Maji!' Fuji called out to Maji, who hurriedly and expectantly asked, 'Do you have news?'
'Just spoke with some drivers over at the motor park, who claim to have turned down the request of a couple to take them to Victoria Island, Lagos. The female appeared biracial, they all agreed.'
'Tomori', Maji whispered. 'So, why did they turn down the request? Wasn't the pay good enough?' Maji asked.
'They said something about not being licensed for interstate travel and so, they pointed them in the direction of the interstate motor park, a few blocks from here, about thirty minutes ago. Li Wei has gone to check it out.' Fuji explained.
'Stan! Search out what news Li Wei has, we have plenty of ground to catch up...'
'He's here already, Maji.' Stan said, as Li Wei walked up to the anxious Maji.
'The last bus for Lagos, left twenty minutes ago, no one took note of a biracial blonde, nor did they take notice of a young couple. The bus was however packed full with young men and women.' Li Wei reported.
'They left on that bus... All, on me!!' Maji called out to his Extraction Team.
'We head for Victoria Island immediately. Considering traffic upheavals, it will take them another hour to arrive at Victoria Island. When they arrive, we'd be waiting at the Central Motor Park. Roland, Kome, Bashir, let's show our brothers why we are called "Quick".'
Maji locked hands with Roland, who did same with Kome, Bashir completed the encirclement around the rest of the Extraction Team, in a tightly packed circle. The Earth underneath their feet began to swirl vigorously and when the dust settled, they were gone; off to Victoria Island, Lagos, in a cloud of dust and unnoticed by everyone.
Tomori smirked with delight on Seat 144, she sold Maji a dummy and he bought it hook, line and sinker; she knew because she was in his thoughts. He was off to Victoria Island, Lagos...
To ensure the safety of Maji and his team, she had communicated with a fellow 'Deep', to accost them at the Central Motor Park, Victoria Island, Lagos and assure them that she was safely on her way back to Safe House 306.
Fatai, the 'Deep' recruited for this task was oblivious of Tomori's plan, he honestly thought he was in the service of Safe House 306; ensuring the safety of the resistance.
Tomori chuckled in greater delight... Her plan was taking shape, if Muno was abducted and still alive, which appeared the more likely scenario; he would be in Excalibur's custody.
Tayo the 'Bog of Hell' masquerading as a Healer and Preacher, would lead them straight to Excalibur and hopefully Muno. For he served as Chief Priest of Excalibur's altar of worship...
Strapped to her left thigh, was a 'Fallen' numbing incense, once lit, its fragrance had a paralyzing effect on the 'Fallen' or demons, as men called them...
It was Mr Van Beek's parting gift to her, he besought her to avenge him... He besought her to kill Excalibur; his killer...