Chereads / Steve Isaac / Chapter 7 - Allegiance

Chapter 7 - Allegiance

It was exactly 8PM that she heard this statements.

"An isolated kingdom is vulnerable, tell our people what they all need to hear.

That a steep price they all must pay to attain thier freedom." said Rakajapi to Akalia without any remorse and went on.

"Tell them, that freedom is a matter of life and death— you don't earn it, you take it.

And that as we increase in the number of our allies, so shall our enemies decrease.

Our support need to be steadfast with long-suffering as we increase the size of our allies around us."

Both men glanced up across each other encouragingly. And then subtly shifting their eyeballs on Akalia's bold face...to hear the tone of her capitulated voice.

Their faces now cut into humble contrition, as the meeting suddenly comes to a halt.

And the most eloquent man amongst them, now finally draws the curtains, as he sighed with total conviction: to mean that justice— had all left the state's judiciary system.

And for justice to be served, the elders have to come up with a deliberate plan.

Now CRP will strategize with one mind: they will conspire to fish-out— one by one; those indirectly conniving and hijacking the state... to flee on their heels while yet they can.

The atmosphere was cool to the feel of the skin. And thus, when the master of ceremony had finished preparing the stage...and had made it ready for the last speaker.

The vague featured slender woman— the crowd had all been waiting for anxiously...like a virgin bride, was finally revealed and introduced formally by the master of ceremony...as the most venerated Akalia, the symbol of transformation, which they all have heard of her tales, mostly from afar off.

Like yesterday, it was this same woman that they've all along been yearning for months to see.

Most of them couldn't resist the urge to yell her name...out of share excitement.

They couldn't hide from their own feelings— how they all admired her so much. Measuring up her charisma with the rumors they've all heard about her tales.

Akalia payed a more closer attention to the body language of the people than the dignitaries.

Ordering the private guards not to hurt anyone who might be interested getting closer to the stage.

There minds were cracked opened on the declaration of this, seeing her like a demigod.

The people recognized her now— and received her presence with a complete sense of radiant joy on their faces.

The enthusiastic crowds began to clap to entice her mannerism— and to feed her egocentricity with love.

Cheering to her silhouette shape, that had appeared like a specter— veiled in black apparel.

She waved at the crowd briefly without emotions as her face popped out from a few distance behind the stage.

At that vantage point, Akalia appeared much taller than real. She was still conversing among the cluster of elders, and the important dignitaries which were big men and weigh twice her size.

Though ambiguously, many have mistook her charisma, as being the designated alpha leader of the faction.

But Akalia was the last— out of ten tonight, left to wrap up the inaugural speech— after all the frenzy activities and scurrying had all ended.

Surrounded by enemies without allies, a fortress can quickly become a prison.

Many across the domicile geographical regions have heard of her exploits. She was here tonight— live at the suburbs of Coimana, a distant local council— far away from Nizzra, the capital of Chakia.

A number of chaos have bedevil the state of Chakia in no too distant past.

The memories are still full fleshed in hunger, destitute and pain amongst it's citizens.

And the poverty and death that have roam it cities, towns and villages for years, still peppered their eyes with regrets of making wrong decisions.

Though the progress of Chakia had been devoured; but the culture still remains rich— buried within the veins of it people— and groaning with passion to remain focus and united towards a singular goal of it future.

The state has nurtured itself to grow together. And even the remnants of peace and its past glorious days and potentials, had been ravaged by the Lopadans: that had held to ransom the strand of hope, freedom and liberty left in the veins.

In those many decades, that the Lopadans' had ruled.

They've embezzled the state's treasuries— equivalent of more than a hundred billion dollars— during the periods of the civil unrest.

And as many more civil crisis broke out, even across the regions, it risked the state of been turned to dust.

Militias supported by neighboring borderline, towns and villages: enlisted thousands of child solders, as they attempt to seize the state.

It was this wide spread of crisis and injustice, that Akalia first saw rushing in like hurricane... and building crest of waves— and then spreading like wild fire; that she decided to leverage on. Seizing the advantage and complementing her agenda amid the divide.

She pulled a vast mass in the course along with her, and made many young men to rebel against the state authority.

A great number of Lopadans' who got converted also— during this crisis— died that year supporting her movement around the state.

And still many, with ulterior motives: who turned their back against their factions, to establish another, gave up under threats and join forces with Akalia.

And still, some committed suicide who were framed with no one to turn to. And after the propaganda, many became the enemies of the state who had remained adamant to give in for change.

The state lose more of her citizens to a life of terror and rebellion during the era.

Many went on self exile together with Akalia; condemned by the holocaust of the state, that the people were aware— was propagated by the cabals in the government seats.

Hiding under the sugar-coated religious movements and politics, across the regions— as many had predicted.

After this incidence of great scartering, the Lopadans succeeded and moved to the next plan.

What they've tested, and have worked earlier; was like the tip of an ice burg— to control crowds and the populist with self religious traps.

They'll implement on it fully beyond any measure, before anyone dictates; by mixing up... primarily their ideologies with religious views— even traditions and politics— to access and recover the great scatterings of the remnant followers— back into the sheepfold of their own faction.

Many leaders who had emerged after all these crisis— were not less a corrupt pupet, used by the remnants of the seats of the Lopadans, gathering momentum around the state again.

Their political spotlight, that had either lasted for one decade, and some that had survived to two— was regrettable, and was unfortunate for the history of Chakia State.

Many of them had stolen an estimated fortunes of not less than two hundred billion dollars unreported, because of the state instability.

Chakia was at this era regarded almost as a failed state.

But as many agitators— triggered by the civil societies on cloud was intensified, the civil right movement groups began yearning for a true change.

Soon, the number of protesters increased and blamed all of these on the government slackness; turning completely against the Lopadans who saw at that era, their activities gradually dissipated.

It so Gashamo stepping into the seat of power at this critical period— to salvage the damages already done by the past administrators for decades.

But he was not naive to come under a godfather syndrome.

He'd chosen his ways with caution, and swore by the gods not to be used as a puppet by the Lopadans— as they've done with others in which they'd brought to the limelight.

As corruption heightened in all the regions and became the norms of the state.

Many foreign nations have slandered Chakia's government in many conferences and in the international submits.

On the ground that her leadership style had failed the world standard.

Failed to deliver it citizens from the jaws of a perverted tribal allegiance, religion bigotry and political manipulations— because of it poor policy implementations.

And even the corruption that had flood it way into the gates of the hollies of financial crimes agencies, had trickled down into other systems.

And soon after the colonial era— it had plegued and terrorized the public lives and institutions throughout the state.

The act was still spreading it tentacles, deep into the fabrics of other areas of concern.

The tired education sector was fallowed.

Religious bodies, and the uncultured traditional rulers had left it primary roles as a dwindling models.

They'd all erred in the towns and villages for not preserving the right of their citizens.

Yet, the backbone of the state had waxed stronger; despite struggling to find her uniqueness to maintain the most cultural and the gaps in the linguistic diversified state, that lacked the cohesive force amongst these peoples.

Many had doubted the reality of course, after witnessing all of these repeated instabilities for years.

Akalia's mission was a model, set to launch a fresh concept of campaign with new rules for a political manifesto— along with the pioneers of the faction in this regions that had never held any political posts.

And just the way she'd gone round the other regions campaigning— since her vouch, to join politics in this period.

She was meant to popularize her ideas and make it clearly known to all; that CRP party manifesto was real: to gain an upper arm— over the Lopadans, which were supper sweeping— all across the other opposing forces of influence, throughout the entire regions for many years.

She was meant to give the region the hope and reason to dream it again.

When Akalia finally walked up to the stage, her feet felt sluggish at first.

Her eyes were blinking with mixed confidence in her gestures.

And her face which indeed flushed— was now held with gloom.

The Lopadans in their secret autonomous book, were majorly the elites; made up of individual political entity.

They had vast wealth, and span many years of experiences— connected each and everyone of them in diverse ways that many, secretly and thoughtfully did not know.

Although, they all came from different regions, and certainly could not agree for all issues. But they all had a common interest at the beginning, and had set aside their differences; to protect their individual wealth at the top.

And to also control the affairs of the state, they needed each other to control their individual regions— leveraging into the ignorance of ethnic animosities across the regoins.

While the CRPs were incongruent; enigmatic and fresh political faction with less experience.

They comprised of few regions of the state— with unpopular ideas; few borrowed from the autonomous book. But they we're ready to oust the Lopadans from power— which they felt were totalitarians.

The people of the state at this time, had virtually no authority to contribute their quota into building the state together.

And they couldn't help the government in formulating it policies; and no one actually felt really connected to the government.

For many years, only the Lopadans— wields absolute control over every aspect of the state.

Socially, financially and politically.

Yet the state was opperated and had fancied it laws based on the democratic system of governance, that happens all the time even without the rule of law.

CRP faction was fast expanding it mission in many dimensions too.

They were spreading their ideas to other regions, who had bought their vision and wanted to test it: even as the state population ballooned around the territory, and which the census bureau had estimated to increase by six percent every year.

Akalia's face was cold with majestic defiance, earlier after she'd finished studying the constellations.

She wasn't stimulated by the effect of the crowd's practical emotions, and neither did her lips quivered in reactions.

Her thoughts flip-flopped around her ideas only at a surface level of emotions.

Bland features— so salient, that her countenance made her appeared like an insensitive and egocentric old woman.

And as she'd often been quoted to say; Why will few people hijack the resources of a state and stash it for their own purposes?

She waved her membership ticket in her right hand, and the crowds roared her name intensely.

The other hand was gestured empty, but have been formed into a knuckle of trust. They all cheered back at her, despite her insensitivity.

Her young companion leaped aboard behind her; through an ascending pathway, to meet her at the top of the stage.

He stood there at one end of the corner, carrying her silver suitcase.

Young fellow citizens of this region; and the timid adults who sat at the front line of the crowds— where the party yellow flag was hoisted... between sparsed guava and malaina trees; acknowledged her charisma and saluted; as she stood silent for a moment— boldly gazing at the crowd.

Her cruel eyes staring wide— suggested the high propensity to dominate and control her subjects.

But her frivolous qualities prevailed most over her cold uncaring qualities.

Fear drawn out to just the right degree, as she stood out there proportionately tall.

And in an astride position; she stood upon the stage— ready to address multitudes of people.

Ironically, these radical traces, associated with her strange attributes— conveyed her blunt goals, but hid the real secret agendas that were yet to be unveiled.

These wounded expressions were the ones that endeared her to the people.

She was just the right nightmare... The best option that serves as a revolution, which the people all needed at this point to defile the totalitarian regime.

The anxious crowds rose up quickly to their feet with passion and saluted.

After her introduction... no one sat down.

They continued to stand on their feet for her reverence.

And even among the pioneering chieftains and the elders of the party.

All raised their heads at once, and stared at her vague features in admirations— as she paused there erect on the carpeted oasis, and spoke with high contralto voice— to inspired both fear and courage.

Akalia believed she could establish a society in which no one is allowed to be placed in positions of power over others for too long.

This charismatic words moved the spirit, and stared the people who rallied round for her support.

Everywhere was silent around the edges of the field, all deemed with glow globes. And the audience cringed in awe at her grandiloquence.

At last came the chilling evening breeze, easing it way down with fresh dew, and dropping freezing cold mist, as it plunged upon the crowds at all angles of the field.

Thousands of eyes freeze upon her face; staring quizzically at her vague features— under a faint glowing lights.

Akalia sighed, growing aware of the movements of many eyes peering at her vague features.

She drew closer to the podium with a mick, and stood there at the spotlight, where everyone could see her more clearer— as she realizes that she'll soon begin to address the crowd.

Akalia carefully dropped all that was in her possession— over the top of the pulpit, and held a sullen specter faced— focusing on the amazing crowd of people— intensely hungering for a true change.

And a sort of ill sobered reflection— puddled abrumtly and ease all across her facial expressions; suggesting a feeling of bad omen— the constellation she'd seen written ealier on the sky, took shape in her imaginations.

And even as she stood there for a while; she was fidgeting with a black ball pen in her right hand still thinking.

Her fingers were constantly spotted in action... and mixed anxiety— had continued to form a squawking bird beak around the tip of the pen unconsciously.

"Be loyal, honest and faithful." said Akalia, as she began to communicate as loud as possible: to reach deep into the hearts of her audience yearnings, that stretched as far down to the greenish east escarpments, all the way down to the edges of a remote distance fence that nature had reclaimed...along an abandoned textile company.

It was an unfinished factory location— hidden away, along an ancient, but still inhabited forest settlements— surrounded by high mountains with dense fields of grass populations.

"Do not underestimate our union tonight, fellow CRPs." she said, and then paused there at the end of a sentence carrying a period.

She nipped the front page of her speech over the board. Many heard the ruffled-coughs of the papers, and the unique— stillborn air— frozen by cold, followed the short gust of breathes in her tone, that poured out from her nostrils fervently.

And her voice echoed around the vicinity been carried far into the cold mist of atmosphere through the Sonic assistance of the microphones.

"We have to be creative and imaginative and use any means necessary to succeed." she added, and her words sounded with honest conviction in her mouth.

Next, she momentarily paused, swing back and forth in her actions intentionally— to keep the crowd eyes focused.

She elegantly tossed her long breaded hair over her shoulder, and continued blatantly.

"Prepare for the earnest conflict against many oppositions that will arose in an attempt to burn down your bridges.

And i will tell you tonight; that the strongest opposing force, you will ever encounter to resist you on your way up to the promise Land, will be the state political manipulators: which you all know locally by the name, The Lopadans.

Though a mere conjecture, but a certain truth takes to account for my claims. They are your rivals, an enemy— who will come in many forms. Know it now by hearts comrades!

However, i chastise each one of you under the evident of this clouds above us." She changed over the position of her microphone to the left; then nipped to the last page and read her speech without pausing.

"Yes... that we all remain on course, bound for the purpose of our mutual protection.

Their failure is an advantage for us. Yes! And we'll never forget to capitalize on that. Even their ill stolen wealth, stashed away in the foreign bank accounts— will not stop us, they're a leash to us!" Akalia's eyes, in a brief moment rolled away.

She scoured around the front sections— over the thick anxious crowds standing before the raised wooden square platform worried.

During this period of time, she looked younger and mesmerized. Fresh— with glowing vibrance of her boastful youth in her eyes. She was still single and incredibly attractive.

Her voice twanged like the strings of a guitar would. Stirring the hearts of the bewildered followers.

Even her companion, young Michael Ajakison— cringed and shivered at her words.

Above ten thousand people, who secretly honored the invitation and decamped into the platform that night. All decleared thair allegiance immediately to CRP because of her.

Everyone stood there patiently listening to her speech, under the dark clouds of the night sky— shielding thousands of glowing stars and the moon.

Over the course of time, Akalia had spoken extensively on the purpose to reduce tensions, and to infuse hope in the hearts of the people, who had felt the highest impact of bad governance through the bad political leadership systems for years.

They were the worst people that had often been socially, and educationally marginalized, and politically manipulated.

They had low access to quality education. A place filled with low lives, and where illiteracy abound in high percentage.

Her speech helped to soothe their griefs, lighting the fine features on their faces that assumed to glow with great reverence in return.

When Akalia strangely peered up to the constellations again— and back upon the front line, on every individual's souls standing there as the alpha to be presumed.

She intuitively understood everyone's paradigm shift and the purpose of hosting her, as the last speaker to be ushered before the end of event.

There were greater number of young folks that bared these heavy burdens of proof.

They were within the age bracket of twenty-five, thirty and slightly above.

They added up to the few numbers of the advanced adulthood— amongst them in their sixties and seventies.

And she loved it that way. It was one of their criterion, if you must emerge as a leader from the platform.

Their spirit was transformed and made into something cheerful and elated souls.

As they all thought, that in the nearest future, the young shall take their rightful place as the future leaders of the state and not the son's of Lopadans.

"That's all for now— my fellow CRPs. But remember, victory knows it own.

And there it will gravitate, and arrive the least expected— with a price tag to reward your deeds."

A mild applause from the crowds, roused immediately into the baltic air, and echoes back into the atmosphere and the valleys; as she paced down the stage; and her feet clattering down, caww... caww... and elegantly approached her car, then sunk into the driver's seat— and drove off immediately to an unknown destination.

The State Under Chaos

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So began the saga of Akalia's sphinxes, and her shenanigan's journey— for many years.

Until her last efforts to make it better, turns her into a riveting penchant killer, without any remorse for her victims.