A few minutes later, the wall clock struck 5 pm with an amazing ringing tone. He noticed an unusual sound that was followed by strange footsteps. Soon, he heard what seemed like a knock at the door. He wasn’t so sure, but he knew, he heard a sound behind the door.
He knew it must be one of his mission members, who exactly?
That knock was abnormal, he thought. Lifting his hands above his head, he formed a firm fist and then started lifting his two legs into the air.
This time, Ohman Crest made a physical appearance and shouted. “Enough Mike, I came in peace.”
Mike turned in that direction, he heard the voice. When he saw it was Ohman, he stopped. He released his hands quickly, and then placed his two legs on the floor which made a cracking noise that kept Ohman wondering where he got those powers.
Mike stared firmly at him with bloodshot eyes as he spoke loudly, “Why did you come in the tazurras format? You never told me you will visit this way. It would have been a bitter clash, and you know it. Good, you spoke up when you did.”
Ohman could smell wrath in his voice. The notes in his voice were filled with anger too hot for him to handle. He knew Mike had been a powerful warrior—he is the best in the mission, and wondered why Manzus wanted his blood on the altar of Darkis. Perhaps to make the altar stronger, he thought nervously.
The scary record states that it was only Teger Maxwell the third in command that was so sacrificed 9 years ago.
He was a great warrior of repute, but why was he taken away?
His thoughts became twice active as he tries to focus on the record about Teger.
Teger was very brave and unusually talented. He slaughtered a hundred and two people. But, Mike had surpassed that record by sixty, and this may have informed the decision of Manzus and his invisible chamber to take him to the temple of Zus.
He is a strong man with great blood running through his veins. There is no doubt that the blood of Mike will strengthen the altar of Darkis for decades to come.
He gazed at Mike again, this time with eyes widened. He knew he had acted unwisely. Struggling so hard to pick the right words to express himself, he began slowly, “be calm Mike, I’m sorry I came in the format of tazurras—agreed I messed up. Please don’t be mad at me. What matters is that, I’m here, let’s talk.”
Mike never wanted any explanation. He hissed, looked around, and then sat on a chair.
He broke the silence a few minutes later with a cracked voice, “it is okay Ohman, you know I have been doing a lot of thinking lately—why me, Ohman? It would have been better twenty years later.”
Ohman lifted his hands strongly. He wasn’t so sure what Mike was talking about.
Was he losing his nerves?
He stared at him fearlessly, his expression turning serious, with eyes now opened wide, “remember no one questions the decision of the great Grandmaster Manzus. Remain silent Mike, never let the winds of Turas blow your words to the temple of Zus. That will melt out stiffer penalty, and you know it, Mike!”
Mike stood up angrily, his eyes glittered with fury. “Don’t start Ohman. You are already getting me upset. Listen, I have blocked the winds with Zippers, no word discussed here is permitted to escape, and our words are safe, let’s talk Ohman. You are the number 4 man, and a member of the inner caucus. What went wrong? Why should I be the sacrificial lamb? The Spiritual cabinet of the Zus never ceases to amuse me! Their laws and degrees seemed to be very upsetting, upsetting to me.”
Ohman was surprised how he got those powers—powers to challenge even the decisions of the Zus in the comfort of his house. He knew Mike was smarter and quick to learn. He was the number 6 man and had learned deep things greater than the position, he occupies.
How come he got powers to zip the winds?
He nodded his head in amazement.
Now, he was perplexed at Mike’s question.
Was he questioning the Zus’s order or just complaining?
He wasn’t so sure which, but very convinced that as the conversation unfolds he would draw a thick line soon.
Clearing his throat, he straightened up, “how dare you, Mike. Are you crazy or what?”
Mike looked at Ohman, who was only an inch taller than him with bloodshot eyes, “perhaps I’m Ohman, you must know that the mere thought of death could make any man go crazy, don’t play pranks here, Ohman. Tell me what you know about this, I mean all about this?”
Ohman felt Mike’s pain. He felt his nervous words with a little pinch of stammering overshadowing them. And for the first time, he saw him so tensed up. Perhaps, he was wrong he thought again staring into Mike’s eyes.
He knew he had to tell Mike all he knew at least for old-time sake. However, he was certain that will not change anything. The decision of Manzus to kill him shortly remains unchanged.
He walked up to Mike, held him firmly by his shirt, and then forced a smile that betrayed the true expression on his face, “Okay Mike, you win. I will tell you what I’m thinking. You must, however, acknowledge that the decision was purely Manzus’s with his invisible team. Humman Cruizerdin was surprised, but his surprise was short-lived when told the altar of Darkis needed the blood of the toughest warrior to be empowered for the next two decades. It was very unusual to choose a member from the first ten. You and I know these are the leaders. This was a tough decision, I must confess, and the words of Manzus are never reverted, I think he got it sealed, and again—”
Ohman looked at him and then turned around. He seems to be confused, but sure he was communicating at least to some extent. He wanted to go on but changed his mind. He turned around again, and spoke cautiously, “that is the oath and covenant Mike, remember our motto, blood and wealth. It could be anybody. Yes, the death could as well be taken by anybody, but you are not anybody Mike! You are a genius—a genius too great, powerful, and greatly respected by the Grandmaster,” he whispered.
Mike held his breath for a while and then released it quietly. He wasn’t so sure if he heard Ohman correctly when he said.
“The altar of Darkis needs the blood of the toughest warrior.”
He fixed his eyes on Ohman, “perhaps, I made a terrible mistake being too tough, right?”
Ohman was perplexed at Mike. He wondered what Mike was thinking. “Don’t think like a toddler Mike. Why say a thing so horrible? You were the best, and you are still the best. Everyone knows that it is in your blood. Your blood was always hot, and will always be even when poured on the altar of Darkis!”
Mike looked at the mirror hung on the wall at the far left corner of the sitting room, “Stephnie will soon be home. I can see her coming,” he said quietly, and turned around at Ohman. “Thanks, Ohman, I guess you must take your leave now.”
Ohman stared at his friend again perhaps for the last time he will see him alive. He held his left hand out and shook him firmly.
“I’m sorry Mike,” he turned around, and suspended his legs in the air by pushing his hands up, and seconds later, he disappeared.
Mike could hear the noise of his invisible footsteps as he moved with great speed.
Was Ohman hiding something?
Is it not possible that it would have been someone much older in the mission?
The words of Ohman were still coming back hard on him as he struggled to understand why his time will be soon.
He walked towards the window and pulled the curtain to his left. He could see Stephnie driving in now, she came too soon. He placed back the curtain in its position and then walked back to his favorite armchair.
Stephnie drove carefully into a parking space, off the engine, and came out of the car. She carried little Terry out of the car.
A few seconds later, she was in the sitting room. She was surprised to see Mike at home. She put Terry down, and walk up to him quickly, “Honey, hope all is well? You were supposed to be at work. I wasn’t expecting to meet you at home at this time, are you okay? I can see you aren’t looking too well, hope nothing is the matter. I can get some food in the kitchen for you if you don’t mind or—”
Mike was becoming uncomfortable with her incessant talking, “enough, give me a break. I needed to rest that was why I came this early. How was your day?” He stood up and walked closer to her. He embraced her and kissed her passionately. Her response was cold, and he knew it. He could see fears in her eyeballs, fears with wings flying around her eyeballs. Telling him, he was lying!
He tried hard to put on a calm deposition. He pushed Stephnie back a little because her eyes were burning deep into his eyes.
Searching for what?
What she might hold unto and then what?
See his mind and unearth his innermost fears!
He drew closer to her and forced his lips on her, and she responded. And the moment his hands fondled her breasts, she moaned and now, she wanted more of him.
She kept on sucking his lips, and when she felt his hand on her thigh, her moaning increased. Her body shivered, she instantly felt the electrifying effect of the romance that had taken hold of her body already.
Now, she felt wet and ready for more action!
She was about to take off her clothes when she noticed Terry was watching them, and the same time, playing with his toys in the far right corner of the sitting room.
She reluctantly stopped, but her lips were still sucking hard on Mike’s lips.
As her urge grew, she knew it might just happen, and certainly not before little Terry, she held her breath, pulled back, and then turned her back on Mike.
“I guess not now or here, Terry is watching. We can’t be naked before him.” She whispered.
“You are right Stephnie, not before him. We can wait—” He licked his lips, and looked at her from behind thoughtfully.
She was so beautiful with an amazing sexy appearance, having the right curves at the right places; he thought further and then looked away.
A few seconds later, his strength started failing him. He turned his back against her as he managed to utter a few words, “I felt kind of nervous, perhaps, I am coming down with fever or something. Doctor Lens Raff told me, I needed some rest.” He spun around slowly and held her hands once more. His grip was fragile and extremely cold.
Where exactly had the warmth in it gone?
It wasn’t wintering yet!
Stephnie felt the coldness in his hands again and wondered if he had visited the freezer for a drink. She searched around for a while, and there was no empty glass, cup, or bottle around that could aid her apprehensive thoughts.
She shifted her eyes to him again, this time a burning sensation was piling up within her feet, and then climbing gradually through her nerves. She flinched as her bones screamed, but her eyes never shifted from him. She wanted to read his mind.
How could she?
His eyes had never betrayed him for once, and certainly not this time. No matter how hard she tried, she knew she can’t get a loophole to catch in.
Suddenly, she looked away and wondered why Mike loved secrets.
Why must he handle stress alone?
He wants to saddle his burden alone, and not share!
Why must he keep a lot from her? She pondered angrily.
She wasn’t so sure Mike was telling her the truth. He hadn’t seen him take any drug lately, and this talk about fever was scary to her.
She had noticed Mike had not been himself for weeks, but what exactly his happening to him now was what she was struggling to figure out.