Continuation...
The next day, as the sun reaches its peak over Lagos Island, I find myself standing at the edge of a bustling street, absorbed by the rhythm of the city. The air is warm, almost stifling, but it carries with it the pulse of life—busy, vibrant, and unrelenting. Skyscrapers rise tall on either side of the street, their exteriors worn by time but still proud, still resolute. They stretch toward the sky, but they don't shimmer or glow like the glass towers I've seen before. Instead, they are solid, steadfast—symbols of a city that thrives on resilience.
Zetacode stands beside me, taking it all in. "It's different from what I imagined," he says quietly. "Less shiny, more... alive."
"Exactly," I respond, my eyes scanning the scene. The street is a hive of activity—vendors line the sidewalks, their tables overflowing with colorful fabrics and fresh produce. The scent of grilled meat, spiced and savory, drifts through the air, making my mouth water. Taxis honk as they weave through the traffic, and people move with purpose, each one part of the city's ceaseless flow.
Samuel, our guide, steps up next to us, a smile on his face. "This is Lagos Island," he says with pride. "It's not just about the skyscrapers or the history—it's about the people. The energy you feel here, that's the heart of Lagos. It's the vendors, the taxis, the hustle and bustle that make this place what it is."
I nod, watching as a group of children race down the street, their laughter piercing through the noise. "It feels like the city never stops."
Samuel laughs, a deep, resonant sound. "That's because it doesn't. Lagos is always awake, always moving. It's a place where dreams are chased, and where people make things happen, no matter what."
As we continue walking, I take in the mixture of old and new—crumbling buildings next to sleek high-rises, the stark contrast a testament to the city's ongoing evolution. There's something raw and unpolished about it, yet it's captivating in its own way. The street is alive with color and sound, the vendors calling out to potential customers, the hum of conversation, and the occasional burst of music from a nearby shop.
"This place, Samuel," I say, as we pause to let a yellow taxi speed by, "it's not just a city—it's a story, written by everyone who walks these streets."
Samuel nods, his eyes shining with understanding. "That's exactly right, Morinjo. Lagos is a place of stories—each building, each street corner, holds a piece of someone's life. You just have to listen to hear them."
As we stand there, amidst the throng of people and the chaotic beauty of Lagos Island, I feel a deep respect for this place. It's not perfect, not polished, but it's real—more real than any place I've ever been.
Zetacode leans in, his voice filled with quiet awe. "It's like the city itself is alive, isn't it?"
I can only nod in agreement, taking in the scene before me. Lagos Island isn't just a destination—it's a living, breathing entity, full of history, struggle, and hope. And as the day moves forward, I realize that this city, with all its contrasts and complexities, has left an indelible mark on me.
I stand firm, senses heightened. Beside me, Samuel Vincent's armor flies towards him like a sleek, flying sports car. As it nears, the suit fragments and envelops Samuel, transforming him into the formidable Time Manipulator.
"Fantabulous. You made this?" Zetacode asks, eyeing the armor.
"Yes, of course. Do you love it?" Sam replies, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Yeah, but I think Morinjo's alteration is better," Zetacode teases.
"Whatever."
I feel the familiar hum of my own nanotechnology, ready to shift at my command. Ahead, the Epic Sorcerer hovers, his eyes alight with power, the Amulet at his waist glowing with a sinister light.
"Are you guys ready to surrender the golden alien, Belteshazzar, or do you want to witness the annihilation of Lagos Island?!" the Sorcerer questions, his voice booming across the water.
Samuel, now clad in his gleaming armor, turns to me. "We'll never surrender. Are you ready?"
I nod, feeling the nanobots stir beneath my skin. "Always."
"Ready for what?" Zetacode asks, confused.
"For this battle. But first, we need to evacuate the civilians. Take them to Victoria Island; they'll be safe there."
"I thought they have legs to run for their lives?"
"Zetacode, I don't want any Nigerian to die because of this battle."
"Alright."
"Excellent." Samuel raises a hand, stopping time. I watch as Zetacode blurs into motion, a streak of lightning vacating civilians to the safety of Victoria Island. In mere seconds, he's back, visibly weakened but resolute, drawing strength from the cosmic force.
Time resumes, and the Sorcerer wastes no time, launching a wave of mystic energy. I react instinctively, summoning a wall of water to intercept the attack. The Sorcerer teleports behind me, hurling shards of ice. With a thought, I raise a barrier of earth, deflecting the projectiles, shattering nearby houses, and sending debris flying.
"Is this the best you can do?" the Sorcerer taunts, his voice dripping with disdain.
My nanobots surge, transforming me into Path Finder. "We're just getting started."
Zetacode darts forward, his super speed creating a blur as he attacks. The Sorcerer's mystic shield absorbs the blows, retaliating with a blast of energy that sends Zetacode sprawling. But Zetacode is resilient, absorbing the Speed Force to amplify his strength.
Samuel, flying with the grace of a predator, unleashes a barrage of bullets, bombs, and lasers from his armor. The Sorcerer counters with tendrils of dark energy, wrapping around him and constricting his movements.
"You cannot win. I am power incarnate!" the Sorcerer proclaims.
I call upon the wind, forming a tornado that envelops the Sorcerer. But with a teleportation spell, the Sorcerer appears above us, raining down bolts of energy. The ground trembles as I manipulate metal, ripping cars from the streets and sending them hurtling at the Sorcerer. Skyscrapers groan and shatter as I pull steel beams from their structures, adding to the chaos.
"We need to work together," Samuel urges, his voice strained. "Path Finder, create a distraction. Zetacode, you're our key."
I nod, summoning pillars of ice to encase the Sorcerer. The ice shatters under a spell, but I press on, hurling boulders and whipping up whirlwinds. Zetacode takes advantage of the distraction, circling the Sorcerer at super speed and creating a vortex of electricity.
"Enough!" the Sorcerer roars, unleashing a wave of energy that knocks us to the ground. He raises his hand, the Amulet glowing brighter.
"Now, Zetacode!" Samuel shouts.
Drawing from the Speed Force, Zetacode surges forward, his speed warping reality. He snatches the Amulet from the Sorcerer's waist, and the Sorcerer's scream of rage echoes as his power dwindles.
"Finish him, Time Manipulator!" I call out.
Samuel freezes the Sorcerer in time, and I combine my elemental control with Zetacode's speed, creating a cyclone of metal and electricity. The cyclone engulfs the Sorcerer, shattering his defenses in a final, climactic burst. The Sorcerer collapses, defeated. Samuel, Zetacode, and I stand victorious, battered but unbroken, surrounded by the wreckage of cars, shattered buildings, and upturned earth.
"We protect this world. Together," I say, my voice steady despite the exhaustion.
Samuel nods. "And we'll always stand against those who threaten it."
Zetacode, catching his breath, adds, "Let's get Belteshazzar to safety."
As we walk away, the sun dips below the horizon, casting the island in darkness—a peaceful contrast to the fierce battle that has just unfolded, leaving Lagos Island scarred but safe.
Next day
Victoria Island
The midday sun pours down, painting the streets in bright patches of light and shadow. The sky above is a deep, endless blue. We step out of our cars, feeling the heat rise from the pavement, and walk alongside Belteshazzar, our footsteps heavy with the weight of what is to come.
Leonard's voice breaks the silence, his gaze fixes on Belteshazzar. "So, this is goodbye?"
Belteshazzar nods, his expression unreadable. "For now. I might come back after facing Goliath... or I might not."
I step closer, my words a quiet plea. "Remember what I told you, Belteshazzar."
He pauses, just for a moment, and meets my eyes. "I won't forget, Johnson." Without another word, he turns and continues walking, leaving us standing in his wake.
Joseph, ever the one to find faith in the bleakest of moments, raises his voice in prayer. "May the Lord protect you and guide your armies."
Belteshazzar glances back, offering a simple, sincere, "Thank you," before facing forward again.
Zetacode, always with an eye on the future, speaks up as Belteshazzar begins to disappear into the distance. "There will be a gift for you if you return to Earth."
Belteshazzar didn't look back this time, but his silence carries the weight of all our hopes and fears. The sun continues to beat down, unyielding, as we watch him go.
BELTESHAZZAR
I kneel on one knee, placing my fist firmly on the ground, feeling the slight tremor that runs through the earth. A deep breath, and I focus, gathering every ounce of strength I'll need. Then, with a powerful surge, I push off the ground.
In an instant, I'm rocketing upward, the streets of Victoria Island vanishing beneath me in a blur. The wind whips past, fierce and relentless, as I thread through the maze of buildings, their sharp lines reduced to mere streaks of color. I skim just below the clouds, the world beneath me a rush of motion and light. I descend sharply, just above the ocean's surface, where the water reflects the blinding speed of my flight. The waves part slightly in my wake, the roar of my passage lost to the sheer velocity. The coastline of Nigeria appears quickly, the transition from ocean to land almost seamless.
As I fly across the country, the beauty of Nigeria unfolds before me in vivid detail. The dense green of the forests, the golden fields swaying in the breeze, and the vibrant villages, each teeming with life. I see the bustling cities with their chaotic energy, the sprawling markets alive with color and noise. The land is a rich tapestry of cultures and histories, each region offering something unique. I spot families gathered under trees, children playing in the dusty streets, and elders sharing stories on wooden porches. The diversity of the people, the warmth of their communities, all blend together in a stunning mosaic that is both humbling and awe-inspiring. I can't help but feel a deep respect for this place, for its resilience and beauty. Nigeria is unlike anywhere else I've been, a land where tradition and modernity coexist in a delicate balance.
But I know my journey isn't over. I shoot upward again, leaving the earth behind, the blue of the sky darkening to the inky black of space. The atmosphere thins, and the stars become pinpricks of light, distant and cold. The sun looms ahead, a massive sphere of burning energy. I slow my approach, feeling the intense heat even from this distance, and spread my arms wide, letting the sun's energy wash over me.
I hover there, absorbing the power I'll need for the battle ahead. The fight with Goliath will be brutal, and I know I must be at my strongest. So I stay, suspended near the sun, gathering strength for the war that is to come.
Golden City
GOLIATH
Seven days have passed since the first signs of unrest troubled my mind. The omens were shrouded in mystery, yet now their meaning doth begin to unfold before me, as a blade unsheathed.
I sit upon my golden throne, the very seat of my power, in the heart of Golden City. The palace, gleaming with wealth and majesty, is a testament to my reign over eons. My kingdom, vast and unchallenged, doth stretch beyond the horizon, but I feel a shift in the winds of fate.
The silence of mine hall is broken by the approach of three figures, warriors known to me as my own blood. Their steps are sure, their faces set with grim resolve. These are no ordinary soldiers—they are forged in the heat of battle and tested by millennia.
Nephilim doth lead the way, his towering stature a reminder of his lineage—the son of Tribune, god of fire and thunder. Beneath his calm lies a fire that could consume worlds. Beside him walks my daughter, Angrboda, her beauty concealing the dark arts she commandeth. Her raven locks flow like shadows, and her eyes, deep as the abyss, hide secrets only the gods can fathom. Agag followeth last, his very presence cloaked in darkness, a sentinel of shadow and void.
Their burden is heavy—I feel it ere they speak. I wait, my countenance calm, giving them leave to speak.
Agag steps forth, his voice deep and solemn. "O King, we bring grievous tidings unto thee."
I lean forward, mine eyes fixed upon them. "Speak, that I may hear thy news."
Nephilim doth step forward, his voice steady, though I see the tempest brewing in his gaze. "Thy most trusted servant, Belteshazzar, hath turned against thee. He hath allied with the warriors of Earth, and through their hands, great destruction hath befallen."
A smile doth play upon mine lips, calm though the storm stirreth within me. "This betrayal is no secret unto mine eyes. I have seen it aforetime. Belteshazzar hath indeed defied me, yet he doth not grasp the depth of our bond."
Nephilim doth unfurl a scroll, his hands steady as he doth hold it forth. "Belteshazzar hath sent a message unto thee."
He doth read:
"King Goliath, I come with the might of Earth and the mercy of El-Shaddai. Cease thy destruction, and withdraw from Treasure, or prepare thyself for the wrath of the Golden Prince and the armies of Valhalla."
As Nephilim's voice doth fall silent, the scroll is rolled once more. Their eyes rest upon me, waiting for my response. They seek to know if I shall tremble or falter at the words of rebellion.
I rise from my throne, my movement slow yet deliberate. "A bold challenge indeed," I say, my voice calm, though it resoundeth with power. "Let them come. Let them bring their gods and armies."
I descend from my throne, each step purposeful, my gaze never wavering. "They shall find naught but ruin at the gates of Golden City, for the Illuminati feareth no foe. If war they seek, then war they shall have."
Angrboda, ever cautious, steps forward, her voice trembling with concern. "Father, he cometh with the mercy of El-Shaddai and the power of Valhalla. Mayhap we shall not prevail…"
Her words, though spoken with care, doth sting my ears as weakness. I turn to her, my voice sharp as a blade. "Cast aside thy doubts, daughter. We are the Illuminati, and in our might, we shall crush all who stand against us. Our enemies shall be as dust beneath our feet."
The chamber doth echo with the force of my words. There is no room for hesitation, no place for fear. The die hath been cast, and I shall meet whatever cometh with the full wrath of my kingdom.
Let Belteshazzar and his allies come. Let them bring their armies, their gods, their threats. They shall find that the king of Golden City is not so easily toppled, and that the power of the Illuminati endureth as eternal as the sun.
As I stand with mine warriors, I know this is but the beginning. The battle shall be fierce, but I shall not falter. For I am Goliath, king of all villains, and my reign is everlasting.
To be continued in Valhalla season 2..