The building seemed almost like a fortress. There was a staircase which led upwards and as they climbed, the silence around them grew thicker. As soon as they got to the entrance, the small gate opened. There was a student there. He had been expecting them. Dick knew him as one of those in the junior classes. The gate was shut after them. He noticed two boys at different corners. It seemed like they had entered the lions den. Dick's heart skipped a beat and he had to look back at the gate again.
"Do you still have the cash?" Dick spoke quietly to Bret.
He was preparing for a means of negotiation if things didn't go as he had envisaged. The respond from Bret was positive.
"Let's go," Sagas was harsher. He had reached his own place and his dominion was protruding.
Unfortunately, Dick changed his mind. He refused to go ahead.
"Tell him to come here," he said.
In Boyas' territory?
Dick was still putting on arrogance. He had made decision to save Bret and the further he went, the harder it will be. The boys at the other end were watching them but they didn't come close. Sagas thought Dick was being stupid. He knew Boyas will never stoop low to come out to him. He would expect them to drag him all the way up if need be.
Sagas didn't give them much time to think. His tone turned even more aggressive as he barked, "Let's go." He was eager to get this over with, and it was clear he wasn't here for a peaceful resolution.
The others around them seemed to pause, confused by Dick's request. They weren't used to anyone challenging Boyas, let alone demanding that he come to them. Sagas's face twisted in irritation, but Dick stood his ground. Boyas was the leader, and Dick knew that if he wanted to confront him, he had to do it on his terms.
"You want me to drag you to him?" Sagas growled, clearly annoyed.
Dick didn't flinch. "Yes, I do," he replied, his voice unwavering.
Sagas muttered under his breath, but Dick could tell that his mind was already working, trying to figure out the best way to respond. The boys who surrounded them grew restless, but none of them made a move yet.
"Do you want me to force you?" Sagas threatened, stepping forward.
Dick remained calm. He had expected this. He had known that they would try to intimidate him, but he wasn't about to back down now.
Before Sagas could make a move, a voice rang out from the back of the room.
"Hold on. Don't touch him." It was Boyas' voice.
Dick felt the air shift as the leader stepped into view. Boyas had changed since the last time Dick saw him. He was no longer in his school uniform but instead wore casual clothes that gave him a more mature, intimidating appearance. Boya was only 18, but the aura around him made him seem much older, much more powerful.
Boya walked forward slowly, his eyes locked on Dick's with an unsettling calmness. As he moved, a thin film appeared before Dick's eyes, showing Boya's status. The information was clear and detailed:
Boya Gosh, 18th birthday; Ability: Fire, Crawler, and Eyes of Deception; Source: Almora.
This was the first time Dick had seen anything like this—an ability to gather and display information in such a manner. It was a revelation, and it made Dick even more cautious. He had no idea what kind of power Boyas wielded, but now he had a better understanding.
"Let the fight begin," Boya declared, his voice low and dangerous.
Suddenly, Boyas eyes glowed, and a ball of fire shot toward Dick. His eyes let out a ball of fire at a close range. The fire from his eyes glowed brightly. This kind of attack was not new to some of his boys. The ability of Boyas was a special one because he could shoot at anyone three times at a goal. He hadn't had the record of missing his target because he had made sure it was always done at close range. For him to be sure of victory he would shoot without making the opponent aware of his plan. If one of the fireballs hit the target, he would be burned and paralysed.
For Dick, thanks for the afore information.
Boyas let out the second fireball but Dick prevailed when he lowered his head slightly. The effect of this was heard on the wall. There was a loud explosion and there was surprise written over him. This had never happened. His eyes showed shock. There was one more chance and he was going to use it. Finally, he decided on how to do it and he was sure he would not fail.
Boyas was not the only one with special gifts, everyone in this room had but he led them and they had no problem about his leadership. His eyes and that of the boy who came to fetch Dick met. In that moment, message has been passed. That boys name was Gilga.
'Dangerous intentions!" Dick received another message.
Bret was the issue for him. He moved closer to him and spoke into his ears. He understood and looked back at the entrance. The gate was still closed.
"There should be no cheating. Using abilities is cheating. You said we want to talk," Dick said.
Gilga and the rest now stood before Dick and Bret. They had sinister look and were about to let out their evils at Dick.
"These are powers, dangerous intention," the warning was repeated..
Before they unleashed their thoughts, Dick quickly approached them with his fist. He kicked Gilga on the chest while his punch went for Boyas at the same time. Like lightning, he had brought down the two leaders. The others released what was in their palms. Fire came out of their mouths all at the same time towards Dick but he ducked by falling flat on the floor. The gate flung open. Gilga went to lock but was hit by fire from Boyas. Dick was looking for now to escape. He could have gone out at once but Bret was still shaking. Bret should have made use of the opportunity to run but he was waiting for Dick to give him a go ahead.
Dick felt he was being loyal unnecessarily. He should have gone when he had the chance.
The bullet which hit Gilga forced them to stop. Boyas and his boys gather to take care and that gave bail leaf to the escape of Bret and Dick.
"Next time, don't cheat. But, I'll see around." Dick said as he left.
****
Dick had never fully understood his own potentials, and as the days passed, it became increasingly clear that he had only scratched the surface of what he was capable of. He felt an insatiable drive to push himself further, to tap into the deepest parts of himself and understand exactly who he was, whom he had become, and what power lay dormant within him. The book Caul had given him had been useful because he had seen a physical link. When the film was displayed, it had connected Boyas with Almora. That was strange as he didn't think Almora was back so soon.
He was one of the mysteries connected to this prophesy and he was the chosen one in the centre of it all. If truly Almora had started his plan to come back and he had not really prepared, he doubted if he was ever going to be able to face him.
He couldn't ignore the weight of the unresolved issues with Mikey either The last time he had spoken to Mikey, he had tried to apologize for everything that had happened. But before he could make things right, a tragic accident had led him into a coma, casting him into an unfamiliar world, a world that was far more complex and dangerous than he could have imagined. That accident, a moment in time when he had been on the verge of reconciliation, had instead propelled him into an unexpected journey—one that blurred the lines between reality and something beyond it.
Even now, he still felt a powerful desire to meet Mikey again. To face the past, to confront it, and perhaps to gain some closure and experience he dearly thirst for.
He had to decide whom to visit first—Mikey or Homa. The decision weighed heavily on him. Both visits were equally important, but Dick couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more at play here, something beyond his control, Homa.