SonGs of the chained ones’ fury Chapter 1 excerpt

They landed on a massive, satellite-filled roof as their dropships silently flew off into the night. Rising from crouched positions like angels of death filled with pride as they deactivated their wing parachutes, the infiltrators readied their assault rifles and long knives, checking communication gear and personal combat tech before their fated assault. Kundai studied his men as he squinted his eyes from a cold, rushing wind in a dark, moonlit Montroy night. As the soldiers prepared themselves to execute their mission, their poise and professional elegance sickened Kundai. Indeed, they had to convey a soldier’s etiquette and handle the objectives with a heartless calm, but where were those troubling motions of uncertainty that betrayed their professionalism? Where were the trembling hands and slightly shaken legs that testified against their will to do what they were about to do to their fellow human beings? Kundai grunted, walking towards his men as he inspected them to ensure tactical soundness. Of course, they showed no signs of battlefield guilt, or other emotions that portrayed aspects of their humanity, because they loved it—found a thrill in pulling the trigger and swinging the knives at souls—no—for them—not souls: targets. There was never joy in any of it. Not for Kundai…or even Milo…though they saw Emperor Milo as someone who didn't care for what happened during warfare.

          But that was a lie. Milo did care. They just had to listen to what the Emperor meant when he preached the creeds of the empire.

          Kundai lifted his wrist, studying the symbol of his nation. The drawing of The Cross, standing high like a giant of glory, as an angel stood facing it with a salute while a demon raised its fist at The Cross in protest. That drawing vexed his spirit since the reactions of the angel and demon towards and against the cross was a representation of how he, and even mankind, had felt inside themselves concerning the truth—how they warred with those emotions of light and darkness against that truth.

          Kundai pulled out his long-knife and readied his stance as his men did the same.

         *If only you men understood what the symbol of our nation really meant. If only you men saw the truth of things. Yet here we are, the created, ready to act like wild animals.*

          He raised his hands—ready to give the order.

         * Alas, I’m slowly straying from The Way...and...I’m no different. Hell, look at my hypocrisy.*

          Hands still high in the air, activating night and thermal vision as he switched on his stealth camouflage, his men followed in kind, their vision-goggles beaming on like giant insects of darkness. Then, they too turned invisible.

          He turned around, looking down through the edges of the military’s compound roofs. The heat signatures showed Montroy soldiers pacing back and forth for homeland security duty.
            The moment was now.
            Kundai darted his raised fist downward. “Execute.”

          The Sons of Morning soldiers ran off into the night as swifts as leopards and fierce as Betarung Wielder Beasts of the Halev Shel Hael, and Kundai trailed them in their wake.

          As they jumped off the ledges, they unleashed their grapple hooks, and launched onto their targets with knives in hand, slitting the throats of the patrolling Montroy soldiers in quick fashion. And before Kundai had reached the edge and dived onto the patrol pathway, the men were already readying themselves for the inner siege.

          They were well trained. He had to acknowledge that. But still…the taking of life was never easy.

          Raising his left hand, pressing a reconnaissance button on his watch, a three-dimensional map-projection of the enemy compound had beamed from his wrist and slowly twirled into the air.

          Studying the map, a soldier walked towards him, their strides filled with assured confidence and grace—too much grace.

          The soldier cleared their throat and deactivated their mask, revealing a young woman whose gaze was like a blazing inferno of life. Kundai removed his mask as well and she said, “Commander, our orders.”

          He eyed her. “Not yet Fiona. We must wait.”

          “That’s right! Aren’t the lords supposed to be here and—” She said with great excitement and then trailed off, doing so because Kundai had raised his hand in a gesture that meant, *‘Calm down and relax.’* She spoke again. “I meant, precisely. But where are the masters?”

          “They are late.”

          She said nothing, portraying no emotion though he sensed she was slightly perturbed by his statement and he said, “Fiona, rest assured they won’t be late again. Even if it's their first mission, they are not excused by this slight. Understand?”

          “Yes sir.”

          “Good. This is another lesson for you to learn before you soon take my place to command.”

          “Precisely sir.” She began to look off, faint moonlight reflecting from her white skin as her eyes burned with passion though emitting a sense of yearning. Soon, their communication channels chimed in their ears. They looked northeast, staring into the cloudy sky.

          The masters were coming. He tensed. *First time with you children…let's see what you’re made of.*

                                                                          *****

          Fiona’s heart began to beat. Though she was already filled with adrenaline from the first siege, she couldn’t contain the excitement and awe building inside of her. And as she stared into that black, cloudy sky, seeing the halo ship approach, her wonder and anticipation were mixed with an ineffable trepidation as if she was about to stand face to face with her fate.

          And though dread overwhelmed her, filling her with a sense of unease, a feeling of hope enveloped her because she had confidence in her masters—of who they were and the abilities they possessed. And then she thought about the power and prestige she could nab from them for herself whenever she'd won them over soon. She grinned devilishly, then began thinking of who could be her potential...prospect.

         The thoughts of the tales about the man-beast, Lord Shohiwa, had almost made her tremble in fear. Then she pulled out her pistol and deeply rubbed the grip against her forehead to maintain her toughness. The men and women in the ranks couldn’t get enough of talking about Shohiwa of the Salem Lords. And though some storytellers were filled with hesitation as they spoke of that bloodthirsty nature of Shohiwa, their listeners staring with intrigue, they could never cease to bring up the man-beast because Shohiwa was also a lovable young warrior—a ferocious warrior who cherished and desired the company of his fellow soldiers.

          Who else in the empire was like that? Was he worthy for Fiona? Maybe.

         *Ah...next contestant for my grand dreams.*

          And then she thought of Lord Shohiwa’s three brothers, Karikoga, Gabriel, and Michael and she felt as if her spirit would rise from her body and float into a euphoria that would take her soul forever.

         Oh, how they say that Michael was such a gentle and beautiful man—one so handsome, intelligent, and charming that he’d make Lucifer himself envy his existence.

         *Damn you, Fiona. You know that it'll take more than sheer beauty and charm to win you over...then again....he's also incredibly obnoxious. Very loud, quite fashionable, and could fight....perhaps he is worthy for me and my plan to take over and rule Minefer for myself, yes?*

           She holstered her pistol, feeling more in control of herself.

          And then there was Karikoga. The mighty leader of The Salem Lords. She met him in person, though only briefly, and though he was shy when he was introduced to the empire, his eyes possessed an illuminating power that nearly stole her breath. And to think—that months later—this new child recruit would accomplish much and be the center of tales that testified to his might…

          *I think you could be worthy. Maybe.*

          And then there was Gabriel.
            But when she thought of him, terror gripped her soul. Gabriel, the one who few dared to speak about. Gabriel—the child who was said to have been possessed by something overwhelmingly malevolent. She met him briefly too. She thought of his eyes.

          *Oh God his eyes…*

          Her legs were moving. Thinking of Gabriel longer, her legs moved faster until she heard fierce taps beneath her. And those taps increased in speed until—

          “Fiona!” She said aloud to herself. She paused. Realizing she was leg-tapping in sheer nervousness. She collected herself. “Be still. Calm.”

          She inhaled, then exhaled deeply. Then she cracked her knuckles and rolled her neck until a few pops sounded. And she said, "Let those dainty little whores swoon over them. Yet I transcend those whores and will remain cool--more cool and collected than the Emperor himself."

         "Fiona? Something happened?" said Kundai.

        She lightly cursed under breath, realizing she was talking too loud then said, "Not at all. Just thinking aloud to myself. Everything is fine." She activated her noc-zoomers, a telescopic gadget that formed onto her eyes, and she stared into the northeast once more, noticing the halo-jump carrier not too far away.

          *I shall keep my calm and be the lordess of authority.*

          Her heart thumped wildly.

          *They’re coming! The Swords of the Emperor are coming!*

          She braced herself. It seemed that remaining calm would be tougher than she thought. 

                                                                          *****

          He closed his eyes and slowly clenched his fists, absorbing all the anxiety, the excitement, and the extreme sense of worry into his being.

          The Emperor declared war on one of the few remaining, autonomous countries on earth, and Karikoga’s first mission would see him and his brothers at the center of it all—or, at least, for Karikoga, that was what it was supposed to be. But after learning the details of the mission and discovering the roles of what he and the Salem Lords played, he had to deviate from certain parameters. After all, he or his brothers would not play second fiddle. There was no other choice. It was the only way to prove himself as something more to the Emperor.

          But the plan to improvise during the mission had filled him with fear, although he was looking forward to it.

          He’d waited a long time for this moment, and now he would have his chance to become stronger than he was now, but he felt his spirit falling. And with that, a lingering dread assailed him, causing his heart to thump.

          The halo plane shook like a giant earthquake, its rabid shaking producing thunderous rattles so loud that it seemed to mock the current mood of Karikoga’s inner being.

          Karikoga slowly opened his eyes, observing the metal ceiling of flashing lights and twisting, intersecting pipes that were formed in a chaotically macabre fashion that oddly conveyed solid organization and structure.

          And as these humming pipes crossed through one another within such chaotic order, so too did Karikoga’s soul—shifting from the love of the light to the intrigue and lure of darkness. He concentrated his senses into the core of his stomach, channeled into his Kai energy, looked at his hands, and closed them tightly, feeling great power swimming through every fiber of his muscles, joints, and ligaments. Then, he channeled his Kokhott Rukhaniim into the dark side of The Way, but as much as he sought to immerse himself deeper into those tainted arts, guilt struck him greatly. He’d loved God very much, so much so that he used to sit near the hearth of his Grandpa’s cabin’s rooftop and listen to his Grandpa talking about the Creator and His gospel every day. But ever since that fateful moment, after remembering what his grandfather had done when Karikoga witnessed it as a child—Karikoga could not forgive him. And, through that, Karikoga grew an attraction to his first love once more—a power that his mother had shared with him every now and then as a child. And with that rebirth of the fascination of the deeper things, it became an obsession. And with that obsession—new power. But as he deeply channeled more of that twisted but pleasurable spiritual energy into his fists, clenching them even tighter, he felt his soul falling even more. Then he stopped and channeled flavors of puissance from the Narrow Road, and his hand trembled weakly. The sensation of falling ceased. But Karikoga grunted, losing concentration of his Kokhott Rukhaniim.

          Cowardice possessed him.

          Could he do it? Perhaps find a compromise in both opposing extremes of The Way and become a Mudziviriri that he always dreamed to be? Or would it come at a great cost: to fall so low that he would have to fully severe his relationship with the Most High God?

          He grimaced.

          *Maybe I’m already far from Him…*

          The airplane shook and soon rattled.

          “This is Echo One,” said a voice from the cockpit. Karikoga looked at the pilots who were pressing and flicking a series of buttons and switches in a controlled manner. “Entering Dive Phase. I repeat. Entering Dive Phase. Preparing the jump.”

          The flashing lights cut off, and elongated, metal light bulbs arrayed the interior in a strong, dull-grey glow—a warmth pervading the room.

          Karikoga loosened his grip as an alarm sounded off. Now, his thoughts were on the mission, and with that, his very own chain of command.

          Despite all the training, fear struck him. The nerves kicked in.

          Karikoga slowly turned his head away from the pilots and faced two other young men who sat on a long, translucent seat—opposite him. He studied his little brothers: Shohiwa and Gabriel.

          Shohiwa was rubbing his fists as his long, layered dreads dangled like resting snakes over his face, squinting his eyes as he rubbed his knuckles even harder. Then Shohiwa suddenly paused, slowly looked up, and grinned at Karikoga—that blood-thirsty, insane smile revealing white teeth that seemed to glow like the brightest but deadly stars in contrast to his black skin.

          *You…you better keep your goddamn cool Shohiwa. No funny business this time.*

          As if Shohiwa read Karikoga's thoughts, Shohiwa slowly looked down and continued to rub his knuckles.

          Karikoga was relieved that the Most High Yahweh never made them telepaths, or Shohiwa’s reaction to his big brother Karikoga’s thoughts would’ve been different.

          Karikoga turned to face Gabriel. Gabriel's black skin seemed to glow in the plane lights—his skin seeming like a special, forbidden universe that housed a wellspring of hidden power—and he studied Gabriel’s face. That poker face struck Karikoga with strange dread. Gabriel was sitting in an upright position with extreme poise, looking at himself in the mirror as he slowly groomed his short, well-cut dreads that hung, neck-low, from one side of his face as the other side was well tapered.

          Then Gabriel ceased grooming, put away the mirror, and slowly looked at Karikoga, Gabriel’s eyes empty yet so alive, a fiery tempest in a realm of ice.

          Karikoga slightly tensed, but not so much as to show Gabriel any sign of weakness or submission.

          But a thought surfaced: *Gabriel, do you smell my fear?*

          Then Gabriel looked away.

          The planed rattled once again.

          “Echo 2, preparing to open hatch. Repeat preparing to open hatch.”

          Karikoga breathed deeply. “Alright guys, its time.” Karikoga slowly got up.

          His brothers looked at him.

          Karikoga heard footsteps. The co-pilot had then stumbled into their seating area as he held parachutes in hand.

          “Hey fellas, you’re gonna need this!”

          The brothers slowly looked at the co-pilot.

          He cleared his throat and said, “Damn it! I meant—have a safe jump with these my lords.”

          They said nothing. Shohiwa blew one of his long dreads. The pilot chuckled nervously. “I forgot. You don’t need these!” The pilot stared at Gabriel and trembled.

          Karikoga faced Gabriel who was smiling at the pilot. Then, slowly, Gabriel's eye’s shifted from his normal grey-brown-golden sheen to a demonic yellow glow as his pupils formed into black slits like a snake. The pilot, startled by the sight, stepped back, and tripped from his feet, falling backward onto the cockpit’s entryway wall.

          He gathered himself and said, “If you’ll excuse me…” and swiftly went back into the cockpit.

          Gabriel chuckled. “Lesser Humans. So easy to intimidate. Pathetic.”

          “Relax bro. That nigga a newbie. At least homeboy had enough respect to try and look after us.” said Shohiwa.

          “Yet intelligence obviously eluded the brain-dead fool who seemed to fail to remember who we are. Alas, the plague of forgetfulness and stupidity always assails these stupid Lesser Humans as they hardly remember their own history and folly.” retorted Gabriel.

          Karikoga cringed at Gabriel’s words and the venom it carried.

          “Bro chill. Nobody’s perfect. That nigga on our side and he’s a part of the imperial family just as we are—fighting for the same thing.” defended Shohiwa.

          Gabriel sighed. “Shohiwa, do not be foolish to compare the likes of a Lesser Human to your glory.”

          “I’m not a fool, punk!” Shohiwa grimaced.

          “Excuse me?” Gabriel chuckled. “It seems the plague has also possessed you as well, failing to comprehend my words and its structure as nowhere within my statement have I made a directive towards you claiming that you are a fool. I said, ‘do not be foolish.’ But, regardless, I believe the plague will continue to taint your mind and disintegrate any remaining morsel of your intelligence. After all, you always were complacent. And for our race, complacency practically makes one useless, giving one a meaningless existence.”

         Karikoga was stifled by Gabriel once more—how his little brother could so boldly speak such truthful words about Shohiwa’s troubling complacency.

          Shohiwa growled and—

          “Enough you two!” Karikoga said, darting up from his seat and standing at the center of the seating area. “Let’s get ready for the mission. Huddle up.”

          Gabriel smirked, ignored Shohiwa who eyed him and walked towards Karikoga. Reaching him, Karikoga held out his right hand. Gabriel stared at his hand like a doctor who suddenly discovered a patient’s tumor that was so morose and terrible that it threatened his existence.

          Gabriel looked up at Karikoga and said, “Karikoga?”

          Karikoga said nothing and held out his left hand towards Shohiwa as well.

          Shohiwa noticed, and, still scowling, gave Karikoga the finger.

          Karikoga gnashed his teeth.

          Gabriel stared at Shohiwa and turned to Karikoga once more.

          “Get over here Shohiwa—now.” Demanded Karikoga.

          “Nigga, I’m tired of doing that.”

          “But you used to appreciate—”

          “Nah Karikoga. I don’t care about all of that anymore. I’m good.”

          Karikoga gritted his teeth, then he channeled deeply into his Kokhott Rukhaniim. Karikoga’s inner being swam with so much power that his eyes glowed blue as his short, coiled dreads flowed upwards.

          “Brother, calm yourself” hissed Gabriel. “Not here.”

          “Shohiwa, I’m in charge. Do what your commander tells you Salem Lord. Or do you know the consequences of your insubordination?”

          Shohiwa growled, slowly got up, dragged himself towards Karikoga, and tightly grabbed his hand—his eyes slightly regarding Gabriel with a sense of shame as his head was lowered down.

          Karikoga depowered himself, calming down. He noticed the gap within their group-triangle. He waited a moment, then said, “Alright you two, hold hands.”

         Shohiwa reluctantly held out his left hand to Gabriel to help close their triangle.

          Gabriel’s eyes went wide and said, “Big brother, what are you doing?”

          “That’s what the hell I’m say’n.” said Shohiwa.

          “Let’s pray.” Said Karikoga.

          Gabriel chuckled out loud and said, “Really? Is this what you do every now and then behind the scenes? Fascinating!”

          “Let’s do this for now Gabe.”

          Gabriel grinned. “So, you cannot seem to let go, yes big brother?”

          Karikoga closed his eyes in dismay.

         “Cease this nonsense. There is no need to pray anymore.”

          “Don’t be like this.”

         “Like what? Real to self?”

          “Please…”

          “How do you even know if He will hear you? What makes you think that the Christ Supreme still regards us? That God the Son Jesus Christ still sees you?” asked Gabriel.

          “But you still acknowledge Him?”

          “Of course, I do.” Said Gabriel.

          “You still care about Him, do you?”

          Gabriel squinted his eyes, losing his cool and said, “Karikoga, stop living in a fantasy world. You are here now. It’s best you stop being indecisive and fully commit.”

         “I gave you an order Salem Lord. Hold my hands.” Barked Karikoga. Gabriel chuckled. And then he slowly took hold of Karikoga’s hand. “Close your eyes. Bow your heads. Let us pray.”

          As Shohiwa closed his eyes while Karikoga did the same, Gabriel mouthed, “Fantasy land.”

          Feeling a sting from Gabriel’s words, Karikoga ignored Gabriel and began: “Most High God, Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, how You reentered our universe and caused Your light to shine upon New Earth with such great power that the stars had sung of Your glory. Thank You so much in resurrecting our ancestors and blessing them with the power of Your Holy Spirit to live alongside You in glory, allowing us to be in the Thousand Year Reign. But please, forgive us of falling from Your glory. How we and our ancestors regret being casted out of New Jerusalem. Forgive us of the Third Sin and the sins that we committed in the past and the ones we may do now and in the future. Let us grow stronger in The Way. I pray this in the name of Your Son and our beloved God-King—the Creator of the Cosmos—Christ Jesus. Amen.” Karikoga opened his eyes. His brothers were already staring at him. “I said, ‘Amen.’”

          “Blay-Blhen.” Shohiwa said, spouting gibberish.

          Gabriel chuckled.

          Karikoga squinted his eyes, “Good enough.”

         Karikoga then shifted to Gabriel.
         Gabriel smirked. “A man,”

          Karikoga nodded his head.

          Gabriel continued, “A man before us—is haunted—by indecisiveness.”

          Gabriel’s words struck Karikoga’s heart, making Karikoga somehow feel guilty. Then anger billowed like a firestorm in Karikoga, wondering if Gabriel ever said, ‘Amen.’ But Karikoga calmed himself and overlooked Gabriel’s comment.

          Karikoga let go of their hands and positioned himself to gesture the Cross of the Gospel.

          Shohiwa and Gabriel slowly positioned themselves in the same manner, and then they all gestured the Cross of the Gospel.

          Finishing, they stepped away from each other as Gabriel chuckled, slowly shaking his head while saying, “Fantasy land.”

          Karikoga felt strange as he wanted to say more, his true prayer being: *Lord, we don’t deserve Your forgiveness! We fell so low that we became enamored with the other path! How I hate this so much but desire it because I just want to get stronger, be a Protector over all The Sacred Jinn, bring Third Temple back to its former majesty in Halev Shel Hael, and be a part of Your will to end The Final Tribulation. I still love the light yet struggle so much! Why can’t You give me both God? Why can’t have I have both Your power and the power of Satan?*

          His thoughts were soon too much to bear. He felt guilt and shame hound him.

          *Why can’t I descend? Why do I still keep holding on? Why do I—*

          “Karikoga.” Said Gabriel

          Karikoga eyes went wide.

          “Be still big brother. Sooner or later, you will understand. Everything will come full circle for you soon enough.”

          Karikoga realized he was tightly gripping his fist as he trembled uncontrollably.

          “Uh—y—yea…”

          The doors opened.

          “Ready to go my lords.” Said the master pilot.

          Gabriel walked towards the hatch. Reaching it, he crossed his arms like a calm, ancient master and dived out.

          Shohiwa jogged towards it and wildly back-flipped out of the plane.

          Karikoga went to it and, head-first, dived out.

                                                                    *****

          As the soldiers stood combat-ready in the shadows of the cool, Montronian night, Commander Kundai rubbed his head, the wait growing longer. Then a gentle tap on his shoulder had stirred him from deep thoughts. He turned to face the one who pulled him from his troubled mind, somewhat relieved from the unexpected company.

          “Commander,” said Fiona as she gestured towards the northeast.

          Kundai turned around, then approached the precipice of the military harbor’s view-sight walkway. He pressed a button, activated his noc-zoomer, and looked out into the churning, windblown seas. Finding his line of sight, he surveyed the dark skies.

          Three young boys were diving nearly thirty-thousand feet from the sky, descending like celestial beings.

          He shook his head.

          *There you are. And a halo jump? Whose idea was that? Perhaps Shohiwa no doubt eh? Trying to show off? Regardless, if you children weren’t too busy over-preparing, practicing your techniques at Qu-ton’s Look Out, you could’ve come with us. Then again, it’s always your youngest brother being the most professional of you quartet. Sometimes.*

                                                                    *****

          As strong wind blew past Karikoga, pulling and tossing his neck-length dreads that collided against his face, Karikoga tightened his dive, falling even faster—soon closing the distance between he and his brothers.

          Despite the calming nature of the free fall, a jump that Shohiwa had claimed would help free the nerves of their assignment, a terrible dread haunted Karikoga. He thought about Gabriel’s words and how they most likely may be true, but then Karikoga thought more about his brothers and how far they’d all come since their late Awakening, and he tensed.

          He looked at Shohiwa, watching him flipping and spinning wildly to enjoy himself as much as possible, but Karikoga gritted his teeth. Shohiwa had become such a loose cannon ever since they entered the mentorship of Emperor Milo, and even though the mighty and enigmatic Emperor barely shared knowledge and wisdom of their new immersion in The Way, Shohiwa seemed like he wanted to take over the world and lead the front lines as if Milo’s brief preliminary lessons were enough for the rest of his life.

          “Shohiwa, what made you want to be a big boss all of a sudden? I remember you used to be so humble when we were with Grandpa Murray.” Karikoga said to himself.

          Gaining speed, Karikoga eventually passed his flipping brother and caught up to Gabriel whose arms were still crossed—diving head forward like those legendary, mythological figures of the Postdiluvian period billions of years ago—figures so old yet still never forgotten by the history junkies like Shohiwa who raved about them often.

          *What were they called? Sayas? Suyans? Saitans? Saiyans?*

          Karikoga shook his head, ignoring the ancient fairy tales and concentrated on Gabriel once more.

          Gabriel’s eyes were focused as if he was staring into the future. And perhaps he was observing just that: the unknown destiny ahead of him. And it was this potential fact that deeply troubled Karikoga because as much as Gabriel may have loved him, Gabriel was so caught up in his own sacred dream that Gabriel seemed like an entirely different individual—one whose goals were so vast that his blooming, unknown destiny of such grandeur and intrigue was slowly pushing everyone away from him—whether Gabriel wanted to or not. But, considering how Gabriel kept to himself and began to remain secret about his life, it was no doubt the former.

         *Gabriel, why are you distancing yourself from us? Why are you pushing yourself away from me little brother?*

            Karikoga felt his eyes watering. He tightly closed them and shook his head. Michael was the last to come to mind. *Michael. I hope to God you’re alright little brother. You’re actually in the thick of it.*

            Suddenly, the churning waves of the vast, black ocean appeared before Karikoga, and he prepared his landing.

            Gabriel tilted forward and landed onto the water with a slight bend of his knees. Then Gabriel fully stood upright, the waters undisturbed beneath him as he maintained his folded-arm posture.

            Karikoga flipped and then his legs contacted waves, feeling like the ground, and he had lessened the impact by bending his knees, crouching on all fours like a prowling wolf. Karikoga noticed his halo-jump landing produced a small splash while Gabriel’s made no disturbance of the waters at all—no doubt, Gabriel demonstrating good control of his Kokhott Rukhaniim, Hakokhott Hayessodiim, and Shekokhott Fiziim—Gabriel’s spiritual, elemental, and physical ability always sharp as usual.

            Moments later, Shohiwa, still flipping and twisting in the air, finally smashed into the waves like a meteor, causing a small-scale tsunami. Karikoga and Gabriel formed a small, barrier around their entire bodies, the waters of the giant, Shohiwa-made tidal wave, crashing onto their barriers.

            Undoing their full-bodied Rukhaniim barriers, Gabriel, while staring southeast towards the Montroy harbor, remarked, “You did that on purpose.”

            Shohiwa shrugged. “I didn’t. And if I did, I wouldn’t have no problem with it.”

            Gabriel ignored him and Karikoga wondered just how often Shohiwa had been training.  To land so hard showed the lack of control of himself. Then again, Shohiwa truly was physically gifted. And perhaps Shohiwa’s strange strength impacted his landing…

            Karikoga stared into the water and tilted his head in fascination as fish swam underneath him.

            *God’s beautiful creation living in peace. Yet my mind writhes in tumult.*

            As the brothers stood upon the ocean waters, Shohiwa walked a few feet and said, “How far away from the mission site before we make that action happen like Keanu Reeves?”
            Karikoga sighed.

            Gabriel—arms still folded, and his attention still locked in the distance—slowly shook his head disapprovingly.

            Shohiwa’s unknown references from the Eras of Old Earth never ceased to amaze.

            “About a few miles I surmise.” Said Gabriel

“Alright, a little off target from the planned drop off point. But that's not an issue. Let’s do this.” Karikoga said.

            “Hell yea.” Shohiwa shouted.

            “Most certainly indeed.” said Gabriel.

            They darted off towards Montroy Harbor.

                                                                          *****

              Fiona breathed deeply as she noticed the brothers approaching. They exploded off the water, leaping like giant cricket-reptiles, covering hundreds of meters in a single leap with ease. They moved like gods. Her heart thumped with anticipation. As they leaped closer to the harbor, Fiona deactivated her noc-zoomers.
            *Just keep your cool and show your true nature. Only those typical Minefer whores from the other families would act all googly-eyed towards the Salem Lord brothers. But not me! Oh no! I'm way above these warriors! I’m Fiona Regalia Lumea of the Lumea Royal Family of Minefer. The royal bloody family! So act like it!* 

                                                                        *****

              Karikoga and his brothers reached the Montroy’s Harbor pathway. They now faced a ledge that was several stories high. With a single leap, the brothers leaped over the ledge and landed on dry ground.  Karikoga clenched his fists, keeping his nerves in check.
            Observing the sight, his stomached turned. The corpses of the fallen Montroy guardsmen struck Karikoga with revulsion. He hated their fate. He wanted to close his eyes. But he couldn’t.  Karikoga forced himself to maintain a straight face as he examined the mission site.
            He noticed a woman approaching from his periphery, her face stern.
            Fiona—the talented new professional.
            Soon, a group of ghost-like figures approached from the shadows, and Kundai raised his hands and snapped his fingers.
            From the finger command, the soldiers’ bodies undulated like a living, ocean wave. The background twisted through their translucent beings as well. Then the soldiers entered solid form, exiting their invisibility cloaking devices. The men raised their right hands to their chests and knelt on their right knees, performing the Sons of Morning salute to the brothers.
            Shohiwa broke away from the group, hurrying towards the saluting men with a smile on his face.
            Karikoga scowled.
            *Breaking command already? Who told you to move?*
            Karikoga meant to say something until—“Brothers in arms!” shouted Shohiwa. “Get your selves up! You niggas ain’t gotta bow like that! You're kings too!”
            The soldiers gasped, beginning to speculate among each other. A soldier from the crowd said, “My lord, we must pay our respects to you.”
            “What? If that’s the case,” Shohiwa got onto his knee and saluted as well. The soldiers gasped in awe.
            Fiona’s eyes went wide then resumed their neutral poker gaze. She was no doubt shocked by Shohiwa’s behavior, but Kundai simply stared, not surprised at all as if he expected Shohiwa to do this.
            *So, has Milo been talking to you about us Kundai? I see…*
            “Rise,” said Kundai, and the soldiers did so, Shohiwa following suit. “We’ll begin shortly.”
            “Wait a sec Commander Kundai, aren’t we supposed to get some quick fillers first so we can be even more ready to absolutely dominate some mofos?” Said Shohiwa who punched his own palm with his fist.
            Gabriel whispered in Karikoga’s ear. “Where does little brother learn his strange vernacular?”
            *'Mofos?' 'Niggas?' How much of Old Earth did Shohiwa study? Where is he getting this stuff? If only Shohiwa was as enthusiastic about studying history from our epoch and history pertaining to our Kai culture...* thought Karikoga.
            Gabriel cast a narrow stare at Shohiwa. Gabriel’s expression of slight confusion mirrored Karikoga’s thought concerning another weird term that their little brother adopted.
            “Excuse me,” said Fiona. She approached Shohiwa and said, “If you hadn’t been tardy, you would’ve gone through the briefing already.”
            “Well now,” Shohiwa said, eyeing her up and down, “If I would’ve known you’d show up, I’d be the first person here like King Tut on your beautiful royal butt.”
            Fiona’s lips briefly fumbled. Karikoga knew that Fiona almost laughed. But she immediately suppressed it, entered a false form of an irritated scowl, and said, “Unprofessional.” She walked to him, poking Shohiwa’s chest hard as if her finger was a dagger and continued,  “Unprofessional soldier.”
            The moment Fiona poked Shohiwa, something malicious lingered in Gabriel’s eyes before it disappeared.
            Karikoga had tensed up then loosened from the sight of Gabriel’s reaction.
            Shohiwa simply smiled slyly as he took her hard pokes and berating nature—no doubt catching the detail that his flirting did work though Fiona hid it.
            And Karikoga was slightly irritated by it.
            “Shohiwa, she’s right.” Karikoga faced Fiona, “It won’t happen again.”
            “We were practicing at Qu-Ton’s Look Out and—”
            “It won’t happen again,” Karikoga said loudly, cutting Shohiwa off. “No excuses, right Salem Lord?” He said, staring at his little brother.
            “Whatever,” Shohiwa said, a little agitated, though his eyes still lingered on Fiona.
            At that comment, Gabriel scoffed, and said, “Little brother, do not embarrass us.”
            Karikoga’s stomach tightened from those words as if “us” meant something more than their brotherly-circle but hinting at something more dark—like speaking for a group in defense against another opposing, less inferior group.
            Shohiwa shrugged.
            Gabriel stared around, a look of disgust in his face as he surveyed the allied soldiers. Then, looking to his right, seeing Fiona, Gabriel’s eyes went wide as if he was about to strike her, the look making Karikoga’s stomach lurch. The women showed no signs of perturbance but maintained her stance. Then Gabriel turned away from her, headed to Kundai and said,  “Considering that our goal is to disable radar communications and disrupt the alarm systems, I wonder if this mission would even make a difference as to preventing those scummy Montronian Lesser Humans of being alerted by our presence?”
            Kundai raised his eyebrows.
            Karikoga was somewhat confused. *You’re revealing too much Gabriel!*
            “Regardless, I would have hoped for Marla’s men to make an appearance. Alas she has with stayed her hand.”
            “So,” Kundai said, rubbing his chin, “it seems you already have an idea of what’s going on.”
            “Here and there. Of course, I know for a fact that The Black Dawn, and their precious Cunningham Kobie and The Black Wolves, won’t be showing up today. No. Marla and her right-hand men won’t waste her time doing that. Not when Marla knew our invasion was imminent and her warning was ignored by the Montronian Lesser Humans. Oh no. For Marla now plans.” said Gabriel.
            Kundai narrowed his stare.
            Gabriel slowly smiled.
            “So, it seems Michael is doing his job quite well.” said Kundai.
            “Little brother always does his job well. He is Kai. I only expect excellence from him. But who said anything about Michael and his spy division informing us?” said Gabriel.
            Kundai sighed deeply. “Gabriel, this conversation has ended.”
            Gabriel’s eyes went wide. He opened his mouth and Kundai raised his hand, cutting him off.
            Revulsion beamed in Gabriel’s eyes. And he said, “Lesser Human.”
            The air swelled with dread and tension, the atmosphere growing tense by the second.
            “Lesser what?” Kundai said.
            “Gabriel!” Karikoga whispered.
            “Men, one moment!” shouted Kundai.
            The soldiers nodded.
            “Gabriel, step to the side with me for a moment please,” said Kundai.
            Karikoga’s hearts thumped. It seemed they already began the mission with a bad impression but Karikoga felt something more to this 'pull-aside.'
            “Of course.” Gabriel said.
            Gabriel and Kundai momentarily departed.
            Ultimately, whatever it was between the two, it wasn't Karikoga's business. He turned around and stared into the sky, examining the quasar tears in the universe. But as he did so, strange waves of power unfurled over him. Then he felt as if eyes were on him. Prying eyes. Something or someone was watching.

                                                                        *****

            Gabriel followed the old fool into a secluded spot and Gabriel folded his arms, relieved that he moved away from those foul, pathetic soldiers. Their stink overwhelmed him—especially that female monkey. And the way she stood as if she was on top of the situation disgusted Gabriel.
            Trashy Lesser-Human.
            He looked at the old man who said, “Gabriel, I bring you here for two reasons. Your tongue and your knowledge. One, do not address me as ‘Lesser Human’ ever again, understand?”
            Great fires of passion and authority surprisingly burned within Kundai’s tone. Gabriel decided to entertain him and said, “Of course.”
            Kundai grunted. Then said, “And two, I understand that you’re trying to show that you’re knowledgeable, but don’t ever do that again as well.” This time, Kundai’s voice went back to his normal soothing calm.
            Gabriel scowled. “What do you speak of?”
            “I’m referring to your uncontrolled information flaunting.”
            “Excuse me?”
            “Gabriel, some time ago, I learned something: No matter how much we think we know, we aren’t smart because we all know nothing—every single human being. And the moment someone thinks they’re actually smart is the moment they’ll show how stupid they really are.”
            “False.” Said Gabriel. “Men who are truly wise and intelligent, who can back up what they know, will show themselves to be smart because stupidity would have never allowed them to become as wise to begin with.”
            “Lies! Lies my lord! Surely I know that you are smart enough not to believe that.”
            “What I say is not the truth?”
            “To be honest, yes.”
            “Then enlighten me.”
            “Gabriel, being who you are, you got away with what you said today. But, if any one of my men had spoken what you just said, he would’ve most likely been marked as a potential spy of an enemy element, been arrested, and thrown into questioning. Do you understand what I mean?”
            Gabriel grimaced, hating how this man spoke to him. But, considering that every Lesser Human who came his way cowered in fear, he began to wonder if this man was different.
*We shall see.*
            “I had enough of your ridiculousness,” Gabriel hissed, then channeled into his Kai energy and unleashed a web-light of power in his hands—activating the Murugan Flash Bang—a low level, spiritual technique as Gabriel didn’t deem any other higher power of destruction to be worthy for this Lesser-Human scum. “Now, I shall kill you.”
            Kundai dropped to his knees, lowered his head, and raised out his hands. “I deserve to die. For I have murdered many. And I grow weary of this war. I only want Milo to end this all. So, if you judge me unworthy, do what you must. For I have spoken out of turn against a Salem Lord anyway.”
            Gabriel gritted his teeth, and raised his hand, preparing to strike, then, reflecting on Kundai’s words and the potential scenarios his own action might have brought, Gabriel lowered his hand and grunted.
            Dispelling Murugan, Gabriel closed his eyes. Gabriel chuckled. He opened his eyes and said, “Now, why would I bring The Emperor’s ire onto my being? Why would I jeopardize this operation, and, with it, bring about a potential destabilization within the entire Army of the Sons of Morning by killing Kundai Kutenda of Montesquieu? That would not make any sense. After all, before I killed you, I would have had to have found a more,” He eyed Kundai up and down while briefly finding his thoughts. “Suitable replacement. Which might prove difficult.” Gabriel realized he had momentarily struggled with his words—and doing so because he knew Kundai was winning this. “Rise. My judgment has found you worthy to live.”
            Kundai slowly raised from the ground. In his eyes, Gabriel might have seen sorrow. Perhaps pity?
            *Pity me? No! Pity you because you did not get what you want. Ha!*
            “Emperor Milo has said that you are a fast learner.”
            “Right. Well, if that is the case, why is he wasting our time with this petty mission?  Trying to test us when we are already prepared?”
            “Is that how you see it?”
            “It is not what I see.” Gabriel said, stepping towards Kundai and staring down over him, “It is what I know.”
            Kundai didn’t budge. And Gabriel was irritated by it.
            “A test or not. We must complete this.”
            Finding the conversation finished, Gabriel wanted to ensure that he had the authority and power over Kundai and said, “You are dismissed.”
            “Yes my lord.”
            Kundai walked away to the mission site.
            Then Gabriel chuckled to himself.
            *You Lesser Human bastard scum. Kundai, very well played. Bravo.*
            And a truth was made apparent to Gabriel: Kundai did not squeal or beg for mercy for his life; thus he was no coward. Kundai proved to be a unique Lesser Human.
Kundai was surely different. And Gabriel hated him even more for it.
            But Gabriel began to grow some respect for Kundai no less.
            He trailed Kundai. Suddenly, Gabriel paused.
            Gabriel investigated the air, squinted his eyes, feeling waves of powers in the atmosphere.
            Gabriel grinned.
            *An eye in the sky. Who could that be? Which enemy faction could be watching us tonight?*

                                                                         *****

            Gabriel entered the area where the soldiers were waiting to begin. Their mission was to be a quiet one, with Karikoga leading the soldiers through a stealth strategy that saw a methodical conquering of the base.
            But, seeing as the Emperor still didn’t trust their abilities, even when they excelled in all aspects of their preliminary training, Milo never even showed the deeper aspects of the dark doctrines yet—the dark doctrines that were contrary to the teachings of the Supreme Lord Jesus Christ.
            Worse still, The Emperor hadn’t even begun their real training in the dark path at all.
From now on, Gabriel believed things would transpire differently. No matter what happened, he and his brothers would succeed. Then The Emperor shall reward Gabriel and his brothers with what they deserved. Gabriel stared at Karikoga whose eyes were concentrated on the sky.  Karikoga’s hands were balled into fists—a solemn, downcast expression living on Karikoga’s countenance.
            It had been a long time since they left Grandpa Murray. And things have changed since then—well—for Gabriel, Shohiwa, and surprisingly even Michael at least, but not so for Karikoga. Karikoga had still struggled with holding onto the light side of The Way.
Gabriel walked towards the harbor, staring at Karikoga as he looked deep into the oceans.
Maybe things would’ve been different if Gabriel hadn’t made the killing blow that day. It was possible that Gabriel might have stolen Karikoga’s opportunity to descend into darkness. For Murray was the only possible individual who could really bring the cruelty and the sweet evil out of Karikoga.
            *Curses! If only I had not killed Grandpa.*
            Now here was Karikoga, not complacent like Shohiwa, or struggling with uncontrolled passion and pride like Michael. Oh no. But here was older brother hounded by his indecisiveness. And, as a Kai, Karikoga’s indecisiveness was slowly killing his mental fortitude, his mind, his very belief. Though Karikoga tremendously grew in power, Karikoga was mentally all over the place. Karikoga couldn’t shift back and forth between allegiances for very long. Besides, it wouldn’t be good for Karikoga’s loyalty to the empire anyway…
            *No, it wouldn’t come to that Karikoga, my dear big brother. I will help you grow and descend to the darkness. You must!*
            But Gabriel understood Karikoga’s plight, he understood the hatred Karikoga had against the injustices of the world.
            Then rage boiled in Gabriel’s chest as he thought of that man’s face. He gritted his teeth.
            The Lesser Humans were one issue, but him? Gabriel’s twisted arch-nemesis? The source of all Gabriel’s rage?
            Images of the nemesis’s thriving family flashed into Gabriel’s mind. Then came the heads on the poles. The decapitated limbs. The screams. The—
            Gabriel clenched his fists. *Cypher.*
            Indeed, Kundai was right about his humankind. They were truly stupid animals. But Kundai failed to mention one thing: that men like Cypher were what the Lesser Humans revered, and they were damned for it.
            “Cypher.” Gabriel said to himself out loud this time. Perhaps being around Karikoga was not a good idea. The negative energy that Karikoga seeped was appalling and it began to impact   Gabriel’s own little emotions.
            Soon, Gabriel felt foreign waves of powers wash over him. Karikoga looked at Gabriel, and Gabriel nodded his head and smiled.
            Gabriel channeled his Kai energy and prepared himself.
            He would achieve his grand dream, but he knew that, eventually, the other warring powers would converge upon him, hoping for him to fail because they had their own special plans to fulfill.
            And the unknown presence, that loomed over him and his brothers, had proved Gabriel's point.
            He investigated the sky, chuckling at the pathetic attempt of intimidation from the seeping of deliberately bled energy.
            This is why I need more power. Not just social, economic, political—no. But more raw power.
            As much as Gabriel admired the unparalleled might of the Spirit of God that fed his being, Gabriel knew he didn’t deserve it. And so, Gabriel would immerse himself and gain greater might from that twisted yet pleasurable puissance from the Fallen Ones.
            “Karikoga,” Gabriel said. Karikoga slowly turned around. “We’re being watched.”
            “I know.”
            “It’s them.”
            “Yea.”
            Soon, the time would come for Gabriel to grow in that power and fulfill his dream. Even if it cost him everything. Even if he had to endanger his soul in the hands of Satan.

                                                                        *****

             Karikoga looked at Shohiwa and Gabriel. Shohiwa gave Karikoga a thumbs up. Gabriel nodded his head. And, after receiving the go-ahead from both of his brothers. Karikoga panicked.
            *Should I really do this? Should I really carry on with our improvised plan during this mission? Or should I cooperate with Commander Kundai and Fiona?*
            After trying so hard to be more rebellious and mean, Karikoga made his choice. *Screw that. I'm not cooperating! I'm giving Shohiwa the signal! It's our time to shine in this! We're not playing second fiddle.*
            Karikoga raised his hand and before he was about to dart it down to command Shohiwa to do his thing—
            “Wait.”
            Karikoga paused. “Gabriel…”
            Karikoga had an idea of what Gabriel was going to say. He an inkling that it had something to do with those alien eyes that stuffed the atmosphere.
            “The hidden enemy still watches us from the shadows and from the skies. Should we go after them now?”
            “No Gabriel. And Shohiwa remains ignorant.”
            “Of course he is. The product of not sharpening his senses.”
            Karikoga slightly lowered his hands. "Let's just pretend we don't notice them and play along in this mission."
            "Most certainly," said Gabriel.
            Fiona squinted her eyes and said, “My lords?”
            Karikoga quickly looked at her and said, “One moment. We’ll start. Just wait please.” Then Karikoga looked at Gabriel.
            “As much as these Lesser Humans sicken me, they are with us. So, how do we best proceed to keep them alive for now?”
            For now? Karikoga decided to ignore that last wording.
            “I would say protect our soldiers with your Mona’s Embrace barrier. But I don’t want to  give away our suspicion that we’re being followed.”
            Gabriel grinned. “Indeed.”
            “So, we’ll continue what we were doing and play ignorant.”
            Gabriel nodded his head.
            Karikoga’s hearts began to thump. Although he wondered why the presence hadn’t revealed itself, he would start and finish his mission. No matter what.
            He raised his hands again and darted it down.
            Catching his signal, Shohiwa rushed around the soldiers, reached the wall, tackled through it with blinding speed like a hulking beast, causing massive chunks of metal and rock to explode in his wake, and charged into the enemy base.
            “What the hell is this?” Kundai shouted
            The soldiers gasped.
            “Sweet demon’s tit! I wasn’t briefed on this!” Shouted Fiona.
            Gabriel hopped over the soldiers and calmly strolled into the base.
            Karikoga followed suit, before Kundai stopped him in his tracks, Fiona fast appearing on Kundai’s left.
            “Karikoga, you, Salem Lord, will answer for this travesty.” She raged. “You will answer or pay for your insolenc—”
            “Fiona, enough. Karikoga what is the meaning of this?”
            “We’ll be vanguard while you sit back and stay safe.”
            “Karikoga, why are you doing this?”
            Karikoga ignored him, hopped over the soldiers, and headed into the base.
            *No. Uncle won’t play us. We’ve always been ready. This won’t happen to us. No time for this “prove yourself” bull crap. Give us the real stuff already.*
            Karikoga quickly surveyed the air.
            *And come and challenge us if you dare. We’ll show even more that we have what it takes.*

                                                                        *****

            Shohiwa leaped through the air and into the camp, diving down into the scrambling enemy as he surged his energy throughout his body. Both hands suddenly cackled then engulfed in blue, sizzling lightning as swirling spheres of wind surrounded them. He landed on the concrete, the ground shattering beneath his body, chunks of concrete spewed into the air. Soldiers were knocked off their feet from Shohiwa’s landing impact.
            Happy that he was able to activate his custom-made Murugen’s Dagger—imbued with his Hakokhott Hayessodiim Wind Affinity with mixes of lightning on the fly—he sprinted towards the soldiers. Some reacted fast enough to fire their assault rifles at him, but he was as sleek and agile as a gazelle and moved through the bullet barrages. His hearts thumped. He had the power of The Way on his side. Indeed, he was more durable and physically stronger than his Sheenyo-Qi counterparts and could absorb gunfire and be absolutely invulnerable, but he decided to challenge himself by coming out unscathed.
            Arriving on the aligned attackers near a small camp base, Shohiwa outstretched both hands and plowed through dozens of enemy soldiers. He heard bones crack.
            More pockets of soldiers, heavily armed with rocket launchers and assault rifles, poured out from the command bases. Before they could aim their weapons, Shohiwa was onto them and struck them hard. Knocking them around like rag-dolls, the impact of his strikes creating a wind-gust that made other soldiers stumble within its vicinity.
            After striking them down, another group of soldiers appeared with weapons. He grinned, promising himself that he would end this quickly. He clapped his hands together, channeling into both Shekokhott Fiziim and Kokhott Rukhaniim energies, and four columns of swirling wind appeared in front of him.
            The soldiers fired into the wind, trying to hit Shohiwa. But their efforts were futile. Ceasing fire, the soldiers looked on in astonishment, too stunned by Shohiwa's power. Soon, limbs began to form in the columns of spinning wind. Then full figures formed from the winds and Shohiwa breathed deeply, hissing, “Hell yea” as four clones of himself appeared before him.
            Jesus’s fat sweaty balls! I did it!
            The soldiers gasped.
            He ran forward as his clones charged in front of him, and the soldiers fired, the Shohiwa-clones taking hits. And then Shohiwa and his clones came upon the men, making quick work of them.
            Relaxing as soldiers writhed on the ground in agony, Shohiwa looked for more approaching enemies. But there were none. Taking advantage of his moment of respite, he looked at his clone-beings who stared back at him. Then he said, to himself, “C’mon. Work!”
            He reactivated his personal version of Murugen’s Daggers. The clones did nothing. He grunted.
            “Alright, let's make it easier.” He depowered his Murugen Daggers and activated Murugen’s Flash Bang which was a lower-level version that preceded the Daggers. Although the energy of the effective lower-level technique swirled in his hand, Shohiwa’s clones, again, did nothing.
            He sighed, “Damn. Maybe next time.”
            He heard a loud gasp. Looking behind him, he saw a pistol-aiming soldier trembling, “No more. I surrender.” He threw down the gun and dropped to his knees with his hands in the air.
Shohiwa looked at him and tilted his head, appreciating how the soldier acknowledged Shohiwa’s power.
            Shohiwa smiled to himself, clapped his hands together, and made his clones disappear. Stores of wind and spiritual energy burst from their disintegrated figures as he moved towards the soldier. Things were different now that Shohiwa was older. He wasn’t going to sit back and let Gabriel and Karikoga do all the work. Not like in the past. Times had changed.
            *Without a doubt, though I barely ever practiced, I got better over the years—just by get’n older. As long as I keep fight’n, why train? Besides, that nigga Grandpa screwed up. And God just sat there on His throne and did nothing. What kind of shit is that? And Granpa talk’n all this bull shit about how daddy, mama, and that ho had made their choices and brought that onto themselves—they being the only ones to blame and not God. What a goddamn lie. God is to blame. That nigga is the devil if anything. But no worries, I’m here. I’ll make things better for everyone and my brothers are gonna love one another more and be under my protection soon.  Yea.*
            “Get up.” Said Shohiwa.
            “Huh?” said the enemy Montronian soldier in fear.
            Shohiwa darted to him as if he teleported, used one hand to lift up the quitting soldier by his collar, placed him on his feet, and said, “You and everyone here: you’re all coming with us.”
            “What?” said the enemy soldier.
            “You heard me.”
            The soldiers watched as some of his men lay unconscious on the ground. Others writhed in pain. But most weren’t fatal. Shohiwa made sure to control his strikes and follow directions that were given to him at Qu-Ton's Look Out.
            “What are you?” said the man.
            Shohiwa studied him, wondering how the Sheenyo-Qi forgot history so fast. Then again, it made forgetting easier when Shohiwa’s race was quickly becoming extinct…
            *Goddamn curse! Like we deserved that. Some benevolent ruler You are God!*
            Though Shohiwa and Karikoga planned for all of these men to join the empire, a small sense of guilt formed into Shohiwa's mind. He didn’t want the soldier to learn about the truth of Shohiwa’s race and ancestors. In truth, Shohiwa didn’t want to bring up The Emperor's sermon that might inspire the soldier to know who God and the Devil were because…
            Shohiwa activated Murugen’s Dagger and shown it to the man who watched in awe, the look making Shohiwa feel good.
            …because he wanted the soldier to know who Shohiwa himself was, to marvel at  Shohiwa’s power, not where it came from. Soon that thought made Shohiwa feel as if he was falling into some dreadful abyss, and it didn’t feel good. He ignored this terrible feeling of falling—this strange impending sense of judgement—and said, “Even though you marvel at me, one day, you can be great like me to.”
            The enemy soldier stared in perplexity.
            Shohiwa turned as Karikoga and Gabriel landed into the base.

 Gabriel looked at Shohiwa. Shohiwa waved his arms and shouted, “Yo, we got this!”
            “Good job bro! I'm surprised.” said Karikoga.
            Gabriel shook his head from irritation and looked at Karikoga who marched to Shohiwa. Gabriel entered the field and examined the surviving soldiers. Gabriel cringed.
            *Karikoga, the fact you want not a single soldier dead makes no sense. How do you expect to grow?*
             Preparing to step over an injured soldier, the man grabbed his boot. “He—help me.”
Gabriel looked into the soldier's eyes, summoned a shard of energy into his hand—a very weak Murugan Dagger—slowly knelt, and gently pierced the man’s belly, going very slow to feel every tear of cartilage, muscle, and fiber as the soldier groaned in agony.
            The man gulped, blood foaming from his mouth. “P—please…wa…waaaait…” the dying soldier pleaded.
            Tears flowed out of the soldier’s eyes. Gabriel smiled, cherishing all the anguish, sorrow, and regret that lived in his gaze. Then he gently lifted the soldier’s head. The soldier gulped a few more times as Gabriel absorbed the sorrow in his eyes and said, “Yes. Do you feel it? Now, experience as death embraces you and your soul prepares to leave towards the courtroom of God as you die in your sins.”
            “No…”
            “Oh yes, and you will rue the day you were born when God opens the Book of Life and won’t find your name inside of it you depraved, degenerate scum of the earth.”
            The man tried to talk, and many tears flowed from his eyes. Then Gabriel raised his right hand, slowly crushed the man’s throat. Gabriel smiled as he heard neck bones snap and watched the light of life began to leave the man’s eyes. 

Shohiwa shivered as he watched Gabriel rise from the man he’d just murdered. Slowly standing up, Gabriel closed his eyes and exhaled deeply as his forehead’s Gem of the Falling One emitted a purplish glow that dimmed and shimmered, fading away but glowing brightly like a dying yet living lantern. After the glowing ceased, Gabriel opened his eyes and smiled, no doubt showing satisfaction that he was able to tune himself deeper into the satanic way. Gabriel stepped over the corpse and walked towards Karikoga and Shohiwa who slightly tensed.

“Shohiwa, you did a good job and—” Karikoga paused, noting the horror in Shohiwa’s eyes and turned around.

Karikoga saw the dead body, grunted and said, “Goddamn it Gabe! I said the targets get captured alive!”

“Poor old Karikoga. You never learn, do you? Why would you—”

Karikoga raised his hand, shaking his head. “Shohiwa, did you see it? Did you see him do it?”

Shohiwa slowly nodded.

“But you didn’t do anything? All that speed?”

Shohiwa said nothing. His mouth trembling.

“Ugh! Just—” Karikoga flicked his hands in disgust. “I take that back Shohiwa. You’re a scary-cat, lazy, good for nothing complacent idiot.” Then Karikoga marched deeper into the base, shouting “Lazy!”

Shohiwa’s eyes watered.

I did good right Karikoga? I didn’t hurt them. I did good right? Right big brother?

Sons of morning comrades arrived and used their harpoons to strafe down onto the field of injured soldiers. Kundai had a hand on his hip as he observed everything, somewhat confused as to what was transpiring.

Shohiwa met Kundai’s eyes, and Shohiwa looked away, wiping away the oncoming tears.

It happened all so fast—to feel the joy of being praised by his eldest brother and to see it all come crashing down. He reflected on Karikoga’s words and said to himself quietly “I’m…I’m trying to do better…but…”

Shohiwa stopped talking aloud to himself. Maybe Shohiwa should’ve just killed them all?

Gabriel wiped blood from his hands with a white cloth. Then Gabriel’s eyes went wide in anger.
            Gabriel raised his hand out towards Shohiwa, firing a blast that flew past Gabriel’s shoulder. It slammed onto a person, Shohiwa hearing a grunt. He looked back to see someone splayed on the ground with a rocket launcher laying near them.
            “You manage your Shekokhott Fiziim well, controlling your blows to keep these worms alive, yet still failed to notice the threat from behind? Your laziness is getting the best of you. Have you learned nothing?”
            Shohiwa stared with greater pain.
            Gabriel grunted and said out loud, “The more you waste time playing those damn online video games and scrounging around with your little “posse” at the library is the closer you shall get to being a dead loser, cradled in the arms by a smiling demon.”
            Shohiwa gnashed his teeth. His sadness transformed into a swelling rage. He wanted to punch Gabriel at the back of his head. But then he thought quietly to himself.
            *I got better though. I learned a few stuff. But is Gabby right?*

Karikoga entered deeper into the camp’s base, observing empty communication rooms and abandoned guard ways. The soldiers who heard the explosions had some time to get away before Shohiwa stormed the complex.

Suddenly, Karikoga felt tumultuous movement that almost challenged his footing.

Gabriel came up next to him. “The Lesser Humans and their mechs, using technology for a false guise in power to mask their frailties.”

“Why are you next to me?”

Gabriel looked at him and said, “What exactly do you want in this? Why would you even decide to join the empire and attempt the descent? Do you want to be a walking contradiction and stay weak?”

Karikoga said nothing.

“Karikoga, you are already so mighty. But I wish to see you grow more. Going back and forth, being indecisive is not natural. Some people will say that it is fine and perfectly natural for people to be unsure about what they want to do for their futures, but they are liars! You must decide what you want to do and who you want to be now before it is too late!”

“Like you’d know.”

Karikoga considered Gabriel words for a time and looked away.
            *Is Gabriel right?*

“Big brother, they are approaching. You must get your hands dirty Karikoga. There is no better opportunity than the one that presents itself before you.”

Karikoga utilized his Kai energy, the air trembling like startled ocean waves around him.

Karikoga looked into the deeper part of the base. Soon, gigantic, distant figures loomed into view from the building’s darkness. The machines walked like beast-children hellbent on destruction.

Gabriel stepped slightly to the side of Karikoga.

“Shall you seize this opportunity? What will you do, I wonder?”

Karikoga breathed deeply.

*Can I do it? Get my hands dirty?*

The approaching reptilian machines had now been a few meters away from Karikoga and Gabriel. Gabriel stepped away. They came closer, their dragon-shaped legs moving with deadly ferocity as fires and smoke billowed from their thighs; their massive hands outstretched, aiming gun[1] -shaped limbs in Karikoga’s direction. As their broad necks lurched forward, their reptilian shaped faces, possessing translucent glass, revealed the soldiers who sat in a cockpit. Their faces were filled with extreme caution.

Karikoga deeply exhaled, preparing for the oncoming wave of a dozen mechs heading towards him.  They came closer in a triangular formation and stopped. Karikoga walked forward. As he did so, he felt those alien eyes staring at him once more. The air charged with unknown power coming from an unknown location.

*Watch on then, whoever you are. You who hide in the shadows. My brothers and I are aware of you. Just try and interfere in our mission if you dare.*

The leading mech raised its cannon into the air.

Karikoga waited.

Seconds later, an intercom voice said, “It’s just one person! Could this be the threat?”   Then the leading mech stepped forward a few steps and continued, “You, identify yourself! Step into the lights.”

Karikoga shook his head.
            *They have no idea.*

Karikoga power walked towards them.

 “Easy now.” The intercom voce said, “Don’t move.” Karikoga ignored the soldier’s demands and moved faster. “You. That’s enough. Halt immediately.” After that, Karikoga jogged towards them.

*Can I do this?*

The leading mech solider lowered its arm and aimed its cannon at Karikoga and said, “Are you crazy? What do you think you’re doing? Do you realize what’s about to happen to you? Lethal force will be used if you don’t stop this immediately!”

In the middle of his approach, Karikoga’s tension eased a bit as he slightly chuckled from a small irony: Men piloting powerful leviathan mechs yet stumble around confused—too cautious—not knowing what to do—as if their fear had poisoned them with indecisiveness.

Then he went from a jog to a sprint.
            *Yes! I can do this! I’ll descend! I’ll do it! I’ll get my hands dirty.*
            Karikoga dug into his Shekokhott and charged into a kinetic burst, darting forward as concrete exploded beneath him. He tore through air hard enough to create a white tunnel of wind in which he sped through, the airy wall nearly visible.

“Not human! What is that thing?

“Fire! Fire! FIRE!”

The mechs shot large missiles at Karikoga who concentrated Hakokhott Hayessodiim into his eyes, charging them with energy, and unleashed Light of Balietta—a series of light rays that shot from his iris and blasted apart the missiles. He continued his charging assault while maintaining speed.

The leading mech fired a large missile which darted towards Karikoga. Before reaching them, he dropped, dodging it, then Karikoga burst-leaped from the sand which exploded from his jump, and landed on the glass face of the lead reptilian mech. It moved frantically as the other mechs scrambled away from it.

“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!”

The missile from earlier was approaching.

*A homing missile. I see.*

Karikoga fired lasers of Light of Balietta from his eyes, and the eye-lasers struck the missiles which exploded. Karikoga punched through the mech-pilot’s cockpit glass, which was as hard as platinum, then punched again. His fist went through the glass which went from feeling like hard metal to butter, and Karikoga ripped off the faceguard of the mech. The soldier’s eyes went wide in brilliant fear and intrigue.
            “What? What are you?” The man said.

“I’m nothing special.” Karikoga said, “I’m like you. I’m just another human being.”

“What? A human being? That’s not possible! How?”

“An extremely long story.” Karikoga said. Being familiar with a mech cockpit’s interior design and its buttons, Karikoga pressed the eject button and the man flew out of the chair. The man screamed.

The surrounding mechs fired more homing missiles at the empty mech as Karikoga leapt into the air. The soldiers yelled and fired in his direction. Flustered, he dug deeper in his elemental energy, finding it more difficult to keep energies of the Shekokhott and Kokhott from interfering with his Hakokhott—and then unleashed the Mighty Ray technique.

Gabriel grinned, appreciating the carnage as massive lasers beamed from Karikoga’s eyes like an angel using the tip of its spear to unleash lasers of destruction onto its foes, the light ray blasts smacking onto waves of missiles as their supposedly massive explosions were outdone by the splendor of Karikoga’s Mighty Ray technique. The Mighty Ray technique was a variant version of the Light of Balietta, and Gabriel wondered why Karikoga held it back for so long. And then as Gabriel watched Karikoga made quick work of the missiles, the Mighty Ray technique exploding around the soldiers, Gabriel grunted.

*Aim at the mechs Karikoga. At the mechs! Not around them! What are you doing?*

Karikoga ceased. A mini ball of white light formed into Karikoga’s right hand—his Child of The Sun technique—and Karikoga darted down.

Karikoga! You contradictory idiot! You say you will do this or that, yet you never do!

Gabriel folded his arms, annoyed at the fight.

 Karikoga smashed the Child of the Sun energy ball into the mech’s faceguard, the glass exploding while the mech fell back. Karikoga avoided machine-gun fire from another enemy mech. The soldier shouted curses and rants in fear, and Karikoga went into the current mech of which he clung upon and pressed another eject button which sent the solider flying. Then Karikoga leapt away from the mech, the mech falling back from Karikoga’s jump-force, and he leapt towards the last soldier mech. Using Balietta to blast away a slew of missiles, he clung onto the last mech.
             The soldier paused in fear.
            The fight was practically at an end.
            Billows of smoke flowed from machinery wreckage and churning fires that was all around him. He broke through the glass with Child of the Sun, and as Karikoga was about to press an eject button, he heard screaming from another mech. Karikoga looked to his left. A felled mech was writhing on the ground, its leg gone, fire streaming out the missing limbs as the soldier inside of it screamed, “No! Help me!”
            Karikoga cursed under his breath, realizing he inadvertently knocked a missile onto the mech. Without warning, the soldier of the cockpit in which Karikoga had nearly forgotten about, threw a right fist which landed square on Karikoga’s jaw. But the punch felt like a baby’s slapping hand. Karikoga pursed his lips and lightly slapped the man who went unconscious, and he pressed the eject then leaped towards the other convulsing mech. He tore through its face glass, the man screaming, “Help.” and Karikoga pressed the eject button.
            No response.
            Again and again he tapped but nothing happened. He punched the red button which exploded into a tiny ball of fire and smoke. The mech’s, mini-computer console and buttons went into flames. Karikoga grabbed the man, yanked the scared soldier free of his seat straps, hoisted the soldier onto his shoulder, then leaped from the exploding machine.

He landed on the ground as the soldier grunted. Then he dropped him down. The soldier laid on the sand, staring at Karikoga with disbelieving eyes.

“Too bad if you got manhandled. The eject button wasn’t working.”
            The soldier gulped and continued to stare, breathing uncontrollably.
            “Better get out while you got the chance.” Karikoga said.

The soldier got up and ran towards their other recovering teammates.

Karikoga watched the soldiers band together and retreat from the base.
            *I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t. I am filled with hate but for some reason,*

Karikoga looked at his still palms.

*I just can’t descend!*

Soon, Gabriel reached Karikoga, then looked dead at Karikoga’s eyes. Gabriel headed towards the downed mechs and saw the parachutes on the ground. Gabriel ‘tsked’ loudly, a sound of annoyance strong enough to blare over the crackling fires of battle, and looked into the desert, noticing the retreating soldiers. Gabriel shook his head and walked towards Karikoga.
             Reaching him, Gabriel said, ‘How foolish. And here you are attempting to devote yourself to the Emperor’s teachings.”

Karikoga narrowed his eyes and looked away. A moment later, Karikoga heard Kai energy violently hissing and breathing like a demonic dragon. Karikoga looked at Gabriel, and realized Gabriel had teleported about twenty feet away from him—the source of the deadly breathe of power coming from Gabriel’s outstretched arm with his right hand opened, a primordial-like ball of energy engulfed in blue flames as it hovered over his right palm, black electricity dancing around the ball of the deadly energy’s circumference as if Gabriel held the sun in his hand, a violent sun imprisoned by bars of lightning. The power that Gabriel was channeling had seemed so unknown, yet very familiar. 

Where had Karikoga seen this power from?

Soon, Gabriel was staring at Karikoga, smiling at him. Karikoga’s hearts thumped with horror.

Suddenly, as Gabriel narrowed his eyes, his smile turned into a savage grin and the electric fireball of power boomed like thunder and a great gust of wind burst from the ball of energy. The Kai-made storm of violent power burst away the sand beneath Gabriel as the wind nearly knocked Karikoga back. Without warning, while the ball of energy exhaled a violent mini wind again and knocked so much sand and earth away, the sand beneath Gabriel exploded, forming a great swirling column as the ball of energy immediately grew from a hand sized sun to a basketball sized rod of death, the electricity engulfing Gabriel’s arms, the fireball roaring like an inferno.

Karikoga gasped, realizing that the destructive rod of fire created a magnetic field that made much of the exploded sand form a swirling, building sized column of sand around Gabriel, the energy becoming more alive and frightening as large oceans of sand continued to swirl around Gabriel.

Gabriel looked at the fleeing squad of soldiers that were already about four or five football fields away from them and chuckled. Soon, Gabriel outstretched his left hand and the same amount of power, which was channeling in his right hand, had quickly formed in his left. Then, the swirling column of sand quickly dropped away. As it did, both balls of energy immediately disappeared—then BOOM – they immediately formed into his hands again with more destructive vivaciousness than before. Seconds later, the column of sand exploded away from Gabriel like a fierce avalanche.

Karikoga’s eyes went wide. He realized that the force of the two rods of death, hovering over Gabriel’s hands, was so powerful, that they had created a major delay in the sand’s reaction time, causing an explosion to occur seconds later.

Then, a black circle of light formed under Gabriel, and as Gabriel positioned his feet into a boxer’s stance and aimed the electric balls of fire at the running soldiers, a star had formulated in the circle underneath him.

“No.” Karikoga whispered under his breath. “No brother! That technique! The pentagram underneath you!” His hearts began to beat faster. “NO!”

As Gabriel was about to launch the demonic power at the soldiers, Karikoga already launched himself at Gabriel. He clutched Gabriel’s right hand.

The energy immediately disappeared, the pentagram fading immediately, and Karikoga said, “That technique! I can’t believe you! Are you stupid? You want to blow up this entire base and everything in it? How stupid is that?”

“Let go of my hand—"

“Not only you attempt to use that firepower that’s so completely unnecessary—a power that isn’t even needed now, but—you flirt with the power of demons?”

Gabriel scowled like a wolf of fury. Then laughed.
            “You preach to me about meddling with demons,” Gabriel said, “and yet, what you did to me and the rest of our little brothers was no different from what Satan did to our ancestors! And now you preach to me about going too far when you were the one who influenced us to turn from the Narrow Road and walk The Path of Darkness! You’re the last one to preach to me you double minded, wish-washy fool. Can’t even descend into The Path of Darkness! Can’t even become a full-fledged Metoraf—a Depraved One!”
            Karikoga felt a quick stab of guilt in his hearts.
             Karikoga’s lips trembled in shock and his grip weakened. Gabriel yanked his arms away from Karikoga.
            “Can’t even make a decision and STICK to it.” growled Gabriel.
            Gabriel darted towards the soldiers, covering many yards in seconds.

Karikoga was drowning in his guilt, observing the burnt sands that were once flowing with life by the wind-gusting pulse of power from Gabriel’s forbidden technique. He heard screams—screams of agony and horror as his little brother went to work on his victims.

                                                     *****

Gabriel was finishing off the second-to-last soldier, strangling her until blood burst from her mouth and her neck popped and her face went reddish blue. Gabriel tightly closed his eyes. The words of his brother echoed in his mind like something out of a nightmare.

*“You flirt with the power of demons? You flirt with power of demons? How stupid are you? How STUPID are you?”*

Then his hands went warm. Opening his eyes, Gabriel saw that the blood of the soldier was flowing over his wrist and he gawked in revulsion…and horror…

Soon, Gabriel felt a slight sense of guilt.

*No. The Narrow Road. The light side. This, shame I’m feeling…never! I shall not faulter!*

“Maxine! No!” shouted a soldier, the noise almost making Gabriel flinch.

Gabriel was relieved that the surviving soldier’s voice of fear had snapped him out of horrid thoughts. Now, Gabriel can focus on his opportunity to tread deeper into his feelings of rage, hatred, and joy for murder—to embark deeper into The Path of Darkness.

Tossing away the dead soldier, Gabriel approached the injured, kneeling man – the last of his group – and he raised his hands, prepared to deliver the final strike.

“Please,” the soldier said. Before Gabriel could pull himself to make the final kill, he found himself observing Karikoga, seeing his big brother standing in defeat and shame. Feeling a little sorry for Karikoga, Gabriel knew what to do. He would help his big brother, help him make the leap—make a choice—and grow to become the man he ought to become.

“I will help you, Karikoga. Yes, now is your time.”

He grabbed the soldier and darted to Karikoga.

Gabriel felt a surge of power bristling in the air.

And when Gabriel saw Karikoga’s clenched fists at his sides, Gabriel noticed blood was dripping from them.

Drawing closer, Gabriel felt the rise of the surge of power. The air became like a deep pool of invisible water with magnificent pressure that could crush bone at any moment. He knew that the power emanated from big brother Karikoga.
            It excited Gabriel.

Enveloped in fury, Karikoga wanted to fly into the sky and destroy the moon. But it wasn’t possible to fly. At least, not yet.

Karikoga heard a plop beside him, followed by rasping breathing.

Karikoga turned to see one of the soldiers he saved laying right next to him, trembling in confusion and horror.

“This is for you, big brother. Please, lift your hand, place it towards his neck, and squeeze.”

“Why that way man? Couldn’t I just, aim my index finger at him and shoot a little bullet beam into his forehead?”

“Or you could do that. But it is not the same. The process should feel gradual—and more natural. It is best to feel the life slip in your hands and experience the sensation of his soul rising from his body.”

“You never were too straight forward lil’ bro.”

“And why should I? Would that not be boring and predictable?”

“You’re right.”
            Gabriel smirked. The reaction mutual but unexpected. But when Karikoga looked at his little brother, it seemed as if some connection began to be established with Gabriel again.

“Go on my brother. As you would say, ‘This ain’t noth’n.’”

“Wow. Your slang and accent sucks like a baby on a nipple.”

“Ah. Precisely. But perhaps you can teach me?”

Karikoga eyes went wide, noticing that Gabriel was seeming like his past self, more talkative, more friendly.

Karikoga walked towards the injured soldier, kneeled, and placed his hands on the man’s neck. The man immediately grabbed Karikoga hands.

“Go on.” Gabriel urged.

Karikoga looked into Gabriel’s eyes. His hearts sank. As much as he felt some friendly connection to his little brother, Gabriel now seemed more distant than ever before, his stare practically hinting at some special secret that he wanted to share with no one but himself. Karikoga remembered a scripture from the Emperor Supreme Christ Jesus: *“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”*
            Karikoga grimaced.

Even if Karikoga killed the man, it wouldn’t bring Gabriel any closer to him. It wouldn’t make their relationship any better. Gabriel had his own motives, and Karikoga sensed that Gabriel was being manipulative. But, despite feeling all these dark emotions, Karikoga had no desire to kill the man.

In truth, the fact that he was told to do it made him boil with even more fury, but, briefly, the liveliness of his little brother lowered Karikoga’s fury to only a high boiling point. But as he looked at the smiling Gabriel, Karikoga was charged with hatred—towards Gabriel’s hidden self; towards the death of all the enemy soldiers and the fact that much bloodshed had been spilt on Karikoga’s operation; towards the fact that he himself was struggling in his pursuit of power, knowing that if he never mastered himself and make the tough choices he had to make, he couldn’t become stronger as he’d hoped.

Gabriel was being Gabriel, and Karikoga was being pressured to kill which against his belief of not killing at all because he felt there had to be other ways to descend. But seeing that he thought about killing the man to not only immerse himself deeper into the Path of Darkness, but to also please his brother, Karikoga gritted his teeth.

*If I decided to do it. It wouldn’t be for you. But for myself.*

And Karikoga decided.

“No.” Karikoga release his grip. “I was just kidding around.”

“Now is not the time for games. Commit the deed.”

“I won’t.”

“Or else—”

“Brothers!” shouted a voice.

Karikoga and Gabriel turned to see Shohiwa. Behind him stood their fellow soldiers and commander Kundai.

“The rest of the army is getting closer!”

“Shush. Not now Shohiwa. Karikoga is preparing himself.”

Shohiwa observed Karikoga. “Yo man. You don’t have to, but if you don’t make a choice, you ain’t gonna go anywhere and get stuck where ya at.”

“I know.”

“Then do it.” Gabriel said.

The fury rose higher in Karikoga. “I said, no!”

“Very sad. You can’t even be a Depraved One or a Righteous One. You turn your back on God who slowly withdraws His hands from you and you wish to walk the path of the Evil One who, most likely, also doesn’t want you. Pathetic. And that is why, I performed the killing blow on Grandpa! Not you! Now mother looks on me with appreciation as you will sit here and rot in your indecisive foolry—rotting to death! Weak and having no impact in The Final Tribulation! A cast aside! So much for you trying to become a Protector.” Gabriel laughed maniacally.

Karikoga grinned his teeth, channeling the Kai energy within his body, and he unleashed it, full force.

                                                            *****

It was a sight to behold. The unveiling of glory by Salem Lord Karikoga had made Kundai’s soul tremble in terror.

Despite the madness of Karikoga’s power, Kundai was somehow attracted by it.

Once Karikoga transformed into one of his higher natures, Kundai examined more closely, tightening his eyes against the maddening wind from Lord Karikoga’s wind-gusting pulse of power, and saw the anger in his face as one of his brothers, the other High Commander, Gabriel, gesturing with high-haughtiness against Karikoga. Kundai realized there was contention between them. But knowing this, he had to order his soldiers to bow. And while issuing the command, hearing the clattering of armor, assaults rifles, and pistols echoing through the dark, smokey air, Kundai kneeled himself.

It was all he could do.

                                                            *****

Fearing that Karikoga’s ascended state might have inadvertently injured one of his fellow soldiers, Shohiwa flicked his gaze at Kundai and his men, seeing them lay prostrate, no scratches on them. But to be safe, Shohiwa spoke through his comm-channels and said, “Kundai, are you all alright?”

Kundai nodded. “Yes. We are!”
            Kundai spoke with a voice of awe, most likely marveling at Karikoga’s Angel Armor power.

Shohiwa deeply exhaled, relieved.

Switching off the communications nozzle of the Zunar, Shohiwa looked backed at Karikoga whose eyes glowed like the moon and hair changed from his usual dirt brown to a glowing, silvery white that looked like a snowy sun and danced like wind-blown silk. Shohiwa couldn’t help but to admire Karikoga’s might, embracing the cold but warm breeze of energy that battered fierce but soft against Shohiwa’s skin as Shohiwa ruminated on all sorts of physical training trials and meditation techniques to achieve the same form as his older brother.

No doubt, Karikoga was an inspiration.
            But while Shohiwa shifted his gaze at Gabriel, watching him taunt Karikoga with no fear, the spirit of uselessness assaulted Shohiwa. Although a piece of himself also yearned to be a part of the feud, Shohiwa knew that there was some deadly rivalry between his elder brothers. And it disgusted Shohiwa. And he sought to become stronger than them one day and be their great protector and keep them from fighting each other. Then he thought of his youngest brother.

*Michael, I’m glad you’re not here to see this.*

Karikoga cracked his knuckles. Shohiwa cursed under his breath. Whenever Karikoga had done that, it wasn’t a good sign. Realizing the situation was getting tense, Shohiwa shouted, “Damn it you guys! Does the mission even matter to you?”

Gabriel chuckled loudly, trying to have his voice overcome the booming sounds of electricity and power that blared from Karikoga’s blue aura which engulfed his body making him look like a giant standing inside of a massive nebula in the universe, the thick, swirling tendrils of the midst-aura hissing back louder as if declaring how futile Gabriel’s efforts were to be louder than it.

“It is time I test how powerful his little form is.” Yelled Gabriel over the thunder of Karikoga’s energy.

“C’mon Gabe! Don’t be stupid! Face it, if you step to Ka-Ka, he’s gonna kick your ass and you know it!”

Gabriel hissed and lifted his right hand into the air as he stepped into a fencer’s pose.

Shohiwa became sick with dread and the atmosphere intensified.

“You believe that glory and majesty are the embodiment of your being and that you personify awesomeness just because you mastered a ridiculous, immature version of Lemuel’s Angel Armor, and that you were the first brother to do it, but when I soon master it, it will be the perfected form and you will cry in shame.” Hissed Gabriel.

Shohiwa wondered what Gabriel ranted about. Was Gabriel jealous? Envious? It would make sense, considering they were always rivals when they were younger. He couldn’t put it past Gabriel. Or maybe Gabriel got a kick out of this.

Slowly but surely, energy began formulating in Gabriel’s uplifted hand. Shohiwa knew then: Gabriel was preparing to use one of his favorite techniques—the Crystal Chimera.

*I need to know a lot of tricks like Gabriel too. Damn.*

Karikoga sharpened his glare. He tightened his fist.

“Beelzebub’s balls—NO!” shouted Shohiwa. He’d seen enough. Heading towards Gabriel, Shohiwa cursed under his breath, noticing that he couldn’t travel quickly as Karikoga’s energy-aura had created pressure in the air which made walking seem like trudging in a swamp while one’s legs were strapped with heavy bricks. “Please,” cracked Shohiwa’s voice, knowing that there was nothing else he could do because he was too weak, too underdeveloped as a warrior to withstand his oldest brother’s energy. “Stop it!”

As Gabriel prepared his attack—BEEP BEEP BEEP—BEEP BEEP BEEP—BEEP BEEP BEEP. Shohiwa gasped.

*They’re here! And in the nick of time!*

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP—Gabriel grunted and crushed his black earpiece with his energy, “Not them. Not yet.” Gabriel hissed.

Karikoga rotated his neck.
            Apparently, Karikoga and Gabriel didn’t care. Karikoga slowly advanced towards Gabriel.

“Yes! That is right! Let us do this quickly!” shouted Gabriel.

BEEP BEEP BEEP. Entering the comm-channels, Shohiwa said, “Kundai?”

But through the earpiece, static blared.
            Karikoga was drawing closer.

Shohiwa looked behind him as Kundai was making his way towards them. Suddenly, Kundai dropped to his knees. He began to suffocate. The air pressure was too much.

At his wits end, Shohiwa could only do one thing. He aimed his hands at an advancing Karikoga and a bracing Gabriel and channeled enough energy into his hands. Shohiwa struggled—trying so hard to get his power to work. But as he pressed himself harder, ruminating on impressing his brothers and protecting all the men and women of the empire—people that he loved so much, wind and Kai energy formed into his hand. His eyes went wide. Soon, the energy danced like a whirlwind. His hearts thumped, his being filled with hopeful excitement and surprise.
            Shohiwa’s technique was working.
            Knowing the next step after watching Karikoga train, Shohiwa exhaled deeply, propelled his energy forward and – SHWISH-BING—the rod of wind flew at Gabriel and Karikoga. On impact, the blast exploded.

 As the dust settled, Karikoga and Gabriel starred with shock. Shohiwa was also confused.

It was his first attempt at utilizing his Kai energy blast, and it worked.

 “You do not even train. Or have you been lying the entire time?”  Gabriel said, “Wait, it matters not. You hit me so you shall pay as well, Shohiwa!” Gabriel immediately charged his Crystal Chimera technique and aimed it at Shohiwa.

“Kundai,” Shohiwa barked, forcing himself to ignore their comments and Gabriel’s oncoming assault. “Kundai! He’s dying! Ka-Ka, you’re killing him! You’re killing him!”

“God damn it!” Karikoga shouted, and he immediately powered down, exited his Angel Armor form.

Karikoga and Shohiwa succored Kundai. Shohiwa looked at Gabriel who rolled his eyes.

Kundai coughed, then whispered, “…words…sent out—the fleet. Here. The Chancellors. They heard about—mission.” Kundai fell unconscious.

Karikoga checked his pulse. Then he dropped to his knees and closed his eyes with shame on his face.
            Shohiwa examined Kundai. “He’s still alive big bro.”

Karikoga slowly shook his head. “I know. But—I did this. All of this.” Then he covered his face with his hands.

Gabriel began to walk towards the soldiers. “Mope all you want. But the Chancellors are coming for evaluation.”

Shohiwa knelt beside the grieving Karikoga. *Damn it…I could’ve stopped this earlier if only I hadn’t been laz—*

Shohiwa trailed off. His mind going blank. He simply lacked the courage to reflect on what his brothers had said about him.

                                                            *****

Karikoga and his brothers stood near the ocean shores of the Montroy military harbor, starring into the dark, northwestern horizon as soldiers exited the aircraft carrier and sub-hareans war ships that were docked at the loading bays. R80 mechs, jeeps, RX battle cycles, Sonar tanks, drones, and other machines were hauled away from the ships. The mechanistic sounds of war hummed into the cold, gloomy air. Karikoga no longer felt the excitement he once had. And to believe that he’d have fun on his first mission whilst enjoying the noises of war-preparation...

What a lie.

The deaths he’d experience from the slayings of the Montroy soldiers were overwhelming. He couldn’t stand it. But, at the same time, how did he expect[2]  to enter The Path of Darkness if he held such feelings?

How could he be so distraught from making certain choices and sticking to paths that he had embarked on? Was it normal for him to be this uncertain about his future, not knowing what to do, and being unsure of who he wanted to be—or rather—the means he had to commit to achieve the position he’d desired?

He grimaced. *I don’t even know anymore.*

And then he thought of how he lost control of his emotions and almost killed Kundai.

He felt more guilty. More conflicted.

The Chancellors loomed into view and hundreds of thousands of hurrying soldiers and machines moved passed.

To Karikoga’s right, Gabriel hissed while he stood straight with arms his folded; to Karikoga’s left, Shohiwa was leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette.

The Chancellors of the Sons of Morning empire had arrived.

The five occult-priest leaders of the nation—who wore red silk, military styled robes, sewn with detailed patches and outlining embroidered with arcane, glowing symbols of strange, magical[3]  incantations—had wreaked of power that punched through Karikoga’s senses. The unease he felt made no sense. And yet, these enigmatic individuals who stood before them—the personal advisors of the emperor and the overseers of the entire imperial kingdom—were mere mortals.

And Karikoga always wondered why Milo had these Sheenyo-Qi for seers and viziers.

The five Chancellors, perfectly aligned next to one another, lowered their heads as they began.

“I hope the emperor has something special in mind for you.” Said the Chancellor on the far right.

“Lamech,” said a female on the far left, the second to last in the evaluation line, “do not be so quick to judge just yet.”

Lamech lowered his head and looked in the woman’s direction, his hood covered face colored in shadow, revealing nothing.

“Indeed. Arianna speaks the truth. Why look so stupid through making debased assumptions?” Gabriel mocked.

Lamech lowered his head again, hiding whatever expression he may have felt.

Gabriel chuckled.

“Gabriel, those who are quick to insult immediately show where they are in terms of what they know in reality.” Said a woman in the middle.

Gabriel closed his eyes and slowly smiled. “Sweet Julie, I always found you to be…honest. Reminds of a certain man that I learned more of today. I will take your words into consideration.”

Julie smiled, the hood hiding her eyes but Gabriel’s compliment having a positive effect no less.

“Regardless, the emperor has summoned you all for reasons unknown—much to Lamech’s dismay,” said the one next to Lamech.

“Miku.” Hissed Lamech, an emotion of irritation finally surfacing from his supposed calm.

Miku grinned. Gabriel chuckled.

“And now this ends the discussion. Salem Lords,” said the fifth Chancellor on the far left, “we leave for Minefer at once.”

“Meshach, your perchance for being brief and powerful and straight to the point is a charm that never cease to amaze.” Said Arianna.

Meshach maintained a composed look as he titled his head and gazed at Arianna.

“Come children.” Said Julie as she turned around and walked away, the Chancellors trailing her.

Shohiwa flicked away his cigarette and followed with both hands in his pockets, his shoulders hunched, a look of defeat on his face.

Gabriel released his arms and walked with a graceful, professional stride that conveyed a deadly intent.

And Karikoga trailed them, reflecting on what he and his brothers had done.

Though the mission was a success, he had no idea what Milo would do.

                                                                        *****

Gabriel thought of Julie’s words and how they coincided with Karikoga’s and Kundai’s statements concerning his intelligence. Indeed, something that they said vexed his heart.

He thought of the moment where he was about to unleash the Wrath of Azazel on the fleeing soldiers. The Seraphim level technique required much distance and space, but after getting so frustrated with Karikoga and the ugliness of those Lesser Humans, he was eager to destroy them whilst trying out his long-coveted technique for the first time.

But, somewhere in his thinking, as careful as he’d always been, Gabriel made an error. For if Gabriel freed the Wrath of Azazel from his hands, he most likely would’ve killed Kundai and all those nearby—maybe even Shohiwa and Karikoga too.

Gabriel suddenly reflected on how he almost fought Karikoga. Despite being watched by the unknown enemy who kept themselves hidden, Gabriel was going to fight his own family.

*Curses! What was I thinking?*

Then another thought struck Gabriel. Did every human being know nothing? Was everyone all innately stupid? Falling so low in intelligence? And then he thought of the Third Sin and The Last Fall.

*No, I am no stupid fool. Granted, I made a few mistakes, but I am not stupid.*

He looked at the Chancellors.

*I know what I am doing. I shall be careful next time. And I shall be sure that, sooner or later, you Lesser Humans will see my truth. And then we shall see who actually does not know anything.*

He gazed at Shohiwa. Thinking of what he did.

*Yes. As lazy as you are, your talent is indeed a testament to the glory and innate intelligence of our race. We are smarter than what we believe. Look at how you stopped brother and I without adequate training! You are still a complacent one, but at least you prove me right.*

They entered the carrier.

Gabriel looked back, starring into the sky, noticing the hidden presence, and then he clenched his fists and grinned.

                                                            *****

A few hundred feet in the sky, a figure revealed itself with four other individuals appearing next to her. Behind them, a squad of over twenty floating men and women waited. Moira grinned, watching the three imperial Depraved Ones enter the carrier.

 Moira flipped-upside down and laughed. Next to her, Starchus, Bantu, Leonara, and Mika—her four lieutenants—looked at her.

“Moira, they’re getting away.” Said Leonara.

“There goes the damn mystery bounty!” shouted Starchus.

Moira flipped right-side up. Flocks of birds passed underneath them. “You idiots. The time isn’t now. Besides, you saw how those fools went at each other’s throats? How retarded was that? Yea, we surely do bring chaos and calamity onto our own heads. Not the Most High God and certainly not Satan!”

“Careful,” said Bantu. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Said Moira. “None of it does. Those fools are a part of the cause of this, them and their fellow spawns of the devil and his demons. And so, they’ll be dealt with and end up with the Evil One.” She said, after she had flipped upside-down again.

“Should’ve taken them out when we had the chance.” Hissed Leonora.

“Have none of you paid attention?” said Bantu, “That child, the cold looking one, had mastered the Wrath of Azazel!”

“And that bum was about to kill himself too!” Chuckled Starchus.

“No. How do we know that he doesn’t know more than what we are aware of?” said Bantu. “Surely he would have defenses to shield himself against his strike or is so connected with his own abilities that their explosions would have no effect on his body.”

“He doesn’t know much at all.” Barked Moira. “But rest assured, as dumb as those Depraved children are, we’ll keep tabs on them and wait for our time to strike.”

“You say they’re dumb Moira, but you tensed in fear as the other one activated Lemuel’s Angel Armor.” Retorted Bantu.

Moira, uncomfortable by Bantu’s words, flipped right side-up once more. She said, “Excuse me, Lieutenant?”

“Such extraordinary power,” said Mika. “Angel Armor is one thing. Strong Kai can do it, but his was…too unique.”

“But he activated to try and kill his own! Unique indeed!” said Moira.

“How would you know that the infighting wasn’t deliberate to attempt to draw us out to tempt us to attack them—believing them to be vulnerable?”

“But we didn’t fall for it, even if it was a trap, Bantu.” Moira said. She went back to Mika, “And his Angel Armor is nothing.”

“It was only in the stage of infancy, yet his armor and his raised power level was as if he ascended to a higher nature.” Mika said, her voice slowly raising in volume.

Moira scowled at Mika who looked down with anxiety on her features.

“Whatever.” Said Starchus.

“We could take him.” Followed Leonora.

“We couldn’t.” Said Mika. “If anything, we’d have much trouble with that other one who summoned multiple clones of himself. I have never seen that many before.” Her voice rose louder.

“Are you telling me they’re too much for us five and our Twelfth Hunter Pack—Mika?” said Moira.

Mika lowered her head and trembled. “The only one capable of summoning that many clones was Jytte! And that boy done it! His potential in Shekokhott is unspeakable!”

The twenty soldiers behind them gasped. Then uncontrolled whispering speculations exploded among them.

Moira, eyes wide in anger, gritted her teeth and said, “You’re telling me that that damn child has power that rivals Jytte—the Protector of The Nave?”

Mika began to tremble, failing to answer.

“Not at all, but Ori has to know.”

“Quiet Bantu. I’m talking to Mika.” Said Moira. She faced Mika. “Well? Answer my goddamn question hunter.” Mika said nothing. “Then damn it, those three kids can’t handle us. Not strong enough to take us!”

“But they truly are.” Said Mika. Leonora and Starchus’s eyes went wide. “They could easily kill us all.” She continued.

Moira’s warriors began to speak more louder after hearing Mika.

Moira’s hearts thumped. She looked at her Twelfth Hunter Pack and shouted, “At ease.” The soldiers quieted. She looked at Mika. “Nonsense.”
            Moira growled, fighting off a strange feeling that gnawed her mind.

“Moira,” Bantu said again, “Ori has to know about these boys. Forget our current target list. We head back to Toran’s Forest at once.”

“No. We don’t deviate from our objectives. We keep those little punks in sight and keep on hunting other scum.”

“Are you sure that is wise to do, Moira?”

Feeling spiteful towards Bantu and Mika because of their ridiculous overreacting and cowardice, she said, “Absolutely.”

“I see, leader.” Bantu closed his eyes. “It seems that one is becoming the subject of one’s very own outlooks about people bringing suffering onto themselves…”

“What was that?” said Moira.

“Hodgepodge.” Said Leonara.

“Bantu’s on his ridiculous pontifications again.” Said Starchus.

But even as Moira heard the support of her two fiery lieutenants, Moira couldn’t help but feel stunned by Bantu’s words.

Then she looked at Mika’s distraught face which was staring into the grey, daybreak sky. Mika was examining the tears in the universe no doubt, tears that had been formed by some of First Universe’s most powerful warriors—especially by the Wolf of Legend himself.

Mika face was veiled in extreme worry.

Moira shook her head, turned towards her twenty hunters, and said, “Men, understand that there is nothing to be in an uproar over. We move out and finish our list. After all, we are God’s chosen for a reason.”

She twirled her hands into the air. The soldiers calmed down, saluted, and left.

She looked at her lieutenants who saluted her then followed the other Twelfth Hunter Pack, but Mika remained where she was.

“Mika.” She stared her “We go now.”

Mika slowly nodded then flew hesitantly through the early morning sky.

Before Moira followed, dread seeped through Moira.

She ignored it and reassured herself.

*Bull crap. Those little boys are nothing special. They’re not! I’ll prove it!*