by Ahadi, Kion
“Cyrus, you still live and dare to interfere in my plans, but not for much longer,” Dajjal growled stomping towards me. Ofriz was behind him, but he did not follow. Instead he made for the exit. As the conniving acolyte approached the door it slid open and he disappeared.
“You are a pawn in Nergal’s game. I care nothing about your plans Dajjal. I have come here for my family. Get out of my way,” I replied, pulling out the plasma gun. I knew I stood no chance of beating Dajjal in a physical confrontation.
“Coward, I am the commander now. I have come here to save Nergal from your wrath in order that he can face mine. But first let me show you who the pawn is,” Dajjal lunged at me as he finished his retort. I fired the gun but his supernatural speed allowed him to evade the full impact as the bolt sheared the side of his shoulder. He reached me and a blow from his massive arm sent me hurling backwards. I wasn’t able to mount a counter attack. His size and reach gave him an overwhelming advantage. I tried to block his awesome blows, my bones juddering from the force. I flipped backwards hoping to put some space between us. I managed to get a few metres away and tried to shoot Dajjal again, but the bolt missed as he leaped into the air. Before I could react he came down onto me and, with a flash of his talons, knocked the gun out from my hand. His other giant clawed hand clasped me around the neck, his strength and size impossible to oppose. I was helpless. Dajjal lifted me off the ground. I tried to prise his hand away from my neck, but it was futile.
“Pathetic – you didn’t put up much of a fight did you, Teerzad?” Dajjal sneered mockingly. His black scaly skin was like smooth leather. His red eyes glared like some crazed demon conceived in a dark nightmare. The next thing I knew was I was flying as Dajjal threw me. I bashed into the wall of the arena and fell to the ground. I spat blood from my mouth having sustained severe internal injuries. The huge black reptilian form of Dajjal approached towering over me. He raised his massive taloned foot to crush my skull, as I tried feebly to get up. The end would be here soon.
“Every life has a purpose, each soul has a destiny, get up Cyrus, get up, and fulfil yours.”
AIYANA!!!
***
Vlad snored loudly as he lay napping on the bed. He snorted as he was shaken.
“Wake up Father,” Nadia’s voice was saying. Vlad thought he was dreaming, but the shaking continued and became more urgent. He opened his eyes blinking as the lights were on.
“Cyrus and his family are in danger. We need to help them. Get up,” Vlad couldn’t believe his eyes or ears. How had Nadia got here? What was even more disconcerting was the strange-looking man standing behind her. He had long rich black hair and luminous eyes. He seemed to be glowing. Vlad shook his shaven head trying to clear his mind.
“What is going on, how did you get in here? Who is this man?” he asked, sitting up.
“There is no time for explanations, let’s go, take us to where Cyrus’s family are,” Nadia repeated.
Vlad stood. “They were all in the lounge,” he answered groggily.
“Take us there NOW,” Nadia demanded. Vlad moved quickly propelled by the strict command.
“This is embarrassing, this man is my employer,” Vlad said, pausing at the door to the lounge.
“He is an evil man, open your eyes,” Cheveyo replied brushing Vlad aside and opening the door to the lounge. It was empty.
“Where is the basement?” Nadia asked after a few moments’ thought. Perhaps they were too late. She tried to ignore the negative thoughts that were slowly creeping into her mind.
“Follow me,” Vlad said feeling an inexplicable and mounting tension. They traversed the hallway making their way towards the rear of the mansion. They arrived at a set of stairs leading down. On the wall above the stairwell was a banner.
“The dragon face in a black circle is a symbol of an evil and ancient empire. These are the people your employer serves. They are capable of things beyond your imagination,” Cheveyo told Vlad, pointing to the banner. Vlad now remembered why he had recognised the symbol he had seen drawn by Nadia when she had been living at home. It was a symbol Mr Aleintchev revered and had everywhere. Vlad knew Mr Aleintchev was far from a saint, but his loyalty had caused him to ignore some of his more deviant behaviour. A series of seemingly disjointed events now connected into a sinister whole: the beaten female escorts Vlad had paid to be quiet, the strange ceremonies held at the mansion, people who his boss disliked vanishing without explanation. Vlad quickened his step.
***
Dajjal turned. Behind him, appearing from a revolving wall was my little sister. Her beautiful face was serene. She looked beyond the awful form of Dajjal straight at me.
“Cyrus I believe in you, get up,” she whispered.
The gruesome sight before me suddenly dawned on my consciousness. My little sister was nailed to the wall in a crucified position. Blood flowed from where the nails had been cruelly hammered into her hands and feet. She was semi-naked. Seeing her so helpless and tortured scorched a scar across my heart. Dajjal turned back to look at me again.
“I will pleasure myself with her after I kill you. I wonder how much she will be able to take,” Dajjal said as his foot came down towards my head. I grabbed his grotesque foot with both hands and twisted it with incredible force. The surprise move sent Dajjal falling back as he was unable to maintain balance. I stood, as he crashed to the floor, dazed.
“Love: that is what transformed my energy. Living for others is the driving force of creation. Sharing moments and the wonders of physical life are what matters. That is what awakened me. I have exited darkness and entered the light. I will kill you Dajjal and send you back to the dark void from whence you CAME,” I felt the energy of a thousand suns ignite within me. My body vibrated with light as my heart exploded with love for Aiyana. Dajjal, in his current form, was a reflection of who I had once been while on the path of the Ari-an, the Empire of Evil. To conquer him was to overcome the darkness within myself. This realisation gave me renewed purpose.
Dajjal bounced back onto his feet and charged me. I dodged his killer blows guided by a metaphysical speed and awareness. I got behind him and jumped onto his back. I locked both my arms around his thick, massive neck and began to choke him. His talons tore at my arms and face as he tried to get me off his back. He rammed me against the side walls using his half ton of body weight in attempts to crush me. I ignored the pain. I was shielded by my love for Aiyana. My will to free my sister and hold her again was indomitable.
“DIE!” I bellowed. I tightened my grip. Dajjal staggered and fell to his knees, with one final herculean effort I twisted and broke his colossal neck. His body went limp and he dropped face first to the floor. I felt more bones break, some tearing through the scaly black skin as I continued to squeeze and twist. After a few moments all that was left was a pile of ash in my hands as Dajjal’s dead body disintegrated. I stood woozy from my exertions. I ran to Aiyana. She was semi-conscious.
“I made a mistake, you would beat the hell out of my karate instructor,” she joked weakly as I reached her.
“This may hurt, but I have to free you,” I said, as I tore the nails from her body. Aiyana winced. I took her into my arms once she was freed. I gently rested her on the ground. I tore strips from my dirty T-shirt and bandaged her wounds. She was losing consciousness. I turned and looked at the door.
“Don’t leave me Cyrus, hold my hand like you used to when you took me to school,” Aiyana pleaded.
I gently took Aiyana’s mutilated hand. “I will get us out of here,” I said to reassure her; my voice was feeble from fatigue. I tried to lift her, but didn’t have the strength. The adrenaline from battle had worn off and my torso was battered. I felt helpless. I started to weep as I looked over Aiyana’s innocent face and mangled body. What would I say to our parents? Gas started to fill the arena. I knew it was noxious.
“Close your eyes and try not to breathe. I will give you my breath,” I said stroking my sister’s hair.
�
��No I will keep them open. I want to see your face Cyrus. I will miss you,” Aiyana gasped as the gas engulfed us.
“I am sorry for the times I wasn’t kind to you… or when I hurt you. I love you so much Aiyana,” I couldn’t speak coherently the gas was invading my nostrils.
“Finally you tell me. You will always be my hero,” Aiyana replied. I leaned over her and pressed my lips to hers. I tried to give her my breath. My head throbbed. The gas was thick and smothering.
***
Vlad kicked down the door and stormed in. He was closely followed by Nadia and Cheveyo. Nergal, Ofriz and Mr Aleintchev turned, startled like foxes caught by lights in the dark.
Vlad went straight for his boss grabbing him by the shirt; Mr Aleintchev was no match for his huge bodyguard and fell as he was punched in the face.
“Scum!” Vlad shouted as he sat on his boss and pummelled him. Nadia moved towards Megan and Paymon and began trying to free them.
Cheveyo confronted the two androids. They retreated towards the exit leading down to the arena sensing the Red Indian’s power.
“You cannot intervene here being of light,” Nergal said as he backed towards the exit. There were strict rules governing interaction between beings of light and darkness.
“One of us lays stricken. Leave now or we forget the rules,” was Cheveyo’s response. The androids turned and fled through the exit. They entered the arena. The gas had no effect on them due to their artificial nature. They ran to the dock and entered a capsule. Within seconds the acolytes were gone somewhere deep underground. Cheveyo headed straight into the gas and saw the outline of Cyrus unconscious and leaning over the body of a young girl. His face was pressed against hers.
***
My body shook as my energy was released. I floated above the gas-filled arena. I looked down and could see my body was still connected to the silver cord. I was not dead, but very close to the brink. I looked over at Aiyana. A magnificent golden energy was leaving her body, but the silver cord was clearly severed. The vacating energy sensed my presence.
“I am dead brother, I go now to seek a light vortex,” was the mental message I received.
“I never realised you were of the light? I thought you were neutral and learning like the other humans,” I responded to the energy that had been Aiyana.
“I was, but I have progressed to pure light now, look after our parents,” was the message from Aiyana.
After the curtain of death falls, a veil is lifted; all souls departing the physical can once again glimpse the sum total of the life that just ended, and even past lives. If they are neutral souls they travel to the Judgement Realms to prepare for reincarnation. Before rebirth they pass the sea of oblivion and lose conscious knowledge of all previous lives and choices. Eventually after numerous lifetimes the neutral energy gravitates towards light or darkness. Then souls of darkness seek a negative energy vortex; while those of positive energy seek a light vortex. These souls are reborn fully conscious of their past. I was overjoyed for my little sister. It was a great accomplishment for Aiyana to graduate.
“We will meet again someday… someplace… sometime… my everlasting blossom,” was my final transmission to Aiyana. Powerful beings of light appeared and surrounded her energy field welcoming her to their fold.
“Till we meet again,” came Aiyana’s faint response as her energy slowly faded. She would journey to a light vortex and pursue the next stage of her existence.
I felt a shaking and was sucked back into my body. I opened my eyes coughing. Cheveyo was looking down at me with concern across his face.
“Try to get up and follow me,” he said grabbing me up by the arm. I stood. Cheveyo bent down and picked Aiyana up in his arms. The gas in the arena was subsiding. I moved slowly after Cheveyo, my body weak. We reached the exit and came to some stairs. Cheveyo climbed them swiftly; I struggled as my legs felt like lead. Each step was excruciating. I emerged into a control room. My parents were standing shell-shocked over Aiyana’s dead body. Nadia was comforting them. She had tears in her hazel eyes. Vlad had a blonde haired man subdued in an arm lock on the floor. Cheveyo watched me as I staggered over to my parents. My dad looked unharmed, but there was a dramatic change in his posture. His spirit was broken as he spoke words in Farsi whilst stroking Aiyana’s face and hair. My mother was deathly silent, her clothes were torn, her face smeared with blood.
“I tried my best to protect her,” I said softly. My mum looked up and flung her arms around me and wept. I held her close to me as her body trembled. Her grief was unbearable. I cried with her as the full gravity of what had happened struck me. I would never see Aiyana alive again. The euphoria of witnessing her energy leave earlier had passed and all I could see now was my dead sister’s body.
“We saw the battle with the demon,” my father said, pointing to a screen at the front of the room.
“You saw all that?” I asked.
“Yes, they were controlling everything from in here.”
What macabre show had that twisted android Nergal subjected my family to? He must have made Aiyana appear in the arena at his whim, and filled the chamber with gas after my victory, I realised.
My father embraced both my mother and I. A strange laughter distracted us from our bubble of grief. The blonde man on the floor was laughing hysterically. Vlad was uncertain what to do. Cheveyo gave him a venomous look.
“So pitiful, when you let me go your lives won’t be worth shit,” the man teased.
“Who is this man?” I asked Vlad.
“He is my boss. This is his house.”
I released myself from my parents’ embrace and walked over to the blonde man.
“So you are partly responsible. Step aside Vlad,” I said, brutal revenge at the forefront of my mind. Vlad looked at me realising that it was not the time to disagree. He let go of his boss and stepped aside. The man cowered at my feet. My face must have clearly depicted my intent.
“STAND UP!” I shouted, the room seemed to wobble from the force of my voice.
The man was hypnotised by me. He stood. Before he could say or do anything else I struck him in his Adam’s apple with a terrible blow. He held his throat choking on blood, in seconds he fell dead.
“Go and join the rest of your kind in the abyss,” I said spitting on his corpse. Vlad looked at me with surprise and fear. Nadia came to my side and held my hand. The dark cloud of anger and hatred that had formed around me began to subside.
“I had to kill him for what he did, and now I will go and hunt the androids and destroy them,” I said.
“When will it stop Cyrus?” Cheveyo asked.
“Not until the Ari-an Empire is exterminated,” I replied aggressively.
“That is not for you to determine. You know the universe has its own balance,” Cheveyo said. He came and stood before me, “you have experienced loss and it is clouding your mind.”
“Save the sermon. I am not fully of the light yet, nor am I of the darkness anymore. I am in a place between the two. I will make my own path.”
“Cheveyo is just trying to help Cyrus, you cannot do this alone,” Nadia said.
My parents were oblivious to our conversation as they still grieved over Aiyana’s body. Vlad on the other hand was listening to us intently.
“Cyrus, I foolishly started this course of events, please, whatever it is you need me to do, let me assist you,” Vlad said. I looked at his guilt-ridden face.
“You are not to blame. I am the one they wanted. I need to finish this alone. Cheveyo please take care of them all,” I said gently letting go of Nadia’s hand. I turned towards the exit back to the arena. I would hunt Nergal and Ofriz underground.
“Cyrus you need to rest and heal. You are no good to anyone half dead,” Cheveyo said grabbing my arm. I baulked at his grip, but he was right, my body was broken.
“We need to resolve things here. You need to be strong for your parents now. Once the shock wears off they will need answers,” Nadia’s message
popped into my head. I stood still for a minute assessing things, she was right. I turned around and faced Nadia, Vlad and Cheveyo.
“I will recuperate. Then I will go underground and search every base, tunnel and dark place until I track down Nergal and Ofriz. When I find them I will eradicate them and fumigate the earth of the Ari-an once and for all.”
Epilogue
“Dragons of the Apocalypse”
In a dark chamber deep underground in Valletta, Nergal and Ofriz waited for the Dark Gods of the Black Circle to emerge from the void. The air became heavy and oppressive as two of the Dark Gods rose from the abyss to float above the androids.
“An Ari-an battleship has exploded in orbit above the Earth, while Dajjal lingers in energy form at a vortex. Who is responsible?” they asked, their ancient voices echoing around the chamber.
“Great ones! Cyrus armed a cargo vessel with telasian explosives and sent it back to the battleship. He also defeated Dajjal in one on one combat,” Nergal answered without emotion.
“Cyrus! You told us he was dead,” the Gods boomed. The chamber shook from their anger.
“Ancient ones, Cyrus is more resourceful than we gave him credit for and survived the Zendari pits. It was Dajjal’s incompetence that allowed him to escape in the first place,” Nergal said cowering.
“How could it be possible for Cyrus in a human body to defeat Dajjal – a black Draco, and outsmart you all so easily?” the Gods demanded to know.
“Lofty ones, he drew energy from somewhere and killed Dajjal. We were following Dajjal’s instructions. He is unable to lead that is why Cyrus was able to wreak havoc. We managed to kill one close to him,” Nergal responded, savouring the opportunity to blame Dajjal, which gave passion to his normally monotone voice.
“Great Gods of the Abyss, Dajjal is inexperienced even with the body of a mighty Draco. Against Cyrus, he was crushed like an ant,” Ofriz added defending his comrade. He was also trying to deflect attention away from their part in the failure.
The air was corrupted with tension as the Gods considered their judgement. Nergal and Ofriz waited on their knees, with their heads bowed low.