Isn’t it funny how I thought life was something to be filled with nothing but viewing your dreams in envy of those who'd achieve them? Because they were never made for you… In my life, I always remember where I came from because it haunts me for never getting anything that I wanted. It molds my future and it strengthens me at the same time. And I too haunt my future, proving that we're all forms of dreams not coming true, aren't we?
If you put your faith in something that you know won't come true, trust me it will come true. That’s if it’s supposed to. The only instinct I’ve ever relied on in my life. ‘ Trust in something that can't betray you. Because it's all you'll ever have at the end. The last back to fall on. The only thing that isn’t human ’
A dark past doesn't demand a bright future, does it? I had love carrying me through my darkest times, but when it all seemed to leave me...I chose faith to be my new strength. A form of closure.
1875, a grey period in time. There I was as an assassin bonded to a cult that was even anonymous to myself. Guided by some principles to keep me sane of course. We all need a code don't we? I’ve always believed that a man who's got the whole world in his hands can take up my job. I didn't come by luck or by hard work to end up as the last thing most would see before their last breath. I still don’t deserve forgiveness.
'Right, you're all going on a mission to terminate the clerk of England. The man has got 5 million Sterling Pounds on his head. And to our luck, he lives here in Relik City. I thought he’d be in the capital. So I'm placing John in charge of this operation and anyone who does anything outside of the interests of this mission will be punished for their betrayal…This is a serious mission and I can’t afford to lose this war' Vladimir was giving the briefing of an important mission he had put me in charge of. 'Good luck to you all and may the Lord forgive you for your sins' he left the hall. 'Splendid, we're going to make this operation a level 5 espionage intensive procedure. And there will be no room for errors as we’ve heard. His fortress is heavily guarded by the military.’ I removed a map ‘ So taking them down from the outside and pushing them into the castle is the best way to do it. The only way to do it.' 'Any queries ?' I asked ‘ Why are we killing the clerk, all he's done is develop the country, hasn’t he?’ asked Clayton Stevenage 'And do we have to kill the soldiers as well? This is not what I was expecting on my first mission Sir John ' he added in fear. ‘ The death of the Clerk is the first step to weakening our opposition, this is war Stevenage. There’s no room for compassion for our enemies. We are not Jesuits’ I was quite frank. Benjamin Bluff and Adam Cortbrigde were new to the mission as well. ‘ And what will happen if I’m not comfortable with your final decision on our attack?’ Benjamin always found something to ask off. ‘ Indeed, what will happen when there is a conflict of ideas Sir?’ Adam is usually right by Ben’s side. ‘ Ok, that’s enough stupidity for the evening. We embark on our mission at midnight, am I understood?’ I had enough of it. ‘ Yes, Sir John!’ like a choir. ‘ It’s ok Clayton, I'll be with you all the way. Don’t be so scared about it, ok…’ Heather of Liverpool, always optimistic. ‘ I thought I could get some leverage from this cult after I left the royal army for...personal reasons. And it’s ok Heather, I don’t want to be a burden for you. You should focus on the mission, not me, ok?’ 'Yes, Clayton...but if we do not make it tonight. Just know that you’ve made me happy at this place, my only friend.’
Mid-night was upon us and we were already approaching the rear of the Castle. ' Going through the defenses of such an important place is rather easier than expected. Too easy to be in reality' Benjamin, first to notice something. ' I can't agree any more than that young lad. We have to be as stealthy as possible. This is where your espionage skills come to play.' I knew that something was odd about the mission.
We managed to get behind the towering walls of the Castle and proceeded to the building. ' Ah! They got me! Fuck!' Xavier McHaley, Arrow to the head. We’d been compromised at that particular moment. ' Over there! Get those sons of bitches!' The soldiers were now aware of our location.
‘ Bullocks.’ I wasn’t expecting this. ‘ They’re too many. We have to retreat quickly before the archers take over the walls!’ I rarely say that. I rarely back down from a challenge but the lives of my team would be the price for my arrogance. We barely managed to get out of that hell of a mission, well most of us. ‘ Right who’s not with us?’ We were in a nearby forest getting our minds straight. ‘ Sir, I was right next to Clayton when climbing the wall...and he’s not here.’ said Heather. ‘ I should’ve prepared all of you for an ambush of such a degree, I’m sorry for your losses but we have to be on the move back to the base. We’re still being hunted down’ ‘ I will avenge you…’ Heather whispered to herself as she gave the Castle in the distance the last look before she fled.
‘ It's like they were expecting us. They had an arsenal that exploited our weaknesses. Using bows and arrows to keep their distance from us, whilst we had left every archer we have back here at the base. I am truly gutted by the loss of the members of the younger generation of our cult. It’s all my fault, I should’ve thought of it.’ I was standing before Lord Vladimir. ‘ And to my surprise, you are the one I trust the most, my dearest John. We all have something that shakes us inside, but I know you’re stronger than that. That’s how you managed to get here in the first place…’ Vladimir was always optimistic. Walking circles around me. ‘ You were led into a trap. Now learn from that mistake and become a better man. I may be your teacher, but no one teaches better than life.’ he concluded. ‘ I swear upon faith, I will not fail you again…’
' I'll avenge our fallen brothers and sisters, someone will pay for this. And I’ll make sure it will never occur again. As long as I am with you...' I made a conclusion. I pardoned the team for a month in honor of those we lost. But I needed answers. What was next? and who could the mastermind behind this plan be? I didn't know where to start. ‘ It’s impossible for the military to predict such an ambush, especially against a force as great as ours’. I regularly talk to myself in the garden of the Cult. ‘ All my thoughts are taking me to him…’ A person I wouldn’t want to be part of this mess. I was desperate for answers, and all my thoughts led me to him.‘ Detective Oliver.J.Hartley…’
'Alright Mr. Cranston, I'll find the missing cat of Mrs. Wicket and everything will be ok.' he leads the crying folk out of the office and shuts the door in relief. 'You don't come without notice these days, anything wrong John?...' he looked back noticing my presence. 'We both know what's wrong Oliver, no need for these games. I wouldn’t come here later in the night than usual to interrupt your so-called career' as I crept out the dark corner of his office. ' For your information, this is a career. I’m a legal hero of the city. Besides that, I'm guessing your visit is related to the ambush at the Clerk Henry’s fortress gone wrong, isn’t it? Haha, it's funny you don't know who it is. I'm quite sure I have a clue. Every army loses a couple of troops from war John' as he pours whisky for him and me in glasses. I take my glass and lean on the table. ' Is that so?...you already have a clue of something that happened less than 72 hours ago?' as I sip on the strong beverage. ' And I also figured you'd think it's me who has something to do about it. Due to the fact that I'm aware of the Cult…' as he looks at me and smiles. I look back at him. ' I'm listening…' ' So you came here hoping to find answers and hoping I have nothing to do about it. Because you'd be forced to kill me for it is the act of punishment number 2 in the code of the Cult. Yes, I did my homework John, before you ask...well not entirely. Anyway, I do it very well I might say.' he continues to relax drinking. ' I just want justice for the lost lives of my brothers and sisters, they didn't deserve it. They were too young and...pure' ' Now let me open up your mind John to let you see what the truth could be…’ We were interrupted. ‘ Detective Hartley, we have a new case that just occurred.’ A woman stormed into the office. ‘ What is it, Ruth? I’m listening’ ‘ There are reports on the robbers responsible for the robbery of the city bank. They were reported to be in the industrial area at the harbor loading the money onto ships. I believe that they are.’ ‘ Heading for France, brilliant work Ruth’ he kisses her cheek. ‘ It’s unfortunate that our...fruitful conversation was interrupted. We shall resume it some other time.’ ‘ We both know that I don’t have time to spare in this situation. You may please leave us alone Ruth.’ I was impolite. ‘ Well of course, but Detective. Do we get to meet outside these walls ever again?’ she seemed to be in love. ‘ Now is not the time dear and close the door right after you leave’ he looked back and smiled at me. ‘ Well in that case it’s either you embark on this journey with me or you’ll have to wait at the expense of your precious time’ ‘ You’re lucky that I’m left with no other options Oliver’ I had to do it. ‘ Common, just like the good old times back in the day. You’re gonna love it’ He lit his pipe and started heading for the door. ‘ Hey John, we don’t do that here. You’ll get me fired, common we’re using the stairs. This isn’t Vladimir’s playground.’ I was heading out the window, till he stopped me.
‘ Here she is, the wagon of a man of justice. Bet the Redemption bloke in the USA doesn’t need one hahaha’ Oliver showed me his trusted wagon with his trusted horse, Elliot. ‘ I see Elliots all grown up from the last time I saw her’ ‘ Enough with the boring jokes John seriously you’re putting out my pipe. Common girl, let's go!’ we were off to the scene. ‘ Now where were we Johnny?... Do you really have to hide back in there, you’re with me remember?’ ‘ Right, instincts came in.’ I came out from the back. ‘ You were going to let me see the big picture, the truth about the whole thing.’ I got comfortable on my seat right next to him. ‘ Right, the truth about the matter...John, there’s a rat within the Cult and he’s trying to make your life harder by the day’ He dramatically turned the atmosphere dark. ‘ What do you mean, how do you know about this?’ ‘ You wanted to know about the cause of the problem and that’s what I’m doing John. I’m the detective after all’ ‘ This isn’t a game Oliver this is a serious matter which has cost so many lives already and I deserve to know who the fuck the culprit is damn it!’ ‘ Well it looks like I have to cut you short again Johnny, we’re here…’ We got out of the carriage and headed to the warehouse. It was at the harbor of the city but was fairly abandoned with a scattering of crates outside the entrance of the warehouse.
‘ Do you really think that we, the Trojans of Relik, weren't expecting the bloody coppers!!?’ said a man who came out of the building. ‘ Right, we either do this the hard way or the easy way scum. You hand back the money and you come with us to the prison and you’ll live happily ever after...Or you could do it the easy way…’ Oliver tried to reach for something in his trench coat but the man had a keen eye and reaction within a millisecond, shooting an arrow at Oliver’s trajectory. I leaped to his way and tackled him away behind a crate, saving him from sudden death. Violently spraying the crate with more arrows from his crossbow, the man couldn’t hold back his laugh of insanity. ‘ Got some reflex over there black boy. Good thing my boys can deal with you just fine!…’ 3 more people came out of the warehouse. One was a woman large and muscular holding a machete, the other was a slim man, tall with an ax looking ready to swing and the third one was...a young lad, a child with no weapon of any sort? ‘ Get em fellas!’ The 3 came charging to the crate and destroyed it to splinters by the 3 only to find us gone from the scene. ‘ So it looks like we underestimated you Trojan shits!’ as I emerged from being behind another crate with a violent response to their conduct, shooting the large fella with all the rounds I had whilst avoiding her swing machete. ‘ You’re stronger than you look, big fella. But I got the right tools to humble you!’ as I was dodging for my life and reaching for my dagger in my pouch itching for a chance to strike with the potential of a final blow. ‘ Aaaaaahhhhhh!’ seems like she didn’t talk much.
Meanwhile, Oliver had fled from the harbor to the nearest office within the area in order to contact his superiors for backup. ‘ I need a telephone, now!’ as he stormed into an office in a nearby building. Frightened, a woman handed the man a telephone. ‘ Good afternoon, this is the Equity Commission. How can I help you?’ ‘ I need reinforcements at the city harbor, the abandoned warehouse specifically, now!’ ‘ If you are reporting a crime, please follow the procedure which is available in newspapers or posters around the coverage area’ ‘ No damn it, this is Detective Hartley, Oliver Hartley. I need bloody reinforcements damn it. Put Ruth Sanchez on the phone!’. Meanwhile, back at the warehouse. ‘ I underestimated you, assassin...These lads of mine were all useless anyway. Now it’s just you and me’ I took down all his henchmen, now it was just me and the madman. We were circling each other with our eyes locked on our every movement. ‘ Do you go by any name if I may ask?’ I wondered. ‘ The streets know me as the evil Sinister, quite a name isn't it hahaha. Enough with the talking assassin. May I have this dance?’ he smiled at me. Just before we could land our first blows, back up from the Equity Commission had arrived. With nowhere to go due to the immense numbers of backup forces, the man turned himself in to the authorities. ‘ Who are you, mad man?...’ I needed to know the one responsible for ruining my conversion earlier that day. ‘ The names Hendrix, Hendrix of the North. And I’m sure we’ll meet again for the fight you owe me’ he smiled as he was being taken away. ‘ They keep losing it all mate, they keep losing it all…’ said Oliver as he stood beside me.
‘ Now I feel like you don’t want to tell me what I want to know, detective. It’s lasted long enough...and I want answers, now’ My temper had risen. ‘ Come on Johnny, out of all the years we’ve known each other you know that I wouldn’t hide something that doesn’t have value to me…’ I grabbed him by the collar in fury. ‘ If you don’t tell me who the fuck is behind this I’ll!...’ ‘ You’ll do what Johnny huh? What are you gonna do, kill me too? Haha. ‘ He held up his hand to stop anyone else from getting closer. I held him tighter. ‘ You and I both know that finding a weakness in your Cult shit can make you the richest man in the world. So why would I choose to help you get rid of your guilt trip in exchange for all the riches I can think of. Hahaha, you’re insane Johnny, bloody insane.’ I had enough, so I let him go and walked away. I was never going to turn back to him again, he became an enemy and a bane to my life. As dramatic as that may sound. ‘ I’ll see you soon Johnny!, I’ll see you soon…’ Those were his last words to me.
The day had a few hours to spare, so I went to where I always catch my breath for self-examination, the Melisa. There I'd meet someone who knows who I really am despite my color or my flaws, my secret lover, Zia, Zia Carter. Yes, the daughter of my Lord. It was against the code, but it wasn’t against my nature. And that will be how I’ll always be. ‘Took you long enough Chikondi’ as she was seated at the counter. ‘ I’ve told you, that name is no longer that of mine Zia’ as I held her face gently. We had drinks, stories to tell, a bond that kept growing, and love that didn’t revolve around faith if that makes sense.
‘ What will my father do to you when he realizes our love for each other?’ as she woke me up in the morning in a motel after we slept together. ‘ Speaking of him, he’s expecting me at the base. He has a special assignment for me. I was getting dressed in a hurry to leave. She sat up in the sheets in the bed. ‘ Chikondi, I’m serious…’ ‘ We can finish this conversation some other time my love’ I kissed her and snuck out.
‘ My child, punctual as expected. I have a very important thing to tell you’ Vladimir was facing the portrait of his father in his office. ‘ Yes my Lord, I am listening as I knelt behind him. ‘ Do you know that I am aware of your every move my child?’ he looked back at me. ‘ No, no I am not aware of my Lord’ my heart was racing. ‘ Zia betrayed me by leaving the Cult and decided to use her advantages to fight crime and protect the weak. Now you have decided to do the same by having an affair with her...I am truly broken. You are to be replaced, Benjamin Bluffton and Adam Cortbrigde. They were loyal to me by spying on you as you were away from base for the past few months. They have no intention of betraying me as I thought of the same with you when you were a young lad.’ ‘ What is his punishment, Lord?’ asked Benjamin. ‘ He is to be exiled from the Cult. For it is one of the fundamental rules that govern us.’ responded Adam. ‘ As our law suggests, you are to leave immediately. Any form of resistance shall lead to the expense of your life. Your last words to me, my child?’ ‘ I never had faith in my Lord, I've always had love…’ I stood up and left. Despite being sudden and painful, I have no hate towards Vladimir. For I am at fault and I have to live in this new life I've found myself in. It always seems like I can’t catch a break to look back at everything. Another life was ahead of me, and Zia Carter was the only person I could live it with.
Zia had come back to her cottage in the countryside. Dressed as a masked vigilante, she called herself the ‘ Lady of the Dark’. She was only active in the wake of the night. As her name suggests. But they were some exceptions during the light of day. ‘ I know you’re in here John, what brings you here to the outskirts of Relik? We usually intersect at Melisa. You couldn’t wait much longer?’ She gave a devilish smile as she removed her mask and looked at me. I stood up and walked to her. ‘ Your father disowned me from the Cult because I’m in love with you Zia. And I have no regret in every choice that I've made to end up where I am.’ ‘ Oh my God, I am so sorry ‘ Don’t please, I’m glad I’m with you. No matter the situation…’ I cut her short. ‘ Well, you may stay here with me. As long as you agree with the fight for change in this city.’ I was waiting for the situation to get harder, and there it was. ‘ Zia, I…’ ‘ Don’t you want to make this place a better place for your people?’ She cut me short too. ‘ And if I choose not to help the people who despised me?’ She stroked my cheek as her emerald eyes gazed into mine. ‘ It’s time to let go, John. I know it’s easier said than done but that is not going to determine whether they have a chance to be treated humanely or not.’ ‘ And why would you ask me out of everyone?’ I had to take a seat. She knelt down before me, maintaining the staring game. ‘ Tell me, who would understand the pain they are going through more than you?’ ‘ God…’ I was out of words but I wasn’t out of love. ‘ John please.’ She started to plead. It was more serious than I thought. ‘ Alright, I’ll do it. I’ll fight for a better tomorrow.’ A few months into this new life and I felt more than being reborn, I felt an emotional euphoria in my soul. ‘ I know the reason for everything we are doing but why do we even do this? Pardon me…’ I asked in curiosity on one spring morning. ‘ I believe in the man known as Redemption if he is a man at all. What he's doing for the world is more than a blessing. I am doing what someone like him would do, use your advantages to help those in a disadvantage.’ I was still trying to understand the morality of being a heroic figure in society. We could have settled in this countryside and lived here for the rest of our lives. Was it worth the sacrifice? Before I could reply to her, there was a great explosion in the country fields. Zia and I rushed out to view the scene. I've seen many things in my life, but nothing like that… ‘ We have to get out of this place, we have to head to the city!’ Zia was in a panic to see what seemed to be a fleet of crafts in the air deploying armored beasts to the fields. They were firing at the locals with weapons that looked out of this world. That could’ve been the end of the world. Every target evaporated into thin air right before our eyes. ‘ What are you waiting for? Get onto a horse and let's go!’ She was yelling at me as I was stuck on the spot in shock of what was in the spectacle, so many lives taken. Not to mention the fleet was drawing closer to our cottage. I soon came back to earth and jumped onto my horse, Winkle.
With a sense of what was happening, our horses galloped for their lives. Even if you were on the finest mustang, you couldn’t escape the reach of the terrifying fleet of alien men. Whatever they were. ‘ They’re getting closer, I don't want to die Chikondi! You’re all that I have!’ ‘ I'll make sure nothing happens to you, I'll give you my word Zia!’. The city was on our site, I could see our safety. But the storm was right on our tails, literally. Zia called out my name, and let her hand out to me. From the shape of her palm to the placement of her fingers, just like Vladimir. The handshake that changed my life. I stretched out my hand to her hand and locked hers in mine whilst we were riding. Her eyes were drowning in tears. One of the armored foes had reached for her horse, and at that brief moment when it pointed its firearm at Zia. Within that whisker of time, I jumped off Winkle and pushed her off her saddle. I evaporated from existence...well so it seemed.
As said before, once I shook her hand, my life changed after I let go of it.
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