Author's notes:
In case some of you don't know, I've put up a poll in my profile page of Havok038, you just need to click that. Yup! I managed to set it up! This poll will close by chapter 38, so I'll remind you all when we get close to the date. I'll have to trouble the people who wrote on PM and review to take some tim to click your vote again. Other than that, happy voting! I hope your choice is the same as the rest.
Things are gonna get serious now. The plot thickens. ಠ‿ಠ
The remnants of the Golden Path battalion that had come to rescue Jason Brody had successfully lured the demon away from him to allow him and his companions and that CIA agent to escape. They had the intention to leave as well but the demon gave them no quarter or opportunity, so they chose to stay and fight a hopeless fight against a foe they had no chance of killing let alone beating. If Brody, the man whom their commander placed hope in keeping the Northern Demon off the playing field between the Golden Path and the Royal Army was having trouble to the point he had been forced to retreat then what hope did they have.
(BOOOM) The sound of a cannon resounded through the forest and obliterated a group standing near a tree with shell fragments flying everywhere from the shot from the demon's double barreled known to it as the "Slayer". The ragged remains of the three warriors caught in the blast were shredded beyond recognition as they slumped to the ground.
The field commander with the remainder forces that barely made up a platoon now retreated into a rock canyon by chance and continued to run, all the while hearing the sound of colleagues far back being slaughtered.
Then their hope truly shattered when up ahead appeared a dead end in the form of a cliff wall. Trying to double back, the demon came into view.
"Shoot! Shoot!"
"Fuck! Why did it have to be- Erraaghh!"
"No!No!NO!- Urrghh!"
The sound of flesh and bone being cleaved violently added to the oppressive aura that forced the warriors into submission, to resign themselves to their fate.
"Don't falter! We might not kill him but we can surely give him a wound to remember us by!" The field commander's encouraging speech rallied the men to launch their final desperate push back against the demon.
"Grenade out!" One warrior remembered that rifles weren't the only weapon in their possession and pulled the pin to a hand grenade in his possession. The demon stopped in his tracks upon seeing this, the warrior got careless thinking the demon hesitated over the firepower of it. He threw the grenade towards the demon hoping the blast would at least wound it.
Instead of what they had foreseen, the demon kicked the grenade back to the group of warriors and the grenade went off directly above them. The air burst effect of the grenade maximized the killing potential of it and wounded and knocked out a few more.
(BOOOM) The second round in the slayers barrel roared killing two more warriors.
The demon was now five metres away from the field commander, the last five warriors stood in its way from their commander, determined to protect him to the last man. The man closest to the demon raised his kukri to block as the demon swiped its blade across. But the force of the strike divided the man into two pieces from the chest flying to the wall of the cliff.
""""HAAH!"""
Three warriors came at once, slashing down with their kukri in different directions. The demon threw its blade at one which impaled him to the cliff wall and held onto the hands of the last two.
(CRACK) (CRACK) Went the wrists of the two warriors it held by the arm. The demon manipulated the blades in their arms to stab one another. The two warriors ended up skewering each other. The demon turned its attention to the last two of the once mighty battalion which stood by Sabal until his most recent dishonorable action in killing Kamala Malla.
"Commander, do me a favor will you? I don't want to die by him like the rest, please-…. please kill me!" The last warrior by the field commander's side pleaded. The field commander nodded.
"I'll be right with you and the rest soon. Thank you for your years of loyalty!" (BAAM) The commander shot his subordinate in the head to end his life as painlessly as possible. He made it quick as he had to attend to the demon himself.
The commander loaded a fresh magazine into his Kalashnikov just as the demon made its way to him slowly.
"I don't know what you are or what kind of bargain you made with the devil for this kind of power. But I'll be damned if I don't stand between you and my brothers to spare them from our fate!" The field commander shouted in defiance as he fired in full auto at the approaching demon whom held no remaining armaments.
Some shots impacted its body and limbs but did little to slow its momentum. (click) (click)
"Why?!-…. Why won't you die?!" The field commander shouted with all his resentment for his fate as he swung his kukri upon an empty gun chamber at the demon in a last but futile attempt. "Huurghh!"
But was lifted off the ground by his throat with one of the demon's arms while the other clasped his arm holding tightly onto the kukri.
He felt a tug to his arm like it was tied to a horse and pulled apart. (Rip) The demon tore his arm clean off with the pull. The field commander cried out in agony behind his choking hoping he would quickly die from the wounds and spared from this pain. The demon moved its arm back into a punch.
(Splat) The demon's hand impaled the commander's gut and dug further into his body. By now, the commander's eyes rolled into whites and jittered about in spasm being unable to control his body any longer. The demon latched its hand onto something it had been looking for inside the commander of the Golden Path and yanked out. Blood gushed out from the corpse the demon held up as it drew out his heart, dropping the body as if it was no longer valued and it began to wolf down upon the human heart with a voracious appetite.
(Creak)
The sound of a twig snap caught the demon's attention as it turned its head to find an unfortunate soul that wandered into its sight. Yet the man walked toward him calmly despite the blood and gore around, in fact his attitude showed he had come intentionally looking for it. The demon could not ignore this kind of dangerous behavior and dropped the half eaten heart. Its fill for blood had long been sated, the rest was just for pleasure and fun.
The man's composure was serene, it was almost discomforting for the demon. It was as if the demon had fallen into his grasp rather than the other way around.
Why did the man's appearance look so familiar? The demon dug into the memories of its vessel, recalling a man which held a hazy look most of the time but that was all a façade. The man had an almost unfathomable power and prowess that even the vessel couldn't properly gauge. The man held no apparent weakness to exploit.
As the man got closer, the demon felt his oppressive presence and aura forcing it into submission. The demon stood defiantly against the overwhelming pressure. Rolling up his sleeves, he revealed the source of the demon's current agony from the aura. Runes, specifically runes of sealing. The demon felt its power being sealed away from the well of rage deep within. It understood the serious threat this man posed to its existence.
"DAr-….shAn…."
Maya traveled up the hill of the forest, she didn't know where he was. But she didn't need help, there was an entire breadcrumb trail of blood, mangled corpses and shattered wood all over. The smell of blood permeated the air growing thicker as she ventured further towards her destination. The gun fight from the escaping Golden Path seem to have died down, either they escaped successfully or they had finally been killed by the monster she was looking for. The corpses were attaching all manner of wildlife of the scavenger variety to have a free meal on the bodies lying around. Bears, wild cats, vultures even honey badgers munched on the stiff corpses.
Maya came to a granite wall canyon, still littered with bodies. There were almost three hundred bodies all together she had seen so far. This battalion strength of Golden Path warriors was on an about one mission entirely, and that was the rescue of Jason Brody. She had personally experienced the combat prowess which he possessed, suffice it to say he was more than a match for Ajay. That was the entire point of the battalions' sacrifice, to save the only person who had the ability to contend with Badala. If not for Ajay's loss of control over whatever that was, "Berserk" or something, Brody might have been pushing Ajay back.
"What have you been dealing with Ajay?..." Maya had never seen anything like Ajay's case, neither did the others, it was completely illogical. From the speed he could move to the heavy objects he could carry or slice.
Was this the work of some sort of narcotics that induces adrenaline? But then he would have significant tissue damage after doing those feats which would tear a normal human's muscles and tendons. It couldn't be witchcraft….. could it?
Maya felt a little frightened, it was like entering the lair of a beast, a Yeti's perhaps since it was the Himalayas. So she carefully moved forward step by step quietly to assess the situation with Ajay first before confronting him. She peered around the corner of the wall slowly and carefully to inspect the situation, only to be left in stupor.
Laying on the ground around even more bodies than previously was Ajay. She quickly dashed forward to assess his status, turning his body around to check his breathing and vitals.
"Unconscious…." Maya sighed in relief, it seemed like fatigue had sent in on his body and ended his rampage. His body was not left unscathed, it was tattered and riddled with tears from cuts and grazes. The vest and attire tailored by Samar and Chiffon had saved his life from the numerous hits from gunfire and there was no sign of penetrations but large bruises and blood clots where the bullet's kinetic energy passed on to him.
She lifted him over her shoulders and carried him with some effort along the way back to where the Condotierri and marines were. As she carried him, with his right hand slung over her shoulder she noticed something peculiar on the back of his hand. A symbol was painted upon him, it looked archaic and mystical. She knew Ajay wasn't the sort to buy into superstitious beliefs but where did it come from? Ajay was dead as a rock with little to no movement except his subtle breathing. Maya could not shake the feeling that that talisman had something to do with Ajay's current inactivity.
Though it was just a feeling, she felt it was entirely plausible. Because Ajay's strength alone was not like anything she had seen in this world.
She reached a certain point to where the firefight had begun and caught the attention of the rest who came running towards her upon first sight.
"Here, I'll help." Perkins took on of Ajay's arms and shouldered it on the way to the parked vehicles. At some point, Stew took over from Maya. Maya continued to have a look of concern about her despite being able to retrieve him without difficulty. The marines were just as skeptical about the whole incident, they had been there to watch as he massacred hundreds like it was child's play and there was never a period that he stopped or took cover, he was always on the go. There was no word in their vocabulary to describe such ruthless efficiency, yet brutal and unforgiving at the same time. Somehow David felt relieved, if he had this kind of ability early on that meant they could have all perished during that raid nearly a month ago and no one would miss them.
"Did you calm him?" Samson inquired curiously.
"No…. He was already unconscious where I found him." Maya answered honestly, Samson was surprised it was not the picture he imagined, still it was better that way. Being witness to this berserk tendency of Ajay's made him question his logic and belief. Nothing could conjure up power like that, it was like the work of the devil. Like Ajay had been touched by the devil. But these things were unrealistic, unscientific and implausible.
-Because there was no such thing as demons.-
Sitting in the cabin allocated to the Hun Tribe dignitaries, Leng Yue shook her leg impatiently.
"How long are they going to rudely make us wait, we came down to answer their request and that damn lord is nowhere!"
"I agree with the princess, why are we even here? Couldn't the chief just come here on his own to receive the title?" Meng Yi buttered up to his princess.
As instructed by the tribe shaman Shili, the tribe's chief and five of their youngsters who had just come of age were to venture down with Er Hu to discover the newly established town and experience the outside world from the confines of the cliff settlement and the Himalayas. Some were excited to make the trip while others like Leng Yue held indifference towards the people they were about to meet. Three days had already passed since their arrival, when they reached the town administration Er Hu had been informed that the Vice-Lord had been called out by the Royal Army to participate in a delicate operation concerning the South valleys. Er Hu received a letter addressed to him from the Vice-Lord apologizing for absence and he nodded his head after reading it.
"It can't be helped, we'll stay for a while. In the meantime, get yourself acquainted with the locals. Go and explore! That's what being young is all about." He laughed heartily and joined the councilors who invited him for tea. Today he wasn't around either, having drinks with the councilors again no doubt.
"I never thought it'll be like this, it's just as the Sherpa say. This use to be a desolate valley, would anyone believe you if that was said to you? Say, wanna join me on a trip to the pub? They've got this homebrew I've been hearing the locals talk about that beats the Shangri-lager by a mile!" Ming Jie claims, Leng Yue glares at him with immense hostility causing him to quieten down.
"That's not what we've come here for." She said.
"We're not, but are you? I heard you were initially reluctant to follow the chief, now you seem a little more impatient." Yù bào gave her conclusion she was here for an entirely different reason.
"Stop reading my mind, Yù bào." Yù bào chuckles.
"I've known you since we shared the same cradle, princess. There could only be one reason you're here, and that's to show your "Persuasive" attitude to the Lord of the valley to get back at him for your beloved Darshan." It was just as she said, Leng Yue was here to make the Vice-lord understand the Hun's and friends of the tribe were not to be bullied or demanded without proper compliments.
"Hmph!... Nonsense." She denied it flatly.
Yù bào smiled wryly as she shook her head, she knew it was merely an excuse. The real reason was because she was under the impression Darshan's fewer visits which she always looked forward to were related to the Vice-lord and to his commander Maya Kadayat. Darshan was more than a friend to Leng Yue, that was made rather apparent for the last sixteen years since Darshan had first encountered their tribe and come in contact with them. It was no secret the tribe princess held hidden affection for the friend of the tribe Darshan, despite the obvious difference in age. Hers at seventeen and Darshan was somewhere at his early forties, he was old enough to be her father or grandfather depending on the circumstance. Yet, Leng Yue was the least bothered by it. Probably to do with Darshan's early interaction in her life, Yù bào could recall the handsome face he once had, quite memorable and gentle, if anyone would remember it would likely be Leng Yue. Unfortunately, time was not kind to him nor did he care for appearance and he looked older than his actual age of forty-two. Looking fifty, with long hair greying and beard. Yù bào believed it had to do with his work, but truthfully no one knew what Darshan was doing outside the settlement. Save for Shaman Shili who was of the same age as him and had a long acquaintance with him when they were all children and Shili had yet to inherit the position of shaman from her predecessor.
(Knock) (Knock)
"Go away!" Leng Yue said in a foul mood.
"Who is it?" Yù bào called out on their behalf.
"It's Bhadra."
"Come in. please." The door opened and in came Bhadra neatly dressed with a tray of freshly brewed Kyrati tea.
"I just wanted to check on you all if you were alright with the accommodations so far."
"You and the towns' council have been very welcoming to us, I hope you'll accept my thanks on behalf of the group?" Yù bào said graciously, as she turned to Leng Yue to confirm what she said was valid. "Hmph!" She arrogantly snorted, Yù bào couldn't help but sigh in defeat. She was a difficult person to manage, herself being able to tolerate her friend was not the same as others.
During the time Ajay spent away, Bhadra had gotten herself busy. Like most of her friends, she had applied at the vocation school to be a childcare teacher, with the support of Ajay and the other residence. It was a five-year course but there was no rush, it was something she finally chose for herself. Hearing Ajay's comment on radio like every other Kyrati citizen strengthened her resolve due to the commitment Ajay had put into allowing her to pursue her own path in life. He burnt a temple down for heaven's sake! It was audacious as it was touching, Ajay really meant what he said when he promised to let her decide her own fate, he dared to challenge a thousand years of cemented tradition and religion head on just for her sake.
She knew the only way to show her gratitude to him was to follow with her dreams and work hard to achieve them. And that was what she did, her diligence caught the notice of the school's dean and respective lecturers very early. Her popularity was on equal measure amongst the students as well, and they vouched for her to be the student union representative. Upon arriving into the town, the town council requested the school to send someone to be there guide for their stay, hoping that the similarity in ages with the youngsters brought by the Hun Tribe's chief would be comfortable and able to relate. Naturally, they sent Bhadra to represent. She was not against it and followed with the request, they were initially troubled as it was the students that called for her. Knowing who her guardian was, they dare not ask from her directly.
"That's great, I also have a piece of information from some friends in the front with our lord, for your chief regarding an appointment for tomorrow at the Arsenal office."
"You mean-…."
"Yes, Miss Bao. While our lord never had the intention of making you and the chief wait, we've just received word he was returning from the military operation."
"Then why is it the next day and not immediately?" Leng Yue asked in a cold tone causing Elina to hesitate.
"Princess! Don't do this to Miss Bhadra, she's only conveying a message." Pang De stood up valiantly for their guide and attendant for their stay, most likely because he was taken to Bhadra's charm himself. "Tsk!" She clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.
"The report I received was from a friend, saying he was in no condition to immediately attend to the town affairs. Forgive me if it sounds to blunt." Bhadra had a grim feeling, there was never a time he returned and was unable to do anything. Ajay had set his image as something almost infallible and ever ready. There was a likeliness he was badly injured, but Bhadra chose not to wear any expression that might give the dignitaries discomfort. They didn't need to know this.
"No! That's fine Miss Bhadra, say. Since we're only expected to meet with your lord tomorrow, how bout you show us around town? I'll promise to treat you after!" Pang De said with excitement.
"Um-…" Her hesitation cost her as Pang De unrestraintly wrapped his arm around her and called for the rest to accompany them as he merrily made his way down the steps of the inn. That was his intention at least until Yu Bao tapped his head hard to indicate he had done something unacceptable. He laughed embarrassed at his behavior after Yu Bao explained his wrongs.
"(Sigh) Fine, I'll be counting on you then…" Leng Yue gave up her brooding, sitting around would do nothing so she decided to follow them.
Bhadra removed Pang De's hands and walked over the Leng Yue. She smiled and reached out and held her smooth and delicate hands. "You won't be disappointed, I promise!"
Maya put down the phone after informing Bhadra and Elina of the latest developments and an update from High Command on the status of the evacuation.
"Everything alright?" Ricardo asked from the front of the jeep that held the radio Maya used at the back.
"Fine. Bhadra's holding back those Hun tribe guests who came three days ago before the operation started. HQ reported that all of the refugees have been evacuated and escorted to the temporary prefab housing near Baghadur and across King's Bridge."
Back then, Ajay wasn't in the mood to attend to them as he had been in mourning, then immediately after, he partook in an operation to evacuate the Southern most settlements. He also torched the sacred Jalendu Temple. Although Maya felt it was rather extreme, she could sympathize with him. It was a clear statement to everyone don't ever use tradition as an excuse in front of him, it also was to protect Bhadra from the mantle of Tarun Matara.
"That's great! Although I was a bit surprised to hear there were actual Huns down here." Ricardo laughed off.
"Or so they claim was their heritage, but they all hold Chinese names. Perhaps they are, who knows."
The Condotierri, Maya and the rest of the marines got onto the vehicles that were part of the convoy that was supposed to ship Willis and the now renegade Marines to the Valley and Willis to Durgesh for interrogation. Instead, they returned empty handed and Ajay was in a bad state. They were on their way back to the Royal Fortress where Captain Goh would coordinate with General Arjun on his team's current options and how he could be temporarily integrated into the formation and provided their military support and supplies. There were just six marines, Captain Goh, Staff Sergeant Perkins, a marine named Stew and three others whom they have yet to learn their names. From the original twenty that Para-dropped in the night. One was supposedly killed by Sabal in a demonstration of power, ten died on the night of the raid by Ajay and the Condotierri. David kept saying something about having a phobia of white ferrets after that day, Maya had no clue what he was on about because she was suffering from the toxins of the mushroom back then.
She walked over the Captain Goh who was looking under the weather at the passenger seat of the five-tonner truck they had in the convoy.
"Are you alright?"
"….. Yah! I am, it's just-… I'm still having doubts about fighting our own people."
"Welcome to Kyrat."
"I'm sorry, that was just rude of me. You're in a civil war fighting your own people as well. I just wished it didn't have to turn out like this."
"None of us did, especially losing Willis was harder than anything. From what Badala tells me, this might involve Lynch now." David wore an even grimmer face, he felt completely responsible for the loss of Agent Huntley and was now being more of a hindrance to the Kyrati Royal Army.
"How's Badala?" He decided to focus on another problem instead.
"Battered but not dead, he'll probably need a day to wake up."
"…Does-….Is it normal for him to do those things?" He couldn't keep it to himself.
"No." Maya replied.
"He may be a monster in his own right but never to this point." Maya knew the reason he flipped though, Brody had been there when that Tiger girl died, and during a duel Brody taunted him regarding her. From that point on, he lost it.
"I- I see…." Though David wasn't so clear on the point but if it didn't make sense he didn't need to trouble himself.
A commotion happened where the rest of the marines were gathered awaiting their departure.
"Hurk…" Maya looked around the corner to find the burly man chatting friendly with the marines. Upon seeing her, he jogged to meet.
"Hey, Capt! Where's Bad's?" Hurk seemed to be ignorant to the event that took place.
"He's resting in the back of the truck, don't wake him. He's in a bad state, I've called Dr Najjar to meet at King's Bridge to give him a check." Hurk's expression darkened, he was well aware of Ajay's prowess, yet he was in a condition where he couldn't even move.
"What the hell happened?!"
"Some bastard jumped us and took Willis and half my force back to the Golden Path headquarters." David scorned the existence of that fellow.
"Then….. what happened to Bad's?!"
"He fought with him and ran when the Golden Path came to rescue him by chance. When we get back I'm gonna find out who the hell is Jason Brody!" She didn't know why but that dangerous fellow gave her an agitated feeling, his movements were so willful and so haphazard it endangered everyone around him, be it friend or foe. On other words, he never treated the battlefield nor its occupants seriously. Earning her total disrespect for him.
The face on Hurk turned pale at the mention of that name.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that name again? I think I might've been hearing wrongly." He laughed awkwardly.
"Did I say it wrong? His name was Jason Brody, an American here for some sort of reason related to Willis."
Hurk turned greener than ever, Maya and David took notice of it quite clearly.
"No-….. It can't be!.."
Jason waited outside the hovel that housed Willis who was undergoing emergency treatment from Banapur's only practitioner of medicine. Losing a leg was no game, especially when it was torn off of him. The blood loss would have killed him at any time had it not been for the quick first aid given by Staff Sergeant Grilles.
The surgeon finished his operation and came out of the door.
"Doc, how's my friend?"
"He's stable, currently asleep. I advise you let him rest for three days tops, give him these tablets to restore blood loss. And this might be personal but what in the world severed his leg. It looked like the bone had been fractured even though the lower part was gone."
"He was….. hit by a truck."
"I've seen road accidents before so I can tell it wasn't, but no matter. This was just a question not expecting an answer." He walked off after claiming his toolbag and portable dispensary. Opening the door, Sabal came in to see them.
"How is he?"
"He'll live."
"That's good, at least there's a silver lining to all that's taken place today. I'm glad you're alright as well!" Sabal patted him on the back.
"What happened?"
Sabal sighed. "Walk with me." He beckoned Jason to follow him to another house.
They reached a balcony facing the majestic scenery of the lush forest, there, Sabal led him to a pair of seats before he took his.
"Things are worse than ever!" Sabal told him bluntly with the truth written all over his face.
"Was that stronghold that important-.."
"It wasn't just the stronghold, Jason. In fact, it wasn't even the main reason the Royal Army mobilized. Have you found it strange as we walked the street?" Sabal posed him a strange question.
Jason thought about it for a second, there was nothing wrong with the streets they passed through on the way here. Nothing, not even the slightest error in the empty streets….. empty-…
"Where is everyone?" Seeing that Jason had finally caught on he explained.
"The Royal Army took them all with the help of those Rebel Tigers. It wasn't just Banapur, they went through every house, town and settlement within Golden Path territories. And Badala-….. Badala! Not having the intention to retake Varshakot but ended up leveling it to the ground. There is no way the Golden Path can fortify the South West territories now like it used to." A wave of emotions passed through Sabal as he spoke the bad news to Jason.
"What did they do with the people?"
"God knows, concentration camps, slave labour for the KEO mines. It could be anything behind those mountains in Uttar. Although, on the bright side you managed to bring Willis back safely. He is critical in maintaining our logistic support and coordination with Solomon for arms smuggling via Pakistan."
"Uh- Yeah! No worries!" He replied with doubt in his voice.
The flashback played out in his head a couple of times along the way back to Banapur. When that marine said Willis was a rogue now and helping him made him an enemy of stateside. But then that would mean he could never hope to return back without encountering the FBI, his friends might be in just as big a problem as him. They were ultimately alienated by their own country. Back then he thoughts weren't thinking straight enough, both sides, Willis and the marines were throwing bombs one after another to convince him to help them or piss off. He chose the later, because he was more familiar with agent Huntley from there time together in Rook Island. But then what about the Marines, he knew a friend who was in the Marine Corp. Day in and day out, he would talk about his experience in the Paris Island or overseas like it was some great adventure. He always remembered to include his love for his second family and for country. There were a couple that said the same as his friend to prove it was not just him. Then what about, Mr Grilles. Why did he split from the rest and join Willis? Things weren't making sense, the more he thought about them the more he ended up with inconclusive findings.
There was also another thought that stalked his mind.
It was officially his second encounter with Badala, only this time it was done with his other self manning the controls. So this was what he meant by merging, he barely had any control during the possession. It was only when the other Brody freely gave it back did he have control. In summary, Jason was not in control and that was bad on his accounts. While it did grant him temporary advantage in the fight compared with his previous encounter, something happened which tipped the scale back to him onto the receiving end of Badala's blade. It was something, the other Brody said which ticked him off. Like his woman or something. Jason recalled the time when Sabal saved his life back then when he shot-…..
"….the girl."
"'cuse me?"
"Uh- oh! Nothing! Just some inner thoughts, Haha!"
If Badala had the power to chase them like recently, then why didn't he do it the last time as Baghadur? Jason didn't turn around to see what he did after Sabal accidently shot that girl, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Ended up saving a cornered ground who were so grateful they literally threw their lives away to save his arse this time.
"…. We did this…"
"We did no such thing!" Sabal shouted angrily that Jason was even surprised.
"This is but a minor setback, with some careful planning we could move to fortify at Shanath and build back out numbers from the Northern most settlements that weren't evacuated. We just need some way to convince them- (Angry shouting)…..?"
The sound of a riot could be heard outside of Sabal's house, and it wasn't subsiding either but growing.
"What in the world?"
(Bang) (Bang) (Bang)
"Open up, Sabal! We know you're in there!"
"Come out you coward!"
Sabal was having conflicting thoughts about answering the door with such violent responses. Jason went on his behalf to check who were they. The moment he opened the latch and turned the doorknob a whole crown of people rushed in and entered the house. Jason had been pushed around the crowd with no room to move out from as the people searched the house for their target.
"There! Get him!" A man pointed to Sabal at the balcony and the reached out to grab him. Sabal fought off the reached out hands in shock, but they outnumbered his ability to handle and was grabbed into the centre of the mob.
"Hey! Stop!" Jason called out in vain.
"Stay out of this Brody!"
"Yeah! This is a matter within the Golden Path!"
"We're grateful for the help you've given, but we're at wits end with Sabal's idiocratic leadership choices."
"It's time for him to face the music!"
"Wait! What do you intend to do with him?!" Jason demanded. A few people held him back for his own good.
Sabal was brought before the town square where the field commanders and elders were standing in front of the podium as if to pass judgement upon a felon. The old guard commanders were present as well, standing with the rest of the leadership of the Golden Path movement.
Sabal passed through a gauntlet of angry townsfolk who remained and warriors of their cause. They threw mud and rocks at him, all the while venting their rage at him.
"Traitor!"
"Give us back Commander Malla you murderer!"
"You!- You're just the worst human being out there!"
"I hope you rot in jail!"
Sabal clenched his teeth as he was dragged before the line of elders and high level commanders.
"Do you know why you are here, Sabal?" The lead elder that represented stood up and asked.
"What is the meaning of this? Unhand me! You do you think you're handling here?!"
"Stubborn to the bitten end, eh? Then let us read out your crimes then, Sabal!" A Commander holding a list walked forward.
"The death of two elders, the responsibility of the lives lost during the Meh Teh Offensive, the attempted kidnap of a minor and murder of her caretakers in a coup you insinuated. The killing of fellow Golden Path members for supporting Amita during her office, the failure and audacity in the assault at Baghadur….. and the death of Commander Kamala Malla!" The Officer threw the list aside and glared at him with icicles as did the rest of the thousand that were gathered there to judge him.
"How do you plead?" The elder asked, already knowing his answer but wanted him to say it in front of everyone.
"You treacherous plebeians! All you lot! Who do you think led you through dire circumstances during this time and all this time?! I have done nothing wrong! I am your leader, I make choices and you follow! Why do you think I do what I do, huh? It's because I do it for the cause!"
"Insolence! You really have no shame at all do you, Sabal?"
The crowned shared their opinion by loudly jeering and tossing more objects at him, but he still held a stubborn expression that he was still in the right. Jason watched from afar, helpless to assist. Willis wasn't around to intervene at a time like this and Solomon was spectating from a seat alongside the Commanders, contently drinking Chai. It didn't bother him at all, because he only interest was to support Golden Path and not the leadership. The leader could change but the cause was the same. Jason had been wrong in his assumption regarding Solomon. Noticing his eyes on him, Solomon waved him to come over and enjoy the show while drinking with him which perplexed him. That Hong Konger was weirder that anything, but to be honest. For some reason, Jason didn't seem to care much for Sabal also.
From the accounts and encounters with Sabal, Jason's assessment of him was summarized in one word. Radical!
He was like a ranting zealot from biblical times, or during the crusades. An extremist, and a ruthless one at that who executed his own men on occasions. He had also done that cheap shot which killed that famous girl but Jason couldn't say anything about that incident, because it had also saved his life. Now the people were openly showing their distaste for a person like him. Perhaps this was all just Karma.
"Now that you have me what do you intend to do with me?"
"Simple. We're going to King's Bridge to hand you over to the Royal Army and in turn, Badala. I'm sure you're more than acquainted with his hatred for you."
"Treason ridden filth! This is a bloody mutiny!" Sabal spat.
"We do not need anymore blood to be split on our hands and we certainly don't want you to be the cause of it! So we will present our willingness to negotiate for a truce so that the Golden Path-…. The people will see better days than what we have right now! So for once in your miserable life, take some god damn responsibility for the actions you've made! I ask this of you to do your job properly just this once." The elder said to him with a pitying expression but Sabal gave a different response that made everyone feel that he was just beyond forgivable.
"Don't you DARE look down upon me! I am your leader! I am Sabal of Golden Path!" He shouted as the warriors dragged him away to the vehicle pool. Jason was still bogged down by whether he should help or not.
As Sabal passed through the gathered crowd and became the head of the formation that was heading off to deliver him to the Royal Army's doorstep. A figure cladded in a concealing robe stood in their way, he clapped his hands as if applauding the scene he was witnessing before him.
"Admirable. Most admirable! Not once revealing any sign of cowardice, nor begging for your life despite overwhelming odds and the despair of being thrown to the enemy."
"Who are you? Move aside! We're escorting a shameless criminal to meet justice!" One of the warriors shouted. But the hooded man ignored him and continued speaking as if he hadn't even heard his warning.
"This almost reminds me of the time when some of the elders wanted to batter a peace between us and Pagan all those years ago. All because we were in a worse than winning period and having a stalemate with Yuma Lau. Of course I had them executed, because they only cared for their own wellbeing and not for the betterment of everyone. They forgot all those that sacrificed their lives to bring us to that moment, the moment we stood at the steps of the Royal Fortress and fought against treachery." His words made everyone question who he was and why he was speaking as if he was from the old days. Their curiosity grew as they forgot what their original task was set for them to do.
The man took off the hood that hid his features and revealed it to the crowd who gasped in amazement. Particularly the old guards and elders whom recalled his appearance better than anyone. Those who hadn't met him too recognized his face on the posters and thangkas.
"For your display of courage and unrelenting will-…..I…Mohan Ghale commend you."
Author's thoughts:
(Field Commander) "Why?!-…. Why won't you die?!"
(Ajay) "Behind this mask there is more than just flesh... Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr Creedy... and ideas are bulletproof."
(Field Commander) "Mr Creedy? Who the- Hurrghh!" (choking)