Chapter 54 In the Name of the King


Catori Forest

All alone, Seth entered the clearing where the Old Oak tree was located. He knew it was silly, but he couldn't risk Kelista getting hurt or killed.

"Seth Rollins,"

"Where's my fiancée?" Seth demanded, as Hanovi stepped into the clearing.

Hanovi shrugged lazily. "I provided Hunter Helmsley with the adoption and supporting documents…so he could make you betray your brothers."

Seth stared at him in shock.

"You were my greatest threat, Seth." Hanovi laughed. "I separated you from your loved ones, especially your brothers. So now you are nothing. Everyone hates you. Including your sweet Kelista...or she will soon."

Seth gritted his teeth. "Where is Kelista?"

"Aww," Hanovi smirked. "You thought you'd marry her and have your own little mansion in the woods? How pathetic."

Seth was just about ready to attack.

"Go ahead, fight," Hanovi's smile disappeared."You have no one,"

"Wanna bet?"

Seth and Hanovi looked up in surprise as Aryan Pariwar emerged from the trees.

Aryan grinned. "And I didn't come alone either,"

The Architect's eyes lit up as his brothers appeared behind Aryan. Michael then stepped into the clearing, shooting Seth a brief look of gentle reprimand for thinking of coming here alone.

"Kelista's fine, Seth," Michael said, before turning to Hanovi. "She was rescued and is now with someone I trust,"

Seth sighed with relief.

"Whoever you're working with at HelmsleyCorp, Hanovi, used you." Michael revealed. "Since Seth's my heir alongside Kelista, they wanted him out of my company,"

Seth looked at Michael in surprise "What?"

"It was always the plan to leave HelmsleyCorp to you, Seth," Michael replied quietly. "Kelista isn't interested in a weapons industry; she'd only have shares or assets. So you wouldn't just inherit half of HelmsleyCorp, Seth. It would be fully in your control. That's why whoever Hanovi is working with, wanted you out of the way."

"So you wanted to kill Seth for a company?" Roman asked Hanovi in disgust.

"I had no intention of killing Seth." Hanovi smirked at the Architect. "Not yet. He still has an important part to play before I deliver the final devastating blow to Michael."

Aryan looked at him thoughtfully. "But...that would be killing Kelista and Seth...or just either of them..."

Michael gritted his teeth. "You're never going to get that chance, Hanovi. I will never let you come near my family,"

"You and what army? The Native Americans soldiers you murdered?" Hanovi smirked before turning to the Architect. "Seth, they would have been your soldiers had Michael not ordered their unjust execution, not to mention the torture of Swihan, a very loyal friend of the Helmsley family. Michael is a racist, cold-blooded murderer,"

Roman, Dean and Aryan slowly looked sideways at Michael Helmsley, wondering if they should trust this man. Was he any different than his brother, Triple H?

But Seth took a determined step towards Hanovi. "I don't believe you,"

"Why don't you hear it from their own mouths?"

Hanovi laughed as a unit of thirty Native American soldiers stepped into the clearing, fully armed for battle. Far out matching the small opposition of the three former Shield affiliates, Aryan and Michael.

Michael returned his smile. "Me and what army? This army,"

The soldiers stripped off the front cloth of their vests revealing the HelmsleyCorp logo. The unit's captain, Ashok, stepped forward and saluted his boss.

"Michael, sir, Miss Kelista and the villagers are safe and secured."

~oOo~

Infirmary HelmsleyCorp Base, Davenport, Iowa

Swihan couldn't rest. Even with medication, the pain doesn't completely subside; the cancer was spreading, and though Michael tried his best, no chemotherapy or any other treatment helped (which at least made the fake torture scene believable).

But that was not what kept Swihan up. Michael's plan with Levi, though it was strategic and well thought out, it left so much to chance. But Swihan was confident in his son Ashok's abilities and recommended he lead Michael's search and rescue team in the village.

HelmsleyCorp Captain Ashok gave the order to his unit that Michael had conveyed to him. As the guns fired, Ashok and his soldiers dropped to the ground and immediately begin to roll into a tunnel', the darkness and then the bright flames effectively concealing their disappearance. The tunnel contained weapons and communications devices that did not have an uplink to HelmsleyCorp. On a different server, Levi guided the soldiers, providing Intel and updates. Their orders were to protect the villagers and retrieve a list of names who Hanovi was working with at HelmsleyCorp.

Of course, since Michael didn't know who he could trust in his company (who was aiding Hanovi); it had to be a covert mission, hence the staged torture, annihilation and missile.

~oOo~

With tears running down her cheeks, Stephanie paced back and forth in her hotel room. She knew one day she would have to tell Priya the truth; but then her sister-in-law might hate her forever. And Hunter will try to protect Stephanie from his brother and it may put a rift between him and Michael. Stephanie was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't hear her hotel room door open.

"Hi, Steph,"

Stephanie spun around in shock. "P-Priya!"

"Kelista remembered seeing Hanovi that day of the fire." Priya began, getting straight to the point. "He was lurking outside the barn, carrying a can of ethyl ether, a highly volatile flammable liquid. Did you know that ethyl ether burns at 620 degrees Fahrenheit? The human skin burns at 250 degrees Fahrenheit."

Stephanie gasped in horror as her hand flew to her mouth. "Priya, I-I didn't know what Hanovi's intentions was, I swear, he- he only told me-"

Priya's eyes clouded over. "So it was you," she confirmed sadly.

~oOo~

"Where's Kelista?" Seth asked Ashok. "Is she safe?"

Ashok nodded. "Miss Helmsley and Miss Palmer are hiding in a cave," he indicted a pathway to the north. "It should lead back to the mansion,"

"Alison?" Dean asked in alarm. "Is she alright?"

Ashok nodded and Dean immediately took off after Seth in the direction the captain directed, followed by Roman.

Back at the clearing, Hanovi scowled as Ashok handed Michael his computer chip.

"Sir," Ashok addressed Michael. "This chip contains all the names of HelmsleyCorp employees working with Hanovi,"

"Thank you, Ashok, and to all of you." Michael looked at all the members of the task unit in turn, as he saluted them. "I know how much you've sacrificed for me and for that I am very thankful."

The Native American soldiers saluted Michael in their own fashion, making Hanovi boil with rage.

"The Catori Village is another home to my wife," Michael said, "So I will see to it that it has a fit and just king, not an unstable chief,"

"I am the Chief!" Hanovi spat. "And soon I will be king of HelmsleyCorp,"

"My father always told me that the village needs to be protected...and now I will protect it from you; you who was meant to be king, but you ruined that yourself."

Hanovi scowled.

"In order to be a king, you need to follow the example of the true King, and," Michael chuckled, "Not my brother, though he loves to believe it, but the true King of kings, Jesus. A King that willingly lays down his life for his people."

Hanovi smirked. "You think God is on your side?"

"To be precise, I'm on Yahweh's side," Michael replied. "And that's why you're going to lose. I took a lot of risk to get you this vulnerable and it worked."

Hanovi scowled.

"This is my wife's family," Michael said, "And this village is a home to her. So I will protect it, even from you."

However, mouth Hanovi's slowly curved into a smirk. "You think this is over, Michael? You have no idea who you can trust."

Ahanu stepped in front of Hanovi, shielding Michael. "You killed our king. You murdered your own father."

Hanovi rolled his eyes. "Are you sure it wasn't Michael?"

The general looked over at Michael. "Michael is a good and just man… like your father was," he replied quietly.

But Hanovi, taking advantage of the distraction, moved swiftly and stabbed the general in stomach.

"No!" Michael shouted.

Hanovi was subsequently subdued by Captain Ashok as Michael ran towards the wounded general. Kneeling by Ahanu's side, Michael ripped off his shirt and then pressed the cloth against Ahanu's knife wound, trying to still the blood flow. He carefully lifted Ahanu and placed him in Ashok's arms.

"Take him to the infirmary," Michael said, before turning to the soldier now holding Hanovi. "Release him; I still have some business to take care of," he saluted the captain and his task unit before giving the final order of the day. "And also have your men checked out and then go home and rest,"

Ashok wasn't too happy leaving his boss alone with a dangerous psychopath, but reluctantly followed his orders, and signalled the unit to leave for HelmsleyCorp.

When his soldiers had left, Michael turned his attention back to Hanovi, who merely smirked back at him. But Michael had had enough.

~oOo~

Cave (secret entrance to the underground stream)

The former Shield brethren found Kelista and Alison in the cave, like Ashok had said.

"Seth!" Kelista cried as she flew into his arms.

The Architect held her in a protective embrace. "Kels, it's okay, angel, I'm here now."

"Alison?" Dean asked, "Are you alright?"

"Hi, Dean," Alison greeted, "Yes, yes, I'm fine,"

Something in Alison's tone did not convince the Lunatic Fringe. He knew she would always try to hide her (emotional) pain. Dean wished he could hold and comfort her, but Alison wouldn't allow him to, would she?

Before Dean could ask however, Alison gasped in pain as she held her stomach. The adrenalin had now finally worn off.

"Alison," Dean said worriedly taking a step towards her. "What's wrong?"

Kelista rushed to her friend's side. "And you said it was nothing! Oh, no!" she exclaimed as Alison turned her hand over; it was covered in blood.

"Whoa," Dean moved swiftly and caught Alison up in his arms before she collapsed.

"What happened?" Roman asked urgently.

"An-an arrow hit her," Kelista said tearfully. "But she said it only grazed her,"

"I'll take her to Dr. Gaillard up at the mansion," Dean said, leaving immediately. Those arrows were poisonous…

Seth took Kelista back into his arms. "Are you hurt, angel?"

"No, no, I'm fine," Kelista tried to assure him. She was handled roughly by Hanovi; but knowing her father (and Seth) it would probably be best to keep that to herself for now.

But Seth could see it in her face. He reached up and tenderly cupped her cheek. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you, angel,"

Kelista shook her head. "Don't Seth. This isn't your fault."

"Please go with Roman," Seth told her. "You will be safe."

"But Seth-" Kelista wanted to argue, but the look her fiancé gave her and his tone made it clear that she didn't have a choice. She kissed him goodbye before heading towards the entrance of the cave.

Seth turned to Roman. "Please take care of her…she's important to me, Ro,"

The Powerhouse didn't answer and walked towards the exit of the cave. But something bothered him; the way the Architect had asked. The sincere request of a little brother.

"Dean and I will keep Kelista safe. She is, after all, family." Roman replied. "As for Hanovi; take him down, Seth."

~oOo~

Michael just took a step towards Hanovi when Seth ran into the clearing. The Shield affiliate's fist connected with Hanovi's jaw, sending him flying backwards. Not wanting him to get hurt, Michael held Seth back.

"He hurt her!" Seth growled. "I know he did! He hurt Kelista! I WILL NOT SPARE HIM!"

Hanovi shrugged as he wiped the blood from his lip. "She tried to grab her phone when I was giving you instructions to come here, Seth. I guess you could say she got hurt trying to save you," he smirked.

"Kill him, Uncle Mike!" Seth shouted. "Or I'll do it,"

Michael restrained him. "No, Seth, you will not." he said firmly. Seth's soul was not yet strong enough to handle murder, even if is justified.

With both Michael and Seth distracted, Hanovi pulled out another dagger.

"MICHAEL!" Seth shouted and ran towards him.

Michael turned around and opened fire, but Seth dived on Hanovi to grab the dagger.

"Seth!" Michael cried out as both men fell to the ground.

~oOo~

Priya's voice rose in anger. "You put my baby girl in danger!"

"It wasn't supposed to be that big of a fire. I-I certainly didn't want to put Kelista in danger," Stephanie choked.

Priya folded her arms. "But you wanted me dead."

Stephanie vigorously shook her head. "No, no. Hanovi said he was going to create a distraction – the fire, so he can kidnap you."

Priya looked at her sister-in-law with disgust. How could Stephanie be involved in such a sick plan?

"When I heard about it, I thought the plan was to make Michael think that you were dead," Stephanie sniffed. "B-but then-then the fire was too strong and you were trapped inside and-and little Kels in the hospital – I just-"

"Obviously, Michael would never want to be with you," Priya said automatically. "Oh, I er- I didn't-"

"No, it's okay. I know, he loved-loves you so much. Even thinking you were dead for so many years, he never craved or wanted another woman's company, certainly not mine."

Stephanie fell in love with Hunter, but trying to please her father and do right by the McMahon company she agreed she would seduce the elder Helmsley brother (who controls HelmsleyCorp) and marry him (it wasn't really a sacrifice back then, she couldn't deny that shade of lust she felt for Michael).Stephanie let Hanovi in, thinking that if Hanovi kidnapped Priya; it would be easier to seduce Michael. But of course, that didn't work. Stephanie became sick with guilt, especially with Kelista in the hospital and that she realized she had feelings for Hunter. Stephanie wanted to tell Hunter everything before their wedding day, but she was so scared…and she would lose Hunter forever.

When Stephanie finally told him the truth a few months ago, Hunter tried to cover up for his wife, because Michael might kill her. He made a deal with Hanovi, the adoption papers and to destroy the Shield, in exchange for evidence in Stephanie's involvement and Hanovi's silence.

"I see," Priya replied once Stephanie had finished.

"I'm so sorry, Priya," Stephanie sobbed.

Priya automatically hugged her; it was hard not to feel sorry for her sister-in-law. Especially when Michael discovers that Stephanie not only let the snake in, she had welcomed Hanovi into the garden.

~oOo~

Dean carried Alison safely back to the mansion and called for the Helmsleys' family doctor. Kelista and Roman arrived a few moments after Dr. Gaillard had. As she ushered Kelista and Dean to mansion surgery, the Lunatic Fringe brought the doctor up to speed on Alison's condition.

"She'll be okay, won't she?" Dean asked hopefully.

"I'll see what I can do," Dr. Gaillard replied gently. "Please wait outside."

As he walked out, Dean spoke to the one Person that could completely heal Alison. Not talk exactly, more like pleaded in typical Dean-like fashion.

Roman smiled at him bemusedly. "Never thought I'll hear you pray,"

"I'm not praying," Dean countered. "I'm talking to Jesus. Mind your own business,"

"When you talk to God Ambrose," Roman sighed. "It's called praying."

"Well God hates me; He took Alison away from me, and now He may really take her away to heaven." Dean sniffed. "But why would God punish her? She loves Him. God should punish me."

"You do know that God and Jesus is the same Person; Jesus is just easier to relate to because He's human?"

"And that makes sense to you?" Dean asked, incredulous.

"If we could understand God with our teeny three pound brain, then maybe God wouldn't be God," Roman said. "God doesn't hate you Dean; Jesus is proof of that. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself. It looks terrible on you."

Dean mumbled inaudibly as Kelista came out to meet them.

"Have you spoken to Seth?" she asked quietly. "He needs to talk to you. And Alison told me that you guys have… already forgiven him."

"I know I've said…that." Dean sighed heavily. "But forgiveness isn't about establishing a relationship, Kelista."

"It's just…letting go of Seth's throat." Roman finished bitterly.

Kelista bit her lip wondering if she should tell them now about the adoption papers and Seth's sacrifice. Seth highly valued his relationship with Roman and Dean; they were his brothers.

"Roman, Dean -" she began, but a mercenary ran up to them.

"Is Dr. Gaillard in?" he asked hurriedly. "We have a gunshot patient coming in,"

Kelista's eyes widened. "Who is it?"

"The communication was scrambled…" The mercenary avoided looking at her. "Mr. Helmsley and Captain Ashok are bringing in Seth and Hanovi…one of them was stabbed."

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Response to guest reviewer, Kaidence: Lol Love is in the air! I'm glad you are! Thanks for reviewing! :)


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