A/N: I realized that I had the opportunity to make a 69 joke in the last chapter...oops. Oh well, can't go back now. I mean I could, but I don't want too.
Time to do a bug based monster girl that's actually cool looking. I mean, Girtablilu is part scorpion that's fucking metal as hell. It also got thinking: what about other insects. We've see an ant, a spider, an ant spider, a fly, a cockroach, and in future chapters; a beetle, mantis, caterpillar, bee, hornet, butterfly, moth, scarab, centipede, mosquito...and more spiders. What no ladybug (or ladybird if you're British) or a walking stick? I guess I have a much more vivid imagination than others.
Chapter 70
I'm Sherman Roma, I work for a private security firm. I'm a little new, but I already regret joining. My first posting is in the city of Al-Adia, which wouldn't seem bad except it's out in the middle of the fucking desert! Second, I hate the guy I'm protecting. Some blow hard politician named Sharif Al-Seding.
I don't like politicians, all talk not enough of morals. At least that's what Sharif struck me as, and if the money wasn't so good I would quit.
Anyway, I was outside Sharif's office smoking a cigarette, just waiting until his meeting ended. From little I could hear it involved zoning rights or something? I don't know, I just wanted to leave. I also heard him say something about death threats. Sharif exited his office and I put out my cigarette.
"You, boy! Have your team get my car." he order.
I rolled my eyes and called the lobby team to get the minister's car. I stepped into the elevator with him and had it sent to the lobby.
"Could you believe the fuss people make these days?" he asked.
"I heard things getting heated in your office. Is there a problem?" I asked.
"Just a group of degenerates trying to undermine all I've worked hard for!" he snapped.
"What exactly are you doing that would make people upset?" I asked.
"Nothing you need to be concerned with. I hired you to protect me, not ask about my affairs." he said.
Jackass, if you weren't paying me than I'd put a bullet in you myself.
The elevator reached the lobby, me and a couple of the other members of Sharif's security team escorted him to his car. But just as we were halfway to his car, Sharif caught the back of his neck collapsed on the ground.
"Assassin!" one the guards shouted and we formed a perimeter around the minister.
I caught the glimpse of a figure darting around the corner of the building. I drew my pistol and ran after it.
I went around the side of the building in search of the assassin. I'm not sure if I should kill 'em or kiss 'em. Just as way halfway down the path, something hit my hand causing me to drop my gun.
It was a small, sharp piece of metal embedded into my hand. As I pulled it out, my vision became blurry and I felt nauseous. I turned to where the dart came from; the side of the building was a woman with a...scorpion's body? Then everything went to black.
I don't know how long I was out for, but I can say when I woke up I was in a different location. I was laying in a bed surrounded by walls of sandstone. There was a large circular rug on the floor and the only exits were a window next to the bed and a doorway with a maroon colored curtain covering it.
Outside, I didn't hear the usual sounds of city life, but rather more rural sounds. Dogs barking, children at play, and idle chatter.
I tried to move my body, but whatever toxin was in me still hadn't left my system. Just then, the curtain was pulled back and a woman entered.
It was the same woman from last night. I could tell because of the scorpion body she came in with. She had white markings all over her sun kissed skin. Her hair was a light green color which enhanced her purple eyes. Her face, unlike the rest of body was covered by a magenta veil, while the rest of her body exposed a lot of skin, save for the coverings on her breasts and her skirt.
"Good, you're awake." she said dryly carrying a bowl.
"Where am I?" I rasped out.
"You're in my home. I must apologize for the incident that occurred last night." she said.
"Why am I here?" I asked.
"I brought you because I felt responsible for you become riddled with a poison." she said setting the bowl down next to me.
The bowl had a white cloth in it and what looked like water.
"Why? Why did you poison me?" I asked.
"It wasn't my intention to poison you. I wanted to kill the minister, but I didn't anticipate that you would chase me. And had I not hit you, you would've likely killed me." she said wringing out the cloth.
I looked at myself and noticed that I wasn't wearing anything, except for my underwear.
"Why am I naked?" I asked.
"You had an inverse reaction to the venom, causing your body temperature to raise. Luckily for you it wasn't a larger dose, otherwise it would've killed you." she said wiping my body down.
"What do you plan on doing with me?" I asked.
"That depends on what you do." she said.
"Do you know how far we are from Al-Adia?" I asked.
"A few hours." she said.
"And who are you?" I asked.
"Sedine." she said.
"You know killing a politician is illegal right?" I questioned.
"I had no choice. That man was threatening to destroy my home." she said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I will explain another time. Now I must get the doctor. Do require anything before I leave?" she asked.
"Aside from getting out of here? Some water would be nice." I said.
Sedine left the room and came back a moment later with a small cup of water. She lifted me up and slowly poured the contents of the cup down my throat. Once I finished, she laid me back down and left the room again.
A few minutes later, Sedine returned with the doctor. He was a older man, a light bread, his shaved head starting to grow hair back, and had a pair of rounded glasses on his face.
"How are you feeling?" he asked me.
"My head is throbbing, I feel nauseous, and my body is as stiff as a board." I said.
"Well it seems the venom hasn't dulled your sense of humor," he said placing a hand over my head. "How did you come about this?"
"Ask her." I said pointing to Sedine.
"Sedine, what did you do?" he asked sternly.
"I went to the city, I went there...to kill Al-Seding." she said.
"You killed him! Sedine I told you that violence will not solve the issue!" he shouted.
"What would you have liked me to do Malek? Nothing while that son of a whore destroyed our home!" she shouted back.
"I'm sorry, but what the fuck is happening!?!" I exclaimed.
The doctor released a long sigh.
"Sharif Al-Seding, had plans to put in a new highway from Al-Adia to Issen another city not to fair from here. However, Hotep, the village we are currently in sits in the middle of those two cities." he explained.
"Meaning?" I asked.
"Meaning they cannot build the road while our village stands." Sedine said.
"Couldn't they just build around it or through it?" I asked.
"The idea is for both Al-Adia and Issen to have easy access to each other, so building around it would defeat that purpose. As for building through us, the highway's width covers the width of our village." the doctor explained.
"Couldn't you appeal to one of the ministers?" I asked.
"We tried, but the minister of Issen said that it was out of his hands and the minister of Al-Adia wouldn't hear of it." he said.
"All that man cared about was how much money he was getting and he didn't care who got hurt." Sedine added bitterly.
"But we'll probably have to pay for the repercussions eventually." the doctor said lowering his glasses and massaging the bridge of his nose.
"Whatever is happening here I want no part of it. Just tell me when can I get out of this bed and back to the city." I said.
"Fine, luckily for you most of toxins have been flushed from your body. As for the paralysis that should wear off in a day." he said.
"Thanks doc." I said.
"It's Malek, I'm sorry for all the trouble Sedine has caused." he said.
As Malek was leaving, he shot a look at Sedine and shook his head, then left. Sedine turned her attention to me.
"I apologize for that scene." she said.
"It's fine, so who was that Malek guy? Aside from the town doctor." I said.
"He is the town doctor, and I guess the closest thing to a leader we have." she said.
"Is that so? I guess you must be in big trouble then." I said.
"More than you think." she murmured.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It's nothing. I'll make sure you're well taken care of, Malek will make sure you get back to Al-Adia when you're able." she said turning to leave.
"One more question, was I infected by your venom?" I asked.
"No, the venom I used was from a Dry Rock Whispertail. Deadly, if too much is injected. If you were injected with my venom, let's just say your clothes would be off for a different reason." she said.
After that, I began to regain feeling in my body. Not a lot of joint movement, but enough to get out of bed and use the toilet (or whatever qualified as a toilet around here).
By the next day, I was able to make my way outside. I suffered from some minor joint pain, but I've had worse. The village of Hotep was a quaint village, not much of value. It was made up of weather worn sandstone buildings, but nothing of note except maybe a small goat farm.
I asked directions to Malek's home, and as I was walking to it I noticed how normal everything seemed. Children playing in the streets, vendors peddling their wares, men and women engaged in idle gossip. It made me wonder: What's going to happen to these people if this highway gets built? Oh well, it's not my problem, it's their's.
I approached Malek's home and knocked on the door.
"Ah, hello my friend. I'm glad to see you're up." he said.
"Yeah, aside from minor pain I feel fine. So, you said you can take me back to Al-Adia?" I asked.
"I have a truck, it's old but should get us back to city." he said.
Malek took me to his truck and just as we were about to enter it, a car pulled into town. A black sedan, definitely not the type of car anyone here would own. Two well dressed, armed individuals stepped out of the car.
"Attention, people of Hotep! We are searching for a criminal linked to the assassination attempt on Minister Sharif Al-Seding. We believe that they are hiding somewhere in your village. If you know the location of this assassin, we ask that you bring them forth at once; you shall be rewarded for this." one of the men announced.
Malek moved to the men.
"I am in charge of these people. What is this about an assassination?" he asked.
"A couple nights ago, Minister Al-Seding was attacked. We believe that the assassin came from this village. If you relinquish this criminal you shall be rewarded." the man said.
"People here are just simple farmers, merchants, and families. There are no assassins here." Malek explained.
This response was greeted with Malek getting pistol whipped in the face. Causing him to be knocked to the ground and knocking his glasses off.
"Do not lie to me you you insolent dog!" the man shouted.
I pushed my way through the crowd. I know I shouldn't be involved with these people, but I can't stand bullies.
"And what do you want you-ugh!"
I punched the man in his throat, I quickly grabbed his gun out of his hands and fired a couple rounds at the feet of other guy.
"Get back in your car, drive back to the city, and stay the fuck out!" I shouted at them as I disassembled the pistol and tossed it at the first guy's feet.
"You *cough* *cough* you will pay for this!" the first man shouted and stumbled back into his car.
They drove off and I picked up Malek's glasses then Malek himself off the ground.
"You alright?" I asked.
"I'm fine. I've been through worse." he said dusting himself off.
"Malek! Are you alright!?!" Sedine said making her way through the crowd.
"Yes child, I am fine. If not for your friend here they might have done worse to me." he said.
"Thank you, you do not know how important Malek is to the village." she said to me.
"Just because they're paid to do a job doesn't give them the right to be assholes." I said.
"Although I appreciate your assistance, I fear this may cause us more problems than they're worth." Malek said wiping his glasses.
"What'll happen to you?" I asked.
"I fear more violence shall be brought to our doors. I am unsure." he said.
"This is my fault, I shouldn't have tried to kill the minister." Sedine said.
"Even if you did, I fear the end result would be the same." Malek said.
"What if I help?" I asked.
"We appreciate the offer stranger, but this is not your fight." Malek said.
"Says who?" I asked. "I'm just as involved in this as Sedine is."
Malek looked at me for a moment and then turned to the crowd.
"Everyone go about your business," he said then turned to me. "You come with me."
I followed Malek back to his home. Once inside Malek pulled a dusty bottle from his cupboard.
"Drink?" he asked opening the bottle.
"Sure." I said.
Malek pulled a couple glasses out and set them the table. He poured each glass half full of this clear yellow liquid. I took my glass and sniff the contents. It had a strong aroma to it. I took it sip and it a bitter taste to it, but I've had worse.
"Tell me, what is your name?" he asked taking sip from his glass.
"Sherman." I answered.
"Sherman...why the change of heart? Not too long ago you wanted to leave this place and now you wish to fight for it. Why?" he asked.
"I worked for Sharif and before that I was mercenary working for men like Sharif. I know that men like them bully and intimidate people who just want to live peacefully, all because they're greedy." I explained taking another sip.
"You you disliked these people then why work for them?" he asked.
"Pay was good." I answered honestly.
"Ah, I see. Morals mean nothing to a man with an empty stomach as my father would say." he said knocking his drink and then refilling his glass.
"What about you? You seem like the type of guy who isn't prone to violence." I asked.
"That's because I know what violence is like first hand. See, some of the men in this village, myself included; served in the army. I was a medic, hence me being the only doctor in town. While I didn't think I was good enough to be a leader, the people here look to me for guidance. But I'm afraid that I can't protect them forever." he said staring into his glass.
"But you can't let men like Sharif take your homes away." I said taking another sip.
"Yes, I know. I try to put my violent past behind me. But sometimes we don't get that luxury." he said.
"You know, my old man also had a saying: if you want peace, prepare for war." I said.
"You may be right..." he said grimly.
"If we don't take a stand against these bastards then we'll never see the end of this. So, can you fight with me?" I asked.
"No, I am old. I put war behind me, but I can help. As I said some of the men in this village were in the army, some of whom I served with. It may take some convincing, but I doubt it will take much. Especially since their homes and families are at risk." Malek said finishing his second glass.
"We may also need weapons. Guns, explosives, whatever can help." I said.
"I'll see what I can do." he said.
"And we need a safe place for the noncombatants, somewhere safe." I said.
"The old church in town has a cellar, they can hide there." he said.
"Alright, we'll need everything ready by tomorrow. I expect that's when they'll attack." I said.
"Don't worry, it'll get done." he said.
I finished my drink and shook Malek's hand. Upon leaving his house, Sedine was standing outside waiting for me.
"I heard what you said, and I wish to join you." she said.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"This is my home too and...I'm the one who put it at risk to begin with." she said.
"Alright. Malek is handling most of the details, but whatever assistance you can provide would be appreciated." I said.
Later, I was at Sedine's place and the atmosphere of the village seemed different at night. I could see Al-Adia off in the distance. Glowing against the night sky. I returned inside, I don't know how long Sedine was out for. Maybe she's back at this point.
As I was moving through her home, I managed to find her. She was fully nude, washing herself with a wash cloth (presumably the one that she used on me). I only managed to get the sight of the side of one of her breasts and the curvature of her butt. But what caught my attention the most was her face since she wasn't wearing her veil.
"Did you want something?" she asked.
"Just seeing if you go back." I said.
"Worried?" she asked with a slight amused smile.
"Not at all. So did things go well with Malek?" I asked.
"He had his protests, but I convinced him to let me help." she said.
"You must have a great deal of respect for him. If it's not too forward of me to ask, are you two lovers?" I asked.
She light chuckle.
"What makes you think we are lovers?" she asked.
"I don't know, you seem to care about him." I said.
"You can care for someone and not be their lover." she said continuing to wash her body.
"Then, what is your relationship with him?" I asked.
"He is my father, at least, the closest thing I have to one." she said.
"You don't know your father?" I asked.
"I didn't even know my mother. She came to this village badly wounded while she was carrying me. Malek did what he could but she used what strength she had left to give birth to me." she said.
"I'm sorry to hear that." I said.
"Don't be, it was long ago," she said dumping a bucket of water over her head. "Say, may I ask you a question?"
"Sure." I said.
Sedine turned to me, giving me full view of both her breasts and her vagina which had a tuft of pubic hair on it.
"Tell me, have you ever made love before?" she asked.
"A few times, why?" I asked.
"Since I am unsure of what tomorrow might bring, I wish to experience the touch of a man." she said.
"That's a bit morbid don'cha ya think?" I questioned.
"Perhaps, but this may be the last night we have together." she said.
"A last roll in the sheets before getting rolled into a coffin eh?" I questioned.
"If we survive what is to come. You'll consider staying and make love to me more than tonight?" she asked.
"Not to sound ungrateful, but why me?" I asked.
"I wish to take responsibility for our first encounter," she said grazing the side of my face. "Plus, you're not unattractive."
I probably should decline, but Sedine was right. I could be the last night I have alive, so why not have one last good night?
Later, Sedine and I were laying her bed. We kissed passionately with me having one hand on the small of her back, the other on her well rounded ass.
Sedine had hands on my face. We had our tongues battling for control over each other's mouth. I gripped her buttock first causing her to moan into my mouth.
One of Sedine's hands moved from my face to my crotch. There it began to toy with my throbbing cock. I repositioned my hand from her ass to her sopping wet opening. I brush past the carpet of hair adorned to her crotch until I found a tiny nub.
Sedine broke from our kiss and moaned. I played around with her clit causing her to produce more moans. Sedine returned in kind by gripping my shaft and firmly stroked it. This caused me to produce a series of my own moans.
I slipped a finger into her slit, causing her to moan even louder. Juices gushing out onto my hand. Sedine gripped my shaft tighter and I too moaned louder.
"Sherman, I want you inside me!" she begged.
I removed my finger from her and she brought my cock inside of her. I could feel how tight and wet she was. Sedine sat up and rode my cock, as she did I trailed my hands up and down her body.
"Mmm yes!" she purred placing her hands on top of mine.
I moved to her breasts and playing around with them as if they were made of clay. She shuddered at my touch, and her vaginal walls tightened around my member.
I bucked my hips upwards, all while caressing her breasts. Her tan skin glowing against the moonlight.
"Yes Sherman! Yes!" she cried.
I bucked faster and faster, pressure building inside my loins.
"Oh fuck, Sedine. I'm going to cum!" I announced.
"Yes! Me too! Oh fuck, I'm going to cum!" she shouted.
I unleashed my seed inside of her, so much came out that oozed from her and onto my crotch. Sedine still sat on top for a while, panting with beads of sweat rolling down her skin.
She lowered her onto me disconnecting her genitals from my own. I wrap my arms around her as we came down from our climax.
"I hope we succeed in tomorrow's battle. I wish to do more this with you." Sedine said.
"Yeah, me too." I said.
The morning, everyone was scrambling. Setting up whatever blockade or fortification necessary for the upcoming battle. Anyone who couldn't fight went to the church. Mostly women, children, and the elderly.
I could see husbands saying goodbye to their wives, fathers saying goodbye to their children, and sons saying goodbye to their parents. I hope that everyone comes out of this okay. I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to find Malek holding an old rifle.
"We have a sizable militia twenty-two men, and eighth women. Five of them Mamono." he said.
"The women want to fight?" I asked.
"They believe that, especially the Mamono, they rather die defending their home along with the men they love than let them die on their own." he said.
"Alright, if they want to fight let them. As for weapons, what do we got?" I asked.
"We're not a military, all we have are common bolt action and semi-auto rifles. We have a small stockpile of ammo and a few grenades, but I'm not sure what the opposition will be like." he said.
"We have to make sure every shot counts." I said.
"Here take this." he giving me his rifle.
"Thanks, do you have an exit strategy in case we don't survive?" I asked.
"The cellar in the church is well hidden. If you don't survive we shall bury our dead and try to seek refuge in Issen." he said.
"Well, thanks for everything Malek. I hope we survive this." I said.
"As do I my friend. May the gods find you victorious." he said and head for the church.
I guess it's time to address the troops. I approached the fountain in the middle of town where everyone was gathered around.
"Attention everyone! I know that I'm an outsider to you. If I were in your shoes I wouldn't trust me, but I need you to trust me." I said.
"Now, I not sure what to expect. But be prepared, they'll probably be heavily armed. Automatic weaponry at best." I continued.
"But they're just a bunch of boys playing with fancy toys. You know the layout of this village, and they don't." I said.
"Remember that you're doing this for not just your homes but your families as well. Now I want a men positioned here, here, and here." I said pointing to several building near the entrance to town.
"We're going to lure them in on foot, then pick them off once they get close to the fountain here. Can anyone get some spike traps ready?" I asked turning to the men.
"Yes, I can do this." one of the men answered.
"Okay, if you have to move your position, try to find as much cover as you can. Try not to risk open spaces if you have too." I said.
"With lunch we might be able to survive this." I said.
Everyone broke off to their positions, Sedine approached me.
"Where do you want me?" she asked.
"With me, do you know where the best elevated position in town is?" I asked.
"The tower in the church, but there is the balcony on my home that has a good view of the town square as well as the road coming from Al-Adia." she said.
"Alright, let's go there." I said.
Sedine went to the balcony of her home. I laid down on the balcony setting a small box of ammo and a couple of grenades.
"Sherman, what will you do after all of this is over?" Sedine asked.
"Honestly, I haven't thought about it." I said loading my rifle.
"Because, I wouldn't mind having you stay." she said.
"Assuming we do survive, I'll think about it." I said.
I peered through the scope of my rifle. Off in the distance through the desert haze I could see four SUVs. That's what six to eight people each, so maybe twenty-four to thirty-two in total. So versus the thirty people we have, we might survive this.
The SUVs got closer enough, the tires on all four vehicles blew out. They stopped a few feet outside the village. Every man climbed out of their vehicles. From what I could see roughly twenty of them, each one had kevlar vests on and they were carrying automatic rifles. They entered the town on foot keeping a wide formation.
I waited for them to get drawn in closer. I took aim with my rifle targeting the guy closest to the fountain.
My shot rang out, and I nailed the guy in the forehead. As soon as he was hit, the rest of the men scattered for, but my men came out of hiding and fired at the opposition.
I cocked my bolt back targeting another guy who rounded was about to duck behind a building. Boom, headshot. I could hear Sedine firing her rifle off. Her shots were messy, but I guess she never handled a gun before. But she managed to score a kill.
Soon we finished off the rest of the security force. As much as I wanted to believe it was over, I doubt it was that easy.
"Everyone check your ammo, I doubt this is all of them!" I shouted.
I went back to my scope and just as I suspected there more coming. Only these weren't SUVs, they APCs two of them. They maneuvered around the SUVs and entered the village. Ten men came out of each one, wearing full body armor, all carrying automatic rifles, save for one. He came out with a fucking minigun.
The minigun spun up and unloaded on the buildings. I reached for a grenade, pulled the pin, and tossed it. Four guys were caught in the blast but that minigunner was still a problem.
"Come on we have to move!" I shouted to Sedine.
I grabbed the last grenade I had and we rushed out of her home to the church.
We and the rest of the villagers rushed to the church. I got inside first and rushed up to the tower. I provided sniper cover while the rest of the villagers tried to make it back to the church. I managed to kill three men before I had to reload. I rushed back downstairs and the villagers that weren't wounded were taking defensive positions inside the church.
"Is that everyone?" I asked Sedine who was at the door.
"I think so, Sherman I don't know if we can- ah!" she cried as a bullet ripped through her shoulder.
I took Sedine inside and grabbed her rifle. I tossed the last grenade I had and landed right near the minigunner.
The grenade exploded causing the minigunner's ammo pack to explode taking out a cluster of them. I took Sedine's rifle and began unloading into the the remaining forces.
The remaining forces began retreating. I dropped Sedine's rifle and picked one of the automatic ones and fired at the fleeing soldiers. A few managed to get back into one of the APCs and drive back to Al-Adia.
I stood in the middle of the carnage, adrenalin pumping through my systems. I stood for a moment panting, until I regained myself and returned to the church.
I knocked on the trap door to the church and Malek opened it.
"Is it over?" he asked.
"For now. Get some people to help the wounded." I said.
I went to check on Sedine who was still holding on her bleeding shoulder.
"You okay?" I asked kneeling down to her.
"Yes, though the pain is not comfortable." she said.
"I'll get someone on that, hey you did good out there." I said.
"We only succeed because of you." she said.
"But I had your help." I said.
"So, is it over?" she asked.
"Today, maybe. Tomorrow who knows." I answered.
Malek approached us and tended to Sedine's wound.
"So how bad is do?" I asked him.
"She'll be fine, I'm just lucky she's alive." he said.
"Casualties?" I asked.
"At least seven dead. Four men, three women. More than I'd liked, but less than I'd feared." he said.
"Mr. Sherman! Mr. Sherman!" a young man shouted running up to me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"There's a vehicle approaching." he said.
"Another one from Al-Adia?" I asked.
"No, it's coming from the south. From Issen." he said.
I went outside of the church and sure enough there was a white sedan coming from Issen. As it got closer I pointed my rifle at it causing it to come to a complete stop. The driver side door open and an arm holding a white handkerchief came out.
"Don't shoot! I mean you no harm!" the driver said.
"Step out of the car, nice and slowly." I said.
The driver got out of his car still holding his handkerchief.
"Who sent you?" I asked lowering my rifle.
"Vadim Hassan, minister of Issen." he said.
"And what does Minister Hassan want?" I asked.
"Minister Hassan, has heard of the assassination attempt on Minister Al-Seding's life. He sent me to help resolve this issue." he said.
"If you were a few minutes early you would've seen how Minister Al-Seding tried to handle this." I said.
"So I see. Nevertheless, Minister Hassan still feels practically responsible for this and is willing to offer some assistance." he said.
"Such as?" I asked.
"This may need to be discussed with the rest of the villagers, but Minister Hassan is willing to give your village full amnesty for what has happened." he said.
"Way I hear it, Issen couldn't give a shit about Hotep. Why the change of heart?" I asked.
"Minister Hassan has been under the assumption that Minister Al-Seding is corrupt. And after seeing what happened here, this just confirms his suspicions." he said.
"Alright, I'll tell everyone about this. But I think they'll be more than happy to help." I said.
After that, Minister Al-Seding was arrested for corruption charges and Hotep was left alone. We rebuilt any damage done and held a vigil for the fallen.
As for myself, I stayed in Hotep. In the years following I took over as their leader, with Malek being my advisor. I didn't want the job, but Malek insisted said it was time for him to pass the torch.
It was just after dark as me and Malek strolled the streets of Hotep together.
"Been a hellva few years hasn't it?" I asked Malek.
"It sure has my friend. I'm glad you stayed when you did. I'm not sure what wouldn't happened if you didn't." he said.
"Hm, thank Sedine. If hadn't poison me I wouldn't be here." I said.
"Speaking of which give my regards to her." he said heading home.
I entered my home. Sedine was preparing dinner and she turned to me as I entered.
"Good you're home. Dinner is almost ready and Ava has been fussy. I think she missed you." she said handing me a bundle.
The bundle was our daughter Ava. After our battle with Sharif's men I promised to stay with Sedine. But that didn't just mean living with her, I also had to satisfy her sexual apatite. This eventually lead to her to getting pregnant with Ava.
And as I held Ava in my arms, watching her tiny hands grip my hand. I'm glad that I have something to fight for.