Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 10
Chapter 16: Bollywood Blitz
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)
I was dreaming as I was walking in a wintry setting in which I found myself in Vanizia. The place went from a warm tourist attraction to a frozen nightmare in which I saw everyone frozen as if they were statues. I felt the cold wind freezing me as I ended up becoming frozen myself until I woke up shaking. It was yet another nightmare about the eternal winter coming as I got up while holding the pole where the intravenous drip was distributed. I ended up having to leave my room as I rushed towards the bathroom the moment I began to do my business. By the time I finished relieving myself and flushing the toilet, I went to the sink as I washed my hands and brushed my teeth with the care package that was given to me. Just as I was about to leave the bathroom, I saw the door opened as I noticed Reuben grabbing me and taking me back to my room the moment he later set me down on the bed, for he wasn't having it when I left earlier.
"I just had to use the bathroom earlier," I said.
"I heard from Akio about what happened two days ago," said Reuben.
"If it's about me still keeping up to my vacation days until they're up, I'm using them until I get back to the villa."
"That's not what I'm talking about, Sam. According to what I've heard, you turned into a dragon in which you saved Dean from a group of Zenith Vectors. There was also the discovery of their weapons and explosives in a slug roe home in which they were ready to level Chithravai just to find what they wanted."
"They wanted the wreckage of the McCabe. As for me turning into a dragon, that's something that shouldn't be discussed to the public."
"I know… At least you stopped a group of Zenith Vectors from planning their worst move or else this place would've been a sinkhole in the lake right now."
"I feel bad not telling the children about me turning into a dragon, only for Reiko to stop me for not doing so…"
"She knows all about it, Sam. She also doesn't want to upset the children, so she's just as guilty as you are. It's best not to upset them in which they need comfort instead of fear. Now, if you don't mind, you should take a stroll for a little bit just to focus on your health."
I watched Reuben remove the intravenous drip from my arm as he placed a bandage on it. When I got up again, I left my room as I went out towards the main hall the moment I decided to go outside to take a breather. The memory of me turning into a dragon and killing the group that followed Dean and me out of the restaurant at the time was weighing heavily as they weren't just monsters, but normal humans who have been led astray by the man who raided the base in the Dabb Mountains on Shiganshina and murdered Magda and nearly killing Rory last year. Still, I tried hard not to think about it as I later went to the trolley and took it upwards to the Entertainment District where I heard the bulk of the Bollywood music playing while some of the locals were going towards a theater where I noticed a poster that had an image of the Impala plastered on it.
I was very hesitant to go in as I decided to sit down on the bench in which I was listening to some of the Bollywood music that was playing near a group of food vendors going about their daily business. Still, I didn't feel like dancing as I was later starting to feel as if my feet had minds of their own once I was lost in the moment. In the end of it all, I stopped myself as I couldn't stop thinking about the impending doom that I saw in which the threat of an eternal winter was near. Sitting down on a bench, I was trying not to think about the dream that I had as I felt uneasy in which I wanted to go back to Alecrast and aid Shigeru in his fight against the Four Stewards. It was my cross to bear as I also had no choice but to cut everything short and return to fight at Shigeru's side.
"Why do the gods curse us and reward the wicked?" I said to myself.
It was at that moment that I had to drown out the visions that I had as I took my chance to go towards the theater where the stage was. I was also taking a huge risk as I simply ended up doing something that I was forced into the moment I felt the negative noise being turned down. Still, I was curious as I was eager to go to where the Bollywood production of Supernatural was playing at. I also couldn't let the doom and gloom get to me, but I also know that dancing in a Bollywood setting would never be for me, regardless of what I would do.
I had a gut feeling that the theater was doing something similar to what was known in the Supernatural books as I decided to go inside to where the action was. I noticed a group of actors performing their best as I noticed two actors dressed as the Winchesters of Old bursting in with toy guns while shooting at a white sheet attached to some string. What I also didn't expect was that the two actors were performing while singing their usual Bollywood song and dance in which I never expected the Winchesters Gospel to be putting a regional twist on the adventures that were recorded in the Elder Days. When the two performers finished up their song and dance, the bell rang as the theater crew decided to have their lunch break. It was something that most on the stage had been used to as I also had to go out of the theater to allow everyone to take a break, for it was feasible this way.
By the time I stepped outside, I noticed a young Mirkosian standing next to a barfi stand as she was wondering what flavor she wanted to try next, for she was wanting to see the new ones that were out and center. I was also hungry as I was staring at the barfi that was on display in a cavalcade full of flavors stemming from pistachio to dried fruit. I was ready to try one as I bought a piece of what I was looking at. Even the Mirkosian next to me wanted some of the dried fruit barfi as she got one for herself, for she was wanting it after having a good day at preschool.
"I love the taste of barfi in the noontime," she said as she took a bite of it.
"You have a knack for eating it, don't you?" I said.
"Hey, I know who you are because you saved Auntie Nib from a meanie that came from the Black Dragon Guild."
"Do you have a name?"
"Shruti!"
The Mirkosian spotted Kangana as she was running towards her. The young Mirkosian girl, known as Shruti, was happy to see the heavily pregnant Kangana as she was also ready to get home until I was spotted. Still, I had to greet them before they went home as they were more than likely to be catching a glimpse of what was about to be playing for tonight's performance at the theater. It was awkward, but I couldn't say no to greeting the Quenya Elf and Mirkosian girl who were on their way home, for they also had to wait for someone in particular.
"There you are," said Kangana.
"I was getting some barfi after having a good grade in preschool," said Shruti.
"Well, you shouldn't eat too much of it because it'll end up spoiling your dinner."
"I wonder what Daddy's doing?"
"He's probably on duty in securing the sacred area near the homestead."
"Everyone says that a dragon got rid of the bad people trying to sink our city to get to that old ship at Granny's homestead, is that true?"
I was eager to tell them, but I refrained from doing so as I also didn't want to scare the public about what happened. Still, I had to be cautious as I also didn't want anyone to worry about what actually happened after the incident in the restaurant. When I noticed Nago greeting his family, he was grateful that Shruti got a gold star on her homework as he was happy that she and Kangana were out and about, for he was eager to take them towards another part of the Entertainment District as planned.
"We're going towards the Silver Teapot so we can go and play at the bouncy castle like you want," he said. "Don't forget, we're also having a baby shower for your mom and unborn baby brother in tow, but no gender reveal parties. They're nothing but bad luck in which some of them caused forest fires."
"I want to be the best big sister to my little brother," said Shruti. "Besides, I also wanna pray to the shrine of the Mother Goddess to thank Her for sending that dragon to get rid of those meanies."
"You can do that after we get done at the Silver Teapot," said Kangana. "Besides, the dragon who stopped the Zenith Vectors was a godsend and a relief for your father while guarding the McCabe."
I watched the family leave for the Silver Teapot as I was more than likely to be enjoying the rest of my barfi that I bought. Just as I was about to get back to the Chatterjee Clan homestead, I was stopped by Reuben as he was there to collect me, for he also didn't want me to blurt out my secret to the public. Still, I wasn't going to as I also couldn't take that risk in scaring everyone around me, for this was a secret that I would end up taking to the grave someday.
"If you're wanting to know if I blurted out my dirty little secret, it's risky to do so," I said.
"I'm not here to have you keep quiet about your unmentionable problem, Sam," said Reuben. "I'm here to accompany you to the Sapphire Elephant Theater where there's been a Bollywood production based on the popular Supernatural books. There's also the fact that the dragon fracas hasn't ended in which most of the public have been offering prayers to the Matriarch and to the Mother Goddess as thanks for having it take out the group of Zenith Vectors that tried to snag you at the restaurant."
"I see what you mean…"
"That's not all… The threat of an eternal winter isn't just on Alecrast, but on Westeros, Drakonus, and here. If we don't get Dean to the throne on our homeworld, this place will be more like a hockey arena than a pleasant city of festivities. The Four Stewards who have governed Alecrast since the Alecrian Emperor's ouster has amped up their efforts to keep a stranglehold on power."
I was concerned about what was happening on our homeworld as I was starting to worry about what was going on so far. I never expected the Four Steward Houses to be so strict as their futile attempt to stay in power was starting to wane. In the end of this mess, I wanted to help our friends and family back on Alecrast as I was also worried about Shigeru and his forces still sabotaging the usurpers who refused to listen to the omens that were told to them. When I sat down, I began to shed tears as I was desperate to help everyone on Alecrast, for they needed to avert the further threat of an eternal winter on the horizon. It wasn't long until Reuben decided to take matters into his own hands as he grabbed my hand and went back to the Sapphire Elephant Theater, for he wasn't about to let me sulk anytime soon.
When we saw some people approaching, they were setting up something as they connected a stereo to a sound machine in which they turned on the music. The sound of Bollywood music blared as everyone was just dancing to the music while I watched everyone having a good time. I was reminded of my growing anxiety and insecurities as I was trying to drown out the music with everything that I had. Even Reuben was concerned about what was going on as he noticed me trying to fight the temptation of the old Bollywood music from the 2000's blaring in front of me. Even I was not immune to it as I was beginning to tap my feet to it. At that moment, I was dancing to what got thrown in front of me as I wasn't stopping until the music ended, but I couldn't let the temptation get the better of me. I was worried about Shigeru and his effort to curtail the power trip that the Four Stewards were concocting, for this was far more serious than just dancing frivolously.
"You were dancing not too long ago," said Reuben.
"It's a one-time thing," I said sternly.
"From what I saw, you released some pent-up energy that's keeping you cranky all the time."
"If you're wanting to do a little bit of line dancing, I'll pass. I get the message because this dancing will never be for me anyway. I have to focus on returning to Alecrast and assist Shigeru and his forces in which he's fighting tooth and nail against the Four Stewards. As for this frivilous dancing, it's a lot of things, but it'll never be for me."
"If it'll never be for you, then how come you started dancing on Albarn or Tezuka? For the record, dancing to your favorite tunes is good for your health and can reduce anxiety. You should think about what you say before jumping to conclusions."
It wasn't long until I found myself back on Alecrast as I saw Kanto Village being enveloped in winter. The home I lived in was suffering from more than just a cold spot as I saw everyone encased in ice as if they were statues at a park. What I didn't expect was that the ice started to crack as I noticed a mess of blood and bone leaking out of them until I returned to reality. I couldn't put off helping the effort as I was focusing on getting to Shigeru and aid him in the fight against the Four Stewards and their continuing stranglehold on power, for this was something that I couldn't ignore. Just as I was about to return to the Chatterjee Clan homestead, I was stopped by Reuben as he dragged me to the Sapphire Elephant Theater in which he didn't want me to fall to further despair, for he couldn't let me get away that easily.
"You can't be steeped in worry forever, Sam," he said to me.
"What about Shigeru? He's out there fighting the good fight and I'm stuck here doing nothing but dancing badly!" I yelled. "I saw the visions about our homeworld being frozen in eternal winter in which everyone we cared about ended up dead from the bitter cold! I know of this because I can't sit by and let Shigeru fight this battle alone in which he's been busy sabotaging the Four Stewards grip on power! Going back on the battlefield is far more important than dancing right now!"
"Shigeru will be fine, Sam. He's out there, but he's also cautious. You're not the only one he corresponds to because of the fact that he's been giving us updated through Ginryu back on Alecrast. He's not alone in this fight because of the fact that there are others who have gotten fed up with the Four Stewards and their long hold on power that is slipping. You can't worry too much forever because you can fight another day, but for now, you should stop worrying and start enjoying life freely without restraints."
I reluctantly agreed as I followed Reuben into the Sapphire Elephant Theater in which we decided to see the stage performance that was playing. Still, there was a time to fight for another day as I had no other choice but to shake it off for now, for there are others who were fighting the good fight right now. In the end of this losing battle, I was thinking myself that dancing to Bollywood music would never be for me as I could only sit on the sidelines, for I had to know my place quietly...
Shigeru was at his hideout in Gale Canyon as he was still dealing with what was going on with his battle against the Four Stewards. Even though he was waiting on the report, he was also hard at work writing letters to some of us as he was also missing his family. Clinging to a picture of Futaba and the children, he was happy that they were safe, but he was also not letting anything happen to Fuyuka right now. When he finished up writing the letter, he went outside as he was seeing some of his forces returning in which they even brought some spoils from the food stuffs that the Stewards had, for it was more than enough to feed some of the refugees who fled the capital, Vanizia, and the Kingdom by the River respectively.
"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts," said Shotaro as he got off of his wolf.
"I take it that you robbed an entire grocery store," said Shigeru as he saw some of the food stuffs that were being carried by a warg with a pull-cart. "House Maitland really knows how to starve anyone who is fleeing the cold spots just to hoard some of the choice morsels they take from them."
"Ever since the war ended, House Arkhelios and the other Steward Houses have been spearheading the effort to stifle the truth about the cold spots that have been popping up. Even some of the mountain Orcs and wildmen were fearing the worst in which some of the travellers coming and going have noticed the influx of winter weather coming."
"House Arkhelios cares about nothing more than just power in which their retainers have a knack for shacking up to minors. I couldn't let those asshats get their hands on Fuyuka and if she was caught with Futaba and Yagyu, she would end up putting them at risk and I can't let her become one of those sex slaves that Iago and his cronies parade around the capital." Shigeru clings to the picture of his family as he was also worried about what could happen next… "Don't worry, Futaba; Fuyuka is safe with Sammy and his family; I'm sure of it."
Shotaro noticed Shigeru shedding tears as he wanted to comfort his brother in this crisis. Still, they had so much to do as they were also fearing for the worst the moment they noticed fresh snow falling onto the ground. The ongoing cold spot in Gale Canyon was not stopping as the chill in the air was getting worse until a flicker of hope sprung in the form of warmth melting the snow on the ground, for the omen of hope had came forth in the form of what was drawn on the mural that everyone followed on the wall. That hope came from the mural of two silver dragons as it was a reminder of the hope that could oust the Four Stewards from power once and for all. When he went back inside of his hideout, he saw Ginryu arriving as he was concerned about what was going on, for this wasn't the end of what was yet to come at present.
"You're on edge, aren't you?" he said.
"The Four Stewards keep clinging to power after that terrorist attack still continues to slip, but they're mainly holding onto the training wheels," said Shigeru.
"From what I gathered, House Maitland has geared up to send its attack dogs to some of your hideouts in which they were also met with the resistance from some of the worst things imaginable other than vampires and werewolves that prowl around the outskirts and dirt roads. From what I noticed, Cinna Maitland got his ass handed to him by a group of mountain orcs and wildmen in which they ended up stealing his supplies of weapons and goods and bringing them back to some of the refugees who fled from the Kingdom by the River."
"That's good to hear… For years, mountain Orcs and wildmen were known for their savagery, but they've seen what the Four Steward Houses are capable of and that's by suppression of the masses speaking against them. Still, this place has seen its fair share of battles: the Orc Wars, the First and Second Galvanic Uprisings, the battle against the Army of Cain, the war against the Elect, and now the fight to restore the Alecrian royal family back on the throne. I also hope that my family is safe in which I had to send Fuyuka to my sister."
"You did the right thing, Shigeru," said Shotaro as he entered into the room of the hideout. "I know that you wanted Fuyuka to go with Futaba and Yagyu, but those sadistic retainers and their typical 'we like 'em young' rhetoric posed a critical threat to your daughter that had you take her to Valinor. You prevented a catastrophe, for she's a lot safer than you know."
Shigeru was grateful that Fuyuka was safe from harm as he also couldn't wait to reunite with her along with the rest of his family. Still, he had the good fight to uphold as he wanted to restore the Alecrian royal family to power, for they were the key to preventing the threat of an eternal winter looming all over the rest of Alecrast in general...
I was back at the theater as Reuben and I were beginning to watch the production of what was based on the popular Supernatural books. The setting of the Elder Days were more than enough to have people coming and going as we noticed the scenery become more than just a stage production as some of the actors were back to their usual singing and dancing with a Bollywood flair in mind. Reuben wasn't impressed to see this as he also noticed Chuck sitting in the front row in which He was mainly there enjoying the stage production, for this was awkward for a disgraced former God to be here watching what was put in front of him.
"Judging from the people singing and dancing, there's none of that in the Winchester Gospel preordained in the Supernatural books," he said. "And to top it off, a certain Monkey Turd is sitting there in the front row."
"Chuck…," I said as I spotted Him there eating popcorn. "He really enjoys the floor show, but his timing is bad…"
"Funny, it seems that you and Reuben happen to be the Statler and Waldorf of seeing this stage production without kicking the hornet's nest," He said as he stood up while staring at us. "For the record, Sam, how are the little ones doing after you gave birth?"
"They're in the villa, but I'll be going back home once this vacation is up."
"Don't forget, you're an Incubator and—"
"—He's had enough because of the fact that he doesn't need to bear or sire any more children at present," said Reuben. "Therefore, after he gave birth, I had no choice but to remove the crafted womb from his body in which if he became with child again, it could be life threatening for him."
Chuck was irritated by Reuben's words as He wasn't having it the moment He was ready to snap His fingers. When He was doing it, something happened as He was being pelted by rolls of toilet paper in which He was discouraged by the limiter He was cursed with. He never liked too much of the toilet paper as He was stuck with it nonetheless, for it was a curse that He had to endure or face the wrath of Ferdinand on the horizon.
"Damn you, toilet paper!" He yelled. "This is embarrassing for me!" He later looks at me as He wasn't about to let me off the hook yet. "This isn't over, Sam, for I'll create another crafted womb in you and you'll be doing your damnedest to be either an expectant father or a surrogate for someone who is infertile. Your services will be required once again in which there's so much at—"
It wasn't long until Chuck felt His lips zipped up as Ferdinand arrived in the nick of time. Even though he was ready to take his Brother back to the outskirts of the Grey Havens, he was also more than likely to be coming here for the next showing of the Winchester Gospel. Even though I was relieved that I wasn't about to be used as an Incubator again, I was glad that I had that crafted womb out of me during my caesarian section, for I was also seeing Chuck get His comeuppance on the spot.
"I let You out to see something on broadway and you decide to pull Your crap?" said Ferdinand as he was glaring at Chuck. "You can't force Sam to be an Incubator all the time because of the fact that the latest birth nearly killed him and that was when he saved Drusus from becoming plant food." He looks at me and Reuben as he was ready to haul Chuck away. "Don't mind the ruffian in the front row, folks, for He's just a rabble rouser at heart."
We saw Ferdinand take Chuck out of the theater as we were safe from the fracas from the front. We later continued to watch more of the production as it got to the part where everyone was battling at Stutt Cemetery in the climactic conclusion in the Apocalypse arc. After the performance, we clapped as we also were wanting to see a little more in which we noticed Ferdinand appear again, but this time, he was on stage the moment he was standing next to a cabinet with a black and green swirl on it. I was curious about what was about to be seen as I was more than likely to be seeing a magic show, for this was something new after the stage production.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "Can I have your attention, please?" He opens up the cabinet as he reveals Reiko inside of it while dressed in elegant Indian garb. "This woman is in dire need of a dance partner while grooving to some of the Bollywood songs of old. This is gonna be one hell of a performance, I assure you, for it'll be so worth it."
I saw the spotlight shining on me as I had no other choice but to get up on stage and do what was put in front of me. I never danced much as I was also starting to feel embarrassed about being a little rusty about it. I was starting to feel the anxiety creeping up on me as I was feeling the pinch of embarrassment catching up to me. I didn't want to be a part of this fiasco, but I had no other choice but to play along, for this was a performance of a lifetime for me.
"This isn't for me anyway," I said as I wanted to get off the stage.
"Really? This ain't your first dancing rodeo, Cowboy," said Ferdinand.
"I can't do this…"
"Look closely, Sam," I see Ferdinand standing in front of me as he was not about to let me out of his sight. "If you can dance your ass off on Albarn and Tezuka, you can dance in this humdrum theater, now get grooving before I put my Brother back in the front row."
I reluctantly agreed as I began to dance to the music that was picked from the cavalcade of leftover Bollywood music that came and went. I was like one of those dancers on broadway as I was doing more than just strutting my stuff. I also noticed Reiko dancing along with me as she wasn't afraid of not holding back once she was keeping me going. I was going at my own pace as I was more than likely to be stepping out of my comfort zone and stayed in check. Just as the song was about to be over, I found myself back in the wintry setting on Alecrast as I noticed that I was in Gale Canyon where I went up against the Elect. I saw the fresh snow falling down quickly as it was starting to get intense in which I saw Shigeru standing the moment I noticed him frozen like what I saw in the people who became like statues.
I saw him cracking as I noticed the blood and bone leaking out of his body the moment I fell to my knees feeling guilty for abandoning my best friend. I was beyond inconsolable as I felt the tears falling down my face like raindrops. I felt devastated until I felt a hand touching my shoulder in which I was scared to see what was behind me, for there was a hint of terror that was gripping me in this cold and wintry setting.
"This crap ain't real, Sammy."
I turned around and saw Shigeru standing behind me in which he was aware of the illusions that were cast upon me. That was when I saw the atmosphere changing from a frozen wasteland to back at the theater in which I was facing Shigeru while he was eager not to let me fall under despair, for he also had his own battles to face head-on.
"You're letting your emotions get the better of you again," he said to me.
"But Alecrast is on the grip of winter," I said. "I can't abandon you at this time."
"Nonsense… For a while after the war ended and those ass-clowns in spacesuits caused that terrorist attack in the capital, the Four Stewards' poor response in letting it slide was the last straw in which I couldn't take any more of their rhetoric when it came to ignoring the omens of the Alecrian royal family returning to power. We all know that Dean's the only one who can rule in which he's also the rightful heir that can put both the Four Stewards and those asshats in spacesuits in their place. On your end, you need to stop worrying too much, Sammy. I also have to stop worrying in which I also have to keep going for the sake of my family. You should also stop worrying in which you need to stop sulking and stop living, for that's what you need to do if you wanna get by with all the baggage on you."
"It's so hard not to think about what's going on right now without worrying about you."
"I know…, but the only way to think ahead is to do one thing in particular."
"Always keep fighting… It's the most I can do, right?"
I returned to reality as I was back on stage with renewed vigor. I was dancing up a storm as I couldn't contain myself until the music ended. By the time that the song was over, I noticed a deafening silence in the audience as I had a gut feeling that I was never worthy of dancing everywhere, for it would never be a pathway for me. Just as I was about to leave, I was bracing for the sound of crickets until I heard clapping in the distance. It was Reuben who was doing the clapping as he refused to let me be discouraged. I was feeling more lighter than normal until I noticed a hooded figure rushing towards me with a dagger in his hand. I was fearing the worst as Reiko was more than likely to be stopping the assassin until Ferdinand intervened when he stood firm and touched him to the point of draining him of his lifeforce. We never saw it coming as we noticed the assassin dead on stage as Ferdinand later noticed a tattoo on his chest, for he was yet another member of the Black Dragon Guild that mainly became the worst thing for me.
"Show's over, folks," he said.
"We never saw this coming until now," said Reiko as she saw the desiccated corpse on the stage.
"And yet another member of the Black Dragon Guild targets me," I said.
"At least Ferdinand came to save us…"
Reuben ran towards the stage as he was aware of what happened next in which there was no end of the Black Dragon Guild's obsession into taking me out. It was something unexpected as I later noticed several members of the Order coming to collect the assassin's corpse the moment it was taken away in a body bag. Even though I was relieved that the threat was averted, there was no end to what the Black Dragon Guild were up to in which I was mainly the primal target of assassination, for I also had to know why I was on their list to be killed…
"This never ends with the Black Dragon Guild targeting you, is there, Sam?" said Ferdinand.
"They always targeted me…," I said.
"I hate to burst your bubble, but the ones who were responsible for sending those jokers to target and kill you are none other the bastard who raped Lady Lyra and caused her to miscarry along with what he also did to Lady Reiko. He was the one who signed the death warrant in which Phyllis took it away from him, but the damage was already done. You and Dean were shipped off to the fort on Gehenna when you were supposed to enjoy life to the fullest, only to be made like Cinderella over the years. Iago Arkhelios is dangerous and he will stop at nothing to suppress the opposition and see the Alecrian royal family become extinct."
"We're not letting that happen," said Reiko. "Brother deserves to exist in which he is there to ascend to the throne. It's the only way to stop this eternal winter."
"It's not just that, Lady Reiko… The omen of two silver dragons is already put into motion, for they are the last line of defense against both the Four Stewards and the Zenith Vectors. Winter on Alecrast is starting slowly, for time is running out if we don't get Dean to the throne."
I saw Ferdinand leave backstage as I was later escorted by the members of the Order with Reiko and Reuben in tow. After the latest assassination attempt on my life from the Black Dragon Guild, there was no way that the sentries here in Chithravai would let me out of their sight as I was still a main target, for I was safe for the time being…
Iago was in his room as he was banging on his desk. The anger in the palace was loud enough to shake the ground as everyone heard the latter's fury in which he was mainly obsessed in getting rid of the Alecrian royal family or any other who were allied with them. When he saw a soldier enter into his room, he noticed him to be shaking in his boots as he was yet another victim that fell prey to the resistance, for luck and fate were not on his side right now.
"My Lord," said the soldier as he was shaking. "There's been a shake-up in Gale Canyon in which Shigeru and his forces have taken the supplies from Cinna's storehouse."
"Damn him!" yelled Iago. "Shigeru Mitani thinks he can get away with stealing from our storehouses and gives to the ones who don't deserve it, but he'll meet his last raid!"
"He wasn't fighting alone, for his brother, Shotaro, have also raided House Maitland's storehouses in which they also the influx of mountain Orcs and wildmen ravaging Cinna to the point of tearing his body apart for the vampires and werewolves to feast upon."
It wasn't long until Iago began turning over his desk as he drew out his sword the moment that the soldier fled the room. He was eager to kill the poor man as he was chasing him to the courtyard where some of the servants were busy shoveling the snow from the concrete. At that moment, he caught up to the soldier as he stabbed him to death the moment he slumped onto the ground with the blood pouring into the snow. Iago wasn't about to throw in the towel as he refused to believe the omens that were coming and going all over Alecrast, for he refused to foster change in this time of restoring the Alecrian royal family to the throne.
"Anyone else eager to oppose me?!" he yelled as he put his sword back in his scabbard.
"Haven't you done enough damage already?" said Cyril as he entered into the courtyard. "We all know that the gods have issued out their karmic retribution in the form of winter for not returning power to the rightful heirs of Alecrast."
"The Alecrian royal family is a threat to us! It is always a threat to us in which we all signed a death warrant to one of the princes who is now gotten powerful beyond comprehension!"
"This futile crusade is pointless, Iago. My father and brother paid the price for their continued stranglehold on power over this planet in which the karma is steeped with cruelty towards us. And yet, you continue to send out members of the Black Dragon Guild to kill the exiled prince in which some of his friends have even died to protect him. And yet, some of them have been blessed with an imprint of raw power to protect them from harm in which they follow him like crows."
"Do you know what crimes that the past self of the Alecrian prince had over him? There are plenty: drinking demon blood, starting the Apocalypse, running around soulless, and leaving his brother and Castiel in Purgatory! Even in this life, the memories of the past will never leave him, for they define him as someone that should've froze to death to begin with!"
Cyril wasted no time in defending himself as he subdued Iago while drawing out his katana and cut at his face. He was aware of how explosive the Arkhelios temper was as he had to stand his ground in stopping the latter from causing further violence, for he was now reaping what he and the other Steward Houses have sown.
"You cannot fight fate, Iago, for it has karmic consequences," he said.
"You dare to cut me?!" he cried as he was clutching at his face where he was slashed earlier.
"Your temper will be your downfall, for we're all part of this mess in which the gods have punished us this way. This karmic retribution is both our home and coffin; deal with it…"
Cyril left as Iago was on his knees seething while holding where his face was cut earlier. The time to prevent the eternal winter was just the beginning as the Four Steward Houses were also gearing up for the worst, for the snow was swift and coming in this time of uncertainty…
I was at a park as I was being heavily guarded with Reiko in tow. Even though we were dancing to the Bollywood music, we were watching the fireworks that were popping off near the lake as we were standing next to a railing at dusk. The sight of the fireworks brought some warmth as I was happy that Reiko was here, for we would be doing more than just being there for one another. We were simply enjoying the moment as we heard more Bollywood music blaring in the background. It was a form of both bliss and security as we also had some of Chithravai's sentries protecting us, for we enjoyed this warm weather in the form of happiness and cheer only for tonight.
"It's beautiful," said Reiko as she saw more of the fireworks lighting the sky.
"Chithravai has an elegance here despite the fact that it's mainly situated in a lake," I said.
"And you thought that nothing good could come of your vacation, but you're returning to your dancing moves."
"It might sound corny, but we should also pray to one of the shrines here for good luck. It's the most we can do, right?"
Reiko and I went towards a shrine that was situated next to the entrance of the Silver Teapot as we noticed a statue of a Hindu deity accompanied by a bull. I took charge in putting a coin in the tithing box as I began to pray to the shrine in which Reiko also put one in there as well. Both of us admired the architecture as it was also a reminder of how it stood firm in the worst of times, for we would soon go on a mission to overthrow the Four Steward Houses and reclaim the throne of Alecrast.
"I've never prayed to you before, but I want you to hear me out," I said as I stood in front of the statue. "The eternal winter that's been dreaded has come in the form of cold spots on Alecrast in which it's also karmic retribution from the gods. I don't want anything, but to offer a prayer to Shigeru Mitani, who has been spearheading the effort in restoring the Alecrian royal family to its rightful throne. I beg of you, watch over him, for he's fighting the good fight in which the Four Stewards have refused to hand over power. House Arkhelios is not relenting in which it still flexes its muscles on Alecrast's citizens and the other Steward Houses, for this madness can't continue. Shigeru, if you're listening, I'll be returning to our homeworld, for Dean is the only one who is the rightful heir to stop the eternal winter from taking root everywhere."
I continued to pray a little harder as I looked up at the starry sky. Still, I wasn't about to worry too much as I was hopeful that Shigeru and his forces are safe for another day. As for the remainder of my vacation, I decided to spend it with Reiko as we went towards a food stall in which we sat down at a table just in time for the dinner rush. By the time we had our meals made for us, we had the same thing that consisted of tandoori chicken and basmati rice with some iced chai tea. The food we tasted was very good as we were also happy to have the rest of our evening to ourselves. Little did we know was that Chuck was watching in the distance as He was having some chicken tikka masala with a mango lassi. He may not have gotten the last laugh, but He was also dreading the worst as He looked at the snowglobe that was at his table, for there was bad news ahead.
When He saw us finishing our dinner and paying for our meals, He saw us dancing to the Bollywood music as we were having the time of our lives in which it was the best evening that we had. Still, He was noticing us in a different light as the presence of the silver dragons were shown on his snowglobe, for this omen wasn't taken very lightly right now…
To be continued...