19/08/2020
ARMAGEDDON AFTERMATH
Chapter 6 - Suicidal Quest
Queen Cecilia could barely contain herself. She snatched Alipah’s shoulders, shaking her vigorously to Levi’s dismay but it was three women who separated them. Cecilia pointed an accusing finger at Alipah, the fire in her teary sore eyes hot.
“Now I know that you don’t mean good for this kingdom.” Cecilia blurted out.
“Mother!” Levi protested.
“She led you out there to get ambushed. What makes you think that she won’t do it again?!” Cecilia screamed at Levi, turning her hate filled gaze back at Alipah’s frown, she said, “She is a traitorous bitch.”
One warrior stepped out of the crowd. He got down on his knee and stabbed the ground with his sword. He put his badly burnt shield face down. The warrior kept his humble gaze away from the old king who watched him curiously.
“My king, your greatness, please forgive my intrusion but there is something I must say,” he said, with his eyes closed.
“Speak, my brave son,” King Mwaba permitted.
The warrior licked his lips nervously, “Your majesty, while on the battlefield, Princess Alipah fought against her people with us. She saved lives of our warriors, including mine. I speak for every warrior who went out with her when I say that we trust her with our lives.”
More warriors stepped in and got down on their knees. They each laid their weapons on the ground in solidarity to Alipah’s reputation. Alipah quickly wiped off her tears at their loyalty. Levi gave her a comforting pat on her shoulder.
Queen Cecilia clenched her jaw annoyed. She eyed Alipah from head to toe, rolled her eyes at her and made her way back into the palace. King Mwaba silently watched her leave. As soon as she was out of sight, he nodded his head in approval at the young men bowing before him.
“Thank you for your honesty,” he contented, smiling faintly at Alipah, he said, “I knew that she is not capable of such things. I have known her since she was a child.” he got off his throne.
He motioned his hand up and the warriors stood. They stomped their feet and saluted at him in respect. King Mwaba nodded his head pleased. He averted his gaze to the anticipating crowd.
“It is imperative that we summon Sango. Abbadon shall attack again,” he insisted.
“Then we must leave to get the cursed book tonight, father,” Levi spoke up, “Alipah, you will lead us to where it was buried,” he said to her and she nodded.
King Mwaba set his hand on Levi’s shoulder, “No, son. You shall not go with them,”
“But father,” Levi protested, upset.
“You are my only heir. I cannot risk losing you out there. Alipah will lead a small group to the book. She is more than capable of completing such a mission on her own,” King Mwaba softly explained, sighing, “Moreover, I need you here in case we are attacked.”
Alipah stepped up, “His majesty is right,” she agreed.
Levi furrowed at her boldness. He scratched the back of his neck in thought. After a pause, he slowly nodded in agreement. Upon seeing that, the warrior who saved Alipah’s reputation stepped up.
“I, Tamandani, will go with Princess Alipah,” he offered.
“I, Izukanji, will go with the princess too,” another said through his mustache, he had a chubbier build and short stature but arms of steel.
“I, Misozi, also will go.” a red cloaked woman stepped up. She put her bow on her flat chest and bowed to King Mwaba.
King Mwaba turned to Alipah, “There’s your team. Go and retrieve the cursed book. May luck be on your side.”
****
Alipah loaded guns into her backpack. She picked up a katana and walked out of her room. Levi stood in her path at the bottom of the staircase. He walked with her outside. Together they watched the team get into a Pajero with Misozi on the wheel.
“I have to go,” Alipah said.
“Be safe,” Levi responded.
Alipah got into the car but it was Levi who banged the door shut. Their eyes locked as they read each other’s hearts. There was a sense of oneness but yet elusiveness.
Levi stepped back when he heard the engine roar. The gatekeepers rolled the gates open. The Pajero sped out into the darkness. Levi watched it go down the dusty road until the gates were closed back.
****
The sound of music coming out of Izukanji’s headsets filled the rather silent car. Alipah looked out her window in a daze. Tamandani and Misozi decided to give her space considering that she was mourning Musa.
Misozi hit a bump in the road. Alipah faced away from the window yawning. She looked on as Misozi joined the Kafue road. The headlights flashed on several abandoned cars off the road. The few on the road gave them enough room to go around them.
Alipah turned to the car watch—it was 9:30 p.m. “When we get to the Samsung –” a sudden bump interrupted her.
Several other bumps ensued, and they forced Izukanji to take off his headsets. He looked back at the bodies scattered all over the road. Misozi tightened her hold on the sterling wheel. Alipah breathed out through her mouth.
“Turn off the headlights when we get to the Samsung building. The last thing we need are demons delaying our mission.” Alipah finally said.
“Yes, Princess,” Misozi responded and Tamandani nodded.
The team approached the ruins of the Cosmopotalian mall. A group of people saw them come and took cover—some hiding underneath cars and others behind the rubble. They peeped out as soon as the car zoomed past them.
Makeni mall was no different. The flames engulfing the KFC sign lit up the road but it was the crowd of savages with machetes and guns that caught the team’s attention. Tamandani and Izukanji cocked their guns.
Misozi maintained her speed and raced past them. They occupied the road, hurling insults at them. A boney man of an ebony shade staggered his way to the road. He had a machine gun hanging loose on his shoulder, and a bottle of Bolz in his hand. He took a sip of his Bolz as the others hollered behind him.
He then pointed his gun up and fired. Izukanji ducked instinctively at the sound of bullets. He shuddered and leaned back knowing that they were all safe in the car thanks to the bullet proof windows. Moreover, they were far off for any of the bullets to get to them anyway.
It wasn’t long before they came to the towering view of Samsung building. The large label missed an S and read amsung but it made no difference to the team. Misozi turned off the headlights and slowed down. Tension occupied the space as the looming thoughts of being attacked by demons dominated their senses.
Misozi made a turn for the Freedom roundabout. Having gotten out of demon territory without detection, she turned on the headlights. Their rays of light hit the dry national eagle water fountain. Dark graffiti was sprayed all over it. Alipah paid specific attention to the word ‘Monks’ glittering in green just below the eagle.
The team drove on in silence. They paid no attention to the destruction of everything along the way. They were just grateful for having made it that far without any casualties.
“Stop the car,” Alipah ordered after Misozi drove past the ruins of East Park Mall.
Misozi hid the Pajero behind a wrecked Rosa bus. Alipah was first out of the car. She took in the cold breeze in her face as the others shut their doors. They stood around, each carrying not only their weapons but digging tools too.
Alipah scanned the ghostly green bridge leading to the University of Zambia campus. Underneath it was a barricade of burnt cars. Shattered glass glimmered on the tarmac in the moonlight. Alipah shifted her gaze to a path leading straight to the Ruins hostels.
“That path is too open.” she said to the attentive trio, “We will go around that way, use the clinic as cover and make our way to the Kwacha hostel. Underneath the ground floor is where the book is.” Alipah brought her wrist watch to her face, “It is two minutes past midnight. Let’s make this mission quick. In and Out. Got it?”
“Yes, Princess,” they all answered.
The team stealthily walked around the Ruins hostel—guns pointed forward and fingers on triggers ready. Tamandani tucked and rolled over to the other side of the road.
He stuck his neck out with his eyes sweeping the old buildings for any sign of danger. He listened to the eerie silence for a while before giving Izukanji a thumbs up.
Izukanji motioned his head to the front and all three of them dashed in front of Tamandani who was still keeping guard. Tamandani followed them—walking backwards with his gun flashing in everywhere.
The team scattered at the view of the clinic. Alipah hid behind a waste bin and pulled up her binoculars. She spied at the shadows of the building while the rest waited for her signal. She gave them a thumbs up, and they all rushed to the hostels.
A sudden bright light stopped them in their trucks. Alipah shielded her eyes from the blinding light. She gasped at the masked people in black approaching them. In seconds, they were all surrounded.
The team stood back to back with their guns pointing at the threats smirking at them. They paved the way to a bald tall man in a dark trench coat. Unlike the others, his face wasn’t hidden away. His dark eyes studied Alipah’s hardened face.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” his husky voice met the wind.
****What have they gotten themselves into? Keep a lookout for tomorrow's update.
BELOW IS MY DEBUT NOVEL. I'LL APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT.
