The Last Guardian

Chapter_06: The Armour of God

"It's all right...let it out... that's it...", said Billy as he watched from behind at Johnathan throwing up outside in the street.

He was still recovering from the fact that he had just decapitated someone's head off.

"I just ... I just slew his head...arghh...", said Johnathan as he kept puking. It was too much for him.

The police and the firefighters had arrived along with an ambulance. Billy explained to Johnathan that three men suddenly came in to the shop and demanded to see Brother Farid. He had just enough time to warn them and before they could say anything there was a serious gun fight and Billy shot and injured two of them and they ran off before the third exploded a grenade knocking him and Brother Farid unconscious. Luckily both of them survived with minor injuries and Farid was being treated in the ambulance.

"What about his wife?", asked Johnathan cleaning himself up.

"She had left before they arrived...", replied Billy.

"But I'm glad the Katana chose you and saved your life..." he added.

"Excuse me...", said a female voice.

Johnathan turned and saw a pretty lady cop in a suit approaching them.

"Can I have a word with you?", she said.

"Hi! my name's Det. Lisa Munroe and I'd like to ask you some questions if you don't mind...", she added.

"Not at all sweetheart... shoot...", replied Billy lighting a smoke.

Johnathan wondered how mant cigarettes did he smoke everyday and whether he would live long enough.

"Well ...", said Lisa distracted by the smoking, "Well I've already talked to Mr. Farid about the incident but I was hoping you could add some more details ..."

"What do you wanna know?", asked Billy.

"For starters what is your name and what were you doing here..." she asked.

"Name's Billy Joe and this right here is my pardner Sgt. Johnathan Hayes... we were here looking for some antique pieces when suddenly three men came in barging through the door and quarrelling with the owner...", said Billy.

Johnathan looked at him, he sure knew how to fabricate a good story.

"And?", asked Lisa.

"Oh! They done him good and heckled him and demanded money...But the owner took out his gun and fired at them...two of 'em ran away ...", said Billy.

"And what were you doing?", asked Lisa suspiciously.

"Oh Ma'am we are simple country folks...we hid ourselves behind the shelves and watched the whole thing...we saw the firing and then we heard a big explosion...Bang! and we were knocked unconscious....It was only after them firefighters came and rescued us that we were able to get out of there alive....", explained Billy.

"Yeah...what he said ...", nodded Johnathan nervously confirming Billy's story.

"Hmmm... I will need an official statement from you two in the morning... Come down to the precinct tomorrow...", she said and walked away.

"Sure thing...", said Billy.

"Damn...that was good...", remarked Johnathan.

"Wait...what were you saying about the Katana choosing me?", he added

"Don't worry about it no more...we got a job to do...come", said Billy.

"We going somewhere? What about Brother Farid?", asked Johnathan.

"Oh he will be fine...", said Billy and walked towards Johnathan's car.

"What about that giant ....", asked Johnathan.

"He's gone... ain't nobody gonna find him...he was a demon after all...", replied Billy.

"So?", asked Johnathan confused.

"So after demons die, their bodies turn to dust...well the bodies of whom they possess..."answered Billy.

"Ah! Horrible...", remarked Johnathan

"Wait... What if I get possessed?", asked Johnathan.

"You won't be, after we finish your training...",

replied Billy.

A few minutes later Johnathan was driving in his truck with Billy out of downtown. He had brought the sword with him and placed it in his backseat.

"Where we going?", asked Johnathan.

"To the church ..the darkside already knows all about you and they tracked you to Farid's shop...which means we have to hurry and move on to the final level of your training...",said Billy anxiously.

Johnathan wondered what other surprises awaited him but he knew he would soon find out.

An hour later they had arrived at the church and Billy nervously closed all the doors and windows and asked him to follow him towards an inner room that led to the basement. There in an old dusty trunk lay the final piece of weaponry that Johnathan needed to complete his training.

Billy opened the trunk and took out a small box that looked ancient. Johnathan looked on curiously as Billy opened the box and took out an amulet tied to a black string.

"Now normally there would be a grand ceremony before we hand out one of these but we don't have the luxury of time so I present to you - 'The Armour of God'...", said Billy as he gave the amulet to Johnathan.

Johnathan looked at peculiar amulet- it was a circular jade piece with inscriptions on it.

"Go on... put it on...", said Billy.

Johnathan wore the thing around his neck. For a few seconds nothing happened-

"This is it?I feel nothing....Whoa!!!" , exclaimed Johnathan.

The amulet slowly started lighting up and then it simmered down.

"Son...this amulet amplifies your powers and when in battle it prevents any injury to your body ... no sword or bullet can harm you... ", said Billy.

"Wow...thanks!!", replied Johnathan.

"Now why don't we test it...", said Billy.

"What do you mean?", asked Johnathan.

"Those men....demons that attacked the shop, Raven has tracked down their lair... there's a night club right in the heart of the city...from where they do all their ugly business...so I say we hit them and take them out!", said Billy.

"But how? I haven't been in a real fight for so long... I'm rusty...", asked Johnathan.

"Don't worry about that... You're a soldier... you just need the will to fight, everything else will follow and they need to pay for what they did to Farid's shop...Just remember, never doubt yourself...", answered Billy.

Five minutes later Johnathan and Billy were off to the night club-seeking vengeance. It was almost 6:30 p.m... the perfect time to ruin their business!

Around 7:00 p.m. Lisa was driving through the busy highway. She was tired and frustrated for she was heading nowhere with the cases - no leads whatsoever. It almost seemed like an invisible power was behind the m******e. But she was adamant in finding out the culprits. She suspected that the local Mafia must have something to do with it. So she asked permission from the Captain to question the Mafia boss Volkoff- Ivan Volkoff- the most dreaded gangster in the east coast- leader of the Russian Mafia or "Bratva" as they call it.

It was a risky affair but they know better than to hurt an on duty cop. So she thought it would be better to go in without a warrant- to seem less menacing. And as far as she knew , those guys were smart and they were hardly ever caught doing anything illegal in the nightclub, besides Ivan had friends in high places.

A few minutes later, she reached the night club and parked her car. She checked her sidearm in case something went wrong and took a deep breath and went towards the entrance. Two huge bodyguards were standing guard but as soon as she showed them her badge, they let her in. She entered the club and the overwhelming sound of the music almost gave her a headache. She saw people dancing like crazy, strippers seducing men and even acrobats, doing their thing. She observed the place with her hands on her hips and saw a door across the room that was guarded by another two men wearing black suits. She went towards them and flashed her badge and said-

"I wanna talk to Ivan.."

The guards looked at her and one of them said-

"No guns allowed inside..."

"You don't wanna mess with the police-buddy!", said Lisa giving him the death stare.

The guard immediately let her in and Lisa stepped in to a dimly lit room filled with thick cigar smoke. Inside, Ivan was seated on a sofa with two girls on either side laughing and cracking jokes. Three other men who looked like politicians were chatting with Ivan and having a great time. But as soon as they saw Lisa, they froze. Ivan looked at her and said-

"Welcome... welcome to my humble abode...please...have a seat..."

Johnathan was now about 500 metres from the club. Billy took out his gun and loaded it.

"Pull over...", he said.

Johnathan pulled over and Billy tucked the gun underneath his jacket.

"How are we gonna do this? There are innocent civilians inside...", he asked.

"Heh! You'll see my boy... this place is crawling with monsters...no innocents inside... they're either criminals or vamps!", he replied.

"Vamps!?", asked Johnathan.

"Yeah Vampires...", replied Billy.

"They're real too?", asked Johnathan.

"Ohhh yes... but they're a lot smarter and dangerous, and ugly as hell, not like those pretty boys you see in movies...They appear human and look normal but as soon as they smell fresh blood...wooh! They turn ugly..." replied Billy.

"So you're saying that there are no 'Humans' inside?", asked Johnathan.

"Look at the place son... That's an exclusive club... it's not a place for the public...", replied Billy.

"Damn! And what am I supposed to do?",

"Just follow my lead and if it gets ugly, take out your blade and swing hard... remember no mortal weapon can hurt you...", he replied.