The Chronicles of Shamballa

Paranoia

The highway was right there- about a mile from the ground that he stood but he thought about Farid, what if he's still in the forest somewhere- holding on to his dear life - how could he possibly go look for him. But then he recalled that Farid could communicate with him telepathically- he would have sent out a message if he was in danger or... he was dead!

Nevertheless he thought about trying to communicate with him telepathically, even though he had no idea how to but he had to try. Luckily he didn't have to try hard- it was Solomon- he was trying to communicate with him too. The message was hazy but in his head he could hear the words- "Come back to base- we're safe-" It was hard to explain what it was- it felt more like a gut feeling- he kept hearing the same message over and over for a minute or so until it subsided. Now Johnathan was sure that Farid was safe and all he needed was to go back to the Lucky Shop. With renewed vigour he ran towards the empty highway with his shoes in his hands and jumped from a rock. The highway was twenty feet below and he slipped and fell on the ground hard but atleast he landed on the road.

"God! I'm out of practice-" he said looking at the approaching lights of a vehicle.

He picked himself up and raised his hand - he needed a ride back home...

Peru- 2300 hrs:

Billy rushed into The Chief's office but the guards stopped him from entering. After a while they let him enter. He walked into the room and saw the Chief sitting on his chair in front of a small candle:

"What are you doing? What the hell was that?" asked Billy.

"I was thinking- planning..." replied the Chief.

"Then why did you let him get off so easy? And why did you have a monster on a lease?" he asked again.

"Sit down-" said the Chief calmly "this was just a test- it was just the first step to a bigger plan- the net has been cast- I've analysed his fighting style and moves- there will be more challenges ahead and each one deadlier than the other- the more he fights, the more I know about him - I want to exhaust him until the day comes when he can't surprise us with his powers-"

"What? I don't understand - " replied Billy.

"Be patient! This is a big game- by the time I'm done, he will be begging for his death!" the Chief replied.

"Ugh! Whatever man- when are we getting some action? I just want to rip that face off of that soldier boy-" replied Billy.

"Soon- go now and yes never try to barge in like this again- those guards will shoot you- they're not for show!" said the Chief.

Billy scoffed and went out of the room-

"Whatever you say Chief!"

He knew that he could not do much. He was only waiting for the time when he'd get to go out, and on that day, he planned to disappear...

0100 hours - Somewhere in the city of Athena.

A truck driver dropped Johnathan off near refugee market. The Lucky Shop was only ten minutes away and so he walked towards it. But as soon as he started to walk towards it, he saw a bunch of cops waiting outside the shop. Johnathan paused for a moment and he knew that the police were keeping an eye on that place. Then it makes no sense that Farid would return to that place. He watched from the shadows and wondered what to do when suddenly he heard a familiar voice behind him-

"You're back!"

Johnathan turned and saw Solomon standing behind him.

"Brother? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Ah! I'll explain later, come with me- I've something to show you-" replied Solomon and took him towards his van.

Johnathan sat in the van and Solomon drove him to a different place. He stopped the van behind an alley and they got out. Then they went through a small door and entered a storage facility. They took a lift and ended up going to the top floor of a very sophisticated building. Johnathan had seen this building before but never paid much attention. It was some kind of accounts office. The lift opened up into a busy floor and he saw many people in formal dresses walking about with files and phones- they didn't even notice him. Solomon took him through a door and it opened up into a brightly lit room with people working on computers and stuff. It looked like a top secret intelligence agency.

"What's this?" asked Johnathan in surprise.

"Welcome to the head quarters of the Royal Elder Clan, my friend- this is the resistance- our last strong hold against the darkness!" replied Solomon, introducing him to the place.

"What? I thought that the Elders were no more-" he muttered in surprise.

"Well we thought the same- until they came for our rescue and took Farid out of jail and cleared our charges-" replied Solomon with a smile.

"Wow! This place looks like a James Bond movie-" replied Johnathan.

"Wait till you see their weapon systems-" replied Solomon taking him towards another room.

"Cool! And these people working here? Who are they?" he asked.

"All descendents of the Elders- regular people, who know the truth- the actual truth about our world- hey! there's Brother Farid-" replied Solomon.

"Ah! Johnny my dear friend!" exclaimed Farid from a distance.

"Brother Farid! You're all right? You got away from the police?"asked Johnathan shaking his hand.

"Of course I'm okay- My brothers won't let anything happen to me- I'm glad you're okay too but you looked messed up, my friend- come let's get you cleamed up!"he replied and took him inside.

After a long shower and a nice hearty meal, Johnathan took a long wanted nap and slept like a baby until the next day...