13.
Junior
The moves in the Whirl of the blades; a family sword fighting skill handed down by the generations held eight steps with the killing radius of ten feet, with every two steps the radius moved three feet wider like the dancer’s movement. The three warriors did not stand a chance to deflect or mount their own attack for the whirling movement was swift and deadly. The head of the three warriors fell to the ground.
“Hai!” The elderly man lowered his arms and the blood that was stained on the blade rolled off it like the morning dew. The shorter blade was returned tom the sheath and then the katana was implanted to the ground like a standing monument before the man fell to his knees. The blood was seen seeping through his chest bandages.
“Taro-san!” Yukio sprang out from the doorway to reach the elderly man who had knelt there with his right hand holding the katana. “Are you…”
“I am dying, butterfly. I cannot be your garden no more. You must learn to fly from here.” Taro-san replied. “I think there will be someone to guide you after me.”
“Shita ni tomaru!” (Stay down) The voice of the Madame shrieked out and Yukio complied.
The roar of the double barrel shotgun was over the young lady’s head and it impacted with its pellets onto two of the dark warriors who were creeping in for the kill. The Madame dropped the shotgun and drew the Mauser. The method to fire the Mauser Shanxi Model made in the Far East. It was chambered for the .45 calibre with a ten rounds clip. She fired the handgun turned sideways but her aims were good. She took down the other one in the chest when the dark robed stepped out to shoot. The Madame then grabbed Yukio and rolled over to the side before a hail of bullets ripped into the dying elder man. It ended the elder man life.
“Finish it!” Ikram was not the patience one. He was down to four warriors and the last one was his cousin. He reckoned that they rushed out, the elderly lady may not be shoot them all. He levelled the rifle he held, and rushed out. The others sprang from their hidden positions and were firing their rifles from the waist level. Madame Deauville got shot twice on her left forearm and right thigh where the bullet grazed her there. It was Yukio who went into action. She had run half crouched with her sword drawn. She slashed from the right and cut the dark robed in the lower chest. She then crashed into the dying dark robed and turned the body to take the shots aimed at her. The dark robed body was raked with five bullets in the back before Yukio dropped the body and then rushed at the gathered four dark robed warriors. She attacked the nearest dark robed with the sword thrust into the belly and used the body once more as a shield. She saw the second dark robed rushing at her and then the roar of the shot stopped everyone. The attacking robed one staggered and then fell down clutching the chest where the sight of blood was seen. Yukio saw from the side of her sight, the young man who had caught her fancy. He was after all about her age. She pulled the sword and pushed the dead robed man off her. Abraham had then shot the at the other two robed figures.
Ikram got it in the chest and fell down to his knees. The last one had turned to run but was brought down with sword thrown by Yukio. Abraham had then approached Ikram and placed another shot in the head like what he was taught by his father. He saw the lady had thrown the sword at the last dark robed figure. He stepped over the dead one that he shot and knelt down by the last one. The sword did not pierce the body and was embedded in the back for Yukio throw was not strong. Abraham held the sword and he pushed it in harder. It was what his father taught him.
“Son, we are all killers even though the ones that we kill are demons. On occasions, we kill the people too like demons. They are demons in your mind. That justifies the killing.”
At the front door, Major Chips leaned on the wall behind the door. He had withstood the shots fired there. The wood was tough and took the impacts. He held with him the Webley and had just reloaded it then.
“Barry, have you fixed the blockage?” Major Chips called out. “We ain’t got all day.”
“In and out in a jiffy.” Barry replied.
“Well, hurry up. He ain’t your lover.” Major Chips leaned over and let off a few shots. He counted over twenty attackers. They were all dressed in dark and made them easier to identify. He leaned over more and try to pick out the leaders when the shots barely missed him. He pulled back in and cursed at himself. He had been shot before and the disappointment that he did discounted the snipers. It ain’t the trained army units he was used to fighting with but he had dealt with them new ones; the heroes of the people who believed that their cause was right. He had shot them in the head to clean their minds.
“Malcolm is hit.” Major Chips heard Barry. “They got him in the head.”
“Darn!” Major Chips liked Malcom. He was one short in strength. And one of them had served his retirement too short. He leaned over and emptied the clip. It was his way of saying I am coming for you. He turned to Barry.
“Pull him clear. I will come over.” Major Chips then rushed over and got a bullet in the back of his left shin. He fell but rolled to the side and avoided the second bullet. Lieutenant Peter pulled the Major to cover.
“Are you daft? The …”
“Bandage and pass me the rifle.” Major Chips had dropped his rifle then and rolled onto his back. He was facing the front doorway He spread his legs and placed the rifle on his right good toes. He steadied the rifle and then looked for the movements. He saw a glimpse of it and took his shot. He was the Regimental best marksman. The shot took down the dark robed figure. Salleh saw his friend got shot. He was on the roof with the other and only a few feet distance separate them. He had shot the Englishman and his friend got the return kill. He was down to one other sniper who was on the other roof and himself. He signalled the other one and then took aim. They will shoot anyone who even showed a glimpse of themselves.
“Your leg done. Now can we get back into proper cover.” Peter had then pulled the Major to safety. The shots had stopped. “They have stopped.”
Unknown to the defenders, Akbar had received news from his scout. There is activity at the Hidden City and it’s not the French although they are near to the Hidden City.
“Our scouts spoke of dark clouds.”
Akbar knew then the threat was huge.
“Imtep is awake.” Akbar had to stop it. It was described in the ancient scrolls that if the dark clouds prevailed over the City, then the followers have discovered the means to call on Imtep.
“Tell the men to withdraw.” Akbar gave the words. “Summon the other clans. The demons from the Hidden City are on the march. I will ride to the Hidden City.”
The Frenchs were the first to encounter the demons.
Ahmer on the camel back leaned to the winds and listened hard. He was taught at young to learn the desert and how to traverse it in daylight and night. The camel reared it head and then sank to its belly with the limbs folded in.
“Get up!” Ahmer struck with the short whip onto the camel’s rump but it won’t move. He was then met by the Professor who was on horseback. The later had refused the humpback and rode the horses he had acquired in Cairo. His horse was also uneasy with the hoofs stamping on the sandy ground.
“What ails your ride?” Professor Emile asked while restraining his mount. He saw the others were also having difficulty handling their mounts. The Legionnaires were on their feet but they each led a mule with the loads. The Sergeant approached the Professor.
“Oui, Professor Emile. See to the horizon. That is not a storm of sands but of other things. I fear we need to sought shelter.”
Just before the Professor could reply, Pierre his assistant was thrown off the saddle and the horse ran off. The others reacted but the riders held them in place. Professor Emile rushed to the fallen Pierre.
“I am sorry, Professor. The horse threw me.” Pierre replied. “We lost our survey equipment.”
“The case?” Professor Emile pointed to the case slung across Pierre’s chest. “Give it to me.”
Pierre passed the case and then stood there watching the Professor slung it across his own chest. The Professor then looked at Pierre.
“Had you lost this, your life will be forfeited.” The Professor cautioned the other. “Now walk with the Legionnaires or die here. It does not matter to me.”
“Sergeant, tie the horses and men to a single rope. We need to make sure we lose no one unintentionally.” The Professor looked at the dark storm. He knew now that the key had shown him the Hidden City.
Back in the town, Hasnah stood on the street and looked at the dark storm that was seen at the horizon. It was not seen before but the ancient scrolls spoke of it.
“Imtep is awake. He is seeking us for vengeance.” Hasnah muttered.
“So, you are aware of the Hidden City.” Madame Deauville stood by Hasnah side. She was bandaged on her wounds and held the shotgun as a walking stick. “I am sure your father taught you much.”
“You were the one whom we met then. You tried to stop us then. Now do intend to do so now once more?” Hasnah voiced out with her hand on the scimitar.
“I was on orders then. I discovered its evil and viewed all who came then was also evil. I never fought you and Abraham but later we were allies. I only …”
“You turn us upon him. We fought and survived but your deed will never be forgotten.”
“It’s true I did turn you onto the Master then. With his dead, I was freed of the influence. You were my saviour and for that we became allies. I led you out of the place.” Madame Deauville replied. “I have since left the City after our battle but the call on the City made me come back. Someone had to keep watch over the City and denied those who want to go there. I lived here now to protect it. It’s time to end it all.”
“I do not believe you, French lady. You lived here to preserve your master’s city so that your master could regained strength after that defeat. You are still its servant…. or aide if you want to be called that.”
“Speak what you want of me but I am more concerned now of the City. The dark clouds there hailed more calamity to the land. Imtep had truly recovered and will now take vengeance on all of us. We must stop it. I will guide you there into the city once more. I will….”
“Turn once more on us when you saw Imtep …” Hasnah glared at the French lady. “If you ever do, you will be dead then.”
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