Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 28

28.

Dawn was when the brightness of the sunlight broke on the horizon to lighten up the landscape. On the walls, you could see the surging sunlight moved on the horizon towards gradually swallowing the dark corners until there was none. If one will pay close attention to the growth and inhabitants, the light gave them a purpose to come to life, with the wind assisting them to shake off the night dews. The predators will then climb out of the hideouts to prey on the others. The hunt will begin with the staging of the ambush and when the prey reaches there, it would be a swift kill.

Not all of that worked like that.

“Swing the gate.” Sergeant Matt called out to the sentry he had placed there. The words went out when the tower sentry sighted the riders from the West and another from the East. The call went out on that. The non-com then turned towards the additional guests that had returned with him before dawn. They have all convened at the makeshift tent in the fortress area.

“Van Helsing, I am surprised at your circle of allies now.” Mycroft was glaring at the man he considered as a nemesis of his brother. Next to Doctor Moriarty was the cloak covered vampire, then had the hood over his face. “Your ally has issue with the sunlight, I presume. Bad for my delicate skin too. I believe the ladies have that issue too.”

The ladies were seated on the left side of the long rectangle table under the huge cover of the tent Princess Fa Lo Suee with her aide and Mrs Hudson seated there with the umbrella laid on the table. They were glaring at the vampire who had turned away from their stares. Their attention was diverted by the arrival of the two so named Emperors from different directions. Sherlock who had arrived was given the cold glare by Doctor Watson. The sleuth turned to his brother and saw the bandages.

“Bad day for you?” Sherlock asked his brother. Mycroft shrugged his shoulders and then motioned to Mrs Hudson. “Bad spell over there. She may not serve tea.”

“Good morning, gentlemen and ladies.” It was Nayland who broke the cold spell then. The man stood at the other of the table while motioning the two Emperors to take their places opposite each other. “I have another colleague who can’t join us today. He is unwell.”

“Truly a sad event then for him but his solo battle was a victory of sort.” The real Emperor Fu Manchu or Fu Xia spoke out. “I paid a lot for those guns.”

“A mere drop in the ocean for the empire, my brother.” The other Emperor or Tu Xia cut in. “Tell me, brother. Why do you seek the Elixir when you hold the other solution to longevity?”

That question surprised everyone there including the immortal vampire.

“The slip of the tongue may cause you to lose it.” Fu Xia cautioned his so named brother. “I…”

“You are the Emperor of the East and I am of the West. I build an empire as wide as yours, and …” Tu Xia challenged the other but Fu Xia was not to be swept aside by the other.

“In the West, you are hunted like a criminal while in mine, I am the Emperor. No one dares defy me.” Fu Xia cut in. “You allied with other criminals.”

“I resent that, Emperor …” Doctor Moriarty stepped into the tent. “Pardon me for the tardiness in being late. I was occupied with another guest. Hello, Dracula.”

The vampire ignored the criminal genius while Moriarty looked towards his nemesis.

“Surprised to see me, old chap?” Sherlock was not amused at the Doctor being coy with the nature of greeting. “I will explain my presence soon. Now where are we at the parley of allies?”

The negotiations there have side tracked and animosity have reached to ugly levels but the fast intervention of Van Helsing lowered their murderous intentions.

“If I may, we are here for one reason. We are here to seek the Elixir of Life, and if it does exist.” Van Helsing looked at the so named allies of his. “The vampire sought it for his own reasons even though death avoids him; the Emperors for their longevity, the British Empire for their own desire to rule on while the others, I believed everyone have a reason too. I was for one, intend to ….”

“What is your noble reason, hunter of the undead?” Dracula spoke out. “Do you fear it like your family have on me? Was the.”

“Something which …I am not sure why. I was not pursuing that but an inner search of my own. My desire was to know myself and my role in this madness of hunting your kind. I was side tracked by the Wolves and then the placed on the trail leading here. I lost my other arm and be honest, still lost in my direction but I know something deep inside me, the Elixir if it does exist is not meant to be given to Man, or …. vampire.”  

“An arm that was placed there by me.” Doctor Moriarty stepped in. “I have no desire to save you, Van Helsing but the mathematical logic told me the equation was you. I had that arm done for you, giving you an edge to meet the vampire’ threats but it did not really work. So that equation was not the correct one. Maybe I …”

“Moriarty, you never do anything to help anyone. You did it for a purpose. Your own demented one.” Sherlock could not stay silent then. “I did ask myself why you would replace Van Helsing’ arm?”

Moriarty looked at Sherlock but he did not reply. It was Dracula who replied.

“The doctor had something of mine then. He hid it in the arm with Van Helsing. I have it now.” Dracula revealed the metallic item that he had retrieved. It looked like a metal plate but on it were images of little lines. “It’s the key to the gate where the Elixir is stored.”

“Then it’s time we get ourselves into the circle.” The voice was familiar to some of them and it drew their surprises to hear it there. Unaware to hose there, the six operatives of the Section had convened to form a cordon around the table. Besides their assumed leader, Sergeant Matt, one other stepped up. There was never any introduction or chat with the team by the others for secrecy was their mode of operation, and their identities masked with the scarf to cover below their eyes and extended to cover the head above. The figure approached the table holding then the yet to be refuted machine gun made popular by criminals in the world. It was a Thompson gun with the ammunition drum.

“Morning to all. Please do not act surprise. After all, next to the King’s crown, the Elixir is the peer for all that cherished life.” The one who spoke was M himself. “My section had done me proud. Nayland with his loyalty and Mr Hyde who will join us shortly for his ability to counter some of you if needed. And to the ladies, I do extend my best for the Princess Fa Lo Suee, and her aide, the Widow whose loyalty was to me. Well played, my dears.”

“Ah, Mrs Hudson, your role was to protect my ladies. I have never denied that.” Sir Fleming smiled before he added on. “Should we get onto the task on hand? Sherlock, don’t be puzzled. You are good at your work but the pace of the task overwhelmed you in some areas. Your current friendship with Watson had also dulled your mind. Or was it the cocaine that you have not taken to measurement lately.”

“It was …” Sherlock tried to defend but was cut off.

“It was not elementary, Sherlock. Please rest your ego for once.” Sir Fleming snapped out. It was then they heard the sound of shooting and some bombardment but it was on the Western side. “Charming, my reinforcements are here. They are if I am not mistaken scattering the army you recruited, Emperor Fu Manchu of the West. It’s needed to get some time to address who is who.”

“Sir Fleming, I was to say your …. execution of the task was remarkable. It reminded me of the Fred Porlock who contacted me on the evil scheme of Doctor Moriarty. Remarkable for I had to back tracked my readings on the Almanac. It was my first trail to the doctor; a movement of criminal upheaval on society. Am I not right, Doctor Moriarty?”

The doctor in question laughed and then leaned on the table.

“You have a remarkable memory for details with some grandeur added on. You named me the Napoleon of Crime, and yet like the real Napoleon with Wellington, I think you may rank as mine. Your exposure of me was not of my crime but my collection of paintings. Alas, Jean Baptiste Greuze was one of my favourite, and as pointed out by you, I could not have acquired that painting with my academic remuneration. A charming observation but a flawed deduction of yours. Perhaps your rare sport of grandeur there. I did acquire the painting by inheritance on my mother’s side. My aunt gave it to me which I did not disclose earlier.”

“Nevertheless, most of you are wondering why am I here? I was not mentioned by Sir Fleming at all. And this is not London.”

Tweet...tweet... Tweetttttt 19/05

Honestly I am lost for words on hwy I am not posting regularly.

Please do bear with me.

I was caught up with works ( at my tender age now, I am still working as if I was thirty five ie mauling the electronic machines for data and restoring the faulty ones. Darn, I loved my lifestyle; I am always crouched down below the table looking up other's legs while my butt was displayed for all.

Yes, ma'am. I do pull the hem down. I surely don't want any pinkie at my valley of the Kilimanjaro. I might scream.... rape... perhaps although I fancied the intruder. I was once asked what am I doing there like the Disco old lyric...

"What cha doing there...."

"I am looking for my butt plug..." Thought that came out well, for I felt no dark forces behind me then. If I said 'looking for my ear plug" they might leaned over to hear me out. It might had sounded like this if it was.

"Ouch!"

I am sure you want to hear about the legs tales. Well, there were some but with the cramped space I was crouched in, it was a bit of a cramp to peek given the IKEA tables have protective walls on three sides of the table, and with little breathing space. And if you do see any signs of 'heavy breathing' its probably me struggling to do it with a girth of forty squeezed folded to fit into a thirty two inches wide table bottom. Guess you could pictured it like the hyena mounting the hippo, and the hippo was ranting; "you the cleaner or the fucker?"

Pardon me on that one.

When you have only Animal Planet on TV when you are back in the hotel. Besides watching myself in the mirror ( all the forms have reformed to shape ) or trying to design the room layout ( I always tell my wife, the room at IKEA is not organised by normal people; the orcs comes out at night to do it after we messed it up. And we don't have orcs at home. Only grunting people like you. I earned my stay at IKEA soon after when she cleared my savings. I was there to get the refunds.)

At my tender age, I disliked the hotel rooms. The bed is hard, and the pillows are too fluffy, and the covers are all tucked in too tight into the bed frame ( you slip in like a beaver into the nesting ). My first ritual when I checked in was to drag the covers off. No, I was not looking for sperm counts but I want to make sure it looked clean. It should look back at me; white and clean.

Next I will check the shower.

It had be clean too. And no body length mirror. I have my architect at home to tell me which dimensions are out already. My reply was standard; "it called body flesh. It moved on its own momentum."

"Yeah, I know. When I am not in mood, it's in the driving mode." That was her younger reply. Nowadays she just say "I can see the foundation is not holding up too well. Perhaps you need to perk it up with your imagination."

God, I love the woman.

And all those I could make out from the heels below.

Cheers and stay alive.

Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 26 to 27

26.

Sherlock stood there watching the Emperor examining the twenty corpses that were his warriors. They technically placed were dead with the blood bites on the neck. He had heard of such attacks and in China they behead the dead. They don’t want them coming back undead.

“Do it.” The Emperor gave the command. “And we marched tonight. If he can reach us then I will do the same but on my terms.”

Sherlock turned away from the ritual that was done worldwide. He may be a sleuth but the killings he had seen were aftermath. He had hardly seen one done. He tried to do on a cadaver but the effect was different. There was blood but not what he anticipated. He had to simulate it with chickens and some poor pheasants. He stepped away but was joined by the Emperor.

“Dracula was not my doing. He was the imposter’s work. But what he did was not pardonable. I will kill him and the imposter. I will deep fry them like what we did to the evil Minister Qin Kuai and his wife. He betrayed the Jin Dynasty and killed the General Yue Fei under the false accusations. The couple was …”

“I appreciate the history lessons and the exotic food but can I get to the issue on hand. We have now Dracula as the new opponent. How did you know if it was Dracula?”

“Dracula visited me once in my chamber. He had wanted me dead because of the betrayal of my imposter. I told him I was not the one.” Emperor Fu Manchu revealed. “He may be a vampire but he could not distinguish me from my imposter. It could be our blood. He was to leave when my guards captured him. That was soon after we send him to the Vault. Now he may hate us both. Such anger in him and he yearned for my blood since then.”

Blood was boiling then in Mrs Hudson but it was desirable. She approached Mycroft on the wall where he had taken refuge. He did it with the English style; tea in the iron cup with the improvised pot from the boiling kettle. He was huffing from the hot served tea.

“I used to do that, serving tea and scones while you men discuss the tasks. I did wonder if we the womenfolk meant anything to you. We did have a movement for that.” The infamous strike at Bryant and May matchsticks ladies worker cut a raw nerve into the male dominant ego. “You did like your tea plain.”

Mycroft looked at the lady he once had some intimate moments and also treated her unfairly. He had expected his ladies to be demure and lovely. He knew at his age the choice of ladies was restricted to certain criteria and that lady had those before. He was not sure of it anymore after seeing her took murderous action. He had done it many times but he was a Man.

“So, India or more to be exact Sean Mercer, what was it that made you think we cannot be like Man? I mean not all of Man. We can’t have a penis or give away our birth organs.”

“And most men can’t live without one? I did wonder why but I am not a doctor or a priest.” Mycroft replied and then smiled. “I do the opposite. I kill.”

“We all kill. The butchers do that daily at the market place. I would had killed the neighbour’s cat but it was killing all the rodents in my basement.” Mrs Hudson replied. “If I can live with that cat, you can live with me.”

Mycroft did not reply then but he grabbed the lady and crouched behind the wall. The wall shook from the impact of the shells. He shouted the warning but it did not matter. The shelling took over five minutes on the wall but it did little damage.

“How did …” The lady shouted out.

“They have better guns. And they wanted to wake us before we sleep or was it prevent us to sleep.” Mycroft pushed the lady forward. He was getting a good view and regrettably then an erection. Or one leading to it. They made their way down the wall and was greeted by the other two ladies.

“Are we under attack?” Princess Fa Lo Suee asked when they met before the wall.

“I think your father have arrived to bring you back.” Mycroft replied. “We need to find cover. They will be here by morning.”

At that moment the other Emperor was seated on the horse watching the bombardment on the western side. He could not see the actual impact but he knew that his other self was there. It was obvious that the Emperor of the other side will not come alone. He would have his army with him. It was something that he will do and he did just that. He turned to look at the army he had recruited. One thing about being an Emperor was the access to hidden cache of wealth. He utilized that to recruit the army.

“Emperor, we are ready.” The Emperor looked at the mercenary who was to command the army hired with money. They were a mix of Turks, Serbians and others that were met along the route there. He had the strength of a hundred and twenty but no cannons.

“We will hold back. Let them barrage the walls. The fool knows that the place held the same item that we desired. He will stop the barrage soon and take the place. But I will tell him to come alone. He will do as I said for he is my brother. My messenger had left earlier.” The Emperor replied and then he took towards the walls.

It was then when Nayland leaned on the wall and felt the impact of the shelling. He had seen the effect of the shelling when he was training with the arm; talking to the survivors who were shelled by the gunners. The new ones were all rattled by the noise and some looked in fear when their friends were snatched off by the shells. It was scary as if the dead were taken away by demons. One of his training tasks was to feel the real barrage, and how to stay calm at times, or take to the drowning of the fear with the hard liquor. It was sad but effective.

“I say, old chap. Have you wondered if Sherlock is around? Maybe he is doing the shelling.” Mycroft choice of subject matter was deplorable at times. “I do….”

“He is not here. And right now, I am thinking of how to we survive this barrage.” Nayland replied in agitation.

“Pardon me, old chap. Didn’t mean to spring your emotion on that. I will move on.” Mycroft took off along the wall, and it was then the section came down hard onto him. He was hit by a falling slab that knocked him down. Nayland sprang into action as in his profession and saw the other was bleeding from the cut in the back of the head. He felt for life signs and found it there. He tried to pull   Mycroft to the earlier position but the man was heavy. He then felt the heavier hands that reached for the fallen wall to raise it.

It was Mr Hyde in his murderous form but the man was in control of his emotions. He raised the rubble while Nayland pulled Mycroft out.

“Hyde? How was…”

“The boffins at London produce the antidote to help me become the doctor but only temporary.” Mr Hyde replied before he motioned to Mycroft. “How is he?”

 Mycroft was bleeding and medical care was needed. It came at the opportune time by Mrs Hudson. She saw the bleeding and reached for her underskirt to tear a strip.

“Not that he will get aroused over it now.” Mrs Hudson bandaged over with the silky strip she tore. “It’s clean and could be of use to him now.”

Nayland worked on the bandage and then pulled Mycroft to the more secured part of the wall. He then turned to look for the other doctor and caught a glimpse of the so named monster dropping from the wall to the outside.

“No!” Nayland screamed out. He knew that Mr Hyde was in danger. “The man is mad. He is insecure… inside.”

As for Sherlock, nothing was secured while he watched the gunners took turns to barrage the walls. They have moved into position immediately upon reaching the distance. The gunners were deployed and the warriors were then given a detour towards the walls.

“My imposter stayed away from the walls, but he can’t hide forever. As we barrage the walls my warriors will attack the mercenaries hired by him.” The Emperor there told Sherlock.

“What if I tell you that the wall held the gate to the Elixir of Life? You may just destroy it then.” That statement made the Emperor glared at Sherlock. He then signalled the gunners to stop their bombardment.

“I know not you in person, Mr Holmes but I do have reports of your exploits from the other. One thing I learned from those reports was that you are to be considered in any decision I am to make.” The Emperor smiled and then asked the sleuth to explain.

“I read the scrolls and the stones. The Elixir is at Jiayu Pass. If you destroy the fortress, you may well destroy the Elixir. Or Lazarus will seek vengeance on you.”

It was then the Emperor’s aide announced the arrival of a messenger for him.

“My Emperor, he holds the signet ring of yours.”

27.

Mr Hyde in his bigger frame and strength ran on his four limbs propelling him forward like an enraged beast. He had taken the so named antidote to revert to that form but it was never revealed to the others that in his new form, he could hear voices. Those voices were tormenting him and his emotions were in disarray. It was not his previous form when he changed, he was a monster; a predator to tear limbs but in the new voices, he was directed by others. He heard their commands and he will do the tasks. He was rushing towards the cannons. The voice told him to stop the gunners.

“The fortress must be preserved. Destroy the guns.”

The monstrous form cleared the distance in minutes just soon after the guns stopped. He did not pause in his steps and was soon onto the surprised gunners. He grabbed the hot barrel and swung it like a bat towards the other gun. The gun weighed over a thousand pounds and in the hands of the monstrous frame; it was like a baseball bat. The gun lifted with the carriage flew across the short distance and crashed into the other gun. Both the guns were then damaged. The defenders there had taken to safety where another set of gunners were in place. Then Maxim machine gunners turned their aim on Mr Hyde and released a spray of bullets at him.

“Arghh…” Mr Hyde jumped for cover when the hail of bullets hit him. He was hit in several areas on the legs and his torso but the wounds were not deep. Somehow in his turned form, his skin had hardened in its thickness. The bullets penetrated this skin but just below the surface. He sought cover behind some crates and checked his wounds. It was hurting but he may not just die then. He heard the lull in the shooting and assumed the reloading of the gun was then. He rushed at the maxim gunner and smashed his fist on the barrel. He then tossed the gun before he confronted the gunner but they have fled the scene. He was to pursue when he heard the new command.

“Return to the fortress.”

As for the Emperor Fu Manchu, he regarded messengers are brave couriers of news. Most times, they get killed for their acts and their Emperors will do the needed vengeance upon their death. They reckoned the service rendered was an act that justified their rank but a life lost was then unrecoverable.

“Tell your Emperor, I will see him at sun up at the Fortress. Come alone as he requested and we will decide the outcome of the war.”

Sherlock looked at the Emperor and smiled. Obviously, Fu Manchu believed in him too on the Elixir. He was then to ask the other on the issue.

“The Elixir of Life was sought by many including my forefathers, Emperors and others. Even the aligned holy men sought it. Why the need to live on?” Emperor Fu Manchu laughed. “Nobody wants to die. Not even when they are promised reincarnation. We are mortals and yet we desired to be immortals. Or be like the demi-gods to live in heaven.”

“Is there one? I wondered. And I wondered why swap mine here for there at the named Heaven. I am the Emperor here. Why should I serve another Emperor? I read your ancient readings. I am sceptical if there is Heaven or Hell. I am also on the Angels. Maybe there was none, but men like us with the gift of immortality. As a follower of Buddhist, I am believing on Samsara; the karma of life and after life with reincarnation. Our body is a vessel that we discard upon death and from there, we accept ourselves into a new one.”

Sherlock was not a religious follower although he has his trust in God. It was the Emperor who went on with his concept of life.

“You heard of Lazarus?”

Sherlock looked at Fu Manchu. He knew of Lazarus and how it draws the same parable as in the Elixir.

“Lazarus died and yet he was resurrected after four days. And then he died years later. He was not immortal. He was given another chance in living. He met death though. I am telling you that immortality does not really exist. We are all fools to think that we can live on forever.”

“Then why meet your imposter and …. why saved the fortress?” Sherlock asked.

“All in good time, detective. That is one mystery you may solve today…. for the world to know.” Fu Manchu replied. At that moment, the aide arrived to inform the Emperor on the destruction of the guns.

“Well then, proceed on to find my imposter’s army. Let them do battle while I faced the imposter.”

As for Watson, his surprise then was the meeting of another enemy there at the Hall where he was idling with Dracula and Van Helsing. The newly arrived then sat down and took a goblet of wine. He smiled at the standing Sergeant who was unsure of the next step of action.

“Doctor Watson, I am ever pleased to see you in person. We are both healers; though I am of the vices of the underworld.” Doctor Moriarty smiled. “Please don’t down play my role in your tales Doctor Watson. Sherlock is a formidable foe but he lacked the finer characteristics to remove the threat. We are both doctors; termination is an option. Painful but needed at times. As for me, I am the Emperor of the world I build but there will be others not in sync with me and their end served my purpose.  Its mathematics logic; we just need to resolved the final equation.”

“Doctor Moriarty, I have no doubts on your resolution but I am a medical doctor, and saving lives is my final equation. Not that it always works with my simple logic but it’s my desired equation.”

“Bravo! Doctor Watson, you are obviously the man I have to meet more often but taking tea breaks with you does delayed my work in managing my empire. Pardon me, if I am to be rude. Are we due to talk here or moved onto some place more desirable?”

“Yes, we are pressing for time. We shall move on soonest.” Dracula smiled. “After all, we can’t keep all our friends and enemies waiting at the gates too long. It will appear barbaric in appearance.”

Barbaric was how Mrs Hudson reflected on when she looked at the man lying there under the shade of the wall. When her husband died on her arms, she sworn off other men but little hopes materialised soon, or at worse some short romances. She was young and needed comfort then, with a yearning to be loved. She finally found it in a dashing man she was to serve scones and tea. It was easy to maintain that relationship; he was a lost pup inside and herself then a mere pussy that needed love. There were some restraints to their relationship; her tenant above her unit may be considered intrusive but there were moments when he was away or swooning to his other love; the violin. The good doctor despite appearing at odd hours was however blind as a bat to her presence. She may to him, the tea lady to mutter a word of thanks while he lapped at the tenant’s eccentric offerings. She would have been more appealing to the doctor but her rendezvous with the other Holmes, kept her French maid costume in the closet too. She enjoyed the brief period they were pawing each other, and soon she found out on his profession. The Service does not encourage fraternity between staff, and more so with those on active tasks. She was told to lay-off and the decent thing was to avoid the laid. She took that task to heart and terminated the relationship. It ended mutually and the tea still got served, although Mycroft did have some apprehension whether he was to be poisoned. She kept her identity safe until the recent M declared to her that she was to be part of the team.

“Where am I?” Mycroft woke up with a throbbing headache and saw his comfort was the arms of the lady. He excused himself and sat up looking sheepishly at his predicament. He asked on the barrage and was told that it had ended.

“How…What happened to me?” Mycroft muttered and was sealed his lips when Mrs Hudson kissed him. He responded back before he was pushed off by her.

“You…. Never mind that. You are still alive.” Mrs Hudson looked away. “Now we have to prepare for battle.”

Mycroft staggered to his feet and then moved to check for his weapons. He turned to look at the departing lady. He had himself smiling that there was more to his life then.

Team Seven of Heroes III Chapter 25

25.

Needed then was the defence of the fortress. Sergeant had studied the layout. He reckoned they will come from the eastern side. The fortress held four watch towers that rose high above the walls. The walls itself were hardened earth which over the years have withstood the weather elements. He had men on four of the towers as observers and snipers. The other was to reinforced the north and east walls where he could with the Sergeant in assistance. The mountain gun was assembled onto the eastern wall with Nayland and Mycroft working on it. Hyde was given the task to patrol the western wall with Mrs Hudson and Watson. The two younger ladies were kept in reserve. Nayland brought extra rifles and guns with ammo and these were distributed to the walls.

“Sir, I have rigged explosives on the ground outside. We can trigger it from the walls.” Sergeant Matt proved his expertise in warfare.  

“Sergeant, what are our chances?” Mycroft had to ask then.

“We may live if the scout I sent does come back with reinforcement. Or it will be Rourke Drift remake.” Rourke Drift was the scene of the battle between the British Army against the Zulu warriors It was a hundred and fifty soldiers against four thousand Zulu warriors.

“Aye, the Welsh Regiment; the 24^th Regiment of Foot then.” Mycroft displayed his military knowledge. “Good lads.”

“And we are too.” Sergeant Matt took his leave then. Mycroft looked to Watson.

“We are in dire times now, Doctor. I wondered how Sherlock will unravel this case.”

“He would had said take bullet in the head. It’s less painful than a spear up your bowels.” Watson then took his leave leaving Mycroft gasping for a reply. It was close to nightfall then when he mounted up the steps towards the eastern tower. He joined there then with the Corporal Chard; Edward Chard. The reddish Scotsman was cleaning his rifle; he had three lined up there with the spare ammo clips. He had one above his navel his own heritage dagger preferred by the Highlanders.

“The dirk my paddy. He had it from his father.” Chard showed Watson the dirk. The doctor recalled given one when young but it’s probably in his flat at London. He did not carry it for a long time. It was then he saw Sergeant Matt signalling him.

“We found a ground opening some distance from the Eastern wall. It was hidden unless you are looking for it or at worse stumbled on it. We have not gone in yet and awaited your instructions.” Watson heard the Sergeant. He was to ask the reason when the Sergeant told him.

“It may be the Achilles heel if we need to use it.” Sergeant Matt continued on. “We may explore the place. Anything that could help us in the battle to come. I will do the recon soon. Care to join me?”

The place was a mound surrounding by shrubs and the doorway was a small lifted doorway. Sergeant had his pistol and the lighted lamp. Watson followed behind and his lighted view was the narrow staircase. There were no torches but the lamp held by the Sergeant did the work. The trip down was tricky with the uneven steps and walls were all too smooth. The descent soon ended when they came onto the corridor which held three doors and one solitary guard dressed in the dark cloak and expensive suit.

“Doctor Watson I presume.”

Sherlock took a bite of his supper; canine met with dashes of herbs to make it tasty. He spat out the meat and decided to stay with the organic vegetables and fruits. He looked at the one seated across him. He was feeding on something similar and had to jibe at it.

“Canine is not my taste.” Sherlock voiced out.

“Me neither. I liked my mutton stew though.” Emperor Fu Manchu replied before he took another bite of the stringy meat of the goat. “I will tell the Chef.”

“How would you deal with your imposter?” Sherlock raised the question. “We are hours away.”

“Do you know the Chinese invented gunpowder? It was discovered way back in the ninth century but only recorded in the eleventh century. It was Chinese alchemy at its best then. Today, it’s an industrial revolution.” Emperor Fu Manchu replied. “I know they have guns. The British are predictable. I dragged mine too. It’s bigger. The Colonists were very persuasive.”

“They have this Whitworth Rifle twelve pounder was accurate with its twelve pounders ball. They reached further at over ten thousand yards. I have two of it and will pound them to the ground.” Emperor Fu Manchu smiled. “In addition to that I have an army of two hundred warriors to pick their bones.”

“And I also have four Maxim guns to give some fire power. I have them equipped with silver and holy water to cool the gun barrels. I am ….”

“Silver and holy water? Are you telling me vampires are around?” Sherlock initially curious and then laughed. “Whose bloods did you spiked?’

Blood was not the drink served then by host to the newly arrived guest, Doctor Watson but a concoction of tomatoes and alcohol which spiked the cocktail into a near concoction of bloody flavour.

“Not my taste but out here, I won’t be choosy.” Helsing raised the goblet to his lips in congratulating the Doctor in finding him. They were seated at the long table in the lighted chamber which was the left most doorway, then down a corridor to there. He greeted the duo then and led them there. It was sort of a ‘evening’ talks for Watson and Van Helsing.

“Somehow I felt that we will meet in the most unusual…”

“I am unusual, Watson. I am a vampire hunter. There are a few of us left and dwindling. I was not on the task actually. I left all of you after India. I ….”

“Hey, Van Helsing. I am not here to hear your confession. I am here because I am. I was told to look at a hole in the ground.” Watson looked at the bemused Sergeant seated adjacent to them beaming a smile.

“Since you are here and besides vampires… yes they are here. So is Dracula. He is…”

“Never far from you. I may be wrong but in personal medical terms, we assumed relationship may have brewed between you and him.” Watson smiled before he took a sip of the served wine however Sergeant Matt was pale in comparison.

“Yes, you may be right. After I returned from India, I spend some time pursuing my personal issues. I travelled far and wide, ended up north of India, on the mountains. There I met …or I was met by the so named Guardians of the Vault. It was some prison for crappy prisoners that no one else wanted. They told me that Dracula escaped from there. So, I ended up pursuing him and …”

“Ended up here. I liked that. We are fighting at two different war…”

“Not exactly. Dracula confronted me with interesting news. He is here to terminate the Emperor Fu Manchu.”

“Fu Manchu? Finally, we have a common ailment.” Watson took his third sip. “We are now on a common enemy, and probably one war.”

“Viola, I have another ally.” Dracula appeared from the shadows. “That eased my conscience. I have sent the first wave to deal with the Emperor.”

“What did you do?” Watson asked.

“I took some insurance of my own. I tried to recruit his men.” Dracula wiped at the remaining blood stains on his lips. “They have some unique taste to their blood. And the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Or perhaps ally for now.”

Tweet..tweet...Pardon the delay, we ....

Pardon the delays, we had an election two days ago and prior to that it was all anxiety waiting for it and then the long wait for the final results.

Well, the people made their stand and won.

We have a new Administration in the country and we are ready for the waves of changes. We will see new developments and hopefully it will be for the betterment of all.

For dear me, while anxiety was still on my projects which were all pending or awaiting work starts due to the above, may not proceed as plan. That translate to more works and fun in its own way. And fun have not been taken away from myself. I have been penning away at tales and glad top be back.

Once we complete Heroes III, there will more to come.

In the pipeline at over 40K words is Raging Man and Apes; a new world.

In the pipeline at over 30K words is Primus Artorius or the fabled Arthur of the Realm. That one will stop at 50K for the first book, and there will be more as it will be a series. Prepare to be seen the different Arthur and his Knights.

In the making, is Heroes IV; to be honest two tales at over 10K and 15K but I stopped to get more new ideas.

That's for now. Work calls calling now

Cheers

 

Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 24

24.

Van Helsing looked to the stump that once had a metal arm attached to it. He was healing fast and knew the cause of it. He was resting inside what may appeared to be a chamber carved from rocks with its wet humidity. He was lying on the soft bedding there with most times staring at the rocks formation above his bedding. He had seen his other surrounding; it was typical Chinese despite the attempt to make it Bohemian. It may had been difficult to get the later into the far east by the desert path. He also knew the other regular occupant to the chamber.

“Vampire, you fed me your blood. I can feel it. It heals me.” Van Helsing looked to the approaching vampire. “I have been wondering why are you doing this? I had the weapon…”

“This one?” Dracula displayed the gyaling to Van Helsing. “I knew of this. The guardians used this to control me. I do fear it. Still do.”

“You have it now. So, we are powerless against you.” Van Helsing sighed. “After all the generations and lives lost, we were fighting without the mean to kill ….”

“Terminate. I cannot be killed. I am the last of the Fallen. I can only be terminated. And if I do, let it be you.” Dracula smiled. “I am particular on that. But for now, termination is not an option. We got a war to fight.”

“Yes, the Emperor and Moriarty. And, where am I? Jiayu Pass? Where is that? China?”

“Questions? All will be revealed soon. As we speak, your associates have arrived. Mycroft, Watson and others I knew by reputation. Nayland and one abomination Mr Hyde. There are some others which I presume are trained killers. Plus, the Princess and the army not far behind led by one named Emperor Fu Manchu.”

“Are we having a feast then?” Van Helsing laughed. “I was on a spiritual tour and ended up tracking you to now a battle with the Emperor which I have no fight with.”

“No, the Emperor is my enemy now. He sought me for I knew the key to the Vault. He wanted me after he gets the Elixir of Life. He will release the others from the Vault and they will be his army.” Dracula smiled. “The Emperor is no different from the Turks then during Vlad’s era. They all destined a bigger empire and the army to guard it.”

“Why me, Dracula? You have the one weapon to terminate you. You are immortal, well to many. Do release me. I will cure by myself.”

“I intend to but soon after I killed the ones that are my enemy. You will use the gyaling to terminate me then. I have outlived my role here. All the others have moved on or banished.” Dracula sighed. “I have lived through many generations, building empires and to see them crumbled by the foolishness of their own. I am tired.”

“Tell me of the Elixir of Life.” Van Helsing decided he needed another bedtime tale.

“The elixir does exist. It was the one thing which we developed like the fire. We did it but we were stopped by the others. The defeated us and the few of us escaped. I went into hibernation aka hiding for some generations while preserving the elixir. I resurfaced but kept a low profile. By then the others have left the dwellers here to their own suffering. Man have the universal affinity to hurt each other for many petty reasons. I partake in it for selfish reasons. I was itching for a fight and fights soon after. I was with many from Perseus to Alexander and even Vlad. It was with Vlad that recalled the Elixir. I did not give it to him when I have passed it to the Macedonian for safe keeping. Bad judgement on my side. They gave it to the Mongols.”

“Back to Vlad. I circumvent the elixir, I made them my own elixir with the blood in me. I made them more subservient to my thoughts and also loaned them my strength. I survived but somehow my fame spread to Fu Manchu when he came to Europe. He was attracted to the Elixir and may had read the Mongol exploits. He sought me out and from there he worked his way into my life. He became my friend then before he took my blood. He was focused on it. It may not have worked unless he is a Vampire, so he returned to the task.”

“Now you want to kill him. And how may I not help?” Van Helsing asked. “Does that include Moriarty in the list? He gave me an arm.”

“Moriarty was the one who introduced us. He was also the one who knew a bit more on the Elixir?” Dracula threw out more. “I have a feud with Moriarty too. He did more than your arm. He took something of mine. He had something I entrusted to him. He had it inside your arm.”

It was then Dracula pulled out the metallic arm to reach in to retrieve a small item that resembled a key.

“It’s the final key to the Elixir case.” Dracula showed the key to Van Helsing. “The best place hide is in the common area where you will not bother looking.”

Unlike Sherlock, he studied everything he sees. He tends to observe small things. It was his learning and he used his n knowledge. He saw himself then in a huge tent but it was mounted on the huge carriage probably pulled by twelve horses. It was lavishly furnished for a comfortable ride. Not so much for the host he was to meet.

“Mr. Holmes, I doubt we met but my reputation superseded me. I am the real Fu Manchu. Fu Xia to be exact. The one you have been encountering on your island is none other than my double, a trusted servant which somehow now have become too used to that role that he had taken to deride me in name and rank.”

“And you do owe my family an explanation. You killed Tu Xia, my distant cousin. We were not close but he is family.” Tu Xia was Hathaway.

“The fake Emperor had traced the whereabouts of the Elixir and I will stop him from getting it.” The Emperor seated on the arranged curtain smiled. “Surprised? Don’t be. The elixir was not ours to take. Like the Vault which I helped to build, it was not the inmates to take on the world which we lived in. They have to be stopped but to kill them was not my method unless necessary.”

“Nice to meet you, Emperor. I might add that if I knew you better, you are no better than the one you accused as an imposter.” Sherlock replied. “The one thing that eluded me in the scrolls was it spoke of the elixir and why it must be moved from places but never why? Initially I thought of the pillage but then it may be more than that.”

“Yes, the elixir is kept in a secure place. It needed three keys; the key to open the outer door, the prayer to release the demons and the last key to open the box. Inside is the elixir.” The Emperor told Sherlock. “You knew of it from the etching on the rocks.”

“Why Jiayu Pass?” Sherlock asked. “Why Marco Polo left it there? He could have bargain it with any Kings or Emperors to be his ally.”

“Marco was a righteous man and above all a trader. He trades when there were things to bargain for. For the first, he was being fair to the Minister. He kept the Elixir with the Minister inside China boundary. Two, when he fought the Republic of Genoan, he did offer the elixir then as a bargain tool but he was dismissed as fake. In the end, he fought with his wealth and lost the war. He did not try to trade the elixir anymore for feared that it may be a fake. He left it out of his memoirs and died never revealing that secret.”

“But you knew.” Sherlock looked at the Emperor.

“I did because the demons told me. They were there before me, and to bargain for their freedom some of them told me bits and pieces. I am the Emperor and helped build the Vault to hold them and why should I free them. I dismissed it as fake but a part of me tells me it may be true. I sent my trusted servant and double to seek it. He was to be me on the journey and soon he was me to the ones he met. I could not leave my throne on such foolish notions. The double of mine was crafty. He had me placed into deep sleep with my drink while he sat on the throne. He fooled everyone including my Princess but she felt some difference. He had her sent to India to pursue Solomon treasure and the rest you knew. He would had continued on but I recovered and he fled. It took me time to recover back fully and once I was, I came here to protect the Elixir.”

“It was coincidence that we are all going there.” Sherlock muttered.

“Coincidence or karma. We are destined to do that is needed.”