A Deal You Can't Refuse

Assayah looked at Kenchi, who was sitting on the opposite side of the dining table. Kenchi arrived at Assayah's house as a friend to look in Samantha's case and find a solution for it. Samantha was slowly eating soup from her bowl. From some days, Samantha was a little depressed as many things changed for her. Peter's death was very bad for her as she lost a lot of money in the fake documents that Peter issued in her name. Assayah managed to take back some of the money by blackmailing some important people and also managed to keep the legal issues at bay.

But, that much was not enough as the fake properties and heavy loans Peter took on Samantha's name have devoured both her house and properties. Samantha is currently living in Assayah's house and day by day, she is turning paranoid and neurotic. Assayah perfectly knew what was happening with Samantha and therefore he called Kenchi to solve her case and also keep her safe in the Monastery for two to three months until Assayah sorts everything out. Kenchi also wants Samantha in the Monastery as her presence in the Monastery will attract Xao Chang's attention and then he can play his dirty politics. Kenchi said, "Look, Samantha. I know many bad things have occurred with you in a couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean you have to be so gloomy and sad.

Bad incidents and good incidents are all normal in any human's life. I, myself was on the brink of mental breakdown a couple of years ago. My girlfriend left me for somebody, my boss kicked me out, my friends betrayed me in the time of need and a very close person of mine died unexpectedly. I had no reason to live and was about to die, when an angel arrived and saved me. She took me to her heaven and soon all my problems faded away like they never existed. Do you want to come to heaven, too?" Samantha said, "I don't know what kind of idiot Assayah has called for me? I don't want your help." Kenchi smiled, "Skepticism is good but sometimes it turns out to be very bad. I'm a certified psychiatrist and I have treated many patients who were in even worse conditions than you are." Samantha said angrily, "I'm not mad. Why is everyone thinking that I faked my rape and killed my cousin? Peter raped me and then I don't what happened with him. How did he die? But, I didn't kill him."

Assayah said, "We are not sending you to any asylum, Samantha. We are just trying to keep you safe. The people who killed Peter will try to harm you too. I know how these criminals work and that's why I want you to be safe with Kenchi. He will take care of you." Samantha rose and said, "If everything has to be done by others, what will you do? You are not the man that I once fell in love with. Shame on you, Assayah." She stormed out.

Kenchi said, "She is quite feisty. Handling her will be quite difficult." Assayah said, "We have no other option, Kenchi. She likes it or not, but she can't stay here any longer. Both her physical and mental health are at risk here." Kenchi said, "I don't want to do this. Call Kayuba and send her to me by tomorrow evening. It will be better if we smuggle her inside in the dark of the night." Assayah asked, "Where is Kayuba? I have no time to go and search for him. If he is not responding, send someone to inquire about him. Maybe, Gizop will be better for this job. Finding lost people is his forte."

Kenchi said, "Gizop is dead. He got drunk and irritated some bad guys and they killed him. But, I have an even better person for the job in my mind." Assayah asked, "Who is he?" Kenchi said, "Robert Jędrzejczyk. A polish mercenary and ex-black guard sniper. He is perfectly capable of extracting Kayuba from whatever shithole Kayuba currently is." Assayah said, "Never heard of him. Is he new?" Kenchi smiled, "Yes. I met him during the previous annual meet of mercenaries. He was looking for a provider and after careful examination, I hired him. He is much better than that drunkard Gizop." Assayah said, "Alan Gizop was a loyal hired help for us for several years and he carried out many dangerous missions for us. You should at least take his name with respect now that he is no more."

Kenchi smiled, "Gizop was your lapdog and that's why you are so much praising him. Robert is much more efficient in his works than Gizop." Assayah said, "Whatever, tell him to do the job and then I will pay him handsomely for his service." Kenchi asked, "Kayuba is such a good warrior. Do you think he is in some trouble?" Assayah said, "Tell Robert to be careful. The person who can capture Kayuba is definitely not someone to be taken lightly at all." Kenchi asked, "Alice?" Assayah said, "Manacans are Xao Chang's problem. We tried everything to retrieve the spear but we failed. It will be better now to wait for him and then think about the Manacans." Kenchi asked, "Won't he punish us for this incompetence?" Assayah smiled, "If he has really learnt anything from centuries of mediation, then he will not try to kill his loyal servants." Kenchi said, "Loyal servants? Still? We are not anymore the demons we were in centuries ago. We have evolved much and it looks like there might be soon a new governance in the Monastery."

Assayah said, "Remember my one advice, Kenchi. No one will vote for you." Kenchi asked, "Why?" Assayah said, "Because you are too greedy. No one would like a greedy person to be the master of the Monastery. Everyone is just bearing you till Xao Chang comes." Assayah disappeared in purple smoke. Kenchi mumbled, "Greed? No, Assayah. I'm not greedy. I'm hungry. Hungry for power and dominance. Xao Chang also established the Monastery for his selfish motives, so why can't I be a little selfish too?"

Bayu was looking at Kayuba who was sitting at the other end of the cell. Bayu said, "You could have been a good friend of mine, but you chose to be a betrayer just like Assayah." Kayuba said, "Your grudge against Assayah is useless. He had done what was necessary for the well being of you and Assayah. Xao Chang will never accept such relationships. He believes in only salvation and to attain salvation, you have to eliminate all the physical needs of the body and concentrate all your attention and power in the aim of ultimate devotion towards Xao Lin. In short, he wants us to live like sages."

Bayu asked, "Are you a saint? Or is Bacca, Kenchi or my master? Is Xao Chang himself a celibate?" Kayuba said, "Celibacy is not necessary. It is just that you shouldn't start loving the relationship. You started loving Elizabeth with all your heart and that's why she was killed. I understand you....." Bayu grabbed his throat and said, "Don't act to show sympathy towards me. I know what kind of mind tricks you play with people." Kayuba said, "Release me, Bayu. Things won't turn any good even if you keep me here for a hundred years. Xao Chang is your enemy and if you want any change, try convincing him." Bayu said, "I won't. I will slowly kill all the best people of Xao Chang and then he will turn weak and perish himself." Kayuba laughed, "That's the wrong theory, son. Xao Chang is not someone who depends on his minions. Even if you kill all of us, he will hatch new ones instantly. You are afraid to face him and that's why you are trying to vent all your frustrations on us." Bayu said, "Oh really. Then, why does Novaria say that destroying the Monastery will be Xao Chang's end?"

Kayuba said, "Bayu. You are a smart guy. Try to look at the reality. You are much bigger than this vendetta shit. Novaria is just using you like she uses others. She has sex with you, right?" Bayu asked, "How do you know that?" Kayuba smiled, "You are not the first. She has used her vagina many times to make someone else take her revenge from Xao Chang. She calls it love, but I call it madness. Don't drown in her beauty. You want justice, I will give you justice. The imprisonment has made me realise how wrong I was all my life. Aiding the corrupt and bastard people has made me a sinner. Now, I will no longer serve those hypocrites. I will fight against them." Bayu asked, "What do you mean?" Kayuba said, "You remember Alice?" Bayu said, "Yes. She is the only person who is going to end Xao Chang." Kayuba said, "We are going to talk with her." Bayu said, "What's on your mind, Kayuba?" Kayuba smiled.

Aliyah was sitting in her room and reading books when she felt a negative presence near the house. She immediately formed a security sphere around the house and went outside. She was born shocked and angry when she saw Kayuba was coming towards her. The murderer of numerous elves and an age old enemy of her, she was furious beyond imagination. She immediately withdrew her sword and ran towards Kayuba but Kayuba was quick and dodged the attack. He said, "I have come to negotiate, Aliyah. We both know that you can't defeat me. So, fighting me is futile. Let's not repeat history." Aliyah was indeed not strong enough to defeat Kayuba because she was a ghost and moreover without Alice, her power is already halved.

Aliyah swung her sword at him, but this time he caught the blade and threw her on the ground. Kayuba said, "Meet me inside when you are able to rise." Kayuba entered inside and saw Rachel was cooking food. Kayuba mumbled, "Why does she look familiar?" He walked upstairs and entered Aliyah's room. Aliyah suddenly appeared and threw a dagger at his chest, but the dagger only bounced off without doing any harm. Kayuba said, "Aliyah. Aliyah. Aliyah. Why are you Manacans so stubborn? In the previous war, your stubbornness killed all of your families. Do you want to repeat it once again?"

Aliyah gathered all her might and swung her sword at him but her sword broke into several pieces. Bayu appeared and said, "Enough of this drama. We are not here to dig up old graves but to think ahead for a brighter future." Aliyah asked, "Who the fuck are you?" Bayu smiled, "Of course. You don't remember me because you have heard about me. Anyway, my introduction isn't the most important matter right now." Aliyah said, "Get out of my house right now or else I will have to call Alice. Then, you guys will see what I'm capable of." Kayuba smiled, "I have already seen your capability. So, these empty threats won't work. Sit down and listen to my proposal very carefully."

Aliyah had no other option than to sit with her nemesis and have a conversation. Aliyah said, "If it's your new plan or something, remember that the consequences will be dire." Kayuba laughed, "Dire consequences? For us or you? Listen, girl. I have served Xao Chang for many centuries and have done blindly everything that he had ordered me to do. I have no enmity with you or any Manacan, but you guys have always considered us as your enemies rather than Xao Chang. You consider him as a delusional person and us as pure evil to do his job. Yes, I have done many evil things in the past, but now I want to change. There is no selfish or any other ulterior motive in my negotiation and I promise that I will stay loyal to you."

Aliyah looked at both of them and was puzzled. Aliyah is sitting in a room with Kayuba, who wants to have "friendly conversation". Aliyah said, "You are saying that you are just a servant of Xao Chang and you have no grudges against the Manacans or Mother Manaca." Kayuba smiled, "Yes. That's the truth." Aliyah asked, "What brought this change of mind?" Kayuba sighed, "It didn't happen in one day, but gradually. I have tolerated Xao Chang's tyranny since now, but I don't want to do it any longer. It has to end and it will begin from now onwards." Aliyah said, "I have to discuss this matter with my friends first and then I will come to a decision." Kayuba rose and said, "Do it first, girl. We don't have much time. Xao Chang is very close to finishing his mediation." Aliyah said, "I have to test you first, Kayuba. I can't talk with my tribe without assurance and you have to prove it to me anyway."

Kayuba asked, "What test will I have to give?" Aliyah said, "I want you to go to the Manacan kingdom and help my brothers and sisters in winning the war against that traitor Kystion. Centuries earlier, you helped those dirty creatures and now you will prove your loyalty by killing them. If I hear positive appreciation from my people regarding you and your friend, then we will have a deal." Kayuba said, "Then, it is a deal." He extended his hand but Aliyah said, "We still have a score to settle. You killed my cousins and Elgin's brother. You won't be forgiven for that." Kayuba said, "Understandable." He and Bayu disappeared and Aliyah looked at the sky and said, "Why Mother Manaca? Why? How many more tests do you still have for me?" She sighed and went inside her room as the sun slowly set behind the horizon...