6 The Cunning Device

The Eastern District of Cairo is home to a community of lavishing suburbs. It is located further from the congested central city. The names of these wealthy communities include Heliopolis, Nasr City, and New Cairo.

Heliopolis, however, houses one of the country's most dangerous crime figures, Black.

His name strikes terror in the hearts of many. His real name is Muhammed Asmin Hassan. Black is an epithet that he is known as in the underworld (criminal organization) because of the darkness that he pours into the lives of the innocent.

***************

Anubis and two of his men trudged down the vast hallways of his precious manor estate. A frame of wooden Herringbone tiles carpeted the floor. The tiles were plastered in a rhythmic pattern that pointed to the hallway walls in a V-shape. Pillar columns stood close to the walls, thus giving the manor a more majestic feeling. The more Anubis ran, the more the hallway stretched, causing frustration to build up.

At last, he arrived at the doorstep of his office and knocked on the door.

"Come in," answered Black.

The three entered his office and closed the door from behind. A bear skin rug carpeted the floor while a shelf of books leaned against the wall on their right side. Black sat behind his desk with his legs crossed, reading a book peacefully.

"Boss, something disturbing occurred in the city," Anubis said.

Black took a sip from a glass of whiskey. He placed the glass aside and leaned on his chair after putting the book aside.

"What is it this time, another rebellion, I presume?"

Anubis raised his head and addressed his superior. However, he was confident when confronting Kuhn Lau; this time, he was timid. 

"Fortunately, that's not the scenario. It is our old friend, Indistructo. It seems that he has rallied allies. Perhaps they are planning to do something big."

"I thought that he learned his lesson the last time. Why does he keep crawling up from the ditch like a cockroach?" He shouted with exasperation.

Anubis answered, "Do not forget, the boss; he has the power to sink this city into the sea if he dared to!"

Black placed his finger on the left side of his forehead and began to tilt his head towards the left side.

"Too bad he is too much of a softy to do so. That's the problem with macho people, Anubis, and they are all brawn but no brains. No wonder I can bend a man of such force to my knees."

He took another sip, and he placed the glass of whiskey aside. After that, he propped his elbows against the table's surface and pondered thoroughly about a strategic device.

"From his allies, who would you consider a feeble target?"

"I'd say the blob; he didn't retaliate when I threatened him."

"Good then, find a way to separate him from the other two. I will exemplify him so that everyone, including Indistructo, will learn not to defy me!"

************

All three gentlemen journeyed to Nicholas's apartment. His apartment consisted of four rooms, a kitchen, a bedroom, a living room, and a restroom.

It also had a balcony built outside of his bedroom. He would leave his room every morning and perch his elbows on the handrail. He would watch over the horizon and watch the sunrise from the east, spreading a dash of sunlight all around in hopes of welcoming everyone to the dawn of a new day. Additionally, the brisk wind diligently stroked his cheeks and blew his hair with love.

Upon arriving there, he prepared three dishes of Egyptian Fatteh. Egyptian Fatteh is a dish that consists of sliced pieces of beef. These slices are mixed favorably with rice, garlic, and layers of dried bread soaked in broth.

As usual, Pete would first stuff his face with food. At the same time, Kuhn Lau was talking to Nicholas. He swooped in and stole a small slice of meat.

"I still can't fathom how you blocked my kick?" 

"Kuhn Lau, Kuhn Lau, Kuhn Lau," he said while shaking his head.

"Haven't you heard that curiosity kills a cat? But I do admire your curiosity."

Kuhn Lau pulled his chair closer to the table, "By all means, indulge me." 

"Fine then, if you insist," he shrugged.

He reached for his right pocket and took out a talisman. When he placed it on the table, it emitted a golden aura. The amulet had the carving of a pouncing tiger amid the embodiment of a pentagram.

"I believe that you are familiar with this. If so, it means you are one of the six Divine Guardians."

"How did you know?" Kuhn Lau asked.

"Your kick was as hard as steel; even when I blocked it, your femur did not shatter. We Utopians are among the few species to naturally conjure and manipulate an iron body. A body is so firm that a punch will shatter a human skull. And the only Utopians on earth are the Divine Guardians, right?"

Kuhn Lau smiled with delight, "Of course you are. However, I still fail to understand why they called you Indistructo?"

Nicholas gently fell back on his chair and continued, "Indistructo is my superhero name. I used it to defend helpless villages from fearsome threats around Europe. I was well known throughout India; one day, I concluded my quest in Egypt.

I started my quest in this city. As soon as I got here, I put many thugs behind bars. In turn, I was able to win the mayor's daughter's heart. Her name is Nina.

We started a relationship of our own. However, there came a time when I had to move to another city. As soon as I left, I didn't realize I had given Black an opening. The damn government couldn't retaliate; they kissed his ass and left the lives of the citizens in his hands. That son of a bitch killed Nina's dad and kept her captive so that he could marry her! She denied his request and was locked away in the dungeon.

When I heard what happened, I came to her rescue. When I was about to rip his head from his neck, he threatened to kill her! I had to sign some shitty peace treaty to keep her alive!"

Kuhn Lau related with him. He placed his hand on his shoulder to console him.

"I now understand why you didn't want me to retaliate against the troopers; I would compromise Nina's life. However, you cannot allow this to continue forever. People are ill-treated, Nicholas! You have to do something about this!" Kuhn Lau said with revolt.

"What can I do Kuhn Lau? He has me cornered. The only way to take him down would be if I confronted him. And you know what will happen once I do so."

He lowered his head and faced the surface of the table. He rested his hands on his head, troubled by the implication of his rebellion.

"I don't know, Nicholas. However, this is not the time to drown in your sorrows. Rather, this is the time to take action and do something while you still have a chance."

While they were talking, Pete pottered outside. The scent of the succulent grilled meat cubes and sheesh kebab lured him out of the building.

Pete opened the door and looked around. He analyzed the coast to see if troopers were patrolling around. When the coast was clear, he crept out and swiftly made haste to a nearby salesman. The salesman was across the street.

He bought a kebab and kofta grilled meat. He made his way back to the apartment. However, just as he was about to enter through the door, Anubis and five of his colleagues appeared out of nowhere and stood before him.

"Are you going to pay double for sneaking out without a fine? Or should we arrest you for breaking the law?"

He shuddered in his boots as a dew of sweat dripped off from the fore brown of his forehead.

"Um... um...look over there! Somebody snuck out of their house!"

"What, where?" They inquired.

When they analyzed the block, they saw nothing. Much to their misfortune, Pete had already stormed off, emitting dust from the ground.

"After him!"

"Oh, crap! Just what I needed!" He muttered.

To make matters worse, they started firing at him. Fortunately for him, their aims were horrendous. A volley of bullets passed him with just a minor second.

He then transitioned into another route, just on his left. A stack of crates was packed on the pavement up ahead. He pushed the shelf of containers towards the road and continued his pursuit. The troop of soldiers came across the fallen frame of containers and stumbled over them.

After that, the latter saw an informal shop just up ahead. The shop, sheltered by a shriveled banner, sold a stack of oil tanks and a racket of tennis balls. Pete stopped by the shop and grabbed a tank of oil and a container of tennis balls. After that, he stormed off with magnificent speed as a local salesman called out to him.

"Hey, you! Bring back what you've stolen!"

"Sorry, I'll pay you back as soon as I find money!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.

He burst into a building situated at the corner of an intersection. He imploded inside and closed the door from behind; he then grabbed a chair and placed it under the knob. After that, he opened the tank and greased the floor with a splodge of oil. A lecherous smirk crept out from the corners of his lips when he poured the racket of tennis balls on the splodge of oil.

At last, he was done with his work and made haste towards the back door.

After some time, the soldiers from the front door burst into the scene by knocking down the door. While they stormed after him, they carelessly trudged on the oil and tennis balls. They slipped off their heels as soon as their feet came in contact with the splodge of oil.

"That's right! Never mess with a master prankster!" Taunted Pete as he gushed out of the building and continued down the road in an easterly direction.

However, as the saying goes, when a field of flowers blossoms, trouble sprouts out of their buds. Anubis and his men patiently waited for him and aimed when they saw him.

"Ah crap, I've been spotted!" He exclaimed.

"Freeze! Hands in the air! Right now!!!"

He halted and raised his hands. Anubis approached him and cuffed him from behind. They threw him into the van and transported him to Black's manor estate.

Upon arrival, they transferred him to a dungeon. On their way there, Anubis grabbed his hair and pulled him downstairs.

"Hey, easy, not the hair, not the hair!"

"If only you weren't fiddling, then I'd have no reason to grab your hair."

When they arrived at his cell, he threw him inside and locked him in after dusting his hands.

"All in a day's work. Have fun in there," he taunted.

Pete crawled up to his feet, and when he did so, he held his back and winced with agony.

He grabbed the cell bars violently and shouted, "You have no idea who you are messing with! I am one of the six Divine Guardians! If you so much as touch me, Kuhn Lau will beat the crap out of you!"

Anubis turned his attention towards him just before he withered away.

"That's right, take a good look at me! If I were, I'd do what's right and set me free!" He demanded.

Anubis scoffed, "You are such a fool. How do you expect me to take you seriously when you behave like a child?" He walked away while Pete called out to him like a madman.

"I said let me outta here!"

"He is not coming back. You are stuck with me," said a soft voice from behind.

He sat up straight and saw an enthralling young woman. The heavens have blessed her with beauteous, sparkling hazel eyes. With such angelic eyes, they have the sheer might to bend even the mightiest of men to their knees, not to mention a flow of blond hair cascading past her shoulder regions. Pete failed to comprehend the gift of grace this enthralling goddess bestowed upon him.

"I know I am well unsightly, but you do not need to look at me like that!" She said anxiously, hoping this strange man wouldn't have the means to harm her.

He crawled closer to her, and she dragged herself backward in response. She feared that he had something up his sleeve. Perhaps he desired to molest her, she thought. What reason would he have to molest her when she was hideous, she pondered. Unfortunately, she was unaware of the mesmerizing aura that she reflected.

"No, I don't think you are ugly; quite in fact, I'm surprised to find a beautiful woman like you in this dump."

"Her eyes nearly sprung off her sockets.

"Really? Do you think that I'm beautiful?"

"Dear, I don't think that you are beautiful. I know you are because I find the fragrance of your beauty quite compatible with expensive perfume."

Her cheeks flustered red.

"May I know your name, my fair lady?"

"Oh...uh, my name is Nina."

"Uh, such a spectacular name Nina; quite profitable for a unique person like yourself."