Chapter 20: Hawaii, April 2040

I watched in anticipation as our private jet prepared to land on the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. I had been many years since Elaine, and I had been travelling together. For a moment, I could almost imagine that none of the dreadful things had happened.

Then I opened my eyes, and I saw Elaine's rough-looking agents Budi and Rexi, which reminded me of why we were going to Hawaii. We weren't going for a holiday; we were going to continue our lifetime of villainy.

"So, you gave up your idea about having a Varangian Guard?" I asked.

"Yes, the incident in Kiribati proved the foolishness in surrounding myself with criminals from the other end of the world." Elaine replied.

"So, how are you recruiting your inner circle now?" I asked.

"I recruit them from the orphanages that I operate. Budi and Rexi are like my foster children. They and my other agents respect my vision and follow my commands." Elaine replied.

"Well, at least they haven't tried to kill me yet," I smirked.

"With the emphasis on YET," Elaine replied.

We got out of the plane. The weather was perfect, warm, and sunny, with a cooling breeze from the ocean. The mountains in the background seemed ideal for a hike.

"Hey. How about we go on a hike tomorrow. I'd love to explore the Mountains. The Manoa Falls trail should be beautiful." I said excitedly.

Elaine gave me a sceptical look and replied. "Really? You want to go hiking? We came here on a mission, remember?"

I shrugged my shoulders and replied. "If Budi and Rexi could get me out of Sydney when everyone was looking for me, I am sure that they'll face no problem kidnapping Alex. I have rented a cabin off the beaten track," I replied.

Elaine studied me for a while and replied. "I guess you're right. A cabin in the wilderness is an excellent place to keep Alex while you 'persuade' Sabina to face Rangda."

"Great! We'll have a marvellous time. Let's go!" I replied.

We got in the rental car, and Budi drove us to the Cabin.

***

After some morning rain, the sun glimmered through an opening in the cloud cover. I went out from the cabin, and I watched Budi and Rexi driving away, to kidnap Alex. I went over to Elaine who was intensely focused on her laptop.

"What are you doing, my beautiful queen?" I teased.

"I am running my business empire," Elaine replied.

"Running? You are very stationary?" I teased.

Elaine gave me an annoyed gaze.

"Come join me for a swim in the lake," I said.

"But I am busy." Elaine objected.

"Honestly. What do you think you'll regret more on your deathbed? Not swimming in this beautiful lake, or not spending more time tapping on your laptop?" I asked.

"You're right. A swim would be nice." Elaine sighed and closed her laptop.

We walked over to the jetty.

"I don't have any clothes." Elaine objected.

"You don't need any!" I teased and took off all my clothes.

Elaine studied my naked body for a while and exclaimed. "Martin, you have so many scars."

"Well I haven't aged like a fine wine; more like a piece of stale meat. But I am still the same person" I teased.

"You are not that bad," Elaine replied and undressed.

I stared at her body. The Kalaotoa Island mud, combined with some other place surgeries, had made her sexier than ever.

"Don't just stand there. Get in!" Elaine exclaimed, and she jumped into the water.

I followed suit, and I swam to her. Our gaze met and we kissed. There and then I felt that a heavy burden had fallen off my chest and I felt hopeful for the future.

***

I spent the day catching up on bedroom activities with Elaine. In the evening, Budi and Rexi returned with Alex bound and gagged.

I walked up to Alex, removed his blindfold and gag.

"Who are you?" Is this revenge for Mexico?" the terrified Alex asked.

"Calm down, Mr O'Neill. We are happy that you killed Pierre. But We need you as a bargaining chip against Sabina." I replied.

"Sabina? What do you want from her?" Alex asked.

"I want her to fulfil her destiny. I want her to travel through the portal in the Sunken Pyramid of Kiribati and face Rangda." I replied.

"Sabina would want that too. So why did you kidnap me?" Alex whined.

"Well, as you should have realised by now, Sabina is not entirely human. She can control the minds of others, and she survived dozens of shots in Jerusalem." I revealed.

Alex looked away for a while, sighed and replied. "Yes. I was blind for years, but I recently realised that she different. She brought me back from the dead in Mexico." Alex admitted.

"Very well, then you realise why I need collateral?" I asked.

Alex didn't reply, and I took a photo of Alex where he sat, tied to a chair.

I was walking out of the room when Alex shouted. "Wait. Who are you, and why are you doing this?

"I am Martin Al-Sham, and I am doing this because I must," I replied and left the room.

***

I was outside room 853 at the luxurious Halekulani resort, where Sabina and Alex were straying. I used Alex's key card and I opened the door.

I saw Sabina sitting on the couch overlooking the park and beach below.

"Alex, is that you?" Sabina asked and turned around.

Sabina shook her head when she spotted me. "Hmm, I reckoned that you would show up eventually." Sabina sneered.

"Did Benjamin Cook tell you to come here?" Sabina shouted.

"I don't know who that is, I have other ways of finding you. Hurry up! We got a job to do!" I replied.

Sabina got up from the couch and walked up to me.

"Wow. How nice. 'We got a job to do'. You have no right to tell me what to do. Besides are you part of the same conspiracy as Pierre? It didn't end well for Pierre." Sabina taunted.

"I know. And that's why I have taken precautions." I replied and handed Sabina a picture of Alex.

Seeing that I had Alex in captivity, Sabina sunk down in the couch and covered her face. "What do you want?" She cried.

"I want you to fulfil your destiny. Travel to Kiribati with me and activate the portal in the Sunken Pyramid." I commanded.

"I can't. The Zeto Crystal is out of energy." Sabina objected and showed me the dull crystal.

I looked at the crystal. There was no way to visually distinguish it from a large sapphire when it wasn't charged. I thought of touching the crystal to feel it, but I pushed that notion aside. After all, I didn't know the extent of Sabina's magical powers, so I had to be careful.

"That's not a problem. I know how to charge it." I replied.

"How?" Sabina asked.

"You'll see once we reach Kiribati. But we better hurry. My associates don't like waiting." I urged.

"And what if I refuse to come with you?" Sabina argued.

"Then I'll let you go. I am not stupid enough to threaten a woman under divine protection. But Alex doesn't have the same protection, does he?" I taunted.

Sabina sat silent and sobbed. I felt terrible for treating her this way, and I wanted to hold her and comfort her. But Elaine was right. I couldn't be friendly and pretend to care about Sabina and at the same time sent her to face Rangda. I couldn't be kind to someone and then sacrifice her for the greater good.

Sabina wiped off her tears and spoke. "Okay. I'll come with you. We share the same goal, after all."

I nodded a smiled in relief. "Excellent. I have a plane waiting at the airport. We are leaving at once." I commanded.

Sabina nodded, packed a few things in a small bag and followed me as I left the hotel.