webnovel

1

"I was born twice. First as a cutie, my rebirth is vindictive. Even the good Lord said, 'vengeance is mine, and recompense, in the time when their foot shall slide'.Amen!" These words were mumbled under a masculine breath.

"57,58,59,60". He alighted from a 9ft horizontal bar in good sweat as his face beamed. He took five seconds to appreciate his muscular and lanky physique which reflected on the bar.

He picked up the towel lying on his bed and dried up the droplets on his torso. Then the siren blared and it was almost dampened by the sound from the doors opening and being slammed.

There was a loud march into the arcade and the uniformity in which it was done would be so much appreciated. They all stacked up in array and there was utmost silence in the arena.

Tension was growing so much in the minds of the Glaziers as they were always called. The arena was brought to life by an eloquent, soft voice, "my fellow brothers and sisters. We wake up to a new dawn, a new revolution, we are not just gonna sit back and take this anymore. The lies, the charades, the killings, the oppression, the lootings. God is not gonna come down from heaven, He is gonna send someone. We wipe out every dirt, even if it's a speck. We show no mercy, even if it's your blood".

'Yes Messiah', from about 500 glaziers in the arena echoed and shook it down to its foundation.

'Our quest is closer than we've ever imagined', gesticulating with his index and middle fingers, he approached his seemingly focused audience. 'We are closer than we've ever been. There will be opposition, but we are ready. We are certified, we've been born, bred and buttered to break down any unit, even if it's an atom". He delivered his speech with a smile on his face. The softness in his voice was hypnotising, and it was matched with a calm look.

He then dispatched the crowd so they could start off their training for the day.

'Today's training will be different', said Commander Wade. A rugged and runaway soldier who left the force because he felt they were treated as serfs. While defending his nation, he lost his family, his left pinky. There is no dispute life has kicked Wade so hard in the butt. While rolling like a ball, he met the Messiah as he was desperate for need. In Wade's words, 'Messiah gave me life, gave me a reason to live when I was at a dead end.' There is definitely no question to why Wade has pledged his loyalty to the Messiah.

Wade is a tall and well built man. He is a man who wears a stern look on his face all the time. He claims he has no reason to smile. Well, he might be right, he has no family, his country betrayed him despite his loyalty.

'Just as I said, today's training would be different. Grab a partner, the next person to you'. No one would dare slack when Commander Wade gives an instruction. He looks vicious and has a scar on his face, which has given him much comparison to Kratus, the God of war.

Well, Wade might just be the God of war. He is a survivor of countless heated battles, he is a master in various styles of fighting, jiu-jitsu, karate, boxing. His use of weapons is also impeccable.

Everyone grabbed a partner in a matter of split seconds. Wade explained the exercise as everyone looked and listened keenly, taking note of every word. "Y'all will spar today and you show no mercy. The first to make the other submit emerges victorious. Sweat, tears and blood, you still go on."

Everyone affirmed, 'Sir, yes sir'.

The combat started, first it was a fight between two tall, well carved out boys. One had an innocent face while the other looked like an ex-convict. The bout started, and in under three minutes, the innocent looking boy made the other tap with a kimura. It was over.

The Messiah was impressed and sent for the two boys. He told the guy who submitted in the most comforting tone ever, 'you did real good. You just didn't concentrate well enough and you boys, hug things out. You carry on and work harder.'

'Oscar, wait behind. You were good, you used a kimura on him. That was brilliant. You fight with so much purpose, so calculated and you are skilful. Take this coin, a symbol of my love towards you. Carry on son and God bless you'. He said all these with his soft palm on Oscar's face.

My name is Oscar, a boy who has no one in the cosmos other than the Messiah and my fellow glaziers. Well, the Messiah is not my father but he has treated me like a son. The last memory of my family I have is how my family was attacked on the first of January, ten years ago.

I remember my dad was hit with the butt of a rifle as he passed out. My mum and my sisters were bullied into a van. The only thing of them I have is the picture of my perfect family which I keep in my locker always. Now, I look to haunt down those that separated me from my family.

In a bid to do this, I train hard, I grind so hard.

Who could have ever expected me to be on this quest? No one, not even myself.

I grew up on the streets of Africa, the Western part of Nigeria. I was this over pampered, easy going brat. Growing up was lovely as I was showered with so much love being the only son of the Arogunde family. I, Oscar Arogunde was smart but I often got bullied. Now, I can't help but laugh. The one that remains fresh in my head was that of Audu, the class bully. He often bullied me until I had to step up for myself. I hit him so hard with a stick on his legs and he went weak in the knees. I then pounced on him and hit him so hard in the groin. I felt fulfilled, but it was short lived as he and his gang waylaid me. I got a beating of my lifetime and that killed my self esteem.

Months after, the sad experience happened and I got separated from my family. I don't know if they are living or not. The Messiah saw me on the roads of Didanga and rendered a helping hand. He brought me to the arcade and took good care of me. He made me feel at home, showered me with so much love, gave me education, he rekindled my self esteem. I will forever be indebted to him.

Bab berikutnya