Chapter 19: Jakarta April 2040.

I woke up in a luxurious bedroom, with smooth Egyptian cotton sheets and a superb view. It wasn't bad at all, much better than waking up in Vladimir's torture chamber! I looked out through the window. The view was magnificent, but where was I? The door opened, and Elaine entered the room.

"How do you like my new penthouse?" Elaine asked.

"It's amazing. What happened?" I asked

"Do you refer to my good looks or how I got you out of the mess you created in Sydney? Elaine smirked.

I looked at Elaine. She looked amazing; it was like she was young again. I decided to flatter her looks before I moved on to more relevant topics.

"You look amazing, Elaine. How did you do it?" I asked.

"I was looking for the fountain of youth and I found it. My chemists found a way to replicate the chemical composition of a type of mud, found in a temple on Kalaotoa Island." Elaine revealed.

"Amazing, you can make a fortune from beauty products," I replied.

"No. I'll save the best for myself. That's how I saved your life." Elaine replied.

I nodded. I guess it was time to find out there more important question. How did Elaine save my life?

"So, how did you save me in Sydney?" I asked.

"Do you remember the invisibility suits we found schematics for in the Sunken Pyramid of Kiribati?" Elaine stated.

"Yes, of course, I do," I replied.

"I have kept the technology a secret. Only a handful of my most loyal followers know about it. When I heard about your trip to Sydney, I sent my l agents Budi and Rexi to follow you around." Elaine revealed.

"I didn't notice anything?" I asked.

"You can't see what you are not looking for. My agents weren't a threat, so your monocle didn't perceive them as such." Elaine replied.

I nodded. The invisible armour was a marvellous invention, albeit easy to detect for someone actively looking for it.

"How did your agents get me out of there?" I asked.

"After the shootout, I realised that my agents needed to intervene. I ordered Budi and Rexi to knock you out and cover you in an invisibility blanket. After that, they carried you to one of my safe houses. After nightfall, they drove you to the airport and flew you here." Elaine revealed.

"Thank you, Elaine," I replied.

"Don't worry about it. I have been thinking of going after Pierre Beaumont for a long time. It might be time for us to strike back against that bastard." Elaine replied.

"Agreed. Any news about Sabina." I asked.

Hearing Sabina's name, Elaine's gaze darkened. "I don't want to talk about that spawn of your infidelity!" Elaine shouted.

"So, you would rather be angry about things happening 20 years ago than doing what is right for our future?" I pleaded.

Elaine calmed down. I could see tears running down her cheek. "Okay, I'll ask my associates to keep an eye out for her. Have a rest, Martin. You have serious wounds, and I got a business to run.

Elaine left the room, and I got into the bubble bath in the bathroom. I calmed down. I had saved Sabina's life, but there was nothing more I could do now. Leaving the relative safety of Elaine penthouse in Jakarta was a terrible idea as that would put a target on my back. No matter what I did, I couldn't help Sabina anymore. I lay back in the hot water and hoped that Sabina really was the destined saviour of humankind.

***

I was sitting in the private dining room of the Harapan Conglomerate building. I hadn't seen much of Elaine since I spoke to her three days earlier. It was just as well; I did not know what we would talk about in any case.

I was enjoying some chicken skewers with Indonesian Gado-Gado salad when Elaine approached me.

"Pierre and Sandra are dead. They both died in the Mexican Civil War." Elaine said with a melancholic voice.

"Pierre's death should be a cause for celebration. So, why the long face?" I replied.

Elaine got seated opposite me at the dining table. "I am not sad about Pierre's death. It's just…" Elaine said.

"Just what?" I asked.

"The monocles gave us all so much intelligence. Such great opportunities to shape the world to the better. And look what happened to us. Ben and Szymon obsessed about a religious genocide and you killed them. Pierre started wars to make more money and did nothing to improve humankind, despite owning more than he ever could spend. You travelled the world looking for magical artefacts leaving a trail of corpses and destruction as you went…" Elaine sighed.

"What about you? Jakarta looks like the perfect city. You did something good for humanity." I replied.

"There are mass graves found all over Indonesia. I used my control over the media to silence the news. When I ordered a clean-up of our capital, I looked the other way when corrupt officials butchered the poor and disabled. While I didn't order their deaths, I am still complicit." Elaine revealed.

I pondered Elaine's statement. She was correct when she blamed her actions. But I didn't want to criticise my host and guardian angel, so I replied. "At least you didn't order their deaths. But there is still one person who can change this world for the better." I said.

"Sabina?" Elaine asked.

"Yes!" I replied.

Elaine sighed in resignation. "You have too high hopes on that girl. She'll also become a tyrant if the world allows it."

"One must hope for a better future, otherwise there is no point in living," I stated.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do," Elaine replied.

Elaine got up from the table and was about to leave when one of her agents came in.

"Kami telah menemukan gadis itu. Dia ada di Hawaii" The agent said.

I had studied enough Indonesian during the past few days to know what that meant. Sabina was in Hawaii!

***

"Elaine, I need to borrow a private jet, some clothes and a suitcase," I said.

"Of course. Hold on, I will conjure these objects like a genie." Elaine scoffed.

I sighed. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation.

"Elaine. Sabina is in Hawaii. I need to bring her Pachamama's Veil so that she can recharge the Zeto Crystal." I pleaded.

"What are you going to do after that? Having some father-daughter time and kill people?" You are on your own." Elaine taunted.

I heard the voice of Rangda in the back of my head. "Tell Elaine that you are bringing Sabina to the Sunken Pyramid of Kiribati. Tell her that Sabina is the only one who can open the portal inside the pyramid and stop the apocalypse."

I reiterated what Rangda told me to Elaine and she gave me a cold stare. "Is that your words or Rangda's words?" Elaine mocked.

"Rangda's" I sighed.

Elaine sat down and seemed to think for a while. Eventually, she spoke. "I am helping you on one condition."

"What's your condition?" I asked.

"That you approach Sabina as her captor and not as her ally!" Elaine stated.

"Her captor? How do you suggest that I capture a supernatural sorceress aided by an ancient deity?" I scoffed.

"We kidnap Alex. Alex is Sabina's weakness, and he is not protected. We'll force her to follow our commands using him as a hostage."

"Why? That seems unnecessary. I am sure she'll come by her own will if I explain things to her." I replied.

"That's beside the point. You're sending this girl to face Rangda, and Rangda wants you to send her. Sabina doesn't have a chance. You shouldn't pretend to be the friend of Sabina and then send her to her doom. I am sick of your duplicitousness." Elaine ranted.

I didn't like Elaine's suggestion, but I agreed to it. There was most likely an international arrest warrant after me so I couldn't travel with regular flights.

"Okay, Elaine. Let's do things your way. Get your men ready and we'll pay Mr Alexander O'Neill a visit in Hawaii.