Chapter 26
Chapter 26
The "Frietunics Auditorium" the largest hall in Capetown bore thirty thousand entomologists from all around the world, who had come to address the issue of aphids infestation, a recurrent devastating problem. The world's food production was at a remarkable decline as the attack got to it's peak, resulting in super losses which were obtained and recorded. If this situation wasn't addressed as soon as possible, hungry days and great population decline would be the ordeal in the future. Hence, the meeting was held to discuss the shortcomings and seemly future prospects in curbing the pandemic outbursts.
If only the entomologists knew before hand about the recent attacks by creatures and humans like them, would have supposedly scheduled the meeting online. They were clearly clueless of the rampage going on, as it was just a recent occurrence.
With the ongoing meeting, suggestions for the control of the alarming situations were highlighted.
"At this very moment of crisis, I'm suggesting we seek the chemical methods. The biological methods which includes the organic and likes of it, can come later on. This situation does not call for leniency, we have to resort to the use of advanced and newly formulated active pesticides." The chairman of the association, Mr James Hooke stated. He was an Australian from Sydney.
When murmurs resonated around, he continued, "Any new ideas? Whatever you think is best for the world, kindly put us through." At his words, someone else stood to air her view, a woman from England.
"Resorting to the use of advanced formulated pesticides will no doubt bring about the level of change we want, at least for the present era. How about the future … let's say in the next five to seven years? Such heavy chemicals have a great tendency of poisoning the human systems. You know … we humans are trying hard to fight mortality and yet the methods implored is no way different in leading to mortality itself. I think we should go for something a tad different. Something much more biological than chemical, not solely requiring active ingredients and formulas. Thank you." And she sat down.
Mr James had some adjustsments to make, it was obvious that he was misunderstood. Standing right up, he said:
"Its news that the world is on the lagging side of health issues which is due to results and effects of chemical reactions which have mostly led to system poisoning. Very true, but recently, there are advanced and purely made formulas with little to no effect on human and animal life." For emphasis, he projected different images of newly manufactured pesticides on slides, centering on the active ingredients, concentrations and precautions.
The other entomologists saw reasons with him, this was a gateway to securing and sustaining the world's population, hence they readily agreed with the chairman. The entire auditorium was filled with pleasant smiling faces of scientists. Joyful murmurs and harmony flowed through the whole place until someone else stood. The new person (man) who stood had a very strange expression.
"Your options can not save the world." At his words, the whole place grew silent that the drop of a pin could be heard.
What?
The man seeing the shocked faces of his colleagues, widened his smile.
"Nothing you do will ever save the world. The bottom line is, the world is completely destroyed, nothing … I repeat nothing will ever restore it. Do not waste your time, just the way you see, it's all gone to dust."
The chairman stared incredulously at the strange man speaking. Perhaps the man had lost all purpose and aspirations in containing the plight, consequently Mr James moved to encourage him. But before he could voice out a word, he got the shock of his life with the strange man's next words.
"The world will never see the dawn of a new day, that I assure you." The murmurs built up but the man wasn't wavered, if anything, his voice got stronger and firmer. He moved away from his seat and headed slowly to the chairman. Mr James on the other hand, stood hypnotised as he stared at the approaching stranger.
The stranger got to the chairman and said in a loud voice:
"The world will never be repaired because my members and I will completely destroy it! You all will return to dust!" Admist the shouts and uproar of the other entomologists, the strange man quickly grabbed Mr James by the throat and looked deeply into his soul. And that was it; he sucked out the life from the chairman and the lifeless body landed with a defeaning thud on the floor. This resonated a chaotic atmosphere as the auditorium was lit with shocked gasps and heart wrenching screams.
The strange man was Adrain's minion, the leader of the subordinates. Strength swirled through him and he smirked at his members who immediately followed his lead: taking the souls of the entomologists. His members like him, had feigned membership with the scientists. At the moment, their true being was unconcealed as they took the souls.
The entire auditorium was completely sealed as a result, no one was allowed to exit the place. Wailings reverberated throughout the building. It was the most agonizing moments for the entomologists whose souls were yet to be taken as they watched their friends, colleagues and mentors killed in the most inhumane way, knowing that it would be their turn to leave the Earth.
Adrain's minions; over five hundred of them present, took the defenseless souls. They were quite aware that henceforth, their deeds were now out and proud to the whole world. People would be more cautious and the "Earth Protectors" would fight back. As if any of that mattered, Adrain's minions supposed that they themselves were the real gig. They believed that the Earth Protectors were completely at their mercy, they weren't even there to save the world as they claimed they would, it was all talk and bark. The so-called Earth Protectors had allowed themselves to be swayed by their member, so unwise of them. And now, here they were, claiming the souls the PrE swore to protect.
Within minutes, the population of the entomologists had reduced to half the initial number. Lifeless cold bodies lay carelessly on the floor with fear-striken, quivering and crying living ones awaiting their death, pleading for their lives and thinking about their loved ones left behind. It was indeed a soul wrenching scene as they had lost all hope and purpose and the lot of them were left to their fate.
Then salvation came!
****†***†******
3 hours earlier …
Eucharia faced the other occupants of the room as they on the other hand, awaited her speech. There had been dead silence and sleeplessness after the screeches and wailings charade. Each of them had looked at the other in terror, as everything was happening really faster than they had ever anticipated.
With the coming of two new people; Olivia and Jane, terror was replaced with a little bit of relief. The two newcomers oblivious of the precarious situation, appeared apprehensive as they had hurried down due to the urgency in Eucharia's voice when she had told then to hurry over. The others were relieved that Olivia and Jane were unharmed, as they hadn't encountered any of Adrain's minion. They eventually settled down together, trying to fight off the panic.
The next couple of hours went by pretty slowly and was spent with informing the other "Earth Protectors" about the recent updates. Sarah and Eucharia each called the different sub-heads of the "PrE" in various countries of the world. There were about 40 "Earth Protectors" in each country. Having called the sub-heads, they would in turn relate the plight to their members.
Luke held Todd's hand while his twin and Maggi were engaged in a silent conversation.
"Hope you're okay dear?" Luke asked Todd, basically he wasn't really himself just wanted to make sure someone else wasn't as pensive as he was.
"I am actually trying to be. How about you?" Todd asked and managed to put on a smile. He wanted assuring his mentor that there was no problem … even when there obviously was.
"I'm okay, seeing you and everyone else has indeed lifted up my pensive mood. I'm glad to finally meet you." They smiled gazing at each other. After a while, Todd looked at his right hand's middle finger where he'd worn the ring Luke had given him. He gazed at the ring in what seemed to be in awe as Luke watched him silently, waiting on him to voice out his inner thoughts.
"You haven't yet told me how you defended yourself with this ring … I mean, it's quite unbelievable to hear that this little ring can keep attacks at bay. How is that even possible?" Todd asked, looking back at his mentor. Luke smiled and slowly smoothed the youth's hair, he too was baffled by the ring's powers yet he tried to answer the young man's question.
"Sure, the ring defended me and Aaron. Some sort of creatures, about two of them came upon us and … I just can't explain this. But then my brother and I each wore the ring. Each of us pointed the finger in which we wore the ring at the creatures like the female seer in Egypt had instructed, and what I saw was that something that looked like a transparent shield concealed us from the creatures." At Todd's silent gasp, he continued.
"Now let me say something out of this world, the creatures tried striking at us but ended up hitting the shield. Immediately, some form of light was emitted and this light went right into these two terrifying creatures. Before Aaron and I could as much as utter a word, they became ashes. Todd, right before my very eyes they were burnt to ashes, I just can't believe it." Todd was both surprised and happy. His mentor wasn't hurt was the best part of it all.
"I bless this ring for keeping you in check, I'm glad you're very well. I did not want to think about it. But really, what would have become of me if something … unseemly happened to you? It would be too …" Luke placed his hand on Todd's thigh and smiled at him reassuringly.
"Shhh … it's all good, it turned out great for us. Didn't it?" At Todd's nod, Luke continued. "I'm here now, when all these is over, we will go back to Egypt together. Okay?"
"Okay, can't wait." They grinned at each other until the news from the TV interrupted their moment. The TV hadn't been on before they started talking, so when was it turned on? They had been totally immersed in their conversation that everything else went by unnoticed. They stared at the expressionless female reporter who stood relaying the news.
"There has been reports on two murders in Salem and Mexico City. A family of five and a newly married couple in Salem and Mexico City respectively were reported dead. Cause of death is unknown, although investigations are going on. The cause would be deduced in no time and we are calling on the family members, friends and associates of these victims. Pass on the word if anything suspicious is spotted. Please nothing should be overlooked, as it could be an evidence or a proof that could lead us right to the exterminator. Thank you."
Turning off the TV, Eucharia turned to look at the others. She was the one who had turned on the gadget when one of her "PrE" members called and asked her to. The others staring at Eucharia already knew the cause of deaths of the victims; Adrain's minions. The public had to be warned, immediately.
As they sat about to discuss on certain issues they'd somehow overlooked either out of negligence or plain fear, Eucharia's phone lit up with her ringtone. Without checking the caller ID, she picked up.
"Sister Eucharia, it's me." One of her members was calling, her voice sounded very urgent. Eucharia paid rapt attention to what she was saying ...
"I'm just being informed that the beast's minions are looking out for large gatherings of people, in order to stage attacks." Eucharia told the others after she had ended her call. No one uttered any word, all staring at the head nurse.
"They aspire to take on lots of souls, we should be on the watch, always. And also, there will be an international meeting of Entomologists in Cape Town. It's my guess that our adversaries would launch attacks there, seeing as the scientists would be in their large numbers hence we have to alert our members in the Southern part of Africa to help protect these Entomologists."
And Sarah helped put a call through to the Southern African "Earth Protectors".
********†*****
Presently …
Then salvation came!
With a raging cry, The "Earth Protectors" raced down from the airplanes in which they had arrived, to the auditorium, striking down the beast's minions with their swords and using their rings to create the shields for them and the now joyful quivering entomologists. Their adversaries wanted striking back and most of them were burned to ashes by the shield from the rings. The few wise ones who were quick to resolve that the odds were totally against them, whistled off into the air, leaving everything else behind.
It was a great experience for the Entomologists who survived the ordeal, though looking incredulously at the scene as they had believed that their deaths awaited them, were immensely grateful for their lives.
Sounds of laughter and cheers reverberated throughout the whole place as they were glad for life. And at the same time, wept for their colleagues, friends and mentors whose lives the beast's puppets had ripped off.