CHAPTER 13: PILOT

***Mními's pov***

I was looking into pot of soup I was stirring. To the boy it had looked like an old man was stirring a pot of boiling soup but as I stirred the pot I was keeping up the barrier that kept is hidden from all eyes. I wanted to keep our discussion to both of us, for the trees had ears and eyes.

I looked at the pot of soup which was now cooling, the smoke rising into the sunny sky from the ashes of the firewood, and then I transformed to my normal form as I turned to my right and there she was; Druantia. She looked vexed. She was standing with her hands on her hips, one leg pacing up and down, and brows furrowed.

She always acted elegantly towards every other being there was except towards me, Michael and Brahma. When she was with us she always acted childish, which was to be expected, after all we three were there when she was just a little goddess. She was cute and still looked like a tiny little girl.

She would usually come to our late and play around and I and Michael would take her on walks from time to time and watch the humans from afar. She was mentored by me and Michael and as such is a very strong goddess.

However she stopped visiting the lare after Michael started his so called betrayal scheme. She grew distant for a while but after Michael's death she began visiting me once again; but I'm sure today's visit isn't casual. She was here to reprimand me just like in the old days.

"You little geezer!!", She nicknamed me as she pointed at me. "How dare you cut me off like that?!"

"I didn't want you listening in on our conversation; that's all."

"Don't that's all me! I was gonna save him if you hadn't acted first!", She said pouting.

"Really?", I said as I averted her glance.

"Yes! This old geezer...". I laughed. I couldn't help myself.

"But really though", She said as her expression got serious. "If you're caught helping the half you'll be killed just like Michael was".

I looked up to the sky but all I could see was the tree branches and darkness. "Remember when you were smaller the forest was always bright and sunny. There were open fields and flower gardens", I glanced around, "but now it looks so. No sunlight to spot in here... But the look in that boys eyes was the first sunlight I witnessed in this forest since then".

I walked towards her and placed my hands on her shoulder, "he's this forest's last hope and I'll help him burn brightly even if it costs me my life; I'm old after all, no one will care when I'm gone".

She looked sad but angry and teary eyed, "stupid old man!...", She turned around facing away from me, "do what you like but just make sure he doesn't burn out".

"How quickly the tides change; now my child lectures me like I'm one of her subjects", I dotted her as I shook my head looking down.

"Shut up, you old geezer!", She shouted out of embarrassment; I laughed. The laugh was forced however; I knew this wouldn't end well for all the parties involved.

"I have to start going now. Have some business to attend to in the astral plane", my daughter said as she waved me goodbye. Soon enough she was going like a mirage, out of sight but not out of mind. Her words rang continuously in my head.

I looked up in to the dark abyss that made up our forest sky; it was just branches, twigs and leaves, both dead and alive; and I sighed saying, "I wish I was a bird, just flying. Only to bother about my food and nest."

I had a lot of peaceful wishes but I knew life wasn't like that. I had to start preparing for the next possible event.

***Anisychía's pov***

I was about to land the finishing blow when the boy was swallowed by sand and vanished in an instant. I was confused for a while but very enraged when I had discovered what happened.

Someone interfered; there were only two people capable of this... Michael, who is dead and ... I got even more angry at the realisation of what just happened. I looked up because I knew that he was watching me at this very moment, that sly old bastard, and said "you'll pay for that Mními". I turned around to make my report to my master.

I walked into the throne room and down the isle furious. I was at Master Perifronisi's abode. It was in an underground castle. It was a gothic castle with gargoyle and imp statues stationed at various points. The place was dark and vision was poor but I loved it because it was what my master desired.

Gazing at his sensational figure my anger washed away. As I walked towards his throne, I began to feel the aura if his magnificence, he was the epitome of majestic and greatness; not to be disrespectful to our father but I honestly feel he'd make a better father than the Great Brahma. I mean he was active.

"What's your status report, Anisychía?", Perifronisi asked. He was seated in a relaxed state, his face resting in the palm of his huge right hand and his left arm on the arm rest of the throne.

"Forgive me, my Lord", I stated as I knelt before his presence, "I wasn't successful, My Lord".

"And why is that?", He asked with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"I was interrupted."

"And who dares to interrupt the servant of the great Perifronisi?", He was getting impatient.

"It was the old geezer; Mními. He used a move akin to only him and Michael", I continued to explain as I took a stand.

"So, the old fool has finally began to make his move? Interesting", He gently stroked his chin as he entered deep thought.

"What do you suggest we do, my Lord?"

"I'll think about that. For now, you're dismissed", he said not looking in my direction and waving his left hand in a signal to leave.

"Yes, my Lord", I stood and walked out of his throne room.

Others often mock me for my obsessive loyalty to one as Perifronisi. I knew that he was not the best in character but I swore I'll serve him till my last days with all that I've got in me. I owed him a lot...

When one is born from the great Brahma, they usually have a general that would take them up but because of my appearance I was rejected by all. All except for the youngest of the generals; Perifronisi.

He took me in and raised me not as one for his men but as his younger brother. Those who worked at his camp still hated me not only for my appearance but for my deceptive nature. The only one to show me kindness was my Lord.

He trained me like I was his own and made me rise in ranks. The position of his right hand man was vacant till I rose in ranks and he gave it away to me immediately. I have been with him in both his victories and losses, and I'll forever continue to protect him... And that is why that half must leave.

He is ruining my Lord's name and I shall not stand for that. My master must be coming up with a plan but that doesn't stop me from coming up with a plan of my own. He might have Mními on his side but I'll never lose that newbie.

***Jett's pov***

I walked into my room, exhausted and ready to sleep through the day but I was shocked at what I found in my room, ready spread from window to window and hands in the air... How did it enter my room?!