When the Man Comes Around part 6

Armored boots raced through the underbrush. His heart pounded and he was beginning to feel the South American heat under all the layers. The tank rolled parallel through the jungle, pushing trees out of its way like nine pins, then flattening them.

The Cavalier knew he hadn’t been seen yet and didn’t want to take any chances. He raced toward the tank as it was gradually making its way over some rocks. Once he got close enough, the glowing battle axe in his hand ran alongside the treads, cutting a long swathe through the wheels and sprockets. As the tank rolled forward, the broken treads ground against one another with the scream of metal, then everything began to pop and break apart. The tank stopped and the canon swivelled toward Cavalier as he ran into the jungle. It fired a projectile that created a ripple in the air and soon, the heat got much worse. A cluster of trees exploded, causing a tremor that dropped Cavalier to the jungle floor; burning branches fell all around him. The force of the shot as well as the broken treads and the incline of the rocks pushed the tank up. It hung in the air for a moment before falling hard on its side.

Since the tank had torn a path into the jungle, the armored humvees had an easier time entering. Soldiers stationed at the back of the vehicles unloaded hellfire into the thick forest in hopes of hitting their target. The Cavalier stayed down as high-caliber rounds punched through multiple trees, the splinters scraping along his armor at high speeds. In a secluded area, General Barca watched several monitors displaying live feed of the ambush. “Move in!” he ordered. A portion of the soldiers exited the vehicles, armed with either automatic rifles or grenade launchers.

The Cavalier checked his HUD and saw that the Dragon was en route to his location and he’d be able to escape soon. He chose the crossbow and shield from the Round Table and ran toward some of the soldiers making their way through the jungle. He fired an electric arrow, subduing one of them before he was spotted. He moved forward, catching another by surprise. He slammed the surface of the shield against his face, pressing him against a tree to render him unconscious. The crossbow then shifted to a new weapon. Another soldier saw the Cavalier and raised his rifle, but a broadsword cut the gun in half. Next, the edge of the shield was brought across his cheek, taking him out as well. The Cavalier heard some rustling and when he looked back, he saw a fourth soldier in the distance, armed with a grenade launcher. Realizing he couldn’t get to him in time, he darted in the opposite direction. An explosion erupted from the ground behind him, sending him over a log and down a rocky hill.

The Cavalier bounced off a boulder and fell onto a mossy patch, nearly falling over a ledge. A metal gauntlet grabbed hold of a sturdy piece of rock and the knight caught a good view of a cliff just over his shoulder.

Below him, a waterfall dropped into a ravine. Thinking quickly, he held fast onto the rocky ledge and carefully dangled off the cliff. There, he found a foothold and braced himself against the rocks. As he pressed himself against the stony wall, he disappeared under the ledge. He hoped his dark armor would help camouflage him against the rocks, at least long enough to cause a distraction. He once again activated his broadsword and slashed it across the rocky outcropping next to him. The rocks hit the cliffside on the way down and, despite the roar of the rushing waters, it created an echo before splashing down. As expected, the soldiers rushed to the edge and looked down at the waters below; seeing the ripples, they assumed the Cavalier dove into the ravine and they opened fire, sending a hail of bullets below. The captain began shouting orders and, from what Cavalier understood of Spanish, he told them to climb down to the ravine to look for a body. They quickly moved to another part of the cliff where it was safer to go down on foot and they disappeared from sight.

The Cavalier was relieved they couldn’t see him against the rocks, but when he saw on his HUD that the Dragon was arriving, his heart sank. The hovercraft kicked up leaves and blew air around as it swooped into the ravine and hung in the air. He couldn’t see the soldiers from his vantage point, but he knew they likely heard and saw everything. The hatch was opened and Cavalier dropped into the cockpit. Not wasting anytime, he flipped on the Dragon’s Roar before covering his head with his arms. A sonic screech emitted from the hovercraft, echoing loudly off the walls of the ravine. The soldiers were moments away from firing, but the sonic attack stunned them and nearly busted some eardrums. They scrambled away, some falling into the underbrush. As the hatch was still open, the Cavalier had to cover his ears himself. The sound still caused some ringing, but he was able to get the hatch closed and fly away. As he exited the grove, he noticed the rest of the platoon stationed just beyond the trees, still on the backs of the humvees. The Dragon was bulletproof against anything handheld, but military weapons could potentially do some serious damage. The soldiers aimed their mini-guns at the hovercraft just before the Cavalier released the Dragon’s Breath. The flamethrower released a wide pyre overhead that startled them and made them duck for cover. It gave him the chance to increase speed and quickly leave the jungle.

****

Several years ago, Nadie met with Sister Mary Catalina. They hadn’t seen each other face-to-face since Zahino took over a decade earlier. “Look at you in your suit,” Mary Catalina said as she hugged and kissed him, “You’ve grown into such a handsome man.”

“I hope the money reached you,” Nadie told her, “I’ve continued sending it.”

She looked sad, but gave a quiet answer, “Yes, we have all that we need.”

“Zahino has had me working for him for a while now,” he said reluctantly, “I didn’t want to work for that monster… There has been so much that I’ve had to do to take care of everyone and sometimes… it almost seems like more than I can take.”

She held his hand, her expression turning to a hopeful one, “What do I always tell you? God can provide. You don’t… have to work for anyone that you don’t want to work for. You can always stay with us here at the basilica.”

“I can’t hide here,” he said bitterly, “Not when the rest of our people are suffering. I didn’t hide from Santiago when I was a child and I’m not going to hide from Zahino now as a man.”

“But Eduard, what else can you do?”

He reached out, wiping a tear from her eyes, “I will make all things new. What happens next… if you don’t see me again… know that I stood up for our people.”

“Eduard…”

“That isn’t my name,” he said sadly, “I was never given one.”

“I call you Eduard!” she snapped in a rare display of anger, “And I am the closest thing you have to a mother, so you’ll listen to me! God will get us out of this! You don’t need to put yourself in danger!”

“I’m sorry, but I think this is exactly where God wants me to be. Were the Disciples not in danger after the Crucifixion? Was it not dangerous when Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt?”

“I’m not afraid for your life,” she sniffed, “I’m afraid to see blood on your hands.”

He hung his head, “It’s too late for that.”

Days later, Nadie’s staff set fine china and silverware on the long table in his dining room. They carefully folded napkins and set out wine glasses. From the cellar, a butler brought up a wine bottle, carefully selected from Nadie’s own vineyard. He inspected the bottle personally and asked for it to be placed in the center of the table.

Soon, Zahino and his entourage entered. The men following him were the upper command in his military and ministers of various departments. Two bodyguards were stationed at either entrance to the dining room with a few more stationed in various locations outside the villa.

“Nice place,” Zahino said as he sat down, “I bet you’re happy I gave it to you.”

“I am. Thank you, sir.”

Zahino lightly slapped the table, “See that? Gratitude! Why can’t more people show it?”

Nadie smiled politely, “To further show my gratitude, I have invited you here to commemorate the first ten years of your glorious administration.”

The staff came out with appetizers and placed them in front of every man seated around the table. As they did so, Nadie motioned to the wine in the center, “As some of you may know, I acquired a vineyard. I bottle this wine myself.”

An admiral picked up the bottle and took a look at the label, “It’s not very old.”

“No, I bottled it just after the first year.”

“Relax,” Zahino waved the admiral off, “Our friend has always been respectful to us and this is his home… a home that I bought for him.”

This got a laugh from Zahino’s men. A butler went to each glass and carefully poured the wine; when he finished, he stationed himself near an exit, next to a bodyguard. Zahino studied his wine carefully, turning the glass in various directions as he watched the wine slosh about, then he looked at Nadie. “I know you’ve always been a friend, but I’d be a fool if I didn’t ask you this…,” he motioned to Nadie’s glass, “… Please have the first drink.”

Nadie gave an understanding nod, “Of course, sir.” He raised the glass and loudly proclaimed, “Here’s to General Zahino and a new, glorious era for Costa Triste!” Having made his toast, Nadie took a long drink of wine and swallowed, ensuring it was safe.

Zahino smiled and raised his glass as well. His men followed suit. “Like I said, he’s always been a friend,” Zahino addressed the room, “Here’s to our nameless friend. Thank you for opening your home to us and allowing us this opportunity to taste your wine.” At once, they took their drinks. Zahino swallowed and gazed at his glass curiously before smacking his lips. The admiral gave a disgusted look at his glass, “This wine hasn’t aged long enough. You should’ve waited a few more years before opening it.” Some of the men curiously took more drinks to make their own judgement. “Is this a raspberry wine?” Zahino asked as he took another sip, “The flavor’s very unique.”

Nadie calmly took another sip from his own glass, “I’m sure all of you know this, but I was raised in an orphanage. You may not know, however, that the orphanage was located right here in the North. La Basílica de la Paz Armónica, not far from Venti Santos.” Zahino and his men began coughing slightly as they felt a tickle in their throats. Nadie ignored the coughs and looks of concern and continued, “As a child in this region, I would sit outside on sunny days and sneak berries when the nuns weren’t looking.” Some of the men looked horrified as the reality set in. “Chid’s Faith, they called them,” Nadie explained thoughtfully, “Because the only way to survive consuming them is if you built up an immunity as a child.” Zahino shot to his feet and tried to spit out what he had already consumed. The coughing became more violent. Nadie watched them writhe with quiet satisfaction.

The bodyguards looked at one another, but before they could act, the members of the kitchen staff rushed them, stabbing them in the neck with small knives. After quick spurts of blood, the guards dropped. Nadie took another sip of his wine and continued to speak in a quiet tone, “Of course, if you didn’t grow up in this region, it was unlikely you’d ever eaten Child’s Faith. Especially if you grew up rich… as you all did.”

Several men fell over or slumped in their seats. Others began to vomit across the table before collapsing. Nadie’s voice lowered slightly, “Growing up poor and practically homeless as I did, the berries are very safe… delicious even,” he leaned in as the men began to die one-by-one, “… And you bastards wouldn’t know anything about that.” Zahino fell back to his seat, his hands clenched as he struggled to hold onto the final moments of his life. Nadie took one last sip as he silently looked out the window. Men in black uniforms rushed along the front lawn. He could hear gunshots as the final bodyguards were killed outside, then he wheeled himself away from the table and approached Zahino’s seat.

Zahino lurched forward, ready to vomit, but Nadie grabbed him by the hair, using what little strength he had to lean his head back. The vomit was caught in the middle of his throat; poisoned and suffocating, Zahino was forced to look into Nadie’s eyes.

Zahino didn’t have the strength to resist despite Nadie’s physical limits. Something bubbled up but never escaped his lips. His eyes bulged in fear and rage; superfluously, he mouthed something but the words were lost. As he watched the lights go out in Zahino’s eyes, Nadie spoke:

“Choke on it.”

Continued…