《A Dragon Among The Stars》


 Kiel Davis

    Deep in the night, somewhere along the mountain range, where lush trees and plants bloom. Animals, Big and small, varying from different species, roam freely. The quiet and lonely night was supposed to be peaceful.


    Among the forest was a massive mansion, it was supposed to be grand and exquisite. But a sea burning fire had taken it away. Red lights illuminated the forest as the fire roared with might. Inside the mansion countless screaming and roaring gunshots inside.


    In one of the rooms at the back end of the mansion, a crying woman is sitting on the floor, tears stained her face, but it wasn''t able to hide her beauty. In the depth of her foxy eyes, despair could be seen, yet a faint and flickering light of hope stubbornly remains. She was carrying a crying newborn and a small child at the age of five beside her, hugging her, deeply afraid and confused. They were being held by a man who seems to be her husband. With blood flowing from his forehead. He was gnashing his teeth from all the anger, pain, Countless complex emotions he feels in his heart.


    There were men at door, each wearing a camouflage suit, ex-military men, hired to be the guards of mansion. Armed with rifle guns, their clothes stained with blood and dust. Exchanging bullets with the enemy. The leader among the group shouted to the couple.


    "Hurry up headmaster! We won''t be able to hold on!"


    The headmaster went daze for a moment, before he seemingly came to a decision, he looked at his wife and gave her long loving kiss on her lips, he looked at his two sons, one who was only 5 years old, named Kiel, and the other one, a newborn, who he named Izakel. It pained him a lot to realize that his newborn son might not be able to feel the love of a father. he knew in his heart that his hopes of coming out alive from situation was close to a null.


    He knelt in front of his son, Kiel. Taking out a pendant of a roaring lion head that was made out of expensive jade from his clothes and wore it on his son''s neck. "My son, wear this pendant of mine, this will be the key that would lead you to all the answers you''ll be looking for in the future. Consider it as my advance gift to you, for your birthday next week, treasure it buddy" he gave him a long fatherly hug.


    He stood up went to the guard, stretching his arm "give me a gun"


    The guard surprised by the words spoken by his headmaster, he looked at his squad leader with an expression of asking for help before replying in a panic "B-But, s-sir you can''t, it''s our duty to serve you to th-..."


    "Give him the gun, boy" Squad leader intervened


    "b-b-but sir!..."


    "I said just give it to him!" the squad leader was named Arnold, he has been the head of guards for the headmaster''s family for a long time. He was one of the people who knew Leo the most, he knew that once he made a decision, he would always see it to the end, he was stubborn like his late father.


    Leo was given a rifle, he stared at it before taking a deep breath. He looked at his wife and softly spoke "Take the kids to the passage Lara, leave now!"


    Lara stood up, crying and panicking, she came running to her husband and tightly held his arm, not willing to letting go. "AND YOU''RE GONNA STAY!!?? NO! don''t! don''t do this! we can escape, we need you Leo, please, please don''t."


    Leo gently caressed his wife face "Just go, don''t worry about me. I''ll be right behind you. I won''t leave you guys alone." He shifted his gaze to the Arnold, he ordered "escort my family to safety"


    She lowered her face and started crying more, moments later, she looked up and looked at Leo with hesitation. She hugged him tight before pulling herself out of his arms. She went to a wall, pulled down a candle holder, It made a clicking and clanking sounds. Seconds later, the wall next to it started going up revealing a narrow passage. She went inside with Arnold following from behind. before they could get far. A sound was heard that made their heart jolt. They stiffly turned their heads to the origin of the noise.


    What they saw was a black helicopter, gazing at them like a ferocious predator eyeing it''s next meal. Leo hurriedly looked at his wife, shouting;


    "RUUUUUUUNNNNN!"


    Lara, awakened from Leo''s shout, was terrified and tried to run away, but before she could make a step. Swooshing sound was heard as fire came of the helicopter''s rocket pad, shooting out a bunch of missiles. Arnold with his fast reaction, held Lara and her two sons to shield them from the incoming blast.


    Bright fiery red lights reflected Kiel''s pupils, along with the deafening booming sound that rendered his ears ringing.


    And the next thing he knew, darkness was all he could see.


    ....


    "Kiel! Kiel! Kiel!"


    He was woken by a voice, calling his name. His face was pale, and was covered in sweat.


    "Kiel..."


    He heard his name again, he looked beside him, it was his wife, Amy, a blonde western woman. tightly holding his hand, worried. She says. "Is everything alright Kiel? did that nightmare came back? how come? it''s been a long time since the last time."


    He caressed his wife''s hands and assured her.


    "don''t worry honey, I''m alright. that nightmare would definitely go away. Go back to sleep, I''ll just freshen up myself"Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Amy looked at him in worry before going back to sleep. He stood up and went to the bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror, even though his face was pale, he still looked handsome. Finely shaped brows, sharp eyes and a chiseled jaw line. Kiel was turning 48 years old, even though, he looked quite young despite his age.


    ''How come I''ve dream of that again? this must be from stress.''


    He looked towards the pendant in his chest.


    ''the same pendant as the man gave me in the dream....'' Some part of him believed the nightmare was real. but most of him didn''t. Its been a long time since he started searching about the people appearing in his dream, but to no avail, there wasn''t a single clue. years past and he started believing that these were the things his mind came up with.


    He washed his face to cool himself up, and calmed his rapidly beating heart before going back to his bedroom. He looked at the clock on the wall, it was 3:13 am in the middle of night. He shifted his to his wife who was fast asleep, he gently fixed her blanket and went laid down beside her to continue sleeping,


    Tumbling from side and to side, trying his best to fall asleep. He looked at the clock again, it''s only been 5 minutes. He couldn''t sleep, thinking about the nightmare he had.


    ''Sigh. I can''t sleep..... I guess I''ll just whoop myself up with some breakfast'' coming to a decision, he headed to the kitchen downstairs. He prepared a simple breakfast, two eggs paired with a bacon and a cup of rice. He savored the smell before he ate slowly to let more time pass.


    ''ahh.. nothings better than good food.''


    *footsteps*


    Kiel was busy eating when he heard footsteps, he was about to turn around, when his vision went black


    "Guess who?" He heard a low girly voice, still , he knew who it was.


    "Pumpkinnnnnn, why''re you awake? You should sleep some more, you have school later. It''s not proper to sleep at your first day. I don''t want to get called so early in this school year" Kiel chuckling as he scolded, he looked at his daughter, Aya, a petite with blonde hair. turning 18 this year, She looks a lot more like her mother. The only things she got from Kiel was his warm yet introverted personality and his love for food.


    "Alright, alright dad I get it, hehehe. I just got out of the toilet when I smelled something delicious coming from the kitchen, I followed it and here I saw you." Aya said as she put her face closer to the food and hungrily savored the tasty fragrance it gave.


    "What? Want me to cook you some? Go do it yourself, you know girls at your age should start learning about home chores, and that includes cooking. How can you be a good wife if you can''t cook" With a wide smile, he teased.


    "Why should I cook when there''s you? And what good wife? I''m still 17 years old, and I haven''t graduated yet and you want me to marry early? You don''t want me anymore? please cook some for me daddy." Aya held his father''s sleeve as she stared with sad and teary eyes.


    "Of course not! Seriously you....."


    Kiel hugged his daughter and continued


    "You''re mother should start teaching you how to cook" Kiel knew he couldn''t resist when her daughter stares at him like that, he had always spoiled her as she was their only child. With sleeves up, he started making another dish, it was his daughter''s favorite, pancakes! He made sure to make it tastier for his daughter,.


    "You guys¡­ why wasn''t I invited? Come on, me too! So what''s the menu? Pancakes? Ohhh. I love that, make me some too!" His wife came in, joining the fun.


    "Sure sure, anything for my dear wife, the more the merrier!" Kiel chuckled,


    Time passed as they laughed and enjoyed eating together.


    "Oh! Its almost 5:00 a.m, you guys should get dressed too." He exclaimed as he looked as his watch. He usually go to work early as to avoid getting stuck in traffic due to rush hour.


    The other two was surprised when they heard the time for a moment before looking at the clock, realizing they were about to be late, they started preparing with their mouths full of food.


    Kiel, seeing this chuckled, he too started to get dressed.


    ...


    Kiel arrive at his work. It was a research facility, where all the inventions of the company he is working for, are made and researched. As he got near the guard post, he was stopped by a group of soldiers. The leader among the group approached window and knocked.


    Kiel had the windows go down and took out his Id, on it was his name, Kiel Davis, below it was his job title "Chief Mechanical"


    Kiel graduated college from Harvard with a bachelor''s degree in mechanical engineering, since he had always been fascinated by concepts of engines or anything that has gears in it, reading and learning about them was the only hobby he got during his childhood. He was an introverted back then, not having any friends. The only people he was close with was the caretaker in the orphanage, who he treated as his own mother.


    While the other soldiers move around Kiel''s car with devices in their hands, infrared laser lights could be seen coming out of these devices, scanning the car for anything suspicious. The squad leader also took out a device, but it was smaller. It was used for scanning Ids, just to make sure they weren''t fake.


    Seconds later, a beeping sound was heard from the device. A word "Passed" in green color was shown on the screen of the device, indicating that the Id was legitimate.


    "Good morning, Mr. Davis, here''s your Id" said the leader as he gave the Id back to Kiel,


    "thank you. There''s seems to be a lot of guards stationed right now" Kiel asked in curiosity. He looked around the vicinity. He had already noticed it since he arrived, more soldiers could be seen more from any vicinity of the facility.


    "Oh that. It was an order from the higher-ups, someone with great status seems to be coming to this facility" Kiel was surprised, as they rarely get any visitor. ''hmm¡­ it must be some investors, checking the projects progress''


    While Kiel was still mulling over the reason, one of the soldier approached the the leader and gave him a thumbs up, indicating clearance.


    "OK, Mr. Kiel, you''re good to go" the leader gestured to the person inside the the post and had the barrier lifted up.


    ''It''s really tighter than usual'' He thought as more soldiers could be seen guarding inside, he drove his car to his parking slot, before making his way to the locker room. he got to his locker and started changing.


    "Hey.. you''ve seen the guards?" he heard as he was changing into his mechanic uniform. It was his long time friend, Jake. They have been friends since college, he was one of the few people he was on close terms.


    "Hey, yeah I''ve seen, the head guard back in the outpost said someone important is coming here. I wonder who''s that person is." Kiel said in curiosity.


    "yeah¡­ I also wonder, it would be great if it was a beauty, " Jake said as his eyebrows were jumping up and down


    "haha.. women has always been the only thing you got in your mind, seriously we''re already nearing our 50''s and you got Isabel" Kiel laughingly retorted, since way back then even in college, women was the only thing he had in his mind. Either he was asleep or busy chasing after women, though he was always flatly rejected, this guy didn''t the have phrase "giving up" in his dictionary, which Kiel admire.


    "so what? 50? Heck I''m still energetic as bull, and its fine if I''m looking, just don''t tell my wife, hahaha" He laughed as he joked, Kiel was about to reply when he felt someone called him from behind. He looked behind to find one of his coworker.


    "Chief, Sir Clark seems to be looking for you, he wants you to come and report to his office."


    "Sir Clark? I see, I''ll go see him right now, I''ll see you later Jake." Kiel waved his goodbye and headed off.


    ''hmm. I wonder why the chief had me called?''

 A Goddamn Job!

    Kiel wondered in his mind as he walked his way to the chief''s office.


    ''hmm? Could it be because of the person who''s coming right now? I don''t have any connection with any higher ups, or maybe because of some grudge I didn''t know¡­ nahhh. Impossible, I never offended anyone, looks like things won''t be simple''


    He woke up from his mulling since he have arrived in front of the desk of the assistant. he knocked on the desk as the assistant had her back facing him, busy with paperworks,


    Hearing someone knocking on her desk, she looked back and saw Kiel.


    "Ah! Chief Kiel, you''re here, please wait a moment as I inform the chief" she said as she picked up the telephone on the side of the her desk.


    "Sir Clark, Mr. Kiel has arrived...¡­ yes¡­. ¡­.I will" She stood up as she put the phone down.


    "Please follow me Mr. Kiel" She politely gestured as she walked ahead .


    Turn after turn, they finally arrived at the chief''s office. She knocked "Sir. Clark, Mr Kiel is here"


    "Come in" seconds later a thick low voice came from the door. The assistant hearing this opened the door. She bowed and gestured Kiel to come in.


    ''Nothing would go wrong anyways.'' Kiel took a breath as he took all his worries to the back of his head.


    He entered the room, the first thing that caught his attention was the orderliness of the room, files and documents were all piled up neatly in the side of the room. The room was sparkly clean, with barely any dust. He looked ahead and saw a man with thick build, wearing a soldier''s uniform. Kiel couldn''t see his face, as his back was facing him, busy pouring himself with some whiskey. But he could tell that he was someone of age, with how white his hair was.


    "Take a seat, Mr. Kiel" he gestured as he poured his drink down to his throat


    Kiel hearing this obediently took a sit. This man was a high ranking soldier, so of course, he was a bit reserved. Even though his face was full of wrinkles, his eyes weren''t muddled, on the contrary it was filled with wisdom, it was sharp like an eyes of a hawk. His face brimming with thick vigor, as one would expect from a soldier. He waited for the chief to finish his drink and initiating the conversation.


    Seconds later the chief finished his drink, he let out a satisfied smile as he put down the glass. He stared at Kiel for sometime seemingly thinking of something.


    Kiel being stared at suddenly became tense ''what with this? Did he call me here just for him stare at. F*ck, don''t tell me this old goat suddenly became crazy and developed some weird fetish, please no I have a wife!''


    "Don''t be tense, relax." The old goat smiled, He continued "I called you here as I have been ordered to pick some of the best workers we have in this facility. And yes you''re one of those that were picked"


    "Picked? Picked for what?" Kiel was confused as he was picked for something he didn''t even know about. Heck he didn''t even know a thing, not even the smallest details.


    "Yes, the employees who were picked will be sent a research facility newly built by the company in the Philippines, in a region in Mindanao to be precise. Don''t worry, at most you''ll only be working there for months if not maybe up to 2 years maximum. But of course along with, you''ll get a higher salary, and better benefits, you could also bring your family there if you want to."


    The offer was tempting but he hesitated, the offer was high, but being suddenly sent overseas¡­. How would he explain this to his family, they might not accept it.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Seeing Kiel hesitate, the chief said "I recommend you don''t reject it, it came from the highest order, meaning, from the CEO himself and the high council"


    "What!? How come? could you just picked another one to replace me?" Kiel surprised, it came from the highest order? This thing must be something serious. But how can he decided without talking with his family first.


    "I know but the company is short in highly capable workers such as you, they value this project higher than anything right now. I know it sudden but nothing could be done, I can''t find another one within the facility" even the chief himself was helpless with the current situation.


    "then how about they hire more worker, with the company''s prestige, I''m sure a lot of highly skilled workers would come flocking in" He worked for the Stanford Corp. A leading technological company in the world market. With the military field as it''s main field, it''s influence was on a world scale, Kiel wasn''t wrong on his conjecture, a lot of people especially in his field, wanted to work for this company but with the high standards, they could only dream and look for a different company.


    "No, we can''t, this project is highly classified only given to the company''s most valued and loyal employees, like you. You''ve been working for the company for almost 30 years, and have excellent performance through out those years." The chief was right, thinking about it, he had been working for them for a long time now. From different projects to different facilities, It wouldn''t be logical if he wasn''t valued by the company despite all the hard work he contributed.


    Kiel let out a sigh. ''I guess I don''t have much choice., ahhh¡­ they wouldn''t be happy about this. Its good thing it''s just 2 years. He didn''t really have any choice, he could only hide his irritated mood. "Since I can''t deny, could I know the details?"


    "Good" the chief also knew he didn''t have much choice. He continued, his face becoming serious "The reason why we need people like you is because of a discovery, a discovery that could lead mankind to further heights!"


    "A discovery" Kiel was surprised, with his current bad mood he started exagerating in his mind ''all of this just for a discovery? Motherf*cker, no one knows weather this discovery would be a good thing or a bad thing. What if this discovery could cause some calamity or something.''


    "mm" nodding his head the chief continued, He himself was also excited about the project "In a region of Mindanao, among the mountains, a group of explorers from our company has made the discovery, from the reports they sent, it was deemed as a relic site, and what''s more is that it seems to have come from alien origins!"


    Kiel was hearing this, was surprised yet again. ''seriously an alien origin? What if a alien insect started jumping up on our faces and impregnate us with their eggs? F*cking serious man! I''m a man, I''m a man, I ain''t supposed to get pregnant! This shit ain''t funny! '' and seemingly again Kiel exaggerated in his mind


    "Isn''t this dangerous?" Kiel couldn''t help himself and asked. He started getting concerned due to his exaggerating.


    The chief pondered for a moment before answering with I-don''t-care expression "Of course there are, it was also written in the report that there were traps installed inside the site. But you don''t have to worry as I''m sure they would have already disabled or removed the traps by the time you got there", Kiel seeing his expression, wasn''t a bit assured and started cursing in his mind, again.


    ''F*ck you! What''s with that face?Is my life that insignificant?! At least hide it, for f*cks sake! Don''t tell me, after this project I''ll be going home in separate pieces!? OH F*ck this! I don''t care anymore''


    "When will I''ll be sent to the Philippines?"


    "Your flight would be in three days, of course everything is covered by the company, so you wouldn''t have to worry about anything." The chief assured as he took out something from his desk''s drawer, it was two pieces of paper, he continued "The final thing you have to do is sign here" it was a contract.


    "I''ll have to renew my contract? There''s still a long time before my contract expires" Kiel was confused as he just signed another contract with the company.


    "Of course, this contract is different. Stated here is that you aren''t allowed to disclose anything or anyone''s information even to your closest kin, This project is highly classified" the chief said as he pointed his finger on a phrase written in the contract.


    ''oh well, here goes, I hope nothing goes wrong, I''m still young..... yeah nevermind'' He picked up the pen beside the contract and signed it.


    "And that''s it, you may go, the assistant would give you the flight tickets and further details would be given to you as you arrive at the site. Now you may go" the chief waved his hands as he was chasing out a fly, and continued pouring himself a drink.


    Kiel''s eyelids twitch seeing this ''Hmph, just drink and let''s see how long your body last, seriously man! Slow down with the alcohol!'' he didn''t bother anymore and went out of the office.


    He sighed as he got out of the door. ''sigh.. an new job huh?, a goddamn job.''

 Conspiracies

    Inside a conference room in the facility. Two middle aged men in suits were quarrelling. One was seated in middle front of the table while was one was standing escorted by his men.


    "Big brother, you should understand, I''m only doing this for the preservation of the family." Said by the one who was standing. This man''s name was Jason Stanford, one of the shareholder of the Corporation Kiel works for. And the person who''s sitting, the one he called big brother, is Frederic Stanford, the current CEO.


    "understand? UNDERSTAND!? Oh I understand everything, you actually divulged one of the heavily guarded secret of the family to outsiders! This a crime within the family!" Frederic said in anger and frustration, his younger brother actually betrayed the family for some interest the america has offered. He knew with his brother''s personality, he was selfish, he only cared about his interests, not the family''s.


    He banged his hands on the table sending papers flying, he repirmandingly shouted "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU''VE DONE!?!?"


    "Chill, brother, I know treason within the family is a serious issue. But me? how could I do that? Collaborating with the USA could benefit our interest, I''m only doing this for the family" Jayson lazily said, him and his brother had always been in bad terms since their teenager''s years.


    "Benefits!? Don''t make me laugh, Jayson. We both know how they do things. They wouldn''t allow another power coexisting with them at the top, they''re one of those who''s the most eager to see the Stanfords fall" Frederic was someone who didn''t trust anyone, not even people from his family.The only people he trust were his parents and his second uncle. This was one of the reason why he was able to make the Stanford Corp. stand on top, it''s influence and power almost standing in par of those major countries.


    He continued, "You''re following the same footsteps as your third brother, Rudeus! an idiot, mongrel, treating everything as a joke, without caring for the consequences for every action he make!" Their third brother, Rudeus, was someone he hated so much. Due to an incident years ago which almost made their family crippled. Rudeus actually tried to buy some uranium grade warheads from some unknown russian agent, which resulted in their family accused of war crime. They were able to avoid the case, but with major loses.


    "don''t compare me to that fool! he was too na?ve for believing the russians. What kind of country who would sell uranium grade warheads, this time I made necessary preparations and made a mutual agreement with those US pig heads."


    "Russians or americans, they''re people of the same skin!" being to fustrated, Frederic calmed himself before asking a question he''s been wanting to ask.


    "what did they want?"


    "50-50% each, we divide what''s inside the relic site"


    "F*ck, like hell I would allow that! Sooner or later they would want more! this nothing more than formalities. I''ve decided, from now on you''ve do not have any more authority that has anything to do with the relic sight. Go leave this facility!"


    "F*ck you! You don''t have any authority within the family to remove me from this project"


    "I don''t, but the family does" Frederic may not have enough authority as he isn''t the family head yet, but he was confident as almost all of the elders are on his side. This was one of the main reasons why Jayson drifted more from the family, and tried seeking help from other powers. He was insignificant within the family, as he wasn''t as talented as his big brother.


    "This wont end, Fred! I tell you, THIS WON''T END LIKE THIS!!!" Jayson couldn''t retort and could only seethe in anger as he left the room, heavily slamming the door.


    Fred sighed ''why do I have such idiotic brothers, It would have been better if they think things much more''


    *knock*knock*


    "come in" he said as he tidied up his clothes


    Door opened and chief Clark came in, with some document in hand. "you two had a fight again?"


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!"Uncle Clark, yeah we did. He actually spillled some vital details of the relic sight and now the americans are actually demanding half of the piece of the pie" he said in bitter tone.


    Chief Clark sighed, he was someone who had seen the brothers as they grow up, they were close in their childhood days. Frederic being the typical big brother, caring and protective of his brothers. It was harmonious till Frederic was seen having high talent in business, having the family paying him more attention, rendering his brothers neglected, which resulted in them drifting apart from each other. He knew Frederic might be cold to his brothers now, but deep inside there we''re still a part of him that cared for his brothers.


    He didn''t continued more in the subject, he took a sit and handed the documents in his hands. "Here are the list of people we''ll be sending to the site. You know that I could have just send it to you, there was no need to personally to go here"


    "I know, I just felt like it, it was boring at my office anyway." He lazily said as he opened the document and started flipping through the papers, checking each every profile and background,


    Frederic eyebrows arched up when he saw Kiel''s profile ''Kiel... he has the same name''


    Intrigued he carefully checked his background ''was taken to the orphanage in spain when he was 5 years old... it was 43 years ago¡­ the same year¡­ the same age¡­.. could it be?''


    Frederic was tapping his fingers as he had a frown on his face, deep in thought. Chief Clark seeing this was curious, he looked at the profile in Fred''s hands and asked, intrigued "oh? Kiel? He''s a hardworking guy, he cold but he''s good guy, there''s nothing special about him. Why are you interested in him?''


    Frederic only looked at his uncle before pointing at Kiel''s paper. "make some preparations and take some of your best men protect him as he goes to the site, he must be kid we''ve been looking for"


    "kid? you mean¡­ him? Its been along time, we don''t even know his whereabouts, and now you''re saying he''s been working for us for almost 30 years, he was just under our noses for all this time? How sure are you?" Chief Clark in surprise as he also pointed his finger at Kiel''s profile


    "I''m 90% sure he''s the one we been looking for" his face brimming with confindent


    "You''re that confident? fine we will go with your decision. if your right then that''s good," Chief Clark said with a frown on his forehead


    "there''s no harm even if I''m wrong"


    "I see, I should start the preparations, and inform the fam-"


    "No, don''t let''s keep it between just the two us, more people knowing , the more complex the situation becomes,. Have him under surveillance, report to me if any suspicious character got close with him." It wouldn''t harm to be cautious, with such an opportunity opening to him, he would make sure to accomplish it perfectly as he could.


    "Then I won''t dally on anymore and start preparing, I''ll notify you when everything is in place" Chief Clark hurriedly stood up to make the necessary arrangement. He knew how important this opportunity is for them, if Frederic was right, then they would be more confident in unearthing the site.


    Seeing his uncle leave, he stood up and look out the windows of the room . The sky was dimming as the night wa nearing, and lights opening from the windows of the facility, Frederic felt that this was gonna be another long night.


    ''there''s no such coincidence'' chuckling as thought those words. He fished out his phone from his pocket and started making his own preparations, he had a lot of things to do. With Kiel, coming into the situation, he had to make sure that everything is within in his palms.


    ''you won''t escape this time'' his face painted with wide cold smile.


    ...


    At the same time,


    Kiel suddenly felt a chill behind his back ''don''t tell me there''s ghost in here and I''m being haunted, why would there be ghost on a grocery store'' In truth, Kiel has been having this feeling that he was being watch ever since he got out from the facility. He started looking around, seeing nobody suspicious, he continued with his grocery shopping.


    He took out a list, written the list were the things he needed to buy. ''let''s see¡­ tomatoes¡­ garlic.. and the main ingredient, chicken'' seeing he was almost done, Kiel hurried as he was getting hungry. He proceeded to buy what was needed.


    As he was about to go to the cashier, the feeling of being watched, he looked back and saw a shadow of a person around the corner of the isle. Intrigued he checked who it was.


    He was surprised once he got to the end of the isle, it was someone he knew, it was Jake.


    "Hey¡­ you''re also here! How long have been in here" he approached jake.


    "oh hey! yeah¡­ for quite some time now. I see you''re almost done doing your grocery, so what''re you gonna cook this time?


    "Curry, I''ve been craving for some lately, anyway, that''s rare¡­"


    "what rare?"


    "You.. doing grocery, you never liked doing this kind of stuff, it was you''re wife who I always see here. " Kiel was curious as he knew Jake, he never liked doing grocery as he was lazy, always saying it was boring and tiring. What confused him more was that the basket he was holding was empty as contrary to what he said. He continued "you haven''t decided?"


    "huh decided on what?"


    "you''re basket, it''s empty, so simply assumed you haven''t decided what to buy yet"


    "a-ah, this.. ummm yeah I haven''t decided"


    "I see how about curry? Wasn''t that you''re favorite"


    "you''re right I guess I''ll go for curry today, so see you I gotta go and finish this as soon as I can so I can finally go home." Jake waved his goodbye as he disappeared from Kiel''s sight.


    ''hmm. That feeling finally disappeared¡­ strange, oh well, at least it''s gone" Kiel didn''t bother anymore and paid for his grocery and went home.

 Always make reminders!

    As Kiel got home, he was hesitating, he got another problem, feeling frustrated, he didn''t know how to tell his wife about him working outside of the country. ''To go or not to go? what should I do? ...oh let''s just get this over with. I''ll just tell her, She would understand right? Yeah.. wait¡­. Why do I have a feeling that this won''t end well?" he suddenly had a bad feeling.


    "The heck with it.'' He no longer bother with it and went out of the car and took out his groceries.


    He started walking towards the door, and just has he was about to open the door, he turned back


    ''arghhhh!. Whats with this? Why won''t this feeling go? Did I forget something? Hmmm.. think Kiel? Did she asked you to do something?'' He tried to remember but nothing came into mind ''There must something right? Or else I wouldn''t be feeling this... ahhh you''re old now Kiel,'' Kiel became a little depressed as he laments on his age.


    ''well either way it must have been something I forgotten to buy or something like that. Yeah it''s totally like that, nothing to worry about.'' For sure he only made some reasons to feel better, he knew but he couldn''t care anymore, and finally went inside.


    "Honey I''m home!" he mildly shouted as he got in. ''hmm? No one''s answering? Did they go anywhere?''


    He then notice some lights coming from the living room, which seems to be coming from the television.


    He went into the living room and saw his wife and daughter asleep on the couch. He found some sheets near the couch and neatly covered the mother daughter duo, he carrassed their face as he thought to himself. ''ahh¡­ I''m gonna miss this for 2 years'' then gave them each a kiss on their forehead as he head over to the kitchen to make dinner.


    He got into the kitchen and checked his groceries. Seeing nothing amiss, he was in relief. ''see, I didn''t forget anything, so I''m not that old yet. But what was that bad feeling I got... it must be from stress.'' He didn''t think anymore and check what was inside the bags.


    ''hmm.. let see¡­. Chicken¡­. Some potatoes, garlic and onion¡­ finally, chicken curry! easy peasy! Alright let''s get cooking!'' excited he started to preparing dinner.


    Aya his daughter was woken up by the smell of the food Kiel''s was making "daddy! You''re here, and you''re making dinner? What''re you making?


    "I''m making chicken curry pumpkin, go wash you''re face ,there''s some drool on your mouth" he said laughingly.


    "Ah!" aya started wiping her mouth, seeing her hands wet with saliva, she went to the bathroom to wash her face.


    Finally after some time, dishes were served. He went to wake up his wife,"honey wake up, I''ve prepared dinner"


    "mmmm ¡­ what?. Ahhh dinner, what time is it?" she asked while she was rubbing her eyes.


    "yeah.. go freshen up first, it''s already nearing 8:00 pm"


    "ok¡­" still half asleep, she stood up and went to the bathroom.


    "hurry up mom, dad made curry!" said Aya beside, she getting impatient as she was really getting hungry just from the smell.


    "hey! Don''t start without me okay?" she said as she pinched her daughter''s waist.


    "heyyy! just hurry up ok!"


    "ok ok I will, I''m the same as you, I''m also hungry just from the fragrant smell"


    "Now now, Aya don''t hurry your mom, the food won''t go anywhere" seeing his daughter being impatient, he started comforting her.


    Moment''s later, Amy got out of the bathroom and they finally had dinner. It was always been a rule in their household to eat together. He always believed that a family eating together would always be happy together.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    As the mood was getting better due to the good food they were eating, Kiel brought out the topic of him working overseas.


    "Honey¡­ " he called with a sweet tone.


    "yes? What? What''s with your tone? Let me guess, you''ve done something wrong and you''re trying sweet talking it out?" Amy said in a suspicious tone, and Aya hearing stared at his father also suspicious.


    Kiel''s body jolted ''a woman''s intuition is scary indeed, and what''s with that those stares!? I''m not some criminal you know!'' but he kept a smiling face and replied "what do you mean by that? I was just about tell you something"


    "then tell me, what are you being so wishy-washy for, you''re aren''t young anymore" Amy said without caring for his husband''s feeling


    Kiel''s eyelid twitched ''what do you mean old? You''re the one to talk, you''re the same age as me!'' helplessly he could only take it as he heard nothing, he knew he would lose the argument with his wife weather he was in the right or wrong.


    "I''ve been ordered to work overseas, I''ll be going in 3 days" he said in careful tone.


    "What! What do you mean overseas,and why so sudden, do you even know that are anniversary is next week! Don''t tell me you forgot it?" She stared at Kiel with her eye''s blazing in anger.


    ''Oh shit!'' Stunned, he couldn''t speak as he totally forgot about it. So this was the bad feeling he got earlier, what he forgot was something really really important!


    Seeing her husband mute, Amy was really angry "So you did forgot it!!!! How could you forget our anniversary!?"


    Awaken by his wife outburst, he hurriedly said "what do you mean I forgot? It just slipped my mind that''s all" he smiled as widely as he could in hopes to quell his wife''s anger, but he was too na?ve.


    "Just slipped your mind!? Oh it slipped my mind, you''re going to sleep in the couch today!" she said in a smile yet not a smile.


    "oh come on! Don''t worry, we can just always spend it earlier" he tried comforted his wife, but all he got was silence treatment, he was actually getting the cold shoulder. He could only bitterly smile as tried to comfort his wife.


    "booo! Daddy, you''ve made mommy mad!" teasingly, she continued in a reprimanding tone. "how could you forget you''re anniversary, look how mad mommy is!"


    He could only stare in bitter, being reprimanded by his daughter made him depressed, ''ahhh Kiel¡­ Kiel¡­. What a life, you''re wife won''t talk to you, and now you''re being reprimanded by your daughter.''


    For the next hours, Kiel has been trying his hard to comfort his wife, but all he got was a blanket, a pillow, and a door being shut at his face.


    *giggles* he turned his head and saw his daughter with her head poking out of her door, laughing at his misfortune.


    "yo-" before he could say anything, another door was shut at his face.


    Mouth twitching, he could only go and lay down in the couch in bitterness. '' sigh¡­ take note to self, make reminders about next year anniversary''


    ...


    The next morning


    *clank*


    He was woken up by the noise, what saw as his eyes opened was a cup of coffee,


    "have some coffee¡­" he heard his wife''s voice, she was standing next him also holding a cup of coffee. He fixed himself in a sitting position so his wife could sit. He looked at her as she sat beside him. No one was speaking, it was awkward between them. He tried to break the awkwardness and spoke ;


    "sorry..." he said in a low voice, out of the words and sentences he came up with last night, it was the only thing he could say.


    Amy looked at him and lightly said "I''m sorry too honey, I should have listened to you too."


    "no I really did forgot about it, I''m most to blame about it. Are you still mad" he said in a bitter tone.


    Next thing she smiled and said "oh you.. you know I couldn''t stay mad at you, let''s just forget about it,"


    Kiel heaved a sigh of relief and smiled, he was glad hearing her wife forgiving him, she hug her closer to his chest as they savored the coffee she made.


    "hey¡­" Amy called out.


    "yeah my dear wife" he said in a bright smile.


    "tell me about the thing you working overseas"


    "there''s nothing to talk, I''ll be working in the Philippines, they needed highly capable long time employees. They said I''ll be at most working there for a maximum of 2 years, and of course along with it, they will give me more benefits and a higher pay"


    "2 years... that''s quite a long time¡­could they just replace you with some else?"


    "I also asked them that but they said it important so they couldn''t just recruit someone unknown"


    "you know we''ll both miss you right?" Kiel looked at his wife, seeing her eyes filled with sadness, he could only sigh as he couldn''t do anything about it. They had always been together since dating, same high school and same university. Being apart from each other had always been hard for them.


    "I know honey, I''ll miss you both too¡­ but I could always take a leave and visit you here right? So its not that bad" comforting her was the only thing he could do.


    "how about our anniversary?"


    "let''s celebrate it earlier, I will spend most of my time with you guys, before I leave" he carassed her face as he kissed her forehead.


    "GROUP HUG!" surprised by the hug from behind, it was Aya. "of course I''ll also be part of this" what ensued after was a round of laughter.


    Hugging his mother and daughter pair and seeing the joy in their eyes. Kiel could only sigh in his mind as he thought about this moment, and how he would miss it.

 A kiss to remember

    For the last 2 days, Kiel spent most of his time accompanying his loved ones.


    He made up for his wife by celebrating their anniversary a day before his flight. He made sure his wife was happy and satisfied.


    ...


    Today was Kiel''s flight to the Philippines.


    He was outside of his house with his baggages.


    "did you bring everything you need? Toothbrush? Did you forget anything?" Amy said as she got close to her husband and tidied up his clothes.


    "no. everything is in here" he said as he patted his baggages.


    "oh wait!"


    "what? Did you forget something? " amy asked in confusion.


    He hugged his wife closer and whispered "yeah I did, I forgot our goodbye kiss"


    "oh you¡­ not here! Were outside, others will see" blushing in embarrassment, she hid her face in his chest.


    "oh what are being embarrassed for? You''re not young anymore." Kiel rolled his eyes as he laughed


    "you!!" Kiel felt pain in his waist as Amy pinched him.


    "oww! Ow! Ok ok¡­ how about just once? pretty please? It we''ll be just a quick kiss" he asked in a pleading manner.


    "fine fine" she looked at Kiel''s face and leaned her face for a kiss


    Feeling his wife lips, Kiel savored it for a long time, not letting her go. He kissed like there was no tomorrow, it was passionate and full of love.


    Amy was panting as Kiel finally let her go. Her cheeks red and her lips a little swollen from the kiss, still immersed in the kiss.


    "Ahh¡­ I''ll really miss this kiss." Kiel said in a sad tone.


    "ohh you¡­ " she smiled sweetly, even though he would be away for a long time, at least she got a kiss that she would always remember for a long time.


    "what? you mad? At least before I leave I got to taste your lips to my heart contents"


    "I''m not mad, I just¡­ really gonna miss this." She stared at his eyes. They were full of love, they always knew their hearts were always connected no matter how much the distance, even though they were old, their passion never withered, it was young as ever! Brimming as time passes. They leaned again and kissed for the second time, it was the same kiss, but it fell short.


    "you guys aren''t still satisfied?" a voice interrupted them from their sweet moment, it was Aya, staring at them like they were two weirdos.


    "seriously you guys, aren''t you embarrassed at your age?" she reprimandingly said like a parent reprimanding it''s children.


    Amy pinched her cheek, this daughter of her actually reprimanded her like she was someone older.


    "ouch! Ouch! No more!" Aya couldn''t help but yell.


    "oh. Come here pumpkin" he said in with a chuckle as he also hugged his daughter.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    "daddy will miss you, pumpkin" he kissed her on her forehead.


    "I''ll miss you too daddy, a lot, especially you''re cooking, no one would cook me good food anymore!" she said in an almost crying tone.


    "what do you mean? There''s your mom, she could also cook good food" Aya hearing this, looked at her mom with her eyebrows arched up, seemingly not convinced.


    "what? You think I can''t cook?" Amy said as she stared sharply at her daughter, her hands in a pinching gesture.


    Seeing this, Aya shakes her like a rattle drum "no, no , I didn''t meant that, you cook better than dad!"


    Amy seeing this, smiled, she was pleased, '' what do you mean I can''t cook, I can cook¡­ not just that good. Hehe''


    Laughing, Kiel hugged his two loved ones, giving them another kiss on their forehead, before he called a taxi and went inside. He looked at his wife and daughter one last time before he faced the driver and said "bring me to the airport"


    ...


    Finally, they arrived at the airport


    "here''s you go" he said as he handed his payment. He got out and went inside, he went pass the check and got had his flight checked.


    He arrived at the waiting bay, he was surprised to see the chief. He approached them and greeted him "Hello chief Clark, I didn''t know you were coming with us"


    "hello to you too. I wasn''t supposed to be, but an order from above came had me come with you guys, they said I was needed there."


    "I see, it must be something important"


    "yeah, it is, you''re the last one to arrive," he said as 8 more people were already there sitting, with one of them being his best friend, Jake.


    "there''s still some time before the flight so check your belongings, make sure everything''s ready, I don''t want any delay" checking everything''s alright, Sir Clark took a sit and no longer bothered with them.


    Kiel approached his best friend "you''re here too? You never told me."


    "you never asked me." Jake retorted.


    Kiel could only laugh at Jake''s retort, he took a sit and passed time talking to Jake.


    Hours passed before they were able to board the plane


    Kiel and Jake were seated together


    "hoooo.. this is gonna be a long flight" Jake said as he took out an eye mask and wore it. "wake me up when we arrive"


    "will do" Kiel didn''t bothered him anymore as he also got some sleep.


    ...


    It was night when they arrived at Francisco Bangoy International airport.


    "it''s already night, so we''ll be continuing our trip to the site tomorrow." The chief ordered and went ahead to to their hotel.


    "you''re first time here?" Kiel asked Jake.


    "no ¡­ been here a long time ago, on a vacation leave. Don''t you remember?"


    "really? I don''t remember?"


    "back in college, remember? Months before you and Amy dated"


    "oh yeah! I remember now" talking about it, he remembered his college days, when he was still a hot blooded youth.


    "what are you thinking of?" seeing Kiel deep in thought he asked


    "just some college memories"


    "I see¡­ it was quite a moment in life right? Hahahah"


    "yeah, it was the best moments of my life, it was in college when I met Amy" He still remember it vividly. The first time he saw Amy, it was love at first sight. He remembered her young sweet innocent face that always made his heart jerking in nervousness. It took him a lot of courage just to ask her out. He was a total greenhorn when it comes to relationship during those times.


    "yeah¡­ I never thought that you two would go to end" Jake said teasingly


    "of course, I''m not like you who would chase different women every week. Hahaha!" laughing as he retorted


    The two best friends joked and laughed as they arrived in front of the hotel. It was quite big contrary to Kiel''s expectations.


    Sir Clark went in front of the group and started handing out the room keys. He said "you guys should get some rest, we got long trip tomorrow" Kiel along with Jake got thier key, and went on ahead to search to room.


    Both Kiel and Jake were exhausted from the flight so they got inside thier bed quite early


    ...


    Early in the morning.


    They gathered at lobby


    "I hope you guys got some rest, our ride is on the parking lot underground. We will be traveling to the mountain region just northern of Valencia city, it will be 3 and a half drive from here"


    After the debriefing them, the chief brought them underground . what surprised them where rows of black cars. There were soldiers fully armed each beside the car.


    "what with those soldiers? Why do I feel like we''re criminals being escorted to a new prison" Jake whispered


    "yeah¡­ just from the aura alone from those guys could devour us." The atmosphere was getting tense


    The chief waved his hands assured the the workers. "don''t be tense, they''re here for your safety. Now enough chit chat and start getting in the cars."


    As they got into the cars. The chief without anyone noticing approach the leader and said in a whisper


    "make sure everything''s ready before we depart, I don''t want any mishaps," and went ahead and got inside in one of the cars.


    The leader nodded and put his collar closer through his mouth "Alpha to HQ, convoy is on way"


    "This HQ, Your route is clear. You may proceed"

 Ambush!

    Two hours later, in the middle the trip. The convoy had to passed first a forest before they could reach Valencia city.


    In each car two soldiers were in the front seats, while the employees were seated on the back. Kiel was seated on the middle, on his left was an was another employee, and on the right side was chief Clark, he was so bored as the two people beside him were someone who he wasn''t close with.


    ''ahhh¡­ it would have been better if I was seated with Jake¡­'' he looked at his watched seeing that there''s one and a half hour before they arrive, he was a little relieve ''it''s just another half an hour, yawnnnn, I should take a nap''


    Kiel closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep, but he couldn''t he could hear commotions from outside the car.


    The chief beside him asked "what happened?"


    "Sir, the front car''s engine seems to have stopped working"


    "what do you mean stopped working? I already told them I didn''t want any mishaps and this happens!?"he move his mouth closer to his communication device and shouted;


    "I want a detailed report right now!"


    "yes sir, were right on it"


    He was suspicious of the whole situation, he knew this soldiers, they were heavily and strictly trained by the family. They wouldn''t do this kind of stupid mistake, he knew this whole situation wasn''t simple as he thought.


    "squad leader, have your men secure the perimeter, be on alert!"


    "yes sir, on it!"


    ...¡­


    "there''s no any electricity in the engine, that''s strange¡­" two soldiers were fixing the front car


    "Secure the perimeter, be on high alert, you are allowed to open fire to any threat"


    The squad leader, hearing the chief''s orders hurriedly ordered his men to have the perimeter secured.


    Hearing the order, the soldiers were quick on their feet and started securing each vechicle, each on high alert, ready to kill anyone that could be a threat to he convoy.


    "Back side, secured, nothing suspicious"


    "Middle side, also secured"


    "Affirmative, Stay and hold your perimeters!"


    Satisfied by the reports he heard he went to check the status of the front car, even though the nothing was reported suspicious it was better to be cautious,


    "what''s the status?"


    "Sir, the engine have completely stopped, no anomalies with other the parts. The problem lies within the power supply, there''s no electricity"


    "No electricity? How come? All of it''s parts are newly made and only installed yesterday, it''s power supply should be able to last for more than a month! Could the battery have been a defect?" the situation was indeed fishy, the engine parts the company made, were all high quality, they were strictly tested before coming out of the factories, especially for this car model, this was the latest car released the company, it''s capabilities were high above from any out there.


    "no sir, were sure there aren''t any defects, each components were tested before being installed."


    "if there aren''t any defects, then... check for any tampering!"


    He was on high alert, if this engine was really tampered then there''s a high a chance of ambush, he looked around the vicinity, the road was more than wide enough to fit two cars. They were surrounded by high trees and lush bushes, it this situation spelled ambush.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Men, be on high alert! I repeat be on high alert! Safety off!"


    "What''s the situation?" It was the voice of the chief


    "the situation seems to be turning dire sir!"


    While he was surveying the area, he glimpsed a faint blinking red light underneath the vehicle,


    "What do you mean dire!?" He didn''t answer because he was too intrigued by what he saw. He wasn''t sure if it was from the sunlight, he checked just to be sure. He slowly kneeled and looked underneath


    What he saw was a small black ball in the size of a marble, with blinking red lights, the moment he saw it, he knew what it was, he hurriedly shouted


    "Ambu-"


    *BOOOOOOM*


    He was blasted away, an explosion occurred beneath the car, sending it flying and smashing to the vehicle behind it.


    Followed by it was a rain of bullets from every corner of the forest, less than half of the soldiers were killed by the sudden ambush, leaving the convoy under heavy fire and the soldiers suppressed.


    ...¡­


    Kiel was eyes were still closed trying to sleep, he didn''t bother about the situation outside when he suddenly heard the explosion from the front, he was gob-smacked the moment he opened his eyes, seeing a car fly from the explosion. It was the first time for him to see something like this up close, this were somethings he only saw in movies he liked to watch.


    "hickkk!" awaken from daze, he looked at side to see his coworker, scared shit-less, with wet stain marks forming on his shorts. ''what the fuck, you actually peed yourself!? Oh come on!''


    He didn''t think more as sounds of rapid gunfire was heard, big cracks started appearing from the windows of the car as bullets pounded on them. It was a good thing that the vehicle was entirely bulletproof.


    The chief was fast to react, the moment the explosion occurred it only took him half a second to react, he tried contacting the HQ through his communication device,


    "Chief Alpha to HQ,,, Chief Alpha to HQ¡­ COME ON DAMMIT" no matter how he tried only static noise were heard from his device.


    "F*ck they seems to have scrambled the communication lines, Squad leader! Report Squad leader! Report!" he was really angry now, he looked around, more than a half were still alive but they barely holding on.


    The chief took out a rifle gun from behind the car and went out joining the fight. He called out to the one of the soldier "bring out the drones!"


    A soldier hearing this, hurriedly activated the drones with a device from his wrist. A compartment from the back of each cars opened, producing two drones, Each drone were equipped with a high caliber gun, flying high above the ground, locking on their targets.


    But before the chief could rejoice he heard a swooshing sound. It was a rocket, forming it''s trail of smoke as it flew towards to one the drones.


    And explosion occurred which rendered all of the drones falling from the sky, and their devices fried.


    "aackk!" the chief screamed in pain as he hurriedly pulled out the device from his ears, it was emitting a black smoke.


    "F*CK!, an EMP rocket! Looks like this people have a high backing. What power are they from!!?" he didn''t think anymore as his soldiers were falling one by one.


    One of the remaining soldier approached him "Sir! Your orders!? We can no longer hold on!"


    As he was about to reply, another swooshing sound came from behind and another explosion occurred, this time it was the vehicle in the farthest back.


    "DAMMIT! I won''t let you get away with this, whoever you are!"


    As he was cursing, the door from a vehicle just behind the car where Kiel was sitting was opened.


    It was Jake, he pulled out a gun, he fired and killed some of the soldiers near him. He was skilled and precise, like someone who have lived with a gun all his life. It was obvious that he was a heavily trained with handling a gun.


    The chief was surprised and immediately knew what was happening,


    *bang*


    "ackk!!" before he could aim his gun, Jake was faster, a bullet passed through the hand of the chief


    "Sir!"


    The soldier beside him was surprised but before he could fire his weapon, a distinct gunshot sound was heard among the gunshots, and an explosion of blood came out of the soldier''s head, and fell with a thud, killed with a sniper rifle.


    The chief pulled out a knife from his waist, Jake with his fast reaction fired two bullets through his legs which both rendered the chief immobilized.


    Jake opened the door of vehicle and greeted Kiel with a "Hey!"


    Kiel''s was astonished for a long time, Jake seeing this wave his hands in front Kiel''s face


    Awaken from his daze, with his face stiff he asked "W-w-what the fuck!?" wh-what are you d-doing!?"


    "come out"


    "NO! I''ll be shot!!"


    "relax, listen it''s already over"


    Even though hearing no gunshots, Kiel was still hesitating, but Jake was his best friend for a long time, so he still had some trust in him, sensing that Jake has no intention to harm him, he no longer hesitated and decisively came out.


    He was surprised when he came out of vehicle, everything was in disorder. All vehicles were ridden with holes from bullets, one could see the bullets sticking out from the holes. Bloodied bodies of soldiers where littered around. Kiel almost puked himself seeing the scattered brain parts of a soldier who was killed by a sniper rifle.


    *rustle**rustle*


    He jolted from the rustle sounds and looked around, there were heavily armed soldiers wearing camouflage uniforms coming out of the forest. They were many of them that left Kiel terrified, he started shaking, he looked at his friend who was also looking at him, smiling. He pointed at them and asked Jake. "y-yo-you''re with t-t-t-them!?


    Jake still smiling, nodded his head.


    Kiel pupils constricted, he already had a guess, but he still asked. He never knew this side about his best friend, with a shaking voice he asked


    "W-w-who a-are you?"

 Familiarity

    "you''ll know later" Jake replied with a mysterious smile.


    Kiel could only hide his curiosity and speculate in his mind who this people really are.


    "Damn you Jake!! You''re actually together with them!" roared by the chief. He was really fuming in anger. There was actually a rat who''s been freely roaming underneath his nose.


    "Shut him up and tie him up, he still have some value" said by one of the soldiers, he seems to be leader of this group of soldiers, Kiel couldn''t see his face as he was wearing a black mask. He could feel that messing with him wouldn''t be a wise choice. Two soldiers behind approached the chief.


    "Shut up!" shouted by one soldier as whacked the head of the chief with the butt part of his gun. While the other one tied the chief up.


    "ackk!" blood flowed down through his face, he gritted his teeth, he spat at the soldier''s boots "F*ck you! Who ever you are, you would all pay for this!!!"


    "this one is tough nut." Seeing the chief still holding on, the soldier put more strength and hit the chief''s face again.


    "this one is still alive sir." two soldiers were seen dragging a bloodied body near them, it was the squad leader. He survived the blast it left him with numerous wounds, he was barely alive.


    The leader of the group approached the bloodied squad leader.


    *cough**cough* "I¡­ w-w-on''t tell yo-you¡­ a thing... let¡­ me¡­ die a s-soldier''s..... death"


    "there''s no value in him anymore, they''re all the same, it would take a lot of work just to make them spill the it all out. But this one¡­ he won''t live long."


    He kneeled and slowly spoke "since you have no use, I''ll fulfill your last wish." He stood up and pulled a pistol from his holster and aimed at the head.


    The barely holding squad leader closed his eyes, waiting for his death to come.


    *bang*


    Smoke were coming out of the barrel, he put close to his mouth and blew it, before putting it back to his holster. He looked at Kiel.


    Kiel felt his hairs standing and became tense, he looked back and he felt strange seeing countless complex emotions deep in his eyes.


    ''why do I feel a familiarity from him?'' he thought to himself in confusion. He knew he never met this person once but he gives off a sense of familiarity, like someone who was really close to him.


    The leader shifted his eyes to Jake and approach him.


    "You''ve done a good job. teacher has been waiting for your return, he''s been nagging me about your return, both of you actually" he said looking at Kiel.


    Surprised, Kiel asked "me? What about me? I don''t know anything related about that teacher of yours"


    "you know him, you just can''t remember, he will tell you all" he no longer looked at kiel, he commanded his men to clean up the sight.


    "h-h-hey, what are you doing!" a man was struggling while being dragged by the soldiers, he guy who peed himself.


    "shut up" shouted by one of the soldiers, followed by a kick to his face. While the other one was making fun him by pointing a gun on his head "hahaha, see this gun? I could put some dozen of bullets into your body with you dying. What? Scared? You gonna pee yourself again? Hahaha."This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    "PLEASE NO! I-I-I''ll give you money! Yes! I have a lot of money!! just please don''t kill me!!"


    "that''s enough!" the leader interrupted "have them tied up and their head covered put them at the back of the truck"


    Hearing that he was gonna be taken away, the poor guy struggled more trying to escape. "Please! Please!! Don-"


    "I said shut up" irritated, the soldier finally planted the butt of his gun to the guy''s face, making him unconscious.


    Rows of military trucks came rolling in, planned to be use for any war loot be it weapons or prisoners.


    "Double time men! Move! Move! Haul those drones up the truck, there''s some still use to them, take anything that could still used!"


    He diverted his attention to Kiel and bellowed. "move, get your ass up the truck"


    Like a cat having his tail stepped on, he hastily boarded the truck and sat obediently, he lamented on his fate.


    ''sigh¡­ I''m only just a law abiding citizen, why is this happening to me!?'' all his life, only revolved around his work and his family, his only hobby was reading anything that got him interested. Never did he in his life, did something crazy like this occurred to him.


    "Where are you taking us!?"


    "Please, don''t hurt me!!"


    He heard shouts, intrigued he took a look outside and saw his co employees being dragged to the truck behind. He noticed a soldier pull out a pistol from his holster before firing at a captive''s leg.


    *BANG*


    "ACKKK! AHHHH! MY LEG!! WHAT THE F*CKKK!"


    "I hear anymore shouting and all of you will have a taste, DO I MAKE MY SELF CLEAR!?"


    Intimidated, the captive all shut their mouth, the guy who was shot could only grit his teeth in pain, resisting his best not shout, he could only let out some faint whimpers.


    Kiel too wasn''t an exception, he took his head back and thought ''don''t with bother with them, don''t bother with them''


    "hey!"


    "Ahhh!" he was startled, he checked who it was, seeing it was only Jake, he heaved a sigh of relief


    "don''t be jittery, relax, no one would hurt you here, wear this vest" he handed Kiel a Kevlar vest, and had him wear.


    He felt something wet from his behind, he checked it out, seeing his hands stained in blood, he said in a shaking voice "blood!? You took this from those dead soldiers!?"


    "yeah we didn''t have anymore for you, its just blood" Jake said like it was something normal.


    "blood of a dead person, Jake! A dead person!"


    "what!? You don''t want it, don''t blame me if a bullet holed up in your body"


    Speechless, Kiel could only endure his anxiousness.


    "OK! move! Let''s go!" Kiel looked outside, the soldiers were done with their jobs and started boarding the trucks, the masked leader loudly patted the truck before he took a sit beside Kiel.


    The truck started moving, just as they were far from the battle site, the masked man suddenly spoke;


    "do it"


    Kiel was curious, as he didn''t know what he meant, he saw Jake pulling out a remote with buttons on it. he pushed one of its buttons, and a loud explosion came from where they came from. He looked at Jake with eyes wide open.


    Jake noticed his gaze, looked back at Kiel, seeing his surprised expression, he chortled. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, he offered one to Kiel, which Kiel refused, before offering one to the masked leader.


    "thanks" as he took one, he pulled out his mask.


    Kiel seeing his face, felt the familiarity intensifying from him. He didn''t know who he was, but he felt close to him. Like a feeling someone would get from a kin.


    He looked to be in his mid 40''s, he was handsome, if anyone would carefully look at his face, one could see an inkling resemblance from Kiel.


    He lighted the cigarette and took a smoke, he let out a breath before looking at Kiel. He stretched his hands for an handshake and said;


    "Izakel"


    ...


    Hours after.


    Frederic stood at the wreckage at of the convoy. His face was terrifying to behold, seeing all his plans falling into pieces, he couldn''t wait to tear the person behind this into pieces.


    He shifted his cold eyes to his men behind, specifically the squad leader. "WHAT HAVE BEEN DOING!!? I DIDN''T STATIONED YOUR SQUAD HERE FOR NOTHING!!"


    "Sir. They didn''t send any SOS, we only knew when they weren''t responding to us when we tried to ask their status."


    Frederic thought to himself, ''from the looks of it, the enemy had carefully planned all of this, from all the routes to the site, they knew where it was.'' he shifted his gaze through all of his men ''someone here is a rat''his eye''s sharpening ''whoever you are, you better hide, if not¡­.''


    One of his men approached him and reported. "Sir, we did not find the chief among the dead bodies, he might have been made captive along with the employees"


    Hearing the report, Frederic anger blazed even more, his men''s heads were soaked in perspiration, they kept their mouth shut, in fear of angering him even more.


    ''F*CK, whoever you are, you better not do anything you would regret'' he started getting worried for his uncle, he knew any moment now could spell his death.


    "Find their traces!!! Search for them, I don''t care what methods you use, I will be expecting a satisfying report! UNDERSTOOD!!?"


    "SIR YES! SIR!" his saluted before swiftly started their search.

 Teacher.

    "hey¡­ HEY!" bellowed jake, waving his hand at Kiel''s daze face.


    "Huh?.. ahhh!, sorry what?" woken up from his daze, he realized that the truck have completely stopped, the soldiers were already busy transfering loots of the battle.


    "you okay?" jake asked concerned.


    "yeah I''m fine, just need a little bit rest, were here already?"


    "yeah! Come with me, I''ll lead you to teacher, he would be pleased to see you" Kiel followed jake down the truck, what he was a rural village, he asked. "This your base?"


    "not really, the village is just a front, our real base is up the mountains, inaccessible to vehicles, we can only travel by foot" Jake said while pointing to the mountains up ahead.


    Kiel was dismayed. "travel by foot? How far?"


    "Don''t worry it''s just a 30 mins trek, come on let''s get going" he gestured Kiel to follow him through the village, in the middle, was a woman, with long black hair, wearing casual clothes, she was tending to a child, crying from a wound.


    "Isabelle!" Jake approached her, and called out.


    Hearing her name, she turned and saw Jake, her face grew a smile, she stood up and hugged Jake, Kiel turned his body away and stayed silent to let the couple enjoy their moment. He wasn''t much surprised, he already guessed that she was the same as Jake.


    "miss me?" jake teased in gentle manner.


    "mm, I really missed you a lot!" she chuckled, with her hands on his neck.


    Jake gestured his head to the direction of Kiel, Isabelle curious she shifted her gaze to where jake was gesturing, she saw Kiel, astounded, she waved her hand, shouting "KIELLL!"


    "hey!" Kiel approached, he laughingly said. "I already have guessed that you might be here and I was actually right!"


    "You''re finally here! Teacher would be joyous when sees you." she lightly smiled


    "say, who is this teacher you guys speak of? And why would he be happy seeing me?" he''s been eager to know who he the teacher they were speaking of.


    "We all call him Teacher, the one created this group, to us he is very much like a fatherly figure" she explained.


    "I see¡­" noticing the child beside isabelle, he asked. "who''s this kid?"


    "oh! Him? He''s one of the children who''s living here." she stooped down child height, she said to the youngster. "now, now, its just a small wound, don''t cry, go back playing"


    After pacifying the child, she stood up and said to duo. "let''s go, I''ll come with you"


    The three trekked along the mountain as they neared the base. It was deeply hidden inside the mountains, using the high trees and plants as cover, it was hard to for someone to notice it using their naked eyes.


    It was also heavily guarded, there were a lot of bunkers built around the base, drones could also be spotten pratolling troughout the area.


    "impressed?" Jake asked, seeing Kiel astonished.


    "yeah, this is quite hidden, if you didn''t showed me, I wouldn''t have believed that there was a something built here. And not just the base, the view here is quite stunning, along with the environment." Looking around, amazed by the sight. He could see the whole village up here.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "yeah, even I still get amazed after all the years seeing it, you never get really tired of it." Jake said, looking through the view as he feel into a deep thought, he became nostalgic. His wife beside asked. "what are you thinking of?"


    "I was just reminiscing about the time when were still young and under the tutelage of teacher, now decades have past, it felt like wasn''t long, like it was just yesterday." He said, lost in the view.


    Isabelle sighed, also remembering things about the past.


    "this place must be special to you guys? You both grew up here? I didn''t you that you guys were a Filipino." Kiel asked, he never knew that Jake actually grew up here. Everytime he asked he would only it was somewhere far, not elaborating any further. Kiel realize that something must have happened so he was sensitive enough not to ask anymore, he waited Jake to say it personally.


    "Yeah, this where we met, grew up, and fell in love. This place much more than something special to me, not only for me or the both of us, but to almost of people living here." Jake said as he looked sincerely at Kiel.


    "well, truth to be told, we aren''t a pure blood Filipino, my dad was spanish while my mom was a Filipino so I''m half-half" Isabelle answered.


    "Really? So you Jake, the couple you talked about was a lie?" Kiel said as he looked at Jake, waiting for his answer.


    "No, they were my real parents." Jake answered, his voice soft and a little shaky.


    "huh? Then how did you end up here?" puzzled, Kiel asked. He was bewildered,


    Jake took a breath before answering, his eyes becoming a little moist, he answered. "I was abandoned as a child, as they couldn''t raise me. Drifting my days living on the streets until I met Teacher, here I learned what it was like to have a family, where I met children like me, where I met my wife."


    He paused, he diverted his gaze to Kiel, continuing " if your curious why I told you about them back then, was because that was the day I found them, they were divorced, with different families. I tried reaching out to them, but they treated me like I never existed. I told you about them out frustration and nothing more."


    "I see. I''m sorry I asked, but you know... I''m quite relieved, seeing you opening things about you, we''ve been greats friends for a long time, but I never really knew a lot about you, while it seems you know a lot about of my past." Kiel said grinning.


    Jake laughed it off and said "alright, let''s get going. Teacher must be getting impatient by now."


    The two finally arrived at the entrance of the base. The entrance was a cave, with two people guarding, one was short and the other one was tall. The tall guard seeing Jake nearing voiced out. "Jake you''re finally here! So how was it!?"


    "Oh you know the same old things." Jake conveyed, hooking his arm around the two guard''s shoulders.


    The guards laughed for a while, before noticing Kiel, the short one checked Kiel from bottom to up while asking. "this must be the guy? Huh? He look very much like him"


    "hahaha. Don''t mind him his words much, this is victor, a close friend of mine," Jake introduced.


    "Victor Vascov! And this asian shorty is Feng" Victor said as he stretched his arms for a shake.


    "who''re you calling shorty? Kiel is it? I''m Feng Chen" Feng said, also stretching his arm.


    Kiel laughed as he shook both their hands and said. "nice to meet you both"


    "Now now, you''ve guys seen teacher?" Jake asked.


    "yeah, he is inside, in his favorite seat, drinking tea. He''s with Izakel" Victor answered, he switch his gaze to Kiel when he said Izakel''s name, implying something.


    "I see, come on let''s go!" Jake said while his hands gesturing Kiel to follow.


    Turns after turns, passing through people busy with their own works they arrived at a corridor leading to their destination. Halfway trough the corridor of the cave, Jake abruptly asked Kiel "Don''t worry, we''re about to see him, I know you already have some guesses, he will verify all your questions"


    "mm" Kiel only nodded, grewing nervous every step he take near through the end of the corridor.


    What he saw a moment he got out of the long corridor was a cliff inside a bigger cave. He looked up and saw an wide opening with water falling forming a circular giant waterfalls.


    "Amazing isn''t, the water coming from that opening came from river in the upper parts of the mountains." Jake said as he too was amazed, to him this kinds of view never gets old. He signaled at Kiel and said. "Come, Teacher is right there"


    He peered his eyes from the sight and saw a giant and luscious tree hanging from the cliff, its body was curved, shielding the wooden table underneath, from droplets of water coming from the waterfalls , seated around the table where two people, one was Izakel, and the other was an old, frail man. He looked like someone who has his other foot inside his grave, busy enjoying his tea, not minding his surroundings.


    Izakel called out to the old man "Teacher, they have come" pulling the old man from his reverie.


    Noticing Kiel''s group he spoke in a dry voice, "Oh. Jake you''ve arrived, How have you been"


    Jake and bowed along with Isabelle before replying "yes teacher, I''ve been doing great. I accomplished what you''ve asked of and have brought him"


    "hm?" shifting his attention to Kiel, with a warm smile he said. "You''re finally here Kiel!"

 The past!

    "Come and have a seat beside me Kiel" Said the old man. Kiel took a seat, he realized that he wasn''t nervous as he was, he felt like he was just meeting some old friend, which was strange to him.


    The old man placed his face close to Kiel''s face, he stretched his arms, gently caressing his face, carefully checking his features with wide eyes.


    "You look very much like your father, I''m sure he would have been happy if he looked at you, all grown up." The old man sighed as he took back his hands.


    "My father? You knew him? Wait, I don''t even know your name, yet I feel close to you." Kiel asked, his face painted with the thick puzzlement. He had a lot of questions ever since he arrived, he felt that this old man in front of him would clear all of his doubts.


    The old man slapped his thigh and said. "Oh! Right! How forgetful of me, My name is Arnold Molino, you might not remember me, in the past I used to work for you father, we were close back then." reminiscing as he sipped his tea.


    "Arnold¡­ Arnold¡­ you¡­ were the head guard!" Kiel exclaimed.


    "That''s right! You remember me!?" Arnold said excitedly as he held Kiel''s shoulders.


    "I remember that name¡­ from a nightmare¡­ Leo¡­ Lara¡­ I remember those names" Clutching his head from the pain, he tried recalling those names, and who they were.


    "that''s right! Leo! Your father''s name was Leo! While Lara was your mother" Arnold''s hands started shivering from overly excited. Izakel called out "Teacher don''t get too overly excited!"


    Arnold let out a long breath, calming his rapid beating heart. He waved his hands "I''m okay, I''m okay¡­" he took his attention back to Kiel and continued. "do you remember the name Izakel?"


    In a daze, he said in shaky voice "Izakel¡­ mother was also holding a baby, who father called Izakel" he dazedly at Kiel at Izakel. "same name as you¡­"


    Izakle nodded and in a soft voice "hello brother" he had a strange face. Having complex emotions, seeing his brother who only just met in person.


    "he''s your brother Kiel, Izakel, back then he was just a new born when that incident happened" Arnold said, pointing at Izakel.


    "that nightmare¡­ all of those were real" Kiel said, obviously agitated, he continued "all them real¡­ how come¡­"


    "they weren''t just some nightmare your brain made up, it was the trauma you had from the incident years years ago. they were memories surfacing from your unconscious mind. " Arnold explained.


    "I also had the feeling that they were real, so I tried searching for some clues. I tried hiring a lot of investigators just to find answers, but all them couldn''t find anything , and I only known their first name which made it more harder" Kiel reasoned. The nightmare felt so real that made Kiel feel that they were real. All of his efforts were all naught and could only give up since he couldn''t get any information, like they didn''t exist at all, which made him give up and think of it as something his brain came up with.


    "of course they wouldn''t find anything. That incident was tightly gaurded, only a handful of people knew of it. Especially with the Stanford''s influence which only made it difficult." Arnold didn''t found it surprising, he knew of the Stanford''s capabilities, there were a lot of people they could use with their influence. . He was a believer of the phrase; "know thy enemy, and know yourself and you''ll win all of your battles" he''s one of the people who knew the almost everything about the Stanfords.


    "Stanfords!? You mean that Stanfords!?" Astounded, Kiel exclaimed.


    "Is there any other Stanfords? Of course I''m talking about them, the family behind the company your working for!" Arnold said in anger. The incident has always been fresh in his mind, he never forgot what those damnable Stanfords had done to him and his master.


    Everything came crashing down onto Kiel, knowing that his biological parent''s death were at the hands of the people he worked for, he felt like idiot, a fool! His breath started to get ragged as he digested his knew found information


    "no wonder... no wonder I didn''t find any information about them, if its the Stanford we''re talking about, its highly possible" Kiel consulted help from a lot of dream experts, and all of them pointed to the possibility of being a memory hidden deep inside his unconscious mind due to a self mechanism to relief him of his trauma.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    This possibility fueled Kiel to find about the whereabouts of his real biological parents, he tried hiring tons of tons of private investigators in bright hopes, but everything was all for nothing, the investigators either cancelled the work or they couldn''t find anything, it was like they didn''t exist, over the years Kiel stopped finding them anymore and assumed that they were just his mind made up.


    "So all this time¡­ all this time.. all those years I''ve been working for them¡­to think they were actually reason why my family was scattered, my parents dead¡­ all of this for what?!!!" Kiel said with bloodshot eyes, he was seething in anger.


    "all of it for that necklace you have in your chest" Arnold said as he pointed to Kiel''s chest.


    Kiel pulled out his necklace, the same necklace he saw in his nightmares, the roaring lion head jade pendant. He asked astounded "all this for a pendant¡­ for a f*cking pendant!!!"


    "it''s just not a pendant boy¡­ remember it was your father who gave it you, do you remember his words back then?" Arnold said as he tried to pacify Kiel''s anger.


    "That''s right!!! I remember¡­ he said that all of my question will be answered with this pendant" enlightened, he held the pendant tightly, checking it for any clues.


    " I remember your father said it back then, that all your questions would be answered by that pendant of yours" Arnold said, clarifying.


    "this pendant¡­ from the looks of it, its just a normal pendant made out of jade. Nothing special about it." Kiel said confused as he caressed it.


    "well, that''s all we know, since your father never elaborated more, I''m lost as you are!" Arnold said helplessly, Kiel''s father never said anything more about the pendant his been wearing ever since he had knew him. "Ones thing for sure is that pendant in hands is a disaster, but don''t be feel downcast, as they say; disaster come hand to hand with fortune."


    Arnold held his chin continuing "especially when it was said that pendants of yours came from the relic site"


    "Site!? You meant that relic site, the reason why I sent here, how is that possible!? They said that it was just recently discovered and this was given to me 43 years ago, unless... they lied, everything was made up!!" Kiel said with wide eyes and mouth opened.


    Arnold nodded his head, he explained "that''s right, the truth is that the site was discovered long ago"


    "Long ago!? how long ago?" Astounded, Kiel asked.


    "It was said in the records of your family, that it was discovered in the 17th century, during one of your ancestor''s voyages." Arnold explained.


    "My ancestor?" Kiel was surprised hearing this, he never knew anything about the family he came from.


    "yes, you, Izakel , Leo were all of from bloodline of the Agore family" Arnold said as he shakily pointed his fingers toward Kiel and Izakel, before continuing his explanation. "it was one of the remaining ancient families of Europe. Your Agore family once had close ties with the Stanford family, both being family of merchants."


    "your ancestor found that necklace your wearing inside the site" he said while staring deeply at the pendant hanging from Kiel''s neck.


    "This necklace!?" Kiel looked at his pendant, waves crashing into his heart, he never would have known that this necklace of his was actually came from there. ''how was this possible? especially since there was barely technology back then, if this really came from there, then it means that the found the answer to get inside the site'' he thought astounded by his ancestor''s luck.


    "and it was also the reason why the incident 43 years ago occurred, the Stanfords somehow learned of this family secret, The lure of the site had aroused the Stanford''s greediness gave the reason for both parties to split apart, becoming bitter enemies." Arnold said with a sigh, he could only blame the greediness of a man''s heart.


    Kiel in a daze stared at the necklace in his hands, he muttered "this necklace..... all of this... unbelievable"


    "Jake, escort Kiel to his room. Have some rest Kiel, take time to digest everything." Arnold said in a ligh sigh.


    Jake walked towards to Kiel and patted his back, he softly said "Bro, come lets go so you can get some rest"


    Kiel sighed as he followed Jake to his room, he turned his head back for a moment , rays of various emotion passing through his eyes, thinking things through, before he continued following Jake.


    Seeing the figure of Kiel vanish from their view, Izakel asked Arnold beside him in a concerned voice "Teacher, wasn''t all of this a bit too fast?"


    Arnold became silent for a moment before sighing, he replied in worried voice "I know, I thought that, but time is of the essence, if my predictions are right, the day after tomorrow will decide everything."


    Izakel didn''t said anything anymore while the old man Arnold fell in into his reverie, continuing to enjoy his tea, the sounds of water falling was the only sound that was heard.


    A soldier hurriedly came in and stood upright in front of the two he said in clear voice, his face serious "Reporting Sir! we have manage to retrieve information from the captured chief, we have found out that the Stanfords did indeed finally made a way inside the relic site, and will be initiating the expedition in three days time. awaiting for your orders!"


    Arnold sternly said "have our men prepare, and that chief¡­ dispose of him, he has no more use for us!" Send his head to the Stanfords as a gift for tomorrow blood''s fest!" he waved his hands dismissing the soldier.


    He said in a laughing tone "made a way eh? haha, So those bastards finally got impatient and forcefully made their way through, anyway my predictions were almost on point" grinning as he looked at Izakel.


    Izakel seeing the grin on his face bitterly smiled and said"alright, you won the bet. but this good news, we''ll strike as we planned, two days before they could fully finish their preparations"


    "tomorrow... will be the day that marks the Stanford''s fall" Izakel said in a cold voice, dropping the cave''s temperature into freezing coldness.

 A night of catching up.

    Kiel was showering, his eyes closed, water streamed down his face, still digesting his newfound information into his head. He thought.


    ''That nightmare... it was actually real.. my family... my parents... my brother... all of them real. I thought everything would be normal coming here to the Philippines... I guess this must be fate..."


    he looked down as he opened his eyes, looking at the necklace he was caressing, he muttered


    "All of ths... just for this necklace... what''s are your secrets" He had a lot of question left still unanswered, specially his jade necklace.


    He didn''t think anymore and finished his shower.


    *knock*knock*


    He heard a knock from his door just as he finished changing to his new clothes, he opened it and what greeted was the sight of Izakel holding a couple of glass and a bottle of whiskey.


    he asked in a surprised voice. "You''re here?"


    "Can I come in? care for a drink?" Izakel asked in a smile.


    "Ah! ye-yes come in." Said Kiel, gesturing Izakel to come in


    "here have a seat." Kiel said as they both sat at the opposite side of the a round wooden table.


    Izakel placed the bottle and cups on table before he said. "I thought you might want something to drink." He also wanted to know more about his brother who he just met in person, and have a brother to brother talk.


    "Sure I would like that." Kiel said smiling as he nodded,


    Izakel poured both glass some whiskey and the two started savoring the unique fine taste of whiskey.


    he asked, breaking the awkwardness "You okay?"


    Kiel was mute at first, he had a lot of things in his minds for the last hours, knowing about the truth, it was a lot take in. "Yeah, a little bit, though there''s still some unanswered questions, but I''m alright"


    "yeah, I know its a lot take in, it''s surprising your fast digest it, it took me a lot of time to digest them when teacher first spilled it out to me, I never thought back then that I actually had a brother. hahaha" Izakel said while laughing.


    Kiel chuckled before saying. "Yeah, I''ve always been like that, Even I too was surprised knowing that I have a brother" he drank the and finished his glass before continuing "Everything came so fast, it felt surreal, I only thought that my wife and daughter are the only family I had."


    "come on, pour yourself some more" he gestured to Kiel, he continued "It would really be nice to meet them"


    Kiel laughed and said. "Yeah, I''m sure you would like them, especially my daughter, even though she acts like a stinking spoiled brat , she''s actually well behaved when you get to know her"


    "You really love them much don''t you." Izakel said smiling.


    Kiel nodded, he smiled and said "Of course! all my life they were the only thing that made my world bright, I don''t what I''ll do if I lose them" he asked back "How about you? do I have a niece or nephew?"


    Izakel nodded and smiled, he fished out his wallet and took out a photo of a woman holding the hands of a small girl, he said "Just like you I also have a daughter, her name is Emily and this is my wife, Jenny. This was the last picture she gave to me"


    Kiel with his eyebrows arched up, he asked "what? did something happened to them?"


    "Nothing bad happened, they left, she knows all of it, and felt afraid that because of me, something bad might happened that would endanger Emily" He said in soft sad tone, sighing. There was nothing he could do, he too thought of the possibility, not stopping them from leaving.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "I see, It''s understandable, after all its for the safety of your daughter, any mother would make that kind of decision" Kiel said as he comforted his brother.


    "I know, I love them both very much which is why I let them go, seeing them leaving hurt a lot, but I also just can''t let my parent''s death in vain, even though I never met them, I knew they really loved me from the bottom of their hearts." Izakel said as gulped the all the whiskey in his glass, letting the alcohol wash over his pain.


    "Yeah, its hard even for me. knowing that my parents died unjustly, I just couldn''t stand away and do nothing about it, I reasoned to myself that maybe... they too where ever they are would like if we just lived our life in a normal manner, sigh... it doesn''t feel right, like an empty shell" Kiel said in a low voice, he too felt the same. He had a family take care of, but he also wanted justice for his parents who were brutally murdered. Every moment he thought about it, he would recall those memories, seeing his parents being engulfed by the fire, it made it harder for him to breath.


    Silence ensued between the two, minding their own drinks, until Izakel asked "You''re afraid?"


    Kiel stared at his brother for quite some time, he saw in his eyes, faint shades of helplessness, he realized that his brother too was afraid. He nodded "Yes, I''m afraid, afraid that because of this, I might never see them again, never see their smile, never feel their love again, their loving kisses, their warm hugs, I''m deeply afraid."


    "I feel you, it''s frightening knowing that you would never feel the warmth of your loved ones." Izakel said, his voice a little shaky, for him who never seen much his daughter. He regretted a lot of things, he thought to himself why he had to do this, he wanted to stop, but he couldn''t bring himself to do it.


    Izakel looked deeply at his brother and said "You know you could just leave it to us and go back to them, even though you never said it, but I knew you wanted to come"


    Kiel was mute for a moment before replying in a firm voice "I know, but I don''t want to. We''ve just met, but I''m your older brother, I couldn''t bring myself to be selfish and let you do it alone."


    Izakel was touched in his heart, he wasn''t expecting much, but what Kiel said meant a lot of things, hearing it made him less afraid and a lot more hopeful. He asked lsughing. "your wife might get worried you know."


    Kiel laughed and said "I know, the moment she knew... I''m more scared about consenquences of making her angry than the Stanfords." he already knew what would happen the moment she finds out, he was sure that he wouldn''t be sleeping in the couch but outside of the house.


    Izakel too laughed from Kiel''s joke "Nothing more scary than seeing your wife''s angry face staring at you, thinking of countless ways to end you."


    "yeah I never got used to it, after years and years of being together, I still get scared whenever she starts getting angry, I maybe the head of the family, but I knew that she would still have the last laugh when we fight." Kiel also laughed as he said.


    Izakel raised his finger and wagging it "that''s where you''re wrong brother, never have a fight with your wife, no matter it is fate that they are always right! hahaha!"


    "Hahaha! women, quite an unique creature" Kiel sighed.


    "But it''s because of that, that made them special" Izakel added.


    "Yeah, but jokes aside, even though that maybe the case, but I know deep down they know their own mistakes, and would make it up to you the next day, that''s how she acts whenever we fight." Kiel said in a smile. Women were always something that made many men''s head hurt like crazy, being prideful won''t help between a fight, it will only make things worse, fights are normal, it make''s couple understand more about the difficulties of one another, Communication is the key for a lasting marriage, this is what Kiel learned over the years of being married.


    "Being prideful isn''t good, a good communication is the right thing for any relationship, this is what most couples lack" Izakel nodded his head in agreement.


    Seeing that the atmosphere was bright, Kiel shifted the topic and asked "So what have you guys planned?"


    Izakel''s face immediately became serious, he said "We''ll proceed as planned, we''ve received an intel from the chief. The Stanfords are planning an expedition, we''ll strike tomorrow before they could finish making preparations."


    Kiel said in an astonished voice "Tomorrow? Isn''t that a bit fast? How will we get past their defenses? You know how technological advance they are,"


    Izakel grinned at his brother and assured him, saying "I admit, with their technologies it hard to say. But let me tell you, were the same."


    Kiel asked with his curiosity piqued. "The same? What do you mean? Is there a major power backing you?"


    Izakel smiled and said "Of course, The Reago Technological Works, We own them from the shadows"


    Impressed, Kiel laughed and said "Reago¡­ agore¡­ word plays huh? Quite surprised they didn''t notice, such an easy word play." The corp Izakel mention was the least known leading corp know known to the world, But Kiel heard from others that despite it, they weren''t some group to ignore and belittle. Little did he knew that it was actually owned by people he had blood ties.


    "No¡­ I''m sure they noticed long ago, but sad for them, We never left our traces. We made sure to conceal our presence by using codes that we only knew." Izakel grinned.


    The two laughed as they talked through the long night. This drinking sessions made the two long lost brothers get closed with each other.

 Siege!

    Today was the day of reckoning. Kiel was with Izakel and his team, advancing through just south, advancing through the forest, their destination is the far back side of the base, it will be their infiltration point.


    Izakel raised his hands up before waving it up and down, indicating to stop advancing and and stay low. He pushed the com-link in his hear and said "Alpha team, what''s your status?"


    On the other side was Victor and Feng leading each team from the north and west respectively, each member deeply blending with the environment with the use of a cloaking device from Reago.


    Victor replied to his com-link "Alpha 1 is in place, a distance from the patrolling guards, waiting your signal"


    Feng who was stationed from the west also replied "Alpha 2 is also in place, just give the signal, Izakel"


    "Charlie is in place, ready for any fire support!" It was a voice of a man, It was Edward. The grandson of Arnold.


    Izakel was pleased and replied back "Roger that, Stay low and vigilant" He looked at one of his team members and asked "have we made contact with our Delta from the inside?" the team he was talking about was consisting of planted spies they sent through the years. They spent a lot of resources just to let them infiltrate the inner cores of the Stanfords.


    The soldier nodded and said "Yes sir, They have breached the Surveillance room and have tampered the with the cameras. The drones are also disabled. One of them is already in place, we are in the clear to go."


    Izakel nodded and gestured for the team to advance, within their sight was three soldiers patrolling near the gate. Izakel said to his team "Three tangos up front, make them fall at my signal, 1... 2... 3... Now!" and a three bodies fell with a thud as sounds of inaudible gunshots were barely heard.


    Izakel Instructed "Go, go ,go!" as the team raced through the area towards the gate, Izakel knocked on the gate in a rhythm. Seconds later, the gate opened revealing a middle aged man with a lab coat, he gestured for the team to come in.


    He brought them into a large vent and said "This is the entrance, it will take you directly to the second level, just near the relic''s entrance, be quick we don''t have much time, our spies can only hold off the surveillance for a short moment." Izakel nodded and said the com link "proceed to the second phase " the man nodded and went somewhere else.


    VIctor and Feng on the other side heard Izakel''s signal, and started their guerrilla assault. the team members moved nearer and aimed their sights at the enemy.


    Victor pushed his com-link and said with a cold smile " Feng you''re ready?"


    Feng replied in a cold smile "I''ve long been ready my friend, let''s do this"


    the two both nodded at their team member. Seeing their team leaders giving the go signal, one soldier from each side aimed a grenade launcher above the base and fired.


    ...


    A team of soldiers were patrolling along side the base when they heard a distinguishable sound from above. They looked up, barely seeing a thing from the sunlight, one of the soldiers asked pointing at the sky. "What is that?"


    All their mouths went wide when those blurry balls suddenly turned into countless smaller balls, flying towards their targets. the soldiers were curious at the round black balls at the size of a marble sticking at their weapons and exoskeleton suits. It took a lot of strength just to pull them out. The leader among the group had a bad feeling as he took a closer look at it.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The balls suddenly let out blinking red lights, the soldiers seeing felt something dangerous.


    *BOOOM**BOOM*BOOOOM*


    countless booming sounds as explosions scattered around the base. countless limbs and bodies were seen flying, it was a bloody sight. The people inside were frightened by the sudden explosions, and soon after panic and chaos descended.


    The alpha team swiftly started engaging their enemies employing guerrilla tactics using every nook of their weapons at their disposal, ensuing chaos. People started dying from the sudden and effective surprise attack out of nowhere. Endless gunshots, explosions and tragic screams continued to echo along the mountains.


    "Let''s go! We don''t have much time." Izakel said, hearing the battle, gestured for his team to climb down the vent, along with Kiel


    ....


    Frederic was seated beside the table located in the underground part of the base, he busy confronting his brother Jayson, who brought a group of american officials along with a group of special forces.


    Jayson snickered at his brother and said "Big brother, you can''t do anything now since the family have come up a consensus. The family will be cooperating with the USA." He was joyous as someone who was poor suddenly winning a billion dollars in a lottery. Excited he felt, he was step closer in achieving his dreams. A Dream of power, wealth and endless prestige.


    Frederic had a black face, he felt helpless from the series of events. He didn''t know how Jayson was able to convince the family but he had no choice but to comply. He couldn''t just turned his face away from the orders of the family. To him, these orders were an absolute. He replied in a grim voice. "I don''t know what you did to convince the family, but I still don''t trust you. Don''t be mistaken, I''m only compromising as it was the wishes of the family. If I see any unnecessary foul play, I''ll tell you right now, you''ll pay for it in folds!"


    Jayson was delighted at the poor sight of his brother and said "Hahaha Brot- " before he could say anymore, countless booming sounds echoed as the place rumbled followed by the sounds of fighting and screams.


    Frederic stood up and shouted at his men "What was that? were under attack!?" He looked at Jayson and roared "Jayson what are you doing!?"


    Jayson stood up, with a grim expression he replied "What are you talking about? I''m not behind this."


    Frederic stood there silent, Ferociously staring at his brother. He was unsure weather he should believe or not. He said in a cold voice " Doesn''t matter, I don''t care anymore. Men contain the attacks, and start the expedition, I don''t want any more mishaps, move your asses!" He didn''t bother with him anymore and acted swiftly. He didn''t know who was behind this, but he knew what they came for, the relic site!


    Jayson realized this conjecture too "Follow them, where going the site" he quickly decided, running after Frederic''s team with the Americans behind him.


    "Change of plans, call them off. Let Frederic weaken himself first fighting this unknown force, then we''ll swoop down everything, gaining what is rightfully ours!" Jayson said. Nodding his head to one of his men allies.


    .....


    Kiel''s team finally got down, what greeted them was their spies armed with guns taken from the guards patrolling inside the underground base, ready to assist them to their destination, The relic site. One of them saluted and reported to Izakel "Sir, Everything is according to plan. They were seen rushing toward the right entrance. The only thing is that a unknown force have been spotted the the left gates."


    Izakel had a grim face at sudden appearance of an unknown variable he thought ti himself ''who could they be? Looks like things is going out of hand, we need to speed things up.'' He looked at his brother and seriously said "we''ll near brother just a little more." He gestured his hands and said "Move out!"


    Izakel''s men started advancing forward in a line, having each other backs. They have don''t this kind of mission in the past, to them this was like a walk in a park.


    One of the spies touched his com-link and repeatedly nodded. he walked near to Izakel and reported "Sir, our men have reported that Frederic and his Men has entered the relic site., followed by his brother and a group of US men. Our men have been barred from the entrance"


    Izakel felt his chin, deep in thought. He said "Doesn''t matter, have them retreat and secure the second entrance." Let''s move out! double time."


    After a series of turn and exchange of bullets the guards. they finally arrived at the second entrance. there were a lot dead bodies, mostly belonging to the enemy.


    A man came in front of Izakel and saluted. He reported "Sir, we have secured the perimeter and the entrance is cleared of enemies"


    Izakel saluted back and praised the soldier with a smile "Good job soldier, now go and hold your ground, make sure our escape routes aren''t compromised"


    He looked at his men and shouted "Get inside, move!" before shifting his gaze to Kiel, he softly said "Brother, let''s go."


    Kiel took a deep breath before following Izakel deep inside the relic sight. His fists tightening. Not sure weather he is ready to face the truth.