WARNING. HUGE SPOILERS AHEAD. READ FATIMAH LAWAL AND THE PREMIUM POWERS ON WATTPAD AND WEBNOVEL BEFORE READING THIS BOOK. I REPEAT, HUGE SPOILERS AHEAD.
On top of a lofty castle rook, two tall, dark-skinned, hooded men in black leather hunting gear spoke in serious tones.
"Edem, we need to stop The Problems from accessing the lapis at Maelig Street immediately," one of them said, tensing as he pointed. The other nodded. Soon after, he ran and jumped off the rook. Within seconds, he grew two huge brown wings and soared into the sky.
As he flew at high speed, his eye flashed a tainted yellow—much like a hawk's. Using his amplified sight, he zipped over more than 1,000 miles toward a city below, where he spotted a wagon. Quickly, he retrieved a spherical blue orb from his pocket, shook it once, and spoke into it.
"Call for back-up!" A reply came through before he swooped down.
Suddenly, "THWIP!" rang out as an arrow impaled him. He gasped as another arrow struck his chest, and he lost control, plummeting faster than before.
As he dropped, winds hurled rapidly. The world moved at massive pace. His eyes widened. Hope broke.
Immediately, down to the city streets, he crashed.
"THUMP!"
***
In a well-lit bedroom, Edem sat up abruptly from his white bed and gasped, his breathing shallow and rapid, his eyes wide with alarm. It was probably a horrid dream.
After calming down, he glanced over the edge of the top bunk of his double-decker bed. On the lower bunk, another boy—chubby yet fit, dark-skinned, and roughly two feet shorter than Edem—lay with his eyes closed.
Edem whacked him with a pillow and said loudly, "Okon, wake up—we don't have time." He repeated the act until Okon finally reacted, eliciting a groan from the young lad.
"Ooooh." He whined. "I told you; there's no school today."
"Well get up and leave!" He cut him off. "Today, an alchemist is coming to your school."
At this, Okon just hissed. Later on, Edem jumped down, quickly walking to the room's wooden door. He turned to Okon. "By the way, did you hear...? Kufre's dead." He beamed. "You can pack your bags, o."
Edem bolted out as Okon stared. The boy looked stunned a bit. About time, huh?
He smiled—but his expression shifted as he turned to his left, where a large, slightly tilted portrait of a boy who resembled him hung atop a cupboard.
"I miss you, bro." He smiled. Then he sharply got up, leaving.
Honestly though, from Edem's attitude and nightmare, he must definitely have a big day ahead of him.
***
Much later, within a small but wide lantern-lit cobble-stoned walled meeting place, with cool breeze surrounding people on chairs with in white suits. Around the big wooden table, they coolly chatted along with Edem.
"So yes, we do have leads that can take us to The Azure Looter's real hide out." A middle aged, bearded and grey haired fair skinned man spoke. "Worse news. He is after Senator Edet... If they kill this man, judging from our findings, for some reason, this will truly be a physical fight covering and spreading from Prime Hold."
"Seems threatening enough, Doctor Osborne, but don't worry..." Edem pointed out. "They shouldn't be very good at concealing the identity of their hit-man according to my research." He smirked as others gave dull and questioning faces.
"Bingo." The stocky man glanced at him. "And who do you suppose the hitman may be then?"
"Derek Florian." Edem answered. "A notorious criminal about 20 years of age, I believe... It's been known that he's been hoarding some weird, Nether Quartz crystals. I'm not sure, to be honest."
"You always are." Another one cut in, an athletic built red-haired and fair skinned young lady.
"This woman." Osborne frowned. "You better watch your mouth, madam."
She pouted, looking at Osborne then Edem.
"Thank you for the input, Edem..." Osborne continued. "Is there anyone else who has to more to say before we close?"
The group remained silent. The man then stood, announcing a halt. Eventually they all left, probably locked in on the huge task and day ahead.
***
About an hour passed later. Outside, on a cobblestoned sidewalk, affront a medium cottage in the bright sun, Edem caught up with the red head from meeting.
"At this rate, I'll definitely get a post at Lilac Security." He beamed.
"Go buy a cookie." The woman frowned, walking away. "Besides, shouldn't you be finding a member of The Problems, already."
"Not before I prove how awesome I am." Edem gloated. "Besides, it'll be cute if we go together."
"Absolutely not." They turned back, watching a dark-skin girl about 4.3 feet, slender but athletic with semi long braids in black combat gear. "Damn, it's so cool how Baldwin says it... Just for the record." She confronted Edem. "Cecilia is much more capable than you'll ever be at satisfying your ego."
Cecilia whistled mutely as Edem backed out a bit. "What's your concern, Fatimah?"
"The fact you're bothering my friend." Fatimah pocketed her hands. She turned to the lady then...
"BOOOM!"
A tall, brick-walled tower about half a mile away exploded at the top, sending nearby pedestrians screaming.
From the rumbling structure, out swiftly few an average man in metal-winged and jet-black armour. He pointed toward the civilians, his pose vindictive.
"This city's been sieged!" He yelled. "Give us your Senator to free it from our hold!"
Fatimah from a distance studied the man in armour. She then scoffed, quickly marching to him.
"Under whose orders?" She yelled. The tyrant swiftly turned to her, rigid.
"You blood thirsty hero." He spoke. "Loyal has an important message for you."
"Well, a damn pigeon would've been nice!" Fatimah cut in, wielding her steel knuckles, a tomahawk and dark, turquoise coloured ball in her hand.
With increased pace, she flung her axe then her pearl. Her opponent blocked. On recovery, she suddenly flew above him. Above Fatimah's was a big, and black battle axe.
"SWOOSH!" The battle raged! Blocking with shields, they slashed their blades violently. Fatimah then delivered a sound punch. Cecilia backed her up. The three warred furiously.
Eventually, Fatimah clenched her steel knuckles hard. Instantly, she made a powerful jump. Aiming the man, her fist locked in the air.
Swiftly "POW!", a hard and deafening blow struck him. He collapsed in a flash, beneath the triumphant duo.
Cecilia turned to Fatimah as she panted quickly. Her eyes widened, probably flashing back to the fallen man's words. What has Loyal stored in plan for her. Who is this guy?
***
Meanwhile, cool air breezed in a wide opened aired and brick walled classroom. Filled with dark wooden shelves, a tall and cloaked dark-skinned athletic man stood before the students.
"Class dismissed." He announced. "Okon Osuofia. I would like to have a word with you before you leave."
Okon, the chubby from earlier with Edem, squinted as if curious as the rest left. The bald man approached him.
"Honestly." He approached Okon seated. "Something's peculiar about you. I suppose." He wondered.
What's the matter, Master Craig." Okon steadied in his chair.
"You look like someone I know." He spoke slowly. "I once lost a child to death's hold and for some reason, if I were to jump to conclusions, I would say we're related.
Okon's serious face tightened. He was definitely shocked.
"Oh well, forget it... It's probably a coincidence." The master backed him retreating. Okon remained seated with pondering eyes. What's he talking about?
***
Later on, down a mildly busy cobblestoned street, with mild breeze, cool air and the evening sun. Okon walked down conversing with a friend with Edem's look.
"Like seriously." He began. "Master Craig told me I was his nephew then it just occurred to me that I look like him... I can't believe we're talking about Effiong." Okon's face looked bewildered.
"That... may not be a lot," his friend motioned. "But honestly, this looks like something worth investigating... brother, Master Craig might be your cousin's uncle."
"That may or may not be true." Okon cut in. "This isn't right... How can a cultist be closely affiliated with a teacher? I'm just saying... Master Craig doesn't look half bad or criminal I guess."
"That's why we're investigating." The tall man replied. "Let's have and use a chance of discovering more about your family."
Okon gave him a questioning look, then nodded.
"Alright, Jericho." He replied. Eventually, they kept strolling.
"By the way, have you heard?" Jericho interrupted. "Loyal's killed Kufre but now he's controlling his cult to become even more powerful and tear apart Arch City's towns, sieging everywhere."
"Yeah, that's wicked." Okon commented. "Also, Edem told me about this guy named Derek Florian who is plotting to assassinate every last one of the rulers of this city... Damn, I think he actually plans to murder King Edward too, which is odd because they work together."
Jericho chuckled nervously "I am literally scared to the bone." He managed. "Seriously, where the heck is Loyal right now?"
***
Atop a castle rook, a tall, brown curly haired and fair skinned bearded man stands beside a hooded one with black hair in a hood and mask. Both wearing black leather combat gear in the morning sun at a mountain, they conversed.
"One of the senators of Arch City will be travelling with shipment across the Over-Board Sea... Timothy you're gonna make an entrance hijacking one of the ships first... From there Loyal will hopefully be able to make it with an elytra he is yet to get from World 4." The hooded man spoke.
Timothy turned to the speaker; his eyes focused. "Yes Derek." He replied. "Also... I heard there is someone named Baldwin Nova aboard the ships." His voice was nervous. "Is that true?"
"Yes, but he won't bite as much." Derek chuckled. "Here's a sketch of his campaign poster."
He pulled out crumbled parchment from his pocket, handing it to Timothy. The keen friend scanned it. Shortly after, fear shimmered in his blue eyes. It's like he recalled something.
Derek stared. "What's the matter?"
He saw a tear run down Timothy's cheek, softly gritting teeth as he froze.Eventually, he returned the paper. "I just wanna eat this gig." He sharply spoke, his tone fierce and low.
Derek gazed for a while, then turned back. His eyes then glistened yellow, like a hawk's.
***
"POW!"
Followed by severed continuous kicks, an athletic, dark haired and fair skinned boy about 4 feet in white suit like clothes frowned hard, assaulting one on the floor alike him. Pretty harsh reasons, perhaps.
The victim laid sobbing against a wall. "Why're you such a brick?"
"Bitch, you and your girl are bricks not avoiding my business!" Each word stressed with a kick. "Stick to your books more often."
"Baldwin, that's enough." A manly voice of a boy cut in behind them. Baldwin tuned to see someone alike him but taller. He grinned mockingly.
"You're the same fuck that won't put Timothy in his place." He smirked, facing him.
The hero glared at this. "Lay your hands off him," he fisted. "Or mine will print on you."
"Or you'll get showed like last time." Baldwin's menacing chuckle echoed painfully. The pony-tailed defender then relaxed with a worn face. Probably needed to speak some sense.
"This wasn't you Baldwin." He motioned, his composure touching. "I missed you then and..."
"What else?" Baldwin cut in, tensed. "How I appreciated mean pretenders treating me as a child and screwing me over... screw you." His face wore disgust. "Aldous was right all along... just cuz your name's Aurum doesn't mean your gold."
He returned to his victim, fuming, then delivered a nasty kick.
"THWUM!"
Quickly, the scene transits to the present day. Timothy sat at a table in a dark, candlelit brick-walled study, surrounded by shelves with cool air with a stench of parchment. He sobbed quietly at the same poster Derek gave him, wiping his face. He must've have had it dark with Baldwin.
***
Out in the wide-open sea, on a warm summery afternoon, 5 huge metal ships traveled in a uniform manner. Within the vessels on the calm waters, huge crates filled the cabins, with powerful blue light escaping their cracks.
A tall fair-skinned and dark-haired athletic man stood beside the captain at one ship before the wheels. His almond eyes narrowed as if scanning the horizon.
Suddenly, miles from the convoy of ships, a lofty, sharp and dashing zoom of blue light slashed, straight across the water, headed for them.
Looking closer, it was Timothy, dashing madly with sonic speed. Eventually, he reached one of them. Scampering in he blurred in a flash, hijacking the vessel.
After the crew fell, Timothy pulled out a blue orb, tossing it to the ground. Immediately, A translucent figure zoomed out, forming Derek Florian in black combat gear like him.
The criminals patrolled the rest of the ship before Timothy threw fast a small and dark turquoise ball into another ship. Sharply, he vanished, appearing where the ball landed atop the vessel.
Soon enough, he zoomed around, hijacking the vehicle as before.
"ZOOM!"
Faster than light he dashed before readying a punch approaching someone.
Alas! The quick blow halted; his fists wrapped by one's hand. It revealed to be that of the same tall, fair-skinned and dark-haired man. Stiff as a rook, He avoided eye contact with Timothy.
The thief relaxed, with eyes slowly raised.
"Eat him, Baldwin!" A man from the cabin yelled as Baldwin turned to him. Timothy panted. Oh no.
"POW!"
A sound punch, with a fist of light smashed. Another came from Baldwin with fury.
A barrage later, Timothy sped, circling him. In quick time, Baldwin teleported, as if he was a human flashing star that dodged. This action repeated for like 50 times around the ship, as menacing blows followed.
Later a hit flew Baldwin to the wall. Timothy blurred, creating mirages of himself, arching his enemy. Instantly, they dealt strikes, pinning the poor man. For moments, Baldwin wore despair on his face, teleporting but regressing back in bruises.
Instantly, in a sharp blow, Timothy flew as the mirages vanished. Turns out it was a tall, dark-skinned and athletic built man with a low-cut. He knelt to Baldwin.
"Master." He called.
"Japheth, go." Baldwin waved. "This isn't your fight."
"Oh, stop it, jare." Japheth averted, staring down the foe a stone-throw away.
"E check like say you never see road." He chuckled, spying a ship afterward. "Edem, how your side?!"
"Guy, like this I too dey smile!" Edem laughed, mischievously grinning by Fatimah's side. "I'm locked in on Derek squarely... Good thing Priscilla and Mirai helped us find out what's up." He stood triumphantly flaring his wings, facing Derek.
The equally winged thief grunted, aiming a copper steampunk pistol at him. The three wore shields and wielded spears with a medium distance between them.
Edem snickered. "Derek Florian... your father."
"BLAM!" Edem shielded the gunshot, throwing the same pearl Timothy threw behind Derek. Fatimah threw hers alike that, then a massive sword fight followed.
Moments later, Derek opened small and dark misty portals, bring out black matching weapons to battle. Eventually, he gripped Edem's leg, flinging him high in the air. The villain aimed his gun at him as Fatimah blew his stomach hard with a shock wave.
Edem in the sky, half a mile from them, readied his spear. With a sharp aim, he flung it.
"SWOOSH!"
In a second, it drove hard into Derek's leg, as his mighty scream followed.
Edem then flew down to the duo, beaming with his stance above Derek.
"Young man, where's Loyal?"
"Curse you." The defeated hissed." You'll have to wipe out all of Ferrum Terra before I murmur it."
"Yeah, yeah." Edem waved. "Fatimah, I take it Cecilia and Okon are on their way to explore Navel Forest for him though."
"Yes, but Edem." Fatimah pointed. "To be honest, I think they should leave there instead for The Cherished Mansion... You know that's where I killed Kufre and-."
"No problem." Edem turned to the ship with Japheth. "Bros, how far?"
"POW!"
"Just rounding up." He blew Timothy's face. With that, they continued.
***
Within a lofty cavernous area, with sound water drops echoing, lit only by lava falls, footsteps sounded. They showed to be Okon's in the warm place carrying a torch. Along came Jericho, eyeing the place as if he searched for something.
"Were probably close." He whispered, his tone sharp. "Navel Forest sure does have a better view underground."
"Yeah." Okon said. "Edem told me that a furry who lives here must know about Loyal's whereabouts and also Master Craig said he would also know about Effiong's disappearance."
The two tiptoed across, lightly splashing puddles. Suddenly, the quite sliced.
"Who the heck are you?!" A deep voice croaked behind them.
The duo was still, eyes wide opened and sweating. Nonetheless, Okon presumed a calm look, with hands up turning to the tall, yellow-eyed olive-skinned man 10 inches away in leather hunting gear. His crossbow aimed.
"My name is Okon Osuofia... cousin of Effiong Mathew. And brother of Edem Osuofia."
The man chuckled. "You? The cousin of that legend."
"Well, that test should be left for a time traveler, eh?" Okon giggled.
"Shut up and prove it."
"Mathew Craig." Effiong softly smiled. "Best alchemy teacher in the Arch City... apparently, he knew you."
The man then relaxed a bit, his bow still aimed. "How do you know this man?"
"He is my teacher... I have his book right here to prove it." Effiong reached into his pocket, flinging out a small and leather-bound book to the man.
On picking it slowly, the dweller still aimed, studying the book cover. A moment later, he smiled.
"His handwriting." He spoke warmly. "Alright, I believe you... why the visit?"
Effiong then explained his story before the man stops him. "Well, the truth is, I can help you find this man you're looking for." He dropped his bow. "But first, you're probably hungry... it would be an honor having a meal with those that share blood with this legend."
Okon and Jericho relaxed composure, smiling. "Thank you, sir." He replied. "But he's just above us, isn't he?"
"Nope, somewhere far off from here." The man cut in. "My name's Silver Brick... you?" He pointed to Jericho.
Jericho beamed with hope in his eyes. "Jericho." He spoke. "Jericho Smith."