Chapter 23: Chapter 23
SHEER TERROR
"Listen attentively!" Coach Sergio spoke with an unusual authority. "Centuries ago, an innocent girl child grew up and became the conqueror of lands. Her name was Olana. She had her most feared guards and warriors. They were a few dozen virgin maidens. And among them, Faya was closest to her.
Olana was the high priestess of the shrine of Ashlavugi. The deity was regarded as the most powerful of his kind. They were supernatural beings who measured their power and wealth in terms of how plentiful their human followers were.
Despite her great success, the priestess and ruler wanted a lineage of her own, a male version of herself. So, she seduced Ashlavugi until he fell for her feminine charms. As a result, he used his influence to make a safe place for her soul among the spirits until the birth of a perfect son.
At an appointed time, she was supposed to live again through the child and begin an unending dynasty. As a result, Olana started a very mysterious cult. They were custodians of her secret and watchers of the process. This was the beginning of a revered coven. And Ashlavugi gave great powers to its members!
In accordance with the prophecy, a few chosen couples were to consummate the passion of their hearts by having sexual intercourse and giving birth to a child each, until the cycle would eventually become complete. The ancient priestess would be reborn as one of their descendants!
But Faya rebelled against Olana. She befriended Ineyavugi, another fierce but treacherous deity. And another coven was started. But she was soon caught and killed. It wasn't long before Olana also sacrificed herself in one of the sacred holes of Kirkaaka. All her virgins died with her, except a select few who belonged to the coven she had begun.
We belong to the last generation. The fulfillment of the ancient prophecy is upon us. It is now! Olana will complete her stay in the spirit realm in a matter of months. She will be reborn as a son. He will go forth to conquer and begin a new royalty.
I know these things for sure because I am a descendant of the custodian of an ancient hut. My family has always been a steadfast witness to the happenings throughout the generations."
Now, he turned to Jason. "Roberto is your brother by blood. But Jemimah is a descendant of Faya's cult. Their bloodline has sworn an oath to stop the fulfillment of this prophecy!"
The four of them were so shocked and speechless. They couldn't help but stare in fear. But the coach continued to talk. He couldn't care less about their reactions.
Sergio walked to where Ariana stayed. "Sweetheart, it is your turn now. You must make love to Jason. Both of you have to do it freely, without being forced. Then a male child will be born. And he will be the most powerful being in the world!"
Finally, he stood in front of Jemimah and his face darkened. “Traitor, this is the last night these treacherous eyes of yours will ever see!" After that, Sergio went back to his seat. "I welcome you all to this gathering, children of Olana." He cast a gaze at Jason. "Prove yourself worthy of the great honor that has been bestowed on you by killing the evil one in our midst!"
"What! But how…how?" Jason stuttered.
"There is a gun, it is loaded. Kill the rebellious daughter of Faya in our midst. If the lady escapes, she will cause us great trouble. We can't afford to let that happen. So shoot Jemimah now!"
Jason tried to feel his face, he hoped to be awakened from his dream. 'Perhaps, this is just one of my visions.'
Alas, it wasn't. Everything going on was real!
"I do not know how you've managed to pull this up. But, this is one heck of a prank." His heart could barely contain his chest. "It has been fun. But Jemmy and I have got to go now."
Roberto finally gathered some nerve to speak. "This isn't funny anymore. Ariana, let us leave!"
"Of course you can leave whenever you like." The coach replied. "There's no one stopping any of you, is there?"
When he said that, the couples tried to find the door but none of them remembered how they entered the room in the first place.
"The only way out is to kill the traitor." Coach Sergio turned to Roberto Torres. "You are the least important among the three, so I'm going to use you as an example for others to learn."
Everybody stood still while Sergio brought out a small gun from one of his pockets and aimed it at Robbo. It was as if everyone was under his spell. But Ariana quickly stood in front of her fiance. "Can someone just end this crazy game!"
"This is not a game, mother of the chosen one. And how long do you think he can hide behind your back?" the coach asked her.
"Okay, I will shoot her. Give me the gun," Jason said. His heart skipped a beat.
"Here you go, take it," Sergio replied indifferently.
Jemimah was very afraid. She looked at her confused lover in an attempt to arouse compassion within him.
Jason moved two steps closer. He took the gun and returned to where he was standing. Now his body shook from fear. But instead of pointing towards Jemimah, he quickly turned towards the coach and shot him twice in the head!
But to everyone's shock, Sergio was unaffected!
After seeing what just happened, the four of them fell to the ground in sheer terror.