Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Nelson

After I left the North, I decided to head towards the East and see how they have settled down. I know that Ezinna would try to make the East a fortress and be ready for whatever calamity that is to come. I stood at a distance in order not to be seen. They have settled nicely and because of the cold, I know that whatever body Titus left has long turned to ice. The East suits them well, I left after observing them and went to the West to observe Max and his people.

I wanted to bring Xena to the West so she can see how beautiful the sunset is. I was lost in the sight of the sunset when I heard someone approaching. I turned only to see Max a few feet away, it was unbelievable that I didn't sense his presence until he was near.

"Seeing the look on your face shows that my spell worked." Max said.

"What spell?" I asked because I was also surprised he knew I would be here.

"Cloaking spell, you wolves have always had the advantage of sensing someone from miles away. With this, I have taken such an advantage from you." He replied.

"It doesn't matter anymore since we are no longer staying together."

"It does, you see my friend, I never said who the calamity was. You are the calamity or should I say you are the center of the calamity."

"Didn't you say, it will not be in our time?"

"Yes, I did. The vision was vague, maybe it will not be in our time or it will slowly start in our time. I don't know for sure, what I know is that you are the center of the calamity."

"Why did you lie then?"

"It won't be easy telling everyone that their hero will be their doom. Besides, I know that the more distance we create away from you, the more chances we have to prepare better." He smirked and I think I have been wrong in thinking that Ezinna will be the worst opponent. Max is certainly a head above the rest.

"Look, I am here now and I can easily come anytime I like." I smirked and he nodded.

"You are right but you can't do anything now because you want to rush back into the arms of Xena and killing me will be different from the humans." My eyes widened at how much he knows.

"Are you surprised my friend? You wolves might have a good sense of smell but we heretics have a better sense of nature. You smell of blood the moment you stepped into our territory and I noticed it immediately. I have been expecting you but the smell of death hovering around you made it easier for me to know when you arrived." I hated the self-satisfied look on his face.

"I can still kill you all."

"Yes, but how long will you be away from Xena to make sure she doesn't get to see the monster you have become. Perhaps we can bargain."

"What do you mean?"

"I can give you something that will make you as clean as the day you left Xena and you can pay with a few drops of your blood." I guess he must have figured out that there is something different in the blood.

"What do you plan to do with it? I must warn you, it will turn you into a monster too." Max laughed and shook his head.

"I am not a fool to use it on myself. Let's say it is just preparation for the future." I rather have my blood all drained than have Xena see me as a monster.

"Alright, how long will it take?" I asked and he brought out two vials, one was empty and the other has a green liquid substance inside it

"I told you that I have been expecting you. Drink this and pour your blood on the empty vials." I looked at him suspiciously, wondering what if it is poison and he plans to kill me.

"Don't tell me that the mighty one is scared."

"It might be poison."

"That would only help in bringing the calamity on us. I don't have the power to kill you. I don't think anyone has that for now. But before drinking it, I would love to have your blood first since I want the undiluted death you elude." He has a sinister smile and I thought how we had been wrong thinking we knew Max. I did as he said and gave him my blood, he closed the vial instantly and stared at it like it was worth a thousand worlds. Then, I drank the potion he gave me and I felt no difference.

"I felt nothing." I said.

"Of course, it is not for you but for the death you have been eluding. The awful stink of death is no longer around you?"

"How long will it last?"

"Months or less if you kill a lot?"

"Then, I will always come back for it."

"And the payment will always be the same." I nodded and he smiled and I turned to leave.

"Are you not going to ask about Leo?" I said.

"No need, I pray he will find peace." He replied with no sense of sympathy in his voice. It seems I may not be the only monster around.

"You would be surprised next time we meet." He left me with these words and I started heading home too.

The world is changing and like I said, I will rather be the one making the changes. My deal with Max had only begun and that just made him an important ally. For Xena to always be ignorant of my killing, it means I have to be careful and try my best to cover my tracks. She might no longer be practicing her heretics skills but it doesn't change the fact that she is the most talented heretic. I didn't stop on my way back, not even to hunt or rest. The only feeling stronger than my urge to kill is to be at the arms of Xena. She is no doubt calm to my storm.

On getting to the South she was just standing at the entrance wearing a red cloth and her arms were folded covering her stomach. The cloth perfectly fits her angelic status. I slowly walked up to her and stopped only a foot away.

"I have been expecting you." She smiled and unfolded her arms revealing her protruded stomach.

"You are pregnant?" My eyes widened and she smiled.

"Yes, you are going to be a father." I looked at the beautiful face of my mate and wondered if I would ever measure up to her.

I tried my best to keep my beast side hidden from Xena and with the help of Max, it was possible. I went back to see him once for a reveal and the smell of blood in him was so strong.

"What have you been up to?" I asked.

"There is no need for you to ask." Max replied as he is becoming more and more sinister.

"You are experimenting on humans now?" I said and I could sniff humans from the air.

"There is no hiding things from the most powerful being." He smirked. He went further to explain that the experiment was all for the sake of the calamity.

"You know when you oppress them too much, they will fight back. Even when they can't, they can ask Ezinna to help them." He nodded and I figured out he already thought of that.

"I will find a way to handle Ezinna. I now regretted having made him strong. Enough about me, how have you been able to control your killing urge?" I kept silent because it would be shameful to admit that I am now responsible for the missing wolves in the South.

"There is no need for you to ask." I returned his answer to him.

I left immediately after our deal, I lied to my mate saying I just wanted to know if I could discover a new place. I have started killing my people in my urge for blood and always making it look like they disappeared. Some are saying that they left because they wanted to discover a new place and since they didn't have my blood in them, they are not loyal. I don't really care about whatever theory they have as long as it is not the right one.

"Some people are now saying they wanted to leave and settle elsewhere in the South." Xena is feeling sad as how we are getting fewer each passing day. I noticed the atmosphere the moment I came back home. Everyone was staring at me and they seemed to be divided in groups.

"They can go, I don't care what happens as long as I still have you and my child by my side."

"How will you be able to protect them when they are far apart?" She asked.

"It is not my job to protect them."

"You are the spirit of the South and that makes you the Khan. And as one, you ought to protect them at all times." Xena said with sadness laced in her voice and I hate seeing her this way. Her pregnancy is due and she is no longer healthy. She is so slim that I wonder if it is normal for her to be this slim in such a condition.

"Alright, Khan will always protect his people. Even when they are far away, I will always answer their call of distress."

"That's better." She replied weakly and I helped her back to the room and then stepped outside to address the people.

"It has been my hearing that some of you want to leave and settle elsewhere." I saw some of them nodding.

"I won't hold you back, you are allowed to leave. As long as you remain close, you will be called my people and Khan will always come to your rescue." There was relief written over their faces.

We got smaller again but it wasn't my concern. For the sake of Xena, I didn't hunt and kill anyone again and the people remaining believed that no one had left lately. I was happy to provide the needs of Xena and build the cradle for our child.

"You are happy." She said.

"Yes, I will soon be a father and I can't wait to see how good of a mother you will be." She scoffed at my words and came and took the seat beside me.

"Nelson, I need you to be happy and train our child."

"Yes, I can't be anything less when I have you by my side."

She placed her palm on my cheek and I stopped what I was doing and looked at her. Her eyes were wet and her smile sad.