Naagin (rise of the serpent)

Lance walked into the huge hall that serves as the throne room. Just like Oscar,nine pair of eyes came crashing on him. He looked around, deeply accessing the presence of everyone in the throne room.

He ignored the elders and walked up to king. Getting to the middle of the throne room, he bowed before the king. Even as a sorcerer or should I say a big drug dealer, he has to pay his respects to a king. Especially if he has to convince the king and the elders.

The elders suddenly started murmuring at the presence of Lance. Some were not in favour of Lance interrupting their meeting. But anyways,they all already knew why Lance was here.

The king cleared his throat and immediately put up a smile on his wrinkled face.

"Your highness, thanks for giving me an opportunity to speak to you even though I was quite interrupting your meeting" Lance was the first to speak.

"Oh, Lance. Long time no see. It's nothing, besides, you didn't know I was having a meeting".

"Well, it's still wrong of me to have interrupted your meeting with the elders" Lance said with gentle voice.

The king chuckled with humour.

"If you say so. Anyways, what brings you to the castle. It's been more than a decade since both you and Huck came here" the king said with a smug smile.

Lance smiled while biting his lower lip. He seemed to be trying to find the right words to use. If he had to persuade the king, he has to use the right words.

"Not much. It's just that I heard a rumour about you wanting to release the remaining people of Umuguor community. I decided to rush down here to confirm if it was true" Lance stated with an utmost gentle voice.

The king stared at Lance while caressing his white beard. He gave a nod.

"It is true, Lance. I and the elders of Agbejor community are planning to release the citizens of Umuguor community".

"But your highness,if I may ask. Why do you and the elders come to such conclusion?" Lance asked, making sure he chooses his words carefully.

The elders that were present in the throne room,sat calmly and watched as their king had a full fledged conversation with the sorcerer and drug dealer. They knew they were not supposed to have a say in the conversation, so therefore,they all kept quiet and let the conversation unfold.

The king, hearing Lance's question only gave a sigh.

"You see Lance" the king stated while shaking his head. "There have been constant deaths of Agbejor citizens. I and the council of elders actually fear that Hijirar's wrath is upon us. But I believe that if we release the remaining citizens of Umuguor community, maybe Hijirar's wrath would be turned away from us".

Lance smirked.

He knew the reason for the constant deaths of the Agbejor citizens. It seems the drug operation is actually taking a toll on the citizens of Agbejor community.

'The deaths of the Agbejor citizens is the reason why the king is planning on releasing the remaining Umuguor citizens. If I could convince him that I could stop the deaths, maybe he would not go ahead with releasing the remaining Umuguor citizens'.

Lance thought wisely.

"Your highness,why do you think the wrath of Hijirar is upon Agbejor community. Besides, you have no chief priest to the ascertain that" Lance said trying to prove a point.

"That's the point,Mr Lance. Our chief priest is also dead. His death is actually a mystery to us, it is a sign that Hijirar's wrath is upon us" the king argued.

'Only if he knew that Huck is responsible for the death of their Chief priest' Lance thought while chuckling within.

"But your highness....."

Lance wanted to argue even more but the king silenced him with the rise of his hand.

"I will have none of it Lance. I and my council of elders have come to a conclusion of releasing them. Besides,we have no reason to still keep them in slavery after all these years. Also, the war is over and we need to let them go and rebuild their community. Maybe, Hijirar would have mercy on Agbejor community and not punish us by killing our people".

The king explained with utmost importance.

Lance hearing the king's words knew he could not convince the king. But he also knew that if the king releases the Umuguor citizens, all of Huck's plans would go down the drain.

Just as he was about to argue once more,an elder from the council of elders raised his hand, signifying he wanted to say something. The king caught sight of the elder raising his hand.

Lance followed the king's gaze and also caught sight of the elder.

"Yes, elder Michael. Is there anything wrong?" The king asked, directing the question to the elder raising his hand.

The elder dropped his hand and stood while giving off a weird smile.

"Your highness,can I make a suggestion?" The elder known as elder Michael asked.

"Yeah, please go on".

The elder's smile broadened.

He was known as elder Michael. He was a powerful figure in the Agbejor community. Some say he is the brother to the prime minister of Swagbucks. And one main feature of him,is his love for money.

Money!!

He could do anything for money. Even to kill.

"If I may suggest" elder Michael started while looking around at his fellow elders. "Both Huck and Lance came to the castle many years ago trying to convince us to wage war against Umuguor community. They promised us that if we do it we could all lay our hands on the riches of Umuguor community especially getting the Jewel that was gifted to them by Hijirar. They were able to convince us and we did as planned. We waged war with Umuguor community and took over the community, forcing it's inhabitants to be slaves. Though,we couldn't get the Jewel but we kept them as slaves for many years".

"What are you trying to say, elder Michael?" The king asked interrupting elder Michael.

Elder Michael looked at the king and then at Lance. Greed could be seen on his eyes. He knew he would get a lot of money if he played his cards well.

"Your highness, please let me finish first".

The king scoffed.

"Okay then, continue" the king gave a go ahead.

Elder Michael smiled and continued.

"So like I was saying,we took over the community and forced it's citizens to be slaves but we didn't get the Jewel. Now, our people are dying and we have release the people of Umuguor community in order not to incur more of Hijirar's wrath. But anyways, Lance here,is trying to convince the king not to go ahead with the idea".

"But as elders we have therefore concluded that we shall release the people of Umuguor community from their slavery. But what if Lance stops the constant deaths of Agbejor citizens, will you still release the people of Umuguor community?"

Elder Michael asked while ending his weird suggestion. He looked around at his fellow elders and at the king. He also casted a knowing look at Lance,who also stared back at him.

"Elder Michael,are you trying to say that we should give Lance an opportunity to try stop the deaths of Agbejor citizens?" The king asked.

"Yes your highness. Besides, Lance is a sorcerer, I'm sure both him and HUCK could find a solution to the constant deaths of Agbejor citizens" elder Michael said as greed glowed in his eyes.

The king nodded slowly. He turned his attention to Lance and smirked.

"You do have a point elder Michael. Anyways, Lance, you have heard one of my elders. Can you find a way to stop the deaths of Agbejor citizens?"

Lance bent his head down as he stared at the floor.

He knew the reason for the constant death of the Agbejor citizens. But he also knew that Huck would not be happy if he tells him to stop the drug operations and lay low.

But he had to convince the king and he is going to do it by any means.

"Your highness,both you and your council of elders do not know the reason for the constant deaths of Agbejor citizens. You all only fear it's Hijirar's wrath that is upon the community. But don't worry, I'm going to try to find a way to stop the deaths but it's going to be a deal" Lance smirked evenly.

The king waved his hand.

"Just stop the deaths of my people and I will not release the people of Umuguor community" the king said.

"Then it's a deal".

After Lance, through the help of elder Michael,persuaded the king not to release the people of Umuguor community, he did well to leave the castle. Besides, he had by hair's lendth, carried out Huck's orders and it was time to report to Huck.

He just hoped Huck would listen to him and stop the drug operations for a while. The drug operations were the reason for the constant deaths in Agbejor community, not just in Agbejor community, but in all of the country of Casablanca.

@@@

"You what!!!!!!"

Huck roared loudly that almost shook the dark room.

Lance had related to Huck how he carried out his orders.

"I'm sorry, Huck. But you have to stop the drug operations in order to stop the deaths of Agbejor citizens" Lance said trying to make a point.

Huck stared deeply at Lance. It was as if he would tear Lance into shreds in just a minute.

"But to think you had to make a deal with the king. I can't stop the drug operations, it's the reason why I'm getting stronger and powerful. It's the reason why my power and strength is increasing everyday. I can't stop it".

Huck spoke coldly as he paced round the dark room.

He was pissed. He couldn't just stop the drug operations, it's the reason why he is powerful and him being greedy for power, he would never stop.

"Then get ready for the Umuguor citizens to be released from slavery" Lance spoke with a carefree tone.

HUCK stomped his feet on the ground, hearing Lance's words. His anger was rising and it was directed to both Lance and those old bones of Agbejor community.

As a result of the stomping, the ground started shaking like there was an earthquake. Lance had to grab the wall in order not to fall. He shot a glare at Huck who still continued stomping the ground in anger.

"Do you wanna pull down the whole fortress in anger?" Lance asked trying to keep himself steady.

Huck gritted his teeth and stopped stomping on the ground.

"So how would I get stronger and more powerful if there's no incoming of soul essences?" HUCK asked once he had calmed down for a little bit.

"Got no idea. It's only for a while and in no time there will be incoming of soul essences, so bear with it" Lance advised. "I'll take my leave now so that I will go and speak with the drug group".

Lance left immediately leaving Huck in the dark room.

Huck was angry but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. That only means, there would no longer be incoming of soul essences to make him more powerful.

Out of rage, he allowed dark energy to evaporate out his soul. Dark flame burst out of his body and his eyes glowed dark red. His surroundings were covered in utmost darkness.

This was the power he had been gathering all the years of collecting soul essences. The dark energy was slowly turning him into a monster.