Chương 59: The last bastion

The walls crumble and fall within a mere five minutes.

Beneath the weight of betrayal, our security system collapses. The realization of an attack washes over us all too late. Our simple camp, devoid of the fortified defences of a military base, relies heavily on foresight. Without the advantage of spotting our adversaries from a distance, we’re essentially sitting ducks.

Given the pace of the onslaught, we’re in danger of annihilation long before reinforcements from Karachi can reach us.

The rebels, astride their majestic horses, weave in and out of our defences. Their formation might appear chaotic at first glance, but there’s a method to their madness. Disturbingly, their primary focus is our resources. A significant contingent of them, perhaps twenty or so, surge towards our munitions stockpile located in the training grounds. Their intentions become clear as, upon arrival, they promptly ignite it. Another group outmanoeuvres us, slipping in through our emergency exit, which they subsequently block off.

Every piece of this chaos affirms my suspicions–White Snake has played us, leaking intimate details of our camp and mercilessly killing our watch guards.

From my vantage point atop the watchtower, I rain bullets upon them. But they flow in continuously, like an unstoppable tide. Fires blaze, casting an eerie glow, rendering precise aiming redundant. Every shot is bound to find a mark–ally or enemy, it’s of little consequence.

A manic grin stretches across my face.

“Hahahaha…”

This situation’s absurdity tickles me. I’m overcome with raucous laughter. At this juncture, the idea of death doesn’t faze me; I just hope it’s memorable.

“Has he lost his mind?”

A young boy sporting a turban nudges the armoured woman beside him, both astride their horses. Their upward gaze is fixed on me. The boy’s refined demeanour suggests a position of authority. I take a quick shot at him, but he ducks with impressive reflexes. Almost immediately, sensing danger from below, both the boy and the woman leap into action. They manoeuvre their horses expertly, charging at our soldiers, their sabres glinting ominously in the firelight.

“Wow!” The exclamation slips from me.

The adrenaline surges, and another fit of laughter seizes me as I continue firing indiscriminately.

“Enjoying yourself, are you? Splendid, splendid!”

A voice, melodic yet unexpected, comes from behind. Whirling around, I’m met with the sight of a girl in a striking blue dress, clapping. How did I miss her approach? Her radiant smile gleams in the dim light, and her snowy hair draws an involuntary comparison to the White Snake.

“Oh, never mind me,” she chatters away. “Just wondering if you might know where Gini is? Or rather, Schwa? She was meant to be up here.”

Confusion tugs at me. “Who now?”

She animatedly gestures. “A girl about yay high, with white hair like mine, but cropped shorter. She’s an absolute darling!”

The realization dawns on me. “The White Snake?”

With the weight of betrayal already confirmed, this doesn’t shock me. However, her peculiar description, juxtaposed against the gravity of our situation, adds a touch of absurdity that I find inexplicably amusing.

“Yeees, exactly!” She claps, enthusiasm evident. “Where is she?”

“No idea,” I retort, training my gun square on her face.

Her eyes widen, a twinge of panic. “Oh, oh!” she squeaks just before I pull the trigger.

I almost comment, 'Funny last words,' but she deftly dodges the bullet with an agile sidestep.

Are these folks even human? I think, incredulous.

In a flash, she’s upon me, that mischievous smile of hers back in place, her knife’s cold edge pressed to my throat.

“It’s too bad you couldn’t be of help. So, I guess this is goodbye.”

Reacting quickly, I swing the rifle, its butt connecting with her face.

She crumples to the floor, clutching a now-bloodied nose and spits defiantly.

“You’re making a grave error, youngster. I’m not the sort you want to tangle with,” I say, smirking.

Her previously unflappable grin fades, replaced with an expression I find genuinely intriguing.

Without giving her a moment, I drive my foot into her face and raise my weapon. “In the hereafter, try not to underestimate those with more life experience,” I advise.

Yet, she’s not done. Faster than anticipated, she slides between my legs and lunges at my back, knife raised, a battle cry escaping her lips.

In a fluid motion, I twist, catching her by the neck, forcing her towards the railing.

Her struggle intensifies as I apply more pressure. Suddenly, the barricade gives way, and the only thing preventing her from plummeting is my grip.

Suspended above, in a desperate bid, she drives her knife deep into my arm.

You are reading story There are Two Gods in Heaven at novel35.com

Chuckling, I muse, “Is that what you wanted?” and release her.

A scream fills the air as she descends the thirty metres from the watchtower, landing with a sickening thud.

It’s evident that hurt.

The turbaned boy from before rushes to her side, frantically trying to rouse her.

Amusing…

He shoots me a venomous glare. I take aim, only to realize I’m out of ammunition.

Sighing, I leap from the watchtower to the office rooftop, surprising a group of soldiers who seem relieved by my arrival. I snatch a rifle from one, shoving him aside.

“What’s the plan, 2nd Lieutenant?”

“Find a tank. And go cry in it.”

Indeed, I’d observed Lieutenants Parrot and Swallow earlier, commandeering a tank to unleash havoc on the rebels. It was a laughably commendable strategy.

However, rebels are now converging on the offices, making our sanctuary precarious.

I leap again, deftly sliding down the wall to the training grounds below. As expected, it’s largely deserted, save for the turbaned boy and the armoured woman, flanked by a few dismounted rebels.

The boy steps forward, grandly announcing, “I am Nala of Jamani, representing the Independence Army. Our goal is to liberate our Indian brethren from the oppressive English rule. You strike me as a formidable adversary. Shall we duel honourably?”

His words are almost laughable in this chaos.

“You’re making a grave mistake,” I smirk.

Seemingly unfazed, he twirls his sabre with flourish. “Prove it.”

Grabbing a grenade launcher nearby, I can’t help but chuckle. “I am 2nd Lieutenant Crowsclaws of the King’s 4th Regiment, the final sentinel of this crumbling bastion. Brace yourself, Nala of Jamani. I am going to burn your wings.”

Above all, let my death be a good one!

 

---

 

I grew up in the radiant city of Lahore, where its streets shimmered, embroidered with resplendent shades of gold and azure. The laughter and joy of its people echoed in every alley. As the eldest son of a prominent diplomat, my path was set to be gleaming, much different from the one I eventually trod upon.

From a young age, biology and chemistry captivated my attention, and my childhood floated by, unburdened. However, the winds shifted upon my father’s untimely demise. There were murmurs, whispers I caught, suggesting it was an assassination masterminded by my very own uncle. This tragedy splintered our family, forcing me to abandon my academic pursuits. Without a will left behind, my uncle and his cunning wife exploited the legal system to seize my father’s vast inheritance.

Determined to shield my mother and three sisters from destitution, I toiled day in and day out. Fate had its design, and through a series of coincidences, I found myself considering the military. An old associate of my father, now a colonel, pitched the army life, dangling the allure of a generous salary. While the dread of death hovered over me, the solace of serving on my homeland’s soil, rather than foreign shores like many of my comrades, somewhat quelled my anxieties.

However, reality proved harsher. Each time I took down one of my own countrymen, a sharp pang of guilt wracked me. Nightly, I was tormented by haunting dreams that gnawed at my sanity. I wasn’t the sole Indian in the British ranks, but I shied away from my kin. Merely glancing at them was a challenge, as if mutual shame bound us. We tiptoed around each other, interacting only when absolutely necessary, fearing that any more would reopen fresh wounds.

In the grip of these relentless nightmares, I forwent sleep entirely. It was then that my latent passion for chemistry and biology rekindled. I found solace in the research & development wing of my regiment. There, I met a superior, a guiding light, whom I revered as a mentor. Having an intellectual pursuit, and her kind, guiding presence, made the days bearable. I genuinely believed I owed her my existence. But life’s impermanence struck again when she concluded her tenure and departed.

With her exit and the evident lack of interest in R&D among my peers, I swiftly rose as the most seasoned member. Yet, as sleep continued to elude me, the horrifying visions bled into my waking hours. The cries and pleas of the people echoed in my ears. Sometimes, these hallucinations were so palpable that I found myself incapacitated, confined to my bed for days on end.

Desperate for a reprieve, I sought the camp’s medical experts, hoping for a cure. But their only prescription was rest. But how could I? Rest seemed like a luxury I couldn’t afford.

The epiphany struck when our paths crossed. If my salvation from these relentless hallucinations was rooted in rest, then this war had to be quelled. Maybe then, my tormented countrymen would grant me their forgiveness. My unexpected ally was a dark-skinned man from a nation revered as the world’s most formidable. A plan started to unfurl in my mind: if I could rally the Nubians to bolster the Indians, England’s triumph would be but a mirage. That thought brought solace–an end where they would cease their cries. Silence the wails…

Fate’s cruel irony manifested when an explosion in an antiquated fortress catapulted me into a newfound role–the 1st lieutenant. With this title came the privilege to assemble my team. I handpicked a blend of men and women, not just for their prowess but for their shared vision. Among them was a young girl, her eyes glistening with silent tears that mirrored mine. I felt an innate urge to be her saviour.

My interactions with the Nubians were paralleled by efforts to aid her. I discerned that to bestow her life with meaning, she needed to reclaim her lost humanity. Although deaf, a rudimentary ear implant enabled her to communicate. We enhanced it subtly, cautious not to arouse suspicion. Its revamped design enabled us to eavesdrop, thereby swaying situations to our advantage.

With the stage set, she embarked on her pivotal solo mission, a culmination of our meticulous strategy. Our espionage skills had previously unveiled the Punjab rebels’ sanctuary. We dispatched counterfeit intel about concealed landmines in the Punjab desert, ensuring they would be compelled to rendezvous with her. My unwavering faith in my brethren reassured me that they would come through for her.

Perhaps now, the haunting cries will subside. Desperate for rest, I cling to the beacon of hope that looms on the horizon. The Nubians are mobilizing, the girl is shattering her fetters, and liberation for our land seems imminent. It is a moment poised to silence the sorrow.

Though I know the major to be a man of honour, his zeal for battle is palpable. That’s a fire I can’t let rage on. As our jeep distances itself from the Karachi base, I discreetly release a soporific gas, highly flammable. My mask shields me from its effects. I alight from the vehicle, and the brisk night air fills my lungs. Discarding the now-unnecessary mask, I revel in the vastness of the night. Bathed in darkness, the land radiates a serene beauty. Its tears seem to have dried. I re-enter the jeep and tamper with the engine. Settling back in, I whisper, “Goodnight, Major,” caressing his cheek, and ignite the engine.

The climactic explosion paints the skies, akin to a firework heralding a poignant conclusion. At last, it is my time to rest.

You can find story with these keywords: There are Two Gods in Heaven, Read There are Two Gods in Heaven, There are Two Gods in Heaven novel, There are Two Gods in Heaven book, There are Two Gods in Heaven story, There are Two Gods in Heaven full, There are Two Gods in Heaven Latest Chapter