"Dammit! You're getting me wrong, I didn't have the blood of a warrior or whatever you call it," Raymond said. "I'm just a college graduate seeking a job. I don't—" he paused as he saw the confused look on Agithara. "I guess that has no meaning here, and neither does it matter," he whispered.
"You have the blood of a leader in your hand, Raymond," Agithara said. "The man you murdered yesterday. I still smell the blood on you."
"I really didn't kill him. Please believe me," said Raymond. "It was unintentional. He ran into my knife and he was… unlucky."
"Would he have died if he had never met you?" Agithara asked. "I am certain he would be pretty much alive if he had never confronted you." She leaned closer to Raymond and whispered, "It does not matter how you killed him. What matter was from WHOSE hands he lost his life."
She stood up and regarded him for a moment before speaking again. "Make your choice, Raymond. The warriors and I will be waiting. Whichever choice you make has the weight of either responsibility or retribution."
"Wait a minute Mrs… er… Agithara," Raymond stopped her. "How did you learn of my name? I'm sure I never told you."
"The Water of Soul did its work," Agithara chuckled. "You told me much MORE than your name. You are quite an interesting man." She took a cane beside the bed and hobbled out of the room.
Raymond pondered what the so-called Water of Soul had made him spit. He tried to recollect but he had no memory of it. He clenched his fist and hit it against the wall. A part of him wished he had rejected the damned water. A lot of thoughts ran through his mind.
He hoped, really hoped he did not mention Mason and Nana coming with him to this dangerous kingdom. "I must ask her myself," Raymond said. "And if I had revealed my friends' identities I must plead with her to keep it a secret." He stepped down from the bed and rushed out of the door.
Meanwhile, as Agithara stepped outside her house she was met with Toby and his men. They are staring at her in anticipation.
"That bastard did not die after drinking the Water of Soul!" Toby seethed. "What is this, Agithara? Why are you protecting him from his fate?"
"Say, Toby. What do you know about his fate?" Agithara asked. "There is more to Raymond than you can imagine. This man is destined for something bigger than you and I."
"Let us make a deal, Toby. Count from one to twenty in your mind. If Raymond does not come out before then you are free to do with him as you wish."
"Can I really do that?" Toby asked for confirmation. Agithara nodded. "And otherwise, you do as I say. All of you. Is that crystal clear?" she pointed at the men.
"Yes, Agithara." The men bowed.
A few seconds later, just as Toby was about to go inside with his men he collided with Raymond, who was rushing out.
"I'm sorry," Raymond said to Toby, breathing heavily.
"This bastard is always one step ahead!" Toby groaned, his disgust palpable.
Agithara, making her way toward a wooden chair a few feet away, glanced at Raymond and smiled, amused. She turned around and approached him. However, Raymond, reading the atmosphere, suspected something was going on.
"Am I not supposed to come outside?" he asked.
"Yes. You should have stayed on your bed!" Fillian shouted.
"I'm sorry. I'll go back inside then," Raymond said and turned to leave, but Agithara stopped him.
"Too late for that, Raymond. Come back," she said. "You know, I and Toby struck a deal regarding your fate. If you had stayed in the house a few seconds longer you would have been long dead by now."
"WHAT!?" Raymond exclaimed. "Why?"
"I am surprised you have made up your mind already," Agithara said, ignoring his question. "Or why have you followed me out here?"
"To… to accept, of course," Raymond stammered. This is not the time to ask questions. My life is on the line! I must survive first! he thought in his mind.
"Accept what?" Jako chimed in.
"I hope it is his death," Bigbody added.
"Be quiet!" Agithara said. And to Raymond, she said, "Are you ready to accept who you are now?"
Raymond nodded frantically, making sure to maintain a healthy distance between himself and Toby. At this rate, the angry man might commit murder. However, a wide grin appeared on Agithara's wrinkled face. "Alright then. Come the day of the full moon, you shall be appointed as the Lord of the Wedge," she said.
"What?" Toby and his men exclaimed.
"We had a deal, and in it, you agreed to do as I say," Agithara said. "Raymond is the child of the prophecy, and you will see him as such. The day of the full moon is less than ten days away, you shall prepare him."
"No, no, no, Agithara," Toby said, tears forming in his eyes. "There is no way this murderer can become Ghansiki. I will not let it happen. I must—"
Agithara abruptly turned to Toby, and Raymond could've sworn he saw her eyes flash green. Was that magic? He wondered as he looked over to see Toby and his men. Evidently, they are just as surprised as he was.
"IF YOU DARE DEFY ME YET AGAIN I SHALL PUT A CURSE ON YOU IN AVA'S NAME!" Agithara declared.
As if to confirm Raymond's suspicion Toby threw themselves to the ground and began to placate the priestess. "Forgive me, Agithara. I was only frightened," he whimpered.
"Off you go!" Agithara said, and without a moment to lose Toby bolted off. Fillian gave Raymond a look of disgust and whispered to him, "None of us shall kneel in front of you!" before leaving with Jako and Bigbody.
"I'm… I'm…" Raymond stammered as he watched Toby and his men leave.
"You need not pay attention to their words; they are but protests of a child," Agithara assured him. "They still bleed from the loss of their previous Lord. It is only a matter of time before they accept you; have patience."
"I understand," Raymond said. "I, too, wouldn't forgive the person who murdered someone I care about."
Agithara regarded him for a moment and then smiled. "You must learn everything about the Wedge. But not until you have been taken care of," she said. And as though she had been listening and waiting for the particular moment, a young lady emerged from the house. She was tall and pretty, and her curly blonde hair fell toward her waist.
"Meet Phoebe, my apprentice," Agithara introduced her. "She will take you to where you will be residing and take care of you until the day you shall be officially instated as the Lord of the Wedge."
"Greetings, my Lord," the lady said as she bowed. "Please feel free to tell me if you need anything."
"She is the only one you can trust apart from me," Agithara said to Raymond, pointing at Phoebe. "You are not officially known as the Ghansiki; thus, your life may be in danger. You must survive until the day of the full moon."
"I thought accepting the role would keep me safe. Why would I be in danger yet again?" Raymond frowned.
"Living in Africlaux itself is risky. It is a kill or be killed as long as we are still in-between the demonic King's rule and the cursed land," Agithara explained. "Not many people like you, let alone want you to become the Lord of the Wedge. Hence, they will try to stop you. You must earn their love and trust."
"This is more difficult than I thought," Raymond murmured. And at that moment, his purpose in the world of Africlaux resurfaced; Mason's identity. A flicker of hope crossed his face as many thoughts ran through his mind.
If the Lord of the Wedge is as powerful as I expected, maybe I could acquire Mason's identity with ease. I will have access to a variety of information, and with the help of Agithara and her Goddess, I will be able to locate and reunite with Mason and Nana.
Raymond's resolve hardened as he thought about this. He finally came to a conclusion: "Please teach me how to become a powerful Lord of the Wedge," he said to the priestess. "Make me so powerful that I can have anything I desire."
Agithara stepped closer to him and inspected his eyes. "Ava be praised! He finally accepts who he is," she muttered. "For starters, go and take a bath. Gods, you stink!"
Raymond sniffed his body. "I'm not really that… Bleh!" He grimaced, grabbing his nose. "I think you might be right. I stink like the gutter."
Agithara merely grimaced and waved her hand. Phoebe bowed and led Raymond away.