Walking with Joshua we make our way back into Paarl parting ways by the n1 entrance. It was a bit of a walk but no more and no less dangerous than any other. So my mind was constantly drifting to Joshua. He isn't competent enough to fight yet but will at least be a competent runner, his dodging is good too but nothing special. I was worried I had overdone my part it was hard enough learning how to regulate one aura but two with one being noticed by oneself. Learning how to Mark was another thing as well to be able to feel and understand what you mark can slow the mind with options and to teach him to smite on top of that I worried a little. He didn't have much time to learn anything this week but he didn't have to be good at it he just needed to be competent enough to know how to do it learning and understanding would come later hopefully after we had fixed the demon problem.
Even lost in thought I kept my senses up, we had been ambushed by a demon the first night here as we weren't expecting any. We or more accurately Hannah and I had gotten so used to fighting other descendants that we were on guard from that which was a grave mistake that almost became a mistake that put us in the grave. I finish turning up Du Toit Street to the Backpackers Lodge.
Entering the main hall I show my keys to the receptionist and continue my way through the hallway past my group to my room. I had told them I would be making the report this evening but that was only half as I needed some advice. Entering my room I call the number and let the phone ring.
"Hello, thank you for calling the African Christian Alliance how may we help you?" I let it hang in the air for a moment waiting for the message to start again I type the passcode 147, letting a song. Waiting for the song to cut I wait and think on my words.
"Hello, who is this, and from what team?" A melodic voice asked from the other side the voice was
"It's Adam from team Bright Star." I Say as clearly as I can so as not to get misheard.
"Oh, hay Adam good to hear from you it's been a bit what can I do for you." Her reply and tone shift were subtle but noticeable but I didn't mind.
"Can you check if Thato Available?" I ask and a long moment of silence follows.
"Let me go check for you." she replied with a hint of worry or tiredness as the phone went silent again. It stayed that way for a few minutes so I assume she had muted the phone. After a static spike a new familiar voice began. i
"Molo, Molo, njalo-njalo" A tired voice rumbled behind the phone it was less energetic and pomus than his normal tone but still just as melodic almost as if clinging to a lost tone.
"Good to hear you too." I Reply and move the phone away from my ear after waking him.
"Ahh, Adam how are you doing you." The energy shift was so sudden you could have convinced someone it was two different people. I knew him better than that though he was just Thato.
"Don't keep me waiting Umoni How is the mission going, how's Mandella doing, I'm dying of boredom waiting here." He was almost shouting now trying to grab any crumb of adventure.
"One going better than the other, wanna take a guess?" I replied trying to probe him but I was quickly corrected.
"What's going wrong with the mission." Thato responded with no hesitation.
"You really trust Mandella don't you." I say bearly holding back a laugh.
"Obviously, I was the one who trained him." His tone was full of pride but I am not sure if that was directed toward Mandella or himself.
"So Umoni, you gonna tell me, I assume you did the basics?" He continued only giving me a moment to enjoy.
"Yeah can't find any trace of New Babylon, we can fully rule them out." I say honestly, having searched for them first.
"Rouge demon?" He asked more seriously now trying to understand.
"No, Not rouge just working a different way they all report to the same boss remember."
"Yeah, yeah." He responded bored out his mind.
"You heard or remember a demon that goes by The Red Man?" I ask going strait for the
"The Red Man, now that's certainly a title. No sorry nothing comes to mind, what is his MO? Maybe that will help." His relentless tempo doesn't let you get a question in till he lets you but that is just how he is so I focus on the most important thing he asked.
"A contract type prays on those who are in distress." I reply trying to focus on everything important.
"Don't.. they.. all.., but a contract type like that?" he replies focussing long on each word before reflecting to try and figure something out.
"Just do the norm and send him to the abyss that will disrupt the contracts enough that a large-scale rite will handle the rest." He gives the most practical advice but even I could think of that so I was a bit disappointed.
"Any other Advice oh great mage?" I ask more than a little impatient than before.
"Do you want to what my advice?" He responds.
We end up spending a little more time just talking and venting to one another each telling about our grypes and annoyances that have cropped up recently before just switching to a regular chat. It was nice. Even after the call ended I didn't want to leave but eventually exiting the room I made my way to Hannah and Mandella and sat down with them finally able to relax a bit I sank into my chair and even if it's only for a few minutes I close my eyes and begin to relax.
"The Hell is that!" Mandella's voice echoed in the small room drawing more than a few eyes to him including ours.
"Rou..oh" Hannah's words faltered as she saw the same sight as Mandella. opening my eyes I try to get a look myself.
The sky was lit up as if a star was falling, the brilliant light was tearing through the sky. But there were 2 problems the shadows were acting strange, not following the brilliance of the light and the rest of the guests were looking at Mandella and not the windows.
The light blared on filling the sky so we acted or at least Hannah and I did. Rushing outside we did our best to avoid everyone while running at a natural speed. Eventually making outside we go until there are no eyes on us and launch ourselves at the slowly falling ball of light.