by BZA Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:51 am
The man sat quietly behind a mahogany desk. To his left was an incandescent stream from a smoldering fireplace. Its proliferating radiance casting his silhouette to the right. This shadowy imprint, exaggerated his slender profile into hulking proportions. For were one to gaze onto the wall they would be remiss not to evoke the imagery of a demon. In particular, the claw-like transmutation of his twig like index finger. A finger that had taken to tapping in intervals no less than milliseconds. Each thump an animated effort to stab boredom dead. The chiming tick and tock of the single ancient clock above the fireplace joined in the attempt. In this chamber space and time languidly slugged on. An eerie atmosphere that drummed up the smallest of sounds. Yet, the man attention lay elsewhere and his environment was nothing more than an after though. Suddenly, a blustering torrent tore through the window behind him. The wind stormed into the room, tossing about papers en route to turning of his fire.
No sooner had the flame been extinguished than did the chambers door burst open. Two armed marines rushed, with the older of the two clasping his great battle axe. "Are you ok" he inquired, his tone urgent as the speed by which his partner scanned the room. Their boss remained unresponsive. "Oscar, get some light" the man continued, a cold sweat streaking down his back. The industrious man set to work, fumbling, and bumbling to success. Once the fire was rolling, Oscar looked on to his boss. "Did you get some sleep. Sir" the young man muttered gazing upon the emaciated husk of their leader. Captain Joachim thoughts maintained their wander in his mental asylum. "s everything alight?" It was then that Joachim ceased moving and stood up. Behind the desk arose the deceptively tall man who briskly made his way to the window. His back turned, he uttered but one statement, "Where is HE?" However, the erupting pound of his signature low pitch voice resonated viciously around the room.
Oscar and Tomasa found themselves sprawled on the ground in awe of his might. Joachim jerked his right hand to his mouth and commenced biting his nails. Spewing a stream of profanities, he proceeded to lay a verbal tirade. Alas, his words were lost under the thumb that obscured his lips. Still, the two guards dare not move lest they incur his fury. Lost in wonder, the two finally mustered the courage to stand after a lengthy stretch of time. In fact, it was the raspy croak that echoed through the vast plains and into the window that sparked their action. Shortly, thereafter another such sound erupted and signaled the dawn of the new month. Joachim trance was broken and he looked ahead at the rising sun that seemed to mock him. In a fit of rage, he turned back and found Oscar and Tomasa pridefully rooted before him. Pursing his lips half an inch he barked orders under his breath as his rabid eyes glared into theirs. "Find Him"
Several hundred miles away, the Santa Maria's keel fiercely plunged the salty waters off an isolated isle. The might behinds its splash swashed a bubbling wave to shore. Aboard, was 'Kurowashi', starved and dehydrated by the last hour's escape. The pestering crow of seagull, groggily ripped him from his slumber. In one heave he, dropped down from the main mast to the ship's figure head. The dangerous combination of his sea legs and intrinsic speed proved a deadly mix. Caught off guard by the mismatch in power he slipped. Two hundred pounds of muscle met the cement like ocean and gave rise to a spectacular water bomb. Submerged in Poseidon realm, the pristine waters felt delightful crisp as a numbing chill unreservedly solaced his simmering skin. Obscured from the glorious golden blaze of the cloudless summer's eve he swam about enjoying his youth for once. As Baraka floated briskly on the waters one thought came into his mind, "The captain is going to kill me for this" Yet, at the utterance of the words the young marine burst into laughter. One which didn't cease until he decided to swim over and explore the island.