The Spirits (Ch-13; Theft)

The Spirits And The Devastating War

Chapter-13

Theft

The conference was astonishing for the world and astoundingly, Peter, too, was astonished. Harry gave people so many shocks that Earthians was not much familiar with. Many people questioned Harry how can these things occur. But the questions were eliminated with the counter-question, "Can you explain his powers?".

The opposition was suppressed after people saw the technology of Cygnus with their eyes and recorded them on the cameras when the U.N. Meeting was attacked by Robert and according to the team, Maniac.

 

After solving the Maniac case, the friends had gained a lot of popularity. Though these many incidents had occurred and the world even witnessed them, the team was disputed. The main reason was that things were hidden. If Harry announced that Cygnus is a planet and will attack Earth, then the question arises how Harry knows about these. This is quite obvious because political experts are much better in politics than Harry is. The team was quarrelled and debated but the majority supported them. These things filled the golden atmosphere with rumours and disputes. Fake messages spread all around. After all, this was the talk of Earth's extinction and therefore, can't be joked. Some people, even, shared auguries and symbols that delineated one director of Earth's annihilation. These all were ignored and the thing was focused on one, the alien invasion.

After the conference, the team had the way back to London to see their new headquarters. That was too gorgeous. An irregularly shaped building with good outlines and frontiers. It was painted in a way that each and every country's flag was displayed and all of it depicted a united movement.

The company that was set up on funds was exponentially rising and especially their tagline attracted everyone 'Let's Do Something Different'. This company not only earned through funds but also through merchandise. Shirts and T-shirts with the design of the Spirits were prevalent in this field. People found it something new. London city was extending at this time. Many people settled near the office selling consumables to employees. Many employees built their home here itself and the city was prospering.

Today, most probably, Ramesh was the one who felt that he was the happiest in the world. Not because, he was regaining his sense of touch or could conduct heat through him but because his mother, Sapna, was in London. He felt so relaxed after hugging her. 

"Son, saw you after ages!", said Sapna while she was taking heavy breaths with desired sobs.

"Maa, it's been beautiful, this journey. My life changed and this might satisfy father's soul who even gambled for a living.", breathed Ramesh.

"He was a great man and passed that talent to you. I saw you on the television. Everyone, in the colony, who disagreed with a woman working after her husband's demise came to me to congratulate me."

"Come on, maa. You gotta move on. You can't limit your life to a colony and after all, I am an international personality now."

"I know and I am proud of that!", sobbed Sapna.

"Where's Rajeev, the murderer? In jail only?"

"Yeah!"

"Excuse me, Ma'am. You shall talk to him privately and we shall leave.", Harry broke in, "We shall look for the next demeanour. The work isn't over."

"Yes, sir... I owe you a debt...You changed our lives."

"We never did, Ma'am. Don't refer to me as 'Sir'. You know, for me, SIR is the abbreviation of 'Slave I Remain'. You are like my mother. I never met her in my memories but she's dead now. I blame myself for this. If I lose, then she died for nothing or even those who sacrificed themselves.", Harry went into tears and his evergreen smile faded.

"Right, SON.", Sapna enhanced the word.

Valencia took Harry to another room with David who was, also, mostly in tears. Ramesh and Sapna had some emotional talks later. While Harry, David, Peter, Valencia and Charlotte had marched to a single room. 

"Well, Egaliator, tell me one thing... Where's your family?", asked Peter, "I mean, we didn't meet them."

"Lost connections generations ago. Nothing then, I was just left my job and later, about 4 months ago, I met Charlotte."

"She's the best friend I have.", Charlotte's words seemed to be artificial.

"Sir, I wanted to read that letter which you always keep in your pocket", David entered the conversation.

"That's nothing just my father's suicide note. Well, let me tell you. It helps me...", Peter gave a staring look and flicked the envelope open and started reading, "Dear Peter! Your mother died and I could not do anything. The main source of income is finished. I would not be able to look after you. Sorry! But its the last night you are with me! Sorry, but bye! I would not be able to live in such a pang of big guilt. Call your relatives on this number- 97xxxxxxxx.", Peter stopped in tears and everyone believed it was better not to comment on it.

The day passed emotionally and so was the month. But the problem was the next demeanour. The team started finding the next demeanour from London. Checked out all documents of those names starting from 'PET'.

The team, indeed, had decided they'll call everyone whose names match with those they want. The smartness Chalice Of Demeanour was kept in the same portfolio and preserved. On the other hand, Ramesh thought to toss a free coin as in reference with the Chalice. He believed one man was eligible but who was it, was kept as one of the secrets. Ramesh asserted that if they aren't able to find the next Demeanour, then it would be better to try anyone who they suspect. The probability was one in millions. Chances were less but were not impossible. Harry disagreed with Ramesh. It was now October, then November and then came December. It was just a matter of time that these months passed quickly. Peter had started new and innovative work. He started writing everyday stories and bedtimes. That, indeed, was a good stress-buster. He sold many of them with his popular name. 

Ramesh, in this period of four months, was now concentrating on a conducting object like his body. His body could protect all from blasts but could not attack. Therefore, he needed something, some tool to attack rather only defend. He was experimenting on some type of shield. An irregularly shaped shield. It was rectangular with lengths greater than breaths. Three corners were rounded while the fourth corner was divided into two. The fourth corner was slant and sharp. In short, it was a pentagon with three rounded corners and two sharp-pointed vertices to attack.

The time arrived. It was now mid-December. Among the snow, the sunlight shined over that headquarters, blazing the glass. But the inner atmosphere was delightful. So many worked as accountants and many were employed for defending attacks. They were trained mostly by Ramesh. Meanwhile, Harry and Peter had searched thousands of documents. Ramesh's mind was now diverted to steal the Chalice Of Demeanours now but that was quite something impossible. Valencia and David were always busy doing concentration. Valencia did it to increase her observation. On the other hand, Charlotte seemed to be a woman who always followed some other (Valencia). 

Ramesh, today, was at his highest feelings. Feelings of being ignored. What he believed was right. The Chalice of Demeanours can just be given a trial. Why waste it? Ramesh summoned David in his room. 

"Do you trust me?", asked Ramesh bluntly.

"Of Course I do! You need some help?", responded David. 

"Open up a portal. Steal that Chalice Of Demeanours. You know for what deed."

"See, Ramesh. I, truly, support your idea. But I can't open portals. You know why? Oliver took my powers, remember?"

"Then, I think I'll have to resolve it alone, then. "

At midnight, Ramesh properly dressed like some thief. With a lot of confidence, Ramesh took a fire stand with him. He used that for the shield he was making. His plan was to weaken the wooden door and then his punch was enough. With dump-footsteps, Ramesh went on. Harry was sleeping. Seeing a dream. He saw him taking admission in a school. The principal refused to do so. Then, Harry just closed his fist and the principal was ready. It was some sort of magic. 

Ramesh didn't care about his dream. Flamed the door. He, then, punched and whacked the door lightly just making a low sound. The door was unhinged and Ramesh's plan was working. Harry was busy in dreams of the past. He knew where the portfolio was. He opened the cupboard. Only one chalice was there. Ramesh didn't hesitate to pick it up. With a deft motion of nimble fingers, he picked it up and left the room silently. He reached his room and left the door open.

He feared that if he fails, who he'll be answerable to? But a winner never quits. 

He tore the picture of that man he believed to be eligible from the newspaper, The Daily Communiqué. Ramesh incanted the Chalice. He knew the spell as he heard Harry saying it. The flame kindled in the chalice and Ramesh threw the photo in it.

Just at that moment, he heard some footsteps approaching. While on the other hand, Harry discerned something. Something he does every time. 

In this time, Ramesh descended backwards to see who was it. Through the open door, Charlotte was entering through the shades of the pitch-darkness which countered the table light which Ramesh had turned on.

"Well, well.", Charlotte began.

"I didn't suppose to be here at this hour of the night, Charlotte. I don't think Valencia was here."

"Oh!! That stupid woman. Reason for my headache for more than 8 months.", Charlotte behaved eccentrically.

"Really? I thought you were a good friend. Don't tell me all that was artificial. "

"I forgot you don't know me. Yes, Ramesh, I was the one you left in Australia four months ago..."

"Maniac?"

-To Be Continued

(Abhinav Srivastava)