The Hero's Conundrum/Chapter 12

The explosion was too close to us but then time stopped and this time neither Bansao nor I are able to move, we are frozen in mid explosion. Bansao started moving his fingers if he is able to move he’ll be able to leave. I try to move but is impossible, then I noticed that the explosion is expanding slowly, Bansao is already on his feet and grabbed my hands. I still can’t move and he is holding my hand if he doesn’t release me, we both die.

“Maybe this is the solution Marduk, both of us dying at the same time. Maybe this rid the world of both of us. No more Marduk, no more Bansao the world is better off without us.”

The explosion continued expanding slowly and the heat was reaching us and I could feel it burning me slowly. Bansao was getting burned too but he didn’t let go of me. The fire reached us and the pain of burning slowly is unbearable, it was like that dream I had. I started to move and take control of myself. I struggled to get loose from Bansao, who was losing strength from the pain of being burned. I did it, I got loose we both start moving faster as the explosion keep expanding. We start fighting and I end up grabbing him from behind and told him;

“The only one dying today here is you”

“I was hoping to end this now, but you made your decision and as I told you, it’s going to break your heart. I will kill your people and you’ll have no choice but to help me” and started laughing.

“Shut up” I was going to punch him in the ribs but I got my knife out instinctively and stabbed him, suddenly time resumed normally and the explosion blasted at full speed. I was holding Bansao in front of the explosion so he shielded me from it. I survived, badly burned but I survived. Bansao on the other hand is dead, most of his body is gone. I won, but is it permanent? No matter we’ll be ready for anything now, Sammael came to my aid and helped me move. On our way to the camp I heard the others talking about the fight, they didn’t even understood what happened, they are calling me a hero. When we got to the camp I ordered them to make hole in the ground and bury Bansao’s remains. On top of it, I made my tent he was not coming back this time without me noticing it. Joseph came to me and said;

“Marduk we should move, Bansao men now know where we are.”

“No, we are not going to move anymore, we can take care of anything that comes our way now.”

“Are you sure?”

“You tell me, something tells me that you know more about Bansao than anyone”

Joseph opened his eyes real big and “Asked me, “What are you talking about?”

“I followed you to the ranch”

“Oh I see. Marduk we need to talk”

“Yes we do, but later, I need to do some things first.”

He left and I see everyone looking at me is because I’m badly injured but even though I’m hurt, I feel good, I’m stronger and faster, more confident on myself. I’m their leader and we will stand strong. I called Sammael, Sara, Joseph and John consulted something with them then addressed the people at the camp.

“Today we have beaten Bansao and something tells me that’s the last we will see of him. But if it’s not, I’m confident that we will beat him and his people again. We will not move anymore we will stay here and prosper. I talked to my most trusted men to expand our camp. Sarah told me that she will leave and set camp somewhere else, whoever wants to join her, is free to do so. The same goes for Joseph and I will provide all the help they need to prosper, to create communities and get the world back on track.” Then someone in the crowd shouted;

“That decision is up to the elders”

“I am your leader I have brought you the victory the elders could not give you. The elders play a big role in all this but they are mainly here for wisdom, not to rule and they agreed to that. Sammael agreed to stay here with me and John is going to look for his family and he wants to go alone, he’ll come back when he is ready.”

The people don’t look so happy with the decision made but it was made after consulting with the elders. In time they’ll see that is better this way. Sarah, Joseph and John, left. Some went with Sara some with Joseph and the majority stayed with me. It has been a week now and there is no sign of Bansao but some of his men have surrendered to us and they are telling us that he is not coming back. Is irrelevant to me, I will be prepared at all times, I’m training my men every day, and the others are taking tasks to improve the camp.

The elders are having second thoughts once I started welcoming Bansao men, but I don’t care, I was the one who saved us, not them, I’m the one in charge. Six months have passed without Bansao, not even rumors about him, my camp is getting bigger and stronger everyone is cooperating, the elders are teaching the kids and giving advice. We found about a camp nearby, they have very good resources and have been prospering like us since Bansao died last time. I decided to send some men and try to make some kind of deal with them, like trading, for the benefit of both camps. My men returned and told me they are willing to make a deal, resources for protection, I agreed. So I went to the town and asked for their leader, he was very kind and wise. His name is Abraham.

“Greetings Abraham”

“Greeting Marduk the hero”

“Hero?”

“Yes you have gained quite a reputation by getting rid of Bansao”

“Really? I wasn’t aware, but call me Marduk. I heard that you are willing to work with us.”

“Yes, we are at your disposal everything you need from here in exchange for protection and training of our people.”

“It seems like a good deal but if there is anything you need from our camp, it can be arranged.”

“Thanks I will rule this camp according to your orders”

That doesn’t sound bad but I can’t let this go over my head. I left and I sent two of our soldiers to stay there and train his people.

Back in the camp I’ve been told of another camp, farther away so I sent to of my men again but this time they refused to join us. Well I can’t expect everyone to join me, they doesn’t seem to have many trained people, they have cattle and sheep and we do not. They may need training and protection that I can offer. I think that there will be mutual benefit if we join forces. So I decided to take a trip to their camp and try to convince their leader to join us. But on my way Sammael stopped me;

“Marduk take it easy, he doesn’t want to join and no matter what you tell him, he won’t change his mind. Give it time, there will be others with better to offer.”

“You are right, this six months of peace have been nice and the camp is growing up nicely.”

“Exactly, let’s keep it that way”

Two more years have passed, houses have been built with better water systems and we are looking like a community now. I decide to go and visit Joseph which is doing really good, perhaps better than us. I went alone to his camp and as soon as I entered I noticed someone in a hooded robe like a monk walking around Joseph’s camp. I greet Joseph and while we were talking the hooded man lifted his hood to drink some water and my blood boiled . . . no, it can’t be, it’s him, Bansao. What is he doing in Joseph’s camp???