CREED, The Fiery Storm

Thirty Within Two

      "....It's not always logical to rely on logic because it too has its own limits!"- Constino                       

                            CHAPTER FOUR: Know Thy Self

     Everyone was still in their position in the circle. The child still in the very middle of it. The energy in the air was much less; you would be forgiven for assuming the process had drained the participants. Having asked a question, he seemed to be awaiting an answer but none seemed to be coming...

"Did you miss me?! Any one?!" He asked again.

"No." Soycoss answered. "No one missed you..."

"Really!!" the boy spoke as he stood up and made himself comfortable between Breala and Jim in the circle.

"Then...why am I here?!"He asked.

"Huh! High time you asked some meaningful questions... " Takerine commented.

"I've been fine Takerine..." the boy responded. "How have you been?!"

"You've been fine?!" Takerine taunted. "You've not even been!!"

"Your help is needed..." Djen spoke, responding to the kid's earlier question.

"Oh! My help and not me!" the boy commented.

"Honestly...yes" Monero responded to the comment.

"You know, it hurts really bad when the ladies dislike you..." he spoke with a feigned frown. He was one annoying kid!

"Then I guess you should know that not only the ladies dislike you..." Austime commented.

"Huh! Why would I care about a bald man's sentiments?!"The kid responded with an insult-more of a taunt actually.

"I am not bald!!!" Austime spoke with anger in between gritting his teeth. "Just bold"

The child was obviously annoying but an angry Austime was something interesting-funny even. Most of the holders were struggling to contain their laughter. Even Dominus could not help smiling. However annoying he was, the child had a sense of humour!

"There are people... here... who do not know who you are..." Chronomus pointed out to the 'kid'. As he spoke, you could tell that Chronomus was not scolding a brat. On the contrary, he was as if talking to a colleague or someone close. But then again, Chronomus respected everyone.

"Oh, pardon my insolence... " The kid apologised. "I am Duke..."

"The one..." he continued. "Well, the one before..."

He said the last bit looking at Jim, like they had met before somewhere ...

"I am..." Jim began to introduce himself but he was interrupted...