Achi lay on the ground, his chest heaving, drawing shaky rattling breaths. Black spots danced in front his eyes obscuring his vision, so he strained, trying to hear the shuffling of the strange glowing man over the ringing in his ears. The shuffling come closer to him and he tensed. What if he killed him too? Panic hijacked his aching muscles and he slowly inched backwards away from the sound. He tried to scream but a pathetic croak was all he could muster. A laugh rang throughout the wreckage as intoxicating and harmonious as the jungle itself.
"Hard man eh?" the man said "you feel you can still run chief?" another laugh filled the room then two hands grabbed his body. His throat constricted, catching the little breath in it.
"No" Achi whispered. As his body rose off of the ground.
"I don't want to hurt you rich boy" Achi felt a thumb press into his forehead and almost immediately the pain eased. "My name is Oponti, what you name?"
"Achi" he muttered.
"Achi eh" he smiled, pearly white teeth standing out against olive skin, canines pointed and encased in gold. High cheekbones pushed even higher by his grin threatened to swallow his twinkling black eyes. He turned to look back at his damage, wavy black hair cascading over his shoulders. "Well...... it's a long way to my village from here Achi," he said, the markings on the back of his palm glowing once more "and you need rest" Achi stared apprehensively at the hand moving slowly towards him. "Goodnight" Oponti whispered, then quick as thought he placed the palm over Achi's face who immediately slumped.
............
Achi awoke to the quiet hum of a refrigerator buzzing next to his head. Stretching deeply, a yawn escaped him. He groaned, lazily turning on his side, enveloped in a warm cocoon of furs. Slowly his eyes opened, flitting around hungrily, desperate for information of his surroundings. Across from him hung THE rifle. The dark mahogany of the stock contrasting pleasantly with the wall, demanding you look at it. The gun itself was beautiful in much the same way male ballerinas are beautiful. Polished wood gleamed like fresh dew on the ground, the same colour as Achi's skin. Etched into this perfectly smooth magazine were the now familiar markings of his hero. A mass of squiggly lines that bordered the wood encircled a diamante of unfamiliar words alluring in their alienness. The centre of which a single cat's eye resided. The entire design was so delicate Achi felt he could break it with his gaze. It held the same grace the ballerinas possessed but he knew, much like the danseurs throwing their female counterparts around the stage, the power tucked into it was immense. Wanting a better look at the room Achi sat up, surprising himself with the ease with which he did so. Even though his head still felt like if a horse cracked open his skull and was currently tap dancing directly on his brain, his leg however was reduced to a dull ache. He no longer felt like life's chew toy.
"Good, you're awake" Achi turned towards the voice. Definitely not Oponti. Standing before him was a bear of a man, his bare chest scarred deeply, his gut spilling over his belt. Hanging from his waist was a polished wooden club that bounced against his thigh as he regally stalked towards Achi. The closer he got the further Achi had to tilt his head back to meet his burning golden orange eyes. Straight hair framed his sharp angular face, clearly this is where Oponti got his cheekbones from. It was undeniable that this was his father. He was handsome in his own right, like a beautifully carved statue, so much so it almost seemed incredulous that he should be able to talk.
"We saw your plane," his voice reminded Achi of the deep roar of a new car, his lilting accent reminding him of the jungle where he now resided. "I could not believe anyone survived" He came to a rest on the bed smiling reassuringly at Achi, a slight twinkle in his eye. "You sure are lucky that my boy came when he did though"
"Yeah, I don't know how long I would have lasted"
"Opunti said your name is Achi"
"It is"
"Prince Achi?"
Achi paused, looking at the expectant face his hesitation clearly noticed by the slight frown and eyes that had already come to a conclusion. He decided it is in his best interest to tell the truth.
"I am."
He smiled, "My name is Elan, I'm the leader here, we're gonna get u back home, all now Oponti is radioing our Rida."
"What's a Rida?"
"Oh yeah, you're not from around here," he said, smacking his forehead. "What do you call the head of a province where you are from?"
"Oh! An Olori" Achi answered. A grin spread accross his face, warmth spreading through him, he would be home in no time. He didn't even want to go on the trip to begin with but his father had insisted. Vehemently. Achi thought this behaviour was strange at the time but he did what he was told. Now he had some ammo in his back pocket for the next time his parents forced him to do something. Hey remember when you sent me to my death? Excellent.
"Oponti should be back soon, are you hungry?" He asked "we can eat while we wait"
Achi's stomach rejoiced at those words. He hadn't even realized how hungry he was until Elan had uttered them. He nodded his head in affirmation and Elan gestured towards the door.
"Hakan! Food!"
Almost instantly another olive skinned angel appeared in the room, an impish grin splayed across his face. Perfectly maintained teeth shone brilliantly as he gracefully advanced towards him, a bowl in his slender long-fingered hands. Everything about him was slender Achi noted. His limbs seemed to go on forever, moving with a grace that captivated him. His gait was one where it seemed as if he glided across the ground, languid, effortless. The long black trousers fitting against his legs and his black t shirt hanging loosely off his frame only advanced this illusion. His unusual body and grace was enough to garner attention but it was nothing compared to his face. Straight black hair like his father's was slicked back into a ponytail luminous in the sunlight, opposing the fabric he donned which seemed to pluck all light near it straight out of the air. His face similar to his father, was also angular, prominent cheekbones hewn into his cheek and a small but sharp nose. However there was also a softness in his features, evidence of his mother's influence in his slightly pointed chin, his full round lips and long eyelashes framing his eyes. Oh God! His eyes. As he entered the room Achi had noticed he possessed the similar eyes as his father, burning orange like hot coals, however as he came face to face with Hakan who had thrust the warm bowl into his hands he realised his eyes glowed like fire because they were fire. Miniature balls of flame flickered in the place of pupils, the black of the iris shocking in contrast.
"Good eating" he said, his lilting melodic voice reminding Achi of the crisp air of the morning."
"Thanks". Achi stared at the stew, it's inviting aroma stirring his stomach. He raised the spoon to his mouth.
The door burst open, slamming against the wall thunderously. Opunti stood in its place, his bare chest heaving , eyes wide, half of his curly black hair falling out of his ponytail.
"We have a problem"
SORRY FOR THE WAIT... NO I'M NOT WHAT ARE YOU GUNNA DO FIGHT ME?
