'XX'

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THREE HOURS BEFORE RAID:

Stefano, with his men equipped with allotted arms and ammunitions got ready to ambush Palermo. The things that remained undone and unseen in yesterday's time finally knocked on the door of chaos. Enraged mafia eager to annihilate the lives of people.

Stefano came over to the balcony with Marcus and Mancuso. Saverina had been there instructing the rebels. The determination the rebel buried under their face looked appealing to Stefano. Despite the hard times in earlier years, the rebel continued to support the cause. Some came in search of justice while some showed generosity in embracing the cause. Men around twenty and few women of the same, backed the cause of mafia.

"My dear brother and sister, the wait is over. Here we are on the very day. We all gathered here to be the gusty heroes of tomorrow. Our sacrifice will not go in vain.",Stefano cheered pulling his gun out in the air. Stefano established the tempo, encouraging the rebel.

"There shall not exist any option of retreat or forgive. We fought the battle on lower grounds for enough. Now is the time to clash at upper ones. Let all the cowards know what awaits them in the days to come.", Marcus added with a wide-open smile.

"Anything you wanna say, Saverina?", questioned Stefano making a stern eye contact with her. Stefano didn't want to leave any stone unturned. The ideology and beliefs he acquainted rose him to where he stood today.

"I feel honored to be part of this revolution.", said Saverina glaring at Antonio below the balcony. Mafia had the cause to act in this raid, so did Saverina. "We will take revenge even if it costs the lives of people."

"Not our first time, right?", Mancuso praised with a roaring voice."Let's do it!" Mancuso always has been the soft cheery among all. Unknowingly, the passionate heart of Mancuso had fallen for Saverina though it wasn't mutual. Saverina ignored Mancuso now and then but the heart wants what it wants, he wouldn't risk it all, asking if she feels the same for him.

"Let's do it!! ", all the rebel shouted in rage."Let's do it!" The sound echoed in the entire cave that had been their roof and base since the day they shifted to the cave from the jungle. The risk of being caught had rooted all the rebel but Stefano managed to get a safe one in the cave.

ONE HOUR BEFORE RAID:

Saverina and Stefano stayed in the hall filling bullets to their gun, both restrained in silence. In spite of the differences between Saverina and Stefano, one being hot-headed whereas another being calm and plan oriented, they both stayed in good terms. The loyalty manifested by Saverina was commendable in all these years and Stefano knew this was something he was in need desperately.

"How do you feel about it?", asked Stefano pointing out the gun towards Saverina while loading it up. Stefano loved to trigger people around and here Saverina fell into his target.

"What do you mean?", shrugged Saverina not knowing the intentions of Stefano. People in the camp often confused Stefano with a monk or a demon and for the time being he was trying to be a demon." You know I have been waiting for something this big for years now."

"Let me ask you something then. Have you ever killed anyone before?", asked Stefano but this time more stress in his words. The desire to cover someone with guilt always fascinated Stefano though he was against the practice of it.

Saverina didn't expect such a question to be asked. Stefano cared about his people. Even though he had a thirst for blood and violence, he provided his every effort for the safety of his people. Stefano had become a true leader in sight of everyone. But here Saverina felt offended as well as humiliated at the same time.

"I know you haven't killed a bird too till today.", continued Stefano in an ambitious tone as if a hungry lion to sabotage a meaty deer, "Do you know how it feels to stare in the eyes of the one you are going to kill? It weakens your heart, your hand starts shivering, and ultimately you withdraw your intentions. Don't dare to look at the eyes of your enemies."

"Are you on drugs or what? Or maybe it's another version of you to entertain your lost soul. Don't act like a psycho. We all hate it. Please, we can continue your lecture once we deal with raid.", continued Saverina folding her hands one over another."And don't underestimate me, Mr. Olivio."

"Oh my gosh!, really?", laughed Stefano. "Are you in love with Mancuso? Don't dare to lie to me, you both hugged the other day. What else my little brother poured in you?" Marcus and Mancuso were two who knew the real name of Stefano and the doubt of Stefano, Saverina being in love with Mancuso turned out to be a reality, yet to be confirmed.

"Please Stefano.", Saverina pleaded as she cautiously looked at the door. She didn't want Mancuso and Marcus to fight against one another. She was being prepared for one of the biggest nights of her life. How could she let it slip?

"All right!", Stefano calmed with relaxed gestures."I am sorry if it offended you in any way. Just a typical me, you know."

"What about you?, asked Saverina as if it was now her turn to sabotage Stefano. She never hesitated in the philosophy 'TIT FOR TAT'. "How do you feel about it?"

"I feel great, great to lead our cause and obviously thirsty for blood."

"Were you like this from the beginning?", asked Saverina feeling discomfort with Stefano's reply. Stefano hardly shared about his forgotten past. Limited people knew about his past including Marcus and Mancuso. Mancuso hadn't crossed the line. Stefano warned the consequences to both of them. Though Marcus being four years senior then Stefano, the passion for riot and chaos of Stefano pulled him to heights others never achieved. Obviously, the cherry among the thrones, Mancuso was the youngest.

"I guess.", said Stefano pondering over his past."You know I waited for my father to return for years and years but he never did return. The day he was hanged, I met him in the cell. He promised me to bring the jelly bean candy and how naive of me that I couldn't know I saw my father at the very last moment of his death."

Stefano melted with the image that flashed in his memory. Saverina had never heard anything like this before which was unexpected for her too. The man like Stefano got emotional. After all the lost soul had the cause to be lost.

"Stefano, you know you are the man that kindled the spark in all of us. We owe you our life and you must lead us to victory.", consoled Saverina as the silence engulfed the conversation between two.

"Yes. I know it. I am the one who leads this. And I assure you, I will suck the blood out of these fat rats.", said Stefano as he stretched his neck. It was hard to predict Stefano, hard to know when his lost soul may return from the chambers.

"Are you even frightened of anything?", Saverina asked once again hitting the core of Stefano.

"Do you think I am?", replied Stefano staring boldly at Saverina."But one thing troubles me. My concern is about.."

"We gotta move on.", a voice entered the hall from the doorway. Marcus hinted both to come. The time arrived for their long-awaited plan to be executed.

"My concern is about Senor.", Stefano whispered in the air of Saverina while moving out of the hall."You better know who is he!"

The ground under Saverina eroded.

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