Sharla - Family Secrets

Hail Storm

The heavens thundered continuously as if a bowling match was being played. Lightning flashed as if paparazzi were taking photos non-stop. The world below wondered what chaos was about to unfold. Loud crashing noise was heard as ice hail pelted down. Some were small at first but as the storm increased the size of the ice grew. People now scampered for cover as they realized they were witnessing something usual in their region. They never had snow before much less a hail storm. Something was definitely up. A sign from the great cosmos that something significant was about to happen in Gerkandi. It normally had sunny clear skies, a few rains clouds nothing to write home about with sand storms and high temperatures now they were about to encounter a drastic drop in it. The people started shivering and those who were outdoor now ran for cover.  "What have we gotten ourselves in?" Nico asked as they entered a shelter on the outskirts of town.  "It seems we are about to witness our first hail storm. We should try to make it to the pyramids before we are really pinned down," Sharla replied. The skies were filled with thick dark grey clouds. You could no longer see the mountains or pyramids for that matter. Barely see a few feet in front. 

"We can't make it out there if we cant see where we are going. Let's hold up in the next house we come across."

"Okay, it makes sense. Hey let's knock on that door hopefully someone will let us in," Nico said as they ran to the only visible door in front of them. 

KNOCK... KNOCK...

A moment later they heard running footsteps as they descended down several flights of stairs. 

"Anna, careful now, don't rush them. Walk slowly towards the door." 

"Adam, I am not going to scare them away. I am just excited that is all."

"Well, don't tell them anything too supernatural, let them warm up to us first. That is all I am saying."

Anna reached the front door to their three-story home. She smoothed out her hair and clothes then opened the door.

"Hi! Nice to meet you finally," Anna greeted. 

Both Sharla and Nico turned to look at each other then back at her. 

"Do you know us?" Nico asked. 

"Let's just say, I have been expecting you. Please come in." Anna said as she stepped out of their way.

Once they entered Anna closed the door behind them and escorted them to the dining room where she had made breakfast for them. 

"Is this for us?" Sharla asked. 

"Yes..." Anna started before Nico interrupted.

"Wow! This looks so delicious," he exclaimed as they sat at the table across from their new hosts.

"We knew you travelled a great distance. And no one here has gotten used to the crazy weather that we started experiencing a few weeks ago after the tomb of the Vallées were opened."Anna explained as she looked at Adam.

He just nodded his head and rubbed his chin. He wondered how much was his finance going to divulge to complete strangers. Sure her so-called cousin sent her a message to expect guests but, if she didn't watch it she may give out too much information that they might use against us. 

"Well, thank you for your hospitality. If you don't mind me asking, who told you to expect us?"Sharla asked before she started eating.

"My cousin," Anna replied as she drank some of her orange juice.

"Who is your cousin?"Sharla asked cutting a piece of ham and ate it with fried ripe plantain and toast bread. 

"I have been having strange dreams about a petite dark slim girl, with long black hair, olive-toned angel-like beauty. She told me to expect two guests. So naturally, when I looked out my window and saw two strangers, I figured she was talking about the two of you... am I right?"

"I see. Your description does sound a lot like my best friend. I didn't know she had family here," Sharla said. 

"Okay, maybe cousin is a strong word, should I say kindred spirits? We have never physically met before. We could be related, I mean aren't we all related at some point in time to each other..."

"I guess, but some more than others," Nico said.

They continued eating breakfast and once they finished, Adam cleared the table with the help of Nico while Sharla and Anna went to sit in the living room.

"So how much do you know about the pyramids?"Sharla asked as she noticed the various pictures of Anna at the pyramids with Adam, another with a group of people including three females then another with a group of really handsome looking men standing at an open tomb with a lightning symbol around the frame and a white owl in the background. Two of the men looked identical.

"Are these guys twins?" She asked. 

Anna came closer and said.

"Oh yes, on the left is Renwar Vallée the older brother for the twins Alex and Justin. Please don't ask me which is which as I really can't tell by looking only by their personality. Alex is kinder and Justin is more sinister. The one on the far right is their cousin Luke. They are the ones that opened the tomb," Anna explained. 

"They opened the Vallée tomb... did they find the swords?" Sharla asked.

"They found one all right?"Anna replied.

"So where are they now?" Sharla questioned. 

"They went in search of the dark sword, Apollyon. They haven't returned yet. So I am afraid no one knows where they are at the moment."

"Are you saying this trip is a wasted trip?" Nico asked as both he and Adam entered the living room.

"No, because we got more information than we ever could and we have pictures and evidence that the sword of Elohim and Apollyon really exist. We just need to know where the group of them went," Sharla beamed.

"Do you know where they went?" Nico asked.

Anna turned to Adam and said, "Only he can tell you."

"Someone had kidn*pped a friend of theirs and tortured them a few years back then recently kidn*pped one of Renwars cousins. They went to do two things retrieve the sword and kill the one known as Mondola for all the torment he has done to their friend and family. That is all I can tell you, the rest you will need to figure out on your own," he replied.

"This is a lot to process, where is this Mondola's domain?" Sharla asked.

"It's on Baryelan, a couple of light-years away from our world. You may need to enlist the aid of other warriors to defeat him. He rules the underworld there," Adam replied.