Nine: Vengeance of the Warrior (12 page)

‘Axel! So good to hear from you!’ Anita smiled. He was exactly what she needed. ‘What have you got planned?’

‘Dinner and plenty of catching up. Can’t wait to hear your latest.’

‘Cool! I can be ready in an hour.’

‘Great, I’ll see you at our usual place.’

Anita hurried home. After the death of her parents, Anita had moved in with her grandmother and never regretted it for a minute. Her grandmother was very clear about attitude.
You live with me, there are no restrictions, but they only apply to your attitude. I expect no anger, resentment or negativity in my house. You work hard, be courageous, and you will succeed. Life is that simple
, she had said. And Anita couldn’t agree more. A woman who, despite her age, could make a twenty-year-old feel old, Grandma was more of a friend than a disciplinarian. She was as fit as a fiddle and was out most of the days working with some NGO or the other.

Anita turned the key in the lock and entered. Grandma was out. Quickly she headed to her room and slammed the door shut, threw her things on the bed and undressed. After a leisurely shower, she emerged naked from the bathroom. She already knew what she wanted to wear. Anita enjoyed the feel of the warm–cool breeze on her skin. She rubbed scented oil on her body and felt fresh and clean and fit. No matter how tight a deadline, Anita ran for an hour every morning and was glad she did. She slipped into silken red panties and a lace bra. A snug black top and skirt highlighted her perfect shape. Angled black liner, a hint of mascara and fuchsia-pink lips completed the look. A dab of a fruity scent on her pulse points, a thin square handbag and she was good to go. Slipping into sensible black heels, she stood tall, her body relaxed, and let all the strains of being a journalist slide away.

Anita heard the key turn. Grandma was home. Anita came out to greet her. ‘Hi, Grandma!’

‘Hello dear, where are you off to?’

‘I’m taking a break from work.’ Anita planted a kiss on her grandmother’s cheek.

Grandma, a small-built, active woman, was wearing jeans and a cotton shirt, and an array of crystal beads, bracelets and rings. She had short silver–grey hair and a smile played on her lips. ‘You’re looking so pretty! You should wear skirts more often instead of those drab clothes you live in. Some handsome hunk, eh?’

Grandma was into the New Age crystal-healing, angel-channelling stuff. She wore different coloured crystals, depending on the moon’s waxing and waning energies.

Anita gave her a hug. ‘Thanks, Grandma! I’m meeting a good friend, he’s a great guy.’

Grandma patted her cheeks. ‘Good! I almost thought you were a lesbian. You hardly go out and spend more time with that snooty librarian than with your friends,’ she said mischievously as she pottered around the kitchen.

‘Grandma! Aren’t you too old to say the L-word?’ Anita teased.

‘Hmmm, never too old with all the goings-on in this world!’ She picked up something from the counter and took Anita’s hand.

‘What’s that, Grandma?’

‘Something unusual is going on in your life and I’m not sure how to express it. The energy doesn’t feel right. You have to learn to take care of yourself, young lady.’ Grandma was watching her keenly.

Anita hazarded a guess: it was a protection crystal. ‘I …’ She couldn’t tell her about the library incident. ‘I’m going to be late.’

Grandma looked at her sharply. ‘Is there something you’re not telling me? Any unusual experience?’

‘It’s nothing, really. I’ve just been a little tired and feeling low.’

The old woman placed the object in Anita’s hand. It was a ring mounted with three crystals. ‘Wear this. It attracts good energy and keeps those ghosts at bay.’

‘Ghosts?’ Anita wondered when her Grandma had become an expert in reading minds.

‘My dear, they are all around us. Even though we cannot see the negative spirits, they are very much there.’

‘Okay.’ Anita slipped on the ring. It fit. ‘I love you, Grandma. But there’s so much you still need to tell me about Grandpa. You have been stalling …’ Anita’s Grandma had been secretive about the events that had led to her grandfather’s death. He had been taken ill so suddenly that it had come as a surprise. He deteriorated rapidly. Soon after Anita’s parents died in a car accident, Grandpa succumbed to his illness. But he had led a fascinating life as a scientist. And she had grown up on some of his fantastic stories that piqued her interest.

Grandma stopped her. ‘Anita, I know you search for answers, and there are things … that you want to know. I will tell you, soon. For now, you go out, have fun and take care of yourself, okay? Promise you will take care of yourself?’ She was clasping Anita’s hands.

‘What’s wrong, Grandma?’ Anita had never seen her so worried. ‘Tell me.’

Grandma let go of her. ‘Oh Ani, don’t be silly! It’s nothing … you know me, I get these vibes. It’s just the mumbo jumbo of us New Agers,’ she laughed lightly.

Anita didn’t move and searched her expression, feeling a twinge of worry creep up. ‘You’re sure you’re okay? I can cancel.’

‘Bah! Now you are being a grandma. Shoo, go on, I want to catch up on my TV serials. Have a good time!’

Anita paused. Something about her grandmother’s demeanour bothered her. She was a tough old woman, strong-willed and not easily intimidated. But today someone had said something to disturb her. ‘Okay. But you have my number and you must call me, okay? And I’ve got the keys, I might be late so don’t wait up!’

‘Yes, mom!’ Grandma quipped.

Anita grinned and left the house.

The dusky glow of the evening was seductive. The bar was buzzing with activity. She entered and was immediately guided to a corner table which looked a little quieter. Axel was sipping on a Martini. He stood up when he saw her. Tall, distinguished, with a strong jaw and a heady smile, he must have been quite a playboy in his heyday.

‘Hello, beautiful! My, don’t you look stunning!’ The shipping magnate had silver hair, a rugged, handsome face, a thin mouth bracketed by deep lines, and those eyes, like blue sapphires, sparkled. Anita smiled. ‘So sweet of you, thank you, darling!’ she whispered in his ear. He was two decades older than her, but he packed a punch and knew how to treat a lady.

He grinned. ‘I took the liberty of ordering drinks.’

‘Hmm, you know me too well,’ Anita murmured. ‘I hope you’re not wooing me into a marriage contract again.’

He laughed. ‘No harm trying!’

‘The first time we met at your PR event, you spilled wine on my dress. Was that on purpose?’

The waiter served their cocktails and left them alone.

Axel smiled, eyes twinkling, ‘Let us just say it was an accident.’

‘A lovely accident,’ Anita said smoothly. Their eyes met. She felt the intensity of his attraction right down to her toes. She leaned back and picked up her glass. ‘To us.’

‘To us.’ He smiled at her. Anita was taken by his charm.

They sipped slowly. The potent drink was chilled at just the perfect temperature.

They talked about politics, trends, the environment and its effects. Anita enjoyed the easy banter, the way they could connect with each other, and good conversation, like good alcohol, was an aphrodisiac. Anita couldn’t stand men who were closer to her age but had the conversation skills of a refrigerator. This man excited her and when she was excited she enjoyed the sex that came with it.

‘What have you discovered in your latest foray on the Nine?’ he asked, well aware of her pet project.

‘Quite a fruitful lead. I was at the library, checking newspaper reports of an unusual murder in the Angkor temples. Turns out there were strange sightings of flying humans. There were no more reports of that incident. But I experienced something extremely strange. I’m not even sure if it really happened or if I merely dreamed it.’ Anita felt the goosebumps on her arms. She fingered the ring her grandmother gave her.

‘Tell me,’ he said.

Anita did.

‘Hmmm … looks like the message is clear, you are probing too deep and it is not appreciated.’

‘I guess so.’ She shrugged. ‘But what if the Angkor Wat sighting was of one of the Nine unknown? Nowadays with easy-access communication and smartphones, these superhumans cannot hide. They have left behind a trail of breadcrumbs to follow.’

‘Are you sure you are not on a wild goose chase? Maybe the locals have exaggerated the story to attract more tourists. Why don’t you check back in history, see if there were any similar incidents?’

Anita nodded in agreement. ‘I have been researching the links to the past. The evidence stretches from ancient times. Ancient civilizations speak of giants and powerful demons that were destroyed with the help of this closely guarded knowledge. Unfortunately, Hindu scriptures were routinely disparaged by early British Indologists as exaggerated stories and myths.’ She leaned forward, gripped his hands and whispered, ‘But think about it, Axel. What if these beings were evidence of genetic manipulation? During the Chandragupta era, the Navratnas, which means “nine gems” in Sanskrit, referred to a group of nine extraordinary people in a king’s court in India. These wise philosophers and gurus were skilled in their respective fields. And some of their scientific knowledge in medicine and technology was far more advanced than in our modern civilization.’

Axel turned to the waiter and indicated another round of drinks. He smiled at her and shared his opinion. ‘There are gaps in historical data. The problems in tracing origins back through time can lead to false conclusions. The fact is that when you begin to trace your steps back, you will find that certain periods are like blanks on the timeline of history, where all evidence has been wiped out. Whatever is left gets pieced together by archaeologists who may or may not be able to fill the gaps correctly. Ancient civilizations may have been far more advanced than ours today. However, there is not enough archaeological evidence to prove their existence.’

Anita shook her head adamantly. ‘Not true. For example, recently, marine archaeology has been very useful in discovering evidence of early civilizations. More recently, off the coast of the port city of Dwarka in Gujarat, evidence was uncovered in support of statements in the Vedic scriptures. An entire submerged city at Dwarka, the ancient port city of Lord Krishna with its massive fort walls, piers and jetty, has been found in the ocean as described in the Mahabharata and in Vedic literature. So these events did occur.’

Axel nodded. ‘In Norse mythology there is evidence of dwarfs and invisible people. In fact, there is a popular Viking myth of nine worlds that belonged to giants, dwarfs, humans; worlds of fire, fog, demons … and others. It is similar to some of your myths and legends.’

‘Then it is possible that the venerable knowledge goes back to the time of the Mahabharata, thousands of years ago,’ Anita explained, taking a long sip from her glass. ‘In Kurukshetra, the scene of the great Mahabharata war, iron arrows and spearheads have been excavated and dated to 2800 BC, the approximate date of the war,’ Anita said excitedly. ‘In fact, the Mahabharata also describes three cities given to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Mahabharata, after their exile—Paniprastha, Sonaprastha and Indraprastha, which is Delhi’s Purana Quila. These sites have been studied in detail and archaeologists have discovered pottery and antiquities which show a cultural similarity and dating consistent with that period. This clearly proves the statements recorded in Vedic literature.’

‘You do make a valid point. But now we have to focus on the present day. The Nine—do they exist today?’

Anita leaned back. ‘You are right. It is difficult to find evidence. However, odd incidents, strange and unexplainable manifestations of superhuman ability are sensationalized by the media and quickly dismissed as rumours or false stories. Recently, I read about someone in London who saved children from a burning building. There were no entry or exit points, except maybe the roof. Yet, he made it inside and managed to get the kids out through an air vent close to the ceiling. Then, in America, Los Angeles in particular, there’s a cluster of reports of miracle cures, especially of terminally ill children. These random events are happening all over the world. No one is asking the question.’

‘And you think they are the superheroes, Ashoka’s Nine?’

She took a sip. ‘Possibly.’ She traced the stem of the glass, her mind distracted. ‘I don’t know why I feel it is so important for me to find out about the Nine. It’s almost as if there is a deeper connection. My grandfather was fascinated with them and I am intrigued by the secret society.’

‘Why don’t you ask your Grandma?’ He smiled. ‘At least she will give you a clearer picture.’

‘True, but she seems unwilling to talk about him. For now, I shall keep up with the research.’ Anita paused to take a sip of her drink and picked at the canapés. ‘When I was a teenager, my grandfather would recite fantastic stories of miracle cures and levitating men. The family brushed it away as his imaginative storytelling. But now the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that it is true.’

Axel called the waiter and asked for the menu. ‘Have you thought of the possibility that your connection with the Nine goes a lot deeper?’

‘How?’

‘It could be that your parents had met one of these men or that your grandfather witnessed an incident involving their powers.’

‘That must be it!’ Anita exclaimed. ‘I’ve read his notes but it seems like segments have gone missing. It’s odd. But you are right, I should find out more from my grandmother.’

He laughed. ‘You believe these superheroes are providing a helping hand to Mother Earth through the ages?’

‘Fact is that mankind is capable of destroying itself with one push of a button. Millions could have died from disease, wars or other factors like they did thousands of years ago.’

‘So you give all the credit to the Nine?’

Anita leaned forward and gulped down her drink. ‘I need to first believe they exist. I want to meet them. And you know what, I think I have found proof that they do exist. I was in this small town and came upon a circular disc embedded in the bed of a pond. The ancient knowledge is believed to be stored in this disc and if you connect with it, the information is passed on telepathically. This is a secret and the protectors of this ancient structure are a clan of sadhus. They let me go with a warning. I thought I was going to get drowned that day. It was scary.’