Leon stood in a fiery fire, blazing high in a room, and there was no way to escape.
The fire surrounded him, the heat scorched on his skin.
Cough
The thick smoke choked him, the fumes stinging his eyes.
An echo of his mother's voice called out to him
"Help!" she sniffed, crying "Help!"
He could not see her but could only hear her voice
Turning 360, trying to detect the direction of her voice
"Mom!" his voice called out
"Leon, help me! Don't let me die" she cried out
It was from the left, but there was no way to get through to her without passing the fire
Determinedly, he made to walk through the fire, not minding how hot it was, he couldn't let his mother die.
***
Jake tapped his boss once, twice
"Boss"
It was happening again. When Leon slept, he had nightmares that made him sweat profusely.
The helicopter was still in the air, and they were en route when Leon drifted asleep.
"Boss, wake up" Jake tapped harder, making Leon's eyes snap open
Leon's breathing was ragged, but he forced it under control within seconds
He took in air into his lungs.
"Another bad dream?" Jake asked quietly, handing a bottle of water to him
The same one, every night.
Five years, and still it hadn't released him.
He didn't answer-he never told anyone what it's about.
Leon emptied the bottle in one long gulp
The incident that happened five years ago was the last time he saw and heard his mother's voice
In his sleep, she usually called out to him to save her, but he always couldn't.
"We are landing, the old man is waiting" Jake spoke into the headset to the helicopter
Leon's jaw tightened, eyes fixed outside on the cloud below.
***
The old man, Senator Alex Vorene.
Weary and desperate waited for the helicopter to land.
He was retired, and nothing in the world made sense to him anymore but to find his wife
Sweat broke out on his face as his hands trembled.
The wind from the chopper blew his hair, clothes, and those of his entourage standing behind him.
It was only the man in the helicopter who could find his wife.
That is the reason why he was meeting with him.
For the past two months, Senator Alex had tried every possible way to find his wife, but to no avail.
Senator Alex got lucky when his leader, the president, mentioned Leon's return to Zyrai.
He wasn't entirely sure who Leon was, but he heard so much about him.
As the chopper landed, Senator Alex and his entourage, about twenty of them, formed two lines, bowing their heads in respect.
Two men in gears and guns got down first.
They were the soldiers of Omnipower, the most powerful organization with a mercenary branch across different countries.
Senator Alex's expectations crashed when a seemingly young man dressed in plain clothes got down from the chopper
Could this be the leader of Omnipower? He was confused
How could the man rumoured to be very powerful, tactical and well-skilled be the man in front of him?
How could a man so ordinary find his wife?
However, Senator Alex was certain that even the president knelt before him!
Senator Alex stepped forward, kneeling before him in a knight-like stance.
Leon's men tightened their grip on their weapons when the old man knelt too close to their boss
However Leon signaled for them to ease up
"I am Senator Alex Vorene, it is an honour to finally meet you" he said with reverence, head still faced to the ground
Leon looked down at him "Alex, do you know why I am dressed like this?"
'"No, young master. Please enlighten me" he asked, his head still bowed
"I am in this country incognito" Leon replied. "With all these, are you trying to blow my cover?"
"My apologies, young master" Senator Alex quickly stood up, turning to his men behind.
With an eye signal, they quickly dispersed to the fleet of black SUVs parked behind
"Why did you need to see me in person?" Leon asked
Senator Alex reached into his suit and pulled out a small box. Opening it, he revealed a black card, decorated with a gold trim and diamonds in the centre.
"This is the presidential MasterCard for elites in this country. It has unlimited credit, use it as you see fit" Senator Alex humbly handed it to Leon. "While you stay in Zyrai, this card also offers a dedicated concierge service that is highly personalised for you alone"
Leon looked at the card without any interest. Senator Alex continued.
"You'll have access to a team that can fulfil almost any request, whether it's securing last-minute reservations at the finest restaurants, arranging private jet travel, or gaining entry to exclusive events in the country"
"I also arranged for the newest AI cyber truck"
"I don't need it"
"Because you...you want to stay incognito, you won't like it" Senator Alex stammered
"Good to see you understood"
"I also arranged an executive villa, to keep you safe"
"To stay safe? I don't need it"
"Ok..Okay youngmaster"
"I'll keep the card for emergencies" Leon mindlessly stuck the card in his pocket "Now, why did you want to see me in person?"
Even though Leon was in the Zyrai for a mission, the old man had pleaded to meet with him briefly
"I need help. Only you can help me?" The senator's eyes were almost teary, he had presented gifts to ensure Leon's satisfaction and to get favour from him
If Leon was displeased, millions of lives could be lost
To be on Leon's bad side was a dying wish! As a senator in Zyrai, Alex has heard the rumours.
"My wife has been missing for two months. I would pay whatever ransom so she can be found"
"Her name?" Leon replied flatly
"Issabel Vorene"
"That's all I need, I would find her" His tone was calm, but it carried finality
"Thank you, young master!" Senator Alex exclaimed, almost collapsing in relief.
Months without his wife, he feared that she was already dead, but if omnipower said he would find his wife, then that settles it.
"Young master, you honour an old man like me, how can I repay you?"
Leon remained silent
"I heard you're in Zyrai for an important mission. Tell me how I can assist. In Zyrai, nothing is beyond your reach with connections from the government"
Leon's cold gaze lifted "Good. Because I do need something from you" Leon said.
He had two critical tasks to accomplish in Zyrai.
First was to take revenge on his family by regaining everything that was burnt down five years ago.
The second was to find the lady who saved him from the fire.
Senator Alex swallowed, his throat dry.
Bracing himself, whatever Leon asked for, the price would not be his to refuse.
"My…my resources? My influence?"
Leon's lips curved into the faintest smirk, though his tone stayed deathly calm.
Leon's gaze cut through the senator like steel
"I don't want your money. I don't want your influence" His voice dropped into a chilling command "I want your bloodline"
"My bloodline?"
Leon remained calm "Do you have a daughter or granddaughter about my age?"
"My…my grand…daughter?" Senator Alex staggered back, his lips trembling.
He dared not anger the leader of Omnipower
"Your granddaughter will be mine"
"What?"
Leon didn't blink.
"I don't repeat myself." Leon's eyes darkened, carrying finality.