Love and thunder
Chapter 8 Shadows Before the Full Moon
For days, Light stood before the picture of Diamond, Laho, Blue, and himself on the wall screen.
He stared at it in silence.
Thinking of a billion things.
Why had he drugged Diamond?
Why had he taken Laho to Pandora High Square?
Why had everything fallen into ruin?
He spoke to himself in a low voice.
"The reason I drugged Diamond… was because I wanted Laho to experience the power of Pandora High Square. I never meant for all this to happen."
His voice weakened.
"Now… I have lost the two people I loved most in life."
Hours later—
Blue recovered and returned home.
"Where is Light?" Blue asked.
The men answered with fear.
"He is in Diamond Glass House. He came back… we think."
Without another word, Blue turned and shot them down.
Then he walked straight to Diamond Glass House.
Before he could fully step into the room, Light reached for his gun and was about to fire.
"Light! It's me—Blue!"
Light froze.
Then slowly lowered the weapon.
"Oh… it's okay now. I thought I was seeing a ghost."
Blue stepped closer.
"No, Light. I am real."
Light shook his head.
"I saw you die, Blue."
Blue replied firmly.
"That is not true. Don't you think we are war soldiers, Light?"
Those words struck him awake.
Light regained himself.
He turned to Blue and said:
"Yes… my friend. My brother. My fellow soldier."
Then his voice became command.
"Tell all the men to get ready."
He paused.
"And give six million pounds of gold to all the injured."
Blue smiled.
"Is that not what Diamond would do if he were here?"
Light nodded.
Then Blue said:
"Now… let us go and bring Diamond back home."
On the other side…
Diamond remained in chains.
Broken.
Bleeding.
Drilled without mercy.
High Chief Tigger stood before him once again.
"Where is the girl… and the boy?"
Diamond raised his head slowly.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
Blood rushed from his body.
Tigger smiled.
"Cut him piece by piece."
Then he turned and walked out.
Michael stepped forward.
"My lord High Chief Tigger… why is he not saying anything?"
Tigger replied calmly:
"He is a beast."
Then he smiled.
"Sometimes it takes years to break some men."
He paused at the door.
"Do not worry."
His eyes darkened.
"The boiling oil will break him."
Then he left.
Elsewhere in Pandora…
Alohan was falling deeply in love with Laho.
She looked around the peaceful streets and said softly:
"This place… is the most peaceful place I have ever stayed in my life."
Then the Chief of Pandora Sword Town spoke.
"John… go and call me Alohan."
Moments later, she arrived.
"Greetings, Papa. You sent for me?"
"Yes, my dear."
He looked at her with old and knowing eyes.
"Listen carefully now. Soon it will be the full moon."
His voice grew heavy.
"I pray you do not have to choose between family and love."
"I pray you do not reward good with evil."
"I sense danger."
"I sense war."
"All because of you, my dear."
Alohan lowered her eyes, then answered gently.
"Papa… if you want us to leave, we will leave."
"And forever be grateful for your love and care."
The old chief smiled softly.
"Do not worry, my dear."
"As long as you both are here…"
"There is no man or woman born of man who will come after you with a weapon."
"I assure you."
Then he smiled wider.
"Now go to Laho. I know you already miss him."
Alohan laughed with joy.
"Papa… you are a genius."
The moon was rising.
Love was growing.
Pain was burning.
And war was already on its way.