SWNOVELS Chapter 24: A Terrifying Sacrifice
“Thank you for opening that secret door, we have spent a decade trying to open it.” Ben Yehuda spoke with a grim voice. “Martin Al-Sham was right all along, finding Keila Eisenstein was the key to opening the door.” Ben Yehuda continued, looked at Martin and nodded.
“Is that so?” I asked rhetorically before continuing, “You see, I am not Keila Eisenstein.”
Martin Al-Sham interjected, “Bull! Your ID card said that your name was Keila Eisenstein, and you look exactly like the girl from my visions.”
“I was using a fake ID; my real name is Sabina Hines.” I replied.
“Stop it!” Ben Yehuda shouted. “Your real identity is of no concern to me. All that matter is that you led us to the Holy Grail. With it in my possession, I will conquer these lands and control our people.” Ben Yehuda said, with eyes full of hatred.
“And how do you intend to do that?” I shouted.
“Oh, I am sure you know about the powers bestowed in this extremely valuable hidden treasure. Why else would you be after it?” Ben Yehuda said and smiled cunningly.
“I know the powers of the Zeto Crystal. What I don’t know is how you intend to use it?” I replied with a calmer voice.
“And why would I tell you?” Ben Yehuda scoffed at me.
“I am trying to make up my mind on whether I should stop you or not,” I replied.
Ben Yehuda was flabbergasted by my answer, but after a period of silence, he decided to answer. “Very well, I’ll tell you my plan. I intend to use this crystal to fulfil my God-given duty to unite my people, and to claim this land for our master race. This land was given to us, and we will not share it with anyone.”
“Although the crystal could also be used to end the discord. To bring peace and unity to humankind,” I replied.
“Perhaps, but I care little for utopian dreaming and teenage fantasies,” Ben Yehuda responded.
I realised that I had to stop Ben Yehuda. It saddened me that I saw no way to save Simona, who was kneeling while having four pistols aimed at her. I looked at Simona and exclaimed, “I am sorry for failing you Simona, but the True Maker has her own reasons to make me do this.”
Having said this, I turned around and leapt towards the archaic plinth that held the Zeto Crystal in place. I jumped over the pedestal and grabbed the crystal while in mid-air, landing behind the plinth. I heard several shots, and I knew what that meant; Simona was no longer with us.
Once I had the crystal in my hand, I studied the Zeto Crystal. It was the size of a tennis ball, and it shone with a bright blue light, giving me a sense of peace and harmony. The visions were so beautiful that my mind entered a state of pure bliss, and I forgot about the perilous situation I was in.
I was brought back to reality, as I heard another shot and felt a sharp excruciating pain in my abdomen. I looked up, and I clutched the Zeto Crystal to my chest, as Ben Yehuda unleashed a dozen pistol shots into my body. The bullets caused me excruciating agony on every impact.
I heard Ben Yehuda scream, “Why won’t you die? This is impossible?” Ben Yehuda reloaded his pistol, and I knew I was going to die, and there was nothing I could do about it. Oh, why have you abandoned me, I wailed, but there was no response from the True Maker. I closed my eyes, held the Crystal tight, and prepared myself for dying. Suddenly, I heard several gunshots followed by several thumps, and I saw Ben Yehuda drop dead to the ground.