"So I grabbed the vamp by it's fangs, and pulled them right out of its bloodsucking mouth hole!" Brother Sabantu announces. The men around the bar toast and laugh to his story. Hewlett and I are seated next to each other on tall stools at the counter. This is the longest Hewlett's faked his laughter. He might just pull a muscle. The smell of varnish seeps out from the wooden floor passed the strong scent of beer and wine. The roof has white lights fixed flat into it. It's my first time seeing them in person.
"Tell us another one Father!" A man shouts out from one of the chairs around the tables placed across the room.
"It's getting late sons. You better hurry to your wives before they replace you," he answers the man. They cheer and laugh as they walk out of the bar with Brother Sabantu at the entrance, "Make sure they reach home safe," he then says in a serious tone-
"Yes father," answers a low voice. He's gone. I couldn't even get his scent.
"Now that that's solved lets move on to you children," He looks at Hewlett. "That robe looks big on you, but I heard you both took down Benson. Consider me and bald ro- I mean Brother Musunga surprised." Hewlett spits out a laugh.
He ruffles down his robe before getting off the tall stool and starts walking towards the entrance. "Apologies for the lack of pleasantries earlier but-
"Speak up! Don't whisper around like a mosquito." Oh that was severely uncalled for. Hewlett abruptly stops. He looks shaken. Brother Sabantu begins walking towards him. Hewlett does have the softest voice I've ever heard from any man to be honest. I should step up before things get any worse-
"I said! Sorry for not greeting you earlier!" Hewlett shouts.
Brother Sabantu stops. "Hmmhmm. That was fun to watch. You were a bit too loud though."
"Ehe. Sorry," Hewlett says.
"I'll figure you out in the morning." He walks passed Hewlett and waves his hand for us to follow. Hewlett and I walk behind him as he leads us to a room upstairs. "You'll be using this room. Any questions should be asked after I wake up. Tomorrow."
"Thank you for your hospi-the door slams behind Brother Sabantu. "The least he could have done is let me finish."
"This place smells so weird. But yeah...what you said." I didn't even hear him. Hewlett sets his Ichikota and starts pulling out all sorts of clothes, cosmetics and a few snacks he shares with me. "I can't believe we're in Saalku already," I say as I lie in my bed.
"Wake up! Doggy and windy," Brother Sabantu hollers.
"Oh not again with this-Ugghh good morning sir!"
"Looks like you're already up Hewlett. Now get your asses down to the bar in five!" Brother Sabantu shouts.
"Yes sir!" Hewlett and I answer. He completely ignored me...
Hewlett woke up earlier to prepare first but still managed to be behind me when we were heading down to the bar. "What time do you think it is?"
"I do not know...five," Hewlett answers. I'm noticing more how Hewlett says things more differently from most.
"Ahhh, good to see you've woken up all on your own." Huh?! "Be more like them Champo," Brother Sabantu adds. "Get closer quickly." Hewlett hurries nearer before Brother Sabantu tells us to. There, a short man with messy trimmed hair dressed in a decorated white robe flinches whilst Brother Sabantu pokes his finger at him. Noticing us get closer, Brother Sabantu says, "Welcome once again, Hewlett and Yori, to Saalku. Specifically, the information station. The name says it all and if you still don't understand, then you can blame your great grandmother for that one." My jaw drops as Champo laughs out of control and Hewlett covers his mouth, hiding his amusement. "The most important thing you should know is that I don't train weaklings. Champo!"
"Sir!" Champo responds beside Brother Sabantu.
Brother Sabantu swipes at him with a slap, "It's five in the morning idiot! Why are you so loud?!" I genuinely don't get Brother Sabantu now. "Like I said before a certain foolish fool interrupted me, I don't teach weaklings. Brother Musunga sent you here to train. You both have your reasons. So let those reasons guide you towards the way of The Faith. Until you can fight Champo one on one, you're not leaving this place."
"What?!" That doesn't make any sense! "Hewlett, say something!"
"He is right Yori...you are the one who said we are not strong enough. We can not save anyone as we are now or believe our way through this," Hewlett says.
"That white robe is starting to fit you more and more," Champo says in a resounding low voice. "But you...," he adds pointing at me, "I'm going to teach this to you the hard way."
A warning growl rips out of my mouth. "Hewlett stay out of this!" I bark out, stumbling back as my legs break into shape. My mouth grows out of my face into a snout. I bend down and feel something erupt at the end of my spine as a howl builds up. I shut my snout with my right arm as my feet dig into the floor board. The howl reaches my snout gurgling out a foam of saliva. The pain of transforming wakes me right up. Champo immediately shifts back as I let go of my snout. My ears and eyes hone in on him. Come at me!
"Go at it as much as you like. I'll send the bill to Brother Musunga," Brother Sabantu says.
Champo stomps his left foot on the floor. Sand floods up like a wave a hands length away from me.
I launch my body far left and land on the counter almost crushing it. I quickly push myself out towards Champo, the counter giving out from the force after.
I raise my right claw to his face where a kick molded in sand waits.
I don't think I can dodge this!
I fold my arms to block.
Champo kicks at my guarded arms with his right sand molded leg.
The kick sends me rolling on the floor until I toss myself upright and plant my feet into wooden floor. My arms have a bad sting in them-
The floor beneath me cracks away as sand rams into me slamming me into the wall. I feel my mind slipping away as my primal lycan side claws at my consciousness, waiting for my mind to sleep.