When Tyler and Kat reached the outskirts of Kona village, the sun was low on the horizon. In the beginning, they carried out some reconnaissance in the periphery. However, the previously well-guarded village had no border patrol anymore. Where did the mercenaries go?Moreover, when Kat last retreated from Kona, she saw vultures hovering over it, waiting to scavenge hundreds of Mayan corpses. There was no sign of vultures anymore. What happened in the village while she was gone?Were the Red Marauders holed up inside Kona, prepared to use the villagers as hostages? Their lieutenant, Spaniela, had suffered a crushing defeat at Tyler's hand. She had seen how powerful the man was. A mercenary hunter did not witness supernatural abilities like weather control and divine wings every day. It would have freaked out the woman.Tyler's pairing with the Pink Panther would make them an unstoppable force of nature. It would be urgent for Spaniela to report this coalition to her leader.Naturally,
"From what I have heard, Dagon and Veronica don't run from a fight," Tyler said without emotion.The young man had been standing quiet since the conversation began. Everyone else was using the Yucatec Mayan language, which he neither understood nor spoke.However, within seconds, Tyler used his mystical powers to learn and master the language. Now that he finally uttered words, he spoke pure, unadulterated Yucatec Mayan. His accent and intonation were perfect as if he were a native speaker.Akna turned her gaze towards Tyler and clenched her jaw. "Foreigner! You speak our language flawlessly. Yet, I can see you are not from our lands. Your kind are our enemies and are unwelcome here!"The other Mayans murmured their approval. They were stumped why their protectress goddess let a foreigner walk beside her. Was he a paramour or concubine?"Tyler Grant is no ordinary man," Kat replied sternly. "I have a divine contract with him, and you will treat him with the same respect and reverence
The Mayan crowd exchanged nervous glances and murmurs among them in response to Tyler's words. It's as if they had heard the death knell."Did he say he came here for the Green Monk?""Is the foreigner suicidal?""Maybe he is ignorant about Yaax Monje's power?"Kat walked up to Tyler and turned him towards herself by the shoulder. "What nonsense are you spouting? Why would you come seeking him in your wildest dreams? Tell me that is a lie!"The young man reined in his excitement for a moment. Clearly, the Mayans knew a great deal about the Green Monk, but they were terrified of the entity. If Tyler appeared too excited, they might clam up and refuse to share information that he desperately needed. The last thing he wanted to do was force or hypnotize a community that had lost loved ones on the same day."I didn't mean to scare your followers," he said to the goddess calmly. "The purpose for making El Abyssium my destination was to find and extract a rare spiritual object—a chakra need
Tyler took a few steps back in surprise. Did he hear Akna's words wrong? If not, she must be definitely joking—a Mayan version of dark humor. However, the village chief's expression was consistent and unyielding. She was dead serious, and the village crowd also glared at him as if he were a criminal. Tyler's shocked gaze shifted to Kat, seeking an explanation or help regarding Akna's absurd pronouncement. But the goddess turned her face away and utterly clammed up. What sort of prank was this? The young man took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. It was a long time since he was last flustered. What did Akna just say? That Kat was his newlywed wife? That never happened! "What are you talking about?" Tyler mouthed in confusion. "You must be mistaken, little girl. We aren't married at all. I only renewed the divine contract that my predecessor made with Tezcatlipoca. It would be ridiculous to suggest that it was a betrothal!" The village chief crossed her arms and scoffed at the m
Tyler was still reeling in disbelief. Was a goddess really his wife? Images of his past encounter with women flashed across his mind. Wasn't he supposed to have a romantic courtship before getting hitched? What about Natalie? What about Isabella, Yara, and Gina? How would they react? What about his parents and Tracy? Weren't they supposed to see his fiancee first? Instead, the young man appeared to have a shotgun divine wedding that could not be annulled. While Tyler was lost in thought, his silence gave Kat the answer she sought. "I understand," she said bitterly, tears streaming down her eyes. "You don't want me." Kat covered her face as her heart sank and her lips trembled. Why did she build cobwebs of wonder after meeting a stranger? As a goddess, she could have no partners unless it was through a divine contract. She was doomed to be alone throughout her life. That was her destiny. Kat decided she would gallop far off and live in the woods and wilderness where she belonged
Mark Cooper, his son Trent, and his future daughter-in-law Erica sat in an armored car as they headed toward an exciting destination.“I knew you’d make me proud someday!” Mark said, patting his son on the back.Trent beamed at him and put on an act of humility. “My only goal is the Cooper’s family’s prosperity, Dad. Besides, Erica also had a minor role to play.”Erica was infuriated that Trent took all the credit, knowing very well that she was the one who had made everything happen. However, the young woman swallowed the bitter pill and put on a plastic smile. “No, it was you all along, dear. I was a bystander.”Trent had had a rough month with a spate of unfortunate events. First, Tyler Grant crashed his wedding to steal his fiancee. The scoundrel dunked Trent’s face in hot soup, giving him a permanent change in facial color.Tyler also beat up his guards and humiliated the to-be-wed couple in public. Even though Mark Cooper got the Mosby gang involved, the scoundrel escaped punish
"Lord Douglas! There's an army on the rear horizon!" Derek Sentinel exclaimed. He was the royal army's war general and was driving a Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG—a heavy-duty military truck carrying the entire Douglas round table.Malcolm, Silas, Dwayne, Yara, Derek, Natalie, Gina, and Britta were seated in the back of the UNIMOG. It was an advanced war vehicle that could survive landmines and even heavy gunfire.The group had almost reached the East Sapphire Woods entrance when Derek sounded the alarm. "My subordinate can drive the UNIMOG, my lord," he added over the radio. "I'll take a small company of soldiers and attack the approaching army."The Indigo General had begun to don armor when Malcolm spoke over the radio from the back of the truck. "Stand down. I know who that army belongs to."Derek was taken aback by the information. "You do, my lord? Forgive my rude tone, but I am your General, and knowing about incoming enemies in advance would be helpful!"Malcolm chuckled aloud. "I will
Someone was speaking through a loudspeaker across the battlefield. It was none other than Mark Cooper. He had opened the roof of his armored vehicle and was blaring through a hand-held horn loudspeaker.Malcolm sighed and activated the communication speaker on the UNIMOG. "Go back, Mark, if you want to live…!"The Cooper patriarch scoffed with disdain. "Do you think I'm a fool? I know you're here to steal the El Medalla resources! Guess what! Arnold Hilton and I have joined forces to bring you down! Let that truth sink in!"When Mark received no replies, he went on. "You're shocked, aren't you? Cowering inside the truck? Don't worry. I'll let you escape if you ask your soldiers to drop their weapons!"Actually, the Coopers did not intend to allow the Douglas army free passage. Once the latter surrendered and were unarmed, they would rush in and kill every one of them.Silas took to the mic. "Mark, you are a buffoon! A laughing stock of Sapphire City! Wasn't humiliation at the royal ba