The city was buzzing with activity and people going about their business. Boot decided to go wine shopping. As he walked along the pedestrian route with other people, he thought about the life he would have had if he wasn't a member of the Umbra. Not long after, he sighted a wine store, and then he went in.
'Hello there, can I see your best collection of wines?" Boot asked the sales lady.
The sales lady's countenance brightened up as she laid eyes on Boot. "Please come around the back with me" she said and Boot followed her.
Twenty-four hours later...
Boot met with Carlos the accountant as he had planned to know if the accountant had successfully moved his funds from Umbra's banking system. To his surprise, Carlos did the job flawlessly and Boot was impressed with him that he offered an unresectable opportunity to move his family to a secure location for their safety.
Boot went to the Umbra's headquarters where the Celestial Historian was to collect his Golden Card. This mission was in the end brutal because the Historian lied to him that the Golden Card didn't exist. This led to a brutal feud which eventually led to the historian's torture and death. In the end, Boot was able to find his Golden card amongst his other dead brothers.
That Same Day...
Boot stood before the The Celestial Council members to give report of his last mission.
"Mr. Boot, welcome back. "Was the mission successful?" questioned an enigmatic gentleman wearing a mask. He projected a polished elegance while dressed in an impeccable ebony suit.
"The target was taken out successfully and discreetly. My report has been uploaded to the internal servers for you to read and confirm." Boot replied.
"Have you put your affairs in order as you know what comes next?" Enquired a resplendent woman, her face hidden behind a mask and dressed in an elegant feminine suit adorned with pearls.
"Indeed I have and I am ready except for one thing I still have in mind to do," Boot replied in a cold and detached tone.
The resplendent woman looked at Boot intensely and asked, "What is this thing you talk about?"
Boot swallowed a hard lump as he adjusted his stance and said, "My eloquent Council, I ask that you take the most expensive wine in the world with me now. It is a token of appreciation from me to you all for your trust in me all these years."
With gasps and whispers, the Council members were in shock as to what Boot requested from them.
"Silence!" The anonymous enigmatic gentleman said. "This is a strange request from you. You do know the council Members do not dine with the Umbra?"
"It is my wish to share with you the famous Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley of California, please consider my request," Boot replied.
Then the council members whispered among themselves to decide whether to accept Boot's request or not.
"Your request will be considered and after that, you must report to the Celestial Historian to return all your belongings. Let's have the wine." The anonymous enigmatic gentleman ordered.
Immediately, the kitchen maid for the Umbra welfare service brought in two bottles of the most expensive wine in the world. Accompanied by another maid who followed with wine glasses. As both maids served all the council members, Boot stood patiently until he was given a glass. He raised it. "A toast to The Celestial Council and more prosperity to all the bloodlines."
They all drank from their glasses and Boot consumed his glass of wine in a single gulp. He immediately popped a cowrie-like candy into his mouth without the council members noticing.
Boot dismissed the two maids with a nod of his head as he began to watch intensely all the council members sip from their glasses. All of a sudden, one of the council members' glass crashed to the ground. That drew the attention of the rest and they all realised then that they had been poisoned but it was too late.
The anonymous enigmatic gentleman gasped for air as his glass fell from his hand. "What have you done?" He whispered hoarsely.
"I just made the world a better place. Yes, I will pay for all your souls but I just saved a ton of children from misery by your hands," Boot blurted.
Boot watched the council members writhe in agony as their agonising shouts echoed across the room. Blood streamed out from their eyes, noses, mouths, and ears. An evil grin grew across Boot's face, as he observed their frantic struggle for survival.
He took out thirteen throw knives and lodged each one in all the council members' skulls except for the enigmatic gentleman. Boot said him to in a cold tone, "Let me help you cross over to hell where you belong" and then he lodged the last knife into the gentleman's skull.
Then there was a deafening silence in the room. Boot walked out and left the door wide open.
It was time for Boot's freedom. Though he bore the guilt of taking people's lives, he was prepared to make things better till he took his last breath. Time passed, and the wheel of the future spun in his direction. He was no longer bonded by loyalty or blood ties. Boot's soul was reborn, seeking redemption on a new path.
THE END
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