Chapter 12: Waiting and Watching

"Captain, how long we go wait?"

For realm point, immortals line up, but registration desk empty—people just dey arrange things for table.

Sun Zikora hear him subordinate, just stop am with eye, no talk, turn look front.

"Pen rack and paper must straight."

"Left tablecloth get one extra wrinkle—fix am."

"That dark cloud—go scatter am."

...

For Eastern realm point, leader dey complain, normally lazy registrars all wear blue robe, hair gel well.

Waiting crowd dey para, but no fit shout, just dey murmur.

"We get Star Order of Altair, this thing urgent, how we go just dey wait?"

One white-haired, baby-face old man talk to him guy:

"True. If we delay Star Order, na to report to Star Lord and beg for pardon."

He raise voice, even Sun Zikora for back hear.

Leader hear, turn back, hiss.

"I don work here thirty-eight thousand years, don see all kind people. I sabi una—na just small clerks from Altair Star Lord office, probably dey run errand, and una dey use Star Lord name threaten me? You think say my oga no dey?"

He release Celestial Immortal power, the two men fly back many meters, almost fall.

They shame, wave sleeve, fly go.

Leader withdraw him power, look round, talk loud:

"My people, I no dey make things hard, but in three days, one big guest go ascend from lower realm, pass here. I must be careful."

Young female immortal for front reason small, ask, "Who be the guest? We need avoid?"

Leader wan answer when golden light fly enter. He catch am, face change.

"Here, here."

Before he finish, Eastern Gate shine with gold, immortal music dey flow.

First, Celestial Soldiers march in, all True Elder, strong.

Then flag bearers with spiritual treasure flags—Five-Colored Swift Wind Flag, write—

[Majestic and Powerful Grand General].

For left, another flag bearer hold Seven-Colored Flag, write—

[Marshal of the Central Altar].

Everybody tremble, bow, no look up.

Soon,

Young general for red armor, fine face, stand on Universe Ring, wear Hun Tian Ribbon, hold Fire-Tipped Spear, fly pass.

The general no even look our side, just waka with his soldiers.

After he disappear, people look up.

Leader breathe out, wipe sweat, salute everybody, waka.

"C-captain, that person just now, na..."

Before him finish, Sun Zikora nod:

"Yes, na Musa Lawal third son, the Great God of the Three Altars Sea Society, Marshal Nedu."

"I wonder wetin carry Marshal Nedu come this time." One Celestial Soldier talk, look Sun Zikora for answer.

Sun Zikora just smile bitterly. How I go know? Those people na main character of heaven and earth, the three realms favourites, born with luck.

I glance at my men, their eyes shining with secret dreams, each one picturing themselves in shining red armor. I shake my head small—some people just born with star for their head. For others, na just manage to get through the day.