Suddenly, a beam of black fire shot up from the ground, raising Mandlenkosi’s body until it hovered forty meters above sea-level. Inside the fiery vortex, the body began to incinerate. Lukhanyiso ran towards the vortex and he watched in awe as his lover’s body disappeared into an ominous black fire. In raging fury, at the ascending pain he felt this night, he tumbled down the mountain after missing a step; colliding with several stones as he rolled down the mountain.

The vortex began to alter into brown fire which caused an increase in the temperature as it rocketed to 88°C. Lukhanyiso was in utter pain and confusion. He crawled towards the vortex, despite the intense heat. Small black particles inside the vortex started converging into an ebony silhouette which started out as shapeless, then regenerated its shape as it spawned four limbs, then a head. Lukhanyiso staggered up, walking backwards, as the brown vortex’s heat was starting to burn his clothes and his skin.

Inside the vortex, the ebony silhouette started to grow features just after the brown fire was replaced with a violet one. The intensity of the fire started to diminish as Lukhanyiso walked forward. He smiled at the sight of his lover’s unclothed body, which hovered above him inside the vortex and descended swiftly. Lukhanyiso lunged forward and extended his arms; which were burned by the violet fire before it disappeared into the ground. On his arms a 1.7m tall muscular man slumbered peacefully. From his knees to his neck, his skin was the usual ashy charred black, with flame markings at the start of his brown complexion on his neck and below his shins.

After five seconds in his arms, Mandlenkosi started breathing. His black flame markings altered yellow only at the places where Lukhanyiso’s body made contact with Mandlenkosi’s. His heartbeat brought warmth into Lukhanyiso’s heart. He walked towards the jetski, took off his jacket and clothed the naked Mandlenkosi before driving off into Luxury City with Mandlenkosi sleeping peacefully. At the pier he rushed to his car and placed Mandlenkosi in the back of his car.

Dusk fell upon the citizens and the stars clustered and shimmered around the moon which glimmered a stark white glow, lighting the Ngonyama-Segment. The area was home to cultural citizens who strived in heritage and culture. They took pride in their conservative personas and looked down on the Nyathi-Segment; especially the older generation.

Entering the Ngonyama-Segment, Lukhanyiso steered his car to his home segment. Slumbering on the back seat was a naked, muscular body, exhibiting his flawlessly burnt skin; his cheek bone structured his chin perfectly as his beautiful grey eyes hid in their sockets.

The steering wheel was covered with a thick blue liquid, which began melting from the heat Lukhanyiso exuded. His cheeks were wet with tears which diluted the rich colour of the liquid splattered on his face. His tears of joy erupted after realising that his boyfriend was not dead and that he could see what Lukhanyiso saw… He was finally not alone in this world.

Witnessing the death of Mandlenkosi for the first time was searing agony. Beholding his re-birth was soothing and cleansing for him. “Mandlenkosi, you always amaze me” he said to the sleeping man as he wiped the tears and blue liquid from his face. “I will never stop loving you.” His voice transmitted maturity and self-control.

After the disappearance of his father, which was similar to the exodus of Luvuyo, Ngonyama-Segment fell into darkness. A large number of people started to fall off the face of the earth, without a trace. The police never found the lost people and began to not follow a missing person anymore. The missing children ranged from six to eight; the only adult missing was an old man who fathered a man who helped unsettled souls leave earth and their loved ones. The dreaded future his mother once foresaw was the present, and the only person who had vital information about this happening was the missing husband and father.

Lukhanyiso knew nothing about this but found it very unusual… It was outside his expertise since he was a medical student and not majoring in investigative-science. The one thing he was sure of was that his father’s absence, and the children’s, were linked somehow. He had accepted his father’s absenteeism by believing he died during his expedition to Mount-Myezweni in search of a relic and a jewel that he believed were responsible for the creation of Luxury City.

Two years ago his father kissed his forehead on a windy night and left to the mystical island.

A year later, Lukhanyiso met a man who exuded curiosity and life; this reminded him of his departed friend Luvuyo. He always wished that his father could meet Mandlenkosi. Having only loved his father and his ex-wife, Lukhanyiso was not a love expert, but knew and believed in love. He didn’t know what was happening between him and Mandlenkosi, but it felt right to him and he became happy again. He believed if he gained acceptance from his father, everything would be clear. Each time he labelled their union, a Bible quote would bark a homophobic verse that promised him damnation if he engaged in a romantic connection with Mandlenkosi, another man.

After his father disappeared he never activated his Divine Sight. His kismet diminished to the miserable life. However, his misery changed to a hopeful, optimistic, persona after he met Mandlenkosi. He started putting himself first and helping citizens all around Luxury City reconnect with the deceased and get the message they prayed for. His destiny started to become dangerous as soon as he returned to his duties. Two witches began attacking him and making his life very difficult.

Mandlenkosi walked through the curtain a year ago and was teleported to the summit of Mount Myezweni, situated in Actual-Earth. Unclothed and unable to follow what he was meant to do in order stay alive, Lukhanyiso first met him while he was searching for a clue to his father disappearance, but found a naked man instead. The man had no name, clothes or possessions.

He only had his memory and the purpose of his visit to Actual-Earth. He aided this stark stranger by teaching him about Actual-Earth and that he was supposed to breathe forever. This was new to the stranger, since they do not have oxygen in Distort-Earth. Being a quick-grasper, the man soon knew everything he was meant to know in order to live. During their first four months, they started dating. Lukhanyiso gave him a name after he witnessed his extraordinary abilities. He named him Mandlenkosi.

Lukhanyiso was three houses away from his home when he saw the living room light illuminating the yard at his home. He sped up and parked inside the yard. He got out of the car and saw Noncedo covered with imbola peeking over the fence with a doek on her head. She looked terrifying with those huge eyes and red skin. She motioned Lukhanyiso to come closer with a disturbed look.

Lukhanyiso dashed towards her, not making any noise.

“The witch is back!” she said with a nod as she puckered her lips at him. “She is not alone though.” She cocked her head forward and folded her arms as she glared at Lukhanyiso with her gigantic fish-like eyes. Noncedo’s face took on a concerned look as a river of tears appeared on Lukhanyiso’s face. His ex-wife was back.

***

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