《The Fate of Power-Book 1: Káòṣùn's Journey》


 Chapter 1: The Intruder

    "In the journey of life, power is akin to the fabled palm fruit, offering both sustenance and poison. Some pursue power for noble causes, while others succumb to its treacherous allure, much like the tortoise deceived by the promise of a grand feast. As I find myself standing at this crossroads, I ponder the legacy of my ancestors and the burdens that weigh heavily upon me. Who am I amidst the swirling maelstrom of ambition and longing? Am I the mighty eagle, soaring high above, or the lowly ant, crushed beneath the weight of ambition? Will I wield power with wisdom and compassion, or be consumed by its insatiable hunger, like the ravenous dog chasing its own tail? In the tapestry of destiny, I am but a humble thread, swept along by the whims of fate. Yet, I vow to embrace the challenges that lie ahead, guided by the wisdom of those who came before me and the resilience of my spirit. But you may wonder, who am I, to challenge the very fabric of fate itself?"


    *[Adej¨¬n?r? and Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ are atop a mountain, deep in conversation.]*


    J¨¬n?r?: *[Reflective]* ¡°This world is full of adversities, ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨. People crave power without understanding its true meaning.¡±


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: (Sarcastic); so tell me sister what¡¯s the full meaning of power?


    J¨¬n?r?: Power is a food that everybody wants; you have to eat so you won¡¯t starve. There are different types of food but you can mistake a food with poison. You need to eat three times a day so you will be healthy but too much of food will make you weak. Regardless if you eat less you still become weak. Some people can¡¯t afford to buy food of their choice because it¡¯s expensive, some people can¡¯t even by food, some can buy any food of their choice but they want more food so they can use it for themselves and sell for business, while some gives food to other poor but it looks like they¡¯ve not given enough (annoyed at her self)


    J¨¬n?r?: *[With a determined look]* ¡°¨¬s¨¨l¨¨, you know as well as I do that the thirst for power can drive people to extremes. The world is changing, and we must be ready.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: *[Cautioning]* ¡°J¨¬n?r?, I understand your concerns, but we must remember why we were chosen. Our purpose is to protect this realm, and our powers have limits for a reason.¡±


    J¨¬n?r?: are you sure ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨? Because the more we seat down here having this talk our people outside are dying and taken as slaves we need to act.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨:*[Concerned]* ¡°J¨¬n?r?, our powers are meant to safeguard this place from unnatural threats. We mustn¡¯t act hastily.¡± We don¡¯t know what is outside (patting J¨¬n?r?¡¯s back)


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨:*[Supportive]* ¡°You¡¯re the strongest among us, J¨¬n?r?, but strength alone won¡¯t save us. We must also be wise and patient.¡± and (smiles) you have not reached your full potential. "??p¨¢ l¨¤ n¨¢ ¨½k¨ª b¨ª a b¨¢ m¨² i??? l??w??, b¨ª a b¨¢ r¨ª ¨°p¨¢ ??kan, k¨° n¨ª ¨½s¨ª b¨¢ a k¨²n."


    <u></u><u>(Translation: "A hoe is wielded like a tool when used for work, but when we see just one hoe, we cannot guess that it''s for farming.")</u>


    .¡±


    J¨¬n?r?:*[Sincere]* ¡°I appreciate your guidance, ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨. It¡¯s just that I sense a storm on the horizon, and I fear we might not be prepared.¡±


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨:*[resting on her sister¡¯s lap]*: Step by step sister, Step by step.


    *[As J¨¬n?r? and ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ continue their discussion, They both suddenly feels a disturbance in the air, an unwelcome feeling


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨:*[Concerned]* ¡°J¨¬n?r?, do you feel that?


    J¨¬n?r?: *[Alert]* Yes, something¡¯s not right. I will be back, wait here.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: *[Concerned]* Be careful (yelling)


    *[Adej¨¬n?r? prepares to confront the unexpected intrusion as her discussion fades into the unfolding events.]*


    *[Meanwhile, at the realm¡¯s hidden entrance, K¨¢¨°?¨´ , a half-cast warrior from another world, is running desperately, pursued by ten British soldiers.]*


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ : *[Panting heavily]* ¡°keep running, keep running you must not be caught.¡±


    (K¨¢¨°?¨´ being pursued by 10 armed British soldiers experiencing a surge of adrenaline and fear. Despite any physical exhaustion or discomfort, his primal instinct for survival drives him forward. Physically, his body may feel heavy with exertion, his muscles burning with the effort of running. Every breath is labored as he pushes himself to maintain his pace, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. His senses are heightened, attuned to every sound, every movement behind him, as he constantly monitors the threat of the soldiers closing in. Despite the overwhelming odds against him; he is propelled forward by sheer willpower and desperation. His strides are powerful, fueled by adrenaline, yet his movements may also be erratic, dodging obstacles in his path or changing directions in a frantic attempt to evade capture. Each step forward is a battle against fatigue and fear, but his determination to escape drives him onward. Time seems to slow as he races against his pursuers, his mind focused solely on survival, his body a machine of instinct and resilience).


    British Soldier 1*[Mocking]* ¡°There¡¯s nowhere to run, half-cast!¡±


    **K¨¢¨°?¨´ : (panting): I just need to keep running


    I will escape but am weak


    [Gunshot]


    British Soldier 2:*[Mocking]* where are you going boy let¡¯s kill you in peace fire monkey


    *[As the soldiers were pursuing K¨¢¨°?¨´ , K¨¢¨°?¨´ tripped and his right leg was broken.]*


    British Soldier 1: *[Mocking]* ¡°You thought you could escape us, didn¡¯t you?¡± (Giving K¨¢¨°?¨´ a slap on the cheek)


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ *[Smirking]* ¡°Well, gentlemen, I¡¯ve always loved a good chase. (In British tone)¡±


    British Soldier 2*[annoyed]* you monkey (kicking K¨¢¨°?¨´ ¡¯s stomach) why can¡¯t you just stay in your place and stop making your slave masters work for you.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ : *[disgusted]* [spits on the soldier face] be grateful I am weak I would have killed you guys.


    British Soldier 1: *[annoyed] [beating K¨¢¨°?¨´ ]* you idiot you dare spit on my fellow mate? I am going to kill you today and make you a lesson to other monkeys that no matter how strong you are a monkey will always be a monkey you are meant to be in the forest naked. Is this how you pay your master kindness?


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    British Soldier 2: [coldly, pointing his gun at K¨¢¨°?¨´ ] You''ve sealed your fate, you filthy wretch. Any last words before I send you to meet your maker?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ : [with disdain] my last words? I wish your breath smelled as sweet as your words, but alas, it reeks of cowardice and bigotry.


    British Soldier 2: [in irritation] Very well then.


    (He cocks his gun, ready to carry out the execution.)


    (As the tension builds and the soldiers prepare for their task, a sudden shift in the forest''s atmosphere announces Adej¨¬n?r?''s arrival. The surroundings darken, as if the forest itself recognizes her authority. Adej¨¬n?r?''s presence demands attention, radiating power and authority that commands respect. Among the soldiers, fear spreads as they see Adej¨¬n?r? emerge. Some try to hide their unease with jokes, but their voices falter and their attempts fall flat. Others fall silent, realizing they''re facing someone beyond their understanding. Even K¨¢¨°?¨´ , known for his strength, shows fear in his eyes as he meets Adej¨¬n?r?''s gaze. He understands he''s facing a force of nature, and his confidence wavers).


    J¨¬n?r?: *[Unseen, addressing the British soldiers with annoyance]* ¡°"?n¨¬kan l? n¨ªw¨¢j¨² mi, ¨¤w?n ar¨¢k¨´nrin k¨° n¨ª m¨° n¨ªpa ?w?? ¨¤w?n t¨® b¨¢ f¨²n y¨ªn ¨¬r¨¤n."


    <u>(Translation: "Who dares stand before me? Uninvited guests do not understand the power of those who wield illness.")</u>


    <u></u>


    British Soldier 1: What''s she on about? Can¡¯t understand a word of it.


    British Soldier 2: Probably some local voodoo nonsense. They love their superstitions around here.


    British Soldier 3: Ha! Bet she''s just trying to scare us with her jungle magic. Pathetic.


    [They all laughed turning to Adej¨¬n?r?.]


    British Soldier 1: Hey you, woman! What''s all this gibberish you''re spouting?


    J¨¬n?r?: (facing K¨¢¨°?¨´ ) "B¨ª al¨¢¨¬n¨ªy? y¨ªn b¨¢ w¨¤ s¨ªl???"


    <u>(Translation: "How did your uninvited guest find its way in?")</u>


    J¨¬n?r? (in English facing the soldiers): "What are you doing here? You are not invited."


    British Soldier 1: *[Arrogant]* she speaks English, how interesting. First time I am listening to a strange witch speaking English; so what else do you have in store for us apart from speaking in the shadows?


    British Soldier 2: *[Arrogant]* why are you hiding in the shadows? Are you scared? Come out now let''s see what you are made of.


    British Soldier 3: *[Smirking]* ¡°Yeah, show yourself!¡±


    *[As Adej¨¬n?r? steps forward, the moonlight cascades over her, accentuating every curve of her figure. Her black iron armor, though aged, hugs her form, enhancing her endowed physique with a sense of power and allure. The long sword she wields seems almost weightless in her hands, a testament to her strength and mastery. Despite the anger burning in her eyes, there is a captivating intensity that draws the soldiers'' gaze. Her eyes, initially gleaming green, transform into fiery red orbs, mesmerizing in their fury. They seem to pierce through the darkness, revealing a depth of emotion that commands both respect and fear. With each step, Adej¨¬n?r?''s movements exude a sense of grace and elegance, as if she is a warrior princess from a bygone era. Her presence, though imposing, carries an air of undeniable beauty and allure, leaving the soldiers spellbound in her wake..]*


    J¨¬n?r?: *[Intense]* ¡°You trespassers have no idea where you are (Very annoyed). I am going to ask you again "HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS REALM¡±


    British Soldier 2: *[Lustful]* my oh my look at that curve (biting his lips) ¡°Who¡¯s that? (Facing K¨¢¨°?¨´ ) another one of your mystical tricks ape?¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ *[Whispering to himself]* ¡°What... is she?¡±


    J¨¬n?r?: *[Intense]* ¡°You trespassers have no idea where you are.¡±


    British Soldier 3: *[Taunting]* so you think because you dress like this with a flashy sword you want us to beg you in fear! I like this one, she¡¯s a funny bitch.


    British Soldier 4: *[Taunting]* "We''re the mighty British Empire! We fear nothing. We stride into any land we please; we take anything and anyone we want, for we are the masters of the world! Our banners fly high; our guns speak louder than any voice of opposition. No realm can resist our might, for we are invincible, unstoppable, the very embodiment of power and dominion!"


    British Soldier 1: *[Taunting]*she¡¯s in costume she will good for the night. I want to know what¡¯s under that dress dear


    [All soldiers laughed]


    British Soldier 4:*[Taunting]* ¡°Do you think we are scared of you? Look at the odds, we are ten in numbers. You cannot defeat all of us, I just need to shoot your skull but we need to take turns (smirking).We¡¯re the mighty British Empire! We fear nothing.¡±


    J¨¬n?r?: *[Growing angrier]* ¡°You fear nothing right? Very well, let me show you fear.¡±


    *[As the tension reaches its peak, the forest seems to shudder in response to J¨¬n?r?''s growing rage. Shadows lengthen and the air crackles with an otherworldly energy. J¨¬n?r?''s eyes, now the only source of light, gleam with an ominous red glow as she channels her powers. With a primal roar, J¨¬n?r? unleashes her fury upon the soldiers. In a blur of motion, she moves with unearthly speed, striking with deadly precision. She tears through the ranks of the soldiers, her movements fluid and graceful yet filled with a terrifying ferocity. With a swift motion, J¨¬n?r? plunges her hand into the chest of one soldier, her fingers closing around his heart with a sickening squelch. She rips it from his body, holding it aloft as a grim trophy before discarding it with disdain. In the blink of an eye, she spins, her sword flashing in the moonlight as she decapitates another soldier with a single stroke. His head rolls to the ground, eyes wide with shock and horror. The forest echoes with the screams of the soldiers as panic grips their hearts. They scramble to defend themselves, but J¨¬n?r?''s onslaught is relentless. With each strike, she demonstrates her mastery over life and death, leaving a trail of carnage in her wake. As the chaos unfolds, J¨¬n?r?''s actions become increasingly gruesome, yet there is a terrifying efficiency to her movements. She dispatches the soldiers with cold, calculated precision, her expression unreadable as she metes out her punishment with relentless determination..]*


    J¨¬n?r?: *[Whispers to the dying soldier, her voice a chilling echo in the chaos]* ¡°You dared to invade our sanctuary.¡±


    (The dying soldier, crawling on the forest floor, gasps for breath, his eyes wide with terror as J¨¬n?r? approaches. With a swift motion, she stabs him by his spine, pinning him to the ground, her eyes burning with righteous fury The soldier pleads for his life. J¨¬n?r?¡¯s expression is unforgiving.)


    British Soldier 1:*[Begging]* ¡°Please... mercy...¡±


    J¨¬n?r?:*[Coldly]* ¡°Mercy? Don¡¯t you want to know what¡¯s under my clothes?


    *[With a swift and horrifying display of her powers, J¨¬n?r? incinerates the soldier from the inside out. The other soldiers watch in horror, unable to comprehend the supernatural force before them.]*


    British Soldier 6:*[Trembling]* ¡°What are you?¡±


    J¨¬n?r?: *[With a cruel grin grabbing the soldier by the neck]* "I am the embodiment of your deepest fears."


    *[J¨¬n?r?¡¯s violence escalates as she continues to confront the soldiers. She rips the heart out of another, leaving K¨¢¨°?¨´ , who managed to flee from the scene, filled with dread and fear.]*


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ *[Gasping]* ¡°What... have I stumbled upon?¡±


    *[ K¨¢¨°?¨´ flees desperately for his life, but J¨¬n?r?''s taunts echo behind him like a sinister melody]*


    J¨¬n?r?: "Come here, little mouse."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ : "Leave me alone!"


    J¨¬n?r?: "I have no intention of letting you slip through my fingers."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ : "Please, don''t follow me!"


    J¨¬n?r?: come here


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ : leave me alone


    J¨¬n?r?: I won¡¯t so don¡¯t let me catch you


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ : please don¡¯t follow me


    *[His pleas hang in the air, desperate and futile, as he races against the encroaching darkness.


    J¨¬n?r? catches K¨¢¨°?¨´ and delivers a final blow to K¨¢¨°?¨´ , rendering him unconscious. The forest falls silent once more, but the sense of unease lingers in the air.]*

 Chapter 2 Unspoken Dialogue

    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ was knocked out by Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦''s blow, he found himself in a nightmare that felt all too real. In the darkness, he wandered through a twisted landscape engulfed in flickering purple flames. The fire licked at the air with menacing tongues, casting eerie shadows that danced around him.


    Everywhere he turned, he saw people trapped in cages of despair, their cries for help echoing in his ears. Men, women, and children alike were huddled together, their faces contorted in fear and anguish. Some reached out to him with trembling hands, pleading for salvation. Others simply stared with hollow eyes, their silent screams piercing his soul.


    Feeling overwhelmed, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but wonder if he had somehow crossed into the realm of the dead. The scenes before him seemed too horrific to be part of the living world. He reached out to touch himself, half-expecting to find that his own body had become cold and lifeless.


    But then, as his fingers made contact with his skin, he felt the warmth and solidity of his own flesh. Panic surged through him as he realized that he was still very much alive. With a desperate cry, he screamed out and jolted awake, his heart pounding in his chest.


    Breathless and disoriented, K¨¢¨°?¨´ frantically checked himself over, reassuring himself that he was indeed alive and awake. The memory of the nightmare lingered, vivid and unsettling, leaving him shaken to the core. It was a wake-up call to the harsh realities of the world he inhabited, a reminder that danger lurked around every corner.]


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: *[Panicked]* ¡°Help me!¡±


    [Checking himself over and touching all part of his body reassuring himself that he was indeed alive and awake.]


    *[As K¨¢¨°?¨´  regains his senses, he realizes he¡¯s inside a cage surrounded by soldiers with striking green eyes. He was shocked by what his seeing he has never seen people like this before in his life.]*


    **Soldier 1:** *[Mocking]* ¡°Look who¡¯s awake! Why are you shouting?¡±


    **Soldier 2:** *[In Yoruba]* ¡°Haha!  Ode! ¡± Fool *[Laughter]*


    [As the strangers laughed at K¨¢¨°?¨´, calling him "Iyawo! Aba! Ode!" he felt a sense of helplessness wash over him. Unable to do anything but wonder how he got here, he was suddenly jolted by a flashback of the earlier events¡ªthe horrific scenes of chaos and violence that had unfolded before his eyes. The memories filled him with fear once again, remembering the memory of the mysterious girl''s whispered words came rushing back to him. He recalled the intensity of her gaze and the chilling effect of her voice as she murmured into the soldiers'' ears. Though he couldn''t decipher her words, they seemed to carry an otherworldly power that sent shivers down his spine. It was as if she held the key to understanding the strange events unfolding around him, a knowledge that eluded him in his current state of confusion and fear.


    Leaving him questioning whether he was dreaming or if this nightmare was real.


    In a desperate attempt to snap out of it, K¨¢¨°?¨´ slapped his cheek, hoping to jolt himself back to reality. However, the soldiers noticed his actions and continued to make jests at his expense.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ panicked more, he looked closely at the soldiers. Something about them seemed strange. Their clothes and how they acted were different from anyone he''d seen before.


    Their armour had weird symbols and glowed in places. It didn''t seem like normal armour. And the soldiers moved with a kind of carefulness that made K¨¢¨°?¨´ uneasy. Their eyes, too, were a strange green colour that felt like it was staring right through him.


    Even though they spoke different languages, they seemed to understand each other perfectly. This made K¨¢¨°?¨´ even more worried.


    Feeling like he was losing his mind, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t contain his frustration any longer. With a surge of panic, he began yelling, his voice echoing through the air in a desperate plea for answers.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Confidently] "Release me."


    Soldier 1: [Laughing] "Eh Look at this one, talking big but shaking like a leaf!"


    Soldier 2: [In Yoruba] "Ode o ro boya ohun l?g¨¤ ? d¨¦ w¨¤ nn¨ª n¨´ t¨² b¨²." <u>(</u><u>Translation:</u><u> ¡°Foolish person thinks he''s the commander when he''s locked up in a cage.")</u>


    Soldier 3: [In Hausa] "Wai, ji ka, shi ne (spits to the ground) wani ombatse mai yawa." <u>(Translatesion:"Well, look at him, he''s a pathetic fool.")</u>


    All the soldiers around heard this and they started laughing this only made K¨¢¨°?¨´''s frustration increased.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Demanding] "Tell me what he called me! Why are you all laughing?"


    Soldier 1: "He called you a fool, fool."


    Soldier 2: "Oloshi! (Idiot)"


    Soldier 3: " yin Magana (Nuisance)"


    This made K¨¢¨°?¨´''s very angry.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Defiantly] "Release me this moment, or else..."


    Soldier 1: "Or else what? You''ll bark like a dog?"


    Everybody laughed again


    Their laughter echoed around him, a cruel reminder of his helplessness. Despite the mockery, K¨¢¨°?¨´ remained resolute, his pride unbroken, even as fear gnawed at his insides. Their laughter echoed around him, a cruel reminder of his helplessness. Despite the mockery, K¨¢¨°?¨´ remained resolute, his pride unbroken, even as fear gnawed at his insides. The soldiers continued making fun of him, and he felt annoyed at his inability to break out from the cage. Suddenly, a man appeared in their midst. As General ?kw?l??cha moved forward, his presence seemed to fill the space around him, drawing the attention of all who were present. There was something about the way he carried himself that immediately commanded respect, signaling to everyone that he was a figure of authority. Though K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t quite place a name to the man before him, he could sense the weight of his significance. It was evident in the confident stride, the way his gaze swept over the room with a sense of purpose, and the air of quiet assurance that seemed to envelop him.


    Despite his uncertainty about the general''s identity, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe in his presence. There was a palpable energy about him, an aura of strength and leadership that was impossible to ignore. It was as if he were a force of nature unto himself, standing tall and unwavering amidst the chaos that surrounded them.


    As General ?kw?l??cha drew nearer, the flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows across his imposing figure, accentuating the intricate details of his armour. Each piece seemed to tell a story of battles fought and victories won, bearing the marks of countless skirmishes and encounters with foes. The way the metal gleamed in the dim light spoke of careful craftsmanship and a keen eye for detail, hinting at the wealth of experience and knowledge that lay behind it.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    With each step, the general exuded an air of quiet confidence, his demeanour unwavering in the face of adversity. It was clear that he was a man who had seen his fair share of challenges and overcome them with grace and determination. As he approached, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but feel a sense of anticipation, wondering what the general''s intentions might be and how they might affect his own fate.


    The general looking at K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s facial expression, noticed Kaosu is annoyed by the jokes of his soldiers; He faced his soldiers, talking to them with his voice strong and commanding


    General [Furious]: This is not how we treat our guest; you need to show him kindness. He''s new here, and we have to be hospitable


    The soldiers nodded together, their faces serious now. "Yes, sir," they replied in unison, understanding the importance of the general''s words.


    The general approaching K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a smile.


    General [Smiling]: I''m sorry about my soldiers'' behaviour. They''re usually good people, they are just joking with you, and sometimes their jokes become serious. Will forgive us?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ with no concern ignoring the general, The only thing in his mind his where he was going.


    General [Amused]: Very well then [with a nod he ordered the soldiers] let¡¯s go before it gets dark. The city is no longer far from here!


    The soldiers quickly obeyed, lifting K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s cage from the ground as they prepare to move out. Under the watchful eye of the general, they moved efficiently, ready to continue their journey.


    As they moved along, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t stop thinking. He wondered about these people,


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [thinking] where are they taking me, who are these people, what kind of place is this, why are they so different from others?


    Everything felt mysterious to him. Watching the soldiers closely, K¨¢¨°?¨´ noticed they were from different tribes, yet they spoke different languages but still understood each other. Their green eyes stood out to him,


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [thinking] I have never seen such eyes like these in my entire life, why are their eyes green? Can it change just like the girl in the forest? Do they have powers like her or like me? All my life I always think I am the only one different people call me names, even my kind don¡¯t want to be or talk to me because of my eyes. Not like this, [murmuring] I am not supposed to be locked in a cage like some common criminal. But look at me [looking at himself with disgust] I cannot free myself from this cage, Things like this which I can do with ease is now a problem to me. Those soldiers were right I am a pathetic fool.


    Thinking about his situation, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt frustrated. He knew he could break free, but the poison in his body held him back. He cursed himself silently for being so helpless.


    But even as he railed against his circumstances, a part of him knew that his own actions had led him here. But his will his strong and his ready to face any problems he may face.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ [murmuring]: This is not the end I cannot lose now I still have a long way to go; no matter what I face I will overcome it. The poison in me has not killed me because my will is stronger than the poison I am  not dyeing now and I will not die tomorrow or the day after.


    As the general''s gaze lingered on him, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease. What did this man want from him? And more importantly, how was he going to get out of this mess?


    As the journey continued, The General approached K¨¢¨°?¨´, attempting to strike up a conversation because he cannot hold what he is thinking about him he has never seen a man with purple eyes before and he notice K¨¢¨°?¨´ keeps murmuring. He asked a few questions, trying to be friendly, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ remained silent. The general'' voice was soothing, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ showed no signs of engagement. It was as if a wall had been erected between them, blocking any attempt at communication. Despite the general''s efforts, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s silence persisted, leaving an air of tension between them.


    Top of Form


    Top of Form


    General: Forgive me, but I couldn''t help but notice the intensity of your contemplation


    The general remarked his tone gentle yet probing. However, K¨¢¨°?¨´ remained stoically silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon.


    Undeterred, the general tried again.


    General [Smilling]:  Surely, there must be something weighing on your mind.


    The general remarked, his tone gentle yet insistent. Despite K¨¢¨°?¨´''s stoic demeanor, the general sensed an underlying turmoil, a silent struggle that begged to be heard.


    In an effort to break through K¨¢¨°?¨´''s walls, the general adopted a more casual approach.


    General [Smiling]:  Tell me, traveller, have you ever been in to a forest as breath-taking as this?


    As the General spoke to him, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s attention wandered, drawn to the captivating beauty of the forest surrounding them. Despite the gravity of their conversation, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but be mesmerized by the wild allure of his surroundings.


    In the fading light of the setting sun, the forest seemed to awaken with a life of its own. K¨¢¨°?¨´''s noticed how the trees swayed gently in the evening breeze, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. Shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor below.


    Birds flitted from branch to branch, their colourful plumage catching the dying light as they called out to one another in joyful song. The air was alive with the sound of rustling leaves and the distant murmur of flowing water, creating a symphony of nature that enveloped K¨¢¨°?¨´''s in its embrace.


    As the sky shifted from hues of orange and pink to deeper shades of purple and blue, the forest took on an otherworldly beauty. Fireflies emerged from their hiding places, their soft, twinkling lights adding to the enchantment of the evening.


    Lost in the beauty of the forest, Kaolu found a sense of peace amidst the chaos of his situation. Despite the uncertainty of his circumstances, he couldn''t help but feel a profound connection to the natural world around him, as if the forest itself was offering him solace and comfort in his time of need. K¨¢¨°?¨´ enjoyed this but still ignored the general. The general noticed this then he changed his tactics. Realizing he hadn''t introduced himself, the general extended his hand.


    General: silly me, allow me to introduce myself; I''m General ?kw?l??cha, and you are?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ offered no response.


    General ?kw?l??cha [Smiling]: I understand the allure of solitude, but even the most solitary of souls yearns for companionship.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ offered no response, his silence a formidable barrier that defied the general''s attempts at connection.


    General ?kw?l??cha [compassionate]: There is a story written in your eyes, traveller, if only you would allow me to read it. Where do you come from? How did you end up here?


    General ?kw?l??cha: Why are your eyes a different colour?


    This time, K¨¢¨°?¨´ met the general''s gaze and replied in a rude manner.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: Maybe I should ask you the same


    The general chuckled softly, finding K¨¢¨°?¨´''s response intriguing. But K¨¢¨°?¨´ offered no further explanation, leaving an air of mystery between them.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: Where are you taking me?


    General ?kw?l??cha [laughed]: You will see soon enough.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ keeps wondering where they are taking him and it seems they are close to getting to getting to their destination, he can tell from the excitement from their faces then the general told him ¡°Welcome¡± as they got out from the forest. What K¨¢¨°?¨´ is seeing is beyond his expectation he did not know when his jaws dropped.

 Chapter 3 Is茅d貌kan: The Enchanted City

    General ?kw?l??cha: [Smiling paving his hands to the city] Welcome


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ emerged from the forest, he was amazed by what he saw. Standing tall on a mountain, there was a stunning building shining in the sunlight. It looked like it almost touched the sky. The city  was breath-taking, with its mix of clay, metal, and lush greenery. General ?kw?l??cha welcomed K¨¢¨°?¨´ to the city, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ could hardly believe his eyes. The city was like something out of a dream, filled with beautiful trees and colourful flowers. Everywhere he looked; there were intricate carvings and bustling streets. Then ?kw?l??cha says what this place, the general smiles is and says;


    General ?kw?l??cha: [Facing K¨¢¨°?¨´] Welcome to our city; Is¨¦d¨°kan


    As General ?kw?l??cha welcomed K¨¢¨°?¨´ to Is??d??kan, they began to stroll through the city streets. K¨¢¨°?¨´ was immediately struck by the vibrant energy pulsating through the city. Despite being made of clay, the ground beneath his feet felt familiar, reminiscent of the soil he had trodden upon in the forest. However, what truly caught his attention were the patches of lush green grass that dotted the landscape, adding a touch of natural beauty to the urban setting.


    The air carried a faint scent of the forest, though it was milder compared to the dense woodland aroma he was accustomed to. Nonetheless, it served as a comforting reminder of the wilderness beyond the city walls. As they walked, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but marvel at how seamlessly nature seemed to intertwine with the man-made structures of Is??d??kan, creating a harmonious blend of urban and rural elements.


    As they journeyed deeper into Is??d??kan, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s sense of wonder only grew stronger. The buildings lining the streets stood as testaments to the city''s unique blend of tradition and innovation. While the use of clay in construction was familiar to K¨¢¨°?¨´, the vibrant colors and intricate floral patterns that adorned each building were unlike anything he had ever seen before.


    The sight of flowers cascading down the walls and roofs of the clay structures filled K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a sense of awe. It was as if the buildings themselves were alive, embracing nature in a harmonious union of architecture and landscape. But what truly caught K¨¢¨°?¨´''s attention were the roofs made of gleaming metal. Unlike the thatched roofs of his world, these metal coverings added a touch of modernity to the ancient city, hinting at a level of craftsmanship and ingenuity that surpassed his wildest expectations.


    As they drew closer to the imposing structure at the heart of the city, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but feel a surge of curiosity coursing through him. What secrets lay hidden within the walls of Is??d??kan? What stories did these ancient buildings hold? With each step he took, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself drawn further into the mystery of the city, eager to uncover its secrets and unlock the wonders that lay within.


    In the bustling marketplace of Is??d??kan, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself immersed in a world unlike any he had ever known. The vibrant energy of the crowd, the colourful array of goods on display, and the joyful laughter of children playing filled the air with a sense of warmth and vitality.


    As General ?kw?l??cha made his way through the throng, he was greeted with smiles and nods of recognition from the people of Is??d??kan. But as their eyes fell upon K¨¢¨°?¨´, encased in his cage, their expressions shifted, revealing a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. It was clear that K¨¢¨°?¨´''s presence stirred something within them, something unfamiliar and unsettling.


    Woman (Adorned with a necklace bearing the symbol of a sun): "? k¨¢¨¤b?? s¨ª Is??d??kan, baba mi! B¨¢w¨° ni iba se?" (<u>Translation: "Welcome back to Is</u><u>?</u><u>?d</u><u>?</u><u>?kan, my father! How was your journey?")</u>


    <u> </u>


    General ?kw?l??cha (Smiling): "O dabi iru, iyawo mi. O le ri ibeji wa." <u>(Translation: "It was successful, my dear. You can see our gains.")</u>


    <u> </u>


    Old Man (wearing a pendant with the symbol of a crossed spear and shield): ? b?gh? ?t?t?, onye nwere mmad?. I nweta ikike." <u>(Translation: "It is not ordinary, man of the people. You have strength.")</u>


    <u> </u>


    General ?kw?l??cha (Smilling) :<u> </u>¡°Daal?, nna m." <u>(Translation:¡°thank you my father¡¯).</u>


    <u> </u>


    Small Girl (her dress embroidered with the symbol of a palm tree; goes closer to the general looking at K¨¢¨°?¨´): "Wa yake musu wa ya?"<u> (Translation:"Who is he?")</u>


    <u> </u>


    General ?kw?l??cha (Smilling at the little girl carrying her): Ka¨°s¨´ bane wanda ke karatu ya kawo." <u>(Translation: "K¨¢¨°</u><u>?</u><u>¨´ here is a friendly traveler seeking shelter.")</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>


    </u>Despite the curious stares and whispers that followed him, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but be captivated by the beauty of the marketplace and its people. It was as though each face bore the warmth of the sun, radiating kindness and compassion. The diversity of the crowd intrigued him ¨C people from different backgrounds, dressed in a myriad of colourful garments, yet unified in their peaceful demeanor.


    He noticed that their attire didn''t always match the language they spoke. Some wore garments with intricate designs, while others adorned themselves with simple elegance. Yet, despite these differences, there was a sense of harmony among them, as if they were all threads woven into the same tapestry of community.


    As the people approached General ?kw?l??cha with welcoming smiles, they greeted him in various languages, each one reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Is??d??kan. The general responded to each greeting with ease, his own attire adorned with symbols of valor and leadership, representing his esteemed position in the city.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but wonder how such diversity and unity coexisted within Is??d??kan. How could people of different backgrounds, speaking different languages, come together in such harmony? It was a question that lingered in his mind as they continued through the bustling marketplace, each step revealing more of the city''s enchanting allure.


    The fragrance that enveloped K¨¢¨°?¨´ was a symphony of scents, each note harmonizing with the next to create an olfactory masterpiece. It was as if the very essence of nature had been distilled into the air, filling his lungs with the intoxicating perfume of a thousand blossoms. The floral sweetness danced playfully with the earthy undertones, creating a sensory experience that was both mesmerizing and enchanting.


    As he drew nearer to the castle, the fragrance seemed to intensify, wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. It was as though the very air itself was alive with the essence of the city, pulsating with energy and vitality. With each inhalation, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt himself drawn deeper into its embrace, unable to resist the allure of its captivating scent.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The mystery of the fragrance lingered in his mind, igniting his curiosity like a flame in the darkness. What secrets lay hidden within the walls of the castle, he wondered? And what wonders awaited him beyond its gates? With each step forward, he felt the pull of adventure tugging at his heartstrings, urging him onwards towards the unknown.


    The castle rose before K¨¢¨°?¨´ like a titan of metal and stone, its formidable presence commanding awe and reverence. Each detail of its architecture spoke of a mastery beyond comprehension, with intricate patterns and designs adorning its every surface. The metal gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the vibrant hues of the surrounding landscape and casting an ethereal glow upon the courtyard below.


    As his gaze drifted upwards, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes fell upon the towering spires that reached towards the heavens, their majestic forms cutting a striking silhouette against the sky. The crest at the centre of the building drew his attention like a magnet, its image etched into his memory with an almost hypnotic allure. A large bird with four wings spread wide, its feathers shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance that seemed to defy explanation.


    The significance of the bird crest weighed heavily on K¨¢¨°?¨´''s mind as he pondered its meaning. What power did it symbolize? What secrets lay hidden within its enigmatic design? And why did every soldier in Is??d??kan bear its likeness upon their armour? The questions swirled in his thoughts like leaves caught in a whirlwind, each one begging for an answer that remained tantalizingly out of reach.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ took in the grandeur of the castle, a sense of foreboding settled over him like a heavy cloak. Despite the opulence and majesty of the surroundings, there was an unmistakable tension in the air¡ªan undercurrent of unease that seemed to lurk just beneath the surface.


    Everywhere he turned, K¨¢¨°?¨´ saw signs of preparation for conflict. The soldiers patrolling the grounds moved with a sense of purpose, their eyes alert and their weapons at the ready. Barricades had been erected at strategic points around the castle, and the sound of drills and military exercises echoed in the distance.


    Yet, for all the signs of readiness, there was no visible threat looming on the horizon. The streets of Is??d??kan were peaceful, with children playing and vendors hawking their wares in the marketplace. It was a stark contrast to the atmosphere of tension that pervaded the castle grounds, leaving K¨¢¨°?¨´ feeling unsettled and wary.


    Adding to his unease was the absence of male adults among the city''s inhabitants. Wherever he looked, he saw only children and elderly individuals going about their daily lives. The absence of able-bodied men was conspicuous, raising troubling questions about their whereabouts and the nature of the city''s defences.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ pondered these mysteries, he couldn''t shake the feeling that Is??d??kan harboured secrets darker than he could imagine. With each passing moment, his sense of unease deepened, casting a shadow over what should have been a moment of wonder and awe.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ anxiously scanned his surroundings from within the confines of his cage, General ?kw?l??cha approached, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. With a commanding gesture, he instructed the guards to release K¨¢¨°?¨´ from his captivity,


    Once freed, K¨¢¨°?¨´ stood before the imposing figure of General ?kw?l??cha, unsure of what to expect next. The general''s gaze was penetrating, yet not unkind, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself drawn to the air of authority that surrounded him. But he still refused to talk to the general.


    General ?kw?l??cha: So are you ready to talk son


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ refused to talk to him facing the other way


    General ?kw?l??cha: Well since you are not ready to talk I have no choice but to lock you up.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´(Curious): What are you going to do to me


    General ?kw?l??cha (Smilling): Nothing today it is late already; you will face your judgement tomorrow.


    Lock him up!! The general ordered and they took him to a prison inside the castle. K¨¢¨°?¨´ noticed as he got to the prison cell that there is nobody in the cell, he also notices that is no guard in the cell. So he thinks maybe the guards taking him to the cell are prison guards but to his surprise the moment they locked him up they left. K¨¢¨°?¨´ sat on the ground wondering how he is the only one in this dark place why can¡¯t he find a single prisoner. Then he shouts with his weak energy left in him holding the prison¡¯s cage shouting ¡°hello!! Is anyone here!!?¡±  He could not hear anyone but himself; now he believes he is the only one here since nobody is answering him.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ sat alone on the ground, his mind wrestled with a torrent of doubts and fears. He questioned his purpose, his worth, and whether he had the strength to fulfill the destiny that seemed to loom before him. Was he destined to merely exist, or was there a greater calling awaiting him? With resolve hardening in his heart, he vowed that tomorrow would not be his final day in this world. He would fight, he would strive, and he would free his people from the shackles of oppression.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´  grappled with his physical and mental frailty, a sense of frustration and helplessness engulfed him. His muscles felt like lead, his thoughts mired in a fog of exhaustion and doubt. With each labored breath, he felt the weight of his predicament pressing down upon him, threatening to crush his spirit beneath its unyielding burden.


    "Is this how it ends?" he wondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper against the backdrop of his inner turmoil. "Am I destined to languish in chains, a prisoner of fate''s cruel whims?"


    But even as despair threatened to consume him, a glimmer of determination flickered within his breast¡ªa stubborn refusal to surrender to the darkness that threatened to engulf him. "No," he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice tinged with defiance. "I will not be shackled by the chains of my own making. I will rise above this adversity, reclaim my strength, and forge a path to freedom."


    With renewed resolve, K¨¢¨°?¨´ closed his eyes and drew upon the reservoir of inner strength that lay dormant within him. He summoned memories of past triumphs, moments of courage and resilience that had carried him through the darkest of times. And though his body may have been weakened by the poison coursing through his veins, his spirit remained unbroken¡ªa beacon of hope amidst the encroaching shadows.


    "I will fight," he vowed, his words a solemn oath to himself and to the world that sought to crush him. "I will defy the odds, overcome the obstacles that stand in my way, and emerge victorious against all odds. ¡°Though the road ahead may be fraught with peril, I will not falter, nor will I yield. For I am K¨¢¨°?¨´, and I will not be defeated."


    But as he contemplated his future, a wave of weakness washed over him, both physical and mental. The poison that had ravaged his body left him drained and vulnerable, robbing him of the strength to face the challenges that lay ahead.


    As exhaustion overcame him, K¨¢¨°?¨´ succumbed to sleep, only to find himself ensnared once more in the grip of his recurring nightmare. The scene played out before him with chilling clarity¡ªthe cries of the helpless, the crackle of purple flames, and the specter of a dark figure wielding unfathomable cruelty.


    In the haunting depths of K¨¢¨°?¨´''s nightmare, he found himself immersed in a realm of darkness and suffering. Vivid and unsettling images flickered before his mind''s eye, each one etched with the stark reality of agony and despair. He was a silent observer, trapped within the confines of his own subconscious, as scenes of unimaginable torment played out with chilling clarity.


    Helplessly, K¨¢¨°?¨´ bore witness to the anguish of innocent souls, their cries echoing through the void, a haunting symphony of pain that reverberated within him. He could see women and children burning under a wild fire begging him to please save them. Yet, despite his longing to intervene, he remained paralyzed, shackled by the cruel constraints of his dream. The weight of his powerlessness pressed upon him, suffocating him with a sense of futility and dread.


    Every scene unfolded with a relentless intensity, each moment more harrowing than the last. He watched in horror as the darkness consumed everything in its path, leaving only suffering and despair in its wake. And as the nightmare stretched on, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt himself sinking deeper into its grasp, swallowed whole by the grim reality of his subconscious fears.


    In one haunting moment, he witnessed a child, bound and defenceless, being subjected to the merciless whims of a shadowy figure. The child''s cries echoed in his ears, amplifying his own feelings of anguish and frustration. In another chilling scene, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself trapped in chains, his limbs immobilized as he faced the mocking taunts of a malevolent entity that bore a twisted resemblance to him. The creature''s cruel laughter pierced through the darkness, amplifying K¨¢¨°?¨´''s sense of isolation and vulnerability.


    Throughout his ordeal, K¨¢¨°?¨´ fought desperately to break free from the nightmarish visions that held him captive. Yet, with each struggle, the grip of his subconscious seemed to tighten, ensnaring him further in its malevolent embrace.


    But then, in the depths of his despair, a new vision emerged¡ªa figure seated upon a throne, mocking him with cruel laughter. The being bore his own likeness, yet radiated an aura of malevolence that chilled K¨¢¨°?¨´ to the bone.


    "Who are you?" K¨¢¨°?¨´ demanded, his voice trembling with defiance. "Why have you bound me? Release me at once!"


    But the being only laughed, its scornful gaze piercing through him like a dagger. And as the nightmare stretched on into eternity, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself trapped in a nightmarish cycle of torment and despair.


    Suddenly, a jolt of reality shattered the darkness, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ awoke with a start, his heart racing with fear. It was the guards, their stern faces illuminated by flickering torchlight, who had roused him from his slumber.


    "Time for your judgment, half-cast," they sneered, their words dripping with contempt as they unceremoniously flung open the door of his cage. And as K¨¢¨°?¨´ emerged into the harsh light of day, he couldn''t shake the feeling that his nightmare was far from over.

 Chapter 4 Tower of Judgement

    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ awoke from the grip of his nightmare, his heart still racing with fear, he found himself confronted by the harsh reality of his surroundings. The guards stood before him, their stern faces illuminated by flickering torchlight, as they sneered at him with contempt.


    "Time for your judgment, half-cast," they declared, their words cutting through the silence like a blade. With a jolt of apprehension, K¨¢¨°?¨´ realized that his ordeal was far from over.


    As the guards unceremoniously flung open the door of his cage, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes darted around the dimly lit prison, searching for any sign of life. To his surprise, he found the other cells empty, devoid of any occupants. It was as if the prisoners had vanished into thin air, leaving behind nothing but echoes of their absence.


    A gnawing sense of unease settled in the pit of K¨¢¨°?¨´''s stomach as he pondered the mystery of the empty cells. Where had the prisoners gone? Were they simply transferred to another location, or had they never existed in the first place? The questions swirled in his mind, casting shadows of doubt upon his surroundings.


    For a brief moment, K¨¢¨°?¨´ entertained the possibility that the absence of prisoners was merely a ruse, a clever deception orchestrated by those who sought to keep him in the dark. But as he studied the empty cells, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something far more sinister was at play.


    The silence of the prison weighed heavily upon him, punctuated only by the distant sounds of footsteps echoing through the corridor. It was a stark reminder of his  own isolation, a solitary figure adrift in a sea of uncertainty.


    With a heavy heart, K¨¢¨°?¨´ followed the guards out of the prison, his mind still reeling from the enigma of the empty cells. As they made their way through the labyrinthine corridors of the castle, he couldn''t help but feel as though he was walking through a maze of secrets, each twist and turn leading him further into the unknown.


    But amidst the shadows of doubt and fear, a flicker of determination burned within K¨¢¨°?¨´''s heart. Whatever trials awaited him on the path ahead, he vowed to face them with courage and resilience. For though the truth may be shrouded in darkness, he would not rest until he had uncovered it, no matter the cost.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ emerged into the harsh light of day, blinking against the sudden brightness. The air was heavy with tension, as though the very walls of Is??d??kan were closing in around him.


    As he followed the guards through the winding corridors of the castle, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes were drawn once more to the towering spires that reached towards the heavens. The castle itself seemed to loom over him like a silent sentinel, its majestic form casting a shadow over the bustling streets below.


    The tower, in particular, captured K¨¢¨°?¨´''s attention, its grandeur and magnificence leaving him awestruck. Though he had seen it yesterday, its presence still commanded his respect, evoking a sense of reverence that bordered on reverence.


    As he gazed upon the tower, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but marvel at the intricate details that adorned its surface. Each stone seemed to tell a story, whispering secrets of a bygone era to those who dared to listen. Its sheer size and scale were a testament to the power and authority of those who had built it, a silent witness to the passage of time.


    Yet, despite its imposing presence, there was a beauty to the tower that transcended mere physicality. It stood as a symbol of Is??d??kan''s resilience and strength, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ continued to gaze upon the tower, a sense of determination welled up within him. Whatever trials lay ahead, he would face them with courage and conviction. For he knew that as long as the tower stood, there would always be hope for a brighter tomorrow.


    With renewed resolve, K¨¢¨°?¨´ followed the guards towards his destiny, ready to confront whatever challenges awaited him. For in the shadow of the tower, he knew that he would find the strength to endure, no matter what the future may hold.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ and the guards entered the towering spire, they found themselves surrounded by the echoes of history etched into the very walls of the tower. The interior was adorned with intricate carvings and images, each one a testament to the rich tapestry of Is??d??kan''s past.


    The carvings seemed to come alive as they moved deeper into the tower, telling a story of heroism and conflict that spanned generations. Scenes of battle and conquest adorned the walls, depicting warriors wielding spears, axes, and arrows in fierce combat against mythical creatures and fearsome adversaries.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but marvel at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating these elaborate carvings. Each figure was rendered with such precision and detail that they seemed to leap off the walls, their expressions frozen in time as they fought for glory and honor.


    As they progressed further into the heart of the tower, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes were drawn to a particularly striking carving. It depicted three figures locked in combat with a lone warrior, their faces contorted in rage as they brandished their weapons with deadly intent. In the center of the intricate carving, a lone warrior stood defiant, his stance unwavering against the onslaught of his adversaries. Facing him were three figures, each bearing weapons of elemental power.


    The first, a man crackling with the energy of lightning, brandished a spear infused with the raw power of thunderstorms. With each thrust, bolts of electricity arced from the tip of his weapon, illuminating the battlefield with flashes of blinding light.


    Beside him, a second figure wielded two axes, their edges honed to a razor''s edge. With each swing, he unleashed a whirlwind of destruction, his blows raining down upon the lone warrior with the force of a hurricane.


    And yet, despite the ferocity of their assault, it was the third figure who posed the greatest threat. A woman, her form fluid as water, drew back the string of her bow, her arrows shimmering with liquid grace. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a torrent of watery projectiles, each one capable of cutting through stone like a raging river.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ studied the carving, he couldn''t help but marvel at the skill of the artist who had brought it to life. Each figure seemed to pulse with energy, their movements frozen in time yet imbued with an unmistakable sense of urgency and power.


    The scene was filled with a sense of urgency and tension, as though the outcome of the battle hung in the balance.


    But it was not only the human figures that caught K¨¢¨°?¨´''s attention. Amongst the carvings, he spotted strange and fantastical creatures unlike anything he had ever seen before. Beasts with the heads of lions and the bodies of serpents, creatures with wings of fire and scales of gold¡ªall depicted in exquisite detail, their forms a testament to the boundless imagination of their creators.


    As they reached the end of the corridor, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s gaze fell upon a towering door adorned with the symbol of a majestic bird with four wings¡ªthe same emblem he had seen on the tower outside and on the armor of the soldiers. Flanking the door were two formidable guards, their presence imposing and resolute.


    Realization dawned upon K¨¢¨°?¨´ as he beheld the door before him. This was the culmination of his journey, the threshold beyond which his fate would be decided. With a mixture of apprehension and determination, he steeled himself for what lay ahead.


    "Here we go," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely a whisper amidst the solemn stillness of the tower. And as the guards pushed open the door, K¨¢¨°?¨´ stepped forward, ready to face whatever trials awaited him on the other side.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ stepped into the room, the guards flanking him guided him forward, their presence imposing and unwavering. The air in the chamber felt heavy with anticipation, each breath laden with the weight of impending judgment. With each step, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt a knot tighten in his stomach, his mind racing with apprehension and uncertainty.


    Upon reaching the centre of the room, the guards abruptly halted, their grip firm as they forced K¨¢¨°?¨´ to his knees, his forehead pressed against the cold stone floor. He could feel the weight of their gazes upon him, a silent reminder of his precarious position within the confines of the Tower of Judgment.


    Before he could muster the courage to raise his head, a commanding voice resonated through the chamber, its timbre carrying the weight of authority and finality. It was as though the very walls themselves had come to life, echoing with the solemn pronouncement of his fate.


    "Welcome to the Tower of Judgment," the voices intoned in unison, their words reverberating with a sense of gravitas that sent shivers down K¨¢¨°?¨´''s spine. "Here, your sins will be laid bare and judged accordingly."


    For a moment, K¨¢¨°?¨´ remained frozen in place, the weight of their words sinking in like an anchor dragging him down into the depths of despair. But then, with a hesitant resolve, he slowly raised his head, his eyes meeting the enigmatic figures before him with a mixture of trepidation and defiance.


    As his gaze swept over the trio, he noticed the subtle nuances in their demeanour¡ªthe way they sits with an air of authority, their features obscured by the shadows cast by the dimly lit chamber. Yet, despite their imposing presence, there was a sense of detachment in their gaze, as though they were mere conduits for a higher power beyond mortal comprehension.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    With a deep breath, K¨¢¨°?¨´ braced himself for the judgment that was to come, steeling his resolve in the face of uncertainty. Whatever fate awaited him within the Tower of Judgment, he vowed to face it with courage and dignity, determined to prove himself worthy of redemption in the eyes of those who held his fate in their hands.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ raised his head, his eyes widened in astonishment at the sight before him.


    In the centre of the room stood nine ornately carved chairs, each one adorned with symbols of authority and power. Seated upon three of these chairs at the centre were the figures who had spoken earlier, their presence commanding respect and deference. He noticed they were of three tribes; Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo tribes.


    The man representing the Yoruba tribe was draped in regal attire, his clothing adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colours that spoke to the rich cultural heritage of his people. His garments flowed around him like a river of silk, each fold and crease a testament to the craftsmanship of Yoruba artisans.


    Beside him sat the representative of the Igbo tribe, his attire a blend of tradition and modernity. He wore a ceremonial robe woven from the finest fabrics, its deep indigo hue symbolizing wisdom and nobility. Around his neck hung a necklace of polished beads, each one a symbol of his status and authority within the Igbo community.


    Completing the trio was the representative of the Hausa tribe, resplendent in his traditional attire of flowing robes and intricately embroidered headgear. His garments shimmered in the dim light of the chamber, reflecting the wealth and opulence of the Hausa people. With a dignified bearing, he exuded an aura of strength and resilience that spoke to the proud heritage of his tribe.


    Together, the three men represented the diverse tapestry of cultures that made up the fabric of Is??d??kan. Despite their differences, they stood united in their commitment to justice and fairness, their presence a testament to the spirit of unity that prevailed within the Tower of Judgment.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ scanned the three chairs on the right-hand side of the room, his heart skipped a beat as he recognized familiar faces among them. The first figure he saw was the imposing presence of General ?kw?l??cha, the man who had brought him to Is??d??kan. His stern expression conveyed a sense of authority and determination, a stark contrast to the uncertainty swirling within K¨¢¨°?¨´''s mind.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes fell upon the woman seated beside the general, a wave of recognition washed over him. Her features, so similar to those of the mysterious woman he had encountered in the depths of the forest, stirred memories within him that he had tried to bury. But as he gazed upon her, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something had changed, something that sent a chill down his spine.


    Once, her eyes had burned with a fierce intensity, a piercing shade of red that seemed to penetrate the very depths of his soul. But now, they glowed with an eerie green light, casting an otherworldly aura around her that filled K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a sense of unease. It was as if she had been touched by magic, transformed into something other than human¡ªan enigma wrapped in mystery.


    Her hair, once a wild mane of fiery curls, was now as black as midnight, framing her face in a cascade of shadow. The contrast between her dark locks and her luminous green eyes only added to her enigmatic allure, drawing K¨¢¨°?¨´ into her orbit like a moth to a flame. Despite the sense of foreboding that surrounded her, he couldn''t deny the pull of her presence, the magnetic allure that seemed to emanate from her very being.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ studied her, a thousand questions swirled in his mind. Who was she, truly? What secrets lay hidden behind those piercing green eyes? And most importantly, what role did she play in the unfolding drama that had brought him to this chamber of judgment? With each passing moment, the mystery surrounding her only deepened, leaving K¨¢¨°?¨´ feeling more unsettled than ever


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´''s gaze shifted to the man seated beside the woman with the green eyes, a sense of dread washed over him like a cold wave crashing against the shore. The man''s bald head gleamed in the dim light of the chamber, his features sharp and angular, lending him an air of unearthly elegance. Draped in flowing white silk robes that billowed around him like ethereal mist, he seemed almost otherworldly, his presence commanding attention and respect.


    But it was his eyes that sent a shiver down K¨¢¨°?¨´''s spine. Cold and devoid of emotion, they seemed to bore into K¨¢¨°?¨´''s soul with a penetrating intensity that left him feeling exposed and vulnerable. There was something unsettling about the way he looked at K¨¢¨°?¨´, as if he could see through the facade K¨¢¨°?¨´ had carefully constructed to hide his fear and uncertainty.


    Despite his unnerving presence, the man exuded an aura of unsettling calmness, as if he were untouched by the chaos and turmoil that surrounded them. It was as if he existed outside the realm of mortal concerns, a silent observer in a world gripped by madness and uncertainty. And yet, beneath his serene exterior, K¨¢¨°?¨´ sensed a simmering undercurrent of power and authority, like a dormant volcano waiting to erupt.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes lingered on the enigmatic figure before him, he couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to this man than met the eye. Who was he, and what role did he play in the grand design of fate? The questions swirled in K¨¢¨°?¨´''s mind like leaves caught in a whirlwind, each one begging for an answer that remained tantalizingly out of reach. And as the man''s gaze continued to bore into him,


    Turning his attention to the three chairs on the left-hand side of the room, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s breath caught in his throat as he beheld the vision of beauty seated before him. The princess, adorned in a golden crown and draped in emerald chains, exuded an aura of regal elegance that took his breath away. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of green, sparkled with an inner light that seemed to illuminate the entire chamber. It was as if he were gazing upon a living jewel, a rare and precious gemstone that defied description. As K¨¢¨°?¨´ marvel at her beauty, he couldn''t help but notice the uncanny resemblance she bore to the woman seated on the right-hand side¡ªthe woman he had encountered in the forest. The realization that they were twins sent a jolt of surprise through him, adding another layer of complexity to the already bewildering situation.


    The princess''s beauty was ethereal, transcending mortal bounds as she sat regally upon her throne. Her golden crown gleamed in the soft light of the chamber, casting a radiant halo around her head. Adorned in emerald chains that draped gracefully around her neck and shoulders, she exuded an air of majesty and grace that captivated all who beheld her.


    Her eyes, like twin pools of shimmering emerald, held a depth of wisdom and strength that belied her youthful appearance. They seemed to pierce through K¨¢¨°?¨´''s soul with an intensity that left him feeling both exposed and entranced. It was as if she could see into the very core of his being, laying bare his fears, his doubts, and his deepest desires.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ continued to gaze upon her, he noticed the fragrance he could not resist which was everywhere from the moment he entered this strange place was coming from this beautiful princess he is looking at, he couldn''t help but marvel at the resemblance she bore to the woman on the right-hand side of the room¡ªthe woman with the green eyes. The realization that they were twins filled him with a sense of wonder and awe, as if he had stumbled upon a secret hidden in the depths of the universe.


    But there was something more to their connection than mere siblinghood. Beneath the surface, K¨¢¨°?¨´ sensed a bond that transcended the physical realm¡ªa bond forged in the fires of destiny, woven into the fabric of time itself. It was a bond that spoke of shared experiences, shared memories, and shared destinies, binding them together in ways that K¨¢¨°?¨´ could scarcely comprehend.


    As he pondered the significance of their connection, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t shake the feeling that they held the key to unlocking the mysteries that surrounded him. But before he could delve any deeper into his thoughts, his attention was drawn to the woman seated beside the princess¡ªa woman whose smirk sent a chill down his spine.


    The woman''s commanding presence seemed to fill the room, casting a shadow of apprehension over those present. Her posture exuded confidence and authority, as if she were accustomed to being obeyed without question. The intensity of her gaze bore into K¨¢¨°?¨´''s soul, leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable, as though she could see through every facade and deception he might attempt.


    Her piercing green eyes seemed to possess an otherworldly quality, gleaming with a mixture of intelligence and malice. They held a depth of understanding that hinted at a lifetime of experience and cunning, capable of discerning the true nature of those who dared to meet her gaze. It was as if she possessed the ability to peer into K¨¢¨°?¨´''s innermost thoughts and desires, leaving him feeling unnerved and unsettled.


    The adornment of her hair with hairpins resembling miniature swords spoke to her martial prowess and readiness for battle. Each pin seemed to gleam with a deadly purpose, a silent warning of the danger that lay beneath her seemingly composed exterior. It was clear that she was not to be trifled with, her demeanour radiating an aura of strength and ferocity that commanded respect and fear in equal measure.


    As she smirked with a predatory gleam, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of foreboding settling over him like a heavy shroud. It was as if she were silently assessing him, weighing his worth and determining his fate with a single glance. The air around her crackled with tension, the anticipation of her next move hanging palpably in the air.


    In her presence, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease, a nagging feeling that he was treading on dangerous ground. It was as if he stood on the precipice of a great abyss, teetering on the edge of oblivion with every passing moment. And as he awaited the judgment that awaited him, he couldn''t shake the feeling that his fate lay in the hands of this enigmatic woman, whose true intentions remained shrouded in mystery.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´''s gaze settled upon the towering figure before him, he couldn''t help but be struck by the man''s imposing stature. It was as if he were beholding a titan among men, a colossus whose very presence seemed to fill the room with an undeniable sense of awe and reverence. His massive frame exuded an aura of strength and authority, commanding the attention of all who beheld him.


    Despite the initial sense of intimidation evoked by his towering size, K¨¢¨°?¨´ soon noticed something unexpected in the man''s expression¡ªa glint of kindness in his eyes. Unlike the others in the chamber, whose gazes bore only scorn and contempt, this man seemed to regard K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a measure of empathy and understanding. It was a small ray of hope amidst the darkness that surrounded them, a reminder that not all judgments were fueled by malice and disdain.


    However, this moment of solace was short-lived, as K¨¢¨°?¨´ soon realized that even this towering figure harbored a deep sense of disgust towards him. Despite the faint hint of kindness in his eyes, there was an underlying resentment that simmered beneath the surface, casting a shadow of doubt over their interaction.


    As the man''s gaze bore down upon him with a mixture of disdain and revulsion, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t help but feel a pang of regret wash over him. It was a sobering reminder of the gravity of his situation, a stark realization that he stood alone against the judgment of those who held power over his fate.


    In the presence of this formidable figure, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t shake the feeling of being utterly insignificant, a mere speck in the shadow of a giant. And as he awaited the pronouncement of his fate, he couldn''t help but wonder what role this imposing figure would play in determining the outcome of his trial.

 Chapter 5 Tower of Judgement 2

    K¨¢¨°?¨´''s entrance into the grand hall was not merely a physical movement; it was a moment that seemed to transcend the ordinary. As he crossed the threshold, there was a perceptible shift in the atmosphere, as if the air itself crackled with a newfound energy. It was as though the very fabric of reality responded to his presence, vibrating with an intensity that sent shivers down the spines of those gathered within.


    The onlookers, seated in their respective positions of authority and observation, couldn''t help but be drawn into the orbit of this mysterious newcomer. There was an aura of intrigue surrounding K¨¢¨°?¨´, an intangible quality that set him apart from the rest and captured the imagination of all who beheld him.


    As he moved through the hall, every eye was trained upon him, following his every step with rapt attention. Whispers of speculation and rumor circulated among the assembled, each voice adding to the mounting anticipation that filled the room.


    For those present, K¨¢¨°?¨´ represented a enigma waiting to be unraveled, a puzzle whose pieces had yet to be put together. His arrival injected a dose of excitement into an otherwise routine gathering, sparking a flurry of curiosity and speculation among the attendees.


    In that moment, the grand hall became charged with an electric energy, pulsating with the promise of revelation and discovery. It was as if time itself held its breath, waiting to see what secrets K¨¢¨°?¨´ held within him and how they would shape the course of events to come.


    Though they could not see his face, obscured as it was by the shadow of his lowered head, they could sense the strength and determination that radiated from him like a beacon in the darkness. There was something about him, something that set him apart from the rest, and they found themselves drawn to him despite their reservations.


    The wise ones who presided over the chamber watched with keen interest as K¨¢¨°?¨´ entered, their expressions unreadable behind the masks of authority they wore. They had heard whispers of the man who now stood before them, rumours that spoke of his extraordinary abilities and the trials he had faced on his journey to this hallowed place. And yet, they could not help but feel a twinge of uncertainty in the presence of this unknown quantity.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ raised his head at their command, the room fell silent save for the soft rustle of fabric and the steady beat of his heart. Those who had seen him before¡ªGeneral ?kw?l??cha and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ among them¡ªexchanged knowing glances, confirming the truth of the rumours that had preceded his arrival. But for the others, his appearance was a revelation, a confirmation of the stories they had dismissed as mere fantasy.


    With a solemn nod from the wise ones, the interrogation began;


    Yoruba Elder: (Addressing K¨¢¨°?¨´) you have come a long way, son. Who are you?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Remains silent, his gaze unwavering)


    This made everyone in the room shocked because an elder must not be disrespected. But the interrogation continued;


    Yoruba Elder: (Addressing K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a stern yet measured tone) you have traversed great distances to stand before us today. From whence do you hail, and what brings you to our realm? Speak, so that we may understand the nature of your presence here.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Remains silent, his eyes fixed on the floor)


    Igbo Elder: (His voice carrying a hint of impatience) we have heard whispers of your arrival, stranger. Tales of your journey have reached our ears, but we seek clarity. How did you breach the borders of our realm, and what dire circumstances led you to seek refuge within our walls?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Maintains his silence, his expression unreadable)


    Hausa Elder: (Gesturing emphatically) the presence of British soldiers upon our lands has raised many questions. Why were they in pursuit of you and what entanglements have brought their wrath upon your head?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Remains steadfast, refusing to offer any response)


    Yoruba Elder: (His brows furrowed in consternation) Your obstinance does you no favours, stranger. We are not known for our patience, and your reticence only serves to stoke the flames of suspicion.


    Igbo Elder: (His voice tinged with frustration) We have extended to you the courtesy of our inquiry, yet you repay us with silence. Are you so naive as to think you can evade our scrutiny with your silence?


    Hausa Elder: (His tone growing more menacing) You tread on dangerous ground, outsider. Our realm is not a sanctuary for those who refuse to account for their actions. Speak now, or face the consequences of your insolence!


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Remains stoic, his gaze unwavering despite the mounting pressure)


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Observing K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a mixture of amusement and disdain). It seems we have stumbled upon a mute warrior, Wise Ones.  ¡°A man of action, perhaps, but not of words.¡±


    Yoruba Elder: (Narrows his eyes, his tone sharp) Your silence speaks volumes, stranger. But we are not without patience. Tell us, how did you come to find yourself within the borders of Is??d??kan''s? What purpose drove you to trespass upon our sacred realm?


    Igbo Elder: (Crosses his arms, his expression stern) Indeed, it is a strange coincidence that you appear before us now. Our borders are invisible to foreigner¡¯s eye, no one can enter except you are an indigene and yet you managed to breach them. Explain yourself, and perhaps we shall find reason to trust you.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ listened to the Yoruba elder''s stern admonishment, his frustration reached a boiling point. The weight of the elder''s words hung heavy in the air, each syllable driving home the gravity of the situation. But it was the mention of the Special Ones, those who held dominion over life and death itself, that ignited a fierce spark of anger within him.


    "You stand before the Special Ones," the elder declared, his voice dripping with disdain, "those who hold dominion over life and death itself. And yet you dare to challenge their authority with your impudent silence. Truly, you are a fool beyond measure."


    Those words struck a nerve with K¨¢¨°?¨´, fuelling the flames of his indignation until they burned with an intensity that threatened to consume him. How dare they question his resolve, his dedication to the cause of his people? Who were they to judge him, to condemn him with their lofty proclamations of authority?


    Unable to contain his rage any longer, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s voice rang out in defiance, cutting through the solemn silence of the grand hall like a sword through the darkness.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (his gaze sweeping over the elders with a mixture of defiance, sorrow and tears.) I always thought I was different, cursed even. People whispered behind my back, calling me an outcast, a pariah. I never knew a place like this existed, where people like me could come together and fight for a common cause.


    And to think, all this time I believed I was alone in this fight; Alone in the struggle against the tyranny of the British Empire.


    But now, to see that there are others like me, others who know what is happening in the outside world yet refuse to do anything... It''s beyond disappointing. It''s heart-breaking. How can the Special Ones, those with the power to change our fate, sit idly by while our people suffer? It''s unfathomable.


    If I must be the one to lead our people to freedom, then so be it. I will embrace my destiny, no matter the hardships it may bring.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (His frustration boiling over, his voice tinged with anger) You speak of consequences, Elder, but do you not see the consequences of your own inaction? For too long, our people have suffered under the yoke of oppression, their cries for freedom falling on deaf ears. I may have been alone in my struggle, but I fought tooth and nail to liberate my people from the clutches of tyranny. What have you done, sitting comfortably upon your thrones of authority, while our people languish in chains?


    I have faced the horrors of war alone, confronting the British Empire with nothing but my own resolve and determination. And yet here you sit, claiming to be the Special Ones, while our people suffer under the heel of their oppressors. How can you call yourselves special when you turn a blind eye to the suffering of your own kin?


    You ask who I am? My name is K¨¢¨°?¨´, and I am the voice of the voiceless, the champion of the oppressed. I may have been born without knowing where I was born or who my family are, but I am destined to lead my people to freedom, no matter the cost. So mock me if you will, Elder, but know this: I am the one who will save our people from the chains of bondage. I am the one-man army, and I will not rest until justice is served.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´''s impassioned words echoed through the grand hall, a heavy silence descended upon the gathered assembly. The weight of his accusations hung palpably in the air, casting a somber veil over the room. Yet, amidst the quiet, a sudden eruption shattered the tension.


    A deep, rumbling laugh reverberated from the largest figure in the room, Nw¨¨t¨¢r¨¤ Mm¨¤d¨´any¨¬, the Protector of Nature. His booming laughter echoed off the walls, filling the hall with its thunderous resonance. His expression, a mixture of amusement and derision, betrayed his amusement at K¨¢¨°?¨´''s outburst.


    With a voice that carried the unmistakable cadence of Igbo, Nw¨¨t¨¢r¨¤ Mm¨¤d¨´any¨¬ continued to chuckle, his words laced with an accent unfamiliar to K¨¢¨°?¨´''s ears. Though the meaning eluded him, the tone left little doubt ¨C he was being mocked.


    Nw¨¨(making jest): "One man army, Eh? "bia n?nyere n''anya agh?gh?. (Translation:"<u>Look at this little refugee</u>,") he jeered in Igbo, his words laced with derision. "You''re nothing but a disappointment, a waste of my time. Coming here to lecture us when you''re about to meet your end."


    As the mini-giant continued to mock him, his taunts like venomous barbs, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt a seething anger bubbling within him. Despite his desire to prove his strength, a gnawing doubt gnawed at his resolve. He knew deep down that his time was limited, that the poison coursing through his veins would soon claim him.


    But in the face of Nw¨¨t¨¢r¨¤ Mm¨¤d¨´any¨¬''s scorn, K¨¢¨°?¨´ could bear it no longer. His pride, wounded and raw, demanded retribution. With a voice trembling with rage, he lashed out, his words sharp as blades.


    In the midst of this heated exchange, Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬, the Queen of Blades, intervened, her voice cutting through the tension like a whip cracking in the air.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: How dare you insult my pride! You have no idea what I am capable of!


    Nw¨¨: (With a sneer)  So tell me oooo, imbecile, what are you capable of Ehn? You can''t even defeat ten men, and yet you speak of toppling the British Empire hmm. Do you even comprehend the magnitude of your foolishness, boy?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: You dare call me foolish? You should be grateful I''m poisoned; otherwise, I would have burnt you to death!


    Nw¨¨: All you do is talk, talk, and talk! I cannot listen to your nonsense anymore fool, you weakling. Just admit it; you''re a petty thief who stole from those soldiers ehn, and now you''re running scared from those dead white fools. Who knows ehn, maybe the gods opened the door for you by mistake abi!


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: How dare you! (His voice is thick with anger, but he''s interrupted by a fit of coughing, blood trickling down his chin.)


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (Speaking with a smirk) You surprise me, weakling. The venom in your blood should have killed you by now, but you''ll die in a few hours no matter how much you resist.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: How do you know I was poisoned?


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (With a sly smile) I know every poison there is to know, especially the ones made by me.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (His voice strained) Why would you poison me?


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (Speaking with a smirk) why did I poison you hmmmmmmm? Do I know you?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: No


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Voice trembling with rage) But Someone must have collaborated with you. Who else would have access to your poison?


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (Smirking) you flatter yourself, thinking you''re important enough for such elaborate schemes. But let me make this clear: I act on my own accord. I have no need for alliances with weaklings like you. They follow my lead, not the other way around.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Voice strained) Is there a cure? How do I rid myself of this poison?


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (Coldly) Cure? I didn''t concoct this poison with the intent of offering a remedy. You should have perished within the hour. Yet here you stand, defying the odds. You are stronger than I anticipated, fool. You should be proud of that, at least.


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (Observing him coldly) Judging by the effects of my poison, it''s your powers that are keeping you alive. Your heart rate is slowing, your organs failing one by one. Soon, your senses will cease to function. Your body is losing its ability to regulate itself. You should have perished by now, yet the poison is grappling with your powers, fighting against your will to survive. But it''s a futile battle. You''re not strong enough to overcome the poison.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (His voice strained with resignation) So, there''s truly no cure... My fate ends here?


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (Her gaze cold and unforgiving) Yes, you are going to die... unless she decide to let you live. (gestures towards the princess sitting beside her)


    As Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬ gestured towards the princess, a palpable tension filled the air, sparking a heated argument among the beings in the hall. Yet, amidst the discord, the princess gaze softened as she locked eyes with K¨¢¨°?¨´. In that moment, a sense of empathy seemed to wash over her, softening her resolve. With a hint of compassion, the princess, offering a glimmer of hope as she extended the chance for K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s cure.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: (Her voice carrying a note of determination) hmmmmmmm everyone we cannot turn a blind eye to suffering.  If there''s a chance to alleviate his pain, we must take it.


    Yoruba Elder: (His brows furrowed in concern) But what of the consequences, ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨? Meddling with fate could invite untold calamity upon us all.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: (Her voice firm) the consequences be damned! If there''s a chance to ease his suffering, we must take it. Our duty is to protect life, not abandon it to fate.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: (worrying) but look at him he is so weak and he had a really inspiring speech with a great mission to fulfil; do you know what fate wants or not what if to help him is also fate?


    Jin¨¦r¨¦: (Her tone grave) we cannot ignore the risks involved, ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨. Sometimes, it is better to let nature take its course, for the sake of the greater good. Ehn tell me; why are you showing weakness to this weakling?


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Nodding in disagreement) Compassion is not a weakness, but strength. We must not forsake our humanity in the face of adversity.


    Nw¨¨: (cutting of the conversation with a yawn) I am tired of this lecture. Princess please do what you want to do I need to leave this place, I am tired of sitting.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: Very well then.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ writhed in the grip of agony, ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨''s expression remained impassive, her focus unwavering as she channeled her power. Each movement of her hands seemed to amplify the torment, every gesture a symphony of suffering for K¨¢¨°?¨´. The air crackled with energy, charged with the intensity of his pain.


    Despite his screams, the princess showed no mercy, her determination unyielding as she continued to wield her powers. It was as if she was extracting every last drop of suffering from K¨¢¨°?¨´, pushing him to the brink of endurance and beyond.


    In those agonizing moments, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s world narrowed to the searing pain coursing through his body. Each nerve felt like it was on fire, every muscle protesting against the onslaught. Yet amidst the torment, he could sense a strange sensation stirring within him - a glimmer of something primal, a flicker of raw power awakening in response to the pain.


    But just as K¨¢¨°?¨´ feared he would be consumed by the relentless agony, the tide began to ebb. The searing pain gradually receded, replaced by a sensation of relief so profound it bordered on euphoria. It was as if ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ had drawn out every ounce of suffering, leaving K¨¢¨°?¨´ cleansed, rejuvenated, and inexplicably stronger than before.


    Yet, beneath the surface of his newfound vitality, there lingered a darkness, a shadow of something unsettling. As he hovered in the air, his eyes glowing with an eerie light, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt a surge of power unlike anything he had ever known. It was as if the pain had unlocked something deep within him, something ancient and primal, stirring with a hunger that threatened to consume him whole.


    As the last vestiges of pain ebbed away, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself enveloped in a cocoon of revitalizing energy. It surged through him, knitting together his fractured body and infusing him with a vitality he had not felt in years. Every muscle tensed with newfound strength, every sense heightened to a razor-sharp clarity.


    Yet, amidst this surge of power, there lurked a disquieting undercurrent. Behind the veil of euphoria, K¨¢¨°?¨´ sensed something primal awakening within him, a force both ancient and potent. It pulsed through his veins like a living thing, stirring with a hunger that seemed to echo from the depths of his soul.


    His eyes, once dull with pain, now gleamed with an otherworldly light, their hue shifting to an unsettling shade of purple. It was as if a shadow had descended upon him, veiling his newfound strength in an aura of darkness. Despite the relief he felt, K¨¢¨°?¨´ couldn''t shake the sense of foreboding that settled in the pit of his stomach.


    The air crackled with tension as he hovered in the center of the grand hall, his gaze sweeping over the assembled beings with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. He was acutely aware of the power coursing through him, a power that felt both exhilarating and unnerving in its intensity.


    As he struggled to come to terms with this newfound strength, a mirthless laugh escaped his lips, tinged with a hint of madness. It was a laugh borne of defiance, a declaration of his refusal to be bound by fate or circumstance. In that moment, K¨¢¨°?¨´ knew that he stood on the precipice of a journey unlike any he had ever known, a journey that would test the limits of his newfound power and reshape the course of his destiny forever.


    "You should not have done this, princess," he spoke, his voice now deep and resonant, tinged with a sinister edge. And with those words, a surge of purple flames erupted from his body, engulfing the room in a sinister glow. But as the flames licked at the walls and ceiling, K¨¢¨°?¨´ noticed something peculiar - the figures seated on the chairs remained untouched, shielded by a white transparent barrier.


    As the flames continued to writhe and dance around him, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt a sense of both awe and dread wash over him. The purple fire seemed to possess a life of its own, twisting and spiraling in intricate patterns as it consumed everything in its path. Yet, amidst the chaos and destruction, the figures seated on the chairs remained serene, their expressions unreadable behind the protective veil of the translucent barrier.


    With each flicker of the flames, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes darted across the room, searching for any sign of weakness in the barrier that shielded the enigmatic beings from harm. But try as he might, he could find no discernible flaw in its structure, no vulnerability to exploit. It was as if the barrier was woven from the very fabric of the cosmos itself, impervious to the ravages of the inferno that raged outside its bounds.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ grappled with the implications of this revelation, a sense of frustration gnawed at the edges of his consciousness. Here he stood, bathed in the flames of his own creation, yet powerless to breach the barrier that stood between him and the answers he sought. It was a bitter irony, to be confronted with such overwhelming power and yet find himself utterly impotent in its presence.


    But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, a glimmer of determination sparked within K¨¢¨°?¨´''s heart. He may be trapped in this enigmatic realm, surrounded by forces beyond his comprehension, but he refused to be cowed into submission. With every fiber of his being, he resolved to unravel the mysteries that lay before him, to confront the challenges that awaited him with courage and resolve.


    And as the flames continued to rage around him, casting twisted shadows upon the walls of the grand hall, K¨¢¨°?¨´ steeled himself for the trials that lay ahead. For though the path may be fraught with peril and uncertainty, he knew that he would not falter in his quest for truth and power. With unwavering determination, he prepared to face whatever trials awaited him, knowing that his destiny lay not in the hands of fate, but in his own strength and willpower.


    His gaze fell upon the man clad in white, who had remained silent throughout the ordeal. And in that moment, K¨¢¨°?¨´ realized that this enigmatic figure held a power beyond comprehension, a force that even his newfound strength could not overcome.


    The man in white sat unmoved, his presence commanding the attention of all who beheld him. There was an aura of serenity about him, a quiet confidence that seemed to emanate from every pore of his being. His eyes, like twin orbs of polished marble, held a depth of wisdom that belied his stoic demeanor, hinting at a knowledge that transcended the bounds of mortal understanding.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´''s gaze lingered upon the man, a sense of unease settled over him like a shroud. It was as if he could sense the immense power that lay dormant within the figure, a power that lurked beneath the surface like a slumbering beast, waiting to be unleashed upon the world.


    But try as he might, K¨¢¨°?¨´ could find no hint of malice or hostility in the man''s demeanor. Instead, there was a sense of calm acceptance, as if he had long ago made peace with the mysteries of the universe and the role he played within it.


    And yet, despite the outward calmness of the man in white, K¨¢¨°?¨´ could not shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. There was a depth to his gaze, a hidden reservoir of power that lurked just beneath the surface, waiting to be tapped into at a moment''s notice.


    As the flames continued to rage around them, casting flickering shadows upon the walls of the grand hall, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself drawn inexorably towards the enigmatic figure. There was a magnetism to him, a pull that seemed to defy rational explanation, drawing K¨¢¨°?¨´ ever closer to the heart of the mystery that surrounded him.


    And as he stood before the man in white, bathed in the eerie glow of the purple flames, K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt a sense of both trepidation and awe wash over him. For in that moment, he realized that he stood in the presence of a being of immense power and significance, a being whose true nature remained shrouded in mystery and shadow.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´''s flames failed to breach the barrier surrounding the figures on the chairs, a mixture of frustration and indignation welled up within him. He had been mocked, belittled, and dismissed as nothing more than a petty thief, and now, faced with his undeniable power, his detractors cowered behind their protective shield.


    "I thought you said I was weak," he declared, his voice ringing out with a steely edge. "I warned you, I am the one-man army. You made fun of me, called me a fool, a weakling. And now, when faced with my true strength, you hide behind your barriers like frightened children. Show me why you are the special ones, who dare to sit in judgment over me. Show me your might!" His finger jabbed accusingly at the man in white, a challenge burning in his eyes.


    But before he could make a move, General ?kw?l??cha rose from his seat with a smirk, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Let me deal with him," he said, his voice dripping with confidence as he descended from his perch.


    General ?kw?l??cha: (with a smirk) If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ wait; let me deal with him.


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤: (frustrated at the general) why?


    General ?kw?l??cha: (replying with a smile) because I will make it quick.


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤: (his voice unwavering) but I will make it quicker


    General ?kw?l??cha: (his gaze flickering with amusement) Where is the fun in that If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ hmm.


    General ?kw?l??cha faced K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a confident smile


    K¨¢¨°?¨´n: (his voice dripping with defiance.) You want to know what I am. This is who I am.


    General ?kw?l??cha: (His smile widened as he retorted) Son, You don''t even know what you are. So come here!!


    As the General¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, ¡°Come here, K¨¢¨°?¨´n!¡± His command was not one to be ignored. With heart pounding, K¨¢¨°?¨´n charged, his hands conjuring a blazing orb of fire, hurling it towards the General with all his might.


    But the General, with a warrior¡¯s grace, sidestepped the fiery assault, his movements as fluid as the wind. Again and again, K¨¢¨°?¨´n summoned the flames, each strike more desperate than the last, but to no avail. The fire that once obeyed him now seemed a mere child¡¯s play before the General¡¯s indomitable spirit.


    Shock etched on his face, K¨¢¨°?¨´n realized the General wielded no sword; his only armament was a shield, unyielding and steadfast. ¡°Fight back!¡± K¨¢¨°?¨´n roared, frustration seething within him.


    The General¡¯s eyes, calm and untroubled, met K¨¢¨°?¨´n¡¯s. ¡°Very well,¡± he replied, his voice the calm before the storm. And in the blink of an eye, before K¨¢¨°?¨´n could muster another attack, the General was upon him, a shadow at his back. A swift kick sent shivers up K¨¢¨°?¨´n¡¯s spine, the force of it staggering.


    The General advanced, relentless, each strike a lesson in humility. K¨¢¨°?¨´n, once proud and fierce, now lay at the General¡¯s feet, beaten, broken. ¡°So this is what you are,¡± the General declared, his words falling like hammer blows, ¡°you are just useless.¡±


    When the word ¡°You are Useless¡± reached his ears, it ignited a wildfire within him. His anger surged, and he rose from his seat, the ground trembling beneath his feet. The air shimmered around him, and his eyes blazed brighter, fueled by wounded pride.


    ¡°I am not weak,¡± K¨¢¨°?¨´n declared, his voice echoing through the chamber. ¡°I am not a fool. And I am certainly not useless.¡±


    His resolve crystallized into action. With a sweeping gesture, he conjured a fire wave¡ªa torrent of searing heat that roared toward the general. The general, clad in battle-worn armor, raised his metallic shield. The clash was cataclysmic¡ªthe shield groaning under the assault, its surface melting as if kissed by a sun¡¯s wrath.


    J¨ªn¨¦r?, writhed in turmoil. She longed to intervene, but the general¡¯s stern gaze held her back.


    Yet K¨¢¨°?¨´n persisted. He closed the gap, flames licking at the edges of his being. The general¡¯s resolve wavered; he was a seasoned warrior, but this was no ordinary fire. It was the embodiment of K¨¢¨°?¨´n¡¯s fury, a tempest born of wounded pride and ancient grudges.


    Then, like a thunderclap, If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ appeared. His arrival was swift, his power undeniable. With a mere flick of his hand, he halted K¨¢¨°?¨´n¡¯s onslaught. The flames froze mid-air, suspended by an unseen force. K¨¢¨°?¨´n crashed to the ground, his defiance met with cosmic indifference.


    ¡°You dare challenge us?¡± If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤¡¯s voice resonated, each syllable a cosmic truth. ¡°You are a cat trying to bite the tiger¡¯s tail. Know your place, child.¡±


    Fear gripped K¨¢¨°?¨´n. His breaths came in ragged gasps as If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ lifted him effortlessly. The world blurred, and he glimpsed eternity in those ancient eyes. Death loomed, a spectre with bony fingers reaching for his soul.


    Desperation clawed at K¨¢¨°?¨´n. ¡°Release me!¡± he choked out, his defiance tempered by terror.


    The general, ever loyal, shouted, ¡°Release him, If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤!¡±


    And so, with a final act of mercy, If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ slammed K¨¢¨°?¨´n to the ground. Darkness claimed him, and he slipped into unconsciousness, flames extinguished.

 Chapter 6 Judgment Reckoning

    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ lay unconscious on the ground, his mind clouded by darkness and his body limp with exhaustion, the echoes of If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤''s final act of mercy reverberated through the air. The flames that had engulfed him moments before flickered and faded, leaving behind only the stillness of unconsciousness.<u> </u>


    General ?kw?l??cha: "B?a ebe a" (<u>translation:</u> come in)


    With a solemn command from General ?kw?l??cha, the guards moved swiftly to lift K¨¢¨°?¨´''s unconscious form from the ground. Despite the chaos that had unfolded, there was an air of reverence in their movements as they carried him away, their footsteps echoing through the corridor as they disappeared into the depths of the fortress, words were exchanged in hushed tones between the special ones, voices rising and falling like waves crashing against the shore. The weight of their decisions pressed upon them like a heavy burden, threatening to crush their spirits beneath its formidable weight.


    Yoruba elder :( Very Furious) If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤, you had the chance to finish that abomination off, why did you hesitate?


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤: (response dripped with sarcasm) hmmmmmmm why did I hesitate abi? Wait oooooo let me think about it ¡­¡­¡­ Oh, it¡¯s because the General asked me not to. Can''t disobey orders now, abi?


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Raising his eyebrows with a smile) And why did I ask you not to kill him? If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤, at least you listened to me. Thank the gods


    Yoruba elder: (His gaze bore into the General). Thank the gods? Do you think the gods are pleased with your decision right now? General


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ (with a dissatisfying expression): Do you think the gods will allow us to kill someone who is just trying to fight for the people?


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤: (Replies confidently) well princess, according to what his profile is all about, yes,


    General ?kw?l??cha: (expression turned stern as he addressed If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤.) so tell me If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤; Apart from him attacking us, what do you know about him that makes you determined he should die?


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤: (replies firmly) Firstly he did not try to attack us, he tried to kill us, you should remember the melting part; Secondly his name says it all.


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (her voice cut through the tension) Are you trying to judge him by his name?


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤: Yes I can and  I will; according to what I have read and understand about that name ¡°K¨¢¨°?¨´¡± his full name is K¨¢¨°?¨´n¨ªf??r?? Which means¡­¡­..


    Nw¨¨: (interjects with a hint of disdain) Lover of war, bringer of chaos


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤: (with a sharp retort) It seems you still read, Nw¨¨. I never thought you could have the habit of reading.


    Nw¨¨: (replies rudely) I love to read but I do not make reading a habit, I am not a freak like you.


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ chuckles to this response and the three elders are murmuring between each other as they hear this


    General ?kw?l??cha: (intervenes firmly) if his name is like that, you cannot judge him solely by his name.Stolen story; please report.


    Jin¨¦r¨¦: (replies with a solemn response) Yes you can general.  Have you forgotten the words of our forefathers, ''Or¨²k? t¨ª a b¨¢ s? aj¨¢ ?ni l?m? ar¨¢y¨¦ ¨½b¨¢ ni ¨ª p¨¨¨¦''?" (Translation: ¡°<u>Whatever name one calls one¡¯s dog, that is the name others call it as well</u>.¡±)


    General ?kw?l??cha: (meeting her gaze) You too?


    Jin¨¦r¨¦: (Persisting) I''m only saying what I see and understand general. He is bad news.


    ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: (her voice erupts with fury) If he is bad news, why did you not kill him in the first place?


    Jin¨¦r¨¦ :( responds swiftly) I wanted to kill him but you asked me not to; did you forget nii?


    General ?kw?l??cha: (perplexed) So you went to the forest? Why did you go there?


    Nw¨¨ :( cuts in firmly) enough before this becomes a family discussion; we have pressing issues to deal with.


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬ :( nods in agreement) Yes, we are still dealing with a war.


    General ?kw?l??cha: Speaking of war, why did the guardian of the forest and nature allow this calamity to happen in the first place ehn? Because if you had killed him the moment he entered the realm we will not have this discussion.


    Nw¨¨: (response was chilling as he threw nine British men''s heads on the floor) really


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (eyebrows raised in disgust) So Nw¨¨, you had this with you for hours?


    Nw¨¨: (replies confidently) yes


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (eyebrows raised in surprise) So, they are nineteen?


    Nw¨¨: (corrected) No Twenty. (Pointing at Jin¨¦r¨¦), She killed ten. I killed nine.


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬ (With a naughty smirk): 19 British soldiers cannot be pursuing that pretty thief without a leader among them. K¨¢¨°?¨´n must be a wonderful treasure.


    Nw¨¨: (disgusted): you are disgusting Uwar; I did not notice a leader among them so the leader might be in our city as we speak. (facing the general)My question is, why are there no soldiers protecting the civilians, General? He might have a gun, who knows?"


    Before the General could respond, Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬ intervened


    Uwarg¨ªsh¨¬r¨¬: (worried) ok no more argument, all of you. The British Empire has known about us. Like it or not, they sent twenty men to pursue someone who is like us. My poison is used by someone who is not in this realm. It is impossible to steal this poison from me. So, it is either our enemies are already contacting the people outside, which is not an advantage to us, or there is a spy in our midst, which is very doubtful. So, I will go for the first choice. We need to act fast and decide on this pretty thief.


    General ?kw?l??cha :( facing Jin¨¦r¨¦) Jin¨¦r¨¦, also remember our forefather''s wisdom: ''Onye ji mmad? n¡¯ani ji onwe ya.'' (<u>Translation</u>: <u>¡°He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down.¡±)</u> His name can be chaotic, but we can change his fate. Someone with his kind of powers can be a great advantage for us. He can be a great person, we must not judge him by his name.


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ :( rejected swiftly) It''s no coincidence that one named ''Lover of War, Bringer of Chaos'' arrives with the British army. His very essence reeks of the Crystal of Chaos. We all know its history, how it fades away. You''re too quick to trust him, General. This dog will surely turn on us. I am not ready to pet a bush dog.


    Finally, as the voices grew hoarse and the arguments reached a fever pitch, the debate came to an abrupt halt.


    General ?kw?l??cha :( persistent) I am also not ready to give up on his fate either.


    Igbo Elder :( confused) so what are you trying to say general?


    General ?kw?l??cha :( determined) I say we vote; give him till after the tournament if he does not gain the trust of everyone in this place he is to be executed by how you see fit.


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ :(worried) I do not like this idea.


    Hausa Elder :(worried) I also do not like this idea. Let us do it this way; the general proposal will be approved if the majority of us accept to this proposal. Is that better


    With a solemn nod, the Special Ones cast their votes, each one a silent proclamation of their judgment.


    And so, as the special ones grappled with their own doubts and fears, the fate of K¨¢¨°?¨´n hung in the balance, his unconscious form a silent testament to the struggles that lay ahead. In the face of uncertainty and adversity, they would be forced to confront their own demons and make choices that would shape the course of their destiny. But whether they would emerge victorious or succumb to the darkness that lurked within them remained to be seen.

 Chapter 7 The Hearts Gambit

    In the dark depths of the enemy territory, amidst the whispers of shadows and the chilling howls of the night, a council of dark figures convened. Their faces hidden beneath hooded cloaks, their voices laden with urgency and fear.


    The first figure (His voice in rage): For days, months, decades, centuries we have been fighting for what is rightly ours; we were so close to victory when the great commander was with us. But, the gods took that away from us. That did not stop us from slaying our enemies, we continued day by day, weeks unto weeks we were just a small village when everything was taken from us but now, now we are large enough to take down a continent.


    The second figure (His voice stern):  You do not need to remind us of our past and progress ogbeni, why are you saying telling us a story no one needs to hear?


    The first figure (His voice furious): Because anytime we are close to reach our goals those bastards always find a way to overcome us!!!!


    A low murmur rippled through the chamber as the assembled figures absorbed the weight of the first figure words.


    The third figure (His voice his voice tinges with bitterness):  no matter what we do, they always find away. After the old gods ceased, we had our chance to rule again but these bastards do not give up they kept on fighting a battle that was not meant for them to win.


    The second figure (smirks):  hmmmmm, if the battle was not meant for them win, why are we at the legs and they are at the heart?


    The first figure (furious): is it not because of the special¡­..


    The second figure (cuts him off): ones or your incapability to conquer what is meant to be conquered ehn?


    The third figure (annoyed): do not talk like their soldiers are merely weaklings they have the eyes of adaptability.


    The second figure (replies furiously): and we have the ability to release chaos every three full moons. Speaking about the special ones they barely appear in battles so it is still your fault.


    The first figure: but when they appear everyone knows it is bad news.


    The second figure (smiling): Stop using them as excuse for you incompetence you are a failure to us.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    The first figure (very annoyed): How dare you talk to me that way?


    As the first figure cannot take the insults anymore he clinched his fists which was rounded with fire and is ready to hit the second figure who is already prepared to fight back, a figure emerged from the shadows, her presence commanding instant respect. Whispers of "our priestess" echoed through the chamber as she stepped forward, her gaze piercing through the darkness. Everyone kept their head to the ground,


    Priestess (Furious at the figures in the chambers): We are meant to fight our enemies not each other.


    Hearing this everybody in the chambers apologised in Unisom saying ¡°we are sorry priestess¡±,


    Priestess (smiling):  Very good. I heard there is a visitor.


    The First figure: He is not a visitor he is just a prisoner from the outside realm, it seems his judgement is already served he will be killed soon enough. Do not worry about him.


    The Second figure: (opposing the first figure):  nobody can enter into the realm if he is not born from this soil. So I do not think the boy is just a prisoner and I think his coming is not just a                    co-incidence. I also heard somethings about him that is making our enemies think we are working with the British. ¨°t¨²n (facing the first figure), hope you do not have anything to do with that?


    ¨°t¨²n (also known as the first figure is very annoyed):  How dare you say such nonsense ¨°s¨ª (facing the second figure).


    ¨°s¨ª (also known as the second figure): a ha don¡¯t bite me I was just asking a question.


    Priestess (cautioning): ¨°t¨²n, ¨°s¨ª this is not the time to make silly argument we have pressing matters which is about the new boy tell me ¨°s¨ª, why do you feel the boy is different?


    ¨°s¨ª: Because his eyes are purple.


    Hearing this everybody in the chambers starts to murmur again because they have not seen anyone with purple eyes the priestess who noticed this instantly snapped her fingers once and the murmuring stopped.


    Priestess (curious): a stranger coming into the realm through a door that allows only residents to enter and go out is a prisoner with purple eyes hmmmmm interesting. I want him.


    ¨°t¨²n (rejects instantly): No priestess this boy is from the outside world we cannot trust him and he is already with them. Even if the boy is not executed they will want him to join them which is a huge disadvantage to us I object.


    ¨°s¨ª (intervened): why do you act like a fool think he is not one of them which will be a big advantage to us if he supports us who knows maybe he is the one we have all been waiting for.


    ¨°t¨²n (very furious): watch your tongue with your blasphemy ¨°s¨ª.


    Priestess (furious): enough both of you find what you know about the boy and bring him to me.


    ¨°t¨²n & ¨°s¨ª (nodded simultaneously): Yes priestess


    Priestess (calm): very good. ¨°s¨ª how is the plan on the special one''s going?


    ¨°s¨ª (replying with a smirk): the plan is going very well priestess.


    Priestess: very well then. The doors to the tail will be opened in the next three full moons prepare yourselves ahead we have enemies to destroy.


    Listening to this everyone in the chambers replied "we will our priestess" and the departed preparing for what lies ahead them

 Chapter 8 A Nightmare Unveiled

    In the depths of slumber, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself enveloped in darkness, a shroud of shadows that obscured his vision and chilled him to the bone. The sensation was suffocating, a weight pressing down on him, as if the very darkness itself sought to crush him under its oppressive embrace. Panic clawed at his chest, his heart racing with a primal fear as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.


    His voice rang out into the void, a desperate plea for some semblance of reassurance in the face of the unknown. "Who''s there?" he called out, his words dissolving into the silent abyss that surrounded him. But there was no answer, only the echo of his own voice bouncing back at him, a hollow reminder of his solitude.


    As he groped through the darkness, his mind swimming with confusion, a sharp pang shot through his skull, a piercing reminder of the ordeal he had endured. He winced as the memory flooded back to him, the sensation of being slammed to the ground by the being in the white cloak, the searing pain that had pulsed through his head like a relentless drumbeat.


    The headache intensified, a relentless throbbing that seemed to reverberate through every fibre of his being, and he clutched at his temples, willing the pain to subside. But the darkness offered no respite, only an endless expanse of nothingness that stretched out before him, taunting him with its inscrutable silence.


    And then, he saw children lying motionless on the ground, their lifeless forms a haunting reminder of the horrors that lurked in the shadows. As he moved closer, his heart pounding in his chest, he realized with a sickening jolt that they were all dead, their vacant eyes staring into eternity.


    A sobbing figure caught his attention, a little girl cradled in the arms of her dead mother. He rushed to her side, his heart breaking at the sight of her tears, but as she looked up at him, her eyes flashed with an otherworldly light. "You did this," she whispered, her voice tinged with accusation, and before he could respond, the dead children rose up around him, their accusing voices echoing in his ears.


    Panic seized him as he stumbled backwards, the weight of their accusations bearing down on him like a crushing tide. He turned and ran, the darkness swallowing him whole as he fled from the nightmare that threatened to consume him.


    But there was no escape, only the relentless march of terror as he found himself on a battlefield engulfed in flames. Purple fire rained down from the sky, illuminating the carnage that surrounded him, and he realized with a sinking heart that he was trapped in a nightmare.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    In the depths of his nightmare, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself bound by chains, his wrists and ankles shackled with cold, unyielding metal. The harder he struggled, the tighter the chains grew, biting into his flesh with a cruel precision. His efforts only seemed to fuel the bindings, each movement causing them to constrict further, until he was left panting and exhausted, his strength sapped by the relentless torment.


    As his energy waned, he became aware of a presence before him. A figure sat upon a throne adorned with skulls, cloaked in an ominous gold robe. The being''s face was obscured, but there was an undeniable familiarity in its form. It was like staring into a twisted mirror, seeing a distorted reflection of himself. The being''s eyes, glinting with malevolence, bore into K¨¢¨°?¨´''s soul, filling him with a sense of dread.


    "You pathetic fool,"  The being sneered, its voice dripping with contempt. "Do you think you can escape your fate?"


    Summoning what little courage he had left, K¨¢¨°?¨´ retorted, "You''re nothing but a fragment of my nightmare. You have no power over me."


    The being''s smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. The room seemed to darken further, the air growing thick with an oppressive presence. "A fragment of your nightmare am I?" he hissed, his tone mocking. "Then why do you fear me so?"


    K¨¢¨°?¨´''s bravado faltered as he noticed a golden knife clutched in the being''s hand. His heart raced as the chains around his wrists and ankles began to heat up, searing his skin. The pain was unbearable, and he screamed in agony, his voice echoing through the void.


    "Do you still believe I am merely a nightmare?" the being taunted, its laughter ringing in K¨¢¨°?¨´''s ears like a death knell. The chains continued to burn, and K¨¢¨°?¨´''s screams grew louder, his fear intensifying with each passing second.


    "Stay away from me!" K¨¢¨°?¨´ pleaded, his voice trembling with terror. "You are not real!"


    The being ignored his pleas, drawing closer with each step, its laughter growing louder and more maniacal. The golden knife gleamed ominously as it was raised high, ready to strike. K¨¢¨°?¨´''s heart pounded in his chest, and he closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable.


    As the knife descended, K¨¢¨°?¨´ let out a final, desperate scream, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and defiance. Just as the blade was about to make contact, he jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat, his breathing ragged. The nightmare had ended, but the terror it had instilled lingered, a haunting reminder of the darkness that lurked within his own mind.

 Chapter 9 Awakening to Chaos

    K¨¢¨°?¨´ woke up suddenly, shouting and covered in sweat. The vividness of his nightmare lingered, making it hard to distinguish dream from reality. He was disoriented, struggling to understand what had just happened. The weight of the nightmare seemed to press down on him, affecting him both physically and emotionally. His body ached, and his mind was in turmoil. "What¡¯s happening to me?" he muttered, feeling lost and bewildered, as if the lines between his dreams and the real world had blurred beyond recognition.


    He glanced down at his wrists, noticing the burns etched into his skin, a stark reminder of the dream. The figure from his nightmare, a malevolent doppelg?nger, had used chains to burn his wrists. The confusion deepened¡ªhow could injuries from a dream manifest physically? The memory of the smirking figure intensified his headache, a throbbing pain that radiated through his entire body as he hears "Do you still believe I am merely a nightmare?" He cried out, the anguish overwhelming him.


    As he recalled the voices of the children from his nightmare, his headache worsened. "These things are not real," he whispered to himself, yet the tears flowed freely. The emotions, the pain¡ªit all felt too real to dismiss.


    Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. The sound of people coming closer snapped him back to his surroundings. He hadn''t noticed it before, but he was in a royal room, the opulence evident in the golden door and luxurious decor. Panic surged through him. "Am I not supposed to be dead? Where am I?" he thought, trying to make sense of his situation.


    Unable to scan the room thoroughly due to the approaching voices, he quickly decided to feign sleep. He closed his eyes just as he heard a woman commanding, "?¨ª il??k¨´n" which means open the door. Therefore he steeled himself, pretending to be unconscious; awaiting whatever fate awaited him beyond that golden door.


    As the door opened, a woman entered examining his body, speaking a language he barely understands, while the guards spoke another language entirely, adding to his more to his confusion, he has not gotten used to this new way of conversation.


    Woman: (confused) ¡°? s? p¨¦ ¨® ¨½ k¨ªgbe gbogbo oru. K¨ª ni ?? k¨° l?? l¨¢ti t??j¨² r???¡±


    (Translation: "You said he was screaming all night. Why didn¡¯t you check on him?")


    First Guard: (Polite) "Any? enyer?gh? any? iwu ka any? lelee ya, nwanyi nne."


    (Translation: "We were not given orders to check on him, ma''am,")


    Woman: (annoyed) "Nitorinaa, k¨ª l¨® d¨¦ t¨ª ??yin a?iw¨¨r¨¨ w¨¤ n¨ª il??k¨´n?"


    (Translation: "Then why are you fools at the door?")


    Second Guard: (Polite) "Don mu san ko wani abu ya same shi,"


    (Translation: "So we can know if anything goes wrong with him,")


    Woman: (more annoyed) ¡°N¨ªb?? t¨ª ? m¨¢a n¨ª ¨¬??? n¨ªpa ¨¬t¨¤n r?, k¨ª l¨® w¨¤ l¨¢ti b¨¢ t??j¨² r?? n¨ªgb¨¤ t¨ª ¨® ¨½ k¨ªgbe gbogbo oru, k¨® r¨ª p¨¦ ??kan l¨®r¨ª t¨® l¨¨ b¨¢ k?? r?. ¨¤w?n al¨¢¨¤y¨¨!


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.(Translation: Since it is your job to know what is wrong with him, is screaming in the middle of the night not evidence that something is wrong with him, you bunch of fools!)


    First Guard: (stammers) E¡­¡­¡­ ji m aka, ? b?¡­¡­¡­..gh? ihe mere g? n''i¡­¡­¡­..me.


    (Translation: I¡­¡­¡­.. assure you, it''s no¡­¡­¡­.t what you thi¡­¡­..nk.)


    Woman: (interrupted) ? m¨¢a pa ¨¤w?n ?m? ¨¤l¨¨, ¨¤m¨²t??kun b¨ª ?w??. ? ?e m¨¢a ?e ¨¬??? r?? n¨ªpa ¨¬t¨¤n r?, b¨ª w?n ti fi owo s??d?? r¨¨? t¨²n r¨¬n! K¨° ni w¨¤ l?? l¨¢ti b¨¢ t??j¨² r?? l??w?? b¨ª w?n ti fi ¨¨n¨¬y¨¤n j??, ? m¨¢ pa ¨¤w?n ?m? ¨¤l¨¨ r?!


    (Translation: You fools, imbeciles, senseless watch dogs! You cannot do your job right; you are only perfect with pursuing women! Stop defending yourselves! You were not doing your job properly, fools!)


    She hissed in frustration and resumed examining K¨¢¨°?¨´.


    She noticed his high temperature, shaking fingertips, and the scars on his wrists. "Well, that''s new," she remarked in English, hoping for a reaction from K¨¢¨°?¨´, but he stayed silent. Aware that he was pretending to sleep, she smiled. "Thank the gods you''re alive. After all the stress you caused me, I thought you wouldn''t make it."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ wondered why she was speaking as though he had been asleep for ages when it had only been a day. The memories of the hall flooded back, filling him with regret, yet he kept his eyes shut, feigning sleep, eager for them to leave so he could strategize his escape. His mind raced, plotting each step carefully, hoping to slip away unnoticed once they believed he was truly asleep.


    "K¨¢¨°?¨´n, you better stand up. I do not have time for your nonsense," the woman insisted, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ remained silent. She chuckled and left the room, warning in Yoruba, "¨® d¨¢ra, m¨° ¨½ pad¨¤ w¨¢ f¨²n ?."meaning "Okay, I am coming back for you." Her words unsettled the guards. Despite keeping his eyes closed, K¨¢¨°?¨´ sensed their unease and pondered about the woman''s identity. Her voice was distinct from the women he encountered in the hall, leaving him curious and wary of what might unfold next.


    As he wondered who she might be, he heard her rushing back, clearly furious. "I''ve been waiting for this moment you this stupid boy," she muttered. Suddenly, he felt a chilling sensation wash over him, like an icy shock piercing through his veins, making his entire body shiver involuntarily. The cold water hit him like a blast of Arctic wind, It was as if icy claws gripped his entire body sending a shiver down his spine like nothing he''d felt in ages.


    "Woman, are you out of your mind?" he yelled, his anger boiling over.


    As he seethed with anger, purple flames erupted from K¨¢¨°?¨´''s hands, but the woman remained unperturbed, her laughter echoing dramatically in the room. The white beads on his wrists began to glow red, and just as swiftly as they appeared, the flames vanished. In that moment, K¨¢¨°?¨´ realized he was in serious trouble as he saw the woman wielding a stick. She was strikingly beautiful, mature enough to be his mother yet possessing the vitality of youth. His initial astonishment turned swiftly to dread as she approached him with ominous intent.


    She swung the stick towards his head, threatening, "I will kill you, K¨¢¨°?¨´n. Thank the gods you''re alive." Before the blow could land, the guards intervened, rushing to restrain her. Despite their size and strength, they struggled to hold her back as she fought fiercely, sinking her teeth into their arms and yelling in Yoruba, ¡°K¨ª l¨® d¨¦ t¨ª o fi ¨½ d¨¢¨¤b¨° b¨° ¨® j?? k¨ª n pa ¨°m¨´g?? ¨¬daj¨¬  y¨¬¨ª¡±


    Confusion clouded K¨¢¨°?¨´''s mind. Wasn''t this the same woman who had shown concern for him earlier? More guards and attendants flooded into the room, finally managing to drag her outside while closing the door behind them. Alone once more, K¨¢¨°?¨´ found himself in the midst of the most bewildering moment of his life.


    "What in the world is happening?" he muttered to himself, trying to make sense of the chaotic scene that had just unfolded. The encounter had left him shaken and questioning everything he thought he knew about the woman''s motives and his own safety.


    Before he could process the confusion further, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s tiredness swept over him like a heavy blanket. Overwhelmed by the day''s events and the sudden rush of emotions, he drifted into sleep almost instantly his mind, still reeling from the chaotic encounter, slowly quieted as he slipped into a deep and much-needed rest.

 Chapter 10 Awakening to a New Reality

    K¨¢¨°?¨´ finds himself trapped in a nightmarish battlefield. Gunshots echo around him, the air thick with the desperate cries of the wounded, each one stabbing at his heart with a potent mix of fury and dread. The chaos grows louder and more intense until he shakes, drenched in sweat. Suddenly, he jolts awake.


    To his surprise, four stunning maidens with dark complexions greet him, each bowing in reverence. Their beauty is striking, and their gestures fill him with wonder and admiration.


    Maidens (in unison): Good morning, my lord.


    He''s bewildered by their deference. Why do they address him as "my lord"?  They''re all clad in strikingly similar blue attire, each adorned with a blouse meticulously tailored to fit snugly around their figures and a wrapper that drapes gracefully, swirling with intricate patterns and symbols of the Yoruba culture. The deep azure hue of their garments evokes a sense of calm authority, contrasting against their warm, dark complexions. Two of the women appear visibly fearful, their eyes darting nervously and their bodies tensed, perhaps intimidated by the situation or unsure of how to act in his presence. Another maiden appears shy, her gaze lowered, possibly feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected encounter. In contrast, the leader exudes a calm confidence, her smile bright and demeanour assured.


    Despite their initial apprehension, K¨¢¨°?¨´ isn''t perturbed by their hesitance. He understands that rumours about him may have preceded this meeting, spreading tales of his deeds or reputation.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ attempts to rise, a sudden wave of dizziness overwhelms him, disrupting his equilibrium. The sensation leaves him momentarily disoriented and vulnerable. Sensing his struggle, the confident maiden, with a poised and empathetic demeanour, moves closer. With gentle hands, she supports him, easing him back into a comfortable seated position. Her gesture is not just one of physical assistance but also carries a sense of reassurance and care, embodying a quiet strength that contrasts with the chaotic scene he recently woke from. Her presence becomes a stabilizing force in the midst of his disorientation, fostering a moment of calm amid the unknown.


    Confident Maid: "Be careful, my lord. You just woke up from a long sleep."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "How long have I been asleep?"


    Confident Maid: "You have been asleep for five days, my lord."


    His shock deepens.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Five days? How is that possible?"


    Confident Maid: "You were between life and death my lord but thank the gods oooooo your life is safe, my lord."


    Hearing "my lord" made K¨¢¨°?¨´ uncomfortable.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Can you please not call me that?"


    Confident Maid: "What, my lord?"


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "That word. I am nobody''s lord."


    Confident Maid: "I am sorry, but I cannot do that."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "What are you all doing here?"


    Maidens (in unison): "We are your palace maids, my lord. We are here to take care of you."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is surprised by this,This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "I do not want your help. Tell the person who sent you I can take care of myself."


    Maidens (in unison): "We cannot do that, my lord."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Why not?"


    Confident Maid: "Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ told us to decline any of your orders that are similar to such."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Who is Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢?"  His British intonation making the name sound off, this made the maids chuckle


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "What is so funny?"


    Maidens (in unison):  "Nothing, my lord."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels bad for making them uncomfortable and asks again,


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Please, who is Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢?"


    Confident Maid: "You met her yesterday."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ remembers.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "So, the crazy woman that wanted to kill me instructed you?"


    Maidens (in unison): "Yes, my lord."


    The maids'' loyalty to Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ suggests she has significant authority, which both intrigues and unsettles K¨¢¨°?¨´. He wonders about her power: is it from tradition, fear, or something else? Her influence over the maids caring for him makes him curious and cautious about what she can do in this new place.


    Lost in his thoughts, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s stomach rumbles like distant thunder, a stark reminder of five days without food. The confident maid, as if attuned to his silent plea, steps closer, her presence a comforting beacon amid his growing hunger.


    Confident Maid: You must be hungry. We have prepared something for you to eat. (she said, and then called out) M¨² un w?l¨¦.


    The door creaks open, releasing a mouth-watering aroma that envelops the room like a warm embrace. K¨¢¨°?¨´''s stomach protests loudly, a primal rumble echoing through the silence. With measured grace, the maids enter, each bearing a calabash laden with sustenance. One vessel holds a generous portion of pounded yam, its texture creamy and inviting, like clouds softened by a gentle rain. The other calabash overflows with a vibrant array of vegetables and succulent slices of beef, their colours a feast for the eyes. Together, they present a tableau of nourishment, promising comfort and replenishment after days of deprivation.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: Is this what they call ¨¬y¨¤n? (again with his accent, making the maids laugh)


    Confident Maid: Yes, my lord.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: What is your name?


    Confident Maid: My name is B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, my lord. (she replied with a smile)


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª. (he repeated correctly) Thank you for the food.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ eats hungrily, unable to hold back. The food is delicious, and he quickly finishes.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: Do you want more, my lord?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: Is there more? Bring more.


    He savours five hearty servings, each spoonful of pounded yam and savoury vegetables easing the ache in his empty belly. By the sixth serving, his satisfaction mingles with a burgeoning fullness that makes him reluctantly push the plate aside. A loud belch escapes him, a reflex of contentment that he instantly regrets in the quiet aftermath.


    The maids, perceptive to his discomfort, clear the plates with a hushed efficiency that speaks volumes of their attentiveness. As they quietly leave the room, K¨¢¨°?¨´ sits alone once more, his senses still filled with the lingering aroma of the meal and a newfound sense of gratitude for their care.


    After some time, K¨¢¨°?¨´ rises from his seat and ventures into the room, his curiosity piqued by the lavish surroundings. The walls and furnishings are adorned with intricate gold textures, their warm, golden-brown hues reflecting the flickering light and creating an ambiance of regal splendour.


    The bed he had awoken in draws his attention with its opulent design. Its edges are skilfully embellished with gleaming gold accents and adorned with delicate red beads, each bead a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. The sheets, a plush and thick wrapper, drape luxuriously over the bed, offering a cocoon of comfort that embraces him like the soft embrace of wool on a chilly night.


    As he continues to explore, tracing his fingers along the ornate details, the room seems to whisper tales of wealth and tradition, leaving K¨¢¨°?¨´ both captivated and contemplative in its opulent embrace.


    As he marvels at the opulence around him, the maids return, their quiet footsteps blending with the gentle rustling of their attire.


    Women (in unison): My lord, it is time for you to take your bath.

 Chapter 11 Goddesses at the stream

    bathed in weeks. Yet, that''s not what''s bothering him right now. Instead, he notices he''s no longer in his familiar, tattered clothes. He looks down and sees himself dressed in a pair of brown ?¨°k¨°t¨°. This traditional Yoruba attire consists of loose-fitting trousers made from durable, handwoven fabric, often adorned with intricate embroidery along the seams. These trousers are new, starkly different from the rags he remembers.


    His confusion grows when he realizes he is shirtless, a state that sends a wave of shyness washing over him. Feeling exposed, he quickly glances at B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (embarrassed) "Who changed my clothes?"


    Before he can speak, B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª replies with a smile.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "When you were knocked out, we had to change your clothes. They were ragged, and we had to clean your body since you couldn''t do that yourself."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: ooh


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ realizes why they did it. Suddenly, it dawns on him¡ªthey must have seen him naked. He feels a rush of embarrassment.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (shy) "Who... who changed my clothes?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (smiling) "We did, my lord."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ notices that all the girls in the room are blushing, their cheeks like rose petals touched by the morning sun. This realization makes him feel even more self-conscious, a flood of emotions crashing over him. They''ve seen his nakedness, and he''s torn between a sense of pride and a wave of shame that makes his heart race. His skin tingles with the weight of their gazes, each one like a spotlight exposing him.


    As he stands there, caught in a whirlwind of conflicting feelings, B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª suddenly speaks her voice cutting through the thick tension like a knife through butter. The room seems to hold its breath, the silence pregnant with anticipation.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "Let''s go, my lord."


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ steps outside, the servants stop him abruptly. With practiced efficiency, they bring a cloak made from tiger skin, its fur a mesmerizing mix of fiery orange and black stripes. They drape it over his shoulders, and the cloak feels warm against his bare chest, like a comforting embrace after a long absence.


    The sensation of the fur against his skin is both soothing and invigorating, a stark contrast to the rough, worn fabric he''s used to. The warmth spreads through him, seeping into his bones. For a moment, he closes his eyes, savouring this new comfort.


    The servants, with surprising reverence, escort him outside. As he steps into the open, the sunlight hits his eyes, making him squint. It''s been so long since he''s felt the sun''s rays on his skin, a feeling almost forgotten. The light dances before his eyes, and it takes a while for them to adjust. The world comes into focus slowly, colours more vibrant than he remembers, as if the sun has breathed new life into everything it touches.


    He takes a deep breath, the air fresh and tinged with the scent of blooming flowers and distant rain. It fills his lungs, invigorating him, reminding him of life''s simple pleasures he has been deprived of. The weight of the tiger-skin cloak and the warmth of the sun together create a powerful sensation, grounding him in this moment of rediscovery.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ adjusts to the light, he starts to feel the gentle breeze of this beautiful place. B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª stands beside him, a reassuring presence, while some guards and the other servants follow closely behind. They form a protective circle around him, guiding him through the palace. As they move, K¨¢¨°?¨´ is amazed by the grandeur of the palace, filled with guards standing at attention everywhere. The guards'' stares are intimidating, making him feel exposed and vulnerable, and their eyes like sharp arrows piercing through his composure.


    Some maids pass by, their reactions varied¡ªsome stare openly, others smirk, and a few whisper among themselves, their voices carrying a hint of mischief. He can tell from their expressions and hushed tones that their thoughts are far from innocent. He can''t blame them; the cloak only covers his back, leaving his muscular chest and abs exposed, like a warrior on display. The feeling of their eyes on him is both flattering and uncomfortable, like being in a spotlight, each glance a mixture of admiration and curiosity.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is a strikingly handsome, dark-skinned man with a chiselled physique. Standing tall at 6 feet 2 inches, he walks with the grace and confidence of a king. His body is a testament to strength and endurance, each muscle defined and toned. Scars mark his chest¡ªsmall and straight, like short lines¡ªadding an edge of rugged allure. He doesn¡¯t know how he got these scars; they¡¯ve been there since birth. They give him an air of mystery that only enhances his appeal.


    His chest, stomach, and back are adorned with intricate markings, symbols he doesn''t fully understand. These markings give him a unique, almost otherworldly look. Sometimes, he catches women staring, their eyes lingering on his upper body. He can''t help but feel a surge of pride. These markings, combined with his scars, make him look both powerful and exotic.


    He knows his appearance has certain magnetism. The way women react to him¡ªblushing, sneaking glances, whispering¡ªtell him that they find him irresistible. His dark skin glistens under the sun, and every step he takes exudes confidence and raw, masculine energy. The warmth of the tiger-skin cloak against his bare chest, combined with the feel of the breeze, heightens his senses. He feels alive, aware of every gaze upon him, every whisper that follows his steps.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ embraces this attention. He knows that his scars, his markings, his very presence stir something deep within those who see him. He is a blend of strength and mystery, a living enigma that draws people in, making them want to unravel the secrets etched into his skin. As he walks through the palace, he can''t help but enjoy the feeling of eyes on him, the unspoken admiration and desire that trails in his wake.


    As they walk, K¨¢¨°?¨´ catches a familiar and intoxicating scent, reminiscent of the moment he first entered this mysterious place. "The very essence of nature had been distilled into the air, filling his lungs with the intoxicating perfume of a thousand blossoms." It''s a scent that evokes memories of the princess , the most beautiful person he''s ever met and the one who saved his life.


    The scent, though not as potent as in the grand hall, carries echoes of that initial encounter. It''s like a whisper of her presence, lingering in the air and stirring emotions deep within him. Each breath he takes feels like a connection to her, a reminder of their shared moment of rescue and gratitude.


    As they continued walking, guided by the alluring scent, K¨¢¨°?¨´ and his entourage reached a place within the palace that resembled a dense forest. Towering trees stretched towards the ceiling, their branches laden with vibrant leaves that shimmered in the soft light filtering through. The air was cool and refreshing, carrying with it the earthy fragrance of moss and wildflowers, mingling subtly with the lingering perfume that reminded K¨¢¨°?¨´ of Princess Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨.


    The guards who had been following him stopped at the forest''s edge, their expressions curious yet cautious. K¨¢¨°?¨´, however, found himself drawn deeper into the enchanting scenery, where maids and other palace attendants continued to move about, tending to unseen tasks. He couldn''t help but wonder why such a lush forest existed within the confines of a castle. It seems both out of place and yet perfectly fitting in its magical allure.


    As he walked further, the forest seemed to unfold before him like a hidden world, each step revealing new wonders. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, dappling the ground with patches of warmth. Birds chirped melodiously in the branches, adding to the serene ambiance. K¨¢¨°?¨´ felt a sense of peace wash over him,


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (thinking) "How can there be a forest inside a castle?"


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, where are we going?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "We are close to the stream, my lord."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "A stream? How can there be a stream to bathe in here?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "Everything you need is at the tip of the stream. When you are done, come outside."


    As they reached the stream, K¨¢¨°?¨´ was struck by the tranquillity of the scene. The forest parted to reveal a crystal-clear stream, its waters glistening under the gentle sunlight that filtered through the canopy above. The air was filled with the soft murmur of flowing water and the distant calls of birds, creating a serene atmosphere that seemed worlds away from the bustling palace corridors.


    The maids, with graceful gestures, indicated for K¨¢¨°?¨´ to move further along the stream. Their movements were fluid, as if they were part of the natural rhythm of the forest itself. K¨¢¨°?¨´ followed their lead, stepping carefully over moss-covered stones that lined the stream''s edge. Each step brought him closer to the heart of this peaceful oasis within the palace walls. But he noticed the maids stopped following himIf you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Won''t you follow me?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (smiling) "I''m sorry, but we cannot do that, my lord."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "What if I need you?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (smiling) you will not my lord; everything you need to take your bathe is at the stream we have prepared that for you; There is a weaved palm fronds and a black solid substance at the tip of the stream with a calabash, these are what you are going to use to take your bathe my lord. When you are done just call my name we will come for you.


    They bowed their heads, turned their backs to him and leaves his presence.


    As he walked, K¨¢¨°?¨´ noticed small, colourful fish darting among the rocks beneath the water''s surface. Dragonflies hovered lazily over the stream, their iridescent wings catching the sunlight. Wildflowers bloomed along the banks, their sweet fragrance mingling with the earthy scent of the forest floor.


    The stream meandered gently through the forest, its path curving around ancient trees and verdant ferns. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, creating patches of light and shadow that danced on the water''s surface. It was a place of quiet beauty and natural harmony, a sanctuary hidden within the grandeur of the palace.


    . He notices a piece of woven palm fronds, a solid black substance, and a calabash. This must be what B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª was referring to.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ entered the stream, the warmth of the water enveloped him like a comforting embrace, soothing his weary heart. He waded deeper until the water reached his waist, feeling its gentle current caress his skin. The sound of the flowing stream mingled with the rustling leaves and distant bird songs, creating a symphony of nature that seemed to echo his own inner turmoil.


    With the sponge in hand, K¨¢¨°?¨´ began to bathe himself, gently washing away the grime and weariness of his journey. As he ran the sponge over his skin, his fingers traced the familiar lines of the scars on his chest. Each scar told a story¡ªa story of pain, of survival, and of memories he desperately tried to suppress.


    He closed his eyes, trying to block out the haunting images that threatened to resurface. The screams of people in distress, the chaos and confusion¡ªit all flooded back to him, a torrent of emotions he struggled to contain. The stream''s warmth offered a sanctuary, a momentary escape from the harsh realities that haunted his past.


    As he continued to cleanse himself, K¨¢¨°?¨´ focused on the rhythmic motions of washing, each stroke of the sponge a deliberate act of purification. The water around him seemed to carry away not only physical dirt but also the weight of his memories, cleansing his spirit as well as his body.


    The scars on his chest, small and straight like short lines, stood as silent witnesses to his resilience. They reminded him of battles fought, both physical and emotional. Yet, despite the pain they represented, they also symbolized his strength and determination to survive.


    As he finished bathing, K¨¢¨°?¨´ emerged from the stream feeling lighter, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. The warmth of the water had eased the tension in his muscles, and the soothing embrace of nature had calmed his restless mind. He glanced at the soap and the woven fronds nearby, grateful for their role in this moment of renewal and introspection.


    After finishing his bath, K¨¢¨°?¨´ turned to retrieve his clothes, the scent that reminded him of the Princess growing stronger with each passing moment. As he reached for his garments, he sensed a presence behind him, a palpable increase in the fragrance that captivated his senses.


    Raising his head slowly, K¨¢¨°?¨´''s eyes widened in surprise as he beheld the Princess standing before him, her presence like a vision out of a myth¡ªa beautiful, naked silhouette against the backdrop of the forest''s tranquil beauty. Her skin glowed softly in the dappled sunlight, and her hair cascaded in dark waves around her shoulders, framing features that seemed to radiate an ethereal grace.


    Beside the princess stood another woman, her demeanour poised yet assertive. K¨¢¨°?¨´ recognized her as the one who had claimed the poison inside him belonged to her. The contrast between the two women, one serene and otherworldly, the other confident and enigmatic, left him momentarily speechless.


    The presence felt like encountering a mermaid¡ªa mythical creature of beauty and mystery from his childhood tales. Her eyes met his with a mixture of curiosity and something deeper, a connection that seemed to transcend mere words. K¨¢¨°?¨´''s heart raced, unsure of how to respond to such unexpected and breath-taking beauty standing before him.


    Standing at the presence of a beautiful princess is luck but standing at the presence of two naked goddesses is a miracle. The princess standing at his presence was like a dark toned mermaid who just got out from the water her whole body is spotless, she is like a reflection of the sun, her body is like the shape of an hourglass; her breasts; curvy, not too massive but above average, her areola deeper than her skin tone and her dark brown nipples looking straight to his eyes her breast was marvellous. He could not stop staring at her body; her hips are not as massive as her breasts but this is quite a view. The other lady is shaped like a pear her breasts similar to the princess beside her but her hips is massive he has never seen a body like this two goddess standing at is present. He is still thinking about what he has seen before the other lady with massive hips speaks


    Massive Hips Lady: "My, oh my, look at that. It is getting bigger."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ realizes his body is reacting. He has never seen anyone naked before, and now he sees the princess and this lady. His body responds, His cheeks blushed and his manhood keeps growing bigger and thicker so he covers his modesty as he quickly covers himself with his hands, feeling ashamed and shy. The princess instantly picks his clothes, hands it over to him to him and jumps into the stream like a mermaid. The other lady stands there staring at his body with a grin it is like she is having some erotic thoughts about him and she knows he can read understands it by just looking at her face yet she looks unfazed, she is not concerned that she is naked. Unlike the princess who could not look at his face because she was very ashamed of this situation which made him not to look at her face and same has hers. The other lady said something in her language out loud.


    Lady: (in Hausa) " Me ya yi?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª and the rest come to the stream, seeing the mess. Instantly, the maids kneel down in fear, begging the princess and the other lady to forgive them, explaining they didn''t know they were there. He cannot understand them very well but from what he is looking this is what this scene is all about


    Princess: (in Yoruba) "m¨² un j¨¢de."


    As the princess says this pointing at the forest without looking at his face he starts thinking what have I done. Suddenly B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª comes to him saying


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "My lord, let us go."


    As thy are leaving this glorious stream the other lady did not stop looking at him he is still confuse why is she looking at him with that grin.  They escort him back to his room without any conversation. He tries to make a conversation with B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª but he is scared to do anything because from their eyes they were a terrified. He cannot blame them though they messed up and to make it worse he cannot do anything about him. K¨¢¨°?¨´ can''t help but remember the events at the stream. Especially the princess¡¯s hourglass shape; as they reach his room, B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª approaches him.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "My lord, please, nobody must hear about what happened at the stream today."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is even more shocked, thinking to himself that he isn''t a fool. He wouldn''t share this outside, and he has no one to talk to apart from the maids. He smiles and reassures B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "I won''t tell anybody."


    He notices B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª and the servants are shivering in fear, realizing these goddesses are not to be trifled with. Which made him more curious about them  at least he need to know something about them because they have a significant role in his life and this glorious place, even if he might not see them ever again because of his mess up he wants to know who they are.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª who are they by the way?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "You might have seen them before during your trial. They are very strong and powerful. The one who called out is Uwarshigiri, a descendant of the god of war. We call her the Queen of Blades."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels goose bumps hearing this.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "And the other one?"


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "She is Princess Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦, twin sister to Princess Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦. They are the last descendants of royalty here and daughters of General ?kw?l??cha, the general who brought you here. She is a main essence in this realm, not to be joked with. But you should not be scared of him because he is a nice man. He always reason and if he finds out it is not really your fault but ours he might free you from the dungeon.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´:  so who should I be afraid of?


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: the one you need to be scared of is Princess Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦. If she hears of this she will rip out your heart and show it you instantly without a blink of an eye or she removes your eyeballs so you will not see the sunset or sunrise ever again¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ realizes these people are not to be trifled with. He has more questions but decides not to trouble them. He also do not want to face the other princess he remembered the last he had an encounter with the warrior princess the encounter was more like a massacre. K¨¢¨°?¨´ remembers the event of those white British soldiers and this princess and she tore them apart like ripping a light sheet apart, she was slaughtering them like she was killing a weak animal, those foolish fools died like a weak sheep although they were stubborn like goats they deserved their deaths anyway. Thinking about this understands why B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª doesn''t want him to reveal what he saw, his clumsiness brought this upon them and they can die at any time soon if anybody hears this.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "I apologize for my clumsiness."


    He turns to the other maids.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "What are your names?"


    Amarachi: "Amarachi, my lord."


    Kadada: "Kadada, my lord."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Kadada, Amarachi, B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, I am sorry for being a disturbance to you al."


    Kadada: "No, my lord, you are not. We are grateful to serve you."


    Amarachi: "Do not apologize when you did nothing wrong."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels warmth inside. He has never felt such love from people before. These three strangers talk to him like family. He is genuinely happy as they dress him up. When they are done, they tell him.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: "We are done, my lord


    .Amarachi: "We will be going out now.¡±


    Kadada:¡± Rest well, my lord."


    As they leave, K¨¢¨°?¨´ calls their names one by one.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, Amarachi, Kadada, Thank you very much."


    They smile and leave the room. K¨¢¨°?¨´ realizes that no matter how well they treat him, he is still a prisoner here and cannot leave as he pleases. He wants to go out but knows he can''t because guards are outside the room, waiting for him. He sits down, waiting for his three loving maids to come back and serve him dinner. But he will never forget the encounter of the goddesses at the stream.

 Chapter 12 Tensions and Discussions

    General ?kw?l??cha and Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ sit at a grand dining table, illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight. The evening is calm, but the air is thick with unspoken concerns, like a brewing storm hidden beneath a tranquil sea. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the intricately carved walls, each silhouette weaving a tapestry of mystery and history.


    As they begin their dinner in relative silence, the soft clinking of cutlery against porcelain is the only sound, a delicate symphony underscoring their thoughts. They savour the carefully prepared dishes before them: roasted meats tender as a mother''s embrace, and exotic spices that whisper tales of far-off lands. The aroma fills the air, a tantalizing reminder of the culinary prowess of their kitchen staff, whose skills have been honed through generations.


    General ?kw?l??cha breaks the silence, his voice a low rumble like distant thunder. "


    GENERAL ?KWULUOCHA: How is K¨¢¨°?¨´?


    LADY AD¨¦?L¨¢ (Exhales sharply, eyes narrowing slightly): He''s doing okay.


    (Dismissive, as if swatting away a fly)


    He''s improved, but he remains insufferable. I really wished he died but I thank the gods he is alive because I am going to make him wish he was dead


    GENERAL ?KWULUOCHA: (Expressions soften with a ghost of a smile)


    "B?a na nway?? ya¡­¡­. Be gentle with him, Ad¨¦?l¨¢.


    (Voice carrying the weight of authority)


    LADY AD¨¦?L¨¢: (Eyes flash with frustration and defiance, voice rising)


    Ehn gentle k¨¨? You want me to be gentle to the person that almost burnt you alive my Lord?


    GENERAL ?KWULUOCHA: (Leans forward, candlelight casting stern features into sharp relief, then smiles at the lady) are you still angry because of this? I am grateful for your concern my lady but I am okay he did not even scratch me.


    LADY AD¨¦?L¨¢: (with the colour of the earth on her cheeks.) mo ti gb¨®¡­¡­ by the way


    As she was about to voice her question, he heavy doors swung open with a solemn creak, admitting Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦ and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ into the room. Their entrance was a study in grace¡ªtheir brown tie and dye gowns whispered softly like the wind through leaves as they moved. With a fluid motion, they knelt before their father, a tableau of respect and familial devotion.


    "Ek¨² al¨¦, Baba," they intoned in perfect unison, their voices blending like the harmonies of a well-rehearsed choir. Each word carried a weight of tradition and reverence, echoing through the solemnity of the grand chamber.


    General ?kw?l??cha smiles and nods, a rare warmth softening his stern features with a mixture of pride and paternal concern, his presence commanding yet touched with a quiet tenderness. The lines on his face told tales of battles won and wisdom earned, resembling the weathered pages of an ancient manuscript.


    "Good evening, my daughters."


    They take their seats, and the servants quickly move to serve their meals. The room falls into a quiet rhythm of eating, the only sounds being the clinking of cutlery and the soft footsteps of the maidens. The tension in the air is palpable, like a coiled spring waiting to release.


    GENERAL ?KWULUOCHA: How was your day?


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: (smiles slightly, her green eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight).  It was okay. I had company since Uwarshigiri was around. There was a disturbance, but I have handled it.)


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: What kind of disturbance?


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: I have handled it so don¡¯t worry


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: Ok oooooo


    General ?kw?l??cha: (turns his face to Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦, his expression expectant) and you?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: (shrugs her face, looking nonchalant). Just a normal day, no disturbances, I was training to pass the time, but it was quite boring.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (interjects, her tone softening like a mother hen.)It''s okay to have some fun, Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦. Since the day of the trial of the half-caste, you''ve been busy. Use your free time to rest whenever you can.)


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: (shakes her head, her determination shining through.)I need to train to get better. The war isn''t stopping anytime soon.)


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: (chimes in, her voice gentle but firm.) K¨¢ k¨¬ ¨ª t¨® p¨¦?¨¦, k¨¢ fi oj¨² ?¨ª?e ?gb??n. (<u>This translates to "Before a tree becomes fully grown, it must go through stages of growth.")</u> Sister, take it step by step.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: (becomes furious) "¨¬gb¨¤t¨ª igi b¨¢ k¨² l¨¢¨¤¨¢r¨ªn igb¨®, ¨¤f??m?? ni ¨® s?." (<u>This translates to "When a tree dies in the forest, it is due to neglect.") </u>Since that half-caste entered this land, nothing has been the same. Our battles have become worse, chaos are becoming stronger and they are increasing, we don¡¯t even know if there  is foreigners in our land, our enemies at the tail are getting stronger and stronger, if we are not cautious; they might invade us


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (eyes flash with determination, like a warrior ready for battle.) It will never come to that. We are more than capable of preventing an invasion.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: (remains resolute, her voice unwavering.) so I cannot allow the tree to grow without watering it so it can bear fruits for us to eat, I can''t afford to get rusty. I''ll train whenever I have the chance.


    A tense silence follows, broken only by the sounds of their eating. The weight of their unspoken fears hangs in the air, a silent spectre at the table. Finally, Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦ turns to Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢, her curiosity piqued.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: How is the half-caste?


    .


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (eyes narrow, her suspicion evident)


    The abomination is doing fine ooo," she says cautiously. "Why are you curious?


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: No reason,(she replies quickly, her cheeks flushing slightly) Just curious.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (probes further, her voice like a needle pricking at a balloon.) Speaking of curiosity, why did you two allow the man who almost killed your father to live?The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: it was a vote and father voted for him also


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: I know but the both of you voted for the abomination to live. You and your father are too kind (faces Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦) but I never expected you to also allow such thing to happen Ad¨¦jin¨¦r?.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r?: ¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ said this earlier, it was a vote my lady


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢:  Really a vote that was a tie till you had to decide his fate? You had his life in your hands and you permitted him to live


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r?: (eyes flash with anger, like lightning in a stormy sky.) yes I allowed him to live, but I never permitted him to live like a prince in a land where he is not welcome. (Facing the general)


    General ?kw?l??cha: (interjects, his voice calm but firm, like the steady beat of a drum) He is our guest. We must treat him well.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦:  Guest k¨¨ (voice rises, her anger bubbling over.) We never accepted him as our guest. He came uninvited.  He is our prisoner; he belongs in a cage not in the castle,


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: (interrupts, her voice a soothing balm.) He was badly wounded and poisoned. We needed to help him.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: (counters, her tone sharp as a blade.)He''s already fine now. You healed him, remember?


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: Yes I remember, I also gave him a power up making his fire purple, did you forget?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (scoffs, her anger unrelenting.): "Omo ej¨° k¨° l¨¨ d¨¤b¨ª ej¨°; k¨® t¨®¨® d¨¤gb¨¤, ¨® m¨¢a j?? ej¨°." <u>(This translates to "A baby snake will always become a snake; before it grows up, it is already a snake.")</u>. You just made his growth faster. He is a threat to us all just like what If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ said.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦: Then why did you save his life?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: You know why I saved his life why are you asking me this question sister?


    The discussion grows more heated, voices overlapping in a mix of concern and frustration. The tension is a taut string, ready to snap at any moment. Finally, the general''s voice cuts through the clamour, a thunderous command.


    General ?kw?l??cha:  Enough!" (He shouts, slamming his fist on the table.)


    A heavy silence falls over the room. The daughters lower their heads, murmuring apologies before leaving the room, their departure punctuated by the soft click of the closing doors.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ rolls her eyes and coughs twice. At this signal, all the guards and maids exit the room swiftly, leaving the general and Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ alone in the now eerily quiet dining hall. The weight of their responsibilities and the uncertainty of their future hangs heavily in the air, a silent testament to the struggles they face.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (Her voice like a whisper of the wind) My Lord, you know the real reason J¨¬n?r? let that brat K¨¢¨°?¨´ live, don¡¯t you? She¡¯s seeking an excuse to venture into the other world."


    General ?kw?l??cha: (His voice a deep rumble) "Yes, I know. It worries me deeply. She¡¯s not ready yet. She still has many flaws."


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (Raising an eyebrow, her tone probing) "Is it because of her emotions?"


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Sighing, looking down at the table as if searching for answers) "Partly. She¡¯s driven by a storm of feelings, and it clouds her judgment."


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (Leaning forward, her eyes like daggers) "My Lord, We cannot keep her here for eternity. Sooner or later, she will leave."


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Nodding slowly, his voice heavy with resignation) "I know. And K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s arrival could make that happen sooner. She could have killed him the moment she met him at the borders but she kept him alive;"


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (Her voice sharp as a blade) "That brat has been an issue since he entered our realm, why didn¡¯t you destroy that boy the moment you had the chance?"


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Meeting her gaze, his expression unreadable) "I have my reasons, and you know that."


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: hmmmm (Pausing, her eyes searching his face) "He might have some similarities, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ is not that boy. The boy is dead."


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Voice low, almost a whisper, as if speaking to a ghost) "What if he is the one? Ehn tell me my lady, what if he is the boy ehn will you allow me kill him again? No. (nodding his head and shaking his hands)  I will not let him die twice."


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (Takes a deep breath, her expression conflicted) "Do whatever you think is right, my lord. It is proof that J¨¬n?r? is her father''s daughter. But remember this; I swear to the gods (using her right index finger to touch her tongue and point to the sky): if anything bad happens, I will not hesitate to end that abominated brat K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s life myself."


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ rises gracefully, the rustle of her gown the only sound in the room. She gives the general one last, lingering look before turning to leave. Just as she reaches the door:


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Calling after her, his voice softer) "Please, stop calling me ''my lord'' my Lady,."


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (Pausing, a faint smile touching her lips) "Till you stop calling me ''my lady'', my lord."


    She turns and leaves the room, the door closing softly behind her, leaving the general in a deep, contemplative silence. The candlelight flickers, casting long shadows, as if the very walls are holding their breath.


    Moments later, the door creaks open again, and a soldier enters the room, bowing his head deeply.


    SOLDIER: (Respectfully) "Grand General."


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Looking up, his expression stern) "Status?"


    SOLDIER: "The commander has returned soldiers to the capital, sir. Some will join the palace guards, and some are already stationed at the wings and the heart."


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Eyes narrowing, tension building in his voice) "How many soldiers?"


    SOLDIER: (Voice trembling slightly) "A hundred, sir."


    General ?kw?l??cha: (Anger flashing like lightning across his face) "I requested three hundred. Why did he send back only a hundred soldiers?"


    SOLDIER: (Hesitant, fear in his eyes) "Apologies, my lord, but the full moon is close. Most soldiers sent back are new recruits."


    The general''s fury erupts, and he slams his fist on the table with such force that it breaks into two. The room echoes with the crack of wood splitting, the sound hanging in the air like a ghostly wail. The soldier flinches, eyes wide with fear and regret.


    SOLDIER: (Trembling, almost whispering) "I am sorry if I have offended you, my lord."


    General ?kw?l??cha: (A surprising smile crossing his lips, though his eyes remain hard) "No, you did not. Prepare my horse. We ride to Is¨¦ik¨´n."


    SOLDIER: (Nodding quickly, relief and urgency in his voice) "Yes, General."


    The soldier swiftly exits the room, leaving the general standing amidst the ruins of the table, his fist still clenched. The flickering candlelight casts dramatic shadows across his face, highlighting the turmoil within him. His knuckles are white, the veins on his hand standing out like rivers on a map, a testament to the barely contained storm raging inside him.


    The silence that follows is heavy, filled with unspoken fears and the weight of impending decisions. The general stands alone, his mind a battlefield of duty, worry, and unresolved grief.

 Chapter 13 Prisoner with maids

    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels trapped in a monotonous cycle, with each day blending seamlessly into the next. Every morning, he wakes to the same routine, greeted by his three beautiful maids. They serve him food three times a day, ensure he takes his bath in the morning, and attend to his every need.


    Despite the luxury and comfort, the predictability of his life has become stifling. He yearns for change, for something to break the unvarying pattern. His mornings, afternoons, and evenings have become indistinguishable, each moment mirroring the last.


    The three maids, with their unwavering dedication, move through his day like clockwork, their actions precise and rehearsed.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ dreams of spontaneity, of waking up to an unexpected adventure, of feeling a thrill that disrupts the sameness. He longs for a life where each day holds the promise of something new, where every moment is not a mere echo of the one before. Yet, for now, he remains ensnared in the cycle, with only his dreams of change to offer solace.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ hasn''t seen the princess or the Queen of Blades since that fateful incident. Each time he goes to the stream, hoping for a chance encounter, they are nowhere to be found. He longs to apologize to the princess for his foolish behaviour, but she remains as elusive as a shadow at dusk. So he makes sure he asks his maid about the princess ones they come to his room to serve his food. Behold the like they knew what was in his mind they appear knowing they will reject his offer because this is not the first time they refused this request.


    (K¨¢¨°?¨´ paces back and forth, deep in thought. B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, Kadada, and Amarachi enter, carrying his of food and drink. )


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (stops pacing and looks at them) Ad¨¦?l¨¢, Kadada, Amarachi, I know I am not meant to ask this but, I need to know. Have you seen the princess?


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (exchanges glances with the others) my lord, it is better for you to stay in your room oooo.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (frustrated) you¡¯ve said that before, Ad¨¦?l¨¢. But I can''t just stay here, doing nothing. I need to apologize to her.


    Kadada: (softly) you see ehn my lord; the princess has not been to the stream since... since the incident.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (desperate) How can that be? I¡¯ve been there every day, hoping to see her, to explain myself. But it''s like she¡¯s vanished.


    Amarachi: (with a hint of sadness) my lord, she is the princess... she goes anywhere she wants to nobody dares to question her movement seeing her that day ehn was just by luck if she wants to see you she will see you so do not make things worse. It is for the best oooooo.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (pleading) for the best? How can it be for the best when I am haunted by my actions? When I need to tell her I am sorry?


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (firmly) It is not our place to speak of the princess¡¯s wishes. We are here to care for you, my lord, and ensure your well-being.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (angrily) ensuring my well-being? How can you ensure my well-being when I am trapped here, consumed by regret? I need to see her, to make things right!


    Kadada: (gently) sometimes, my lord, it is best to let things be. The princess may need time, and I am not sure she wants to talk about what happened ever again.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (voice breaking) Time? How much time? Each day feels like an eternity without the chance to apologize, to make amends.


    Amarachi: (steps forward, placing a hand on his arm) We understand your pain, my lord. But we must follow the orders given to us. You are our priority not the princess stop thinking about her for all our sakes


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (sighs deeply) and what about the Queen of Blades? Have you heard anything about her?


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (shakes her head) please my lord; do not make the matter worse oooooo that one is impossible to find and even if we find her she will be beside princess Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ and we do not want to be in that situation trust me my lord.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (defeated) so I am to remain here, surrounded by my guilt, with no way to make things right?


    Amarachi: (hesitant) if I can remember it was not your fault you met them naked in fact they met you naked, no one asked for permission, everything was a co-incidence, you did not do it on purpose; so why are you feeling guilty for a crime you did not commit it is not like you touched their private part or what?


    Kadada and B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (shocked) aahhh Amarachi


    Amarachi: (rolling her eyes) what nah


    Kadada: (soothingly) we are here for you, my lord. You are not alone in this.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (sighs deeply) Very well. I will try. But know that this burden is heavy, and I carry it every moment.


    Amarachi: (comforting) we will help you bear it, my lord. Together, we will get through this.


    (The maids bow and begin to serve the food. K¨¢¨°?¨´ sits, staring into the distance, his heart heavy with longing and regret.)


    This routine has become unbearable for K¨¢¨°?¨´. He longs for more than just being served meals and being attended to. He yearns for a life with purpose, where he can pursue his dreams and goals. He has many goals to reach he has to fulfil his destiny but he cannot do a thing because he was trapped in the   walls of his room, which provides comfort and security feels confining and stifling. It¡¯s like they never want him to leave this realm till he dies. He remembers what happened in that grand hall where he was totally embarrassed by the general and the way he was knocked out by that being. How powerful is that person? How powerful are all of them in that hall? He needs to get stronger and reach their levels and to do that sitting in this place with his three maids will not do him any favours, he has to speak with the general and the way he will speak to him is through the lady who saved his life he has to speak to Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢. So, one night, after being served dinner, he asks a favour from his maids.


    "K¨¢¨°?¨´: I want to speak to Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢.


    (The maids exchange hesitant glances, clearly uncomfortable.)


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (nervously) why do you want to see her, my lord?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (insisting) I need to thank her, and I have questions only she can answer.


    Amarachi: (curious) what questions my lord?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (furious) Questions like why am I trapped here?


    Kadada: (softly) My lord, Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ has given us strict instructions. We are not to disturb her unless absolutely necessary.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (frustrated) this is necessary. I can''t go on like this, I cannot live here forever, I have things to do, I have dreams to fulfil and I cannot do that without talking to her.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (remorseful) I am sorry my lord but we cannot help you to this.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (more frustrated) why?


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (realistic) because she is not ready to see you, she hates you don¡¯t you get it?


    Amarachi: our lady holds does not joke with three things and those three things are three people, these three people are:


    Kadada: (interrupts) Princess Ad¨¦¨¬s??l¨¦, princess Adej¨¬n?r? and the grand general ?kw?l??cha. If you mess with them¡­¡­¡­.


    Amarachi: (interrupts) you mess with her.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: You have messed with the general already; if she knows you messed with the princess also you will be dead before sunset. She will kill you. So, we are doing you a favour. Wait till the general seeks your audience.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (persistent) I am sorry but I cannot wait anymore I have to see the lady.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (reluctantly) we are sorry, my lord, but we cannot help you.


    The maids turn to leave the room.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (raising his voice, resolute) Wait! If you do not grant my request, I will refuse to eat the food you''ve brought me. I won''t leave this room until I see her.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s threat hung in the air, the maids did not reply. They exchanged worried glances but said nothing, leaving the room silently. K¨¢¨°?¨´ knew his maids were too kind-hearted to ignore his drastic measures. He resolved to put his plan into action: if he refused to speak to them, refused their food, and refused to eat, they would eventually grant his request to meet Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢.


    To the maids'' surprise, K¨¢¨°?¨´ carried out his plan. He sat in his room, untouched by the meals they brought, silent and resolute. Concern grew in their hearts, but they could not bring themselves to disobey Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢''s orders.


    Later that night, the maids gathered around K¨¢¨°?¨´, pleading with him to eat his dinner. Their voices were filled with worry and desperation, but he remained steadfast, his eyes locked on the door.


    Amarachi: (begging) My lord, please, eat something. This isn''t good for your health.


    Kadada: (softly) We are worried about you, my lord. Please, take a few bites.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: (tearfully) We care about you, my lord. Don''t do this to yourself.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ stayed silent, his resolve unwavering. The maids'' pleas grew more desperate, their voices trembling with concern.


    Just as the situation seemed hopeless, the door opened quietly. Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ storms into the room like a dark cloud about to unleash a tempest, her presence suffocating and overwhelming. The air thickens with tension, electric and charged, as her cold gaze sweeps across the room, finally pinning K¨¢¨°?¨´ in place. It feels like a predator locking onto its prey, and the searing hatred in her eyes pierces through him like a dagger.


    The maids scramble back, bowing with tremors in their hands, their faces pale with dread as they retreat, eager to escape the storm brewing in the room. K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels a knot twist tighter in his stomach, his heart pounding violently against his ribcage, each beat echoing his growing terror. It¡¯s as if the walls themselves are closing in, the oppressive atmosphere stealing the very air from his lungs.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ radiates an aura of menace that feels almost tangible, pressing down on him and making it hard to think. He knows she harbours deep-seated resentment, and that knowledge wraps around him like chains, suffocating and inescapable. The fear grips him like a vice, each second stretching into an eternity under her unyielding stare.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (gently, but with an underlying menace) K¨¢¨°?¨´, You asked to see me, I have come. You want to talk? Let us talk. How are the girls taking care of you?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (trying to stay calm) they¡¯re doing a great job, just as you ordered.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ smiles, a smile that doesn¡¯t reach her eyes. She steps closer, her hand reaching out to hold his cheek. K¨¢¨°?¨´ flinches inwardly at her touch, feeling the coldness in her fingers.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (mockingly) I can see you''ve gained weight. If they keep feeding you like this, you''ll become fat.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels insulted but doesn¡¯t respond, his concern for the maids keeping him silent.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (forcing gratitude) Thank you for assigning them to me and saving my life. I''ll be forever grateful.


    (Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢''s eyes glint with a mix of amusement and something darker. Her smile is cruel and knowing, as if she enjoys seeing his discomfort.)


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (smiles coldly) oh my boy¡­ do not thank me, thank the gods. I couldn''t do what was truly on my mind. If I had, you would not have seen those beautiful girls. You will be in hell with those white dead sheep that came with you. Look at you (she spits on the ground) you are so pathetic. The man who claims to be the one man army is now stuck with three maids that does not have the power to do his wishes but mine.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is terrified and annoyed, his fear mixing with a burning resentment. He watches as she rises, her warning chilling him to the bone.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (warningly) Eat your food and listen to your maids, or you won''t see them again.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ moves towards the door, leaving K¨¢¨°?¨´ face in terror Desperation floods K¨¢¨°?¨´ as he watches Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ turn to leave, her back a formidable wall against his hope. Panic surges within him, and in a frantic moment, he lunges forward, grasping her leg with shaking hands.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ stands near the door, poised to leave. The air is thick with tension as K¨¢¨°?¨´, desperation etched on his face, suddenly lunges forward.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (grabbing her leg, voice trembling)


    Please, forgive me if I¡¯ve done anything wrong! I just want to live like a normal person! (He looks up at her, eyes wide with fear and anguish.) I¡¯m so tired of being a fine prisoner, trapped in this gilded cage! If death is my fate, then let it come!


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ hesitates, her back still turned to him.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (voice cracking) just give me a chance¡ªlet me speak to General ?kw?l??cha!


    The silence hangs heavy, pressing down like a weight. He grips her leg tighter, desperation coursing through him.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (desperate) I¡¯m drowning here! Please... don¡¯t turn your back on me!


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ stands still, the tension palpable. K¨¢¨°?¨´''s heart races each beat echoing his fear.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ clings to her leg, Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ hisses through clenched teeth, a venomous sound that cuts through the air like a knife. With a swift motion, she forces his hands from her leg, her strength both terrifying and commanding.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (voice cold and disdainful) You are nothing but an abomination!


    With those words, she strides towards the door, her presence a shadow that looms over him. K¨¢¨°?¨´ collapses to the ground, his face pressed against the cool floor, tears stinging his eyes as despair washes over him. The weight of her disdain hangs heavy in the air, suffocating his hopes as she disappears from view, leaving him alone in the oppressive silence of the room.


    His life feels like a never-ending nightmare; the man who once believed he was someone important now feels like a shadow, a nobody; her words echo in his mind, haunting him: ¡°The man who claims to be the one-man army is now stuck with three maids who have no power to fulfil his wishes but mine.¡± Each syllable cuts deeper, twisting the knife of despair in his heart.


    In his frustration, he tries to summon his powers, desperate to burn away his misery and reclaim his dignity. But the moment he attempts to channel his fire, the white beads on his wrists ignite with a fiery rage, turning red and searing him from within, like chains binding him tighter with each effort.


    Overwhelmed by anguish, he tries again, but the pain escalates, and he cries out, a raw, piercing sound that echoes through the emptiness of his room. His maids rush in, eyes wide with fear and concern, finding their lord in a storm of tears. They gather around him, weeping alongside him, their hearts aching for his suffering as they gently wipe away his tears.


    ¡°Please, eat something,¡± they urge, their voices trembling with compassion. Slowly, he relents, the weight of his emotional outburst draining his strength. As exhaustion washes over him like a gentle tide, he sinks into a deep sleep, wrapped in a fragile cocoon of sorrow and longing for a life beyond these walls.

 Chapter 14 The Challenge

    K¨¢¨°?¨´ drifts into a restless sleep, his mind clouded with unease. Suddenly, he''s thrust into a chaotic dreamscape. He finds himself in the midst of a fierce battle, the ground beneath him trembling with every explosion. Around him, the air is thick with acrid smoke that stings his eyes, and the sounds of terror are a relentless cacophony¡ªscreams of anguish blending with the harsh rattle of gunfire. Shadows dart around him like frantic, dark phantoms, their faces hidden and indistinguishable, lost in the swirling chaos. The scene is a violent blur, with figures moving rapidly, their movements jerky and erratic, as if caught in a nightmarish dance of fear and destruction.


    The sky above is a roiling expanse of dark clouds, flashing intermittently with bursts of fiery light from distant explosions. Each tremor sends shivers through the earth, adding to the disorienting maelstrom. K¨¢¨°?¨´ tries to make sense of the scene, but the chaos is overwhelming. His heart pounds in his chest, and every attempt to focus only plunges him deeper into confusion. The dreamscape seems endless, a tangled web of terror and noise, leaving him feeling lost and powerless amidst the storm of violence surrounding him.


    Amidst the deafening cacophony, K¨¢¨°?¨´ hears a faint, distant call of his name. The voice is barely audible, struggling to rise above the thunderous gunfire and the frantic shouts around him. He strains to catch the sound, his ears desperate for clarity, but the barrage of noise makes it nearly impossible. The voices around him are a muddled jumble, their words lost in the storm of chaos. He tries to focus, to grasp the source of the calling, but the effort feels futile as the din swallows everything in its path.


    Suddenly, as if a switch has been flipped, the relentless noise vanishes, leaving behind an eerie, oppressive silence. The stillness hangs heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the earlier tumult. In the midst of this void, a man''s voice cuts through with surprising clarity and authority: "Wake up." The command is sharp and direct, slicing through the silence like a knife. The dreamscape falters, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ is left with the lingering echo of the voice, a tether pulling him back from the edge of the nightmare.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ jolts awake, his head pounding with a relentless ache. Disoriented, he blinks into the dim light and takes in his surroundings. He¡¯s encircled by stern-faced guards, their sharp eyes watching his every move. The familiar presence of his maids is conspicuously absent, leaving him with a rising tide of panic. His mind races, desperately trying to piece together what has happened and why he¡¯s here.


    Amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces, one stands out¡ªa guard with a distinctive mark on his cheek, a stark scar that makes him easy to recognize. This is the same guard who had accompanied him during his first encounter with Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢. The sight of him triggers a flurry of questions in K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s mind, adding to his confusion and fear. The once chaotic dream now seems a distant memory as he grapples with the reality of his new predicament.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (voice trembling with urgency, demands) Where are my maids?


    The guard¡¯s expression remains unchanging, his eyes fixed straight ahead with an unyielding detachment. The silence stretches, amplifying K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s mounting anxiety. Before he can repeat his question, a new sound breaks through the tension¡ªa familiar voice, speaking in Yoruba, cuts through the silence.


    Voice: "e f¨¢¨¤ j¨¢de."


    The words, clear and authoritative, resonate in the air.


    It¡¯s Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s voice that cuts through K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s confusion, sharp and commanding. At her command, the guards spring into action, grabbing K¨¢¨°?¨´ roughly. Two of them clutch him like iron chains, making him feel trapped. He tries to fight back, but their hold is firm and unyielding. They drag him through the corridors, his body bouncing and jerking like a rag doll with every step.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ struggles, but more guards join in, their movements quick and precise. They overpower him with practiced ease, leaving him with no control. The walls blur as he is pulled along, and his own frantic breathing seems lost in the noise of footsteps and rustling uniforms. No matter how hard he fights, it feels like he¡¯s caught in a powerful current, being dragged toward the woman who has control over his life


    Thrown roughly to the ground, K¨¢¨°?¨´ looks up, ready to fight, but he¡¯s struck by a wave of fear. Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ sits under a tent, her eyes sharp and unyielding, like twin blades cutting through the darkness. The weight of her stare is overwhelming. K¨¢¨°?¨´, now shirtless and exposed, feels vulnerable and small. He lowers his head, trying to shield himself from her piercing gaze.


    Surrounded by a ring of guards, he senses a mix of fear and disgust in their eyes, adding to his sense of unease. He struggles to understand why he¡¯s ended up in this humiliating situation, but the unsettling truth is clear: something has gone terribly wrong. The tension in the air is thick, and K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s mind races, trying to piece together the events that led him here, as he waits for the inevitable confrontation.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (voice pierces the heavy silence, every word dripping with authority and elegance.) "Many of you may be wondering about the unexpected and peculiar guest now within our realm, particularly here in our esteemed palace. Some of you are already familiar with his identity, while others remain uncertain. Allow me to clarify: his name is K¨¢¨°?¨´. He arrived in our domain alongside the British. We apprehended him and conducted a thorough investigation. He asserts that he was being chased and is unaware of how he entered our realm."


    Her tone is unwavering and commanding, each word delivered with a grace that commands respect. As she speaks, K¨¢¨°?¨´ lies on the ground, feeling the full impact of her poised authority. The guards around him shift uncomfortably, their expressions a blend of intrigue and concern. The air is charged with a palpable tension, and K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s mind races, grappling with the unsettling realization that his situation is more dire than he had imagined.


    The guards murmur among themselves, casting curious glances at K¨¢¨°?¨´. Their whispers create a low, buzzing noise in the tense silence.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (commands) "Enough."


    At her sharp command, the murmurs instantly fade, and a heavy silence settles over the room.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (speaks with confidence and elegance)  "You see, our young man here, K¨¢¨°?¨´, is indeed a unique individual, so unique to the extent of  having a special name  ."


    From the back of the crowd, a guard speaks up, his tone sceptical.


    Guard: "What makes him so special that he has a special name? He¡¯s just like us, only with different eyes."


    The guard¡¯s question hangs in the air, a direct challenge that makes everyone pause. Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s eyes narrow slightly, her expression sharpening as she prepares to respond. Her demeanour remains steady and confident, a striking contrast to the growing murmurs from the crowd.


    As the murmurs swell, echoing the guard¡¯s scepticism, Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ raises her hand, commanding silence with a single, authoritative gesture. The room quiets again, the crowd¡¯s attention refocusing on her.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (speaks with a blend of elegance and firmness, her gaze sweeping across the room with a look of unshakable certainty) "Well, because he has caught the attention of the special ones and the grand general is watching him. Everyone knows that the grand general never misses anything. And not only did he catch the eye of one or two, but all the special ones have noticed him. This means he is an exceptionally powerful individual. So why shouldn''t he have a special name?"


    The statement settles over the crowd, adding weight to her argument and reinforcing K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s extraordinary status.


    The revelation causes a ripple of surprise among the guards, their murmurs growing louder with renewed curiosity and scepticism. Another guard, his brow furrowed with suspicion, speaks up.


    Guard: "If he is so powerful and special, why can¡¯t he use his power to free himself?"


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (eyes narrow expression sharpening with a hint of irritation as she responds with a tone that is both dismissive and authoritative) "Who told you he is a prisoner? Is he tied with chains? He is not a prisoner; he is our guest. So, why should he try to free himself or use his powers when he is not in danger? He does not need to use his powers, even if he tries, he can¡¯t, due to the gifts If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ bestowed upon him."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ glances down at the beads encircling his wrists, a dawning realization hitting him: these are the reason he cannot access his powers. He recalls the imposing figure of If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ as the enigmatic man in white or the mini-giant he encountered in the hall. He is uncertain who among them possesses the power to place such restrictions on him, but the man in white had exuded an aura of formidable strength. The way that being had dealt with him left a lasting impression of power and control, though K¨¢¨°?¨´ still can''t be certain who is behind it.


    A wave of embarrassment washes over him as he remembers the humiliating scene. His cheeks flush with the sting of his own helplessness. Resolutely, he vows to himself to become stronger, to elevate his abilities to a level where he can stand equal to those who have subdued him. As he takes in the scene around him, he notices the respect the guards display towards If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤, evident in the reverence etched on their faces. This respect, combined with his own sense of inadequacy, fuels his determination to improve and reclaim his strength.


    Another guard speaks from behind his tone dripping with scepticism,


    Guard: "Since his beast is already tamed, what is his use?"


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (smile; icy and calculated, her eyes glinting with a steely resolve replies coldly.) "We are about to find out."


    With a swift snap of her fingers, a guard emerges from the shadows, his arms loaded with an arsenal: a gleaming sword, a polished spear, a hefty axe, and a simple stick. The other guards each armed and ready, form a tight circle around K¨¢¨°?¨´. The air crackles with anticipation as K¨¢¨°?¨´ realizes he¡¯s on the brink of a formidable challenge¡ªa contest where he must demonstrate his strength and skill.


    Amidst the tension, K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s gaze shifts to a figure seated nearby in resplendent white armour, echoing the grandeur of General ?kw?l??cha. The man¡¯s imposing presence and watchful eyes suggest he is another high-ranking official, his silence a silent judgment that heightens the gravity of the moment. The scene is set like a stage, with K¨¢¨°?¨´ at its centre, bracing himself for the trial ahead.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢''s voice cuts through the tension with a crisp, authoritative tone.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: "To determine whether this half-caste will be an asset or a liability, we will test his battle experience. While he has displayed certain qualities, I want to see just how capable he truly is. So, who among you is ready to challenge him? Step forward."


    Her words ring out, clear and commanding, setting the stage for a dramatic display of skill. The guards exchange glances, their faces a mixture of eagerness and apprehension. The challenge has been laid, and the anticipation in the air is palpable. Each guard''s eyes flicker with the prospect of proving themselves, as they await the brave soul who will step forward to face K¨¢¨°?¨´ in the impending test of strength and prowess.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´''s heart pounds in his chest, a storm of excitement and dread swirling within him. This contest signifies that Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ has heard his unspoken plea to no longer be idle, granting him the chance to prove himself.


    As he stands amidst the tense silence, he mutters to himself, a flicker of unexpected gratitude softening his features, "So she¡¯s not as heartless as I thought."


    Before he can fully process this, Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s voice rings out, commanding and clear.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: "K¨¢¨°?¨´, choose a weapon. In this contest, you will face any guards who step forward. Be aware¡ªthey do not like you, and they will not hold back."


    Her words cut through the air, setting the stage for the fierce test of skill and endurance that waits. K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s gaze sweeps over the array of weapons, each one a potential key to his survival, as he prepares for the challenge ahead.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ rises to his feet with a determined smile, a surge of energy coursing through him.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "What is the prize, My Lady?"


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ returns his smile with one of her own, her expression warm but firm.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: ¡°Well as you can see, your adorable maids are not with you any longer, that was because I ordered them not to serve you anymore, I have some issues with them but I can give them to you back¡­¡­. if you defeat 20 soldiers, you will also be appointed as the captain of the guards. But if you lose, you will forfeit your status and protections. You will be reduced to the rank of a normal soldier, working as hard as the rest, and you will lose access to your maids."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is taken aback, his eyes widening with shock. He realizes that Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ is making him gamble everything he holds dear, especially his beloved maids.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "What if I refuse?"


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s eyes harden, her gaze unyielding and stern.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: "Then you will not see your maids again, and your situation will become even worse. You currently live like a prince in a strange land, but that can change in an instant. I will make your life so miserable you will have to commit suicide but I will not let you die, because I am not allowed to do that yet, so I will make sure you curse both death and life."


    Her words are a stark warning, underscoring the gravity of his predicament.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s internal resolve hardens as he processes her response. He mutters to himself, his expression darkening, "I take it back. She is heartless." The reality of his situation settles in, and he braces himself for the challenge ahead.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ realizes he has no choice but to accept Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s offer. Standing tall, he steels himself, ready to confront whatever lies ahead, determined to prove his worth and win back his maids.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "I accept your offer."


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s lips curl into a cold, satisfied smile, her laughter echoing through the tense room.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: "Very well. May the 20 soldiers step forward."


    As she speaks, the 20 soldiers approach, their movements precise and purposeful. The man in white armour, seated beside Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢, turns to her with a curious expression.


    Man in White Armor: "What is his special name


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief as she replies.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: "Oh, silly me I almost forgot. They call him ''The One-Man Army.''"


    The guards around them gasp in shock, their eyes widening at the name. The air crackles with a renewed sense of anticipation.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: "So let¡¯s see what the One-Man Army is capable of."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ stands ready, his posture confident as he prepares to face the challenge. With a detesrmined smirk, he addresses the soldiers.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: "Shall we begin?"


    His smirk conveys a clear message: he is ready to face this battle head-on, driven by the promise of reclaiming his maids and proving his strength.

 Chapter 15: The Challenge 2

    The atmosphere is electric as K¨¢¨°?¨´ steps forward, ready to face twenty soldiers. The remaining guards form a circle, giving him space.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (looking at the lady) my lady, am I fighting all of them at once?


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (shaking her head while smiling) you really want to prove your name, it will be too crowded. You will fight five at a time to make it more fun. Are you fine with that? Remember, they will not hold back, so you must not hold back either. Now, pick a weapon.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ surveys the weapons laid out before him: an axe, a spear, and a stick. He hesitates, eyes lingering on the sword, but then he picks up the stick, breaking it into two. He smirks at the five soldiers before him. They are shocked by his choice.


    Guard 1: (scoffing) it seems you really want to die.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (bowing sarcastically) can you do the honours?


    The five soldiers encircled K¨¢¨°?¨´, their weapons gleaming in the harsh sunlight. Spears and swords¡ªtools of war¡ªready to attack. But K¨¢¨°?¨´ was no ordinary adversary; he is ready to prove to them why they call him the One Man Army:


    As the first soldier lunged with his spear, K¨¢¨°?¨´ moved with the swiftness of a cheetah. He sidestepped effortlessly, the spearhead grazing his skin. His sticks¡ªcarved from the sacred ir¨®k¨° tree¡ªbecame extensions of his will. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the second soldier¡¯s sword, the blade singing through the air.


    The third soldier attacked, spear thrusting forward. K¨¢¨°?¨´ weaved effortlessly, a dance of evasion. His body flowed¡ªducking, spinning¡ªas if the gods themselves guided his steps. The fourth soldier swung a heavy sword, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ slipped past, fingertips brushing the blade. The fifth, desperate, aimed a spear at his heart, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ twisted away, the weapon missing by a hair¡¯s breadth.


    Frustration etched the soldiers¡¯ faces. They were skilled fighters, yet K¨¢¨°?¨´ defied their every move. His grace mocked their brute strength. They had never faced someone like him¡ªa living legend, whispered about in hushed tones.


    And then, in a blur of motion, K¨¢¨°?¨´ struck back. His fist found the first soldier¡¯s jaw, snapping it sideways. The second received a knee to the gut, collapsing. The third stumbled, disarmed. K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s elbow met the fourth soldier¡¯s temple, and he crumpled like a discarded cloak. The fifth, wide-eyed, dropped his spear, defeated.


    The five soldiers fall, defeated, as the crowd watches in stunned silence. Even lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ cannot hide her surprise, though a smile creeps onto her lips.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (smiling) Next!


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (dropping his sticks) Do not waste my time. Bring ten.


    The lady nods, and ten soldiers step forward, attacking in unison. K¨¢¨°?¨´ does not hesitate. instead, he flowed like water, a force of nature unleashed.


    . He moves with blinding speed, weaving through their strikes. His fists and feet are a blur as he counters each attack


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s movements are a symphony of violence, every strike precise and powerful. Soldiers fall one by one, their bodies hitting the ground in rapid succession.


    His right fist blurred as it met the first soldier¡¯s jaw. Bone cracked, and the man crumpled, his consciousness fleeing like a startled bird. The second soldier lunged, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ sidestepped, his left elbow smashing into the man¡¯s sternum. The air whooshed out of him, and he staggered back, gasping.


    The third soldier charged, sword raised. K¨¢¨°?¨´ leaped, defying gravity, and his heel collided with the soldier¡¯s chest. The impact sent the man sprawling, his weapon clattering to the ground. K¨¢¨°?¨´ landed lightly, his eyes scanning for the next adversary.


    Two soldiers attacked simultaneously¡ªone from each side. K¨¢¨°?¨´ twisted, his fingers like vipers. He seized their wrists, redirecting their blades away from his vital points. With a fluid motion, he smashed their heads together, and they crumpled, unconscious.


    The fifth soldier, a hulking brute, swung a massive club. K¨¢¨°?¨´ ducked, swept his leg in a low arc, and the brute¡¯s legs buckled. He crashed to the ground, dazed. K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s foot followed up, connecting with the man¡¯s jaw, and stars exploded in the soldier¡¯s vision.


    The sixth soldier¡ªa wiry, agile opponent¡ªdarted in, thrusting a dagger. K¨¢¨°?¨´ spun, evading the blade, and his palm struck the soldier¡¯s solar plexus. The man doubled over, gasping, and K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s knee met his face. Bones snapped, and he crumpled like a discarded rag.


    The seventh soldier wielded twin short swords. K¨¢¨°?¨´ parried, his forearms absorbing the impact. Their eyes locked, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ grinned. He stepped inside the soldier¡¯s guard, driving his knee into the man¡¯s gut. The swords clattered to the ground, and the soldier wheezed.


    The eighth soldier hesitated, fear etching his features. K¨¢¨°?¨´ lunged, fingers like venomous fangs. He struck pressure points along the man¡¯s arm, rendering it useless. The soldier dropped his sword, whimpering. K¨¢¨°?¨´ whispered, ¡°Rest now,¡± and moved on.


    The ninth soldier fought with desperation, slashing wildly. K¨¢¨°?¨´ flowed around the blade, his movements a blur. He disarmed the soldier, then spun, delivering a roundhouse kick that sent the man sprawling. Blood stained the earth.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The tenth soldier stood resolute. His sword gleamed, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ met his gaze. They circled, each assessing the other. Then, with a primal roar, they clashed. Steel rang against steel, sparks dancing in the air. K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s knuckles bled, but that was not his blood so he pressed on. He feinted left, then spun right, disarming the captain. The man fell to his knees, defeated.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ stood amidst the fallen, his breath ragged. His body bore no scars, but his spirit had weathered the storm. ¡°it has been long I have done this¡± he said to himself. Has he is looking at the soldiers restless on the ground he remembers how the warrior princess defeated ten British soldiers without breaking a sweat although they were not as strong has these guards he is facing now but he could still remember that scene; she was cutting through them like tearing a wool, he s not in her level yet. ¡°I will reach their level no matter how hard I try¡± he says to himself with full confidence He glanced at the remaining five soldiers, their resolve crumbling. ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡± he taunted, adrenaline still moving through his veins. They hesitated, fear etched in their eyes.


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ watched K¨¢¨°?¨´ with pride, impressed by his skill. She thought, ¡°So this is what the grand general sees in him The memory of her conversation with General ?kw?l??cha resurfaced¡ªa strategic move to bolster the guards¡¯ morale and defence. The palace guards, their ranks depleted due to constant battles, faced a dilemma. Crime had diminished within the kingdom, but their vigilance waned. The best warriors were always on the battlefield, leaving the palace vulnerable. The general¡¯s plan was clear: a staged fight, not just for K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s honour, but to invigorate the guards.


    Summoning the available guards and the commander, the lady watched as fear flickered in their eyes.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ prepared to face the remaining soldiers, the commander stepped forward¡ªa man in gleaming white Armor. The lady knew the stakes were high. This fight wasn¡¯t just for K¨¢¨°?¨´; it was a rallying cry for the guards. The grand general¡¯s plan was working¡ªthe fear in their eyes, the commander¡¯s fury¡ªall part of the intricate dance of the grand general ?kw?l??cha.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is ready to attack when the commander of the guards, a man in white, steps forward.


    Commander: (yells) Isa haka!


    [He turns to the lady.]


    Commander: I get your point my lady. Now tell the general I understand his message. Can I leave?


    Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢: (challenging sarcastically) What do you mean by that? I just invited you to watch this show with me and the show is not finished yet, he has not defeated the remaining five. Don¡¯t you have faith in the guards anymore?


    Commander: (nodding) Very well. Guards, stand down.


    Listening to the commander words they went back to their positions instantly leaving K¨¢¨°?¨´ as they remove the soldiers lying on the ground helplessly this increased K¨¢¨°?¨´ annoyance


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (annoyed) Why are you standing down? Fight me!


    Lady: They stood down because you have a new opponent.  (Stretching her hand to the commander)


    The commander approaches, his presence commanding respect. The guards hit their weapons against the ground rhythmically. K¨¢¨°?¨´ protests.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: This is not the deal. You are not a guard.


    Commander: I am the commander of these guards, so technically, I am still a guard.


    Lady: (concerned) Commander, are you sure you want to do this?


    Commander: Don¡¯t you believe in us anymore?


    Lady: (conceding) Very well then, do as you please.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s breaths came in ragged bursts as he closed the distance. The commander stood unwavering, eyes narrowed, robes billowing like a dark storm. K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s gaze locked onto the discarded sword¡ªa glimmering lifeline.


    With a primal roar, he dropped to his knees, sliding across the ground. His fingers closed around the hilt, and the blade came alive in his grip. As K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s knee slide propels him toward the commander, the commander¡¯s eyes narrows like a predator assessing its prey. In that split second, he absorbed K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s intent, the raw determination etched on his face. The commander shifts his weight, a subtle adjustment, his left foot angled slightly inward, ready to pivot. He knew K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s trajectory as he takes a step back, evading the initial strike and the blade missed by a hair¡¯s breadth. K¨¢¨°?¨´ raise his sword but the commander¡¯s response was fluid¡ªa dance of evasion and offense. He weaved like a silk thread caught in a breeze. K¨¢¨°?¨´ aims for the commander¡¯s midsection, hoping to catch him off guard again. But the commander sidesteps his movements eerily graceful.


    As the commander evades, K¨¢¨°?¨´ notes the subtle shift in weight¡ªthe commander favours his left leg. Next time, K¨¢¨°?¨´ would feint left and strike right. K¨¢¨°?¨´ lungs low, aiming for the commander¡¯s legs. The blade slices through the air, seeking tendons and joints. But the commander leaps, defying gravity, and K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s blade meet empty space. K¨¢¨°?¨´ is annoyed and is full of surprise as he observes the commander¡¯s agility. He adjusts, aiming higher¡ªthe commander¡¯s torso. If he couldn¡¯t cut the serpent¡¯s tail, he¡¯d strike its heart.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ instantly attacks, then reverses, feigning retreat. The commander follows, closing in. But K¨¢¨°?¨´ spun, blade flashing. The commander blocks, but K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s foot swept low, unbalancing him. Now he has a chance to attack the commander. In that pivotal moment, as K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s blade descends toward the commander¡¯s chest, the world seems to slow. But the commander defies gravity¡ªa phantom mid-air as his body twists, K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s sword stabbed the ground, a futile echo.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s surprise was palpable¡ªa heartbeat too late. The commander seizes the opportunity, his grip unyielding. With a fluid motion, grabbing K¨¢¨°?¨´ from behind, hoisting him into the air and then, using his own body weight to drive K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s spine into the unforgiving earth which made K¨¢¨°?¨´ unconscious.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ lies defeated, the guards cheering, but the commander silences them.


    Commander of guards (angrily): "Isa haka"!! You all prove to me that you are getting weaker day by day. You are the weakest among the forces in this territory. You are meant to be the great protectors of this castle, but twenty of you could not defeat one man. You all are a disgrace.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is defeated and unconscious as the guards carries his body away. He has failed to win the bet and it is time for him to pay his consequences when he awakes.

 Chapter 16: The Dance Training

    shadows on the ground. Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ and Uwarshigiri were in the midst of a fierce sword fight. The sound of their swords clashing echoed through the air with a sharp metallic ring.


    As they fought, sweat began to trickle down Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s forehead. The heat from the sun combined with the physical exertion made her grip on her sword slip for a moment. This brief lapse caused her to curse softly under her breath, a sign of her frustration as she struggled to refocus.


    Uwarshigiri (teasingly, lowering her sword): Give up, Tsunzafi ta. You know you can''t beat me.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (sighing, wiping her brow): You know I cannot do that.


    Uwarshigiri (chuckling, stepping back and sitting on a nearby rock): Yes, I know. Tsunzafi ta never gives up, her ego will never let her, not even when she''s losing countless times to a humble soldier.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (smirking, sheathing her sword and sitting across from Uwarshigiri): S¨¢go b¨² ¨¬g¨®, humble soldier nbo.  Fighting on par with the Queen of Blades is an achievement.


    Uwarshigiri (shaking her head with a playful smile): uhm darling; you are not on par with me when it comes to the blade,  stop giving yourself false hope, you hear me?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (rolling her eyes, stretching her legs): Well, you are never serious when fighting. How do you expect me to be serious with you, back ode?


    Uwarshigiri (gasps in mock offense, smiling broadly): Well, you don''t expect me to take the fight seriously when you are not in the zone.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (rolling her eyes again): Meaning?


    Uwarshigiri (her gaze softening, leaning forward): You know what I mean.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (frustration in her voice): Is it that obvious?


    Uwarshigiri (nodding, a knowing smile on her face): I know it''s because of the half-caste.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (defensive, looking away): No, maybe... I am not sure.


    Uwarshigiri (smirk widening): Tsunzafi ta, do you like the half-caste?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (expression turning serious, staring straight ahead): No, never in a million years.


    Uwarshigiri (pressing, eyes narrowing playfully): Then why is he disturbing your sense of reasoning?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (voice dropping, recalling a flashback): It''s because of what he said, remember? (Flashback: The half-caste passionately speaking) "And to think, all this time I believed I was alone in this fight; Alone in the struggle against the tyranny of the British Empire. But now, to see that there are others like me, others who know what is happening in the outside world yet refuse to do anything... It''s beyond disappointing.¡±


    Uwarshigiri (thinking for a moment, then smirking): He was saying a lot of things, but my attention was on other matters.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (with disgust, turning to face Uwarshigiri): You lustful creature.


    Uwarshigiri (laughing, raising her hands in mock defence): What have I done now? (Exasperated): Wait ooo do not tell me you want to...


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (interrupting, serious tone): Yes, I want to leave this place. How can we be called the special ones when people need us out there and we are doing nothing to help them.


    Uwarshigiri (standing up, pacing): And what about here?  Have you forgotten your status? The outside world did not call us the special ones, the inside world did.


    .


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (standing up, facing Uwarshigiri): You and the rest can still stay here and do the needful, also If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ is around.


    Uwarshigiri (insistent, stepping closer): It is rude of you leaving, Tsunzafi ta, without going with me.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (questioning, arms crossed): ehn rude ke, why is it rude, ehn? Is it because I am your...


    Both (simultaneously, breaking into laughter): Tsunzafi ta.


    Uwarshigiri (after their laughter subsides, patting Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ on the back): You know ¨¤r?? ??n¨¤ will never accept this.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (doubt in her voice): Do you also think I am not ready?


    Uwarshigiri (reassuring, placing a hand on Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s shoulder): Oh, you are more than ready for that.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (wondering aloud): So why is he not allowing me to go?


    Uwarshigiri (thoughtful): I do not know what ¨¤r?? ??n¨¤ is thinking or why he thinks you are not ready yet, but I will tell you this: this place also needs you. The people need you. We might be special to the rest of the world, but you and your sister are special to me, the Lady, and your father. I might be selfish for saying this, but I do not want you to leave yet. At least wait till the tournament.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (mischievous glint in her eye): Do you want to place a bet on me again?


    Uwarshigiri (playful): Why won''t I? In fact, I am placing the bet on you and someone else.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (curiosity piqued): Who do you want to place your bet on?


    Uwarshigiri (teasing): Do not be jealous, Tsunzafi ta.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (retorting): I am not, mumu. I just don''t want you to lose your money.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Uwarshigiri (bored, standing up and stretching): Shut up, I am bored. Let''s dance again.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (picking up her sword, determined): This time you lose.


    Uwarshigiri (taunting, twirling her sword): Ta ta ta, Tsunzafi ta. You know I never lose when it comes to blades. But I am tired of playing with that. Let''s dance old-fashioned.


    [Uwarshigiri stretches forth her hand. Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ smiles, stretching her hand towards Uwarshigiri.]


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: J¨¦ k¨¢ ?ere g¨ªd¨ªgb¨®.


    Uwarshigiri (laughing,): Mu yi rawa.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ and Uwarshigiri stand poised, their hands stretching forth like the branches of ancient trees, seeking to entwine. Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s fingers find purchase on Uwarshigiri¡¯s arms, and with a swift, fluid motion, she hurls her friend to the left. Uwarshigiri caught mid-air, smiles¡ªa glint of mischief in her eyes¡ªas she twists her body, attacking Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ with the speed of a striking cobra, aiming to grasp her by the stomach.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦, ever vigilant, notices the impending grab. With a nimble flip, she evades Uwarshigiri¡¯s grasp, her body arching gracefully through the air. Seizing the opportunity, she grabs Uwarshigiri from above, attempting to throw her to the ground. But Uwarshigiri, like a cat, lands on her hands, somersaulting backward with effortless grace.


    Without missing a beat, Uwarshigiri launches herself forward, her legs slicing through the air towards Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s head. Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦, quick as lightning, blocks the attack with her fists, stepping back to reassess. They pause, smiles playing on their lips, before stretching their hands out once more, ready for the next round.


    They exchange a flurry of punches and blocks, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Uwarshigiri aims a low kick at Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s shin, but Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ hops back, avoiding the strike and countering with a spinning back fist. Uwarshigiri ducks under the attack, using the momentum to launch a knee strike towards Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s midsection.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ twists her body, narrowly avoiding the knee, and grabs Uwarshigiri¡¯s arm, pulling her into a close-quarters grapple. They struggle for dominance, their breaths coming in short, controlled bursts.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ twists Uwarshigiri¡¯s arm, but Uwarshigiri mirrors the move, and they spin together, a whirlwind of strength and agility. Mid-air, they release each other, and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ aims a spinning kick at Uwarshigiri¡¯s face. Uwarshigiri ducks low, her body splitting gracefully to the ground, and sweeps Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s legs from beneath her.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ stumbles, momentarily losing her balance, but quickly regains her footing. Uwarshigiri stands, a triumphant smile on her face, which only serves to fuel Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s determination. They both extend their arms again, ready for another dance of combat.


    Before they can continue, a voice cuts through the air, halting their movements. It is Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨, her tone commanding yet filled with warmth. The two fighters pause, their breaths heavy but their spirits high.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: Don''t you two ever take a break?


    Uwarshigiri (teasingly, bending her knee slightly in a mock bow): Nice to meet you, princess.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (rudely): What do you want, sister?


    Uwarshigiri (chiding): Tsunzafi ta, why are you rude?


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ (smiling at Uwarshigiri): You see her winning, right?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (interrupting): The winner has not been decided yet.


    Uwarshigiri (facing Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦, laughing): I thought we were just dancing.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ (amused): Her face says it all, Uwar.


    Uwarshigiri (joining in the fun): I know, right?


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ and Uwarshigiri start making fun of Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦, who becomes furious and tries to change the subject. She looks around, noticing the guards are scanty.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: Where are the guards? I''ve only seen a few of them. What''s going on?


    They also notice the scarcity. Suddenly, a maid passes by. Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ calls the maid, who approaches, greeting them with a bend of her knees and a bow of her head.


    Maid: How may I help you, my ladies?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: Where are the guards?


    Maid: The guards are at a meeting, my ladies.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: Meeting? Who assembled a meeting?


    Maid: Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢, my lady.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: Why?


    Maid: I do not know the exact details, my lord, but all I know is it¡¯s about the visitor. He is also with them.


    Hearing this, Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦, Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨, and Uwarshigiri look at each other, wondering what might be happening.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ (dismissing the maid): You may leave.


    The maid leaves, bowing her head. As she is about to go, Uwarshigiri, who has been watching her, stops her and moves closer.


    Uwarshigiri: Have we met before?


    Maid: We have, my lady, at the stream. I was part of the maids taking care of the visitor, my lord.


    Uwarshigiri (smiling): Oh, yes, I remember that day.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (confused): What happened at the stream that day?


    Uwarshigiri (about to tell the story): Well, we met the hal...


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ (interrupting): It is nothing. Don''t worry.


    This makes Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ more curious. Folding her arms, she presses for more.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: Now I want to know what happened.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: I will tell you about it later.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ faces the maid.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: What is your name?


    Maid: B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, my princess.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: You may leave.


    As B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª is about to leave again, Uwarshigiri stops her.


    Uwarshigiri: B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª stops and replies.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: Yes, my lady?


    Uwarshigiri goes close to her, raising her chin up with a smirk.


    Uwarshigiri: You have a familiar scent. Before the stream scene, have we met?


    This leaves the maid, Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨, and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ confused.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª: I am not sure what you mean?


    Uwarshigiri: You know what I mean.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª is dumbfounded. Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ are instantly furious.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª, leave now.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª leaves instantly, moving faster not to be called again. Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ continue to stare at Uwarshigiri as she watches B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª until she is out of sight. Then she looks at her friends.


    Uwarshigiri: Meh.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: O ¨° gb¨¢d¨´n.


    Uwarshigiri (rolling her eyes): Just because I have multiple tastes.


    As Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ and Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ want to talk, Uwarshigiri interrupts.


    Uwarshigiri: I bet my lady is trying to put the half-caste in a fight against the guards.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: Why would my lady do that?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: She wants to recruit him.


    Uwarshigiri: This is ¨¤r?? ??n¨¤''s doing.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ (confused): Why would Father do such a thing?


    As they have this discussion, Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ and Uwarshigiri pause and look at each other. Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ notices this.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: What is the problem?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ and Uwarshigiri: It¡¯s If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: What does If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ have to do with recruitment?


    She pauses, then realizes.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: Oh, If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ just talked to you both, didn''t he?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (annoyed): I have said this times without number, but he never listens. I am going to kill that fool one day.


    Uwarshigiri: Tsunzafi ta, wait till the tournament, dear. I do not want to lose my bet.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: You are going to the head again?


    Both nod. She tells them to be safe.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: Come back safely, ooo.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: We always come back safely.


    Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨: Just get out, jare.


    Instantly, they leave the training ground. Ad¨¦¨¬s¨¨l¨¨ also walks out, leaving the place quiet once more.

 Chapter 17 Echoes of Resolve

    Echoes of Resolve


    After being knocked down by the commander, K¨¢¨°?¨´ is unconscious as he met himself in a dream;


    The world around K¨¢¨°?¨´ is a blurry mess, the air heavy with the sharp smell of gunpowder and the distant sounds of rifle fire. Every breath feels thick, each step is slow and difficult, like moving through a bad dream. The noises of war are all around him¡ªguns booming like thunder, men shouting, and the high-pitched screams of children and women cutting through the air. His heart races in his chest, pounding harder with each moment, as he struggles to see through the swirling fog, but everything is hazy and confusing.


    As he pushes forward, the fog starts to clear a little, revealing a scene that stops him in his tracks. Through the mist, he sees a British soldier standing over a black woman, hitting her with raised fists. Her cries are sharp and painful to hear, stabbing into K¨¢¨°?¨´''s heart and filling him with a deep, burning anger. The sight of her suffering is like a spark that sets off a fire inside him, one that he can''t ignore or control.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (shouting, voice trembling): "Stop! Stop it!"


    He charges towards the soldier, his feet heavy as if weighed down by the thick fog around him. The soldier turns, his cold eyes locking onto K¨¢¨°?¨´ as he raises his rifle. K¨¢¨°?¨´ freezes, instinctively raising his hands in surrender.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (desperate): "Don¡¯t shoot! Please, don¡¯t¡ª"


    A deafening gunshot rings out, and everything turns black.


    When the darkness lifts, K¨¢¨°?¨´ finds himself kneeling on the cold, hard ground. His hands are drenched in blood as he cradles a body in his lap, the person¡¯s stomach and neck horribly wounded. Blood seeps through his fingers, warm and sticky, as he desperately tries to stop the bleeding.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (whispering, voice trembling): "No, no, no¡­ Hold on¡­ Please, hold on¡­"


    The person¡¯s breath is shallow, their body cold. K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s heart races as he looks around, his vision still blurred, but the shapes of bodies scattered around him become clearer. There¡¯s something terrifyingly familiar about them, but his mind refuses to process the horror.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (whispering, voice cracking): "This¡­ this isn¡¯t real¡­ It can¡¯t be real¡­"


    He hears the rustling of leaves, the distant cry of a bird, the stillness of death in the air. The forest around him feels alive with the presence of the dead, their faces obscured, their identities hidden in the fog of his mind. All he can see is a golden dagger clutched in the hand of one of the bodies, its blade stained with blood. A shiver runs down his spine, cold and relentless.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (crying out, voice filled with despair): "Who could do this? What is happening?! This¡­ this has to be a dream!"


    He weeps, his tears mixing with the blood on his hands, until a voice calls out from the shadows.


    VOICE (echoing, urgent): "My lord¡­ My lord¡­ My lord!"


    Suddenly, K¨¢¨°?¨´ jerks awake, his eyes wide with terror, his heart pounding in his chest. Tears stream down his face as he blinks, trying to make sense of the world around him. He feels a hand on his shoulder, and as his vision clears, he sees B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª standing before him, concern etched on her face.


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª (softly, with concern): My lord¡­ it¡¯s just a dream.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (sobbing, clinging to her): I¡­ I thought I¡¯d never see you again, B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª¡­ I was so scared¡­


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª says nothing, simply holding him as he cries into her shoulder. They stay like that for a long moment, his sobs gradually subsiding until he pulls away, wiping his tear-streaked face.


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (comforting): I brought you some food. You need to eat, my lord.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ looks at the food but hesitates, his appetite gone.Stolen novel; please report.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (softly, struggling to regain composure): Where¡­ where are Amarachi and Kadada?


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (smiling gently): They¡¯re busy right now, but they send their greetings. They miss you too, my lord.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (nods, with a faint smile): Tell them¡­ I miss them. I can¡¯t wait to see them again.


    His smile fades as he looks down, his expression clouded with guilt and sorrow. B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª notices, her gaze softening.


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (concerned): What troubles you, my lord? Why do you look so sad?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (voice filled with regret): It¡¯s my fault, B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª¡­ I had the chance to keep us all together.


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (concerned): My Lord¡­¡­¡­.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (shuns¡­¡­.voice filled with regret):  Do not call me that, I do not deserve that word I lost I am no longer your lord and you are no longer my maid, including Amarachi and Kadada. I was so close¡­.. so close, but I was not strong enough¡­¡­ I failed. Please¡­ tell Kadada and Amarachi that I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m so sorry¡­ I swear, I¡¯ll find a way to make things right. I¡¯ll make sure we¡¯re free, that we don¡¯t have to serve anyone anymore. You don¡¯t have to serve anyone anymore. I promise¡­¡­ I swear, I¡¯ll become strong enough to challenge her again¡­


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª places a hand on his cheek, her eyes glistening with tears.


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (tenderly, with a smile): My lord¡­ you¡¯re such a kind and  loving man. We know that. But all we wish for is your happiness. If becoming stronger will make you happy, then be the strongest man in the world. But remember, you are free now, no longer caged. Prove yourself, not to anyone else, but to yourself. "??gb??n t¨ª ¨® b¨¢ ?¨®j¨², ?ni j?bi ?? ni." <u>(</u><u>This translates to: "The wisdom that guards the master also protects the servant."</u>)We¡¯ll always be with you, watching over you, no matter where you are.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is touched by her words, feeling the warmth of her hand against his cheek, but a cold shiver runs down his spine. Tears fall from his eyes again, and he pulls her into a tight embrace.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (whispering, determined): I may not be able to free you yet ¡­ but I¡¯ll protect you. I must¡­


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª smiles through her tears, gently pulling away.


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (softly):I have to go now. The other guards will come soon, and I don¡¯t want to cause a scene.


    She stands, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ rises with her, a mix of emotions churning within him.


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (playfully, with a smirk): Before I go, I have a message for you, my lord.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s heart skips a beat, curiosity piqued.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (eagerly): From who?


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (smiling): From the princess.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s eyes widen in surprise, his heart racing.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (stammering): The princess? What¡­ what did she say?


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (teasingly): This what she said: ¡°how are you feeling, half-caste. I am so sorry I couldn¡¯t intervene when I heard about what happened I tried to get there as soon as possible to stop it but when I got there you were already unconscious. I am so sorry the lady is very harsh on you she is not a person like that, she just instantly hates anyone that tries to affect her loved one, please do not be annoyed at her at all. Once you prove yourself, you¡¯ll see a different side of her. And¡­ the situation at the stream wasn¡¯t your fault .I have been told you are blaming yourself for what happened that day, you didn¡¯t do anything wrong, you never did anything wrong, it was never your fault, that day if there was anybody to be blamed, It should be me, you never knew someone will appear to the stream unknowingly so do not blame yourself again. There are still things needed to say which I will tell you face to face. Once again I am so sorry for everything. Goodnight, you have a lot of work to do starting from tomorrow, make sure you sleep well


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s heart swells with joy, a smile spreading across his face as he hears the princess¡¯s words.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (hopeful, eagerly): When¡­ when did you meet her? When¡­ when can I meet her?


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (laughing): Well it was just luck to meet her, my Lord; about when you will meet her, she didn¡¯t tell me that one oooooo, my lord.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (sad): ooooh


    B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª smiles at K¨¢¨°?¨´ then turns to leave, but not before offering one last piece of advice.


    B¨ªD¨¨M¨ª (seriously) My lord, be careful with yourself. We can¡¯t help you with your headaches anymore. Anytime it comes, find water and wash your face. Pour it over your head. We won¡¯t be there to do it for you anymore.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ nods, both happy and sad as he watches her go. Her words linger in his mind, her touch still warm on his cheek. As she disappears into the night, he returns to his makeshift bed which made him uncomfortable this is not like the ones he used to sleep at his royal room, a sense of determination settling over him.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (to himself, smiling) When did I get used to royalty? This bed is comfortable compared to the ground I used to sleep on¡­


    He lays down, still thinking about B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª¡¯s touch, her words echoing in his mind. A shiver runs through him again, a strange mix of warmth and coldness, but he pushes the feeling aside.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (to himself, determined): I must protect them¡­ I must¡­


    He closes his eyes, a smile on his face, and drifts into a dreamless sleep.

 Chapter 18 The Path to Chaos

    The Path to Chaos


    The river flows quietly, the rhythmic movement of the water creating a soft, lulling sound in the otherwise silent night. The sky, still not graced by the full moon, casts a dim light, allowing shadows to dance along the riverbanks. Out of the mist, two figures emerge, their feet barely touching the water¡¯s surface as they seem to glide over the river, almost as if running on it.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ and Uwarshigiri appear their footsteps in perfect synchronization until they reach the bank. The moment they set foot on the solid ground, their synchronized movement gives way to a heated argument.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (persistent): Who did you place your bet on Uwar?


    Uwarshigiri (rolls her eyes a smile): You of course


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: And?


    Uwarshigiri (smirks, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and defiance.):  Oh Tsunzafi ta I cannot tell you who it is.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: Why?


    Uwarshigiri (smirks, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and defiance.): And where is the fun in that ehn?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (still persistent): Uwaaar?


    Uwarshigiri (getting tired of the conversation): Tsunzafi taaaaaaa!!! Please enough. Let¡¯s change the conversation ooo.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (retorts, her frustration mounting): And what exactly happened at the stream? You¡¯ve been avoiding that too.


    Uwarshigiri (raising her eyebrow): why do you want to know what happened at the stream?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: I just want to know.


    Uwarshigiri (smirks): is it because of the half-caste maid?


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s face twists in disgust, her curiosity edged with irritation.


    Uwarshigiri (laughs, her voice low and mocking): Why Jin¨¦r¨¦, why does it bother you so much? What could possibly make you so curious about my little encounter at the stream?"


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (irritated): I was just curious about the event because the way my sister reacted when the maid reminded you about the event and how my sister stopped you from talking. She never keeps secretes from me. But, here you are ¡­¡­¡­.


    Before Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ finishes her statement, a booming voice echoes from a distance, cutting through their argument like a blade.


    "I, too, would like to know what happened at the stream!"


    Startled, they turn to see Nw¨¨t¨¢r¨¤ Mm¨¤d¨´any¨¬, the protector of  humanity, looming in the distance. He sits atop a gruesome throne¡ªa massive pile of skulls, assembled with a grim precision, stretching out over what could be an entire plot of land. The pile is so vast it looks like someone had meticulously gathered every bone and stacked them to form a chilling monument.


    Nwe¡¯s massive figure is imposing, like a king of the dead, his eyes glinting as he watches them from his eerie perch. The riverbank lies in clear view from his vantage point, allowing him to see the goddesses approach from the stream.


    Uwarshigiri (snaps, her voice dripping with disgust as she tries to ignore his intrusive question.): "Since when have you been sitting on that pile of death and dirt?"


    Nw¨¨ chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that reverberates through the air. He rises slowly from his seat, bones shifting under his weight as he steps down.


    Nw¨¨ (retorts, pointing an accusatory finger at them.): "I¡¯ve been here since sunset, Uwar. Unlike the both of you, I am always early when summoned


    Uwarshigiri (rolls her eyes, gesturing toward Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦): "Well, blame the princess for her endless primping. She took hours to dress."


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (fires back):  "Don¡¯t put this on me! I was busy looking for you, and guess what she was trying to do when I found her, Nw¨¨."This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Nw¨¨ (voice is thick with sarcasm): "Hmm, let me guess," "was she trying to have a ''?r?k?r?ta''? And what gender this time?"


    He waits, his eyes glinting with amusement as he looks at Uwarshigiri. Before Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ answers, Uwarshigiri cuts in, her voice rising in mock indignation.


    Uwar: "I was not! I was just trying to help him with his clothes."


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (crosses her arms, narrowing her eyes): "Help him with what exactly, while you¡¯re naked?"


    Nw¨¨ (gasps theatrically, his voice filled with mock horror): "What kind of help were you trying to render while naked ehn, Uwar?"


    Uwarshigiri glares at them both, trying to muster a defence, but the teasing glances and mocking smiles make her give up with a huff.


    Uwarshigiri: "Me fa," she mutters, rolling her eyes. "Can¡¯t I have a little fun anymore? Nishadi nishadi nishadi. This is what I need before our quest of death. Who knows when we¡¯ll return?"


    Jin¨¦r¨¦ and Nw¨¨ exchange a glance, their expressions a mix of playful disgust and mockery.


    Jin¨¦r¨¦ (shakes her head, sighing dramatically): "May the gods forgive you."


    Uwarshigiri dismisses their mockery with a wave of her hand, changing the subject.


    Uwarshigiri: "Where is the ancient one who summoned us?"


    As if on cue, If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ appears at the riverbank, a small boat drifting behind him. He surveys the area, his expression unreadable, before making his way toward the group. Nw¨¨ is the first to speak,


    Nw¨¨ (voice tinged with impatience): "Akpukpo, you¡¯re late."


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ (smirks) "Ag¨´n m¨¢ n¨ª y¨¦, you¡¯re early as always."


    He glances around, his brow furrowing.


    "Where are your boats?"


    He doesn¡¯t wait for an answer, noticing the ripples left on the water by their arrival. Realization dawns on him, and he rubs his head in frustration.


    "You all ran on the river, didn¡¯t you?"


    Ignoring his question, the group falls into step behind him as If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ starts moving forward. The air grows thick with tension, and without turning back,


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ (voice cutting through the silence): "Spit it out."


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s fists clench, fire igniting in her palms as she strides forward, her anger palpable.


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦: "M¨® m¨¤ p¨¤ ?," she snarls, "I¡¯ve warned you not to talk to me using your mind!"


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ (rolls his eyes addressing Uwarshigiri with exasperation): Uwar


    Uwarshigiri: "I swear, you owe me for this."


    Uwarshigiri steps in front of Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦, blocking her path. "Tsunzafi ta, remember the tournament. Don¡¯t let me lose my bet. I need both of you in one piece."


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦ (halts, the flames around her fists flickering out): "It¡¯s because of you, Uwar," she mutters.


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ ( grinning, can¡¯t resist a jibe): "You know you¡¯re going to lose that bet, Uwar."


    Uwarshigiri (throws her hands up in mock frustration): "See who I¡¯m trying to help! Fine, I release her. Go ahead with your madness."


    Nw¨¨ (chuckles, clearly enjoying the spectacle): "This is going to be fun to watch."


    Ad¨¦jin¨¦r¨¦¡¯s fists reignite as she lunges toward If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤, but he sidesteps her attack with ease.


    If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ (tone suddenly serious): "Let¡¯s focus on what we came here to do,"


    The atmosphere shifts as the group regains their composure. The surroundings, once clear, now begin to fill with a thick fog. The fog swirls and gathers, growing denser with each passing moment. If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ steps forward, his voice low and resonant as he begins to chant raising is right hand little bit to the sky and his left hand close to this face then pointing his right hands to the fog saying: "B¨ª ¨°r¨´n ?e ¨½ r¨¤n, b¨ª osupa ?e ¨½ tan, j?? k¨ª ?na s¨ª ¨¬k¨¤ns¨ª k¨® y??, j?? k¨ª il?? ik¨² ?¨ª."Which translates to: <u>(As the sun shines and the moon glows, let the path to chaos be cleared and let the door to death be opened.)</u>


    The words hang in the air, echoing with power as the fog begins to condense into a solid form. The ground trembles, and slowly, a massive golden gate rises from the earth, towering above them like an ancient guardian. The gate, twice the height of a fully-grown palm tree, shimmers with an otherworldly light.


    As the gate emerges, the fog dissipates, leaving the group in an eerie stillness. If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤ steps forward, raising his hand. "S¨ª," he commands, and the gate creaks open, revealing a pathway shrouded in darkness.


    Without hesitation, the group steps through, and as they cross the threshold, the gate vanishes behind them, leaving no trace of its existence. They find themselves in a new realm, a place where darkness reigns, and the air is thick with the scent of decay.


    Uwarshigiri (breaks the silence, her voice teasing.) "Why do I think of the half-caste maid the moment we entered here? Makes me want her more"


    Jin¨¦r¨¦ (glares at her): "Why can you not take anything serious in your life Stop thinking about that maid. We have more important things to do."


    Uwarshigiri (smirks, unable to resist a final tease): "Can¡¯t I have a little fun anymore, Tsunzafi ta?"


    Before Jin¨¦r¨¦ responds, a deafening roar echoes through the realm, shaking the ground beneath them. If¨¢d¨¤n¨¤¡¯s voice rings out; calm but commanding.


    "It is time. Prepare yourselves."


    Hearing this, the special ones prepare to battle for what they are about to face.

 Chapter 19 Morning of Realization

    The first light of dawn crept into the dim room where K¨¢¨°?¨´ lay, the rough bedding beneath him a stark contrast to the silken sheets of his past. Yet, despite the unfamiliar surroundings, he had slept soundly¡ªperhaps for the first time in ages. The echo of B¨ªd¨¨m¨ª¡¯s words still lingered in his mind, giving him a strange sense of peace. There had been no nightmares, no shadows of the past haunting him. For a moment, he almost forgot that he was no longer been taking care of like a prince,  there were no maids to wake him with gentle whispers and take him to the stream to have a soothe bath. But on the bright side, he not locked in the princely prison and he can now try to prove his worth and become like a special one in this realm.


    A rooster¡¯s crow shattered the morning stillness, its call persistent and loud, drawing K¨¢¨°?¨´ from his peaceful slumber. He opened his eyes slowly, a smile playing on his lips as he stretched his arms wide, the muscles in his bare chest flexing as he yawned.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Yawning and stretching] "What a night... No nightmares... just sleep. I could get used to this."


    But the tranquillity was short-lived. As K¨¢¨°?¨´ began to gather his thoughts, he realized the room was eerily quiet¡ªtoo quiet. He looked around and noticed that the other soldiers who shared the space were gone. The sheets were neatly packed, and the room bore no signs of recent occupancy. Panic set in.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Eyes wide in realization] "I¡¯m late! No one woke me... No one told me the rules... What do I do?"


    He bolts upright, the sun¡¯s harsh rays piercing through the open doorway, momentarily blinding him. He squints, realizing just how late he is. His heart races as he scrambles to his feet, his thoughts a jumbled mess.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Fumbling with his clothes] "I haven¡¯t even taken a bath... What do I wear? What if Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ finds out? She¡¯ll... She¡¯ll..."


    The thought of Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢¡¯s wrath makes his blood run cold. Just as he is about to decide whether to risk a bath or run out as he is, he hears a voice call out, harsh and loud.


    Soldier 1: [From a distance] ¡°Half-caste! Hey, half-caste!¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s heart nearly stops. The voice, combined with the clanking of Armour, sends him into a panic. He looks to his side and sees two soldiers marching toward him, one gripping a spear, the other with a sword at his side.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Muttering to himself, eyes wide with fear] "It¡¯s her... Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ sent them for me!"


    Without a second thought, he turns and sprints, his feet barely touching the ground. The soldiers yell after him, but he pays no heed, his fear fuelling his speed.


    Soldier 2: [Shouting, frustrated] "Stop! Where do you think you¡¯re going, half-caste?"


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Shouting back, not stopping] "Leave me alone!


    Soldier 1: [Shouting, frustrated] ¡°Why should we leave you alone are you trying to escape you fool!!¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Shouting back, not stopping] No! I am not


    Soldier 1 & Soldier 2: [Shouting, frustrated] Then why are you running?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Shouting back, not stopping] "Leave me alone! I¡¯m not going back to the lady!"


    The soldiers exchange a glance, suddenly understanding the source of his panic.


    Soldier 1: [Shouting after him] ¡°That¡¯s not why we¡¯re chasing you, fool! Lady Ad¨¦?l¨¢ isn¡¯t looking for you!¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Sceptical, still running] ¡°Why should I believe you?¡±


    Soldier 2: [Panting, but still shouting] ¡°If the lady wanted you captured, you¡¯d already be in a prison cell mumu!¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ slows down, considering the logic in their words. His breath comes in heavy pants as he finally stops, waiting for the soldiers to catch up. When they reach him, they are bent over, hands on their knees, cursing under their breath.


    Soldier 1: [Gasping, annoyed] ¡°You... You insolent fool!  You make us pursue you like we are pursuing a thief at ?j¨¤ ?ba!¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Sheepish, but defensive] ¡°But I didn¡¯t steal anything...¡±


    Soldier 2: [furious at his response, still catching his breath] ¡°Who says you steal anything? You dumb boy¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ wants to react as they called him dumb but takes a glance at the soldiers, noting their middle-aged twin faces and the exhaustion in their eyes. They look more tired than angry, and a pang of guilt hits him.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Hesitant] ¡°Why are you looking for me?¡±


    Soldier 1: [Still annoyed, gesturing sharply] ¡°Come with us, fool. You¡¯re late.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [confused] ¡°late? For¡­¡­¡­¡±


    Before K¨¢¨°?¨´ lands his question, the guards starts to move so he follows them, curious and nervous, his mind racing with questions. As they walk, he finally musters the courage to ask.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Quietly] ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±


    Soldiers 1 & 2: [Simultaneously, annoyed] ¡°Shut up and follow us.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ falls silent, trailing behind them until they reach a familiar place, an open field filled with soldiers¡ªhundreds of them double the number from the last time he was here. His heart sinks as he recognizes the place where he had fought and nearly lost. The soldiers¡¯ eyes turn to him, some filled with disgust, others with thinly veiled annoyance. He is confuse about why the soldiers still look at him that way since he is already one of them, is it because his eyes are different or his body attracts the palace maidens more? Then he remembers he is half naked, K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels exposed; embarrassed by his bare chest and the simple blue ad¨¬r? trousers he wears. ¡°This must be the reason why they are all staring at me¡± he said to himself. To avoid any distractions he stayed at the back and decides not to move forward. He mind is filled with confusion, to clear his doubts he asks the soldiers.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [To the soldiers who brought him, voice low with embarrassment] ¡°Why did you bring me here?¡±


    Soldier 1: [Grinning slightly] ¡°For ??r?? ¨¬k¨¤ns¨ª.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Frowning, confused] ¡°What¡¯s ??r?? ¨¬k¨¤ns¨ª?¡±


    His British intonation only seems to annoy the second soldier more, who rolls his eyes in exasperation.


    Soldier 2: [Gruffly] ¡°It¡¯s an induction speech given by the commander to new soldiers. You¡¯re supposed to be here, idiot.¡±


    Shame floods K¨¢¨°?¨´ as the realization hits him. The stares, the whispers¡ªit all makes sense now. He is supposed to be here, part of the ceremony, but instead, he is standing out like a sore thumb, underdressed and unprepared.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Voice tinged with frustration] ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me this earlier?¡±


    Soldier 1: [Smirking, annoyed] ¡°We tried, but you made us chase you down like a headless chicken. Now we¡¯re late, thanks to you.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Groaning, running a hand through his hair] ¡°You could¡¯ve at least brought my armour.¡±


    Soldier 2: [Snapping back] ¡°We¡¯re not your maids¡¯ boy! As a soldier, you¡¯re supposed to handle these things yourself. Your armour should¡¯ve been sent to you last night. Your dorm mates should¡¯ve told you, or woken you up!¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ pauses, the words sinking in. He hadn¡¯t seen his dorm mates¡ªthey must have left without him, leaving him to fend for himself.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Muttering, more to himself] ¡°I didn¡¯t see anyone... I was alone when I woke up.¡±


    The soldiers exchange a glance, realizing the situation.


    Soldier 1: [Sighing, resigned] ¡°Well, it¡¯s too late now. You¡¯re here. Just stay at the back and try not to draw attention to yourself.¡±


    Suddenly, a loud voice booms from the front of the assembly, cutting through the murmurs like a blade.


    Voice from the Front: ¡°Soldiers of Is¨¦d¨°kan!¡±


    The entire field falls silent, the air thick with anticipation. K¨¢¨°?¨´ can¡¯t see the speaker, but the voice sends a shiver down his spine. It isn¡¯t the commander¡¯s voice, or the grand general¡¯s. It¡¯s someone new, someone intimidating.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Whispering to the soldiers beside him] ¡°Who is that?¡±


    The soldiers beside him stand at attention, their faces serious, their fingertips trembling slightly.


    Soldier 1: [Whispering back, almost reverently] ¡°That¡¯s B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??. Shut up and listen.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s curiosity is piqued as B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y?? continues, his voice resonating with power and authority.


    B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??: [Loud and commanding] ¡°It is an honour to congratulate you all. You are no longer the child that sucks from your mothers¡¯ breasts, but the man who will protect her  from chaos. Unfortunately, Kwamanda na Tsaro, the commander of guards, is not available, as he faces pressing issues at the capital. But I am honored to see and speak to the men here.¡±


    As B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y?? speaks, K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels a surge of emotion¡ªpride, fear, and something else he can¡¯t quite name. The words stir something deep within him, a sense of purpose that resonates with his very soul.


    B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??: [Continuing, passionately] ¡°Fighting for Is¨¦d¨°kan is not just about defending ¨¬k¨´n, but about protecting our mothers, sisters, and children here in the capital. We remember the stories¡ªhow our realm was nearly destroyed by chaos, and how the three blessed Orisha, ??r¨²nm¨¬l¨¤, and the ?y? ¨°r¨¨ ¨¬n¨¤ ¨¤ti ¨¨r¨¨, saved us. Their emblem graces our armour and shields even today. The battle against chaos has been the battle of generation by generation  since the Orishas ascended to the sky; the more it gets stronger the more our will to defeat it gets stronger and when it got to a point where all hope were lost, when the gates to chaos opened once again we were blessed  by  Ol¨®d¨´mar¨¨ and he gave us the special ones to protect us doing our hard times as I speak presently the special ones are at the gate of chaos fighting for us as we speak.  We all know chaos is not the only enemy we have; there are enemies everywhere which main goal is to destroy our purpose and goals. That we must not accept; we must and we will crush our enemies¡¯ bones by the sword and digs it to the ground¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels goose bumps rise on his skin as B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??¡¯s words wash over him. He doesn¡¯t fully understand the language, but the passion and conviction in the man¡¯s voice are unmistakable. Still he has question to ask what is chaos? What happened in this realm? How strong are the special Ones?  What is their major role in this realm? He has many questions that needs to be answered from this B¨¤l¨®gun speech. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??: [Raising his hand, voice booming] ¡°B¨ª ¨¤w?n ¨°r¨¬?¨¤ b¨¢ w¨¤ l¨®r¨ª wa, ¨¬k??s?? wa l¨°d¨¬ s¨ª ¨¬r¨¨j?? k¨¬ y¨®¨° d¨¢!¡±


    The soldiers stomp their feet in unison, fists to their chests as they echo his words, their voices a powerful chorus.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Thinking to himself, awestruck] ¡°I don¡¯t understand what he¡¯s saying... but I can feel it. The passion, the power... No wonder their fingers were trembling. Who is this man?¡±


    As the speech draws to a close, silence once again falls over the field. B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??¡¯s final words hang in the air, a reminder of the responsibility that now rests on each of their shoulders.


    B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??: [Commanding] ¡°I will be in the capital for a while until ¨¤r? ??n¨¤ returns. Go to your dorms, your official post will be sent to you, be prepared and protect your mother¡¯s house, for we do not know when thieves will come to steal her gold. You are dismissed.¡±


    As the soldiers begin to disperse, K¨¢¨°?¨´ tries to slip away unnoticed, eager to avoid further attention. But then, B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??¡¯s voice rings out once more, sharp and direct.


    B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??: [Firmly] ¡°Who is K¨¢¨°?¨´?¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ freezes, his heart dropping to his stomach. He doesn¡¯t need to raise his hand¡ªeveryone¡¯s gaze is already on him. The whispers stop, the eyes burn into his back as he slowly makes his way to the front.


    As he stands before B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??, he feels the weight of his mistake¡ªthe absence of a proper uniform, his bare chest, the shame of being late. But what surprises him most is the expression on B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??¡¯s face.


    B¨¤l¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??: [Disappointed, shaking his head] ¡°This is not the K¨¢¨°?¨´ ¨¤r? ??n¨¤ spoke of.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ stares in shock, the words cutting deeper than any blade.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Whispering to himself, confused] ¡°What does he mean by that...?¡±


    Balogun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??, towering and formidable, stands before K¨¢¨°?¨´. The air is thick with tension, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ keeps his head bowed, unsure of what to expect.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (stern, observing):


    This is not the K¨¢¨°?¨´ ¨¤r? ??n¨¤ spoke of.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels a jolt of shock but quickly lowers his head, pretending he hasn¡¯t heard. His heart races, but he forces himself to remain calm.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (firm, questioning):


    Are you not K¨¢¨°?¨´?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ slowly raises his head, meeting the Balogun¡¯s piercing green eyes.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (nervous, but trying to remain composed):


    Yes, I am.


    As K¨¢¨°?¨´ looks up, he takes in the full presence of Balogun ??d¨¤r¨¢y??. The man¡¯s broad chest and thick legs make him as imposing as an ancient ¨¬r¨®k¨° tree, a symbol of strength and endurance. K¨¢¨°?¨´ can feel the energy radiating from him, a force so powerful it reminds him of the Special Ones when he first met them.


    The Balogun stands tall, his stature reminiscent of a warrior forged in countless battles. His armor, crafted from golden metal and black cloth with white stripes, gleams with authority. Yet, K¨¢¨°?¨´ notices something odd¡ªthe man is barefoot. His massive feet, twice the size of a normal foot, are bare against the ground, contrasting with everyone else¡¯s footwear.


    The Balogun¡¯s face, marked by three lines on each cheek, carries an air of intimidation. K¨¢¨°?¨´ recognizes these marks, familiar from the outside realm, but they seem more ominous on this man. The Balogun¡¯s aura is overwhelming, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels small in comparison, as though he¡¯s standing before a force of nature.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (scrutinizing, slightly skeptical):


    You are K¨¢¨°?¨´, right?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ nods, trying to steady his voice.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (cautious, but determined):


    Yes, I am.


    The Balogun scrutinizes him, his gaze heavy with judgment.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (disappointed, contemplative):


    You look like what ¨¤r? ??n¨¤ described, but I don¡¯t see what he sees.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is shocked by these words. Who is ¨¤r? ??n¨¤? he wonders, feeling a surge of confusion. Summoning his courage, he asks.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (curious, slightly anxious):


    What do you mean by that?


    The Balogun does not answer directly. Instead, he studies K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a look of disappointment, his eyes narrowing.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (disapproving, critical):


    Why are you like this?


    His tone carries a weight of disapproval as he looks at K¨¢¨°?¨´ in a way that makes him feel small, almost pathetic. K¨¢¨°?¨´ lowers his head once more, too ashamed to meet the honourable man¡¯s eyes. His appearance, not dressed properly, fills him with regret. He stammers, trying to apologize, but the words stick in his throat.


    The Balogun, as if reading his thoughts, presses on.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (inquisitive, firm):


    Who brought you here?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (hesitant, honest):


    I don¡¯t know who they are.


    The Balogun considers this for a moment, his expression thoughtful.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (analytical, probing):


    Were they new recruits?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (thoughtful, reflective):


    No, by the look of it, they are not new recruits.


    The Balogun pauses, his eyes narrowing slightly as he continues to assess K¨¢¨°?¨´.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (persistent, curious):


    Do you know any of your dormmates?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (regretful, resigned):


    I do not know them. I have not seen them at all.


    The Balogun¡¯s expression remains stern as he asks his next question.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (serious, determined):


    And the soldiers who brought you here¡ªwill you recognize them if you see them?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ nods confidently.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (assertive, confident):


    Yes, I will.


    Hearing this, the Balogun instructs K¨¢¨°?¨´ to describe the soldiers. Just as K¨¢¨°?¨´ begins to provide details, two soldiers approach from behind, drawing the Balogun¡¯s attention. Instantly, his demeanour softens as he recognizes them.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (delighted, smiling):


    Ejire! It is so nice to see the both of you.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ watches as the Balogun warmly greets the twin soldiers, Taiye and Kehinde, with an enthusiasm that seems to momentarily erase K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s presence. The Balogun, lost in conversation with the twins, appears to forget about K¨¢¨°?¨´ entirely. Feeling abandoned, K¨¢¨°?¨´ tries to interrupt, but the three soldiers pay him no mind. Frustrated, he raises his voice, pointing directly at the twins.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (louder, frustrated):


    These are the soldiers that brought me here!


    The Balogun, startled by K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s outburst, turns to the twins, his curiosity piqued.


    BALOGUN ??D¨¤R¨¢Y?? (curious, slightly puzzled):


    Taiye, Kehinde, do you know this man?


    The twins exchange a glance before turning to K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a look of feigned confusion.


    TAIYE & KEHINDE (in unison, feigning ignorance):


    Who are you?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ is stunned. His heart sinks as he realizes they are lying. Desperately, he waves his hands, refusing to accept their deceit.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (frustrated, pleading):


    No, no, no! It was the both of you that brought me here! Have you forgotten this morning¡¯s race? When did you leave? Why did you leave?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ turns to the Balogun, his voice filled with urgency.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (insistent, desperate):


    They are the ones that brought me here!


    Kehinde, annoyed by K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s persistence, snaps back in irritation.


    KEHINDE (furious, dismissive):


    Abi nkan se ?l??y¨¬¨ª ni? Taiye, do you know him?


    TAIYE (feigning ignorance):


    I do not.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´, frustrated beyond belief, raises his voice, his anger boiling over.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (angry, defiant):


    I have not seen any twins since I got to this realm! You are the first, so don¡¯t come with your ridiculous lies. And why did you two vanish the moment the speech was over? In fact, you both disappeared the moment he called my name!


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ points his finger accusingly at the Balogun, but as he meets the Balogun¡¯s stern gaze, he immediately stops, realizing he has overstepped his boundaries. He lowers his voice, his anger turning into a plea.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (calmer, but firm):


    I know what I¡¯m saying. (Facing the ground, calmer) They are the ones.


    The Balogun gives the twins a long, stern look¡ªa silent warning that needs no words. The twins exchange a nervous glance, realizing they¡¯ve been caught. Finally, they give in.


    KEHINDE (reluctant, muttering):


    Stupid brat.


    Turning to the Balogun, Taiye speaks with a tone of reluctant admission.


    TAIYE (apologetic, resigned):


    We are sorry, Balogun, for not telling the truth earlier. We brought him here.


    The Balogun¡¯s stern gaze remains fixed on them, his disappointment palpable. The tension in the air is thick as K¨¢¨°?¨´ watches, feeling a small victory but still unsure of what will happen next.


    The Bal¨®gun¡¯s stern gaze remains fixed on them, his disappointment clear. The air feels heavy, thick with tension. K¨¢¨°?¨´ watches, feeling a small victory, but he still does not know what will happen next.


    For a long moment, silence fills the room. The Bal¨®gun¡¯s presence is like a storm about to break. He shifts his gaze from K¨¢¨°?¨´ and looks at the twins. He takes a slow breath, his chest rising and falling like the waves of the ocean.


    Just as he opens his mouth to speak, the twins, Kehinde and Taiwo, drop to their knees in unison. Before he can utter ¨¨j¨¬r??..., they quickly interrupt him.


    Kehinde: [Urgently] "We are so, so sorry for not telling the truth!"


    Taiye: [Nodding quickly] "We were asked by someone we owe a debt to... to check up on him before your arrival, Bal¨®gun."


    Kehinde: [Rushed words] "We just didn¡¯t want to be in trouble. Because anywhere this half-caste goes, trouble follows." "B¨ª ?y? b¨¢ l?, gbogbo igi ni y¨®¨° m?? p¨¦ ¨® ti l?." Translation: "When the bird flies, all the trees know it has flown."


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ clenches his fists. He wants to argue, but a part of him knows there is truth in their words. No matter where he goes, chaos always seems to follow.


    The Bal¨®gun exhales sharply through his nose, then does something unexpected¡ªhe smiles. His deep voice fills the room as he begins the ¨¨j¨¬r?? Or¨ªk¨¬, the praise poetry of twins:


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: ¡°Ej¨¬r?? ar¨¢ ¨¬?ok¨²n!


    ?yin m¨¦j¨¬ t¨ª k¨° le j¨¨r¨¨ d¨ªd¨´n, ?¨´gb??n t¨ª k¨° n¨ª gb¨¤ gb¨¨s¨¨!


    ¨¤w?n m¨¦j¨¬ t¨ª ¨½?e ¨¤r¨°kan, t¨ª ¨® s¨¬ m? b¨ª a ?e n r¨¬n!


    Kehinde t¨® s¨¤g¨¤, Taiye t¨® m¨² ¨¤l¨¤¨¢f¨ª¨¤ w¨¢!¡±


    Translation: (Twins of ¨¬?ok¨²n!


    You who enjoy sweetness but never owe a debt!


    Two who are mischievous, yet know how to walk wisely!


    Kehinde who causes trouble, Taiye who brings peace!)


    His voice carries through the chamber, wrapping around them like an elder¡¯s embrace. The twins, touched by his words, lift their heads with smiles forming on their lips. Despite the joy, tears slip from their eyes.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ watches in disbelief. How can such a mighty man be so kind to these twins? How can someone with so much power shows such softness?


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: [Firmly] "I am not angry with you, but honesty must never be abandoned. Our mother never taught us to lie. If we lie before a forgotten child, how will we teach truth to our own children?"


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: ¡°¨¤¨¬s¨¬n ¨¨k¨¦ k¨¬¨ª d¨¤ b¨ª ¨¤¨¬s¨¬n ?ba; b¨ª a k¨° b¨¢ t¨¤n ar¨¢y¨¦, a ¨° n¨ª t¨¤n ara wa.¡±


    (A life without lies is better than a life without a king; if we do not deceive the world, we will not deceive ourselves.)


    The twins lower their heads again, taking in his words.


    Then, the Bal¨®gun turns his attention back to K¨¢¨°?¨´. His expression is hard, like iron cooling in a blacksmith¡¯s hands.


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: [Mutters] "You still look disgraceful. Do you even know where you are? What you are? Who you are?"


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ frowns, confused by the Bal¨®gun¡¯s shifting behavior. Is he always like this? One moment stern, the next kind, and then cruel again?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Uncertain] "I... I know."


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: [Darkens, stepping forward] "You clearly don¡¯t know, you imbecile! You do not know what your presence has done the moment you stepped your foot on this realm, our fragile your life is and easy it can be taken away from this realm yet!!! (takes a deep breath) YET YOU LIVE !!!! standing like a hopeless citizen waiting for the people to be sorry about his story and not fight like a soldier to prove everyone wrong. So, I ask you again K¨¢¨°?¨´ ¡°DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ flinches. The insult stings. Anger flickers within him, but fear quickly smothers it. Why is he words so annoying, I never let any man talk down to me¡ªnot even when I am about to die. But this man... his words is so harsh yet he speaks the truth, do I really know myself anymore? His hands tremble, but he says nothing.


    His head lowers in shame. His voice, though steadier, is quieter.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Softly] "I am not sure."


    The words make the Bal¨®gun furious. He steps closer, his footsteps echoing like drumbeats.


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: [Mocking] "And you call yourself a one-man army?" [Exhales sharply, shaking his head.] "Sigh... I still do not see what* ¨¤r? ¨°n¨¤*sees in you."


    He turns on his heel, dismissing K¨¢¨°?¨´ as if he were nothing more than a shadow in the firelight facing another figure enters the hall¡ªthe Commander of the Guards, the same man K¨¢¨°?¨´ had fought earlier.


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: [Without sparing a glance] "Take him back to his quarters and dress him properly. I still have words to discuss with him."


    The twins bow in response and move toward K¨¢¨°?¨´. He does not resist as they lead him away, but his mind races.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: [Thinking] What is happening to me? Who am I, really?


    As they step out of the large chamber, Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y?? watches them go. A knowing smile plays on his lips before he turns to the Commander of the Guards.


    Bal¨®gun ??d¨¤r¨¤y??: [bowing] "It is nice to see you commander."


    The air hums with anticipation. Whatever is said next will change the course of fat

 Chapter 20: Noon of Realization

    The afternoon sun streams through the narrow window of K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s chamber, painting his features with a warm, golden glow. The light dances on his face as he stands before a large mirror, lost in thought. His attire awaits his touch¡ªa symbol of both honor and duty.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s black armor, polished to a near mirror shine, bears the emblem of a four-winged crescent bird. The metal plates interlock seamlessly, protecting him like a second skin. His trousers, woven in the style of fine aso oke, wrap snugly around his legs, and his sturdy leather sandals, laced meticulously, promise both durability and grace.


    As he fastens his sash, the echo of the Bal¨®gun¡¯s harsh words rings in his ears, slicing through the quiet afternoon.


    ¡°You clearly don¡¯t know, you imbecile! You do not understand what your mere presence has wrought the moment you stepped into this realm¡ªhow fragile your life is and how easily it can be snatched away! And yet¡­ YET YOU LIVE! You stand like a hopeless citizen, waiting for pity instead of fighting like a soldier to prove everyone wrong. So I ask you once again, K¨¢¨°?¨´¡­ DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s hands tremble as he struggles with his buckle. His eyes darken with doubt.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (murmuring, to himself): Do I really know who I am? I¡¯m not an imbecile¡­ am I?


    Kehinde (teasing, with a sarcastic smile):¡°Well, you were standing like one at his presence.¡±


    In the background, Kehinde is crouched beside a low stool, carefully fixing K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s sandals. His face is set in a calm yet playful concentration as he notices K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s distant gaze.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ startles and his cheeks redden with embarrassment.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´:(embarrassed) ¡°How long were you listening to me? Did you¡­ hear me? I didn¡¯t realize I was speaking aloud.¡±


    Taiye, busy straightening the straps of the armor, snaps without pausing, his eyes sharp and impatient.


    Taiye: ¡°Who cares imbecile? Just shut up so we can dress you up on time so we can get back to the hall.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s eyes flicker between the two men, filled with a mixture of hurt and gratitude. He wonders silently why these twins¡ªbarely five years younger than the Bal¨®gun¡ªtend to his needs like a royal, even when he feels utterly lost. His thoughts drift to the debt they mentioned earlier¡­ Who are they truly repaying? And who sent them?


    Before K¨¢¨°?¨´ can voice his unspoken questions, a towering guard strides into the room. His broad chest and imposing frame cast a long shadow on the clayed floor as he silently moves toward a side table, intent on retrieving something.


    Taiye (irritated, calling out): ¡°You¡¯re his dorm mate, right?¡±


    The guard¡¯s silence fuels the twins¡¯ growing frustration. Kehinde¡¯s eyes flash with anger as he shouts in a forceful tone:


    Kehinde (annoyed):


    ¡°Are you not the one my second is talking to ehn¡±


    The guard listening to this raises his head up looks at them in disgust as he hisses then he went back to what he was doing. This response fuels the twins¡¯ growing frustration. Kehinde¡¯s eyes flash with anger as he shouts in a forceful tone pointing at the guard trying to attack the guard by charging his right fist at him


    Kehinde (shouting in yoyoruba):Iwo ?m? ?d? y¨¬¨ª


    (Translation: ¡°Foolish child!¡±)


    The guard¡¯s face hardens into a scowl. He sidesteps sharply, and with a swift movement, he pushes Kehinde aside. The impact sends Kehinde stumbling to the floor, his expression a blend of shock and indignation.


    Taiye¡¯s face contorts with fury. He steps forward and delivers a powerful kick to the guard¡¯s chest. The guard staggers back, a smirk tugging at his lips as he taunts in Igbo:


    Guard (mocking, in Igbo): ? b? nd? okenye a ka any? na-ach? ugbu a?


    (Translation: ¡°Is this the sort of old men we¡¯re recruiting now?¡±)


    Without hesitation, Taiye lunges again, aiming a swift blow at the guard¡¯s face. The guard quickly dodges and prepares to strike back, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ steps in. With calm authority, he catches the guard¡¯s raised fist in mid-air, his eyes gleaming with unshakable determination.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (firm yet smiling): ¡°I¡¯m not from here¡ªbut I know you¡¯re not taught to treat your elders this way.¡±


    The guard struggles against K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s unyielding grip. His face transforms from arrogant amusement to grim frustration. The more the guard tries to free himself, the tighter K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s grip becomes. K¨¢¨°?¨´ tilts his head, a teasing smile playing on his lips


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (laughing softly): ¡°So, you¡¯re all muscle and no sense?¡±


    The guard tries to free himself with his other fist, but K¨¢¨°?¨´ intercepts it just as decisively. The guard grunts, his legs trembling like leaves in the wind as K¨¢¨°?¨´''s grip tightens. His face turns a fiery red, and sweat pours down like a waterfall. Struggling like a trapped animal, the guard''s efforts are futile. K¨¢¨°?¨´ leans closer, his voice a low, mischievous whisper.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´:(mischievously) ¡°I can smell your fear.¡±


    In one swift, decisive movement, K¨¢¨°?¨´ spits on the guard¡¯s forehead and delivers a sharp headbutt. The guard crumples instantly, falling like a sack of potatoes onto the cool clay floor. The twins stand in stunned silence, their expressions a blend of shock, awe, and reluctant admiration.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Kehinde rises slowly, dusting himself off like a cat shaking off water, while Taiye¡¯s eyes remain alight with both residual fury and shock.


    Kehinde (softly, in wonder):


    ¡°ah by the gods¡­¡±


    Taiye (grudgingly impressed):


    ¡°That¡­ was something else.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ extends a hand to help Kehinde up, his face soft with concern yet marred by confusion. Before Kehinde can grasp it, Taiye intercepts with a firm slap, his tone brisk.


    Taiye: ¡°Forget it. Let¡¯s move on¡ªback to the hall.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s eyes shimmer with a mix of hurt and disappointment as he watches the twins. He wonders silently, ¡°Did they just refuse my help? Why are they still so harsh?¡± Then, as the weight of responsibility settles on him, he remembers¡ªthe mess they¡¯re in is because of him.


    Overwhelmed by remorse, K¨¢¨°?¨´ falls to one knee in the soft glow of the afternoon light. His voice trembles, carrying a respectful, British lilt.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (quietly):


    ¡°Emabinu¡­¡±


    (Note: ¡°Emabinu¡± is uttered with a tone of humble apology.)


    The twins freeze, their expressions caught between surprise and exasperation. Kehinde shakes his head with a slight smile and chides gently:


    Kehinde: ¡°Your Yoruba is off. Stand up, and let¡¯s go.¡±


    Taiye adds with a smirk and a shake of his head:


    Taiye: ¡°Remember, Yoruba men don¡¯t kneel to elders¡ªthey prostrate.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ stands slowly, his eyes still reflecting the golden afternoon sun and the turmoil within. As they begin their walk toward the hall, K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s curiosity gets the better of him.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (inquiring, softly): ¡°Tell me¡­ why are you helping me? What debt are you repaying?¡±


    Taiye and Kehinde exchange a brief, understanding glance before Taiye answers, his tone warm yet resolute.


    Taiye: ¡°There¡¯s a kind-hearted girl in the palace who always shares the best of its food and warmth with us. When we were lost, she¡ªalong with her friends¡ªshowed us the way.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ leans in, his brow furrowed with earnest interest.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: ¡°And what exactly did she ask of you?¡±


    Kehinde¡¯s gaze softens as he recounts the memory, his voice gentle.


    Kehinde: ¡°You know we were once lost like you since we just joined the army, she and her friends always guide us. She once guided us when we were hopelessly lost. We even ended up at the women¡¯s river by mistake¡ªit was both embarrassing and strangely beautiful. They led us to the men¡¯s river and assured us they won¡¯t tell anyone what happened.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s eyes light up with hope as he pieces the story together.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: ¡°So, she asked you to watch over me?¡±


    Taiye (nodding with a gentle smile):


    ¡°Exactly. When she asked this from us we could not deny her request.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s expression softens, his eyes glistening with unshed tears as he dares to ask, his voice filled with vulnerable hope.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: ¡°And who is she? What does she look like?¡±


    Taiye¡¯s face turns wistful, his voice filled with reverence.


    Taiye: ¡°She¡¯s one of the most beautiful souls I¡¯ve ever seen¡ªher skin is as smooth as polished ivory, and her eyes shine like the morning sun. And her friends¡ªthey¡¯re like beams of light, full of youth and grace.¡±


    A tender smile spreads across K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s face as he dares a quiet question.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (hesitantly): ¡°Is her name¡­ Bidemi?¡±


    For a heartbeat, the twins exchange a look before both reply softly in unison.


    Both:¡°Yes.¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels a wave of surprise and gratitude wash over him. His heart flutters as he listens, his mind drifting back to a promise from the past. ¡°Bidemi¡­¡± he whispers to himself under his breath, remembering the words she once said to him. ¡°we¡¯ll always be with you, even when we are not with you.¡±


    It¡¯s then that it hits him ¡ª they¡¯re doing it now.


    The maids, Bidemi and her friends, are still helping him, still looking out for him even when they¡¯re not physically present. The realization warms his chest, and a soft smile breaks across his face as he reflects on how true her words were.


    He pauses for a moment, overcome with emotion, and before he can stop himself, he murmurs aloud, ¡°My three beautiful maids...¡± His voice is thick with gratitude, and for a brief second, tears glisten in his eyes.:


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: ¡°My three beautiful maids¡­¡±


    Kehinde¡¯s eyes widen in surprise while Taiye arches an eyebrow, a gentle teasing smile forming.


    Kehinde (confused): ¡°ehn¡ªwhat did you just say, K¨¢¨°?¨´? ¡®My three beautiful maids ke¡¯?¡±


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ (flustered): ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean it out loud. My heart sometimes speaks before my mind catches up.¡±


    Taiye (surprised ):


    ¡°I am not concerned about that how do you have maids? Ehn s? fun mi


    K¨¢¨°?¨´ laughs softly, the sound mingling relief and tenderness.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´: (Looking at the twins, smiling slightly, but with a hint of uncertainty) It¡¯s a long story, sirs


    Taiye: (Tapping K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s left shoulder with a grin, a playful gleam in his eyes) You¡¯re going to tell us every bit of that story, boy.


    Kehinde: (Tapping K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s right shoulder, raising an eyebrow, confused) What is ¡®sirs¡¯?


    K¨¢¨°?¨´:(Smiling back, though a little embarrassed) It¡¯s a word of respect for elders and respectful people. Sir.


    Taiye & Kehinde: (Exchanging a glance, both breaking into wide smiles) Good boy.


    Kehinde:(Looking at Taiye, teasing K¨¢¨°?¨´ with a smirk)


    He just needs to learn how to speak the language.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´:(Chuckling softly, playfully)


    Will you teach me?


    Taiye:(Grinning, enjoying the moment) We¡¯ll try. But you have a lot of work to do, boy a child still sucking has a better chance of getting the language than you.


    The twins laugh, their energy light and teasing as they continue walking down the hall. As they walk through the corridors, their voices light and filled with laughter, they reach the hall. The moment they enter, they notice the commander of the guards storming out, his face red with rage. The three soldiers exchange knowing glances¡ªsomething had been said, something that had provoked the commander¡¯s fury.


    But the expression on the Balogun¡¯s face tells a different story. He is calm, his face an unreadable mask.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s heart skips a beat when he notices the general standing at the front of the hall. As their eyes meet, the general¡¯s smile vanishes like mist in the morning sun. His gaze shifts from the twins to K¨¢¨°?¨´, and K¨¢¨°?¨´ feels a chill run down his spine. The general¡¯s face tightens, his eyes narrowing like a predator sizing up its prey.


    K¨¢¨°?¨´¡¯s mind races. What have I done to this man? He wonders, feeling a sense of unease building in his chest. He hates me so much¡­