Chapter 42: A Confession and a Shared Passion
1588words
"Dapo," she croaked, her voice hoarse, "why? After everything we've seen, everything we've learned…"
Dapo paused for a moment, nervously glancing back and forth between her and the broken wall where the vortex had appeared just moments earlier. He ran his hand through his hair, showing he was worried and maybe also feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Look," he began to talk finally, his voice showing feelings not seen before, "seeing that... thing... whatever it was... made me very afraid. But the contract..."
"The contract!" Eki cut him off, her voice rising in anger. "This is what everything is about, yes? Controlling art power, same as your ancestors did!"
Dapo's face quickly showed pain, and his expression looked hurt. "It not so easy, Eki," he said in a quiet voice now. "There's more to it than just power."
He stopped once again and took a deep breath. "Do you remember the old picture in the study, where a lady is holding a paintbrush?"
Eki thinks a lot and tries to recall the painting even with all the recent turmoil. A vague picture comes back – a stern-looking woman with bright red hair, her hand resting on an easel.
"Yeah," she said slowly, "what about it?"
Dapo looked down, his voice barely a whisper. "That's my grandmother. She… she was an artist. A damn good one too, from what I've heard."
Eki's open mouth is very wide. Dapo, who everybody knows for being so strict and always in control, has an artist in his family. It defied everything she thought she knew.
"But... Why does nobody talk about her?" she whispered, confusion mixed with a growing feeling of understanding.
Dapo exhaled with much feeling, carrying the heavy burden of their family secret. "She... she did not do what everyone believed," he said. My grandfather, who very much believed in order and control, could not accept this. He made her stop thinking about that dream and marry a man he thought would bring 'stability' to her life.
A bitter edge crept into his voice. "She never picked up a brush again. Died a shell of the woman she could have been."
Eki's heart felt very heavy, carrying not only sadness but also a new kind of respect for Dapo. She now realized he was not just the cold and smart brother she always thought before. He also understood that Olumide's high expectations could feel very heavy, making it difficult to think creatively.
"So... that is why you acted like it didn't matter at first," she said slowly, now realizing maybe her initial anger was not correct.
Dapo nodded, eyes now showing softness different from before. "I... I think maybe that part was hidden very deep inside me. When I saw the spirit, or whatever it was, it... made all memories come back to me. The anger came back, and with it also returned the frustration and that sensation of being stuck inside a cage.
A deep silence was in the room, only interrupted by the soft dance of dust in the light coming through the cracked window. Eki looked at Dapo; his pain showing her battles with their family past.
"Maybe," she said at last in a softer voice, "maybe both can learn from what happened before."
Dapo looked deep into her eyes, a small spark of hope showing. "You believe... you think there is a way out?" A way to free ourselves from the shadows of the past?"
Eki no saying nothing. But when she looked at him, something warm started to grow inside her heart. Maybe, if they join forces, they can discover a way to escape from the cycle of control. A method that allows them to respect their artistic traditions without falling into hidden dark aspects.
Suddenly, an idea came to her mind without warning. "Dapo," she whispered gently, "what if... what if we can use the Moonlight Lease in another way?"
Dapo's brow furrowed. "Another way? How?"
Eki took a deep breath, her mind racing. The hidden contract mentioned a "balance." "Can they use lease, not to take benefit from creativity, but to make it better?" she ends saying. Her question stayed in the air like an exam for everyone.
Dapo thinks much about this idea, and little by little he begins to smile. "An artist with their power... maybe it can be a good thing, a way for dark Orisha to have less control."
Eki nodded, a surge of excitement coursing through her. "But how? The contract is for control, it takes away creative freedom. Is changing things possible?
"Maybe not rewrite," said Dapo, touching his fingers to the dusty pedestal while deep in thought. "But maybe we can... make a small change." The rule for making sure the artist keeps control:
Artists should always be leaders and make choices. This way, power moves easily and helps the city grow instead of hurting it.
Eki's eyes widened. An amendment? This idea was very new, not something that followed many old traditions. But the urgent look in Dapo's eyes was the same as her own; they both had the same desire to break away from history's chains.
"It's a gamble," she admitted, "a risky one. But if it works…"
"It could change everything," Dapo finished, his voice filled with a newfound determination.
Their eyes meet, and a quiet promise forms between them. For the first time, they are not just siblings with family duty; now they become teammates, united by the same dream and strong hope for a better future.
Suddenly, a very loud sound comes from behind the tapestry in a secret passage. Eki and Dapo look at each other with big surprise; for a short time, they forget about their new friendship.
"What was that?" Dapo whispered sharply, his hand moving without thinking about his belt. There, under his jacket, a well-known shine of metal could be seen.
Eki's heart pounded against her ribs. Could it be Kunle, somehow escaping the vortex? Or was it someone else entirely, someone more sinister?
They all hold their breath together and slowly walk to the torn tapestry. Their steps are very light because thick dust covers the floor in the room. Dapo carefully looked through the hole, his face showing a big surprise.
"Is not who you think," he whispered to Eki, his voice having a little bit of fear.
Eki pushed himself through a small space and got to the hallway. Only one oil lamp was there, making shadows move on rough brick walls as they danced. In the middle of the passage, under soft and dim light, a person was wearing an old and torn black robe. Their faces were hidden under large hats with wide brim.
"Who are you?" Eki called out, her voice echoing in the cramped space.
The person does not talk, just slowly reaching out and wearing a glove. In the palm is a small wooden box with very nice carvings. The air near the box had a strange energy, making Eki feel shivers going up his spine.
"A gift," spoke the figure gently, their voice felt unusual and appeared to come from all directions yet also nowhere. "A chance to change your fate."
Eki and Dapo look at the box, feeling very curious about what is inside. What could be there? They wonder with excitement. Was it a weapon? Maybe a gadget to help battle the dark side? Or maybe a trap, tricked by a bad force trying to take control of them?
Before they can do anything, the figure turns around and starts to walk away. The black clothing moves softly, almost like a ghost floating in the night.
"Wait!" Eki cried out, a sense of urgency gripping her. But that figure kept moving, disappearing around the corner in the hallway. Siblings are now alone with a box that pulses and many questions still unanswered remain for them there.
Eki bent down close to the box, her hands shaking as she tried touching it. Dapo put his hand on her shoulder and held it firmly, feeling worried but also curious.
"Eki," he says quietly, "we must be very careful. We do not know who that person was or what could be inside."
Eki looked into his eyes, hers showing fear but also much determination. "We do not need to open it," she said in a calm voice, even if inside her heart was trembling very much. "But whatever it is, maybe this changes our destiny. It could be the path to freedom."
Dapo looked at her for a long time, then he slowly moved his head up and down. "Together," he said with more strong determination in his voice.
Eki took a deep breath, the big decision making her think hard. With Dapo next to her, she felt sure they could handle any problem that came up. Together, they will find out what is inside the box, change the agreement, and take back their futures – no matter what happens next.
