Chapter 51: A Beacon of Creativity
1458words
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Inner Monologue (Eki)
Olajumoke's study about the Moonlight Lease felt like a bomb waiting to explode. If she disclosed the Olumide family's hidden truth, all that I had put effort into could be in danger. Will Lagos welcome the cultural centre if people discover it was built on lies?
Despite always worrying, Eki put all her effort into the project once more. The construction team, motivated by a clear goal and much help from people in town, worked very hard without resting. The place which was before destroyed now is very busy, like the music of hammers pounding and people shouting directions. In this noise, artists are working together with happiness and laughing joyfully.
Eki's design is very creative and includes detailed Yoruba symbols, which make a strong connection with local people. They put together workshops to teach how to build using traditional mud-brick techniques and explain the meaning of geometric shapes on walls. Local artists decorated the inside with colourful paintings that show Lagos's rich history and busy modern life.
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Sunlight comes through the big, curved windows and makes colourful patterns on the shiny clay floor. The scent of new paint mixed with the natural smell of drying mud, making a unique scent experience. The continuous sound of chisels striking stone to create detailed statues echoed in the large hall, blending with spirited talks among artists about their latest creations.
The big opening of the cultural centre was very bright and full of music and joyful celebration. Traditional drummers played loud, rhythmic beats that spread through the air. Dancers moved with elegance in their colourful outfits, and artists showed their artworks in special gallery sections. Eki stood on the stage, feeling the warm light from the spotlight shining down on her. She felt a very strong sense of happiness and achievement coming over her.
"This is not just a building," she said loudly to the interested people. "This is proof of Lagos spirit, a place where creativity can grow, where our stories will be shared."
The crowd made very loud claps, their happy sounds going all through the halls. Eki felt very good with the praise, feeling big thanks to the people who helped her idea come true. This was her legacy, a great work that gave strength to the community and honoured Lagos's unique artistic history.
When the celebrations slowed down, Eki noticed Dapo standing behind the stage waiting for her. His face expressed both pride and concern simultaneously.
"Eki," he said, his voice low, "you were amazing tonight. But are you alright? You seem… tense."
Eki forced a smile. "Just a little overwhelmed," she admitted. "The interview with Olajumoke is tomorrow, and…"
Dapo's eyes widened. "The Moonlight Lease? I almost forgot. What are you going to do?"
Eki sighed. She couldn't lie to Dapo, not now. "I... I don't know," she confessed. "Part of me wants to tell the truth, but... what will happen with the project? With our community?"
Dapo put a hand on her shoulder, his touch bringing silent support. "We will solve it," he said with a firm voice. "Together."
Their conversation stopped abruptly when a nervous Ayo rushed over to them, her face full of worry.
"Eki," she whispered, her voice almost disappearing. "A person... a person is here to meet you."
A tall person in a cloak stood close to the entrance, hidden by shadows. Eki felt strange and uneasy like he knew this person somehow. As the figure stepped into the light, Eki felt her breath stop. It was that woman who emerged from the underground—the same one who saved the cultural centre.
"Eki," the woman said, her eyes radiating a calm wisdom. "We need to talk."
Eki gazed at Dapo with concern in her eyes. This sudden encounter felt like another piece of the puzzle, a puzzle she did not feel confident about figuring out. But deep down, a gnawing curiosity, compelled her to listen.
"Who are you?" Eki stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
The woman smiled mysteriously. "I am the guardian," she said, her voice strong like it came from deep inside Lagos itself. "And the power you have," the woman continued, her eyes piercing into Eki's very being, "is not just about making buildings. You can create something much greater in this city."
Eki felt a shiver run down her spine. What did she mean? Awaken something? Before she asks more, the woman points to a hidden door in the corner of the stage.
"You come with me," she says, voices soft and serious. "Many things you need to know."
Eki stopped for a moment, feeling both interested and cautious. She glanced at Dapo, who had the same worried expression on his face as she felt in her heart. But this woman's constant look had something very special and interesting like she already knew the answers that Eki was so desperate to discover. Taking a deep breath, Eki held Dapo's hand firmly and followed the woman through a hidden door.
The passage takes them down tight, winding stairs. The walls are wet and shine from the dim torch light. The air gets thick with a ground smell that almost feels like magic. After what looked like a very long time, they arrived in a big and wide area. The air had a strange feeling of energy, with bright lights coming from detailed drawings on the cavern walls.
In the middle of the cavern, there was a big mural that covered the entire wall. It showed a lively city full of energy and people. But when Eki looked more carefully at the little details in the picture, she suddenly made a loud gasp. The city shown on the mural was not Lagos... it was someplace she had never seen before, a magical big town with amazing buildings and strange creatures.
"What… What is this place?" Eki stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
The guardian smiled, but a little bit of sadness was in her eyes. "This place, Eki," she said with a voice echoing on the cavern's walls, "is Ile Ife." It is where Yoruba people's ancestors come from." And it is under threat."
Eki's mind reeled. Ancestral home? Threat? Those words from the lady opened something inside her, a wish for the connection she never knew was there.
"How is this… connected to Lagos?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The guardian's smile vanished. "Lagos is more than just a city, Eki," she said. 'It is like a bridge, connected to the past we forget. Real collector… he wants to break this link, take away Lagos' strength and make Ile Ife weak."
Eki's heart was beating very fast inside her chest. All of a sudden, the Moonlight Lease, the real collector's attacks, everything began to make frighteningly clear sense. The fight was not just about the spirit of Lagos; it also mattered for an ancient city located in a distant place from their world.
"What can I do?" Eki asked, her voice trembling with a newfound resolve. "How can I stop him?"
The guardian's eyes had a small light of hope. "By waking up the connection," she said, her voice very urgent and serious. "With your art, with your creativity, build a bridge between Lagos and Ile Ife. This is the only way to save both places."
Eki stood in that place, feeling very much overwhelmed by this new finding. Artist, architect, bridge maker... her direction in life had changed in a way she never expected to happen. But when she looked at the detailed mural of Ile Ife, a powerful feeling of determination began inside her. This was more significant than just Lagos, bigger than what she desired for herself. This was about protecting a legacy, safeguarding a connection to a forgotten past.
With Dapo by her side and the enigmatic guardian leading them, Eki realized this was just the beginning. The fight for Lagos's spirit had evolved into a conflict for all of humanity, and Eki, who initially did not want to be an artist at all, now found herself becoming its hero. She uses her creativity like a weapon, creating bridges with a paintbrush in hand and a clear purpose. She is always prepared to face any dangers that may be hidden in the unknown.
