Chapter 85: A Chance Encounter and a Lingering Doubt
1680words
Even so, the call to Ile-Ife took place. The Oracle said Eki must come fast because there was trouble in the universe and she needed to be present.
Dapo, understanding well how serious this situation was, kept insisting she should leave. He will handle everything here and ensure that nothing interferes with the city's progress.
With much sadness, Eki stepped onto the plane. Her mind was full of different thoughts - some made her excited but others made her worry. The village is in a place with many plants, very quiet. Oracle welcomed me with eyes that knew a lot, making me feel calm but also a little nervous at the same time. "Line is becoming less clear," she began, her voice having much importance. "A darkness coming back, like colours from old times." Eki, her mind moving fast, sensed danger nearing. It could destroy everything they had done so far.
As days changed into nights, Eki spent much time with the rituals and searched for answers in old wisdom.
One evening, when she was sitting under the sacred baobab tree, a known person came out of darkness - it was Kunle. When he came, nobody expected it. His appearance was different from what she remembered seeing before. He appeared changed: more peaceful but with eyes that held a deep sadness within them. "Eki," he began, his voice low, "it's good to see you."
Eki's emotions were very complicated; they combined anger, patience, and always being alert. She kept her heart safe while she moved with caution. "Kunle," she replied, her voice steady. "It's been a long time." They spoke, but their words seemed very careful.
The area around them felt full of things not spoken out loud. It became a silent battle for control. While we were talking, a memory suddenly returned. I saw young Eki and Kunle laughing together on the busy streets of Lagos. They were very near, linked by the adventures of youth. Even in this joyful memory, a shadowy figure emerged. It was the part of betrayal—a revealed secret and a decision that changed everything around.
Eki wanted to forget the memory, but it remained like a bothersome thorn in her heart. Kunle appeared to grasp her worry. "I think I know what you are feeling, Eki," he said with a touch of sadness in his tone. "I have committed mistakes, terrible ones. But I've changed." Eki was silent. Her thoughts raced quickly. She wanted to trust him, but doubt was like an old friend who always stayed near.
Something in Kunle's story felt strange and did not match well; there seemed to be a hidden truth somewhere. When the sun began to set, and shadows in the village grew very long, Eki sensed something unusual. She felt that something was off; it looked like darkness was slowly blending with light. The words of caution from Oracle returned to her mind.
She understands the need to go forward carefully and trust her feelings. Maybe Kunle is different now, but their past remains like a lasting shadow – always there, reminding them of the difficult times they both went through. The village remained dark, and the old baobab tree seemed to have a magical shine. Eki and Kunle were quiet next to each other, but their minds were busy with thoughts about things important to them.
The atmosphere in that place was filled with strong tension, like a silent contest to show how determined someone can be. The quiet peace broke by a noise from the bushes. They felt their bodies more awake, their senses sharper. Out of the darkness appeared a person, a man with a mask on his face and eyes filled with danger.
Without thinking, the man with the mask shot. Eki and Kunle quickly bent down, feeling a bullet pass just over their heads. The person who invaded disappeared into the dark, leaving behind a trail of fear. Eki feels excitement in blood. She quickly takes Kunle's hand, moving him behind her to show she wants to protect him from danger. The attack was almost happening, and they understood that the danger was more close than they thought.
The Oracle stepped outside from her tiny house, worried lines visible on her forehead. "They have found you," she said with a voice filled with concern. "Darkness is near." Eki and Kunle shared a serious glance. They were involved in a conflict that they did not fully understand, but whatever was left of the society seemed determined to keep them suppressed. They stayed alert all night. Their senses were sharp, like a knife's edge. The village, once peaceful, now resembled an invaded castle.
When a new day comes, I have thought in my mind. It is time to leave this village and find a safe place somewhere else, then gather to make plans together. The Oracle understood the seriousness of the situation and agreed to join them.
With much sadness, they say goodbye to the villagers. The strength from the gratitude and support of the community shows that in this fight, they are not alone. They returned to the city, their minds full of many global problems. But still, the battle was not over yet. A secret group was getting closer and they were identified as a target. Eki and Dapo still have hope. They went through dark times before and came out even stronger from it.
With the assistance of Oracle and the understanding that Kunle possessed, they were prepared to address any issues that could arise. Winning will be difficult and take a long time. Many sacrifices must happen, and many problems need fixing. But, they had a strong determination to overcome all - the future of the city and many artists' lives needed them.
As they walked through the famous streets of Lagos, it was a time filled with strong determination. They were not only ordinary people but fighters - warriors for something much more important than just their own lives. The trip back to Lagos was very quiet.
The heavy memories from that night felt like they were pressing on them, just like wearing a coat full of worries. Eki and Dapo looked at each other with eyes full of worry, their minds running fast. The Oracle's warning kept playing over and over in their heads - darkness was returning. When they got near the city, there was a feeling that something bad might happen.
The city, before so full of hope, now looks covered in strange silence that makes people feel worried. The streets, which normally have lots of movement and sound, now are empty and quiet. A strange silence is in the air everywhere.
They come to an art gallery with hearts beating very fast, finding it dark and quiet – a spooky silence everywhere. Eki also feels a shiver down their back. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.
They move forward slowly, looking around the gallery carefully. Before, it was full of lively art, but now it seems like a war zone with things broken all over the place. One painting after another was ripped apart; statues were pushed over and the smell of destruction filled that place.
Eki and Dapo felt very strong, cold anger. Someone had come into their special place that meant a lot to them. The secret team was pushing back hard and they were not giving in.
They kept going, every day watching carefully. The city felt stressed; worry grabbed strongly each heart inside it. The secret society made daring moves; they aimed for triumph.
Eki Dapo, also Kunle who decided to stay with us in this job - they are putting a lot of effort into rebuilding what was broken. They gathered the artists back together and gave them hope again. The city is getting strong again.
But, it was a time when the ghosts of history were still there. Every corner seemed to have hidden danger waiting. Paranoias are now part of their life, always there and taking away energy.
One night, as they worked until very late, a surprise package arrived. It was for Eki and did not have any sender's name on it. Feeling both happy and scared, she started to open the package. Inside, there was a tiny wooden box.
When she opened the box, I could hear her heart beating strongly. Inside is a necklace of soft velvet. It looked fragile and had a symbol on it. This symbol was the same as what is painted on the walls of Olumide mansion.
A shiver goes through her body. This is no coincidence, it is a sign - danger, another piece of the puzzle fit into place.
She realized everything all at once, like being struck by a ton of bricks. Kunle was part of it. The man she believed in, the man she thought had changed, was still within this dark world.
The world seemed like it was tipping over, and her vision turned unclear. Dapo saw she had difficulty and moved to her quickly, offering his arms for support.
"What is it, Eki?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
She showed the necklace, her hands trembling as she held it. "This is a message," she whispered in a very soft voice. "Kunle has some connection."
Dapo's face turned very pale. The man they allowed to join their group, the one in whom they placed their trust, was truly a member of the enemy. It's an enormous betrayal.
Again, their world shattered. The road in front was uncertain; it held danger and much betrayal. But they are not alone in standing up. They had each other, and also the city's hope which gave them more strength to keep going forward.
