As they emerged from the heart of Agwankaya, the group's faces reflected a mix of relief and exhaustion. Their eyes scanned the surroundings, and their gazes locked onto the sorceress standing before them. Amina's eyes narrowed slightly, her brow furrowed in caution, while Mike's face broke into a weary smile. Gidado's eyes gleamed with a hint of triumph, and TJ's expression was a blend of curiosity and wariness. Bisola and Avovome exchanged a look of mutual relief, their faces softening as they took in the sorceress's presence.
The sorceress, resplendent in her mystical attire, regarded the group with a warm, knowing smile. Her eyes sparkled with a deep understanding, as if she had witnessed their journey from afar. "Well done," she said, her voice like a gentle breeze on a summer's day. "I knew you could do it the moment you chose to pursue the artifact over the treasures, despite the mortal risk if the conditions weren't met."
As the sorceress spoke, the group's expressions transformed. Mike's smile grew wider, and his eyes lit up with a sense of validation. Amina's caution gave way to curiosity, her eyes locked intently on the sorceress. Gidado's grip on the Dark artifact tightened, his face set in determination. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, the air thick with the weight of their mission.
Mike nodded in agreement, murmuring, "Yeah!" as if talking to himself. The sorceress's gaze fell upon them, and she continued, "I believe you have grasped the truth of the artifact." A hint of a smile registered on her face, and her eyes seemed to bore into their very souls.
As the conversation unfolded, the group's faces reflected their emotions. Mike's eyes gleamed with understanding, while Amina's expression turned thoughtful. Gidado's face remained set, his jaw clenched in determination. The sorceress's eyes never left theirs, her gaze piercing and intense.
The sorceress began to speak, "The day he, the generous king, sent..." She paused, her eyes fixed on the good artifact in Mike's hand. "This to me, I knew something amazing was unfolding." Her voice was like a gentle stream, soothing and calming.
Mike's understanding was evident. "Well, that's why I'm here – to claim the Dark artifact, it's very powerful and destructive." His voice was laced with a mix of awe and trepidation.
The sorceress's expression turned solemn, her eyes clouding over like a stormy sky. "You are not only to help the people of Ile-Ife from their darkness and despair using the good artifact, but also to raise the curse off the king, the only way the king can return, using the Dark artifact." Her voice was heavy with the weight of their responsibility.
As she finished speaking, the atmosphere grew thick with anticipation. The group's faces reflected their determination, their eyes locked onto the sorceress with a sense of resolve. Without wasting time, she began telling them how to use the two artifacts, especially the Dark artifact, in raising the curse off the king.
Once she finished, the sorceress invoked her sorcery, speaking in an arcane language and tracing circular motions with her hand. The air seemed to vibrate with magical energy, and the group's eyes widened in awe. After a brief moment, a swirling circle of smoke materialized, revealing a different landscape beyond. "This is Ile-Ife," she announced, urging the group to hurry through the circle. "Go! Go now, before the circle expires."
The group's faces reflected their excitement and trepidation as they gazed at the portal. They exchanged looks, their eyes locking onto each other's with a sense of determination and resolve.
As they stepped through the swirling circle, the group felt a strange sensation, like their molecules were being rearranged. The air seemed to ripple and distort around them, and they felt a brief moment of disorientation.