As the battle raged on, the group slowly but surely carved a path through the chaos, their determination driving them closer to the throne. Before them, the king's friend, now the present king, sat on the throne, his eyes blazing with desperation. He summoned wave after wave of guards to defend him, but the group fought valiantly, their movements swift and deadly.
When the present king realized his guards were being overwhelmed, he attempted to flee, but Mike was too quick. With a swift motion, he pinned the king in place with his sword. "Mercy!" the king pleaded, his voice trembling with fear. "Don't kill me!" His eyes darted wildly around the room, searching for an escape or a way to reason with the group.
Mike's expression was resolute, but his voice was firm. "We're not here to harm you," he said. "We're here to lift the curse." He recalled the sorceress's instructions on how to use the good and dark artifacts to free the people from darkness and despair.
As Gidado approached, the present king's eyes widened in terror as he beheld the dark artifact in Gidado's hand. "No, you can't do this!" he screamed, his voice shrill with panic. "Take that away!" He pointed at the dark artifact, his face twisted in a mixture of fear and rage. "This shouldn't be here. How did you get that?"
The group's faces were set with determination, their eyes locked onto the present king with a mixture of anger and resolve. Mike's response was laced with sarcasm. "Oh, that?" he said mockingly. "Just the way you got it the day you used it to betray your friend, the formal king." The present king's face contorted in anger and fear, and he shouted, "You can't know that! You don't know what you're talking about!"
The atmosphere in the room was electric with tension. The group's breathing was labored, their hearts racing with anticipation. The present king's fear and anger were palpable, and the group's determination was unwavering. Gidado and TJ held the present king firmly in place as he struggled to break free, his eyes flashing with desperation.
Without hesitation, Mike took the dark artifact from Gidado and positioned it in his left hand, while holding the good artifact in his right. Mike's eyes locked onto the present king's, and he began to recite the words the sorceress had taught him: "Today, may the people of Ile-Ife and the formal king be freed from every curse this dark artifact has placed upon them." As he spoke, he faced the dark artifact, and then turned to the good artifact, saying, "May Ile-Ife and its formal king be freed."
The present king's eyes were fixed on the artifacts, and Mike ensured that their gazes met, just as the sorceress had instructed. The air was charged with anticipation, and the group held their breath, waiting to see if the ritual would succeed. The room was silent, except for the sound of Mike's steady voice and the present king's labored breathing. The group's eyes were fixed on Mike, their faces set with hope and determination.