The lagoon lay in ruins. Smoke curled from shattered beams, and the serpent murals glowed faintly, their twin heads dimmed after the clash of dawn and dusk. The Resistance tended to their wounded, but every heart knew the battle was not truly won. The silence that followed the storm felt unnatural—like the island itself was holding its breath. What storm was yet to come?
Kafé knelt beside a fallen warrior, pressing water over his burns to soothe the pain. Imade barked orders, her iron rod tapping against stone as she directed survivors to safety. Zoba's pendant glowed faintly, warning of lingering shadow. Minor fighters like Olumide the archer and Ngozi the healer moved among the wounded, binding cuts, whispering prayers. A young recruit named Seyi trembled as he carried buckets of water, whispering, "Prophecy dey too heavy for us." His words carried the fear of every soul in the camp.
Far beyond the lagoon, in the mist clinging to Tark Island's cliffs, Orunmare—known to the Resistance as Red Shadow—retreated. His cloak dragged like smoke, his eyes glowed faintly, and each step drained life from the earth. Fish floated belly-up in the shallows, vines shriveled, and birds fled into the night. He did not flee in defeat. He withdrew with purpose.
Miles away, General Koroba sharpened his blade under the moonlight. His camp sprawled with tents and siege engines, guarded by lieutenants who whispered of his madness. Every raid, every burning village, every captured soul was driven by his obsession with the boy Taye. Captain Duro, broad-shouldered and silent, watched as Koroba muttered to himself. Sergeant Nkem, once a Resistance fighter before betrayal, kept his distance, wary of Koroba's temper. Adaeze, the scout, crouched near the fire, her loyalty wavering.
Koroba's voice was low, fevered. "The dusk child dey hide. But I go find am. I go break am. Prophecy go bend to me." His lieutenants exchanged uneasy glances. They had seen villages burned, innocents slaughtered, all for Koroba's obsession. Yet none dared speak against him.
The air chilled suddenly. The fire sputtered, shadows lengthened. A voice slithered through the darkness."General Koroba…"
From the mist, Orunmare emerged, cloak swirling like smoke, eyes burning with unnatural light. Captain Duro dropped his weapon, whispering, "Spirit…" Adaeze stepped back, her instincts screaming danger. Nkem bowed his head, muttering, "Orunmare… balance itself."
Koroba fell to one knee, mistaking him for a divine messenger. "Orunmare… you don come. Balance itself dey bless me."
Orunmare's smile was thin, cruel. "Balance? No. I be shadow. But if you want power, I fit give you. Hunt the twins harder. Distract the Resistance. And when the time reach, I go take what I need."
Koroba's eyes gleamed with ambition. "Give me strength. I go deliver dusk to you."
Orunmare raised his hand, shadows wrapping around Koroba's blade. The steel pulsed with dark light, whispering promises of victory. Koroba gasped as the weapon grew heavier, infused with shadow energy. Captain Duro stared in awe. "General… your blade dey alive." Adaeze whispered, "Alive, or cursed." Nkem's face twisted. He had seen shadow before, and he knew its cost.
But Koroba ignored them. He felt power coursing through him, a strength beyond mortal limits. His obsession deepened."Go," Orunmare hissed. "Burn villages. Scatter warriors. Make them weak. While you dey fight, I go reach for the blood wey prophecy dey guard."
Koroba bowed, consumed by the false blessing. He believed he served destiny, but in truth he had become Orunmare's pawn.
As Koroba marched away with his army, Orunmare lingered in the mist, eyes glowing faintly. His voice was a whisper carried on the wind."Dawn and dusk dey fragile. Soon, I go drink their blood. Soon, Shadow Pathway go open."
Back at the Resistance camp, Zoba's pendant flared suddenly, glowing brighter than ever. She clutched it, eyes wide. "Something dey move. Shadow dey spread."
Imade frowned, scanning the horizon. "Koroba dey restless. I fit feel am."
Kafé looked at Taye, his brother's flames flickering uncontrollably. "We no fit rest. Shadow dey plan something bigger."
The serpent murals trembled, their twin heads glowing as if alive. Somewhere in the mist, a scream tore through the night.