Two Days Later...
At the Ikemba Corporation
Rose Ikemba was, as usual, buried in work when her secretary's voice interrupted through the intercom.
"Erm, Miss... your nephew is here to see you."
Rose paused. It wasn't unusual for family members to have unrestricted access within the company. But knowing her, she had set boundaries—only the CEO and the family's Guardian could interrupt her unannounced.
"..."
"Let him in," Rose said after a moment's thought.
Joshua stepped into the office. It was massive—cold, polished, and intimidating. After glancing around, he finally spoke.
"...Aunt Rose."
He greeted her in Igbo, before switching to English. His tone was uncertain. This was the first time he'd ever visited her office. She had always been a ghost at family gatherings—married to her work. And he'd never reached out.
"This is a surprise," Rose said, eyeing him sharply. "I didn't expect a sudden visit—especially from my little nephew."
Rose had an aura—powerful, fierce, and commanding. Her presence filled the room. She had money, looks, and dominance—and she wore them like armor.
"I need your help." Joshua got straight to the point.
Rose raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Hm. I like that. No small talk. But why should I help you? And more importantly... what did you do?"
She was genuinely curious. From what she knew of Joshua—introverted, resilient—he wasn't someone who sought help easily.
"I went to the site," he said.
"What site?" she asked.
"The one in the news."
Even now, reports of the destruction of the Lagos Bridge and the lives lost were still running. The world thought it was a terrorist attack.
"That site? What were you doing there?"
"I lost my girlfriend in that incident... and I need your help to resurrect her."
Rose blinked. Then—
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
It was a loud, booming laugh. The kind that echoed down the halls. Her secretary outside nearly jumped from her chair.
What the f**k is going on in there? she muttered to herself.
...
Eventually, Rose composed herself. Even Arunma, who had remained silent, now watched curiously from her ethereal form.
"What exactly do you think I am? A god? A genie? I'm a Soulborne... a High Soulborne, at that. Even I have limits, Joshua."
In the world of the supernatural, Sages and Grand Magi ruled the peak of Magic. Joshua was far below that. Practitioners were called Magi—members of the Magus race.
Soulbornes, however, were different. They used soul energy to transcend physical limits. A High Soulborne was equivalent to a Sage. A Grand Soulborne matched a Grand Magus.
Joshua came from a Soulborne family but favored Magic—his mother's heritage. That choice made him an outcast among his kin, but he never stopped studying.
"It's not your power I want," he said quietly. "It's the Heart of Flames."
Rose stiffened. Even Arunma shimmered with alertness.
"I heard you," she said coldly. "Say that again?"
"I went to the site with Uncle Alex's help. We found something strange—something that reminded me of the Heart of Flames. And... I know the person involved."
"You made Alex help you?" Rose said, her lips curling into a rare smile. "You do realize that was a huge risk for him."
"I know my requests have been selfish lately. But I'm desperate."
CHUCKLE
"Seems you really loved this girl. I'd like to meet her myself—see what spell she cast to make you chase resurrection."
"Aunt Rose, that joke—"
"I'm not joking," she cut in, her tone turning serious.
"Ah—!" Joshua instinctively stepped back, startled.
"Mhm. Fine," she finally said. "Let's hear how you plan to use the Heart of Flames."