The path twisted through ancient forest, where trees whispered in forgotten tongues and moonlight barely touched the ground. Temitope led the way, his staff glowing faintly. Ifedayo and Ngozi flanked Ayo, both keeping their distance—and their eyes on each other.
Ayo felt the weight of the sword on his back. Not physical weight—spiritual. It pulsed like a heartbeat, syncing with something buried deep inside him.
"We're being watched," Ifedayo said suddenly, scanning the treetops.
Temitope nodded. "Creatures of shadow. Residuals from when the Veil weakened."
Ngozi raised an eyebrow. "I thought the Veil only breaks when a soul weapon awakens?"
Temitope gave a grim smile. "Exactly."
Ayo slowed. "So I caused this?"
"No," Temitope said. "Ekwensu did, centuries ago. You just… lit the beacon."
Suddenly, the sword flared. Ayo gasped as a surge of visions flooded his mind.
—He stood atop a tower, wind howling. A council of gods surrounded him, their eyes glowing.
"You dare judge us?" Shango roared, lightning crackling around him.
"I dare protect humanity!" Ekwensu's voice—his voice—boomed. "You've lost your way."
Chi stepped forward, his form radiant. "Then you are no longer one of us."
Ekwensu smiled. "I never was."
—The vision shattered.
Ayo stumbled, breathing hard.
Ifedayo caught him. "What did you see?"
"Memories," he whispered. "Of Ekwensu. Of… me."
Temitope gestured. "We're close. The first shrine. The sword led us here."
They emerged into a clearing. At its center stood an ancient stone altar, cracked and covered in moss. Surrounding it were statues of the Old Ones—Chi, Yemoja, Shango, and others—weathered but watching.
Ayo stepped forward, sword humming louder. Without thinking, he placed it on the altar.
A blinding light burst forth.
The statues stirred. Not physically—but spiritually. A great force swept through the clearing. Then, a voice echoed from the altar.
*"One piece returned. Five remain."*
Everyone froze.
Then the light vanished, and the sword changed—longer, heavier, etched with new markings.
"What just happened?" Ayo asked.
Temitope's eyes widened. "The shrine unlocked part of the weapon's true form."
Ngozi stepped closer. "So each soul weapon is incomplete until all six shrines awaken it?"
Temitope nodded. "And when all six are returned, so is he."
"Me," Ayo said softly.
"Or the god you were," Ifedayo added. "The one we all grew up fearing."
Ayo turned to her. "Then why help me?"
She hesitated. "Because fear isn't always the truth. And… I think the world lied about who Ekwensu really was."
A branch snapped nearby.
Temitope raised his staff. "We're not alone."
From the trees emerged a figure—masked, cloaked in darkness, twin daggers drawn. Their aura pulsed with corrupted energy.
Ayo's blade leapt into his hand, reacting before he could think.
The figure spoke, voice distorted. "The soul must not reunite."
Then it charged.
Ifedayo intercepted, hammer clashing against dagger. Sparks flew. Ngozi flanked, her water-infused blades dancing.
Ayo tried to help, but the masked figure moved like smoke, dodging everything. Then it locked eyes with Ayo—and he saw it.
The face behind the mask… was his.
"Who are you?" he gasped.
The figure whispered: *"The part of you that remembers."*
It vanished into mist, leaving a mark on the altar: a serpent swallowing its tail.
Temitope touched it. "A warning."
Ayo stared at where the figure had stood. "From who?"
Temitope's expression was grim. "From you. Or the version of you who didn't want to return."
Ayo looked down at his glowing sword and knew—
*This journey wasn't just about reclaiming power. It was about facing the truth of who Ekwensu really was.*