Nia's heart slammed against her ribs as Temi's scream cut off, the cult leader's laugh ringing outside the burning hut. Smoke stung her eyes, but she couldn't let Temi go. "We get her back!" she yelled, her voice cracking with fury. Dami snatched his stick, nodding hard. "Let's move," he said, his face tight with resolve. Kofi pushed to his feet, his bleeding arm trembling but his eyes fierce. "For her," he rasped, leaning against the wall. Zainab gripped her knife, her stare cold. "No more waiting," she snapped. Amina adjusted her dagger, her scarred face grim. "Follow me—they're close by the tree," she said. The scout grabbed a rock, his hands steady despite the fear.
They burst out of the hut, the cult's horn blaring like a war cry in the distance. The iroko tree loomed ahead, its fire casting wild, dancing shadows across the ground. Nia spotted Temi, dragged by two cult men toward the flames, her legs kicking weakly. "There!" she shouted, pointing. Dami took the lead, swinging his stick hard at the first guy. It cracked against his skull, and he dropped with a heavy thud. Zainab stabbed the second, her knife sinking deep into his side. He fell, groaning, and Temi collapsed, gasping, "Nia!" Nia ran to her, pulling her up with both arms. "I've got you," she whispered, tears mixing with the soot on her face.
The leader stepped out, blood streaked across his face, his knife raised high. "You'll all die here!" he roared, his voice cutting through the noise. More cult men charged, knives glinting in the firelight. Kofi blocked a swing with his good arm, grunting as pain flashed across his features. The scout threw his rock, hitting a guy's chest with a dull smack. Amina moved like a shadow, her dagger slashing an arm and sending a man reeling. "Push through!" she yelled, her command sharp. Nia held Temi, her leg limp, and ducked a swinging blade that whistled past her ear. Dami fought beside her, his stick cracking against another attacker's head.
Nia flipped the journal open, her fingers sticky with blood as she read, Blood and fire seal the break—master it with will. Her hand still bled from the earlier cut. "I need fire," she said, her voice urgent. Amina tossed her a torch dropped by a cult man. Nia lit it with a shaky hand, pressing her bloody palm to the page. "By blood and fire, the dark is bound!" she shouted, pouring her will into the words. The journal glowed bright, a shockwave rippling out and knocking cult men back with a crash. The shadowy figure flickered, its form weaker but still there.
Temi clung to her, trembling hard. "It hurts—my leg," she whispered, her voice breaking. Nia's chest tightened—her friend's pain stabbed at her heart. Dami cleared a path, swinging at another cult man. Zainab stabbed a third, her knife flashing red. Kofi blocked a knife with a groan, the scout throwing rocks to keep them at bay. The leader lunged at Nia, but Amina intercepted, her dagger clashing with his in a shower of sparks. "Focus on the spell!" Amina grunted, straining against him. Nia read again, the glow intensifying. The shadow screamed, shrinking further, its claws fading.
"Finish it!" Kofi yelled, holding his arm as blood dripped. Nia slashed her hand deeper with a sharp rock, blood pooling on the ground. She pressed it to the torch flame, the journal blazing with light. The shadow let out a final howl, collapsing into thick smoke that choked the air. The cult men stumbled, retreating in confusion. Temi sank to her knees, safe but exhausted. "We did it," she murmured, her voice faint. But the leader stood tall, laughing through the blood on his face. "Not yet," he said, pulling back his hood to reveal a scarred face—Nia's father's old partner, his eyes cold. "Surprised, girl?" he sneered. The chapter ended with his knife raised, a new chant starting from the trees—cliffhanger locked.
But the fight wasn't over. More cult men rushed in, knives flashing in the firelight. Nia ducked low, Dami swinging his stick at the first intruder. It hit with a loud crack, sending the guy sprawling into the dirt. Zainab kicked a second, her boot thudding against his chest with a grunt. The scout blocked a third with his rock, grunting as he shoved back. Amina rolled to her feet, her dagger ready as she slashed at another attacker. "Keep them off her!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Nia held the journal, its light fading fast. The leader circled her, his scar twisting with a grin. "You're weak," he taunted, lunging with his knife. She dodged, the blade grazing her arm and sending a sharp pain through her. She gritted her teeth, reading the spell again, "By blood and fire, the dark is bound—release!" The glow pulsed, knocking a cult man down with a heavy thud. Kofi stumbled, blocking another attack with his good arm. Temi crawled to Nia, her voice breaking. "Don't stop—please!" Nia nodded, her resolve hardening.
Dami fought two men, his stick splintering as he swung. Zainab stabbed another, her knife slick with red. The scout hit a guy with his rock, keeping the line. The leader laughed, slashing at Nia again. She ducked, the knife missing by inches. Amina tackled him, her dagger clashing with his in a furious struggle. They rolled, dirt flying. "Now!" Amina yelled. Nia pressed her bloody hand to the flame, reading with all her will. The journal flared, the shadowy figure reappearing, faint but angry.
The leader broke free, pinning Amina down, his knife at her throat. "Your turn," he growled, pressing harder. Nia lunged forward, the journal glowing. "Jide!" she shouted, her father's name a desperate cry. The leader flinched, his grip loosening as pain crossed his face. Amina twisted free, stabbing him in the shoulder with a wet thud. He roared, stumbling back, blood soaking his shirt. The cult men hesitated, their chant faltering.
Nia ran to Temi, pulling her into a tight hug. "You're okay," she whispered, tears falling. Kofi sank to his knees, breathing hard. Dami guarded them, his broken stick ready. Amina stood, blood on her dagger, her eyes hard. "He's not done," she said, glancing at the retreating leader. The cult pulled back, but his laugh echoed. A new figure watched from the trees, hooded and still. The chapter ended with the leader vanishing, the figure stepping closer—twist hanging.
The cult wasn't finished. More men charged, knives raised. Nia ducked, Dami swinging at the first. The stick hit with a crack, the guy falling. Zainab kicked another, her boot thudding. The scout blocked a swing, grunting as he pushed back. Amina slashed with her dagger, taking down a man. Temi threw a rock, her aim weak but hitting. The leader reappeared, bloodied but smirking. "You'll fall," he said.
Nia read the spell again, the journal shaking. The glow strengthened, knocking a cult man down. Kofi blocked a knife, groaning. The leader lunged, but Dami tackled him, fists flying. Zainab stabbed another, the scout hitting with his rock. Amina guarded Nia, her dagger flashing. The journal's light pulsed, the shadow fading. The cult retreated, but the hooded figure moved closer, its presence chilling. The chapter ended with Nia staring, the leader's laugh fading—cliffhanger locked.