The ferocious aerial battle between Ekene and Ikuku had reached its conclusion. As Ekene's blade clashed against Ikuku's impenetrable skin, the intensity of the wind, and the terrifying waves of serpent attacks came to a halt. The outcome, however, deviated from everyone's hopes. The fight proved to be a mismatch, with Ekene unable to land an effective strike on Ikuku's hardened exterior. The more Ekene pushed, the more futile his efforts became. His blade ultimately snapped in two, a testament to Ikuku's unyielding defense.
Ikuku's relentless assault forced Ekene into a corner, crashing him into one of the palace buildings. In a desperate attempt, Ekene mustered a last-ditch effort, enveloping Ikuku in a final strike. For an instant, it appeared that the tides had turned in Ekene's favor. The palace erupted in jubilation as Ekene's friends, the Queen, the guards, and even the palace maid cheered triumphantly.
Their celebration, however, was fleeting. Far from being defeated, Ikuku launched a devastating counterattack, tearing Ekene's heart from his chest. The young warrior's lifeless body plummeted toward the earth. Moments earlier, he had lost consciousness.
Princess Adaeze's agonized scream cut through the air as she raced to the spot where Ekene would land. "Ekeeeneeeeeeeeee!" she cried out, her voice trembling with desperation and fear. Yet, before she could reach him, Ekene's body hit the ground with a gut-wrenching thud, the horrifying sound reverberating through the air.
With Ekene's heart torn from his body, Ikuku concluded that the young hero had met his demise. Satisfied, he took to the sky, leaving the scene of the tragic encounter. As Princess Adaeze and Ekene's friends rushed to his side, they were met with a horrifying sight. Ekene laid face down, his body still and lifeless, his life ebbing away with each passing moment. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the anguished sobs of Princess Adaeze, Grace, and Cynthia.
"H..... he... he's not breathing anymore!" Cynthia stammered, her voice trembling.
A cold silence swept over the scene, with only the wind's gentle whisper filling the void.
"Guys," Samuel began, closing Ekene's eyes in a solemn gesture, "Ekene's chest... it's empty."
At Samuel's confirmation of Ekene's death, a cacophony of uncontrollable cries erupted from those gathered, their grief overwhelming.
Samuel took a deep breath, his heart aching as he continued. "I know we don't want to hear this. I know we didn't prepare for this. I know we don't want to accept this. But this is reality, and we need to face it. It is what it is. Ekene is dead."
Princess Adaeze, her eyes blazing with fury, interrupted Samuel with a forceful shove. "Say no more, Samuel! Ikuku must pay!"
The Queen attempted to intervene, her voice trembling with concern. "Adaeze, please don't start!"
Princess Adaeze, her voice resolute, replied, "Mum, please, don't try to stop me! I've lost two important people in my life today, and it's all because of that monster. I will get my revenge. If I die, I die."
"Adaeze, Ikuku is-" Samuel's attempt to convince Princess Adaeze to rethink was interrupted by her "Samuel, teach me how to fight!"
Princess Adaeze's bold declaration left everyone stunned, her unwavering determination evident in her piercing gaze. Ignoring the chorus of shocked gasps, she urged Samuel to begin her training immediately, her resolve unshakable.
As Ekene's body was carried into the palace by the guards, a somber procession of mourners followed, their hearts heavy with the weight of their loss. Meanwhile, Princess Adaeze, Samuel, Grace, and Cynthia made their way to the training grounds, united in their mission to honor Ekene's memory.
News of Ekene and the king's demise spread like wildfire throughout Amosu Village, leaving the villagers in a state of shock and sorrow. A collective cry of grief rose from the people, their tears a testament to the love they held for their fallen King and hero.
In the grieving heart of Amosu village, a new sorrow was about to be born. It had been five days since the painful deaths of Ekene and the King, and the air still hung heavy with loss. The villagers, their souls still aching from the double tragedy, were about to witness a night that would eclipse all their sorrow, a night so gruesome and dark it would become a new and terrible land mark in their history – a night they would forever try to forget, but could never truly erase
In the stillness of the night, Ikuku and his army of thousands gathered beneath the watchful eye of the full moon. Their nefarious plans were set in motion, their bloodlust insatiable.
"Tonight, we feast on those insignificant humans!" Ikuku bellowed, his voice echoing across the mountain.
The alien army roared in response, a chilling battle cry that reverberated through the air.
"Everyone, go to your stationed posts!" Ikuku commanded, his voice resonating with authority. "The signal is the crimson moon. The moment the moon changes to red, that's a sign that the operation has begun."
Another outcry erupted from the alien army, their voices a sinister cacophony in the darkness.
"NOW, MOVE OUT!" Ikuku bellowed, his final order sending his forces scattering to their designated positions.
As the alien army began to disperse, Ikuku's voice rose in a strange and ominous chant, an incantation known only to his extraterrestrial kind.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Grace sat beside Ekene's lifeless body, her heart heavy with sorrow, as she whispered words of love and longing to her fallen friend. Tears streamed down her face as she leaned in to plant a tender kiss on Ekene's lips, a final act of devotion to the one she loved.
In that moment, the atmosphere shifted, a crimson hue enveloping the room as the world beyond the palace windows grew eerily still. Grace's gaze drifted to the crimson moon, its reddish glow casting an ominous shadow over Amosu Village. A chilling sense of foreboding washed over her.
"What's going on?" Grace muttered, her voice barely a whisper. "Why is the moon red?"
As Samuel, Princess Adaeze, and Cynthia entered the room, their matching outfits a testament to their newfound unity, Grace turned to them for answers.
"Ikuku is on the move!" Princess Adaeze declared, her eyes locked on the crimson moon.
Samuel, his voice filled with determination, issued a single command: "Guys, let's move out!"
At Samuel's order, Grace sprung into action, joining her friends as they prepared to confront the darkness that threatened their home. Before leaving, Princess Adaeze approached Ekene's corpse, her voice steady and resolute.
"Babe, I swear, I'll avenge your death. No matter what!" she vowed, her expression a mask of steely determination as she leaned in to plant a tender kiss on Ekene's lips.
Grace watched, a twinge of jealousy piercing her heart, as Samuel offered a knowing smile. With their goodbyes said, the quartet left the palace, Ekene's body lying alone in the crimson-tinged darkness.
Moments after their departure, a faint sound echoed through the silent chamber. Unbeknownst to Grace and her friends, Ekene's heart had begun to beat once more, a flicker of life returning to the young hero's seemingly lifeless form.