( As the title implies, guess who they are. Kikiki)
Days later, just close to the Oyo empire, a lone traveler moved through the forests of the Oyo.
The path was long, and the air no longer carried the sweetness it once did. William pushed a branch aside, sweat clinging to his brow as he followed the faint trail ahead. His stomach grumbled again, reminding him how long it had been since he last tasted real food.. Yet he pressed on, stopping only when his legs demanded rest. Dropping onto a low rock, he uncorked his water gourd. Just as the coolness touched his lips, a sharp sting struck his leg. He hissed, cursing beneath his breath. Wilderness life did not come easily to him.
Before he could mutter further, somewhere ahead- rustling leaves gave him pause. A blur darted past his feet- a rabbit, running for its life.
William blinked, ready to give chase, but another figure leapt into view.
Behind it came a young man, breathless, chasing with more determination than skill.
>
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( Somewhere close to William)
He whistled nonchalantly. His servant- a tall, wiry young man dressed plainly, his expression lowered in the perfect image of servitude was trailing dutifully behind him.
Suddenly a rabbit crossed his path. Bored,- he decided to give it a hot pursuit. His sharp eyes followed the darting animal as his boots sank into the soft earth. Just behind him, his silent companion kept pace, barely:
"Idowu, faster!" His voice carrying the weight of command.
He chased after it- unaware of the presence of another.
William couldn't help but laugh at the drama which unfolded in front of him. The sight was too rare: prey and hunter spinning in wild circles, the hunter clearly losing.
He leaned forward, studying the youth. Long hair, beautiful long legs, fair skin glowing under the sun, a well-built body that carried strength, yet his steps were clumsy.
How could someone do built be losing to a rabbit?
Twenty-five? Twenty-four? No younger than that, surely- but struggling like a boy.
"Árewá - Beautiful one. " William called out with a grin.
"Let me show you."
Without waiting for an answer, he picked up a pebble and a stick, flicking it with sharp aim- crack. The stone struck through- the rabbit dropped instantly at the youth's feet.
The young man froze, staring at the still body. He then looked at William. His breathing was ragged, sweat clinging to his skin. He threw blade stares at William- he then realized.-
The man before him was undeniable.. handsome? No..! Handsome was an understatement! His locked hair tied neatly. His black clothes.. although simple, seem to esteem his body. He held a sword which seemed different unlike every other sword he had seen. The manner he was dressed was as ordinary as any other man, yet something about him still feels unique and different from being mundane.
Ignoring all that and breaking from the spell, his brows turned to a frown.
The man met his gaze and William could see his face properly.
For a heartbeat, the world stilled.
Handsome? No. The word was too small. His face was divine, his beauty almost unearthly. William's lips parted slightly, caught off guard.The man in front of him was like a goddess. His face was heavenly, perfect- How could such a man exist?
"Árewá looto- Beautiful indeed," he whispered.
William broke the ice between them. "You do not look like someone who chases rabbits. Are you sure you know what you are doing? " He asked with a smile.
But the fair- skinned youth only frowned. "Árewá? Who asked for your help? I had it under control."
William chuckled, leaning back lazily on the rock. " Control? You were chasing in circles. Even the rabbit pitied you. Besides, how could I have turned a blind eye to a beauty struggling." His grin turned to a smirk.
The fair young man looked at the annoying man before him. He could not get to kill a rabbit in minutes- yet the young man before him could get that done in just three seconds. Of course he felt useless. He could not even kill a little rabbit.
The young man's frown deepened. " Mind your own business. And don't call me beauty. Do you wish to be cursed? " His voice rose, sharp with irritation.
To William, the anger only made him look cuter. "Eiii... come now. I am sure others have called you that before. There is no shame in it. And as for the rabbit- goddesses should not be wasting their time chasing prey. What if you tripped? What if your perfect skin was scarred? Ko ni da! That would be tragic! "
The youth's jaw tightened. He bent to lift the rabbit, refusing to meet William teasing eyes.
Goddess?- He thought.
"That is none of your concern. You have a sharp tongue for one who reeks of travel dust. I do not owe you an explanation."
William smirked. " True. But watching you miss that rabbit was explanation enough."
The air between them tightened, like a string pulled taut. For a brief moment, William thought the man might strike him. Instead, the stranger turned sharply, cloak swirling. He turned to leave.
" What? You are going already?" William called after him. "This forest is dangerous. Alone, you won't last. Let me protect you. You're too perfect for this forest. "
The youth snapped back, "Who asked for your protection? Just because I failed to kill a rabbit doesn't mean I can't defend myself. Oponu!"
(Fool.)
William blinked at the insult, half-amused, half-offended. " So rude. Not even a thank you..."
Before he could finish, another figure rushed onto the path-a young man in his early twenties.
" My... " He called.
He was suddenly cut short when the fair-skinned youth lifted a hand to silence him.
The other having swallowed the rest of his words- he noticed the presence of someone new. He glanced at William suspiciously but said nothing.
"Ja lo- let us leave. " the man one said simply to his slave.
He tossed the rabbit to his companion and walked on without a glance back.
The slave nodded meekly. He cast William one last glare before following- though a flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. If the fair man had bothered to look closely, he might have noticed.
He watched them disappear into the trees. A sigh escaped him, half in annoyance, half in admiration.
" Strange man. All that beauty, wasted on such a sharp tongue." He shook his head, gathering his things.
"Someone that fine," he murmured under his breath, "shouldn't have such an attitude."
The sky was dimming, clouds veiling the sun. Night was close.
As he walked away, he couldn't help but smile faintly to himself.
"Rude or not, that divine being has caught my eye."
He adjusted his bag and resumed walking, unaware that destiny had already begun weaving their paths together in ways neither could escape.