Malik observed King Adonna seated upon his throne, his hand absently rubbing his jaw as he gazed fixedly at the grand doors.
Positioned in one of the two rows of seats that flanked the king's throne, Malik allowed his attention to wander across the grand hall.
The walls were adorned with fine mud-made marble, showcasing the skilled craftsmanship of the kingdom, and lamb lanterns cast a warm and golden glow throughout the room.
The flickering flames illuminated the space, providing much-needed light in the late night hours when the moon's presence was minimal.
As he mulled over the situation, Malik couldn't help but sigh. He knew he shouldn't have informed the king about the strange deaths without confirming their occurrence in Dakar.
However, with the final wrestling match scheduled for the next day and neighboring kingdoms preparing for war, time was of the essence. Despite not finding any concrete evidence related to the strange deaths, the threats received from other kingdoms prior to the mysterious occurrences seemed connected.
King Adonna finally said. "How can I believe that what you are telling me is true?" He fixed Malik with a steady, scrutinizing gaze.
Remaining composed, Malik met the king's gaze and replied firmly, "There is no benefit in lying to you, Your Majesty. Sharing this information is for the safety of both our kingdoms."
The king pondered for a moment before asking, "Have you witnessed any similar occurrences after that day?"
"No, I haven't. But that doesn't mean we should dismiss it. We must look into it," Malik responded. He had made efforts to investigate but found nothing significant.
While somewhat relieving, the lingering possibility of an unknown danger remained, possibly concealed somewhere in the woods.
"Our kingdoms must be protected. We must do everything in our power to safeguard our lands and people," Malik asserted with firm determination.
"This impending war, we must stop it at all costs, Your Highness. You must believe that our every action is for the well-being of both our kingdoms."
The king, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, nodded solemnly. "We find ourselves in dire circumstances, our options limited. I understand that we must do what is necessary. After the wrestling match, the best among them will be chosen to join the warriors for the upcoming war. However, if these strange deaths you speak of are true, I want you to delve deeper into the matter and report your findings to me."
Malik bowed respectfully, accepting the king's order. He understood the immense responsibility placed upon him, knowing that the fate of their kingdoms lies on uncovering the mystery behind what was happening.
As Malik rose from his seat and exited the throne room, he was greeted by the sight of several guards standing watch in the courtyard.
The warm glow of fire lamps illuminated every wall, providing both comfort and an imposing presence. This ambiance served as a reminder of the task at hand.
Among the seated warriors, Malik noticed Dede, the man with dreadlocked hair whose combat skills had astounded him during the match against one of Azu's own warriors.
Dede intrigued him, embodying the wisdom-over-strength concept Safiya had spoken of. A chuckle escaped Malik's lips as he contemplated her words. She was indeed correct.
"Head warrior Malik," one of his men approached him, interrupting his introspective moment. He quickly composed himself and turned to face his trusted warrior,Salam.
Their bond had been forged through years of training together under Malik's father, and Salam's unwavering loyalty had never wavered.
"I want to check the woods to see if the strange deaths have occurred within Dakar," Malik had told Salam about the strange death before even informing King Adonna, as it was necessary before things get worst.
"Tonight?" Salam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, with the final match tomorrow, I fear I won't have the time to look around", Malik said.
Salam bowed and reassured, "I will assist you, leader."
Malik smiled gratefully as they made their way towards their awaiting horses before mounting it.
They passed the bustling huts and vibrant hillside adorned with various fruit-bearing trees, they rode until they reached the edge of the woods.
"Dakar's land is indeed bountiful with agriculture," Salam remarked, taking in the scenery.
"Hmm," Malik murmured, his mind preoccupied as he scanned the surroundings for any signs of danger. "Do you think whoever is behind this will reveal themselves?" he questioned abruptly.
Salam shook his head, also surveying the area. "I don't think it would be that easy,' he said. 'What did you do with the bodies you found? Did you bury them?"
Malik replied, "We preserved them. Even though their bodies were beyond recognition, we will examine them for any possible clues."
Their ride slowed down as they continued to look around, when suddenly Salam said, "My grandma once told me about the existence of evil spirits causing havoc."
Malik's eyes widened in surprise, "Evil spirits?"he exclaimed. Though he had placed his faith in the protective ancestors, he had never considered the possibility of evil spirits venturing into this world.
Salam continued, "My grandma mentioned that a day would come when evil spirits - something beyond human comprehension - would wreak havoc, and only the ancestors could free us."
"And...?" Malik's eyes widened in curiosity as he leaned towards Salam, eager to hear what else the woman had said. Having witnessed the strange death himself and unable to explain the incident, he knew it was beyond human doing.
Salam let out a heavy sigh. "I didn't ask for further details," he admitted, shaking his head. "I thought she was just joking, I had no idea it was something serious."
Malik's heart sank at the news. "And she's gone now, there's no way we can ask her about it."
He let out a long, frustrated sigh. All he could do was hope that an evil spirit was not behind the strange occurrence. But the memory of those ominous black smokes lingered in his mind, reminding him of the danger they were facing.
"We need to confirm if there have been any deaths in Dakar similar to Azu's," Malik said firmly. "We can only hope that our people are safe."
Salam's curiosity peaked, and he asked, "But if this continues, how can we stop it when we don't even know what we're dealing with?"