Abuja, Nigeria.
DOCTOR CHRISTIAN
The jet's engines whine to a halt, and as we step onto the tarmac, the crisp air of Abuja brushes against my face. The city sprawls out before us, its modern skyline glinting in the sunlight. The distant hum of traffic and the faint scent of earth after rain pull me back to a time I'd almost forgotten.
Jason stands beside me, his gaze sweeping across the scene. "So, this is Abuja?"
I nod, smiling faintly. "Welcome to the federal capital of Nigeria—my home. The heart of the country."
"It's impressive," he says, his tone a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Feels like a city that's constantly growing."
We fall into step with an elderly airport attendant leading us to the terminal. Jason glances at me. "Have you told your family you're back?"
"Not yet," I admit, adjusting the strap of my bag. "I want it to be a surprise."
Jason raises an eyebrow. "A surprise... or a calculated entrance?"
I laugh, though it comes out hollow. "Maybe both. It's been years, Jason. Long enough for people to forget what's fair and what's not. It's time I reminded them."
"Chris," he says, his tone softening, "don't you ever get tired of this? The inheritance, the fights—it's all so... temporary. What's the point?"
I stop mid-step, turning to face him. His eyes hold a quiet challenge, and for a moment, I wonder if he's right. But then the weight of responsibility settles back into place.
"It's not about greed," I say, my voice steady. "It's about legacy. As the eldest, it's important for me to uphold my family's legacy and ensure fairness among us siblings. Besides, it's not just about the money or the company. It's about standing up for what's right, even if it's difficult."
Jason exhales and nods. "I get it. I just hope you know what you're walking into."
"Fair enough," I say, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Shall we head to Lagos next? I'll show you why they say it never sleeps."
As we step into the terminal, a strange unease prickles at the back of my neck. I glance over my shoulder, scanning the crowd. Nothing out of the ordinary—just travelers moving through their routines. But the feeling lingers, a shadow of something unseen.
The journey home is only beginning, and I know better than to think it'll be easy.
Lagos State, Nigeria
The first light of dawn washes over Lagos Island, revealing a city broken by conflict. Smoke drifts lazily into the pale sky, veiling the devastation below—shattered buildings, overturned vehicles, and lifeless bodies scattered like discarded marionettes. Survivors move through the ruins like ghosts, their eyes hollow with grief.
I step out of the vehicle, the destruction gripping me with equal parts sorrow and unease. "What in God's name happened here?" I whisper, the weight of the scene pressing on my chest.
Jason steps beside me, his voice heavy. "Nothing like this has happened here in years. This... this is something else."
The air shifts. A strange warmth brushes against my skin, growing hotter with each passing second. Jason glances around, his brow furrowing. "Do you feel that?"
Before I can respond, the source of the heat reveals itself. From the horizon, a radiant figure emerges, cloaked in an aura of blazing gold. He descends slowly, his feet touching the ground with an eerie grace. The light surrounding him pulses, illuminating the ruins with a blinding brilliance.
We stand frozen, the presence of this being silencing every thought. Jason takes an uneasy step back. "Chris, whatever this is... I don't think we're ready for it."
Ignoring him, I force myself to move forward, squinting against the intense glow. "Who are you?" I call out, my voice steadier than I feel.
The figure's gaze locks onto mine, his eyes burning with a mix of amusement and disdain. When he speaks, his voice rumbles like distant thunder. "I am The Burning Light, herald of Goliath. Who dares to stand before me?"
I take another step closer, my fists clenching. "Why have you brought this devastation to Nigeria? What's your purpose here?"
Jason grabs my arm, his voice sharp. "Chris, stop! You can't challenge him—not like this."
"I can," I snap, shaking him off. "If I have to, I will."
The Burning Light chuckles, the sound reverberating in the air. "Foolish mortal. Your defiance is admirable, if misplaced. Goliath will rise, and this planet will bow. Wealth, power, even life itself will belong to us. Resistance is meaningless."
My heart pounds, but I force myself to hold his gaze. "You've taken enough from these people. I won't let you destroy anything more."
He tilts his head, studying me as though I were an insect daring to challenge a flame. "Brave words. But you are nothing—less than nothing."
Without another word, The Burning Light rises into the air, the heat intensifying as his glow spreads across the horizon. "Prepare yourselves," he says, his voice echoing ominously. "This is only the beginning."
As he vanishes into the sky, the oppressive heat fades, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Jason exhales shakily, breaking the spell. "The Burning Light... fitting name for someone like that."
I remain still, staring at the empty sky. "We need to find out who—or what—he serves. And we need to stop them. Whatever it takes."
---
In the Heart of China
The air is thick with the mingling scents of spices, sizzling meat, and fresh fruits. The bustling marketplace hums with life, a cacophony of voices haggling, laughing, and shouting in a language I barely understand. I weave through the labyrinth of stalls, my luggage weighing heavily on my shoulders and my purpose even heavier on my mind.
At a humble fruit stand, I spot an elderly man, his gnarled hands expertly slicing a ripe mango. Summoning my courage, I step forward. "Excuse me, sir," I begin, my voice faltering under his scrutinizing gaze. "I'm Christian Vincent from Nigeria. I'm looking for a place called..." I fumble for the paper in my pocket, squinting at the name. "Moqao Caves. Do you know the way?"
The man's weathered face creases into a faint smile. He gestures toward a narrow alley. "Follow that path," he says in heavily accented English. "But tread carefully. Moqao is not a place for the faint of heart."
I thank him and set off, his cryptic warning echoing in my mind. Hours pass as I navigate the sunbaked streets, the unfamiliar terrain leaving me both physically and mentally drained. Pausing beneath the shade of a crumbling archway, I wipe the sweat from my brow and let out a frustrated sigh.
"You look lost."
I whirl around to find a man standing behind me, his sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity. His appearance is unremarkable, but his presence exudes a quiet confidence.
"I'm looking for the Moqao Caves," I reply cautiously. "Do you know how to get there?"
He raises an eyebrow. "What business do you have with Moqao?"
"I'm seeking the Ancient One," I admit, my voice firm despite the unease tightening my chest. "I've heard he's a master of... unusual arts."
"Why are you seeking the Ancient One?" the man asked, his frown deepening.
I take a steadying breath. "Because I need to learn magic—real magic. A golden alien came down in Nigeria, destroying everything—buildings, cars, lives. It killed so many innocent people. I want justice, but I'm powerless. No weapons, no armor, nothing to fight back with. Magic is my only chance."
The man studies me for a long moment, as if weighing my worth. Finally, he nods. "Come with me."
We walk in silence, his pace brisk and purposeful. The bustling city fades behind us, replaced by an eerie stillness. He leads me to a narrow crevice hidden among jagged rocks. "This way," he says, slipping through the opening.
I hesitate, the weight of my decision pressing down on me. Then I follow, my breath catching as the crevice widens into a cavernous chamber. At its center stands a swirling vortex of light and shadow, pulsing with an otherworldly energy.
"It's called a portal," my guide says, his voice hushed with reverence. "Beyond it lies knowledge and power unlike anything you've ever imagined. But be warned—the path is not for the weak."
I step closer, the air around the portal crackling with energy. My heart pounds as I gaze into its depths, where glimpses of impossible landscapes flicker like mirages.
"Why are you helping me?" I ask, turning to my guide.
He smiles faintly. "Because the Ancient One doesn't just choose his students. Sometimes, he tests them. And your journey has only begun."
With that, he steps aside, leaving me alone before the swirling void. Taking a deep breath, I step forward, ready to face whatever lies on the other side.
To be continued in Epic Sorcerer story....