Osaze brought Efosa to Edosa's hut as instructed. "Remember, this time your grandfather wants you to compete with your sister. Iyare's abilities are better than yours, so learn from her. You don't have to pressure yourself to win—just don't perform worse than Osagie," Osaze advised Efosa as they walked towards the hut.
"Father, I will do my best. I have improved these past days learning under Grandfather," Efosa replied. He had actually been looking forward to a match with Iyare for months.
"Father, we're here," Osaze announced, standing outside his father's hut. It was late in the afternoon, and many of the recruits were resting.
"Wait a moment," Edosa replied from inside.
"Here, take this mask. Later, you will compete with your brother. Put on the mask before you come out," Edosa said. Iyare collected the mask, understanding her grandfather's caution. Although it was unlikely anyone would approach the general's hut, it wasn't impossible. If anyone noticed there were two Efosas, it would be difficult to explain.
"Remember, when you compete with your brother later, use all your strength. Do not hold back," Edosa instructed before stepping out of the hut.
Iyare smiled when she heard this. She was eager to see how strong her brother was to receive so much praise from their father.
"Father, Brother," Iyare greeted as she came out, holding the mask in her hand.
"Your first match will be wrestling," Edosa said after they exchanged pleasantries. Iyare and Efosa both nodded in agreement.
Osaze stood and drew a large circle for them to wrestle in. Iyare calmly put on the mask. Only her eyes and nose were visible after wearing it. She then stepped into the circle with her brother.
The two faced each other. Seeing his sister's body structure, which resembled his own, Efosa smirked mockingly. He was determined to prove to his grandfather that he wasn't inferior to a girl.
"You will begin once I clap my hands," Edosa said.
The two nodded in understanding. The tension between them was palpable. Iyare was determined to prove to her father that she was better than her brother, even if she was a girl, while Efosa saw this as his chance to prove he didn't need Iyare as a body double.
Clap!
As soon as the clap sounded, the two adjusted their positions. Efosa leapt forward, hoping to lock arms with Iyare, but he missed. Before he could recover, Iyare picked him up and slammed him to the ground.
The move shocked everyone. Efosa couldn't believe he had lost so easily. Even Edosa was slightly surprised. Although he knew Iyare would win, he didn't expect it to be so quick.
Efosa jumped to his feet. "Grandfather, let's go again!" he said, thinking he had underestimated his sister, leading to his quick defeat.
Edosa did not object. He was glad to see his typically lazy grandson motivated.
Clap!
This time, Iyare didn't wait for her brother to make the first move. She lunged at him, and they locked arms in a struggle. Efosa felt proud, thinking he could use his strength to overpower her, but within moments, he was on the ground again.
"Again!" Efosa demanded, jumping to his feet.
Iyare looked at him with a mocking smile. As soon as they started, he lost again. After five losses, Efosa was furious. He got up and lunged at Iyare, hoping to surprise her and pull her down. To his shock, Iyare had anticipated his move.
Thud!
Once again, he landed on the ground. Efosa glared at his sister, humiliated. He couldn't accept the repeated defeats and kept getting up to fight, only to lose each time.
"Stop," Edosa finally commanded, seeing that his grandson would injure himself if the fight continued. They both needed to continue training the next day.
Efosa lowered his head in shame. He didn't dare argue with his grandfather, especially since he already felt pain all over his body. He couldn't understand how his sister was so strong.
"Father, I would like to challenge her," Osaze said, curious about his daughter's strength after witnessing his son's repeated losses.
"Grandfather, let me challenge him instead," Osagie interrupted as he walked over to the hut. He had come to greet his grandfather but hadn't expected to see Efosa being beaten by someone in a mask.
"When did you get here?"
"What are you doing here?" Osaze and Edosa asked simultaneously.
"Grandfather, I came to pay my respects. Uncle, I arrived a while ago and was too shocked by the scene to speak. I apologize for not greeting earlier," Osagie explained.
"You want to challenge him?" Edosa asked. He felt relieved he had asked Iyare to wear a mask, as her identity remained hidden.
"Yes, Grandfather. I also want to test my skills," Osagie said, seeing this as an opportunity to prove he wasn't worse than Efosa.
"Alright, step into the circle," Edosa said. Osagie, was also his grandsons, although he hadn't paid much attention from him recently, he was curious about his progress.
Osagie walked over with confidence, shooting Efosa a disdainful look. Efosa didn't respond, sitting on the floor to watch Osagie get defeated.
"You will begin at the clap of my hands," Edosa said. The two nodded in agreement.
Clap!
Unlike Efosa, Osagie didn't rush in. The two circled each other cautiously, neither making the first move. After a while, Iyare grew impatient. Although she looked down on Efosa, she didn't want Osagie to feel superior to him. She attacked.
Osagie locked arms with her, thinking he could withstand her strength, but moments later, he was on the ground.
"I'll fight again," he said, jumping to his feet. He believed he had been too passive, giving Iyare an advantage. This time, he attacked first, but the result was the same.
They fought five rounds, and Osagie lost every match.
"That's enough," Edosa said, unable to watch his grandsons continue to lose to his granddaughter.
"Father, let me test her strength," Osaze said, intrigued by Iyare's abilities.
"You want to bully a child?" Edosa rejected the idea, fearing that Iyare might defeat her father. If that happened, Osaze would be too ashamed.
"Child, you must be tired. Go and rest," Edosa said. Iyare nodded and returned to the hut. Though she had won easily, she had used considerable strength and was now exhausted.
"You two go back to your tents and rest. Train well and don't disgrace the Edosa family," Edosa told his grandsons.
"Who was that?" Osagie asked Efosa as they left the hut, impressed by the masked opponent's strength.
"I don't know," Efosa replied, walking faster in annoyance.